Founded 1995

Ecumenical Christian Education NGO

Handbook 2015-2016

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Table of Contents

Board and Staff .......................................................... 4

Board of Directors and General Assembly ................................ 4

Board of Advisors .................................................................. 4

Director ................................................................................ 4

Educational Department ........................................................ 5

Administrative Department .................................................... 5

Blessings ................................................................... 7

Dear Parents, Young Adults, Youth and Children, ........ 10

Mission, Vision, Values .............................................. 11

Mission .............................................................................. 11

Vision ................................................................................. 11

Goal ................................................................................... 11

Beliefs ................................................................................ 12

What CrossTalk Teaches ............................................ 12

Integrity of Character ....................................................... 12

Ecumenism ..................................................................... 12

Family and Community Values ........................................... 13

Social Responsibility ........................................................ 13

Recycling at CrossTalk – We Don’t Just Talk, We Recycle................. 14

Good Citizenship .............................................................. 14

History ..................................................................... 14

Fees ......................................................................... 18

Curricular Activities .................................................. 18

Classes ........................................................................... 18

Development Charts ......................................................... 19

My Prayer and Faith Autobiography Journal ........................ 19

Baptismal days and Birthdays ........................................... 19

Clubs ....................................................................... 19

Newsletter Club ............................................................... 19

Story Keepers Club ........................................................... 20

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CrossChords, the Music Club ............................................ 20

Drama Club ..................................................................... 20

CrossTeam, the Sports Club .............................................. 20

Duties ...................................................................... 20

Commitment ................................................................... 20

Expectations ................................................................... 21

Library ..................................................................... 21

Extra-curricular Activities .......................................... 22

Activities ......................................................................... 22

Camps ............................................................................ 22

Spiritual Retreats ............................................................ 22

CrossTalk Day .................................................................. 22

Mountain Movers Program ................................................ 23

T H R I V E ................................................................. 23

Community Outreach ................................................ 24

Open Arms ...................................................................... 24

Mission Camps ................................................................ 24

Give of Yourself to Others .................................................. 24

Parents .................................................................... 25

Parents’ Involvement ........................................................ 25

Parents' Bible Study ........................................................ 25

Seminars, Life Testimonies ............................................... 25

Expectations ................................................................... 25

Circulars and Letters ........................................................ 26

Bus ................................................................................. 26

Fund Raising ............................................................ 26

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Board and Staff

Board of Directors and General Assembly

Treasurer: Father Tony Bou Nejm, Pastor of St Elias Church for the

Maronites, Ain Aar

Secretary: Father Boulos Wehbe, Pastor of St Michael Church, for

the Greek Orthodox, Beirut

Accountant: Father Elias Chataoui, Pastor of Our Lady of

Annunciation Church for the Melkite Greek Catholics, Rabweh

Public Relations Officer: Reverend Habib Badr, Pastor of the

National Evangelical Church, Beirut

Vice President: Amal Cavalcanti

President: Ranya Nasrallah

Members: Pierre Doumet, Mireille Karam, Rita Chedid, Zeina

Hayek, Ghada Khneizer, Ralph Yaacoub

Board of Advisors

Father Elie Sfeir, pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Resurrection

