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Greek Orthodox Youth of America St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church
615 Mercer Street Cherry Hill, New Jersey
G . O . Y . A
D I R E C T O R Y
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2012
G.O.Y.A Ground Rules
ACCEPT OTHERS
SPEAK FOR YOURSELF
AVOID PUT-DOWNS
YOU HAVE THE OPTION TO PASS
BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN LEARNING
EXPECT UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America: http://www.goarch.org/
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey: http://www.nj.goarch.org/
St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church: http://www.stthomasgoc.org/
Delaware Valley Greek Orthodox Basketball League http://phillygoyaball.com/
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Pratsinakis: priest@stthomasgoc.org
Eleni Boyadjis - Lead G.O.Y.A. Advisor: eboyadjis@aol.com
Athletic Programs
Any GOYAn wishing to participate in the G.O.Y.A. Athletic Program must meet the general eligibility requirements and must comply with all specific policies and directives as set forth by the Parish of Saint Thomas. 1. All members of the St. Thomas G.O.Y.A. are eligible for the boys’ or girls’ Basketball Team. Therefore, the teams are open to all seventh through twelfth graders of our parish.
2. Each player must have submitted a SIGNED G.O.Y.A. application form for the current year and pay the additional $25.00 registration fee before his/her name will be placed on the roster. The form must include the required insurance
information.
3. All players must attend the Regional Player/Coach Workshop. (As scheduled)
4. A player cannot participate in a game on a day that he/she has been absent from Church. All GOYAns are encouraged to attend the Divine Liturgy (Altar Boys, Choir, Sunday School.)
5. In regard to out-of-town events and away games, players will travel by bus with their teammates, coaches and chaperones. Under no circumstances will teenagers be permitted to drive to G.O.Y.A. sponsored events or take other teens in a private car.
6. Players are not permitted to use the St. Thomas Gym without permission. An authorized adult coach much be present whenever the gym is in use.
7. All players are expected to display Christian sportsmanship both on and off the court.
8. All GOYAns are asked to take turns working the concession stand during the games played in the St. Thomas Gym. Because the G.O.Y. A. benefits financially from this endeavor, it is hoped that all members will share the responsibility equally.
Greek Orthodox Youth of America
Greek Orthodox Youth of America
The St. Thomas G.O.Y.A is open to all young people of our parish who are in seventh through twelfth grades, inclusive. There is an annual registration fee of $10.00. A general meeting is scheduled each month, typically on a Friday night or Sunday after Divine Liturgy.
Through G.O.Y.A, teens may participate in numerous fellowship, cultural, and athletic activities. G.O.Y.A. also sponsors several service projects, a Lenten retreat, and an annual Sights and Sounds Festival. Participation in these regionally organized events enables the members to meet other Greek Orthodox Youth from neighboring parishes.
The G.O.Y.A. program is designed to encourage the Orthodox teenager to reflect a Christian way of life in all activities - whether at home with their family, at school, or at work. Since G.O.Y.A. is basically a "religious" entity, it should provide for its members a meaningful alternative to today's secular, materialistic lifestyle. The program strives to fulfill the GOYAn's need for proximity; for sharing a common social and ethnic culture and spiritual legacy; for friendship; for love and for attaining a meaningful place in the Church Community.
The foundation of youth ministry in G.O.Y.A. is based on the four characteristics of:
LITURGIA - Worship KOINONIA - Fellowship
DIAKONIA - Service MARTYRIA - Witness
These four characteristics help to establish a well-balanced program as they allow for social and athletic activities, always with an eye towards spiritual and moral growth.
In short, each member is asked to hold true to the G.O.Y.A. motto:
What is G.O.Y.A?
What is GOYA?
The mission and goal of GOYA ministry is to lead our young people into experiencing the Holy Orthodox Faith. By developing a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and becoming active sacramental members of the living Church, our young people will be equipped with tools necessary to assist them in their journey toward salvation.
