Under the direction of the Diocesan Primate Abp. Hovnan Derderian, the Christian Education Council held its annual Back to Sunday School workshops this past August. All Sunday school superintendents, teachers, and church leaders were invited to participate in this always-informative event designed to introduce the curriculum and support programs for the new school year. The day centered on collaboration amongst our Sunday schools and consistency within all of our classrooms. In addition, we have joined efforts with the AACCWD, which has created a new choir curriculum designed especially for our Sunday schools. The CEC makes it a priority to support every parish Sunday school so that the best classroom lessons and programs are made available to our children.

This year’s theme is Soaring to New ‘HYE’ghts! We used a “kite” to illustrate our goal for the children: A kite is meant to soar high up in the sky; however, in order to do so the kite needs to be tethered to a string for support and guidance, and wind to provide its movement through the air. Like the kite, we want our children to soar as high as they can in life. We pray they find great love and success while always staying tethered to their faith and true to the lessons they are taught in Sunday school. It is the Holy Spirit, of course, that serves as the wind to carry our children through the highs and lows in life, but if they remain faithful, the Holy Spirit will never allow them to fall.

For the first year, the CEC offered the workshop in 3 different locations to better serve Sunday schools:

In Los Angeles, the workshop was led by CEC members Fr. Krikor Zakaryan, Gail Chelebian, Lynn Bedrosian, Audrey Matoesian and AACCWD Chair Sevag Derderian. CEC Chair Gail Chelebian, Lynn Bedrosian, and Sevag Derderian then took the “show on the road” to Fowler and San Francisco where they conducted the workshop for parishes in these areas.

We wish to thank all of the host parishes and participants who participated. We were greatly humbled by the sincere gratitude and hospitality shown at all workshop locations. It is our hope to continue planning future workshops and events to better serve our Sunday schools so they continue to grow and flourish.

Faithfully,

Gail Chelebian

Chair