Update for the week of August 31 - September 7, 2017

THIS WEEK AT ST. MARY

FRIDAY, 9/1 – On September 1 the new ecclesiastical year begins. Happy New Year!

SUNDAY 9/3 – Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am.

THURSDAY 9/7 – Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos will be celebrated on Thursday, September 7, at 6:30pm

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

HURRICANE HARVEY APPEAL -  Metropolitan JOSEPH  has requested that every parish appeal to its parishioners and hold special collections after Liturgy throughout the month of September to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana.  If you would like to contribute by check please put on the memo line of the check “Hurricane Harvey appeal”.  At the end of the month St. Mary’s contribution will be sent to the archdiocese for distribution to our parishes in need and to IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities).  You can also donate through “eGive” by selecting “Hurricane Harvey Appeal.”

   - For a copy of the Metropolitan’s letter to each parish please see the following link http://antiochian.org/sites/default/files/hurricane_harvey_appeal.pdf

eGIVE UPGRADE - eGive recently upgraded their systems.  To access your account going forward, you must now take the following steps:

   > Go to the new eGive page for St. Mary’s: https://give.egive-usa.com/dl/?uid=eGive13834Conv

   > Click on the “Forgot Password?” link and request a new password using the e-mail you signed up with. You will get an e-mail with a temporary password

   > Log in with this temporary password

NEW DATE - TEEN SOYO ANNUAL RETREAT – Since in past years the annual Teen SOYO Retreat held during Lent has had to deal with too much snow, this year it is moving to the Fall. Now it will coincide with the Diocesan Family Camp at the St. Methodios Faith & Heritage Center in Contoocook, NH, Friday to Sunday, October 13-15. The campers will be staying at the Center and the teens (grades 7-12) will be staying in the cabins and have their own program and events. Everyone will come together for the services and most of the meals.  The cost is $85 per teen. NOTE: Registration forms must be returned by October 1. For information or scholarship information, contact Fr. Joseph Kimmett, Diocese Spirituaul Advisor, at geonorwood@aol.com, 781-762-4396  or John Abud, Diocese Youth Director, at abudjohn@gmail.com, 810-252-5769.

BAZAAR & FOOD FAIR – St. George West Roxbury is having their annual Bazaar and Food Fair on Friday October 20 through Sunday, October 22 - Friday and Saturday from 10am to 9pm, Sunday from 12pm to 3:pm. Admission is free. Middle Eastern cuisine and pastries, baked foods, country store, kids corner, photo booth

HIERARCHICAL VISIT – His Grace Bishop John will be with us at St. Mary’s on Sunday, September 24, for a Hierarchical visit to celebrate liturgy and kick off our 90th Year celebration.

REMINDERS

YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY MONTH - September is “Young Adult Ministry Month” in our Archdiocese, when Young Adults can become more involved in the life of the parish. (see the Opportunities for Service section below.) To learn more or to get involved, send an email to youngadults@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org or call/text Jamil (617-501-4427) or Adam (315-719-2101)

CHURCH SCHOOL REGISTRATION - Registration for new students, and for children who have reached the age of 3, will be held on Sunday, September 10.

   + Classes will begin on Sunday, September 17.

WELCOME BACK BREAKFAST - Please join us Sunday, September 10 after Liturgy in the Hall downstairs to once again welcome students back to the area after summer. Breakfast will be co-hosted by the Hospitality Group and the Young Adults group. Please wear your collegiate colors on that Sunday to Church to help the college community feel welcome! Suggested donations for the breakfast: $7/person, $14/family. Questions? Contact Diana Yousef (yousefd@post.harvard.edu)

DINNER CRUISE - St. George Boston is sponsoring a Charles River Sunset Dinner Cruise at 7:30 on Saturday, September 9. Cost of Dinner and Boat Rental and donation to the St. George Endowment Funds is $150 perperson.  For reservations contact: eileensaliba@gmail.com or 617-699-9987.  Space is limited.

