St Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church

Fr. Paisius was interviewed by KMBC 9 News about work and revitalization on Troost. See the video at: http://www.kmbc.com/video/24592583/index.html

The exhibit Fr. Paisius put together “200 Years on Troost” will be at the Central/Main Library from August 14th through October17th. Please go and see it if you haven’t had the chance to do so yet. See the writeup in the Pitch:  http://www.pitch.com/events/200-years-on-troost-1465243/

Fr. Justin Matthews was at the Canadian Archdiocese Assembly of the OCA July 25-31. His talk was recorded by Ancient Faith Radio. Hear his presentation  at: http://ancientfaith.com/specials/canadian_assembly_2010/f

KC Chiefs Faith and Family Day:Want to go to the Chiefs game? Every ticket bought through us will actually help Reconciliation Services. Forward to your friends and family. Friday, August27th. For ticket information please call 816-931-4751 x 111 Print and post the flier seen here at: http://www.rs3101.org/2010/07/26/kc-cheifs-faith-and-family-day/

Fr. Radomir (the previous Dean of our Diocese) and his church, Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church were featured in St. Louis Today newspaper on August 8th. The Church has a Serbian Festival that is a very popular event in the city. Before we were Orthodox and while visiting with Fr. Moses and Magdelena Berry, who were living in St. Louis a the time,  they took us to this festival. It was our first introduction to the Serbian Orthodox Church. That began a relationship with Fr. Radomir and his dearly departed wife that was a special blessing to us. Visit the web page at: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/article_62dab095-46f9-5890-b7b3-57fc9af21053.html?sms_ss=email

If you have been wondering about all the construction work that is being done on our block and other parts of Troost Ave.,  see this article and video featured on Fox news 4 June 16th: http://www.fox4kc.com/news/wdaf-troost-rapid-transit-061610,0,4807158.story

Rodney/Dorotheos Knott, Board Treasurer and founder of ReEngage was a guest on The Walt Bodine Show  on 5/20/2010. The theme of the day was,The Future of Troost & Art After Katrina. You can listen to that show at: http://archive.kcur.org/kcurViewDirect.asp?PlaylistID=7415

At the  International Orthodox Psychotherapy Conference July 14th, 2010 Mother Katherine Weston spoke  on The Joys and Sorrows of Attachment. Mother Katherine is the Superior of the St. Xenia Monastic Community in Indianapolis, Indiana. Hear her talk recorded by Ancient Faith Radio at: http://ancientfaith.com/specials/international_orthodox_psychotherapy_conference/the_joys_and_sorrows_of_attachment.

Stay up to date with the work of Fr. Justin and FOCUS North America at: http://www.focusnorthamerica.org/

Stay up to date with the work of RodneyKnott and ReEngage at http://reengageinc.org/index.html

Stay up-to-date with Reconciliation Services at: http://www.rs3101.org/

WEEKLY SCHEDULE (schedule subject to change)

Sat. Vespers and Confession 6pm

Sun. Divine Liturgy 9:30am

No Church School during summer

Wed. Vespers 6pm, Bible Study 7:30pm

Other weekly events:

Troost folks:  Thur 7:30pm

Friday night meal:  5-7pm

THIS MONTHS EVENTS

August 8^th Board Meeting

August 14^th: (Vigil on 13^th 6pm)

Feast of the Procession of the Life-Giving Cross(Liturgy 8am) and Beginning of the Dormition Fast

August 19^th (Vigil on 18^th)

Feast of the Transfiguration (Liturgy)

Men’s Meeting 6:30pm

August 21^st

Women’s Meeting: Frazier’s house

August 28^th: (Vigil on 27^th)

Feast of the Dormition (Liturgy)

Church School Fall Kick-off: possible church picnic afterwards

SEE WEEKLY BULLETINS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SERVICE TIMES

Church School will begin again, August 29^th.  Matushka Jodi/Katherine is looking for helpers as several of the teachers have moved. There were about 20 children in the school last year.