The Greek Orthodox Youth of America, or GOYA, is the ministry to teenagers of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Since GOYA is ministry, the orientation and implementation of the program should reflect the Orthodox Christian Faith, Tradition and Life.
The foundation of all youth ministry is the cultivation and education of our young people in order to become viable members of the Body of Christ. GOYA is but one means to this end. GOYA must not stand alone, but be incorporated into the entire sphere of the Church's mission. The adolescent world is constantly changing – it is virtually impossible to keep up with every new trend and movement of youth culture. Growing up in today’s society is a much more difficult task than it was in previous times. Our young people are being shaped by negative and destructive influences, ones that can and will define who they are and who they will become. For this reason, the positive teachings and traditions of the Orthodox Church must become a living presence in their lives. This makes youth ministry not an option -- but a necessity.
THE FOUR CHARACTERISTICS
The National Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries recommends that GOYA ministry be based on the following four characteristics: Worship (Liturgia), Fellowship (Koinonia), Service (Diakonia), and Witness (Martyria).
WORSHIP (LITURGIA)
“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand” (Psalm 95:6-7) As Orthodox Christians, we believe that God reveals Himself through Holy Tradition and Scripture. Worship is the sacramental expression of these, and is thus a very important element in ministering to our young people. It is important for GOYAn’s to be active sacramental members of the Church.
G . O . Y . A . C A L E N D A R
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February:
04
GOYA Ski Trip, Blue Mountain
10 GOYA Meeting 7 pm (Indoor Olympic fun)
12
Godparents’ Sunday
March:
02 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival (Parish)
04 GOYA Meeting 7pm Gym
31 Sights and Sounds @ Egg Harbor
April:
06 GOYA Meeting Lock-In 9 pm - 9 am
15 PASCHA Agape Service and Egg Hunt
28 Olympic Soccer in Wall Twp
May:
11 GOYA Meeting 7 pm lower level
12 Indoor Olympics (chess,checkers,ping pong, video)
Perth Amboy
19
Walk for Missions- Del Val GOYA Service Project
Ocean City NJ
26-27 GOYA Olympics (Track,field, swimming and volleyball)
Monmouth University
June:
07
GOYA Meeting and Elections
23 End of the Year Trip White Water Rafting
July:
TBA Camp Good Shepherd: Week 1 (tentative)
TBA Camp Good Shepherd: Week 2 (tentative)
G . O . Y . A . C A L E N D A R
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September:
09
First GOYA Meeting 7pm lower level
Cookie Dough Fundraiser Begins (ends Oct 1)
11 Fundraiser Souvlaki and Loukoumades Sale
18 Holy Cross Celebration Asbury Park, NJ
28
Basketball Coaches Meeting Media, PA
October:
06-09 St. Thomas Agora (Set up and Frappe Station)
14
GOYA Meeting and Hayride @ Springdale Farms
22
Del Val GOYA Service Project - Philabundance
November:
11
GOYA Meeting and Bowling @ Laurel Lanes, 6:45 pm
20
Youth Sunday and Coffee Reception
23
Interfaith Prayer Service @ St. Thomas
Cherry Hill 7:30 pm
December:
03
Del Val Advent Retreat @ Media, PA
09
GOYA Meeting 7pm lower level
17
Christmas Caroling /Pediatric Hospital Visit/
Holiday lunch
27
NYC Trip "God Spell" and Taverna Zenon $150
January:
13 GOYA Meeting and Sights and Sounds registration
7pm lower level
14 Ice Skating @ the IGLOO, Mt. Laurel, 7 - 9 pm
21 Soup Kitchen Trenton, NJ
What is G.O.Y.A?
FELLOWSHIP (KOINONIA)
“Behold how good and pleasing it is when brothers dwell in unity.” (Psalm 133) Fellowship is the way Orthodox Christians integrate their faith with daily life. It is sacred when Orthodox Christians gather together in our Lord’s name. The relationship of the Holy Trinity is the perfect model of Fellowship. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit share perfect communion and exist in perfect love. By gathering together in fellowship, and by experiencing this love, we emulate the relationship of the Trinity, and develop our life in Christ.
