Dear Faithful:
FDF
2011 is rapidly approaching. Let us each express our gratitude for our countless
blessings with an active commitment to our Dance and Choral Group Diakonia
Projects. The Greek word Diakonia means something more than just service.
It is that spirit of giving and caring for others that leads to a uniquely
meaningful 'expression of service.'
We have seen a number of dance groups embrace this Orthodox spirit of Diakonia with original and generous Diakonia Projects. The personal and spiritual growth of our participating dancers, parents and sponsors, through their activities of selfless giving, is truly inspiring. FDF 2011 Diakonia Project is anticipating 100% participation from all our beautiful young people and their families. Each dance and choral group will choose 1 or more service projects, and will document and photograph their activities for submission to the Diakonia Project Committee for presentation at FDF and submission to the Orthodox Observer Youth Pages.
At the Awards Banquet, before we bestow and receive our hard earned medalions and trophies for dance and song, the Diakonia Project Committee will present a video montage showcasing the wonderful service projects of all our young people, their directors and families, as they work toward their "heavenly rewards." In the words of Christ our Lord,
"Then the king will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me...inasmuch as you did this for the least of these my Bretheren, you did this for Me'." Matthew 25:34-36,40
Please refer to the attached list of Diakonia Project ideas to help
you get started. The Dance Group Directors will complete the attached
Diakonia Project Information Sheet, and submit it
with all digital photographs accordingly for presentation at the Awards
Banquet.
We look forward with great anticipation to an inspiring and uplifting FDF weekend of fellowship, celebrating our faith and love of dance and song.
In Christ,
Reverend Peter Stratos
Diakonia Project Chairman
__________________________________________________________________________
Ideas for Diakonia
1. Sponsor a fund-raiser (ie walk-a-thon) and donate money to a pre-selected
charity/agency.
2. Develop a relationship with a nursing home or another long care facility.
Volunteer time or find a
project to offer help.
3. Collect clothes for the homeless and deliver to a selected agency.
4.
Collect non-perishable food for the hungry and homeless. Work with a local
food bank.
5. Volunteer to serve food at a homeless shelter.
6. Contact social services
in your area and adopt a needy family for Christmas.
7. Contact, raise funds
and contribute to the IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities).
They provide ideas for fundraising.
8. Contact, raise funds and contribute
to the OCMC (Orthodox Christian Mission Center). They provide ideas for
fundraising.
9. Contact, raise funds and contribute to Trinity Homes. They
provide ideas for fundraising.
10. Volunteer at a local children's hospital,
or any hospital in your area.
11. Collect books, especially reference books
and encyclopedias and donate them to prison libraries. Help promote literacy.
12.
Find a local shelter collect household necessities and deliver as a group.
13.
Make Greek pastries and sweets and deliver them as a group to a Veteran's
Hospital. Visit with patients.
14. Work as a group to make blankets for
the homeless.
15. Make health kits with hygiene necessities for the homeless
and distribute them as a group to a specific facility.
16. Help deliver "Meals on Wheels" to
people who cannot leave their homes.
17. Pack school supplies for needy
children. Help to provide school supplies that they need.
18. Volunteer
to serve meals in area homeless shelters during the seasons of Thanksgiving
and Christmas.
19. Have a parish rummage sale of donated items, and give
the proceeds to a needy cause of your choice.
20. Sponsor a blood drive
for a specific agency or hospital.
21. Sponsor a "special fast" for
the entire youth of the parish as a fundraiser. Give the proceeds to a
worthy organization.
22. BE CREATIVE! Develop your own unique Diakonia project.
__________________________________________________________________________
Diakonia: Project Information
Name of Parish:
City:
Name of Dance/Choral Group:
Director/s Name/s:
Activity or Event:
Description:
Please submit this form, with digital photos and other
relevant
information to: diakonia@yourfdf.org
Please submit by January
5, 2011
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