Education Supplies Needed in Alaska!

Update: Two Parishes have undertaken projects to help our Alaskan Church Schools.Let us know if you have a church school idea that will benifit our Alaskan Church Schools. Stay tuned for details.

The Bethel (Kuskokwim) Deanery held its first Church School Teachers ' Workshop February 13 & 14 in Napaskiak, AK.  From the enthusiastic response of participants, more conferences will follow.

This seminar was a good beginning of sharing ideas about church school and the needs of our people.

Despite delays due to weather-related conditions and a funeral in a neighboring village, the 1 1/2 day event was well attended by 4 clergy and 15 lay representatives.   Irenaios Anderson, an instructor at St. Herman Seminary and workshop coordinator, divided the weekend instruction/discussions into three segments:  

  1. What is Orthodox Christian Education?
  2. What is Curriculum?
  3. Lesson Plans & How to Develop Them.

Although the conference was initially planned to assist in the teaching of children, a new goal became evident to all present:  the need for teens and adults to receive instruction in the Faith. As Baptists, Moravians, Roman Catholics, and others aggressively proselytize in Alaskan villages, Orthodox Christians must know and be defenders of their Faith.

What more can be done? 

One year ago the Diocese of Alaska was in chaos.  Today the faithful look toward the future with hope.  But our help is needed to keep that hope alive.  Through the generosity of many of you, basic church school materials have been made available for the children and their teachers in parishes of the Bethel (Kuskokwim) and Kodiak deaneries.

Clergy and mission parishes need to be supplied with a (complete) Orthodox Study Bible, Lenten Triodion, and Festal Menaion.  Would you or your parish be interested in donating for any of these as a Lenten project?  Or do you have any in your parish that may be "gently worn" but not in use?

Requested Materials

Basic Catechism materials for teens and adults have also been requested.  Although these books are not costly, they are invaluable instructional materials for Orthodox Christians.

For additional information or to donate any religious materials, please contact me at mpysarchyk@hotmail.com.

The Diocese of Alaska is geographically isolated from the Church in the lower 48, but the faithful need not feel that isolation. It's all up to us.

Thank you for your help and support.

In Christ,
Margaret Pysarchyk