Religious
Education Committee - Press release
On Monday, 1 June 2020, His
Eminence Archbishop Nikitas presented his vision for religious education in the
United Kingdom and Ireland and officially inaugurated the Religious Education
Committee. This important new committee of the Archdiocese will be responsible
for the creation of a formal, standardised Archdiocesan Religious Education
ministry for all age-groups. The work of the committee will be completed in
phases, with the goal of having a complete functioning ministry by early 2022.
The new religious Education Committee is composed of thirty individuals with
diverse ages and backgrounds and includes clergy, religious educators, primary
and secondary school teachers, theologians, university professors, and other
professionals.
During the first meeting of the
committee, His Eminence thanked the members for responding faithfully to the
call of the Church and for offering their time and talents for the building up
of the Body of Christ. In his opening remarks, particular emphasis was placed
on the critical need to enthusiastically cultivate the Orthodox Faith in our
children, young people, and adults. His Eminence tasked the committee with
three challenges: to create contextual catechetical materials for children and
adults, to identify and engage volunteer adult catechists, and to establish
educational settings, both at the parishes of the Archdiocese and online.
Understanding the magnitude of
such an endeavour and foreseeing its complexities, His Eminence established
three sub-committees and appointed their respective chairpersons, so that they
would share their findings and preliminary assessments of the current situation
at the inaugural meeting. The three sub-committees and their chairpersons are:
-
Preparation of Orthodox Educational Curriculum for
Primary and Secondary Level Students. Chair: Miss Marina Robb
-
Evaluating Potential Clusters of Sunday Schools
& Identifying, Engaging, and Training Volunteer Teachers. Chair: Presbytera
Vassilia Hookway
-
Adult Religious Education: Re-evangelisation and
Preparation of Catechism Materials. Chair: Dr. Dimitris Salapatas
Following the presentations of
the aforementioned chairpersons, the committee members agreed to: establish a
timeline listing well-specified and attainable goals, to meet on the first
Monday of every month, to allow the sub-committees to work independently in
between monthly meetings, and to pursue efficient, creative, and dynamic ways
to respond to the many challenges and meet the goals of the three
aforementioned sub-committees.
A protocol was also established
concerning the spiritual and institutional responsibilities of the committee
members as well as the required code of conduct, safeguarding, and statutory
requirements within which all are to work and are expected to uphold at all
times. His Eminence stressed that all measures concerning the safety of our
committee members, parishioners, and volunteers concerning the required DBS and
Safeguarding procedures are to be implemented and strictly followed.
His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas
of Thyateira and Great Britain and the Archdiocesan Religious Education
Committee request the prayers and spiritual support of the clergy and faithful,
so that this committee and its important work may come to a successful
completion. Secondly, the faithful are requested to discern ways in which they
can assist, when eventually called upon, at their local parish. Those who feel
called to assist in other ways or would like to provide recommendations
concerning religious education are encouraged to contact the Very Rev.
Archimandrite Nephon Tsimalis directly at: Ntsimalis@gmail.com
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