Addicted to the World: Tikhon is leading the most current “Addicted to the World” group. This is an practical and Orthodox perspective of the 12 Steps. The class meets on Tue at 5:30pm

Congratulations to newly Baptized and Chrismated members Jason (Philaret), Heather (Photini), and Amos (Prophet Amos).

Congratulations to new Catechumens: Glen, Jared and Mary. (Also Dean, David and Sarah were made catechumens in June). Pray for them as they prepare to enter the Church.

Goodbyes: We had to say goodbye to the Gaines who moved to St. Louis and the Copeland’s who moved to the Bay area. Lauren will be leaving for Wichita, this was her last Sunday here. Continue to pray for them as they continue their journey in Christ.

From May 14th to May 16th the Ancient Christianity and African American Conference was held in Anniston, Alabama. The setting was Noble Park a beautiful piece of land which Dr. Carla Thomas her husband Judge Cleophus have been restoring to their original beauty. Metropolitan Jonah of the Orthodox Church in America was present for the whole Conference.  Many from neighboring cities came specifically to be blessed by him and he was indeed a blessing for us. There was a Hierarchical Liturgy on Saturday and he was able to address the attendees twice. At times there were 15 or more clergy serving and singing and participating in the events.

There were three seminarians who attended, Paul Abernathy of St. Tikhon’s, Photios Merithew of Holy Cross, and Fr. Deacon Ishmael all the way from St. Herman’s in Alaska. They each gave a sermon on the theme of the Conference, ‘Jesus Christ the Great Physician’. We also heard from Fr. Cosmas Shartz of St. John’s Monastery in California, Fr. Deacon Nathaniel Johnson of Fenton California, Mother Katherine Weston of Indianapolis, Fr. Moses Berry of Ash Grove, Missouri who was awarded a gold cross by the Metropolitan (Axios!), Fr. Jerome Sanderson from Nashville, Indiana, Fr. Paisius from our own St. Mary’s and  Fr. Basil Henry from Anniston.

It is fair to say our cups overflowed with grace and wisdom from these teachers and examples of the faith. Some describe the conference as a type of reunion and while true that it is always good to see old friends,  it is even better to make new ones and to encounter others of like mind and thought who struggle to make the church a home to all and everyone. Pictures are available at the following web site:   http://picasaweb.google.com/Abraham417/TheBrotherhoodOfStMosesTheBlack17thAnnualAncientChristianityConference?authkey=Gv1sRgCOuEw5iliZGn4QE#

Check out the article in the Kansas City Star in which Fr. Paisius makes a statement about the history of Troost and the status of preparation for the Troost Fest. http://voices.kansascity.com/node/8495

Stand Fast by Fr. Paisius (David) Altschul

That next morning as I awoke, a verse from St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatian’s kept coming to me: “Stand fast in the liberty by which Christ has made us free.” (Gal. 5:1) Due to the grace of the Resurrection, many found a release from passions and strongholds. As I meditated on this a few things came to me to share with you:
Have you gotten some victory over anger… Now be watchful to quickly forgive when an offense comes, instead quickly keep telling yourself,  ”this is not worth holding onto compared to the peace Christ gives me”;
Have you gained some victory over gluttony or drunkenness? Be watchful to take only what you need, reminding yourself,  ”this is nothing compared to the indescribable taste of the Body and Blood of Christ”;
Some victory over lust? Now watch out for distractions, telling yourself, “earthly beauty fades but spiritual beauty increases”.
Let us take our gains and build upon them. Let us not build spiritual sand castles but let us build enduring fortesses of virtue… Unseen by man but known to God and angels. These fortresses are built one brick at a time. Each brick is the decision to turn away from evil and then the decision to do good instead. Christ is Risen! Let us preserve this Liberty of Pascha. Christ is Risen! In Truth He is Risen!