The Cathedral’s Sunday School program draws to a close on Sunday, June 12. Diplomas/certificates of attendance will be passed out and everyone will be treated to a picnic lunch, compliments of the Sunday School. Students are invited to wear your Sunday School pins, which you have been receiving over the last few years.

Sunday School will resume in September. On Sunday, September 11 we will hold registration. And, on Sunday, September 25, we will resume class. We will also be “separating” our Sunday School into an “upper school” and a “lower school,” for purposes of assemblies, practices, and attendance at the Divine Liturgy. The upper school will be comprised of students in 5th grade through high school, while the lower school will be comprised of students in Pre-school through fourth grade.

With some 125 children enrolled, we are also in need of six new Sunday School teachers next year, and especially for a teacher for our high school. We are asking you to think about making this commitment, especially if you are a parent and possess some expertise in the area of teaching. It is important that we offer our children not just a sacred place—the church building—but also the knowledge, that they “may grow in the grace and [in the] knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)

Please give consideration to the following article by P. McCarthy, taken from Teachers Magazine. It is entitled “Choosing to Teach.”

“Not only my “book knowledge,” but also my sense of self, my values and principles were shaped and refined through relationships with them.

Over time I came to realize how important good teaching is to the development of individuals and, ultimately, to the evolution of society. In whatever small way I could, I wanted to pass on that opportunity.

On a more selfish level, I enjoy and recognize that the role of teacher and student are really one. Learning always takes place in both directions and it is always new and unpredictable.

A philosopher once said, “You can never step into the same river twice.” [The Greek philosopher Heraclitos] Applied to teaching, I think it means that there is always another way to use an idea, and always unique and unanticipated reactions by the learners.

The question of how people learn is also fascinating. Part of the challenge is that teaching involves not only bodies of knowledge, but the ability to communicate knowledge through the student-teacher relationship.

“Setting the conditions” for learning is never easy, and never exactly the same. Maybe that is because it is not just the transfer of information that is taking place, but also the transformation of human beings.”

If you believe you are being called to teach, we invite you to speak with Father Stephen or with Denise Yeilding, our Sunday School Director.

GREEK SCHOOL ENDS FOR THE SUMMER

Greek School classes concluded on May 25th, both for our grades 1-8 program and for adults. Classes will resume Wednesday, September 14. We look forward to the return of our current students as well as to the enrollment of new students. Classes are being taught by Fiori Simotas.

SUMMER CAMP: ANNUNCIATION CATHEDRAL’S SIXTH ANNUAL FAMILY CAMP AT CASSINI RANCH

Young people of our community have three camp options. One is our own family camp, which for the last few years has been held at the Cassini Ranch along the shores of the Russian River. This is a six day, five night program and it will take place August 5th through August 10th. John Curd will be our Camp Director this year, in Ari Stratakis’ absence. (Ari and his family will be on vacation.) While families stay in tents, facilities at the camp site include a general store, hot showers, a laundromat, and playground. The cost is modest. For a family of two persons, the cost is $360; for a family of three persons, it is $380; for a family of four persons, it is $400; and for a family of five persons, it is $420. The price includes all meals, but not the tent. Reservations and fees are due by July 1, 2005. For reservations and information, please call Ari Stratakis. Space is limited. Reservations are first come, first serve.

ST. NICHOLAS RANCH & RETREAT CENTER, IN DUNLAP

A second option is the camp held at the St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center, in Dunlap, California. For the camp at St. Nicholas Ranch, you are invited to log onto their website, www.stnicholasranch.org. There, you will find a full description of this year’s programs (there are three—one runs from July 10 through July 16; the second runs from July 17 through July 23; the third runs from July 24 through July 30), including photographs and an application.

IONIAN VILLAGE

Finally, a third option is the one held at the Ionian Village, on the shores of the Ionian Sea, in Greece. During 2005 two summer sessions at Ionian Village will be offered. One is for young people in grades 7 through 9. This will take place July 1st through July 19. The second is for young people in grades 10 through 12. This will take place July 25th through August 13th. For more information, visit the web site, www.ionianvillage.org. You may also call the Ionian Village office, at 646 519-6190. While Ionian Village is far, located as it is along the Ionian Sea, in Greece, those who have attended in past years attest that it is a life-altering experience. There is nothing like the Orthodox life sessions there, one hears over and over again. Do give this option your utmost consideration.

CATHEDRAL/LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS

This year, scholarships were awarded to Juliana Christina Rotter, Constantine Tsagaris, Gus Vouchilas, and George Tsagaris. Juliana, who will be attending MIT to study chemical/biomedical engineering, has been awarded both the John N. Pappas Scholarship and a Cathedral Ladies Philoptochos Scholarship, each in the amount of $1,000; Dean, who will be attending San Francisco Law School, has been awarded a Cathedral Ladies Philoptochos Scholarship, in the amount of $1,000; Gus, who is working on a doctorate in Education, was awarded a Cathedral Ladies Philoptochos Scholarship in the amount of $500, and George, who is pursuing a business degree from Skyline College, has been awarded the Christos Tsikitas Scholarship, in the amount of $500. Their certificates will be presented at the Father’s Day Luncheon on June 19.