You’re Invited: This Thursday (September 8) from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Holy Trinity will hold its annual social for anyone new to our community or looking to become more involved in parish life. This enjoyable evening features brief presentations about our community, its ministries, outreaches, and fellowship groups, giving you an opportunity to meet and interact with our various lay and clergy leaders, and learn how to become involved. See you there!
Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives
by Fr. John Reeves
For a long time, I’ve wanted the parish to have more opportunities for adult education. Fellowship (OCF) for students, an integral part of our parish’s campus ministry. And there is Orthodoxy 101 for inquirers, and Orthodoxy 2.0 for catechumens in their last stage of preparation before baptism. But we’ve needed more. I’ve needed more: a time for those of us who are already Orthodox to grow spiritually. This fall and next spring will provide that very occasion.
Here’s the pitch: Beginning September 6 and continuing on first and third Tuesdays through December, we will begin the study of a fascinating book: Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives. It is a collection of the sayings of a modern elder, Fr. Thaddeus of Serbia. (Fr. Thaddeus reposed in the Lord recently, in 2006.) Much of his early monastic life was spent under the tutelage of monks from Valaam Monastery who had taken refuge in Serbia in the 1920s.
Elder Thaddeus covers many topics of ordinary life: not just the typical “prayer and fasting” but reconciliation with enemies and purity of heart. Each session will deal with a different topic based on the short chapters in the book—“On Thoughts,” “On Family Life,” “On Humility,” “On Serving God and Neighbor,” to name a few. And because it will be one chapter per session, if you happen to miss a night, you won’t “fall behind.” (If you are wondering, Part II will begin in February, after our usual “Theophany break.”)
Books will be available for purchase. Additionally, copies will also be available for those who want to borrow them for the duration.
The new ministry doesn’t have a name, yet. It may never have one. I do think that “Adult Education,” while accurate, may be a bit off-putting. “Fellow-ship,” I always like, because that typically means food for the stomach as well as the soul.
So join me in what promises to be an excellent way to deepen our commitment to and life in Christ. Tuesday, September 6, 7-8:30 p.m.
Extra Scoops: September 2011
Now is the Time
We resume Sunday School on September 11. All students and parents are asked to be in attendance on that day as we will begin the year with special prayers for the beginning of instruction immediately following the Divine Liturgy.
Everyone Say “Cheese!”
After the Divine Liturgy on September 25 the Sunday School will take our annual group picture. Every student’s smile is needed!
Feasting Opportunities
This month the Church celebrates two (2) major feasts. On September 8, we commemorate the Nativity of the Theotokos followed by the Elevation of the Cross on September 14 (which in addition to being a “feast” is also a Strict Fast day). It is understood that these days are school days but state law allows for absence for religious holidays (an signed excuse form is available in the nave of the church). If attendance at the Liturgy is not possible, plan to attend Vespers as a family on the eve of the feast (September 7 and 13, respectively, at 7 p.m.).
Our Sunday Best (Part I)
Women process around Holy Trinity during the funeral vigil service on Holy Friday evening (Lamentations at the Tomb/Matins of Holy Saturday).
by Deacon Mark Oleynik
For many there is a well known phrase, “wear your Sunday best” that when uttered one knows exactly what is expected. This phrase, mostly from bygone years, refers to putting on your very best clothes when going to worship on Sunday.
And there was a time when many people had only one “very best” set of clothes so if a function called for the most proper of attire—be it going to church, attending a wedding, or baptism, or funeral or even a dance or dinner—they knew what to do. It was understood that wearing your “Sunday best” meant that the function you were attending was of the utmost importance.
Parents often struggle within themselves and with their children regarding the Church and being in church. (What parent has not experienced the heartbreak and frustration of preparing and taking their children to church only to find themselves spending almost the entire service in the fellowship hall or outdoors cooling theirs heels?)
At the infant age it is a concern about the baby crying or fussing; at the toddler and elementary age it is about their “wandering” around in the church. As the child grows older it becomes more about making sure they understand the Church (and its relevance to their lives) and then eventually it becomes a “hopefulness” that all of the formative work has sunk into their heart, mind and soul. As every parent knows, this life-long process is no easy task and it becomes even more difficult without the love and support of family, friends, and the entire Church.
