Sunday School HOT NEWS

Vacation Bible School 2007 Cancelled - Alternate Program Offered

Vacation Bible School was originally scheduled from July 30 through August 3, 2007, for members and friends of the All Saints community. Due to circumstances "beyond our control", not enough children registered to enable us to offer the full program we had planned for.

Two decisions were made: first, we would postpone this year's program until next year due to the time, effort, and expense put into the preparations for this year.

Second, we would host an alternate program for those children that did register so as not to disappoint them. With the upcoming Fast for the Dormition, it was suggested that we focus on the Theotokos, with an additional emphasis on where Jesus grew up and shared in his ministry.

Fr. Frank and Presbytera Cynthia hosted a cookout on Monday evening, July 30, at the parish house, complete with a campfire. During the campfire, Fr. Frank shared the teaching of the Orthodox Church on the prefigurement of the Incarnation through the flames of the Burning Bush out of which the Pre-incarnate Logos spoke to Moses. Just as the bush burned with the flames of the glory of God but was not consumed, so also Mary contained within her womb the Creator of heaven and earth, and was not consumed by His glory as the Son of God. After the presentation and a time for sharing, it was time for dessert and smore goodies.

On Tuesday evening, the group gathered in the Nave of the Church to find all the Icons that had the Theotokos in them and to pre-celebrate the blessing of first-fruits at the Transfiguration. Following the Icon tour, everyone gathered in the Annex Gym for a presentation by Presbytera Judy Poplos on the cities Jesus traveled to around the Sea of Galilee. She displayed items and artifacts from the Holy Land that she received while on a missions trip through the Archdiocese some years ago.

On Wednesday evening, the children gathered for the first Paraklesis Service of Decapentaugusto which was chanted mostly in English for their benefit. After the service, the community was invited back to the Annex Gym to have some fellowship and see what the children had learned.

Although it was an abbreviated session (three days instead of five), everyone had a good time and learned many interesting things about both the Theotokos and Jesus' travels around the Sea of Galilee.

Below are some of the pictures from the cookout. We hope you enjoy them.

First, start with some good food...

Add some families...

Throw in a little instruction...

Fr. Frank sharing about the Theotokos...

Presbytera Judy shared about the Sea of Galilee ...

Throw in "smore" goodies...

And there you have it!!!