Beloved in Christ,

Below you will find this week’s schedule, as well as some important notes about upcoming events.

THIS WEEK: December 12 – 20, 2021

This Week: We observe the Nativity Fast through December 24.     

• Sun, Dec 12 at 5:00 pm – Christmas Program & Potluck (see note and invitation below)
• Mon, Dec 13 at 6:00 pm – Advent Paraklesis
• Wed, Dec 15 at 6:00 pm – Bible Study @ St Mary and/or on MS Teams (https://teams.live.com/meet/93755858624072)
• Thurs, Dec 16 at 5:30 pm – Parish Council Meeting
• Fri, Dec 17 – Scroll on Website
• Sat, Dec 18 at 4:30 pm – Confession
• Sat, Dec 18 at 5:00 pm – Great Vespers
• Sun, Dec 19 – Scroll in Foyer
• Sun, Dec 19 at 9:00 am – Matins
• Sun, Dec 19 at 9:00 am – Church School
• Sun, Dec 19 at 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy w/Installation of 2022 Parish Council
• Sun, Dec 19 – Humanitarian Christmas Project Ends (see note and flyer below)
• Mon, Dec 20 at 6:00 pm – Advent Paraklesis

Other Notes

(1) ADVENT FAST: The Advent/Christmas Fast begins on November 15. During this season we will celebrate the Advent Paraklesis (Supplication) Service several times. During the Advent Fast, we abstain from meat & dairy products. However, fish, wine and oil are allowed on all days of the week except Mon/Wed/Fri.

(2) HMT NATIVITY PROJECT CONTINUES: The Humanitarian Ministry Team is sponsoring a Nativity Project to benefit the Child Advocacy Center of Sedgwick County. They will be collecting items from the Center’s wish list for the children in program. The Advocacy Center is the first place for children who are victims of abuse and before they are placed into a new home. The Agency also offers multiple services including medical, investigatory, mental health and advocacy for the children. The collection begins Sunday, Nov 21, and runs through Sunday, Dec. 19. learn more >

(3) CHRISTMAS PROGRAM: We are happy to announce our annual Christmas Program is  back again this year.  The Program & Potluck are scheduled for Sunday, December 12, beginning at 5:00 pm. Please bring a Lenten dish to share and kids’ books for the Humanitarian Ministry Team’s Nativity Project to benefit the Child Advocacy Center of Sedgwick County. learn more >

(4) CHRISTMAS FLOWERS: Each year for Christmas we beautify the church with flowers. If you would like to donate money towards the purchase of those flowers, please see the flyer. You may submit with that payment a list of people to be remembered at an upcoming service. learn more >

(5) BISHOP BASIL ENDOWMENT FUND: Please see the info regarding information on the Bishop Basil Endowment Fund and the collection we take each year in December/January for his name day. Note that individual donations need to be made payable to St. Mary and earmarked “Bishop Basil Endowment” so we can send one check at the end of the collection from our parish. All donations must be received in the office or by the treasurer by Thursday, January 20. Thank you for your generosity in honoring our beloved Bishop Basil while supporting missions projects. learn more >

(6) CHURCH HALL OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS: Once again this year the Church Hall will be open for people to celebrate after Divine Liturgy on Friday evening, December 24. The parish will not be providing any food or beverage, but people are welcome to bring their own. As always, please be sure not to drink and drive and to shut the lights off if you are the last person to leave. Please also ensure the doors are locked behind you and you pick up any mess that you make.

(7) TEACH ME THY STATUTES PODCAST: If you would like to listen to this week’s Teach Me Thy Statutes podcast (with Fr Aaron & Jason Ewertt), you can find it here: https://tmts.transistor.fm/.

(8) PASTORAL VISITS: If you would like a pastoral visit for any reason, or if you know of a family member/parishioner who needs a visit, please feel free to contact me via cell phone at 204-6725.

Yours in Christ,

Fr Aaron