The youth ministries of our Church are more than just “kids getting together for fun” since we are more than just a club. Being a Greek Orthodox Church means that every part of our life revolves around our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. To that end, when we minister to the youth, God’s children, we do more than just enjoy fellowship, although fellowship is part of every activity. Total youth ministry means gathering for fellowship, worship, learning and service. Thus our youth learn to lead Greek Orthodox Christian lives. We are very excited about the ministries planned for this fall and invite ALL our youth to participate in as many ministries as they can since no single ministry is able to serve the total person.
As outlined in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Youth Ministries Department, the purpose of youth ministry is to lead our young people into experiencing the Holy Orthodox Faith. By developing a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and becoming active sacramental members of the living Church, our young people will be equipped with tools necessary to assist them in their journey toward salvation.
Wednesday Nights at Transfiguration – NEW!
In conjunction with our youth ministries, the entire church family gathers each Wednesday evening for worship, fellowship and Bible study. This new ministry in 2011 is meant to develop deeper relationships with each other and our Lord Jesus Christ as members of the Greek Orthodox Church. One meeting each month will be designated as “Family Game Night.”
Sunday School – Ages 3K through High School
Sunday School meets for 45 minutes in the classrooms of our community center each Sunday morning following Holy Communion. The curriculum is set by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department of Religious Education and is designed to teach our youth the basic teachings, customs and practices of our Orthodox faith. Each week a “Making it Real at Home” guide will be sent home with each student for family time during the week.
Greek School – Ages 3K through Middle School
The Greek school meets each week in the classrooms of our community center for history, culture and language skills. Throughout the year, such as for the Annual Greek festival, the Greek school coordinates Greek folk dance for exhibitions and Church gatherings. Tuition for Greek school is $50 per student.
Specialized Ministries
Altar Boys (10 years and older)
Myrrh Bearers (girls 3K and older for Holy Friday and August 15th)
Vacation Church School (summer program for 3K through high school)
Where do the ministries meet?
All weekly ministries meet in the community center classrooms. This year there are two rooms that have been designated for special purposes.
The GOYA Room is reserved for teenage ministries and is available anytime during the week for our teenagers as long as an adult is present.
The Nursery Room is available during each ministry for parents to “take turns” babysitting their children so they too can attend various programs at the Church. The rooms is designed for children 0 – 5K, and an adult MUST BE PRESENT at all times.
Fall 2011 GOYA Schedule of Special Events
For youth in Middle School and High School – Grades 6-12
August 19 End-of-Summer Swim Party at Florence YMCA
September 16 Fireside Chat at Haros Home
September 22-24 29th Annual Greek Festival
October 1 Cross Dive in Wilmington, NC
November 18-20 Metropolis Lenten Retreat at Diakonia Center
December 16 3rd Annual Ginger Bread House Party at Church
December 17 GOYA Service Project
December 27-30 Winter Youth Rally in Atlanta, GA
Fall 2011 HOPE/JOY Schedule of Special Events
For youth in Elementary School – grades Kindergarten – 5th Grade
August 19 End-of-Summer Swim Party at Florence YMCA
September 22-24 29th Annual Greek Festival
October 15 Pimm Farms Corn Maize
November 18 “Lights Before Christmas” at Riverbanks Zoo
December 16 3rd Annual Ginger Bread House Party at Church
December 18 Christmas Program and Luncheon
Youth Ministry Staff
Reverend Father Athanasios C Haros, Pastor
Stacy Bakas, Vacation Church School Coordinator
Karen Davis, Sunday School Teacher
Lula Dewitt, Sunday School Teacher & HOPE/JOY Co-Coordinator
Renee Doulaveris, Myrrh Bearers Coordinator
Presvytera Vassi Haros, Sunday School Teacher
Eula Kampiziones, Greek School Teacher
Niki Kampiziones, Greek School Teacher
Demetri Krasias, Parish Council Liaison
Helen Nikolakakos, Nursery Room Coordinator
Janna Scimanico, Sunday School Teacher & HOPE/JOY Co-Coordinator
Jean Sox, Sunday School Teacher
Jimmy Tassios, Sunday School Teacher
Vivian Vlahos, Greek School Director
Internet Resources for Family and Youth Ministry
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
http://www.goarch.org
Archdiocese of America Department of Youth Ministry
http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/youth/
Archdiocese of America Department of Marriage and Family
http://marriage.goarch.org
Archdiocese of America Center for Family Care
http://family.goarch.org
Archdiocese of America Department of Religious Education
http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/religioused/
Archdiocese of America Department of Greek Education
http://greekeducation.goarch.org
Father Athanasios’ Blog
http://papaharos.blogspot.com
Online Videos and Sermons from Transfiguration Church
http://papaharos.blip.tv
