Dear to Christ,
I look forward to seeing everyone at tonight’s 6pm Vespers service. Teen Night follows until 7:45
As a reminder, Kathy retired in October from her 11 year Office Manager position at St. Elias. We are thankful for her and wish her a blessed and joyful retirement.
We have a new face in the office: please join me in welcoming Dean Tartaglia as our new office manager! Welcome, Dean! Please see the attached pdf to learn more about Dean.
This Week at a Glance:
Tonight, at 6pm, we will have 6pm Daily Vespers
Teen Night continues directly after Vespers
HOST meets tomorrow
PanOrthodox Ladies Theotokos Tea at St. Elizabeth is from noon - 3pm
This week Saturday Great Vespers is at 5pm.
Project Mexico info meeting is after Vespers
Sunday services continue with 9am Orthros and 10am Divine Liturgy
Church School continues after Divine Liturgy.
Our Catechism Class Series continues this week from 12:30-1:30
In The Mantle (Adult Ministry) News:
The Mantle is hosting a movie night following Great Vespers on November 22. We will be watching Sacred Alaska and enjoying a meal together. Please join us! Dinner is $6 for adults & $3 for children. Watch the Trailer here: youtu.be/lMnzBZBQ-Ig Invite your family and friends!
The Mantle is for YOU! The Mantle IS the adult group of St. Elias – open to young adults, middle aged, our seniors, and anyone else who doesn’t know what age group to put themselves in. The Mantle is for you! Join us!
If you're interested in being active in The Mantle, our adult group, consider joining the group chat on WhatsApp. https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ch3LP9cvGyP8n322VmpMvj
In Youth News
Teen Night continues tonight.
All Teens participating in Teen Night and all children who will be attending Church School need to fill out this form and turn it into the church or email it to the office. Youth Registration Form Click Here.
Church School Notes: Each week, I will dismiss students and teachers at the start of announcements. Classes end around 12:00–12:15 p.m., and students will return to the Parish Hall to be with their families. For safety, children must be parent-supervised at all times unless in class with their teacher. Please complete a registration form for each child—available on the Church School bulletin board. As a reminder, Church School is for children Pre-K (age 3/4) to High School.
Sweepstakes Dinner Update
Our Sweepstakes Dinner event was a smashing success! We are beyond thankful for all the hard work put in by our dedicated Sweepstakes Dinner Committee and Team! It is truly a joy to see our parish come together and work for the good of St. Elias parish!
In Catechumen News:
Catechism Classes: “What We Believe: Walking through the Nicene Creed and the teachings of the Orthodox Christian Church.” This cycle of classes will run until December 16. Classes will begin at 12:30 and are open to visitors, inquirers, and parishioners as well. Children’s Mini-catechism classes will run at the same time for pre-school & elementary aged family members, though children are always welcome (and encouraged) to sit in on the main class.
Our parish is blessed to have a growing catechumenate class, currently with many new individuals journeying toward entrance in the Orthodox Church. Please be sure to introduce yourself to your growing St. Elias family!
If you have been attending St. Elias as a visitor or inquirer and are ready to be made a catechumen, please speak with me. I am happy to talk after services, during coffee hour, or via phone or email.
Catechumens: If you have not already filled out the digital info form, please take a moment to do that: https://form.jotform.com/242335007330039
HOST (Young Adult / College Ministry)
Our college and young adult group will meet tomorrow November 13th for our next HOST gathering. This group welcomes any 18-25 year olds in the area to join us!
HOST has donation support for the rest of 2025! Thank you (you know who you are)!
Project Mexico Interest
St. Elias is hoping to send a team on a short-term Mission Trip with Project Mexico serving June 11-17. If you want to learn more about serving with this team, please attend the meeting with Aiden on Saturday November 15, following Great Vespers. This meeting will cover the practical aspects of the trip such as costs, deadlines, fundraising, etc.
Christmas Basket Collection
- Our Christmas Basket Collection Drive has returned. Any and all donations are a big help toward our effort to provide grocery gift cards to families in need. Forms are available in the narthex of the Church and as always you can donate online by clicking here.
Ladies Society
Our ladies society continues to collect non-perishable food items to have on hand for local needs. Please contribute as you are able. Grocery gift cards or financial donations (memo line: Ladies Society Food Pantry) are also accepted in this ministry.
Also - PanOrthodox Toledo invites ladies of all ages to the Theotokos Tea on Nov 15, in honor of the Great Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple. The tea is from noon to 3 and hosted by St. Elizabeth the New Martyr mission. Sign-up here www.PerfectPotluck.com/AKBI8903
Donation Request to Assist with Sylvania Family Services Food Pantry
- In addition to our Christmas Basket Collection Drive and as an arm of our Ladies Society food drive, we have a goal of collecting items to boost the Sylvania Family Services Pantry during this extreme time of need. As you are able, please donate the following item groupings:
Last name A-G - shelf stable food items (Canned Meats, Pasta Sauce, Cereal, Oatmeal, Know Noodles, Knoow Rice, Snacks, Mac-n-cheese, Ramen, Pasta, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Boxed Potatoes, Canned Vegetables, Canned Soups, Canned Fruits)
Last Name H - N - hygiene items (dental items, women’s items, soaps, deodorants, etc.)
- Last Name O - T - diapers and wipes for babies
- Last Name U - Z - Household Items (TP, disinfectant wipes, laundry soap, garbage bags, dish soap, etc)
In Parish Community News
Corey Pappas is performing a Christmas Concert on December 14 in Bowling Green. Please see the attached flyer and save the date!
Upcoming Events
November 15 - Nativity Fast Begins
November 15 - PanOrthodox Ladies Theotokos Tea at St. Elizabeth the New Martyr from noon - 3pm
Thursday, November 20 - Great Vespers for the Great Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple.
Friday, November 21 - The Great Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple. 9am Orthros & 10am Divine Liturgy.
Wednesday, November 26 8am - Divine Liturgy for St. Stylianos
Wednesday, November 26 6pm - Akathist of Thanksgiving
May God bless you!
Fr. Ephraim