As part of a “Sunday School Scoop” series running in the Trisagion over the next few months, the notion of putting on our “Sunday best” will be examined from a practical perspective. We will come to discover that this should not be only about the clothes we wear but rather of how us parents (and all of us) can begin to prepare ourselves and our children to be at our “Sunday best” each and every time we come to the Lord’s Table.
Put more simply, we are expected to wear our “Sunday best” everyday. The choices we make have their roots at home and reflect the prophet Joshua’s words, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
For the Record: August 2011
Your Generosity
- Approximately $800 in supplies were donated to underpriviledged children in our area through the annual Matthew 25 Back-to-School Drive. Your gifts also produced the longest receipt this Wal-Mart employee (pictured right) had ever seen!
Farewells
- Joshua Cattell, Homeless Ministry Coordinator and Altar Server, joined the Air Force and moved to Lackland, Texas to attend Boot Camp.
- Stasia Roberts, Choir member, moved August 3 to Kirksville, Missouri to attend medical school at A.T. Still University.
- Rebecca Ziegler, Choir member and Orthodox Chrisitan Fellowship staff advisor, left to persue
Turkey to Return Seized Orthodox Property
ISTANBUL [via AsiaNews.it] – In a sudden twist… [Turkey] will return all property to religious foundations that the administration with various subterfuges has seized in the past, after the census of 1936…
The decree was published within a few days of [Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch] Bartholomew I’s request for the return of unjustly usurped properties to minorities… According to an initial calculation, the decree provides for the restitution of 1,000 properties to [Orthodox Christians].
[In an address attended by the Patriarch, Turkish Prime Minister] Erdoğan said: “Times that a citizen of ours would be oppressed due to his religion, ethnic origin or different way of life are over.”
First Service Held on New Land
Reader David Smith (right) leads Chapel faithful in a cross procession to the new property. There Fr. Basil (center) blessed the land in a service of thanksgiving.
by Brenda Smith
On Sunday, August 21, the faithful of the Chapel of the Holy Spirit processed from our home where we currently meet to our newly purchased property a block away. It had been a gloomy morning but the skies cleared just in time. We gathered on the land for a service of Thanksgiving led by Father Basil. This was a very special day for us as we gave God thanks for blessing us with this piece of property, which in the future will be the home of the first Orthodox Church in Snyder County. We also give thanks to God for the prayer and support of all of you at Holy Trinity who helped make this a reality for us at the Chapel.
Orthodoxy 101 Returns
Want to know more about the Apostolic Faith? If so, Orthodoxy 101 is for you. Join us second and fourth Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall beginning September 27.
New Church Year Brings New Ministries
Ever since our Lord entered the synagogue to announce His mission to mankind, September has been a time of new beginnings for Christians. Following suit here at Holy Trinity, this New Church Year brings with it several new ministries:
- The Adult Study Group meets first and second Tuesdays, 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall (see story, page 1).
- The Cantors ministry will conduct monthly work-shops (Second Saturdays, 4 p.m.) to give liturgical readers a dedicated time for training and fellowship.
- To give everyone in the parish an opportunity to eat together, we will have a Parish Potluck after the last Sunday liturgy of the month. Bring a dish or dessert to share. (Coffee Hour hosts will furnish drinks.)
- A new ministry for 18- to 35-year-olds, the Young Adult Fellowship will kick off with a picnic lunch on Saturday, September 17 at noon at Circleville Park. There will be volleyball, badminton, Ultimate Frisbee, and soccer. No need to bring anything; kids welcome.
Visit holytrinity-oca.org for more information.
Annual Orthodox Education Day to Honor Service Men and Women
YONKERS [via svots.edu] – On Saturday, October 1, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary here will honor military chaplains and service personnel at its annual open house, Orthodox Education Day. Activities will center on this year’s theme, “For God and Country” and will feature several liturgical services (including a memorial for departed veterans), ethnic food, discussion panels, and military-related exhibits courtesy of St. Tikhon’s Monastery Museum. Admission to the grounds and all activities is free.
The Rev. Dr. Philip LeMasters will deliver the key-note address, “Orthodox Perspectives on Peace, War, and Violence” and US Army chaplain trainer Dr. Stephen Muse will lead a workshop exploring the emotional, physical, and psychological support we can offer veterans and their families.
For more information, visit the St. Vladimir’s website.
