wfn.org | GOA E-Bulletin October 31, 2008

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

> GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
> 8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075-0106
> Tel: (212) 570-3556 Fax: (212) 774-0237
> Web: http://www.goarch.org
> Email: communications@goarch.org

> October 31, 2008

This is the weekly edition of the GOA E-Bulletin. For more information just click on the links below to go to the topics of interest to you.

If the link does not work from your email, copy the link and paste it into the address bar of your web browser.

2009 STEWARDSHIP RESOURCES: The National Stewardship Commission of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese is pleased to announce that the 2009 Stewardship Campaign is now available on the web at www.stewardship.goarch.org.  Stewardship materials will arrive at parishes in early November.  For questions or assistance with the 2009 Stewardship Campaign, please email stewardship@goarch.org or call 847.825.1432.

IONIAN VILLAGE ACCEPTING STAFF APPLICATIONS: Ionian Village, the travel abroad camping program of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, is now accepting volunteer staff applications for the summer of 2009. Ionian Village staff members play an important role in the spiritual, cultural and social development of Orthodox teenagers from across the United States of America, as they travel to the most significant and cultural sites in Greece.  For more information visit

> www.ionianvillage.org

OCTOBER OBSERVER ONLINE:  The October edition of the Orthodox Observer is now available online.  Read the latest news on events, programs, and ministry, as well as special sections and columns.  The Observer is available as a PDF download.  The site also includes back issues.

> http://www.goarch.org/news/observer/

AGAPE CIRCLE FALL 2008 NOW ONLINE - The material for the six week program for small parish groups is now available at http://learn.goarch.org/moodle  The six themes for this Fall are Metanoia, Joy, Blessings, Judgment, Humanity, and Eucharistia. Agape Circle provides Orthodox Christians with an opportunity to gather for reflection, discussion, and prayer on their Orthodox Christian Faith and Life. It was highlighted in the Spring 2008 issue of PRAXIS from the Department of Religious Education.

NEW WEB SITE FOR ARCHDIOCESAN DISTRICT OFFICE OF EDUCATION: With the help of the Archdioceseâ??s IT Department, the Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education has launched its own site on the web. The creation of a separate web page -- www.education.goarch.org -- was essential since the Office represents the 10 NYC Greek Orthodox parochial day schools at the federal, state, and city education authorities. The new   web page provides an abundance of information and resources on the teaching/learning of the Greek language and culture that is also beneficial to the afternoon Greek language schools.

Our Officeâ??s web page features a detailed listing of the Districtâ??s parochial day and afternoon schools. Please visit www.education.goarch.org and notify us of any changes or corrections that you would like to see regarding your school. It is our wish to enhance our web page with new features, and we will gladly accept your comments and constructive suggestions.

DRE ANNOUNCES NEW CHRISTMAS RESOURCES: The Department of Religious Education is launching a new zine and Teacher Guide. The Center for Family Care is preparing a downloadable Parent Guide
(coming soon!) to help families bring the zine's lessons to life in the  home.

For to Us a Child Is Born, a full-color, 20-page magazine, focuses on the fullness of the Incarnation. It begins with the Annunciation and then follows the seasonal calendar through the Nativity, Theophany and the Presentation of the Lord. The zine includes icons, scripture readings, hymns, traditions (such as the Vasilopita and home blessings) and lives of saints involved in the celebration. Suitable for ages 12 and up?for use in the cllassroom, during retreats or at home.

> Order now; shipment starts October 27.

For more information, call the Department of Religious Education (617-850-1218), e-mail religioused@goarch.org, or download the flyer with sample pages from religioused.goarch.org .

NATIONAL ORTHODOX RADIO PROGRAM: Does Christianity make sense? Can a rational, modern person believe that Jesus rose from the dead? On this week's Come Receive the Light, Richard Swinburne, an internationally recognized professor of philosophy from Oxford University, explains why he believes that the main Christian doctrines about the nature of God and his actions in the world are true and rationally justifiable, even in today's world of science, sophistication and doubt. Also, Demetri Katos explains the purpose of "Worship in Spirit and Truth," his new OCN podcast on the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

Programs on our Internet Radio Stations this week: "Special Moments in Orthodoxy" continues its adult Bible study series with  Fr. Harry Pappas,
Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at St. Vladimir's Seminary. On Theologically Thinking, a new episode entitled "Saints Cosmas and Damianos."
And "Turning to the Fathers" looks at St. Gregory the Theologian.

Also, new episodes of "Get Wisdom," "Journeys to Orthodoxy" and other
programs available this week at www.myocn.net.

ORTHODOX MARKETPLACE - www.orthodoxmarketplace.com

> --------------------

The official online store of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese

Has your child outgrown his or her children's bible? Are you looking for a book that will bring them more knowledge about the background of their faith in an easy to read format? Consider giving them the Children's Bible Reader. You can view a portion of the Bible Reader online in English right now by visiting:

> http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/abs/nxtd/

You can purchase the Reader in either Greek or English versions for $19.99 for a single, for
$159.99 for a case of 10. Use the button in the demo, or visit the Orthodox Marketplace product page at:

http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/product.php?productid=18899

Have you seen the new Orthodox Study Bible? Whether you have been waiting for this bible for years or are new to the faith and are looking for a bible with notes and commentary that will educate you about the Orthodox faith, this volume will not disappoint. Currently available in hardcover for $49.95 or in bonded leather for
$79.95 - softcover edition available soon. Purchase it today at:

http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/product.php?productid=19169

SUPPORT THE ARCHDIOCESE WHILE SEARCHING or SHOPPING ON THE WEB:   The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has partnered with GoodSearch.com, a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search engine, and it's powered by Yahoo!, so you get great results. To use GoodSearch.com and support the ministries of the Archdiocese, simply go to:

> http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=833607

> For online shopping visit

> http://www.goodsearch.com/goodshop.aspx

GAMES ONLINE TO EXPLORE AND LEARN THE ORTHODOX FAITH: The Department of Internet Ministries is pleased to announce an exciting new web site at http://games.goarch.org where kids and adults of all ages can explore, create, play, learn, discover, and grow in the Orthodox Faith. The site features online games and puzzles in a colorful, engaging environment, all with an Orthodox theme. The games are suitable for kids from ages 5 on up and currently features a coloring book, jigsaw puzzles, a memory game, a word finder, crossword puzzles, and more.

The online games are currently in beta and we encourage feedback so that we can further enhance this new online offering.  Click here to visit: http://games.goarch.org.