for the Maronites, Mtayleb

Father Agapios Naous, Pastor of Mar Elias Church for the Greek

Orthodox, Mtayleb

Father Melhem Hourani, Pastor of the Dormition of our Lady for the

Greek Orthodox, Mhaydsseh

Father Romanos Bou Assi, Pastor of Our Lady of Annunciation

Church for the Melkite Greek Catholics, Rabweh

Reverend George Mrad, Pastor for the National Evangelical

Presbyterian Church, Rabyeh

Director

Ranya Nasralah

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Educational Department

Ghada Khneizer – Head of Department

Civic Engagement

Ghada Khneizer

Rula Asfour

Curriculum and Instruction

Ghada Khneizer

Maguy Bitar

Marianne Chataoui

Ralph Yaacoub

Ranya Nasrallah

Zeina Hayek

Extracurricular Activities

Ghada Khneizer

Mark Eke

Ralph Yaacoub

Administrative Department

Zeina Hayek – Head of Department

Accountants

Chucri Cavalcanti

Tony Ghorra

Auditor

Sarkis Sakr & Partners - Geneva Group International

Driver

Joseph Kirakossian

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Fundraising Committee

Adriana Doumet

Amal Cavalcanti

Mona Hawa

Nelly Khnaizer

Odette Dakhil

Nayla Abu Hamad

Pierre Doumet

Raymond Feghali

Rita Ghorra

Rania Ghorayeb

Rula Asfour

Sana Katul

Soha Nasrallah

Soha Saadeh

Zeina Hayek

Zeina Mrad

Information Technology

Hovig Boyrazian

Lawyer

Jacques Zebouni

Librarian and Secretary

Noura Haddad

Social Media

Ghada Khneizer

Mark Eke

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Blessings

CrossTalk acquires the blessing of seven different churches

through their leaders namely:

Bishop Youssef Bechara

Maronite Archbishop of Antelias

Bishop George Khodr

Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Jbeil and Batroun

Bishop Kyrillos Boustros

Greek Catholic Archbishop of Beirut and Jbeil

Reverend George Dib Mrad

Pastor of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church

in Rabieh and Naccache

Bishop Kegham Khatcherian

Armenian Orthodox Archbishop of Lebanon

Bishop Jean Teyrouzian

Armenian Catholic Archbishop of Lebanon

Bishop Boulos Dahdah

Vicar-Apostolic for the Latin Rite in Lebanon

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Translation of the Text concerning

the Blessing and Endorsement

of the Bishops responsible for CrossTalk

To whom it may concern,

We, the undersigned, Bishops of the dioceses and board of the

pastors of the different churches of the Maten area where the main

branch of the Ecumenical Christian Education Project called

‘CrossTalk’ is located, are pleased to inform you that ‘CrossTalk’ is

a non-profit organization which aims at catering for the spiritual

needs of society in a comprehensive and continuous way. It also

aims at caring for and following the spiritual growth of the children

and especially the teenagers. At present, CrossTalk has branches

in Rabweh, Hamra and Broumana.

We are honored to inform you that we endorse ‘CrossTalk’ and its

activities, which are being conducted by competent persons known

for their ecumenical spirit. We would like to add that we strongly

support this educational and humanitarian work because it is done

in coordination with and under the supervision of the priests and

pastors of the parishes, helped by experienced people.

The fruits of this unique project are clearly visible in the hearts of

the students enrolled at ‘CrossTalk’, in their homes, and in their

faith and ecclesiastical commitment.

We bless those who work at ‘CrossTalk’ and those enrolled in it and

we lift our petitions to our Lord for its growth and persistence. We

hope that it would receive support from all those who can in order

to secure its continuity.

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Dear Parents, Young Adults, Youth and Children,

Welcome to our Christian education program for the

academic year 2015-2016. We are thankful to the Lord Jesus for

twenty successful years at CrossTalk. We have grown steadily from

three children that gathered once a week in 1995 to more than two

hundred children, teenagers, young adults and parents. In 2013

CrossTalk took place across three branches Rabweh, Hamra and

Broumana

Parents are the first and most important Christian educators of

their children. We hope we can co-operate in making the Word

reach and touch every aspect of the students’ lives. CrossTalk

teaches an Ecumenical program of Christian education through

activities and classes. The activities and classes aim to familiarize

the children with the Word of God

The activities, clubs and camps are geared towards living the Way

and the Truth together. CrossTalk does not intend to be a

substitute for a Parish. Students are encouraged and taught how to

be involved in their respective parish. The following information can

help you familiarize yourself with our program

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Mission, Vision, Values

Mission

CrossTalk’s mission is to help each person develop his or

her full potential in Christ by teaching and living the

Word of God in an ecumenical educational environment

Vision

CrossTalk’s vision is to embody an ecumenical Christian

community in fulfillment of God’s calling. CrossTalk strives to

provide opportunities to diverse people of different age groups

ranging from toddlers to grandparents to grow spiritually.

