St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church
Webster, TX
Webster, TX

Youth Programs

Church School

We will begin Sunday School September 20th.  Due to the virus, we can not do in person at this time. We will provide lesson materials to be done at home, and also two online, Zoom lessons per month. Hopefully this situation will not last long. As with public education, it’s very important for parents to assist with instruction. All families interested, need to register their children online and provide email addresses. Further instructions on how Sunday School will look will be sent to those who register. Please register by September 11th. Materials can be picked up in the Sunday School classrooms on Sunday, September 13th and 20th if necessary immediately following liturgy.  Please consider helping our youth. If will to help please contact Father Florin and Mary at marydmaxson@yahoo.com. 

Our curriculum is published and received from the Diocese and therefore appropriate and easy to teach. We are always looking for volunteers to assist.

 When face to face instruction returns, we will have Sunday School classes for children Pre K to Senior High. Sunday School is held immediately following communion. Parents can register their children by filling out the online form. Please become part of this valuable experience. Remember, our children are the future, and the future of our church rests in their hearts and souls.

ONLINE FORM

Make a Donation to Sunday School

 

 

 

 

 

GOYA

GOYA is the Greek Orthodox Youth of America program of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The mission of the GOYA Ministry is to support young Orthodox Christians in their life-long process of “growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18.) 

The GOYA program is a ministry of the Church that works to educate young Orthodox Christians to become active sacramental participants in the life of the Body of Christ. It is not an organization or club, it is simply the faithful of the Church who share the same grades in school, ages and common interests. It is a spiritual ministry based on the theological tenets of the Orthodox Christian Faith. 

GOYA ministers to teenagers of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America who are in the 7th through 12th grade and are 12 years old to 18 years of age.               

It is significant to keep in mind that the single greatest influence on how young people develop a “sense of self” is their parents. We consider GOYA as a supplement to this vital “home ministry."

 

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2020 Topics

Junior Division (Grades 7–9)

  1. The Orthodox Church honors the Virgin Mary as the Theotokos. Discuss the role she plays in the Church and as a role model for all Christians.
  2. Christ and many Church Fathers often criticized the wealthy. Do Christians need to live a life of poverty? Is it a sin to live a comfortable life?
  3. “Lord have mercy” is the most repeated phrase in the Divine Liturgy. What does it mean to truly have mercy?
  4. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3). Discuss the importance of reading Scripture in your life.
  5. The theme of the upcoming 2020 Clergy–Laity Congress is “the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Discuss the way St. Paul defines love in this important chapter of the Bible.

Senior Division (Grades 10–12)

  1. Discuss how the separation of church and state benefits us as Orthodox Christians in the United States.
  2. In his enthronement address, Archbishop Elpidophoros said, “We are all deacons.” Discuss the importance of being a deacon – a servant – in the Church.
  3. Discuss the significance of Constantinople in Church history and the struggles Orthodox Christians in Constantinople face today.
  4. How have modern-day saints from the past 100 years, from St. Nektarios to St. Paisios and others, helped Orthodox Christians live their lives today? 
  5. “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2). How might Orthodox Christians put this command into practice?

Metropolis Finals:

This year, Holy Trinity in Tulsa, OK will host the metropolis finals. The winners at the Metropolis level will proceed to the Archdiocese finals. 

March 27-29 2020 Tulsa Ok - Holy Trinity

1222 S Guthrie Ave, Tulsa, OK 74119

 

Archdiocese Finals:

The archdiocese finals will be held in our metropolis this year at St Spyridon Church in Loveland, CO. 

June 12-14 2020 Loveland CO - St Spyridon

807 W 29th St, Loveland, CO 80538

 

 

For more information, contact our Church School Director Mary Maxson at marydmaxson@yahoo.com or call 281 338 4083.