Holy Trinity Orthodox Church

Goal Setting

Have you set and achieved any of your summer goals? It’s still not too late to study a book of the Bible, perform a charity project or do something special for the needy, memorize an entire Psalm (or a couple), or attend a full cycle of services for an entire week or two.

A Few Good Men and Women

We are blessed to have a growing Sunday School. In order to accommodate this, we also need a growing staff. Last year we introduced a new class level (a separate class for grades 2-5). If possible, we would like to add one more class to allow for more focused instruction in the elementary grades. For each class, we really need to have at least two teachers to share the responsibility and workload, provide coverage when one teacher is away, and promote creativity and synergy among the teams. If you would like to be part of the Church School staff and grow your faith, please see Deacon Mark. Our first teachers’ meeting of the school year will be on Saturday, August 27, at 5 p.m.

Back to School

Our first day is September 11. We will start the year with special prayers for all of our students and teachers for the beginning of instruction. Parents of returning students will receive information by e-mail; new students can be registered beginning August 21 following the Divine Liturgy.

by Dn. Mark Oleynik

The words “take…a little honey” were spoken by Jacob when he instructed his sons to go and buy more grain from the Egyptian government (Gen. 43:11). One of his sons, Judah, reminded him that the prime minister (actually Joseph, Jacob’s own son) had solemnly warned the brothers on their last visit, “You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you” (Gen. 43:5). Jacob reluctantly agreed, and then suggested improving “public relations” with the powerful Egyptian prime minister by taking him presents. In addition to choice fruits, Jacob also instructed them to take some honey.

Of course, Jacob meant the delicious product produced by honeybees. Now it stands for using a pleasing approach, a sincere compliment. So often we are grim with the corners of our mouth turned down—worried and concerned about the next thing, whatever it may be. But there are wondrous things a smile, an appreciative word, or an en-couraging message can accomplish.

For all of us, there is power in our manner and words. What is the power? It is the right glance, the right touch, the right word. Things like these make us joyful. It is a wonder why they are some-times forgotten.

As parents, spouses, and friends we are to see the image of Christ in everyone we encounter. Take some honey with you when your child doesn’t clean his room as you wish, or when your spouse is running late, or when you see a friend struggling, or when a child misbehaves but perhaps is just acting her age. By doing so, we can approach a situation with a proper attitude and frame of mind—to make it better, to make it sweeter.

Jesus must have been the best of company. The people loved having Him at weddings, and the children ran to Him and climbed on His knees. He took the little children into His arms. He said encouraging words, whenever He could. He was certainly the Sweetness of life.

So in all your encounters with your children and others, take a little honey with you.