• The Servants’ Preparation Program is a weekly meeting, currently open for high school youth (Gr.9-12). Its main purpose is to prepare future servants with a strong Christian character; equipping them with profound knowledge of the Bible, a deep spiritual foundation, and thorough understanding of church doctrine.  As part of the program, youth are assigned to serve in the church during winter break, march break and summer break, as well as to serve the community. This program is not only useful for people interested in serving, but it is also very helpful to everyone in becoming closer to God, understanding His Word and integrating in our church.

• It is a 4-years program: Pre-SP, SP-Yr1, SP-Yr2 and SP-Yr3.

• Each year is divided into 2-semesters as follow:

  1. 1st Semester: (September – January)
  2. 2nd Semester: (February – July)
  • Pre-SP could be considered as an extension of Sunday school with emphasis on the basics of our Coptic Orthodox beliefs and an introduction to service.
  • Each student is required to spend a number of hours per year in co-op service in the church. The type of service will depend on the year and the services needed by the church at the time of co-op. Who can attend?
    

    The program is open for high school students (Grade 9-12) and university students.

    +  When and Where?

    • Classes are usually held every Sunday from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at St Mary and St Joseph Coptic Orthodox Church.
    • Class location may be changed on a yearly basis depending on the church needs for classes.
    • SP-Yr3 students will rotate between attending didactic lectures and assignment to Sunday school classes. More details will be available in the class.

    +  Curriculum

    • Courses of this program are taken from the courses prepared by:
    1. 1. Pre-servants Program of Southern USA Diocese
       2. A Spiritual Guide for Sunday School Service, St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church, Raleigh, NC
       3. Servants Prep. Program of HG Anba Rafael & Fr. Dawoud Lamee (in Arabic)
       4. Curriculum has been prepared to include the following topics:
          
          1. 1.  Bible Study (BS)
             2.  Dogma (DGM)
             3.  Rituals (RIT)
             4.  History (HIS)
             5.  Spirituality (SPR)
             6.  Theology (THL)
             7.  Patrology (PAT)
       5. • Lectures given are posted on the church website,  servants’ preparation webpage (in PDF format); the abbreviations of these courses have been used in documenting the presentations.
          • Each class is assigned Google classroom where lessons presentations are posted. Link is provided to the students in the classroom 

Graduation criteria:

• Each student will be evaluated and graded based on the following:

1. Attendance: 30%
2. Semesters Exams: 15%
3. Co-op services: 15%
4. Participation in class and servants’ recommendation: 40%
5.  

• A passing grade of more than 50% is required before a student can move to the next year.

+  Attendance

• Students are expected to be on-time in the class. Attendance is essential for passing as it includes a percentage in both the attendance part and the class participation part.
• Absence notices to be sent to the individual class servants

+  Class Participation

• Students should be actively involved in classroom discussions on a frequent basis. 

+  Semesters Exams

• The exam is conducted at the end of each semester; exact date is going to be determined and announced/posted on the church website, servants preparation webpage.

+ Communication:

The main method of communication will be via email and whatsApp group. Please make sure to provide a valid email address, as you will be receiving notices/ Homework/Assignments via email. We promise not to send more than one email per week and we promise not to provide your email address to anyone else.

+  Co-op Hours

Student should complete some hours every year in church services as a co-op; here are suggested services, students can assist with:

1. Sunday School Classes
2. Kids, COOL and Youth Conventions – In July & August
3. Sunday School Activities – In January (Nativity), September (Nayrouz) & April/May (Resurrection)
4. Christ Lives in Christian Kids (CLICK) Program – Every Saturday
5. Baby Sitting – During Women & Deacons Meetings, Every 1st Saturday each month
6. Coptic & Hymns Classes – Every Saturday
7. Summer Camp Program – In July & August
8. Summer Evening Program – In July & August
9. Scouts Program
10. Kids Bible Study – On Saturdays
11. Kitchen – Every Sunday
12. Church Cleaning
13. Church Website
14. Maintaining Service Books (Kholagies)
15. Church Trips – In January (Sunday School Trip) & in May (Family Retreat)
16. Korban (Bethlehem)
17. SMSJ YA (St Mary & St Joseph Church’s Youth Association)
18. Sports activities for Children.
19. Other services as needed by the church.

A co-op evaluation form should be filled out by an adult servant indicating the hours.

(Please click here for the co-op evaluation form)

How to register?

In order to attend the Servants’ Preparation Program, a registration form for admission should be filled out and submitted.

(Please click here for the registration form)