2. Teach Sunday School

I attended Sunday School classes after and during church on Sundays from when I was around 4 years-old until I was in high school. In high school I found myself gathering so much information from my religious studies in school and at church camp that I wasn't learning anything in classes on Sundays. At times, I would even be correcting the teacher because he or she had obviously not taken as much interest in the topic as I had. Since I was in boarding school for my second year of high school, I barely attended church unless I was home. The closest Orthodox Church to Brewster Academy was about an hour away at least. When I returned home to finish high school while living with my parents, I took full advantage of the simple pleasures of having a car, few rules, and a loose schedule. I anticipated becoming involved with my Sunday school by teaching kids who could take in the information that I had to offer, and help children grow in their faith. I was only 16, but I was ready to make a difference. I asked the head of the school if I could teach, and much to my dismay, I was placed in the nursery room as an assistant teacher. It makes sense now that I'm thinking back on it, but at the time I felt that I was being highly underestimated. For two years I took attendance, made jokes that the parents thought were funny but that the kids did not understand, and I taught the kids that we love a dude named Jesus, whose mom was Mary, and dad was God, and he's awesome because he died for us.
When I graduated high school and left the Sunday school, I went to church after a night of partying, received an icon and gift in front of the entire congregation, and managed to not stumble my way through the aisle. One of my kids gave me a candle, and another gave a gift card. I got some scented soap, drawings, and a lot of thank you cards.

When I left, half of the kids called me "Miss," "Teacher" or "Miss Teacher" because they could not say my name, and I was tired of making them try.
It wasn't time wasted, but it did feel a little bit silly teaching 4 and 5 year olds lessons for an hour about stuff that are far too complicated to understand at that age.
At least now they know what Christmas and Pascha are for, and who that Jesus dude is.