Center for Family Care Publications
Center for Family Care
January 13, 2023
Three publications for purchase from the Center for Family Care. Read More
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Webinar: How Do We Understand Orthodox Marriage Today
Center for Family Care
November 18, 2022
Theologically speaking, does Orthodox view marriage as a contract, a covenant, or a mystery? How is marriage an image of the Holy Trinity? What are some of the challenges we face in living out an Orthodox Christian marriage? Join us in this webinar as we discuss the role of this holy sacrament in our contemporary times. Read More
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Webinar: Wonderfully Made
Center for Family Care
August 11, 2022
We are created in the image of God, "fearfully and wonderfully" made by our Creator, yet most of us fail to appreciate the complexities of our bodies and how miraculously they operate. This discussion focuses on the wonder of our bodies, how disabilities lead to other abilities, and what we can do to fulfill our unique potential even with illnesses and disabilities. Read More
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Light in Times of Darkness Webinar
Center for Family Care
June 7, 2021
How can we find light in times of darkness? How can we be a light? How can we help our families become lights in darkness? Join us as we discuss these questions and more in this GOA Center for Family Care webinar. Read More
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Marriage In and Beyond a Pandemic: Challenges and Opportunities
Center for Family Care
May 10, 2021
Why are marriage difficulties amplified right now? The simplest explanation? Couples are experiencing more relational strain as they navigate the challenges and stressors of Covid. Read More
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Prune Your Soul
Center for Family Care
April 26, 2021
I used to be fearful of pruning my rose bushes, wanting them to have full freedom to grow any which way they would. I didn’t want to be like a highly caffeinated hairdresser lopping off more than enough inches, leading to something that looked like a shearing rather than a trim. ‘Don’t be afraid to prune’ gardening experts say, “pruning leads to new growth and continued blooming.” (Marie Ianotti) Read More
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A Palm Sunday Parade
Center for Family Care
April 19, 2021
The invitation to this parade, and the events of Holy Week, are extended to everyone. Christ does not require a perfect and complete faith. He asks for an open heart, a willing spirit, and our first step to be taken in faith. After that initial step, Jesus will lead us to experience the events of this week in an intimate and life-changing manner. Come and see! Read More
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“Crown them with glory and honor.” Marriage in the Orthodox Church
Outreach and Evangelism Ministries
April 15, 2021
One of the sacraments of the Orthodox Church, the Marriage Service is rich with biblical imagery, prayer, and symbol. Because the ceremony is attended by Orthodox and non-Orthodox who may not be aware of the significance of the actions, this text has been prepared. It can be used as the basis for a program booklet distributed at the ceremony. There are a few spots for customization, such as including the names of the bride and the groom. The text can be edited easily to fit the program. Other possible additions to a program include the names of the bridal party, the family members, the clergy celebrating the ceremony, locations of receptions, and a personal note from the couple. Read More
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Eight Dates: Essential Conversations for a Lifetime of Love
Center for Family Care
February 8, 2021
I want to share with you an excellent resource for strengthening your marriage relationship. The book is titled Eight Dates: Essential Conversations for a Lifetime of Love by John Gottman and his wife Julie. John Gottman is a world-renowned clinician, researcher, and author on marriage and parenting issues. Although some of his work trends toward an academic audience, Eight Dates is accessible to everyone interested in improving their marital bond. Read More
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Rethinking Divorce: 10 Strategies that Can Help
Center for Family Care
January 19, 2021
If you’re currently in an unhappy marriage, let me say that it’s not impossible to reverse course and reclaim the love, intimacy and happiness that you’ve lost along the way. Even though it may seem impossible, it’s not. You actually have two choices; divorce or resolve to try and save the marriage. Read More
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Christmas Hope
Center for Family Care
December 8, 2020
Fellow pilgrim of life, do not lose heart if you are missing and longing for family to celebrate life with. Just follow His Star, and you will find a Holy Family. Do not give up if you get sidetracked and become isolated, for deep within you something is telling your soul that there is a Light and a love waiting to be embraced and nurtured. Read More
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What is Love?
Center for Family Care
November 17, 2020
“I love your new SUV!” “I love this restaurant!” “I love that movie’s soundtrack.” Countless times, I have expressed these types of sentiments. Perhaps in my eagerness to describe a sincere appreciation for things, I casually say I love them. As innocent as this may appear, I begin to suspect that the careless and repeated misapplication of a word tends to dull its rich meaning. Read More
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The Beauty of Creation
Center for Family Care
October 26, 2020
Everyone can appreciate the various expressions of nature; hiking in the mountains, a walk along the shoreline, a visit to a botanical garden. Nature has a way of calming our souls. We are awed by the complexities and detail of creation. It revitalizes and restores our whole being. Yet there are two contrasting extremes that are being played out in the world today; two radical paths happening concurrently. One is the exploitation of creation and nature, and the other is the worship of creation and nature. Read More
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Fully Human Social Media Graphics and Inspirational Quotes
Center for Family Care
October 22, 2020
The Center for Family Care's newest ministry, "Fully Human," is designed to lift up the unique gifts of individuals and families with special needs. Read More
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Why Those Who Mourn Are Blessed
Center for Family Care
October 12, 2020
This beatitude always perplexed me. If you’re sad about something you would expect to be comforted but why are those who mourn blessed? Read More
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Domestic Violence in the Greek Orthodox Community
Center for Family Care
October 5, 2020
Many people in the Greek Orthodox community – both clergy and active parishioners alike – believe we do not have a problem with domestic violence. Among those who state there may be a problem, most believe it occurs only among immigrant or less educated women. When asked how they reached this conclusion, most state that as no victims or hardly any ever reveal the problem to them, domestic violence must not occur. Why are our women silent? Perhaps because we are. Read More
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A Delightful Surprise Part II: Prayer in Family Life
Center for Family Care
September 28, 2020
What can we learn about family prayer life from a monastery? Read More
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Becoming One
Center for Family Care
September 1, 2020
Becoming One is an ongoing offering for marriage enrichment. Each Becoming One presents a brief quotation or teaching on marriage along with an exercise or challenge for the couple. Read More
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Childlike vs. Childish
Center for Family Care
August 31, 2020
We must make a distinction between the terms childlike and childish. Those of you who have children or grandchildren know that childish behavior includes conduct that is self-centered and disobedient. Those with childlike qualities, on the other hand, reveal basic Christian characteristics. Read More
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Recovering from Divorce
Center for Family Care
August 20, 2020
Over the past thirty years, approximately 40% percent of marriages in the United States have ended in divorce.1 In the wake of this staggeringly high statistic is a trail of pain and suffering that has negatively impacted hundreds of thousands of souls. I sincerely hope that the information that follows provides some encouragement, and guidance to those seeking to recover from the painfully difficult process of divorce. Read More
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