The Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) held its first of an 8-part Sunday School teacher training program on Monday, October 4, from 8:00-9:30 pm, with the participation of 35 teachers and directors.
This year’s training program consists of eight 90-minute sessions, held once a month, from October 2021 to May 2022. Four sessions will focus on pedagogical skills and knowledge, and four sessions, on Armenian Church basics.
Archpriest Fr. Antranig Baljian, Chairman of the Religious Council of the Prelacy, opened the Program with a prayer, welcomed everyone, and conveyed the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, the Prelate, to the participants.
The topic of the inaugural session was “Introduction to the Bible” and was presented by Nayiri Baljian. Nayiri holds a Master of Arts degree in Religion with a concentration in Education from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and she brings with her many years of teaching experience in the ministry of Sunday School. She is currently the Sunday School Director of St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church of Watertown, Massachusetts.
Nayiri first presented a brief overview of the story and the structure of the Bible. She then discussed the role of the Bible in the Church and highlighted creative ways to introduce the Bible to the students. Expressing the sentiment of many of the participants, Sonia Tekeyan wrote, “Thank you to AREC and the Prelacy for organizing this much needed Teachers Training Program… I can guess we all started this evening’s session weary from the day’s work, but we have left reenergized and recommitted to our roles in transmitting the tradition of our Armenian Apostolic Church, while we ourselves continue to learn.”
In addition to Nayiri Baljian, the next speakers of the Program will be Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, Rev. Fr. Torkom Chorbajian, and Nevair Oranjian, who will present the pedagogical sessions. The next session will be held on Monday, November 1.