CrossTalk also grants support to parents whose primary

responsibility is to immerse their children in Christian education

Goal

Providing classes, bible studies, spiritual retreats, music, art,

camps, trips, sports, and other activities that include regular

outreach visits to orphanages and other such communities

Running a non-profit ecumenical Christian community center

operated by a team of committed volunteers and employees who

serve as an ecumenical board of directors and advisors,

educational committee, fund raising committee, accountant,

auditor, lawyer and graphic designer

Teaching ecumenism, by discovering, accepting, and learning

about the different denominations of Christ

Providing space and time to do all of the above for the Lord’s Glory

Developing a structure for fundraising to maintain self-sufficiency,

including a boutique, a cafeteria, lunch open house gatherings,

annual dinner, special events, and catering ‘Homemade Food’

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Beliefs

Parents are the primary and most important Christian educators

Living as a community in Christ

Ecumenical education that aims to enlighten and enrich our

students who come from a variety of backgrounds to follow Jesus

together as one Body. To appreciate each other's unique

traditions, and to appreciate the value of diversity and unity.

Although one is rooted in his or her own denomination, one is not

away from other denominations. On the contrary, relationships are

strengthened between the different denominations to strengthen

the one Church

What CrossTalk Teaches

Integrity of Character

CrossTalk allows the students to discover that honesty and respect

are the way to success, and that cheating, in all its forms, will only

lead to self-destruction and to negative consequences on others.

On the other hand, students are encouraged to avoid the trap of

cheating, lying and gossiping. They are taught to respect

copyrighted material

Ecumenism

Ecumenical education at CrossTalk aims to enlighten and enrich

our students who come from a variety of backgrounds to follow

Jesus together as one Body, to appreciate each other's unique

traditions, and hence, to embrace diversity within unity.

One important characteristic of CrossTalk is that it is a place where

Christians from different denominations meet in the Lord’s name.

This leads to loving each other, the way Jesus commanded us in

John 15

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CrossTalk has received the blessings of the Church Bishops and

Leaders. The fathers and pastors of the different neighboring

parishes have regular meetings at CrossTalk to work together

trusting that they form the Body of Christ and each one of them is

an indispensable part of God’s Body, the Church

CrossTalk teaches students respect and encourages them to be

committed to their own parishes. Therefore, they form small

indirect building blocks for the unity of the Church

Family and Community Values

CrossTalk teaches the importance of the family structure which is

the building unit in the community. Awareness is taught to the

children about the need to honor and respect parents. Teens and

young adults are taught sexual education, enlightening them of the

holiness of sex held within marriage, the institution which God has

created since the beginning. Students are made aware that sex

outside marriage will lead to harm, as in having teenage

pregnancies that can often result in abortion. Students are

directed to be sensitive to the community needs and be ready to

give their time with opportunities to visit children in need catering

to their materialistic and spiritual needs

Social Responsibility

CrossTalk teaches students to have self-esteem and avoid peer

pressure. Teachers are always updated on everything children, and

especially teenagers, encounter in society’s dark areas.

Teens and youth are made aware of the negative consequences of

using drugs and alcohol. The students are therefore on guard

against modern crises from suicidal attacks, to life threatening car

accidents, addictions and over dosage. In addition, CrossTalk is

taking into advantage its direct connection with children to help

raise awareness on the grand positive impact of recycling. Thus,

becoming productive members of society

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Recycling at CrossTalk – We Don’t Just Talk, We Recycle

For the past 10 years, CrossTalk has followed a zero-waste

policy – recycling and reusing whatever it can, whenever it

can. Paper, aluminum, plastic, glass and even organic

wastes are being collected separately and disposed of in

their correct respective manner

Good Citizenship

When Christians and Lebanon are passing through difficult times,

prayer meetings are held. The focus is that what people cannot

resume, God can surely do. But our prayers are needed for the Lord

said, ‘Whenever two or three get together in My name, I will be with

them and whatever they ask in My name, I shall give them’.

