Update for the week Thursday, August 8 - Wednesday, August 14, 2019

THIS WEEK AT ST. MARY’S

SUNDAY 8/11 – Orthros 8:45am, Divine Liturgy 10:00am 

WEDNESDAY 8/14 – The Feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Theotokos is our patronal feast day.  The fast preceding the Feast began on August 1 and continues through Wednesday, August 14.
  + On the eve of the Dormition of the Blessed Theotokos, 8/14, we will have:
    Vespers at 4:15pm,
    Orthros with Lamentations at 5:30pm, and
    Festal Divine Liturgy at 7:00pm, followed by
    A Dormition feast in the church hall hosted by Mary Winstanley O’Connor.

   + Learn how to beautify the church for the Dormition feast - The bier of the Theotokos is surrounded by flowers for our patronal feast next Wednesday evening.  Come learn how it is done at 3:00pm on Wednesday, and stay for the services.  Questions to Natasha Smith nasmith05@gmail.com.  All supplies are provided. You add your willing hands.

   + We are also looking for people to help set up tables and chairs for the Dormition meal in the hall, at 3:30pm. Please let Diana Yousef know if you can help with this at dymartinek@gmail.com.  We will also need help breaking down the tables and chairs once the meal is over.
 
THIS WEEK ELSEWHERE

SATURDAY 8/10 – The annual New Skete Pilgrimage is set for Saturday, August 10 this year (the Saturday after the  Transfiguration).  More information about the Pilgrimage can be found here: https://newskete.org/events.  Once again, Teva Regule (teva@mit.edu) is coordinating the Boston helpers and as much housing as she can. 
 
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

WELCOME BACK BBQ - On Sunday, September 15, everyone is invited to stay for a Welcome Back Barbecue in the church parking lot.

 CONGRATULATIONS -  Mary Winstanley O’Connor was appointed by His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph to another 4-year term on the Board of Trustees of the Archdiocese, and  was elected by the Trustees as Secretary of the Board. Congratulations!
 
REMINDERS

WOMENS CLUB – The first meeting of the St. Mary Women‘s Club this year will be on Sunday, August 25 in the hall during Coffee Hour. If you are a woman and you attend St. Mary’s Church, you are one of us. Come to the meeting! This will be a brief one, with just one major agenda item.  If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Nassiff (mnassiff@gmail.com).

CHURCH SCHOOL – Registration for new students, and for children who have reached the age of 3, will be held on Sunday, September 8.  Classes will begin on Sunday, September 15 with a short lesson after the Procession of the Holy Cross.
   + Please contact Deno Takles, our new Church School Superintendent (at takles67@yahoo.com) if you would be interested in helping with the Church School. We are looking for a Teacher and an Assistant for Grades 2/3, and a Teacher for Grades 4/5.

ELEVATION OF THE CROSS – Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross will be celebrated on Friday, September 13 at 6:30pm 
 
CHURCH SCHOOL – Church School classes begin with a short lesson on Sunday, September 15 after Communion and the Procession of the Holy Cross
 
ADULT CAMP – Antiochian Village Adult Camp is summer camp for adults at the Village, Friday-Monday, September 13-16. Adult Camp is open to all adults ages 21+ who want to spend the weekend in an Orthodox Christian Environment growing in their faith.  Cost of $195 includes lodging, food and activities.  More information can be found at https://avcamp.org/other-programs/adult-camp.      

PARISH COUNCIL – The next meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for Wednesday, September 18
 
MEN’S RETREAT – A Men’s Retreat will be hosted by the St. Stephen’s Group at St. Methodios Retreat Center, Contoocook, NH, on Friday-Sunday, September 20-22.  This year’s topic is Relationships.  Cost: $239 for 2 nights, meals included.  For more info or to register contact Jeff St. Jean 413-348-2878 or jeffstjean11@gmail.com .
 
ENQUIRERS’ CLASS – The St. Ignatius Catechetical Group (Enquirers’ Class) will begin meeting on Sunday, September 22 at 9:00am in the hall.  Enrollment will be open until October 20. The group is for non-Orthodox adults who are interested in exploring the Christian Faith as it has been – and continues to be – understood, preached, and lived by members of the Holy Orthodox Church. Bob Kowalik will be teaching the group. If you would like to participate, please talk to Bob during coffee hour; or get in touch by phone 617-889-3436 or r.kowalik@comcast.net.  For those seeking to be received into the Orthodox Church, participation in the group and Fr. Antony’s blessing are required.

“ORTHODOXY 102” – Orthodoxy 102 is an Adult Sunday Class designed for Christians who've spent many years in the Orthodox church, but have never been given any formal teaching on the theology and liturgical structure of the Eastern Christian faith. Beginning Sunday, September 22 at 9:00am, this new class will meet weekly to journey through the structure of the Divine Liturgy, while taking an in-depth look at Scripture, the Ecumenical Councils, our iconography, and the meaning and application of Orthodox theology. If you would like more information or would care to join, please email drjamesis@gmail.com (Or introduce yourself to Subdeacon James on any Sunday following the liturgy).

FAMILY CAMP – You’re invited to Diocese Family Camp Friday-Sunday, October 4-6 at St. Methodios Faith & Heritage Center in Contoocook, NH. Families from our Diocese come together for a weekend of camp activities, prayer, relaxation, fellowship, and learning.  More information and pictures can be found at www.soyofallcamp.org Registration information will be posted soon.

FREE TABLE - If anyone is interested in the antique wood table in the back room by the kitchen please see Barbara in the Church Office.  It was the altar table when the church was a Congregational church.
 
JOIN US ONLINE - St. Mary’s Church services are broadcast live each week through an internet video stream. If you can't attend a service in person, or want to share this ministry with a friend or loved one, the live stream can be viewed at www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org/live during regularly scheduled service times (see the schedule of services or online). If you have questions or comments about this ministry please contact us at live@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org