New Sunday School Books Released

Curriculum is definitely a team effort. For each textbook, the Department prepared a "scope-and-sequence" or outline of lessons, and writers drafted the lessons in a constant back-and-forth with the project editor. The drafts were read for language, grammar, accuracy of Scripture references and lesson objectives. Then there was a final check with a clergy reader. (Even then, revisions continue as teachers provide additional insights while actually teaching from the material.) 

***

PRESS OFFICE

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)

630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Contact: Chris Zakian 

Tel: (212) 686-0710   

E-mail: chrisz@armeniandiocese.org

Website: www.armenianchurch-ed.net

November 5, 2013

___________________

New Sunday School Books Released

Curriculum is definitely a team effort. For each textbook, the Department prepared a "scope-and-sequence" or outline of lessons, and writers drafted the lessons in a constant back-and-forth with the project editor. The drafts were read for language, grammar, accuracy of Scripture references and lesson objectives. Then there was a final check with a clergy reader. (Even then, revisions continue as teachers provide additional insights while actually teaching from the material.)

Once the text was set, lay-out began along with the search for photographs—already underway by contacting Sunday Schools for assistance. The artist and designer of the entire We Believe series, Armen Edgarian, is a prize-winning photographer and freelance designer, currently working for the Wall Street Journal. A native of Iran, Armen spent long hours looking for the right photos or composing them himself where necessary. Designing for each grade level with the appropriate balance of Armenian and Christian iconography was a challenge, but somehow each book achieved the perfect blend.

While the new We Believe series has been the work of a number of textbook writers and clergy working in close collaboration with project director Elise Antreassian, these two books are the first that draw on talents from the Western Diocese. Both Debbie Derderian (Grade Seven) and Yeretzgin Talin Petoyan (Grade Two), are members of the Christian Education Council of the Western Diocese (the CEC nurtures teachers and provides resources for the Sunday Schools of the Western Diocese; Debbie is Chair) and long involved as leaders and educators in the church.

The Writers

Yn.Talin Petoyan was born and raised in Burbank, California. A graduate of St. Peter Armenian Church Sunday School of Van Nuys, she was preparing to attend Law School when she decided to pursue her true calling of education. In 2001, she earned both her California Teaching Credential and M.A. in Elementary Education. Since then, she has taught grades K-3 in both private and public schools.

Yeretzgin served as a counselor, dean, director and curriculum coordinator for the Western Diocese Summer Camp Program and taught Sunday School for over 20 years at various grade levels, serving as superintendent for 10 of those years. Since 2009, she lives in Southern California with her husband, Fr. Sarkis, pastor of St. Gregory Church in Pasadena, and their 6-year-old daughter, Grace Shenorig Verjeen. One of her greatest joys and accomplishments was leading 10 annual pilgrimages to Armenia with Fr. Sarkis, which resulted in the participation of over 250 pilgrims and the distribution of $360,000 in aid.

"The most gratifying part of drafting the curriculum was seeing a scope and sequence outline blossom into a meaningful, creative, accessible, and updated book for our youth. There were two challenges. The first was establishing an exciting and interesting "hook" for each lesson, which would serve as a catalyst for discussion and lesson topic. Once the hook was done, the rest of the lesson fell into place beautifully.  

The other equally challenging aspect was making sure that the lesson material was age appropriate and inclusive of all children regardless of where they were in their faith formation.

Having been a dedicated educator for so long, Yeretzgin is a passionate spokesperson."My deepest hope for our youth is that they will experience our faith with passion. The Armenian Church should continue its mission, making faith formation their number-one priority by providing exciting, engaging and user-friendly messages for our children."

Debbie Derderian (Grade Seven) describes her faith experience as having spanned two unique cultures:  the Roman Catholic where she was born, raised and educated and  the Armenian  Orthodox into which she married at the age of 19. She and her husband Bob eventually moved from their native New Jersey to California where they became members of St. John Garabed Armenian Church in San Diego.

Debbie has served as a Parish Council member, Ladies' Society Chair, Parish Youth Advisor, and Sunday School teacher and is currently the Superintendent of Faith Formation for Children/Sunday School. She was a member of the Summer Camp Committee and for the past 11 years a member of the Christian Education Council. She received a Masters Certification in Catechesis through the Diocesan Institute of San Diego.

She was recently appointed Parish Life Director at St. James Catholic Church where she has worked since 2000. She and Bob are blessed with two children, Robert and Dana, and 4 grandchildren.

Debbie is eloquent when it comes to the importance of Christian education: "Jesus formed his disciples into a community of faith. He instructed them, prayed with them, and showed them how to live... After his death and Resurrection, they were commissioned, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to go out and teach all nations. The faithful of the Armenian Church are a link in that unbroken chain and responsible and privileged to witness a Christian way of life!"

"Having the opportunity to participate in the creation of a faith-filled curriculum for our children was wonderful... and a humbling experience. It took much, much longer than I thought and I often felt that I lost continuity lesson to lesson. However, seeing the finished product I realized that I had a Divine partner speaking through my heart on each and every page. I am most grateful to have had the opportunity to be a link in the unbroken chain by proclaiming in print not what I know but Who I know!"

To order the new curriculum books, contact the St. Vartan Bookstore at (212) 686-0710. 

###

Photos attached.

Photo 1: Circles of Faith (Grade Two) is comprised of 28 full-color individual newsletter lessons.

Photo 2: Surprised By Joy: Discovering God (Grade Seven) is designed for middle schoolers whose faith questions are explored in the context of real life.

PublicRelations [publicrelations@armeniandiocese.org]