Awareness of a citizen’s rights and duties are taught; such as

following governmental regulations, paying taxes, voting and

others

History

How it all started

The Lord planned for CrossTalk and guided us to build an

ecumenical Christian education program against all odds. Two

friends, Josette Kfoury and Ranya Nasrallah, met in mid-September

1995, after a separation of several years due to the war in

Lebanon. Their children entered the same non-religious school. As

mothers, their main concern became that their children lacked

Christian education

Their search for Christian education classes in English came to no

avail until they were led to Saint Francis House in Mtayleb. The late

Father Gabriel welcomed them and congratulated them on their

efforts. When they asked him if they could meet the Father or

Brother who will be teaching the kids, Father Gabriel explained: ‘It

is my understanding that the teachers are you: the mothers.’ The

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mothers made it clear to him that teaching Christian Education

was neither their field of interest nor their specialty. Father Gabriel

encouraged them to do it; he offered them two rooms to use as

classes, he put his photocopy machine at their disposal and took

out of his pocket a $100 bill. He handed the money to the two

mothers telling them to buy material for the children. Ranya and

Josette did not miss this opportunity. They accepted all that Father

Gabriel offered them. Their plan was to find someone to teach the

kids and take over in a couple of weeks. Ranya and Josette started

teaching and looking for teachers. However, God’s plan was

different: ‘My thoughts are different than your thoughts; My ways

are different than your ways’ Isaiah 55:8

They could not find anyone to teach. They relied on God and with a

lot of faith in Him, they took on the responsibility of teaching the

children themselves

1995 – 1996: Ranya and Josette started teaching their own three

children. They relied on Catholic books with a Teacher’s guidance

for different age groups. The number of students searching for

Christian education in the same area quickly grew to twelve

1996 – 1997: The two mothers realized the need for a spiritual

advisor. They asked Father George Bakouni. He accepted willingly

and considered the request God sent. That same year, Father

George’s Bishop had asked him to do activities and Christian

education for children in his parish, St Anne for the Greek Catholic,

in Rabweh. Father George succeeded with the help of CrossTalk.

The number of students that year grew to twenty-two

1997 - 1998: Students from new areas joined the program. The

teachers’ number grew and they realized that the students were

from different Christian denominations. They agreed to stop

preaching Catholicism to non-Catholics. The teachings started to

stress points that are in common between all Christian

denominations

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1998 - 1999: The program took on the name CrossTalk. Thanks to

God’s will and to generous donations, a Library, for both children

and parents, took its first steps… Parenting Seminars were given

by Peter Shebaya

1999 - 2000: The following were established: Prayer Group, Choir,

Camp program, GOOD NEWS (newsletter), Development Chart, a

camp for preteens and teens

2000 - 2001: Our Lord poured His grace and blessings on CrossTalk

and we were able to establish a Parent-Child Bible Study for pre-

teens and teens and the Community Day which is now called

CrossTalk Day

2001 - 2002: CrossTalk camps became special as parents joined

during the day and others stayed overnight with their children in

tents. The activities that were previously established experienced

God’s guidance in a special way that year by showing CrossTalk

members that they are His Body no matter how different each one

is. Classes grew from Nursery to Grade 10. An ecumenical Board of

advisors was established; its members being Father Boulos Wehbe,

Rev Habib Badr and Father Tanios Geagea

2002 - 2003: Clubs were established to serve the Lord. Three

camps took place during summer. CrossTalk students welcomed

twenty-four children from Deir Ezzor, Syria, in their own homes from

August 4 to August 8. CrossTalk students grew in number to one

hundred twenty-eight

2003 - 2004: A boutique for fund raising was established at

CrossTalk. Parent's Bible study took place weekly where parents

discussed the same theme their child was being taught at

CrossTalk. A parent’s lounge was furnished for parents who wished

to wait at CrossTalk while their children were in class. A bus service

became available to facilitate transportation to and from

CrossTalk. A Christian band for youth, CrossChords started. The

rites of the different churches were introduced as part of the

curriculum

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2004 - 2005: A French section was established for Grades Petite

Section till 4ème. A fund raising program was initiated to

compensate for CrossTalk’s operating costs. The fund raising

program varied from monthly Open House brunches to yearly family

Barbeque day. A football team, CrossTeam, was founded where

students could learn how to win and how to lose

2005 - 2006: CrossTalk was endorsed by five different churches.

