Diocese to celebrate Diocesan Sunday School day on Sunday, Dec 6.

 

 

DSWA/OIR/01/2015 November 25, 2015

 

Blessings to the Vicars, Priests of the locality, Deacons, office bearers and all the faithful, especially the members of the Sunday School Association of the Overseas Region.

 

Dearly Beloved,

The Sunday School of our Church plays a very important role in every child’s growth and development. With the challenges our children are facing each day, there is a growing need to develop our Sunday School curriculum that is aimed at addressing these challenges while providing spiritual nourishment and growth. The ongoing cooperative effort of the dioceses in the Overseas Region continues to move forward with a primary focus on curriculum development and the provision of both print and electronic resources for enhancing the teaching and learning experience. The most precious inheritance that we have to give to our children is our Faith. It is the mutual responsibility of the Church and parents to provide proper training for our children by allowing them to experience the life of the Holy Church and grow in it. This has lifelong value and significance and will continue to shape the future of the Church as we desire to see our children grow to be strong men and women of God with a love for Christ and His Holy Church.

 

As it has been in practice, Sunday School Day will be celebrated this year in the parishes of the Overseas Region on Sunday, December 6th, the day in which the Holy Church commemorates the nativity of St. John the Baptist. On this day, all parishes should offer a special prayer for the Sunday School of our Church. The Vicars, principals and teachers should take leadership to organize the celebrations within each parish in a suitable manner. It would be appropriate to have one of the students of the Sunday School give a short message for the day.

We exhort all parishes to take a special monetary collection on Sunday School Day and encourage all students also to participate. Please be aware that this is the major source of income for the Sunday School of each diocese. Your contributions will help the growth of the Sunday School program. The special contributions along with the offertory collected on Sunday School Day should be sent to your respective diocesan center at the earliest. It will be distributed accordingly to the OSSAE, Overseas Region, and to the respective diocese. Details regarding this will be communicated by the directors of each respective diocese.

 

We appreciate the leadership of our respected clergy, the dedicated service of our teachers, and the continuous support of our parents. Let us continue to pray for the growth of our Sunday School, that it may grow to serve its purpose in providing for the spiritual needs of our children.

 

May the blessings of God Almighty be showered upon us all.

 

Yours in our Lord,

 

Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan

 

 

A Prayer for Sunday School Day

 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. May His grace and mercy be upon us weak and sinful in both worlds forever. Amen.

 

O Lord who said “Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them for such is the kingdom of heaven,” bless Your children who now stand before You in prayer. Help them to understand the depth of Your love. Fill them with Your grace and wisdom so that they may grow to be strong men and women who fear Your name and live for Your Glory. Protect them from all sorts of temptations and keep them under the wings of Your Divine care.

 

Lord, we pray for all the teachers of our Sunday School. Just as you told Peter to “feed my lambs,” may our teachers be enabled to teach and train Your children in the way of life. Grant them Your wisdom and knowledge that they may also share it with Your children and help them grow spiritually. May Your Holy Spirit work through them and strengthen them as you have called them to serve through the ministry of teaching.

 

Lord God, we thank you for the many blessings you have showered upon the Sunday School, and we pray that Your Spirit continue to nourish our children. O Lord, bless our Sunday School and all its future endeavors, that through it we may glorify You, and Your Father, and Your Holy Spirit, now, always, and forever. Amen.

Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church,Diocese of South-West America, 3101 Hopkins Rd Beasley, TX 77417 Ph: 281.403.0670 · Fax: 281-459-0814

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