Presvytera Melanie DiStefano, Resource Developer for the GOA Center for Family Care, welcomes you to the Fully Human webpage.
Watch the latest Family Matters: Fully Human Edition Video Podcast March 2023 here:
Deaf in a Hearing World: One Orthodox Christian's Perspective
Social Media Graphics and Inspirational Quotes
By lifting up the various sayings and life examples of Saints who faced physical and intellectual challenges in their lives, we aim to edify, encourage, and equip persons with special needs and their caregivers to realize and energize their special calling in the Lord. Jesus Christ’s “power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, when faced with physiological challenges persons can take heart that the Lord seeks to work His special power through the very things the world misunderstands as weaknesses.
Empowering Marriages and Families in the Faith - A podcast from The Center for Family Care, a Ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, focusing on equipping families to apply the teachings and practices of the Orthodox faith to every dimension of their lives.
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Growing the Virtue of Philoxenia in Our Families and Communities »
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The Heusel Family: All Children Can Learn, and All Children Can Teach »
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UOC St. Nicholas Summer Camp for Families with Disabilities »
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The Christy Family - Life in Christ, Life with Cerebral Palsy »
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William Christy - On Faith, Wheelchair Basketball, and How The Teachings of the Fathers Shape… »
Webinar: Wonderfully Made
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. View
Webinar: Doing Lent with Disabilities
The increased prayer services, fasting, and almsgiving guidelines during Lent can seem illusive for families with disabilities. Discerning ways and degrees to which the whole family can journey through Lent together often causes frustration. This webinar shares tools, ideas, and lessons learned for helping your family enjoy a fruitful Lent. View
Freedom from Fear of the Future for Your Child with Disabilities Webinar
Parents of children with disabilities often have compounded fears about their future. Panelists share their insights surrounding these fears, with a particular emphasis on how to cultivate freedom from fear of the future in order to enjoy life with our families now. View
Fostering Independence in Families with Disabilities Webinar
Panelists offer their personal and professional lessons learned in a discussion of what healthy independence looks like in families with disabilities. View
Light in Times of Darkness Webinar
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. View
The Church and Families of Children with Special Needs
This webinar discusses the role of the church in meeting the needs of parents and caregivers with children that have special needs. This was the first of hopefully many conversations addressing the many issues families/caregivers of children with special needs face as they seek to engage in their Orthodox Christian Community. View