Art lessons were given to guide students to draw what they learn

about our Lord through Bible scriptures and classes. CrossTalk

took care of refugees in five different centers

2006 - 2007: An ecumenical board of directors was founded

2007 - 2008: CrossTalk was officially registered in the ministry of

Interior NGO No. 82/2008

2008 - 2009: Older CrossTalk students, who started their university

life, started teaching younger levels what they had learnt

2009 - 2010: CrossTalk was able to purchase two buses.

CrossTalk’s youth established a community outreach program ‘Give

of Yourself to Others’, forming a partnership with Children’s Cancer

Center in Lebanon, affiliated with Saint Jude

2010 - 2011: CrossTalk parents established the ‘Open Arms’

community outreach program. A new CrossTalk branch opened in

Hamra, Beirut. A summer program was added to the camps,

enfolded trips, challenging activities, game nights, movie nights

for the youth. Twice a week summer full program at CrossTalk for

the preschoolers and elementary levels started

2011 - 2012: Parents in Broumana expressed their desire to host

CrossTalk in their neighborhood. Knowing how generous God is, He

led CrossTalk into opening a branch in Broumana, besides the

Hamra and Rabweh branches

2012 - 2013: Parents’ concern to support CrossTalk’s mission led

to a new fundraising program, the Homemade Treats

2013 - 2014: CrossTalk has produced and sought a never-before

seen concept on the regional level taking the form of a Christian

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theme nightclub under the name of T H R I V E. The summer

program was named Mountain Movers and a mission camp was

established

2014 - 2015: Ranya Nasrallah’s near death accident was a true

blessing in disguise clearly depicting CrossTalk’s strong

foundation T H R I V E night club became set on the second

Saturday of every month. We are taking care of all the gifts our Lord

has poured on us. Knowing how generous God is, CrossTalk us

expecting more blessings

Fees

‘I assure you that anyone who gives you a drink of water because

you belong to Me will certainly receive his reward.’

Mark 9: 41

Classes are free of charge

Your contribution, however you choose it to be (monetary, printing,

providing stationery and other material, or giving your own time),

means a lot. The library and all previous activities were possible

thanks to parents' donations

The widow’s tiny offering (Luke 21: 1-4) pleased our Lord much

more than other offerings. He then transfigures our small efforts

into building His Kingdom

Curricular Activities

Classes

Classes are given in three languages- English, French, and Arabic,

in our three branches in Rabweh, Hamra, and Brummana

For the class schedule, check:

www.mycrosstalk.org

or call 03-254310

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Development Charts

The Development Charts’ aim is to help the child achieve a sense of

responsibility in carrying his/her mission as the Lord’s witness.

Parents are encouraged to sign and return Development Charts in

a timely manner

‘You shall be My witnesses’ Acts 1:8

My Prayer and Faith Autobiography Journal

Each student is encouraged to have one’s own Prayer and Faith

Autobiography Journal where they write one’s personal experiences

with our Lord Jesus Christ and daily prayers, praising our Lord,

thanking Him, repenting and asking from Him

Baptismal days and Birthdays

CrossTalk staff will organize a small celebration for the students'