SERVICE (DIAKONIA)
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve . . .” (Mark 10:45) Christ came to serve, not to be served. Young people are urged to do the same. Therefore, we can honor and glorify God by loving and serving humanity in His name. Young people should use their God-given charismata (gifts) to serve.
Young people serve God by serving the Church. For Orthodox Christians, service to God and community is the way of life, the way of living one’s faith. As Jesus Christ our Lord said, ―Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.‖ (Matthew 5:16). For this reason, service is an integral part of the Orthodox Christian’s life.
Often times, we look at our youth and wonder how we can help them. We need to inspire them into a life of service. The question must be asked, ―How can our young people use their God-given gifts for service to the needy, service to those less fortunate?‖ How can they be part of the people who respond to our Lord’s call in Matthew 25:31-46, to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, visit those in prison. This is the true meaning of service.
WITNESS (MARTYRIA)
“For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.” (Acts 22:15) Man is both a spiritual and physical being. The spiritual reality is not always expressed in the material world. In order to be true to oneself and to the Orthodox Christian Faith, young people should strive to exemplify faith. They must be a witness to their faith, offering a convincing word and verbal expression of this faith, to those they come in contact with.
Spiritual Director:
Father Emmanuel Pratsinakis
(856) 665-1731
Lead Advisor:
Eleni Boyadjis
(856) 235-2628
Advisory Team:
Barbara Anagnostos
(856) 764-7615
Tulla & Charles Sandilos
(856) 429-8676
Madeline Stefanou
(856) 845-6446
Hrysoula Lazaropoulos
(609) 953-3885
Katherine Iliadis
(856) 722-9351
DelVal
Basketball:
Boys Coach: Steve Marmarou
(609) 206-9447
Girls Coach: John Pratsinakis
(609) 458-4434
G . O . Y . A
A D V I S O R S
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St. Thomas G.O.Y.A.
Reward Point System
SERVICE - DIAKONIA 3 points each Agora (4 hour shift) Caroling and Pediatric Visit Set up for non GOYA events Palm Making
Egg Hunt
Youth Sunday participant (ushers, candles, etc.) Prayer Garden maintenance
FELLOWSHIP - KOINONIA 1 point each
Meeting Attendance (1 per meeting) Leadership seminar
Basketball NYC Theatre Trip Ski Trip
Del Val Social Events Sights and Sounds Olympics (3 for weekend) End of Year Activity Autumn Activity
** Fundraisers are worth 2 points. It is expected that all G.O.Y.A.ns par-ticipate in order to receive discounts on upcoming events!! **
St. Thomas G.O.Y.A.
Reward Point System
G.O.Y.A. is a well rounded program for our youth based on the four components of Witness, Worship, Fellowship, and Service. St. Thomas G.O.Y.A.ns should be well rounded in all aspects. We try to stress the importance of all programs and activities available through our parish, the Delaware Valley Region Youth Commission, and the Metropolis of New Jersey. Witness, Worship Fellowship and Service are taken seriously. Your advisors have devised this point system to give you credit for the activities you attend. These points will be used in consideration for discounts on trips and Olympics and eligibility for elections. You will be responsible to keep a tally of your points. Make sure you write everything down so that it may be cross referenced with the advisors tally.
To be eligible to run for the G.O.Y.A. Board, you must have accumulated a minimum of 25 points during the current G.O.Y.A. year. In the event of a tie, the candidate with the most points accumulated will assume office. WITNESS - MARTYRIA (expressing beliefs/faith in public) 5 pts each
Oratorical Festival Diving for Cross Crop Walk Mission Walk Soup Kitchen
Youth Sunday Sermon WORSHIP - LITURGIA 4 points each
Holy Cross Celebration Holy Friday Retreat Religious Retreats/Lock-in Camp Good Shepherd
Readers Program (Salutations, Agape Vespers, Youth Sunday)
Interfaith Prayer Service
