Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings in the Name of the Lord.
This coming Sunday, October 20, we will have our next Safety and Security Rehearsal at the conclusion of The Divine Liturgy. This rehearsal will be for a medical emergency, so we will all simply walk to the Rally Signs at the north and south ends of our parking lots. The ushers will provide us with assistance and directions, so please wait until everyone has been counted present before you head back to Fellowship Hour (and, yes, the food will be waiting once the rehearsal has ended).
Our Calendar
Fasting Days
Wednesday, October 16 and Friday, October 18
Daily Services
Monday, October 14--Friday, October 18, Orthros 5am and Vespers, 5pm (if you wish to attend the daily services, it’s always a good idea to check the day before to make sure the services will be offered).
Fr. Andrew, Seth Hart, and Matthew Groh and many other folks continue to broadcast daily readings from spiritual books online. They are now back to reading “The Ethics of Beauty” by Dr Timothy Patitsas. The schedule is as follows: M-F at 12pm.
Also, our online team will now be reading the Daily Synaxarion on Discord. Just look for this channel: #synaxarion
Tuesday, October 15
Orthodoxy 101 7pm; you can also access the group on Discord
Wednesday, October 16
Fall Theological Seminar 7pm; you can also access the group on Discord
Thursday, October 17
The Bible Study, Old Testament Edition 7pm; you can access this group on Discord
Saturday, October 19
St Thomas School 4pm
Great Vespers 6pm
Sunday, October 20
Sunday of The Seven Councils
Orthros 8am
Church School 8:15am
Divine Liturgy 10am
Fellowship Hour
Youth Church School 1pm
Tuesday, October 22
Orthodoxy 101 7pm; you can also access the group on Discord
Parish Council 7pm
Wednesday, October 23
Fall Theological Seminar 7pm; you can also access the group on Discord
St Thomas School
On Saturday, October 19, St Thomas School will be hosting our next Catechumen Cohort Check-In. This session is designed for all the catechumens, their sponsors, and for everyone is in interested in becoming a catechumen or a sponsor. We will be looking at the calendar together, answering everyone’s questions, and generally just getting a read on how everyone is progressing on their journey to full reception in the Church. Please plan on joining us at 4pm in the Parish House.
Our Fall Theological Seminar
It’s not too late to join The Fall Theological Seminar. We’re reading a book by a Protestant pastor; the book is called Stability, and it’s available in the bookstore. But we’re not only talking about the spiritual advantages—and challenges—of sticking it out in a particular community, we’re also talking with folks in our parish who have done just that. Below is the schedule for the readings and the interviews, but plan now to join us in the parish house at 7pm each Wednesday evening through the start of Nativity Lent--and, while we will have an online option available for those folks who live at a distance, let’s not forget that the conversation is always richer and more meaningful if you are actually present.
Oct 16 Reading Assignment: Chapter 5. Stability and Change. Guests: Chris and Sarah S.
Oct 23 Reading Assignment: Chapter 6. Practices of Stability. Guest: Baker G.
Oct 30 Reading Assignment: Chapter 7. Where Do We Stay From Here? p 125-134. Guest: Mary K.
Nov 6 Reading Assignment: Chapter 7. Where Do We Stay From Here? p 134-148. Guests: John and Lindsey B.
Nov 13 Conclusion: The Final Stability
Coming Up
It will be here before we know it! The Nativity Fast will begin on Friday, November 15 and run through Wednesday, December 25. This fasting season is divided into two periods: (A) November 15th through December 19th when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, and olive oil) is observed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with a blessing for wine and olive oil (some also permit fish) on Tuesday and Thursday, and for fish, wine, and olive oil on Saturday and Sunday, and (B) the period of the Forefeast, December 20th through 24th, when the traditional fasting discipline is observed Monday through Friday, with a blessing for wine and olive oil on Saturday and Sunday. The eve of the feast, December 24th is a strict fast day. December 25th through January 4th is fast-free. Please begin to make your plans now, and, if you need to modify the fast in any way, be sure to get a blessing from one of the priests.
Our Moment of Grace and Courtesy
Sometimes, people take off their shoes during the Divine Services. This can be an expression of piety, or it can just be a reflection of the fact that a particular pair of shoes is uncomfortable. Either way, we need to keep our shoes on during the Divine Services. If you wish to use your footwear as an expression of piety, then a more appropriate thing to do would be to purchase a pair of shoes that you never wear any other time except when you are participating in the Divine Services. If your shoes are just uncomfortable, a more appropriate (and hygienic) solution would be to go outside and give your feet a break while you're sitting at one of the picnic tables.
Capital Campaign Countdown Column
Whatever is obtained as a result of long and persistent prayer will remain.
-St John Climacus
We are now well into the three year pledge portion of our capital campaign, so please go ahead and record your commitment on REALM. If you questions about how to do that, just contact Arun J. or Father Andrew Wilson. If you have questions about the project itself, please read through the FAQ that is attached to the email version of this newsletter, but, to help us get the most out of this historic effort, this week’s Countdown Column is by Michael C., a member of our parish council:
When Israel was at peace after many years of struggle, the Holy King and Prophet David wanted to build a temple for the Lord. But God said “no.” David was a man of war who had “shed much blood on the earth,” so God gave the task instead to David’s son, Solomon.
Since we first began discussing our capital campaign, this event from the Bible has been on my mind. I don’t know why exactly David’s bloodshed made him ill-suited for the task of building the temple. But it is humbling that God, in His mercy, would permit a great sinner like me to participate (even in a small way) in the building of our temple. And I am grateful to be a part of this community—joining together with you all as we offer our prayers, time, and money to build something truly beautiful to the glory of God.
All my best,
Michael
an unworthy priest
aidan