Congratulations to Junior Orthodox Youth Association (Jr.OYA) participants Josiah Stickles, who finished in first place (scoring 191 on one game, with seven strikes and a spare) and Tanya Roberts, who finished in second place. Jr. OYA is open to fifth through eighth graders and meets regularly on the second Sunday evening of the month. Each meeting is a time for fun and fellowship. Friends are always invited to come!
Back-to-School Drive Kicks Off
Each year, Holy Trinity provides school supplies for underpriveledged children through Matthew 25. Monetary donations are especially appreciated since we purchase all outstanding items for our forty-plus sponsored children. Contributions will be accepted through Sunday, August 21.
Youth Retreats Scheduled
Parents: Mark your calendars! August will feature two retreats for youth of all ages. On Thursday, August 18, our elementary and middle-school-aged kids will attend this year’s Archdiocesan Youth Retreat, “Icons: Windows to Heaven,” taking place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Pittsburgh. The next day (August 19), high school students will go on an overnight camping excursion with the Orthodox Youth Association. Both events are free and will include prayer services, presentations, meals, and plenty of fun and fellowship. Holy Trinity is providing group transportation to both outings. For questions or reservations (no later than August 4, please), email Dn. Alexander.
Men’s Fellowship Breakfast Returns
Men’s Fellowship Breakfast returns this month this Saturday (June 16). It is a terrific opportunity for men–young and old–to gather for breakfast and spiritual reflection. Members of the group will also help return the church to normal for Great Vespers that evening. Thank you in advance!
Nearly 50 Students Instructed in the “Fruits of the Spirit”
Forty-eight children aged 3-14 enjoyed an exciting week of Vacation Bible School (VBS) last month, exploring St. Paul’s exhortations to bear the fruits of “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). In addition to learning through dozens of activities, songs, and crafts, participants vowed to live a fuller life according to the Holy Spirit, hanging each day the actions they planned to take on a tree that sprung up in the Parish Hall.
VBS Daily News
Each day, VBS participants and their parents/guardians received a newsletter featuring the day’s activities and how the lessons the kids learned can be applied. In case you missed them, you can view online versions below:
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5
Read More…
All-Parish Meeting Scheduled for July 31
There will be a special called meeting of the entire parish of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church on Sunday, July 31 following the Divine Liturgy to discuss and approve the purchase of a 0.55-acre parcel of land in Beavertown, Snyder County, Pennsylvania, provided all conditions of the contract have been met and sufficient funds have been raised or pledged.
1. A majority of registered parish members, age 18 and over, is required for quorum. Voters must have fulfilled their Lenten obligations of Confession and Holy Communion to participate.
2. Two-thirds (2/3) of those attending and voting must vote in the affirmative to approve this purchase.
3. Should a quorum not be present, the meeting shall be adjourned until Sunday, August 7, at which time those members present and voting shall constitute a quorum, a two-thirds vote in the affirmative being required to purchase.
4. Title will be held in trust for the Archdiocese of Western Pennsylvania, by Holy Trinity Parish Corporation. “Chapel of the Holy Spirit” is a legal alias of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.
— Fr. John Reeves, Rector, and the Holy Trinity Parish Council
Quarters from Heaven (via Holy Trinity)
by Melody Thompson
In thinking about our quarter collection effort for Centre House ministry news (the local homeless shelter) my mind was “nudged” into one of those strange connections and I thought of the old song “Pennies from Heaven” (see lyrics here). Oldsters like myself will remember the title of the song, but how many of us ever focused closely on the lyrics?
Believe it or not, the old Bing Crosby song has a strong theological message. It first talks about not appreciating what we have until it’s covered by clouds. But the lyrics also remind us that blessings can come from those clouds. Today, the residents of Centre House are likely feeling that their skies are pretty cloudy. But we can help them see the “silver lining”—that there are people who care about them in their distress—by contributing quarters for their laundry needs or for parking when they go for job interviews.
Inflation may have necessitated changing pennies to quarters, but the meaning is still the same. Please help your neighbors at Centre House by depositing quarters in one of the two collection receptacles (one in the Narthex and one in the Parish Hall), which can be identified by the photograph of Centre House.
Summer Schedule Changes
Please note the following schedule changes and additions to the following ministries this summer:
- To accommodate our growing group of new catechumens now preparing for Holy Illumination, Orthodoxy 2.0 will join forces with Orthodoxy 101 this summer to offer specialized instruction. The combined group will meet on the second and fourth Saturdays in July and August at 4 p.m. All are welcome.
- The Junior Orthodox Youth Association (Jr.OYA) for children in grades 5-8 will meet on July 24 this month; the high school group (OYA) is postponing its July meeting to plan an overnight August retreat.
- Vespers is canceled on Wednesday, June 13 so the altar and nave can be repainted. An oil-based primer will be applied to remove and limit future soot buildup.
Vacation Bible School Gallery Posted
Be sure to check out the gallery of pictures from the 2011 Holy Trinity Vacation Bible School: “I’ve Got the (Fruit of the) Spirit in Me!” You can view a slideshow highlighting the many activities of the week, download pictures from current and past VBSes, and learn more about our annual summer learning program.
This year, 48 children embarked on an educational and fun journey learning about the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives through activities, songs, and crafts.
VBS Daily News: Good Fruit Fills Students
Participants Nearing Capacity — But Ready for More
STATE COLLEGE, PA — Vacation Bible School students continued to fill their spiritual baskets by adding their bounty the study of fruits of goodness and faithfulness. These fruits were found to be a natural source of energy and give the body the very nutrients they need to keep going and growing in the image of Christ. A key point in today’s session was the discovery that the larger and more abundant the fruit of the Spirit, the stronger and more mature the person becomes. With that in mind, there is high expectation that all the students will become grand champions.
Goodness — Do the Right Thing
Today VBS participants learned that goodness is really a call to action. This fruit leads us to give of ourselves extravagantly in service to others and to doing what is right. It is something we can’t hide since it is an outward and energized expression. Jesus showed goodness when he cleansed the Temple and drove out those who were not honoring the Father (outwardly and energetically).
An example of goodness can be seen in the way different people help those in need — even in a simple offering of a glass of water to a thirsty passerby. One person may give the water because they should — they are obedient. Another person provides the water so they can feel good about themselves. But a person who gives the water with the strong and sincere desire to do the right thing is acting out of goodness.
I’ve Got the Music in Me
VBS students have been learning many new songs this year (along with a few old favorites). Ask your favoring VBSer to sing a few songs for you and see how many fruits you can pick out!
You Gotta Have Faith!
If you looked in the dictionary, you would find a technical definition of faith stated as, “To follow through with a commitment regardless of difficulty.” Faithfulness is essential to the success of any faithfulness of their subjects. Public figures rise of fall deepening on the faithfulness of their supporting public. Officers in the armed forces depend upon the faithfulness of those who serve under them.
Faithfulness means that no matter what happens you will rejoice in the Lord. Maybe everything will go wrong. Maybe there is no job, no income, no house to live in; sickness comes, trials come, disappointment overwhelms, the bottom drops out, and everything is a mess. But no matter what, you will serve the Lord. This is the kind of faithfulness that God is asking for. This is the kind of faithfulness that God will bless.
FPO — For Parents Only
Everyone knows that the secret to a successful crop is the care and feeding of that crop. As a parent, it is your responsibility to check on your crop each and every day to ensure that they have everything that is needed to ensure proper growth (spiritual and physical).