BIBLE STUDY - Welcome back to the Bible Study/Adult Education Program at St. Mary's Church!. The Bible study for the coming year will focus on podcasts that introduce the History of the Bible, the Church Fathers, and the first three books of the Hebrew Scriptures. Due to construction in the church, our meeting day is being moved to Mondays. We meet every other week, and our first meeting will be Monday, September 11 at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. At this meeting we will discuss the podcasts found at http://orthodoxbiblestudy.info/overview and http://orthodoxbiblestudy.info/inspiration-and-inerrancy-part-1  Everyone is welcome to attend. A snack to share is welcomed, but not required. If interested, please contact the new co-leaders: Steve Walker at smwalk@gmail.com  or Ioana Popa at drioanapopa@gmail.com .

ELEVATION OF THE CROSS – Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 13, at 6:00pm (note early start time).

SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY – A training session on Building Social Justice Ministry Teams in the Church will be held on Saturday, September 16 from 9:00-4:30, here at St. Mary Orthodox Church. Details can be found at https://www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org/news/events/2017/social-justice-ministry-teams Note that registration (by telephone or e-mail) by September 6 is only $10, thanks to a generous gift from His Grace Bishop John and the diocese; registration at the door (8:30-9:00 am) will be $40.  

CHANTERS’ REHEARSAL – There will be a rehearsal and meeting for chanters on Saturday, September 16 at 4:00pm.

VESPERS and YOUNG ADULTS – September’s Great Vespers service will be held on Saturday, September 16, at 5:00 pm (note revised date).

   + Following Vespers the Young Adults will gather for a delicious dinner out on the town.

CREATIVE ARTS PRESENTATION - Award ribbons will be given to the children who participated in the Diocese of Worcester and New England Creative Arts Competition, following Liturgy on Sunday, September 17.  The projects will be on display in the Church Hall following the presentation.

WOMEN’S CLUB – The first Women’s Club meeting of the church year will be Monday, September 18 at 7:30. At this meeting we will formulate our yearly calendar, so come with any ideas you may have.  We meet only once a month, and welcome all women of the parish to join us.  The Women’s Club does charitable work both locally, nationally and internationally, and supports the Church School.   Call Priscilla (781-762-1527) or the church office (617-547-1234) if you have any questions or are interested in joining us.

PARISH COUNCIL – The next meeting of the Parish Council will be Wednesday, September 20, at 7:30 pm.

SONIA’S RUN - Sonia’s Run and Fall Fair in memory of Sonia Daly Belcher, at St. George’s, West Roxbury, will be held on Saturday, September 23. Registration begins at 8:30am, race starts at 9:30am. St. Mary’s will run as a team again this year (last year we came in 2nd place).  Just choose team “STMARYCAMBRIDGE” when you register.  For questions about our team, please e-mail Charlie Marge, charlie.marge@verizon.net. All proceeds from the run will benefit Theophany School. Vendor tables are available. For more information go to www.soniasrun.org .

ICON EXHIBIT – You are invited to an exhibit at the Museum of Russian Icons entitled Fantastic Beasts in Iconography. This Exhibit spotlights the many types of natural and unnatural creatures in iconography, exploring their origins, symbolism, stories, and myriad representations. This exhibit is family friendly, with images and activities that are appealing, accessible, and educational for both adults and children. This exhibit runs until Sunday, September 24. Special rates are available for group tours. Just call their Group Tour Manager, Amy Consalvi for information: 978.598.5000 x125. And more details of the exhibits are available on their website www.museumofrussianicons.org.

DIOCESE FAMILY CAMP – Our first Diocese Family Camp will be held the weekend of Friday-Sunday, October 13-15, 2017 at the St. Methodios Faith & Heritage Center in Contoocook, NH. Our Family Camp is modeled after the program at Antiochian Village. We will have daily services, Christian Education for children, a Keynote Speaker (TBD) for the parents, and sports and games for the whole family to participate. Experienced AV Staff Members are being recruited to serve as counselors for the weekend.  More registration details and tentative schedule are online at http://antiochian.org/FamilyCampNE . There is also a facebook event under the Diocese Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1425084937546643

REFLECTION

The fruits of the earth are not brought to perfection immediately, but by time, rain and care; similarly, the fruits of men ripen through ascetic practice, study, time, perseverance, self-control and patience.

   - St. Anthony the Great 

As then it is His[God's] part to plant and to water, so it is yours to bear fruit: it is God's to grant grace, but yours to receive and guard it. Despise not the grace because it is freely given, but receive and treasure it devoutly.

   - St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures

Whoever bears fruit with works of faith and love, he is a real disciple of Christ.

   - Saint John Chrysostom