baptism and birthday

Clubs

Our clubs are a means for the students to use their creativity and

potential in serving the Lord. Five clubs are available for Grades 4,

8ème and above. All students are welcome to contribute to any of

the clubs. However, members only are required to meet regularly

for editing and managing the clubs together. The schedule will be

given later to all clubs besides CrossChords

Newsletter Club

The students will be the ones contributing to the monthly

newsletter. They may write their own experience with the Lord, what

is going on at CrossTalk, and they may incorporate their artwork

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Story Keepers Club

Students are encouraged to write and/or produce stories of

different kinds with Good Messages. CrossTalk will join them in a

book

CrossChords, the Music Club

For Grades 8, 4ème and above. They meet every Friday from 19:00

to 20:30 The students learn and create different Christian hymns

ranging from soft tunes, RnB, Rock and Roll, and much more

Drama Club

Students will identify and grow along in faith through the dramatic

arts; embodying and envisioning theatre productions aimed and

showing His glory

CrossTeam, the Sports Club

The students learn to rely on the Lord in every aspect of their daily

life including sports. They learn how to accept loss and how to deal

with success

Duties

Commitment

Students should commit themselves to classes regularly. We have

a yearlong curriculum that is spread out according to the sessions

we give. So attendance is a necessity. In case of not being able to

attend class the student is encouraged to phone her/his teacher

before time excusing herself/himself

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Expectations

Students are expected to: Return books, CDs and DVDs to the Library on their due dates

Participate in activities

Attend classes and clubs regularly

Bring along:

1. A Bible: We encourage our students to have a personal

Bible to take notes of God’s Word

2. A folder or a bag to safeguard precious paperwork,

prayers, homework, calendar, and newsletter

3. My Prayer and Faith Autobiography Journal

4. A pen or pencil

Library

Saint Ignatius de Loyola was a soldier.

His life changed after he read a book

about the life of saints.

He then gave up everything

and became a soldier of our Lord

Reading Christian spiritual books and watching Christian movies is

essential for our Christian growth. The information in the library

books, CDs and DVDs complement what is taught in class

The Library is provided to all CrossTalk students and their

parents. Every year new books, CDs and DVDs are being added to

the Library, thanks to your contributions

Parents are welcome to use the Library during its opening hours as

well as to check out books, CDs and DVDs. The Library is open

Monday through Friday from 8 am to 6 pm

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Students are encouraged to check out a book, CD and/or DVD

weekly. Children who return their books, CD and DVDs on their due

dates will be allowed to check out more than one of them at a time.

Any lost book, CD or DVD must be replaced

Extra-curricular Activities

Activities

Activities at CrossTalk include community outreach programs such

as giving Christmas presents to orphans at Deir Mar Semaan

convent, working with refugees, environmental awareness,

providing food to the needy, and collaborating with the children’s

cancer center, spiritual retreats and fundraising activities

Camps

‘ …all of us, though many, are one body…’ 1 Cor 10:17

As Christians we form the Body of Christ. Camps build up

community life among its members putting the parts of the body

together. CrossTalk has had more than twenty camps since their

inception in 2000

Spiritual Retreats

Spiritual retreats are held occasionally for Grade 4 students and

above. Students are encouraged to join the retreats where there is

time for discussion and prayers. Subjects are chosen according to

the students’ needs and interest to help in their spiritual growth

CrossTalk Day

This is a day where parents, youth, children, and neighboring

parishes meet at CrossTalk play games, sing hymns, feast and

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thank the Lord as one BODY. It is held yearly on the last Saturday of

June to wrap up the year

Mountain Movers Program

CrossTalk embraces and nurtures the children, teens, youth and

young adults during their free time in July and August. The

Mountain Movers program aim is three-fold:

1. To meet in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ

2. To put into practice what we have learned throughout the year

3. To get to know our country Lebanon more

The program embraces challenging activities and game nights

‘Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you

do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this

mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done’

Jesus in Matthew 21:21

T H R I V E – Jesus loves electro, and He definitely loves RnB too

Forget French Night or 80s Night, and even RnB Night, T H R I V E

has them all combined under one roof – Can it get even better?

You will be doing it in an avenue that is in accord with the

teachings of Christ. Why belittle yourselves to the music and

‘clubbing’ standards this world has set? The Lord wants to lift you

higher than ever, even when you are out and about in your nightlife

A Brief History

T H R I V E was kicked off with an open-air event in May 2014. A

year and two months later, July 2015, T H R I V E was hosted again

in Chill Out – Dik El Mehdi and then once again in August. The

program and event has grown and developed such popularity, that

it has received several media coverages, and will now be held every

second Saturday of each month

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T H R I V E aims to be a platform where you can truly and whole-

heartedly enjoy a nightlife experience, clear from the filth depicted

as ‘normal’ and ‘propriety’ by society. At T H R I V E listen to music

clear from profanity and useless themes, with the sole purpose to

lift you higher. Witness true joy, and true happiness as you move

your feet to the rhythm and beats of the Lord!

