Lenten Retreat at St. Mary Church in Wichita, KS + March 29-30, 2013
Lenten Retreat
March 29-30, 2013
St. Mary Orthodox Church + Wichita, KS
Topic: Becoming a Healing Presence
Speaker: Dr. Albert Rossi
This event is free to the public at 344 S. Martinson (near Seneca and Maple) in Wichita, with no registration required. Childcare is provided.
For more details, please download the event flyer (PDF).
Spring 2013 Issue of DIAKONIA Available Online
The Spring 2013 issue of DIAKONIA is now available online. This issue highlights the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America, and contains:
- A message from His Eminence Archbishop Joseph on the Feast of the Annunciation
- A message from Diocese of Wichita Antiochian Women President Deana Bottei
- A message from His Grace Bishop Basil
- Do Icons Really Matter? by the late Archpriest Peter E. Gillquist
...and more! Click here to download (PDF).
41st Annual DOWAMA Clergy Brotherhood Retreat
From February 12-15, 2013, Wichita, Kansas was the site of the annual St. Raphael Clergy Brotherhood Retreat of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, attended by 67 clergymen. Over the course of four days, a series of lectures was read on the topic “Feasting and Fasting in the Orthodox Church,” by Nun Vassa (Larin) of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, who traveled to Kansas from Vienna, Austria, at the invitation of the Bishop of the Diocese, His Grace Bishop Basil (Essey). Sister Vassa, PhD, is a monastic of the Diocese of Berlin and Germany (ROCOR) and a lecturer in the Department of Liturgical Studies at the University of Vienna.
Record Number of Teens Attend Oklahoma SOYO Winter Camp
DOWAMA Winter Campers, February 2013The Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America's Youth Director Erin Ghata, member of St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, Oklahoma City, OK, recently reported to the St. Raphael Clergy Brotherhood, that the Diocese of Wichita's annual SOYO Winter Camp from February 15-17 exceeded all expectations. "Your blessing!" wrote Ms. Ghata. "Thank God, by your prayers, we had a wonderful time this past weekend at Winter Camp! More than 120 DOWAMA teens and chaperones gathered at Camp Saint Raphael (YABOY!) for a weekend of prayer, fellowship and learning. It was the biggest Winter Camp we have ever had!
"Father James Shadid did an amazing job as our speaker," she continued.
Register Now for Your Parish Life Conference!
Now is the time to register online for your diocese's "family reunion" this summer, your regional Parish Life Conference (PLC)! The theme for this year, "The End of History...The Last Judgment," will be the focus of the Creative Festivals, a highlight of the conferences. Youth and organizational meetings, spiritually edifying speakers and services, and social events for kids and adults alike, all make the PLCs one of the Archdiocese's most established and popular traditions. Visit the Conventions and Conference Planning page for full information.
The 2013 PLC schedule begins June 5 in Kansas City and ends July 3 in Montreal:
Diocese of Wichita, June 5-8: St. Basil Orthodox Church hosts the PLC at the Westin Kansas City Hotel in downtown Kansas City, "one of America's Best downtowns" according to Forbes magazine.
Diocese of Miami, June 12–16: St. Basil Antiochian Orthodox Church hosts the PLC at the Hilton New Orleans, where guests will sample the history and cuisine of this historic city.
Wichita Ministry to Moms in Crisis Seeks Executive Director
The Treehouse in Wichita, Kansas, is looking for an Executive Director. Created in 2002 to fill a unique niche, helping economically challenged moms and children with basic necessities and programs, the Treehouse is a Christian-based, not-for-profit organization. The Executive Director is responsible for providing strategic leadership for The Treehouse by working with the Board to establish long-range goals, strategies and policies. The Executive Director is responsible for the administration of the comprehensive Treehouse program, leading its public relations, community relations, and fundraising efforts.
The Treehouse offers compassionate physical and emotional support and positive Christian relationships. It is a special place, created by members of the Orthodox Christian community, especially for moms to receive education guidance and support after their baby is born. Parenting education, spiritual support, diapers and formula, and an inexpensive thrift store with books, toys and clothes are just a few of the resources. The Treehouse provides to women referred to our organization from our approved partners.
More information is available on the Orthodox Jobs website.
DOWAMA Winter Camp + February 15-18, 2013
Winter Camp 2013 for the Diocese of Wichita will be held at Camp St. Raphael in Wagoner, Oklahoma from February 15-18. Registration form and $100 registration (Chaperones/Advisors $80.00) payment are due by Tuesday, February 5th, 2013, and should be sent to:
St. George Cathedral – Attn: Grace Saad
7515 E. 13th St. N.
Wichita, KS 67206
Click here to download a registration form (Word format). Please contact Erin Ghata (405) 410-9456 or Grace Saad (316) 619-8531 if you have any questions.
Register Now! 51st Archdiocese Convention in Houston, July 21-28
Now is the time to register for the 51st Antiochian Archdiocese Convention!
St. George Orthodox Church of Houston, with Fr. James Shadid, are the 2013 hosts for the 51st Biennial Antiochian Archdiocese Convention. Themed "The End of History...The Last Judgment," the convention will take place at the Hilton Americas Hotel, Houston's largest with over one thousand guest rooms. Downtown Houston will afford numerous sightseeing adventures for families at the convention, including the downtown Aquarium, the Houston Theater District, a Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum, and the Houston Zoo. The Convention Committee, with Co-Chairs Michael Araj and Bob Macey, are planning events for every age, including an International Welcome Reception, a Country Western Barbecue and Dance, a Mardi Gras Masquerade, a 21/40 Village Camp Reunion, and a Daily Kid's Club.
Dec. 15 + St. Eleftherios, Patron Saint of Diocese of Wichita
The Holy Hieromartyr Eleftherios
December 15th is also the anniversary of the formal establishment of the Diocese of Wichita in 2004. Click here to read His Grace Bishop Basil's address on the occasion (PDF).
The Passion of the Hieromartyr Eleftherios of Illyria
From a good tree comes good fruit. This wonderful saint had noble and greatly eminent parents. Eleutherius was born in Rome, where his father was an imperial proconsul. His mother Anthia heard the Gospel from the great Apostle Paul and was baptized by him. Having been left a widow early, she entrusted her only son for study and service to Anicetus the Bishop of Rome.
Seeing how Eleutherius was gifted by God and illumined by the grace of God, the bishop ordained him a deacon at the age of fifteen, a priest at the age of eighteen, and a bishop at the age of twenty. Eleutherius's God-given wisdom made up for what he lacked in years, and this chosen one of God was appointed Bishop of Illyria with his seat in Valona (Avlona), Albania.