Under the auspices of His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak, the Educational Committee led by Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Chamoun and Mrs. Ramona Malki, at the Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church for the Eastern of United States held the Annual Sunday School Teachers Retreat at the Mor Aphrem Center, in Paramus, New Jersey from Friday, November 12, to Sunday, November 14, 2021. Teachers from all over the United States attended: St. Peter Church – San Dimas, CASt. Athanasius Church, Tampa, FLSt. Mark’s Cathedral – Paramus, NJChurch of the Virgin Mary – Paramus, NJSt. Gabriel Church – Haworth, NJ St. Ephraim – Burbank, CASt. Aphraim – Washington, DCThe theme for our 2021 retreat was “The Vine and the Branches” (John 15:1-11).The day started with morning prayers and a spiritual speech delivered by His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak. Workshops presented by Karen Muntzenberger, Patricia Allaf, and Ramona Malki about “How kids learn”, “How to Pray” and “How to use our Sunday School Curriculum”. To conclude the fruitful and spiritual retreat, we gathered in the name of the Lord with Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Bahhi to study and reflect on the theme of this year. The retreat ended with the Holy Liturgy Celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Kawak assisted by Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Chamoun.
