November 2009

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Stewardship Sunday

On Stewardship Sunday all Estimate of Giving Cards ( Pledge Cards) are collected during the Divine Liturgy. At the end of the Liturgy, Fr. Andrew blesses them with the stewardship prayer. They represent the amount each family has committed for the support of St. Luke Ministries for the year. This is one of the requirements for parish membership. The amount given is up to the individual family. The stewardship committee will tally up the amount and then plan the budget for next year.

Sleep Out For The Homeless

On Friday November 21st, Orthodox teens from 4 parishes participated in a "Freeze Out Homelessness" camp out at Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Palos Park. They raised money to provide sack lunches for street kids. The teens pitched tents on the Church lawn. They experienced the challenge of trying to stay warm without the comforts of home and a warm bed. The chilly overnight temperatures meant they woke up before dawn to frost on the ground.

The young men and women played some team building games as they got to know youth from the other Parishes.

More Team Building.

Fr. Andrew gave a brief talk about homelessness and our Churches experience hosting the PADS program. He invited the youth to volunteer with PADS and earn service hours.

The teens enjoy some fellowship around the campfire before retiring to their tents.

Snack time and warming up after some outdoor activities. About 25 kids took part in the camp out including 7 from St. Luke's, as well as Sts. Peter and Paul of Burr Ridge, Sts. Peter and Paul of Palos Park and St. Volodymyr Cathedral.

National Council of Churches of Christ

Fr. Andrew attended the General Assembly of the National Council of Churches of Christ. Seated at the table are Bishops Alexios and Zaehama of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church with Deacon Sergius of the Orthodox Church in America.

All the Delegates from both the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches met at the Armenian Church in Minneapolis. After the meeting all joined for fellowship and dinner. A resolution on Patriarch Bartholamiu's visit to the U.S. was agreed upon to be submitted to the assembly.

Governor Pawlenty of Minnesota addressed the assembly. He spoke about the work of the Church and the needs of society.

An Eastern Orthodox Matins service was held at the assembly attended by delegates from all member Churches. Bishop Dimitri of the Metropolis of Chicago was the attending Orthodox hierarch. Father.Nicolas and Deacon Sergius were the celebrants. The Orthodox delegates sang the responses while the other delegates were invited to recite the Lords Prayer and Great Doxology.

The Eastern Orthodox delegates to the National Council Churches of Christ. Anthony Vrame, George and Maria's son was one of the delegates.

Missionary Visit From Kenya

We had a visiting priest from Kenya today. Fr. Thomas has been visiting churches to explain his missionary activities. He serves three parishes an hour apart. He walks on mountain paths to reach each one. They are very poor just huts and one is under a tree. He receives $200 month salary from the OCMC.

He is very concerned about the youth and has been raising funds for a foundation so the children can get a High school education. $350 supports a child for one year food and board in school.

Fr. Andrew presented Fr. Thomas and his sponsor with an Icon of St. Luke and a promise to promote the foundation at the December Charity offering which is matched from Parish funds.

Children's Sermon For November

Fr. explained the simantron which is used in Monasteries and some Parishes to call people to Worship when they don't have a bell. It is also used on Holy Friday during the procession.

Fr. had one made from a board of Spruce for St Luke after hearing it when he went on a mission to Romania. Our bell ringer Lynn is demonstrating how it sounds. Click here to view a video on the playing of the Symantron