ELMHURST, Ill. - The fall Sunday Church School Teachers Workshop, “Bible Basics for the Orthodox Church School Teacher” took place Aug. 20 with more than 130 Sunday School teachers and directors from seven Orthodox jurisdictions attending. This program is designed to afford Sunday Church School teachers the opportunity to come together, in faith and fellowship, to learn about the Orthodox faith and share views and ideas on the role of Christian formation and education.

Speakers and topics presented at the workshop included: Archdiocese Department of Religious Education Director Dr. (now Dn.) Anton Vrame. He spoke on the value of studying scripture. Ruth Faklis, Metropolis of Chicago Choir Federation president and retired librarian, demonstrated story-telling techniques for all ages. Presvytera Nichole Boznos, MTS, a graduate of Holy Cross Seminary, discussed challenges and blessings associated with teaching the Bible to children ages 2-8. Jan Kolyvas, of St. Spyridon Church, showed her unique approach in teaching parables to teens.

Finally, a special presentation by Gordana Trbuhovich of the Orthodox Christian Coalition for Healthy Youth, gave information on drug and substance abuse amongst teens in the greater Chicago Orthodox community.