Update for the week Thursday, July 26 - Wednesday, August 1, 2018
THIS WEEK AT ST. MARY'S
SUNDAY 7/29 – Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am.
+ Join your music-loving friends from St. Mary’s as we carpool out to Tanglewood after Liturgy this Sunday. We’ll picnic on the lawn and listen to music by Haydn, Prokofiev and Mozart, featuring violinist Gil Shaham, with the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Juanjo Mena. For more information see https://www.bso.org/Performance/Detail/93218. The concert starts at 2:30; lawn tickets are $21.00 - pay at the door; children are free. Bring lawn chairs if you want them, and picnic food for yourself and to share. For more information and to let us know you're coming, especially if you'll need a ride, contact Melissa Nassiff at mnassiff@gmail.com.
WEDNESDAY 8/1 - The fast leading up to the Feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Theotokos, our patronal feast day, begins this coming Wednesday with a Paraclesis for the Dormition at 6:30 pm. The fast continues through Tuesday, 8/14, the eve of the Feast.
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
MUSIC MINISTRY – To prepare for our feast day of Dormition, there will be two rehearsals. The choir will rehearse after Liturgy on Sunday, August 5. The chanters will rehearse after Paraclesis on Wednesday, August 8. See Charlie Marge (marge@alum.mit.edu) with questions.
TRANSFIGURATION – The Feast of the Holy Transfiguration is Monday, August 6. We will celebrate the Feast on Sunday, August 5.
GREETER MINISTRY- Fall is just around the corner and it’s time to think about being a Greeter. We really need your help with this ministry. Sign up for one Sunday or several Sundays. This is a great opportunity for you to meet the parishioners of St. Mary’s. As a Greeter, you welcome people into the Church and direct visitors upstairs to the Liturgy, as well as keeping an eye on the Vestibule, Hallways and Entrance ways during Church. Arrive at Church 15 minutes before Liturgy (9:45am). Greeting time ends when Communion starts. Interested? Contact Buddy Mabardy at 781-729-6303 or buddy@cjmabardy.com, or the church office at secretary@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org or 617-547-1234.
COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Please get your friends together and sign up to provide a coffee hour. Some do it to celebrate a special event or anniversary, but you don’t need a reason, and it can be as simple as coffee, juice, and cookies. When no one volunteers, there’s no coffee! Signup sheets are on the bulletin board downstairs outside the Hall, or contact Linda Arnold (mmarmee52@aol.com) or the Church Office (Secretary@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org or 617-547-1234).
REMINDERS
VESPERS – The next Vespers service at St. Mary’s will be Saturday, August 4, at 5:00 pm
DORMITION – On Wednesday, August 8, there will be a Paraclesis for the Dormition at 6:30 pm
+ On Tuesday, August 14, we will observe the Vigil for the Dormition of the Theotokos with Vespers at 4:15 pm, Orthros with Lamentations at 5:30 pm, and Festal Divine Liturgy at 7:00 pm, and a Dormition Feast immediately following Liturgy.
NEW SKETE PILGRIMAGE – The annual New Skete Pilgrimage is set for Saturday, August 11this year - (the Saturday after Transfiguration). In years past, a number of St. Mary’s people have gone out for the weekend to help the Communities with this event - to be extra sets of "helping hands" for the day. They are hoping a number of us will do so again this year. In the past, this has been a wonderful community-building activity for all of us. Moreover, if you have never been to the monastery, this may be a good way to be introduced to their life and work. In addition to the services, there are tours of the church and talks by various members of the communities about their lives. The main talk will be given by Alexei Krindatch who does survey work for the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America. His talk is entitled, "Singing an Old Song in a New World. How Orthodox Christian Churches Contribute to America’s Diverse Religious Landscape." There are also the dogs, great hiking trails, nearby tubing, etc. More information about the Pilgrimage can be found here: https://newskete.org/events .
Once again, Teva Regule (teva@mit.edu) will be coordinating the Boston helpers and as much housing as she can. (In particular, any women wanting to "camp out" at the nuns’, let her know. The Emmaus house is now a guest house - anyone wishing to stay there should contact Br. Gregory directly at brgregory@newskete.org). Housing is first come, first served.
PARISH COUNCIL - The next meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for Wednesday, August 22.
ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN WITNESS PROGRAM – The Diocese of Worcester and New England is offering an opportunity for anyone interested to learn, reflect and be transformed through the Orthodox Faith in preparation for various ministries. It is aimed to empower and equip Orthodox Christians to nourish and share the faith in the 21st Century. This is a 2 year program (4 semesters, 8 Units), starting September 13. The leadership team includes His Grace Bishop John, our own Father Antony Hughes, Ioana Popa, Richard Robbat, and Sebastien Falardeau. Registration fee: $100/unit. For questions e-mail Ioana Popa at popalifecoach@gmail.com or call 617-455-7192. Pamphlets are at the Bengarri and a poster is on the bulletin board.
SUMMER CAMP FOR ADULTS – Antiochian Village Adult Camp for ages 21+ will be Friday-Monday, September 14-17. Adult Camp is open to all adults 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. Registration opens May 1.
SOYO FALL CAMP and FAMILY CAMP – Diocese of Worcester and New England SOYO Fall Camp and Family Camp will be held Thursday–Sunday, October 5-7, at St. Methodios Faith & Heritage Center in Contoocook, NH. All teens in grades 7-12 are encouraged to attend the Teen SOYO Fall Camp. Family Camp is open to families of all ages. Parents of teenagers are welcome to attend Family Camp while their children attend Teen SOYO Fall Camp. Each camp will have its own distinct program. Watch for more information and registration details.
ICON EXHIBIT – The Museum of Russian Icons (203 Union Street, Clinton, MA) will be showing an exhibition of Icons of the Hellenic World, focusing exclusively on Greek and Byzantine iconography, through October 21. For information see http://www.museumofrussianicons.org/current-exhibitions
REFLECTION
In giving birth you kept your virginity, and in your repose you did not forsake the world, Theotokos, for you are the mother of Life, and you did pass over into life, and by your intercessions you redeem our souls from death.
- Troparion of the Dormition
You were transfigured on the mount, and Your disciples, in so far as they were able, beheld Your glory, O Christ our god; so that, when they should see You crucified, they would remember that Your suffering was voluntary, and could declare to all the world that You are truly the effulgent Splendor of the Father.
- Kontakion of the Transfiguration