Parish News

Thoughts for the Week

Wisdom of the Holy Fathers

“Who hated sin more than the saints? But they did not hate the sinners at the same time, nor condemn them. But they suffered with them, admonished them, comforted them, gave them remedies as sickly members, and did all they could to heal them”

†St. Dorotheos of Gaza

“Always to want your own way, becoming accustomed to having it, always to seek the easy path-- All this leads straight to despair. But love, quietness, and contemplation of the inner life cleanse our hearts.”

Sayings of the Egyptian Fathers

“The spiritually advanced person is the one who arrives at a place of no identity and who has understood in his depths that whatever happens is either the will of God, or by the permission of God”

Mother Gavrilia

“People hate the truth for the sake of whatever it is they love more than the truth. They love truth when it shines warmly on them, and hate it when it rebukes them”

Blessed Augustine

“Fire cannot last long in water, nor can a shameful thought in a heart that loves God. For every man who loves God suffers gladly, and voluntary suffering is by nature the enemy of sensual pleasure”

†St. Mark the Ascetic

Upcoming Events

Study Group - October 29th - 10/29/2020

Our Study group will continue this Thursday at 10:00 a.m. with chapter 13 of St. Matthew. Our group will still meet online. All are welcome to join us!

In Person Worship - November 1st - 11/01/2020

Next week we will invite parishioners alphabetically “N”- “Z”. We continue to ask everyone to wash hands, wear masks, and maintain social distancing when masks are not possible. We will continue to stream our services for those who are at home and we hope to have some streaming upgrades for better sound and video quality soon.

For now the measures concerning the easing of restrictions; Parishioners may resume lighting their own candles. Parishioners may visit and chat outside following Divine Liturgy w/masks or social distance.

We will offer ongoing updates as we make the plans to return. We ask continued patience going forward. Please pray for our Parish Council as we navigate the pandemic safely.

Parish Council Meeting - November 5th - 11/05/2020

Our Parish Council will try to meet Thursday November 5th at 7:00 p.m. Please email Jeff Kendall if you are able to attend.

Book Study on "The Life of Moses” by St. Gregory of Nyssa - Wednesdays Through November 11th - 11/11/2020

On Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. during the month of October, Fr. Barnabas will be offering a book study. We will be reading and discussing the book, The Life of Moses, by St. Gregory of Nyssa. We will meet on Zoom, and all are welcome to participate.

Latest Update: Due to its delayed start, the book study will be extended through Wednesday, November 11th.

Family Promise - November 30th, December 1st, and December 3rd - 12/03/2020

St. Michael’s parish family has an opportunity to serve again by making meals for families who are in need and being helped by Family Promise.

We have committed to prepare a meal on the following days:
1. Monday, November 30th
2. Tuesday, December 1st
3. Thursday, December 3rd

If you would like to sign up as an individual or in a group and prepare a simple dinner meal on any of the above days, please respond back with your date selection to either Ellen Gundersen at ellengundersen5@gmail.com or Susan Skomorucha at skomorucha@aol.com.

Please RSVP your interest by November 9th. More information to those who sign up to make a meal will follow.
Thank you for your consideration and for your help.

Other Announcements

Outdoor Social Time - 10/25/2020

After discussing with our Parish Council we will wait a few more weeks before we offer any Coffee Hour. Parishioners will be allowed to gather outside the church after the Divine Liturgy to talk and visit. We continue to ask everyone to wear masks and to practice social distancing when masks are not possible.

Sacraments for Those Staying Home - 10/18/2020

Recognizing the need for many to quarantine due to the deadliness of the pandemic, Fr. Barnabas is available to meet individually on Wednesdays and Fridays to offer Confession and Communion for those still at home. Fr. Barnabas is also willing to meet in other creative ways , like on your porch, to assure everyone remains connected. Please email or call the office to set up a time for the Sacraments.

Confessions following Vespers - 10/04/2020

Fr. Barnabas is hearing individual confessions on Saturday evenings following Vespers. We will still be offering confession with social distancing.