wfn.org | GOA - E-Bulletin December 12, 2008

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

> December 12, 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.

FEAST OF THE NATIVITY: The Feast of the Nativity of Jesus is one of the most joyful days of the Orthodox Church. It ranks next to the greatest holiday, the Resurrection of Jesus. The Feast of the Birth of Jesus is also known as the
"Incarnation of Christ."  For the biblical story, resources, an explanation of the icon of the feast, hymns, and more visit this special site.

http://www.goarch.org/special/listen_learn_share/nativity/index_html

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.

OCMC MISSION TEAMS FOR 2009: The Orthodox Christian Mission Center is now accepting applications for 2009 Mission Teams! ?These teams will travel to nine different countries in Asia, North and Central America, Africa, and Europe. Team Members will perform ministries of healthcare, construction, youth outreach, and teaching.  For more information on these unique opportunities visit

http://www.ocmc.org/programs/teams_search.aspx?SearchBy=Year

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

2009 NATIONAL ORATORICAL FESTIVAL: The Twenty-sixth annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival will be hosted by the Metropolis of Chicago in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota on the weekend of June 12-14, 2009. The Rev. Paul Paris and The Rev. R. Demetrios Andrews host co-chairpersons, and members of the host committee recently met with Presvytera Margaret Orfanakos, Archdiocese Co-chairperson, to discuss the plans for the weekend.

The 2009 Topics and Topic Tips are posted on the Web-site of the Department of Religious Education at www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/religioused/sjcof

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 claassroom, 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: Fr. Michael Oleksa, who has written extensively on topics related to missiology and Orthodoxy in the United States, talks with Fr. Chris about the Orthodox approach to missions and how Orthodox Christians should relate to American culture. Also, Fr. Chris speaks to a Canadian youth group about why they find inspiration in the story of St. Peter the Aleut, a young Native American who was martyred for the Orthodox Faith.

Special programs on our Internet Radio Stations this week: On "Special Moments in Orthodoxy" Fr. Harry Pappas continues his adult Bible study of the Book of Acts. On â??Worship in Spirit and Truthâ??, Dr. Demetrios Katos discusses the popular Christmas hymn â??Only Begotten Son.â??

The Christmas rush is surrounding us and the peace of Christ's birth is absent from many homes. What do we do as parents to focus on the true spirit of Christmas? On this weekâ??s
â??Theologically Thinking,â?? Dr. Violet Leathers will offer us some practical ideas on how to shift the focus from material things to a sense of family, morality, spirituality, and community.

And new episodes of â??Journeys to Orthodoxyâ??, 
"Get Wisdom," "Icons In Sound" and more.

All programs available on Internet Radio, Podcast and OnDemand at www.myocn.net.

ORTHODOX MARKETPLACE - www.orthodoxmarketplace.com

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

The official online store of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese

> Free Shipping Offer Extended to 2009

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

Due to the positive response, we have decided to continue offering UPS
ground shipping within the US for a $2 handling charge for any orders
that total $25 or more. No coupons are required - be sure to select UPS
Ground as the freight option when checking out.

> Holiday Gift Ideas

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

This holiday season presents several new offerings - Cappella Romana's
excellent holiday release "Kontakion for the Nativity of Christ" follows
up on the heels of their critically acclaimed 2-CD English Divine
Liturgy set.

http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/-pr-19255.html?MMCF_EB

We also added two new crosses to our catalog - a simple relief slavonic
style cross with the "Save and Protect" inscription and a slightly more
rugged tri-bar cross for daily wear. Both include sterling silver chain
- which we also sell separately in three lengths.

http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/-pr-19262.html?MMCF_EB

> New and Upcoming Releases

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

We are also pleased to present the Children's Bible Reader - Spanish
Edition, which is available now, as well as a number of academic bible
study resources including the revised Septuaginta, a critical edition of
the Gospel of John according to the Byzantine Tradition and others.

http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/-pr-19241.html?MMCF_EB

Soon we will release the new Orthodox Military New Testament, designed
to be small and portable while also including adequate devotional
references for Orthodox Christians who are deployed.

http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/-pr-19242.html?MMCF_EB

Ecology Film Series ? Featturing Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

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Documentary producer Jim Becket has released several films that document
the Symposium on Religion, Science and the Environment - a series of
gatherings that follow from a initiative from the Ecumenical Patriarch
to bring together experts from the field of ecological sciences, social
sciences and world religions together to discuss the impact of human
life on the environment and explore our obligations as people of faith
to sustain the created world. Join our waiting lists to be notified when
these products are available for sale.

http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/-pr-19273.html?MMCF_EB

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.