Community Outreach

Open Arms

A charity encompassed within CrossTalk, aiming to show generosity

and love. It provides us with the perfect opportunity to put to

practice an integral part of Jesus’ teachings – loving our neighbors

as ourselves. It started by collecting donations of dried food to

donate to the poor and needy. Now, the philanthropic mission has

expanded into helping Palestinian families with their rent and

running expenses and aiding a cancer stricken individual raise

funds for rigorous and expensive treatment. The charity was funded

by CrossTalk’s family donations and when in need, with CrossTalk’s

private account

Mission Camps

Students are encouraged to serve others through the mission

camps. In summer 2014, we took care of mentally disabled teens

and young adults, renovated one floor of a school in the Palestinian

camp, and visited those who are mourning. In addition, in 2015,

students painted a basketball court, cafeteria and hallway of

Home of Hope at Kahale

Give of Yourself to Others

Crosstalk has become a Strategic Partner with the Children’s

Cancer Center in Beirut encouraging people to give at least 10 cm

of their own hair to be made into wigs for those who have lost theirs

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due to chemotherapy. This program started in November 2009 and

has become internationally renowned. Furthermore, it currently

contributes hair to the Lebanese Breast Cancer Foundation as well

Parents

Parents’ Involvement Parents’ involvement will benefit the child. Parents are encouraged

to participate in all activities, monthly and seasonal.

Parents may assist in various ways at CrossTalk; such as classes,

activities, the library, the newsletter, cooking, any kind of typing,

the boutique and others

Parents' Bible Study

Parents are encouraged to attend the weekly Bible study to get to

know what their children are learning in class. The aim is to provide

parents and children the opportunity to discuss and further

develop in their families the themes discussed at CrossTalk.

‘Parents, do not treat your children

in such a way as to make them angry. Instead, bring them up with

Christian discipline and instruction’ Eph 6: 4

Seminars, Life Testimonies

Parents, young adults and the youth may choose topics for the

Seminars. Topics vary and are held depending on the specific need

Expectations

Parents are expected to:

Check their child's folder

Bring their child on time well prepared

Encourage their child to pray, be active in the parish and

celebrate Mass on Sunday and Holy days in their own parishes

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Participate in Parents' Bible Study, Parenting Seminars and

activities

Circulars and Letters

You are encouraged to check your boxes every week. GOOD NEWS,

our newsletter, is a means of communication with parents. We urge

parents to read its contents and follow-up promptly on any

requirements. Furthermore, a calendar will be sent monthly as well

as circulars and forms that may require your attention and

signature

Bus

CrossTalk provides a bus service to facilitate regular attendance of

students

Fund Raising

CrossTalk is growing. Last year more than two hundred twenty

students came weekly to CrossTalk to get to know our Lord Jesus

even more. All classes are given free of charge. CrossTalk steady

expenses are becoming even higher ($ 12,500/ month) and

without any fixed income. Expenses of each child at CrossTalk are

around $550/ year or $46/month. CrossTalk can no longer

continue to operate and might have to close. So as not to restrict a

certain fee on all students, the Lord led the parents to engage in

several fundraising efforts such as the CrossTalk Boutique, Open

House Lunches, Homemade Treats, Exhibitions, Bazaar and the

Annual Fund Raising Dinner. For more information please feel free

to pick up the yearly income and expense sheet with detailed

transactions from CrossTalk. Also, feel free to call at 03 254 310

to have a copy sent with your child

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‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so

that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’

Romans 15:13

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03-254310

www.mycrosstalk.org

@CrossTalkNGO

‘If you remain in Me and My words remain in you,

then you will ask for anything you wish,

and you shall have it.

My Father’s glory is shown by your bearing much fruit,

and in this way you become My disciples’ John 15: 7-8