Using the Theme Throughout the Year 2016 Theme: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) Symbol: House Icons: St. Basil’s Family, Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple, Presentation of the Lord in the Temple Theme Song: “We Will Serve The Lord” http://www.antiochian.org/festivals/cf/theme-song-2016 Lesson Plans: Downloadable lesson plans are provided by AODCE for age levels ranging from preschool to high school: http://www.antiochian.org/festivals/cf/lesson-plans-2016 Reference Books: Making God Real in the Orthodox Christian Home by Fr. Anthony Coniaris A Guide for the Domestic Church available from God With Us Publications Throughout the Church School Year: Use the logo and/or symbol on name tags, room signs, letterhead, bulletin boards, posters, crafts, gifts, and incentives. Craft Kits Related to the Theme: “As for Me and My Household” Craft Kit http://www.orientaltrading.com/as-for-me-and-my-household-craft-kit-a2- 13658361.fltr?prodCatId=550055+1967 “Trust and Obey” Magnet Kit http://www.orientaltrading.com/trust-and-obey-magnet-craft-kit-a2- 13693468.fltr?prodCatId=550055+1967 “All Families Need a Stable Foundation” Sign Craft Kit http://www.orientaltrading.com/stable-foundation-sign-craft-kit-a2- 13663435.fltr?prodCatId=550055+1967 Websites Related to the Theme: http://www.familyshare.com/growth/as-for-me-and-my-house-we-will-serve-the-lord http://ministry-to-children.com/bible-lesson-serve-god-joshua-23-24/ Website Related to the Family: http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/family/ Other ideas may be found on AODCE’s Social Media Pages: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aodce/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orthodoxchristianparenting and https://www.facebook.com/orthodoxchristiansundaychurchschoolteachers WordPress: https://orthodoxchristianparenting.wordpress.com/ https://orthodoxchurchschoolteachers.wordpress.com/ Saints Festival: This is especially good in the month of October as an alternative to Halloween, but it can be held at any time. Have the children dress in costume as a saint or Biblical figure. Take this opportunity to teach the children about the lives of St. Basil the Great and his family. Celebrate the Feast Days: Celebrate the feast days of the Presentation of the Theotokos (11/21) and the Presentation of Christ (2/2) as examples of the family, through ritual, making God the center of their lives. Celebrate the feast days and learn about the saints of St. Basil the Great’s family: • St. Macrina the Elder – 1/14 http://orthodoxwiki.org/Macrina_the_Elder • St. Basil the Elder - 5/8 or 5/30 http://orthodoxwiki.org/Basil_the_Elder • St. Emilia – 5/8 or 5/30 http://orthodoxwiki.org/Emily • St. Macrina the Younger - 7/19 http://orthodoxwiki.org/Macrina_the_Younger • St. Basil the Great – 1/1 http://orthodoxwiki.org/Basil_the_Great • St. Gregory of Nyssa – 1/10 http://orthodoxwiki.org/Gregory_of_Nyssa • St. Peter of Sebaste – 1/9 http://orthodoxwiki.org/Peter_of_Sebaste • St. Naucratius https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naucratius Additional resources: http://myocn.net/saint-macrina-elder-bridge-theology/ • Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers, Series II, Volumes 2 (Sozomon), 5 (Gregory of Nyssa), 7 (Gregory Nazianzus), 8 (Basil) • The Cappadocians by Anthony Meredith SVS Press, 1995 • The Asketikon of St. Basil the Great by Anna M. Silvas, Oxford Early Christian Studies, 2005, • Gregory of Nyssa, The Letters, translated and written by Anna Silvas Brill, 2007 • Wandering, Begging Monks by DF Craner, University of California Press, 2002 • Virgins of God by Susanna Elm, Clarendon Paperbacks, 1994 • Macrina the Younger, Philosopher of God, by Anna Silvas, Brepols 2008 • Fathers of the Church, St. Gregory Ascetical Works translated by Virginia Wood Callahan, CUA Press, 1967 • The Life of St. Macrina by Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, translated by Kevin Corrigan, Peregrina Publishing Company 1996 • https://books.google.com/books?id=C7UCAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA105&lpg=PA105&dq= Saint+Naucratius&source=bl&ots=ORaD2SMGQ3&sig=2R05Xy9FI5sABY- axOMGDAjyBi0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=da2aVeu0OY6cyASM7JDQAw&ved=0CFAQ6AEwC A#v=onepage&q=Saint%20Naucratius&f=false Serving Others: Jesus served others and He wants us to do the same. Volunteer together as a family. You may want to help others, by working at a homeless shelter, food bank, etc., or consider these charitable organizations: Habitat for Humanity and Project Mexico (building homes) or The Treehouse (http://wichitatreehouse.org/) which helps economically challenged moms and children with basic necessities and programs. .