Sermonette for Antiochian Women's Month

Address to be given on the First Sunday of March 2009 to the Parish Congregation

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

With the Blessing of Metropolitan PHILIP, March has been designated as Antiochian Women’s Month. During this month you will have the opportunity to see the women in our parish in more active roles in the Church, such as ushering, reading the Epistle, taking the collection, speaking to you about how our organization began, and the role of the Antiochian Women in our parish, diocese and Archdiocese, as well as our new project, Children with Special Needs.

In 1972, Metropolitan PHILIP stated that, “Women have a definite ministry in the life of the church. Very often we have the tendency to confine women’s role to the kitchen. Both the Old and New Testament testify beyond doubt to the important role which women played in the history of salvation. Time does not permit me to speak in detail about Ruth, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, the Virgin Mary, the Ointment Bearers, the Deaconesses and many others who ministered to the Church and Christ. I propose, therefore, that a National Sisterhood of Charity be organized in the Archdiocese.”

The need for a “National Sisterhood” of Women in the Antiochian Archdiocese was explored and in 1973 the foundation of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Women of North America, commonly known as Antiochian Women, was formed.

Like other organizations of the Antiochian Archdiocese, the Antiochian Women have member chapters at the local parish level. Diocesan leadership is elected by delegates from the local member chapters, and the leadership on the North American Board (NAB), are elected by delegates from the diocese at the Antiochian Women’s Meeting, which coincides with the Archdiocese Convention. At both the diocesan level and the North American Board, there are Religious, Membership, Humanitarian, and Project Coordinators, appointed by the newly elected President.

The Antiochian Women have committed themselves to serve Christ through serving others. Especially, those who are in need of our help and support. The strength of our organization begins at the parish level. The local chapters of the Antiochian Women are the backbone to the success of all of our projects which have been undertaken. The parishes of our Archdiocese are comprised of seven diocese, which come together to work under the direction of the North American Board.

Each year, the Antiochian Women are given a challenge to raise funds for our project. This is spearheaded by the NAB Coordinator and her Committee. Over two million, two hundred thousand dollars have been raised to date in support of these special projects, such as Antiochian Village, Married Seminarians, St. George Hospital in Beirut, Missions, Project Orphanages, Retired Clergy Housing Fund, and many others.

This year, our Project “Children with Special Needs” deserves our undivided attention. We have all been touched by a child with special needs, whether within our own families, our church family, our friends or in the community in which we live. Children born with disabilities, such as: Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, to name only a few, need our help. Their needs are many. We see first hand the effect it has on their loved ones, the patience and hard work it entails, the countless hours spent, filled with love, in caring and supporting their special needs child. Our hearts go out to these children and their families as each day brings new challenges.

This year, Metropolitan PHILIP has asked that our Project proceeds go to Al-Kafa'at, in Beirut Lebanon. This organization helps with medical supplies, speech and physical therapy, education, job skills, as well as housing individuals with the most severe disabilities. This non-profit organization reaches out to those with severe disabilities who, are otherwise secluded and alienated from society. Unfortunately, government funding is nearly non-existent.

Please join our Antiochian Women in supporting this worthy cause and continue to pray for these beautiful children of God with special needs. With faith and love in your hearts, and a determination to reach our goal of $150,000, please help give these children a better life.