Sunday School Superintendents from parishes across the Eastern Diocese gathered for the second National Sunday School Superintendents Summit held this past weekend at St. Nersess Seminary in Armonk, NY.
The three-day event, from August 11-13, was organized and sponsored by the Diocese’s Department of Christian Education. Superintendents representing 11 parishes explored the challenges facing Christian educators today and the newest paradigm shifts in faith formation. In addition to structured discussions, networking, and drafting a “state of the Sunday Schools” report, participants heard presentations on education, faith development theory, the Christian life journey, Diocesan educational resources, and paths to community discipleship.
A visit from the Primate, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, afforded a welcome opportunity for dialogue. Reflections and prayer experiences were interspersed throughout the weekend.
The presentation of Fr. Tavit Boyajian, pastor of Sts. Joachim and Anne Church (Palos Heights, IL), was a Summit favorite. Fr. Boyajian performed his original songs about Armenian Church history and the Bible on guitar and piano, before awed audience members who couldn’t help but sing along. He also shared online links to badarak hymns he had recorded as a teaching resource. The Christian Education department will be working to make Fr. Boyajian’s songs more widely available.
The session afforded an opportunity to discuss an instructional CD of badarak hymns in English translation produced by Andrea Carden and a team of educators at the St. Leon parish (Fair Lawn, NJ), as well as the general subject of teaching sharagans and songs.
The Summit concluded with a moving Divine Liturgy (and grape blessing) celebrated by the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, director of the Diocese’s Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center and Professor of Liturgical Studies at St. Nersess. Following worship, Fr. Daniel gave a talk on the deeper, more authentic nature of the liturgy, which prompted animated conversation.
Other presenters included Nancy Basmajian, director of Adult Christian Education in Cheltenham, PA, and a former Diocesan youth and education staffer; Elise Antreassian; and Eric Vozzy of the Diocesan Department of Creative Ministries who spoke on the “Bread and Salt” video series.
Gratified by the results of this second Summit, Elise Antreassian noted that “Our Sunday School Superintendents are becoming a true leadership team – informed, spiritually centered, working with staff, parents, and students – dedicated to bringing those we serve closer to Christ. And they are humbly committed to that journey as well.”
Proposals emanating from the Summit will help foster change in local programming as well as the priorities of both the Department of Christian Education and the Diocese overall.
Inspiring Messages
Participants were inspired by the weekend’s program, citing renewed energy for the challenges ahead. A sampling of e-mails that arrived at the Diocesan Center immediately following the Summit tells it all:
“Thanks to all 2017 Summiters!,” wrote Joyce Avedisian (of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Sunday School, Providence, RI). “I left St. Nersess filled with gratitude, joy, and enthusiasm for what lies ahead.”
“It was such an uplifting weekend with friends that are brothers and sisters in Christ!” wrote Andrea Carden (St. Leon Sunday School, Fair Lawn, NJ). “My mind is so full of ideas and thoughts this morning, as well as the warm memories of just a day ago. Looking forward to communicating!”
Laura Purutyan (St. James Sunday School, Watertown, MA) wrote: “Thank you for a breakthrough experience and God bless our team!”
“I feel blessed to be part of such an amazing group of brothers and sisters in Christ’s work! I feel invigorated. Today I told a naysayer not to burst my bubble!!” wrote Alice Leylegian (St. Gregory Sunday School, White Plains, NY).
“This second Superintendents Summit was so informative and inspiring! I wish more of my fellow superintendents had been in attendance to experience the sense of unity in purpose,” wrote Yeretzgin Tirouhe Boyajian (Sts. Joachim and Anne, Palos Heights, IL). “Contemplating the future of our church and the role of Sunday School in shaping that future was exhilarating!”
“This is one weekend that I will always remember and cherish. Thanks to all of my colleagues, I am ready to bring our local Sunday School to another level,” wrote Barry Bilzerian (Armenian Church of Our Savior Sunday School, Worcester, MA), adding: “No longer am I tired. I will be reaching out to all of you throughout the year to share ideas. Our group picture is in my office to remind me of how special each and every one of you really is.”
Martha Jamgochian (Sts. Sahag and Mesrob, Providence, RI), enthused: “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! A really wonderful Summit; I consider it a gift.”
Finally, the Rev. Fr. Tavit Boyajian, pastor of Sts. Joachim and Anne Church in Palos Heights, IL, offered these words: “Your dedication is inspiring to me, for in your service the Holy Spirit shines forth to the children and parishes you serve.