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PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.net
November 13, 2009
___________________________________________
IN NEW ENGLAND, TEENS ARE THE FOCUS OF A DIOCESAN CHRISTIAN ED WORKSHOP
The study habits and learning styles of middle and high school Sunday School
students were the focus of a workshop for educators held last month at the
Armenian Church of the Holy Translators, in Framingham, MA.
Titled "Teens and the Christian Classroom," the daylong discussion was led
by Elise Antreassian and Megan Jendian, coordinators of Christian Education
in the Eastern Diocese's Department of Youth and Education.
The Saturday, October 24, event was open to New England region Sunday School
educators. A total of 25 Sunday School staffers, including nine
superintendents, from six area parishes took part in the sessions.
Participants spoke about developing a more "relationship-centered" teaching
ministry, using various techniques for creating deeper connections with
middle and high school students, and applying specific teaching methods to
cater to all learning styles.
The challenge of instructing teens "truly epitomizes what teaching faith is
all about," said Elise Antreassian. "In addition to teachers imparting
information pertinent to the learner's life, it is also about teachers
witnessing to how faith has changed them, and sharing the happy changes
their students can expect when God is at the center of their lives."
Teachers also shared practical suggestions for linking students' life
experiences with classroom prayer and Scripture, and discussed ways to make
the material more fun and accessible to students. During one portion of the
afternoon, participants worked in small groups to create activities using
jigsaw puzzles and crafts materials.
"There was plenty of open, honest discussion and sharing, and a positive
atmosphere of collaboration," said the Rev. Fr. Krikor Sabounjian, pastor of
Holy Translators Church, who attended the day's event. "We should build upon
this excitement and enthusiasm by offering other such seminars in the near
future so that this experience continues to allow growth and further
cooperation among the sister parishes of the New England region."
At the workshop's final session, designed to explore questions and concerns,
teachers spoke about curriculum challenges and a new experimental Sunday
School format, which incorporates time for family worship and Holy Communion
into Sunday School class time. The format is being tested in a handful of
parishes, including the Holy Translators Church. Teachers also gave positive
feedback about the core Armenian Christian curriculum and the Mardigian
Institute, which offers teacher-training seminars at the Diocesan Center
every two years.
On Sunday, October 25, Antreassian and Jendian visited the Holy Translators
Church Sunday School, where students spent the first hour participating in
the Divine Liturgy and Holy Communion and later convened in the classroom to
learn more about the Armenian Christian faith.
Jendian conveyed a short lesson about the holy cross, designed to engage
children in conversation and critical thinking. Following classes, the
Diocesan representatives joined teachers for a brief meeting.
The workshop at Holy Translators Church was requested by the New England
Region Superintendents' Association - comprised of Sunday School directors
in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The dynamic association was
revived recently under a rotating leadership: so far Marsha Alabachian,
superintendent of St. James Sunday School in Watertown, MA, and Seta
Buchter, superintendent of Holy Trinity Sunday School in Cambridge, MA, have
been its energetic and enthusiastic leaders.
The association is currently planning a June 2010 gathering and looking
ahead to the 2011 Diocesan Assembly, where members hope to collaborate with
the Diocese's Department of Youth and Education to begin work on a national
Sunday School staff symposium.
###
Photos attached.
Photo 1: Participants in the "Teens and the Christian Classroom" workshop
discuss techniques for creating deeper connections with middle and high
school students.
Photo 2: Participants in the "Teens and the Christian Classroom" workshop
brainstorm ways to engage students and help them build a relationship with
God.
Photo 3: Participants in the "Teens and the Christian Classroom" workshop
pose for a group photo at Holy Translators Church.
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.net
November 13, 2009
___________________________________________
IN NEW ENGLAND, TEENS ARE THE FOCUS OF A DIOCESAN CHRISTIAN ED WORKSHOP
The study habits and learning styles of middle and high school Sunday School
students were the focus of a workshop for educators held last month at the
Armenian Church of the Holy Translators, in Framingham, MA.
Titled "Teens and the Christian Classroom," the daylong discussion was led
by Elise Antreassian and Megan Jendian, coordinators of Christian Education
in the Eastern Diocese's Department of Youth and Education.
The Saturday, October 24, event was open to New England region Sunday School
educators. A total of 25 Sunday School staffers, including nine
superintendents, from six area parishes took part in the sessions.
Participants spoke about developing a more "relationship-centered" teaching
ministry, using various techniques for creating deeper connections with
middle and high school students, and applying specific teaching methods to
cater to all learning styles.
The challenge of instructing teens "truly epitomizes what teaching faith is
all about," said Elise Antreassian. "In addition to teachers imparting
information pertinent to the learner's life, it is also about teachers
witnessing to how faith has changed them, and sharing the happy changes
their students can expect when God is at the center of their lives."
Teachers also shared practical suggestions for linking students' life
experiences with classroom prayer and Scripture, and discussed ways to make
the material more fun and accessible to students. During one portion of the
afternoon, participants worked in small groups to create activities using
jigsaw puzzles and crafts materials.
"There was plenty of open, honest discussion and sharing, and a positive
atmosphere of collaboration," said the Rev. Fr. Krikor Sabounjian, pastor of
Holy Translators Church, who attended the day's event. "We should build upon
this excitement and enthusiasm by offering other such seminars in the near
future so that this experience continues to allow growth and further
cooperation among the sister parishes of the New England region."
At the workshop's final session, designed to explore questions and concerns,
teachers spoke about curriculum challenges and a new experimental Sunday
School format, which incorporates time for family worship and Holy Communion
into Sunday School class time. The format is being tested in a handful of
parishes, including the Holy Translators Church. Teachers also gave positive
feedback about the core Armenian Christian curriculum and the Mardigian
Institute, which offers teacher-training seminars at the Diocesan Center
every two years.
On Sunday, October 25, Antreassian and Jendian visited the Holy Translators
Church Sunday School, where students spent the first hour participating in
the Divine Liturgy and Holy Communion and later convened in the classroom to
learn more about the Armenian Christian faith.
Jendian conveyed a short lesson about the holy cross, designed to engage
children in conversation and critical thinking. Following classes, the
Diocesan representatives joined teachers for a brief meeting.
The workshop at Holy Translators Church was requested by the New England
Region Superintendents' Association - comprised of Sunday School directors
in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The dynamic association was
revived recently under a rotating leadership: so far Marsha Alabachian,
superintendent of St. James Sunday School in Watertown, MA, and Seta
Buchter, superintendent of Holy Trinity Sunday School in Cambridge, MA, have
been its energetic and enthusiastic leaders.
The association is currently planning a June 2010 gathering and looking
ahead to the 2011 Diocesan Assembly, where members hope to collaborate with
the Diocese's Department of Youth and Education to begin work on a national
Sunday School staff symposium.
###
Photos attached.
Photo 1: Participants in the "Teens and the Christian Classroom" workshop
discuss techniques for creating deeper connections with middle and high
school students.
Photo 2: Participants in the "Teens and the Christian Classroom" workshop
brainstorm ways to engage students and help them build a relationship with
God.
Photo 3: Participants in the "Teens and the Christian Classroom" workshop
pose for a group photo at Holy Translators Church.