wfn.org | GOAA E-Bulletin January 16, 2009

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

> January 16, 2009

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.

SHARE THE LIGHT SUNDAY: Sunday, January 18 is

â??Share the Light Sundayâ?? in recognition of the work of the Orthodox Christian Network (OCN), the media agency of SCOBA.  In the encyclical for the Sunday, the Hierarchs of SCOBA ask the faithful to â??dedicate January 18, 2009, as an opportunity to familiarize your parish with its ministry, and consider your own level of support for its mission.â??  For more information on OCN and on how your parish can participate visit

> http://www.receive.org

> To read the SCOBA Encyclical visit

http://www.goarch.org/news/goa_news.SharethelightSunday2009

SAVE THE DATE: National Young Adult Pilgrimage to Russia! April 24-May 2, 2009:  The Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries is pleased to announce the National Young Adult Pilgrimage to Russia, April 24-May 2, 2009. Visit the historic cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg on an unbelievable pilgrimage of faith you will never forget! Online registration will open January 15, 2009. Space is limited to 35 young adults and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information please call the Department at 646.519.6180 or visit www.youth.goarch.org

ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ORATORICAL FESTIVAL UPDATES: St John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Updates - Information about schedules for District and Metropolis Oratorical Festivals has been placed on the web pages for the Festival. As more information from the Metropolises is received, information will be updated. Also, an entire new page of tips for organizing a Festival and for writing a speech has been created with information shared from the Resurrection Church in Brookville, NY.  Go to www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/religioused/sjcof  to see the latest.

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

NATIONAL ORTHODOX RADIO PROGRAM: Abraham Terian, Emeritus Professor of Armenian Theology and Patristics at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, offers listeners a brief introduction to the Armenian Orthodox Church and a look at his most recent book, a study of a fascinating 4th century text by Bishop Macarius of Jerusalem. Learn more about Christology, the pastoral nature of the Church and the ancient Christian mysteries of Baptism and Communion. Also, a short segment from Deacon Phillip Matthews on the Indian Orthodox Church.

On "Special Moments in Orthodoxy," Fr. Harry continues his adult Bible study of the Book of Acts. Fr. Anthony Gabriel discusses the Jesus story on "Theologically Thinking". And a new
"Turning to the Fathers" on St. John of Damascus is featured.

The second installment of "Between Two Worlds - Christian Converts in Ancient Corinth" continues with an engaging look at the text and context of St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. Host Dr. George Parsenios of Princeton Theological Seminary brings St. Paul's world to life.

Be sure to visit our website to see information on spreading the word about the Orthodox Christian Network for SHARE THE LIGHT SUNDAY on January 18. If you register on our site, or get enough friends to sign up, you will be entered into a drawing for a free iPod packed with Orthodox music.

Look for new podcasts from OCN's partnership with Axion Estin and New York's Cosmos Radio FM, and a new series on the Apocalypse by Dr. Jeannie Constantinou.

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

ORTHODOX MARKETPLACE - www.orthodoxmarketplace.com

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The official online store of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese

> Free Shipping Offer Extended to 2009

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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.

> New and Upcoming Releases

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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 ? Feeaturing 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.

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