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 Archdiocese Sunday School Camp
The annual Western Archdiocese Camp took place on Friday, June 17th through Sunday, June 19th. The theme of the camp was CAMP E.D.G.E -- Experiencing and Discovering God Everywhere -- Gospel of Mark. A group of 180 children and 20 Sunday School staff traveled in 4 buses to the city of Idyllwild, at the Camp Maranatha Facility. Upon arrival the students were welcomed and took their belongings to their cabins followed by a meeting which discussed the rules and schedule for the weekend. Everyone then participated in an Icebreaker game "Find and Sign" and then enjoyed some free time. Before dinner everyone participated in evening prayers which were led by Rev. Fr. John Saif and Rev. Fr. Peter Rouboz in English and Syriac. Friday evening was topped off with Bible Study Session #1, and a fun campfire.
On Saturday the day began with morning prayers followed by breakfast. Everyone then enjoyed free time, either playing basketball, volleyball, ping-pong, hiking, or just hanging out. Then the ever popular water fight began. This time all the adults and kids who attended camp for the first time, were introduced and sprayed with water guns. It was a lot of fun for everyone to run around and spray each other with their water guns or water balloons.
We then welcomed Archbishop Mor C. Eugene Kaplan and Rev. Fr. Louis Yacoub who traveled from Burbank to be with us for part of the day. His Eminence was greeted with loud cheers and a special banner which was decorated and painted by 3 of the children. There was then a Bible Study session with Seyidna which was an Open Forum - a question and answer session.
Everyone then enjoyed lunch and headed to the swimming pool area. The kids had a great time using the diving-board, slide, and playing basketball in the pool. Those who didn't swim enjoyed playing sports or relaxing. Afterwards, it was time for evening prayers followed by Bible Study Session #2 and dinner. After dinner, everyone then gathered for the Bible Group Presentations which were posters they had created during the first 2 Bible Study sessions. All groups did a wonderful job with their creativity and speaking about what they learned in the Gospel of Mark. There were Bible verses posted all around camp for students to read and reflect the Holy Bible.
Saturday evening was topped off with a Hawaiian party where everyone wore Lei's, tye-dye bracelet, and Hawaiian clothing. The kids enjoyed the Arabic and English music, doing a dabke and dance competitions. After the party, kids either headed to their cabins or watched a movie. On Sunday morning, everyone packed their belongings and had breakfast. There were final remarks in the meeting room and everyone headed on the bussed for the ride back home.
It was a very successful camp and we thank St George, St Ephraim, St. Peter, St Elias, and St. Julian for participating. We extend our gratitude to all the camp leaders for their time and assistance. We look forward to future events which will gather the kids again. With 200 people in attendance this camp was truly memorable!!!
المخيّم الصيفي لمدارس الأحدية للكنائس المحلية...
دعت إدارة المدارس الاحدية للكنائس المحلية لابرشية غربي الولايات
المتحدة أبناء هذه الكنائس للاشتراك في المخيم الصيفي الدوري الذي ساهم
فيه الكنائس: مار افرام، مار جرجس، مار الياس ومار يوليان. وكان شعار
المخيم لهذا العام
(إكتشف واختبر الله في كل مكان).
وكان عدد المشتركين يفوق عددهم سابقاً فقد بلغ زهاء مائتي مشترك.
وما أجملهم من براعم جميلة تفوح بالطهر والنقاء وفور وصول المشتركين الى
مكان المخيم، عقدت السيدة باتريشيا علاف الرئيسة العامة والمدبرة لمدارس
الاحدية في الولايات المتحدة وكندا، عقدت إجتماعا عاما لكل المشتركين
والى جانبها كل من الابوين بطرس روبز والاب جان سيف واعطت للمشتركين
قوانين واحكام المحافظة على النظام والتقيد بالبرامج الدينية والاجتماعية
المخصصة التي تضمنت دروسا في الكتاب المقدس وبعض الالعاب المسلية. وابتدأ
يوم السبت بصلاة الصباح ومن ثم الفطور والعاب رياضية مسلية اشترك فيها
الجميع بروح عالية من المحبة وتعرَّف المشتركون على بعضهم البعض.
ولقد حضر راعي الابرشية نيافة المطران مار إقليميس أوكين يرافقه الاب
لويس يعقوب واعتذر الخوري شارا عن الحضور بسبب وعكة صحية. ولقد سارع
هؤلاء الاطفال الى نيافته مرحبين ومهللين بحضور ابيهم وراعيهم الذي
احتضنهم وباركهم مع كل القيّمين على امورهم ثم جلس الجميع يسمعون راعيهم
يتحدث اليهم وبلغتهم الطفولية البريئة عن محبة السيد المسيح والكنيسة لهم
وبكونهم كنيسة الغد وهم يتطلعون الى نيافته بشوق بالغ. وكان المشهد
رائعاً ذكرنا عندما التفت الأطفال حول السيد المسيح ووضع يديه عليهم
مباركاً.
بعدها ذهبت الاطفال لبركة السباحة بين رهج ومرح وحبور. وبعد قضاء ساعات
مع هؤلاء الاطفال الأحباء والمشرفين عليهم عاد نيافته الى دار المطرانية
بعد أن شكر القيّمين على هذا المخيم من إداريين وآباء كهنة ومدرسين.
وفي صبيحة يوم الأحد عاد الجميع والفرحة تغمر وجوههم وألسنتهم تلهج بالشكر
على هذا المخيم الناجح إدارياً وتعليمياً وترفيهياً
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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