Catechumens.
A catechumen is "a student of Christian dogmas, somebody who desires to become baptized.” Knowing this, when a person has expressed the desire to learn more about the Holy Orthodox faith with the intention of being received into the Church, we make them a Catechumen. This is a short service which is usually done before the Holy Liturgy. Catechumens then attend a course of instruction, held on Thursdays at 6.00pm, to learn about the faith in a structured manner. These lessons are of course open to everyone and if you want to learn more, please come along. When they are ready, we receive them into the Church by either Baptism, if they have not already been baptised, or by Chrismation. Following their reception into the Church, they are the first to receive Communion during the Liturgy. Currently two people are Catechumens and another will shortly be made a catechumen.
Receiving Holy Communion
May I, as your Priest, encourage many of you to receive Holy Communion more frequently than you do. To do so is to receive Christ in a very special and personal way. He actually enters you and you partake of Him. In doing so, you are blessed and strengthened to live your Christian life in the days ahead. You should prepare yourself by the normal Wednesday and Friday fast, saying the prayers of preparation for receiving Communion and fasting from midnight on Saturday. If this seems unreasonable, remember; we prepare for many things that we are due to do, often with great commitment. Weddings, birthdays, interviews for a new job, holidays, etc, all of which we do with real enthusiasm. Let us approach the fullness of our spiritual life in the same manner!
Greek classes 
Christos recommenced these on Sunday 20 Sept during coffee-time, for children. Adults’ class started on Tuesday 22nd September at 6.00pm till 6:45. Can everyone bring their own pad with pen and pencil. There is no cost for the lessons but any students can make an offering to the church for every lesson they attend.
Total beginners are welcome of course! We may change the evening in the future if a more suitable evening is decided on.
Decoration and painting.
As you will have seen, the large Church Hall has now been successfully completely redecorated. A lot of people have expressed their admiration for the results! The corridor between the Hall and the Church has also been vastly improved.  We hope to redecorate the ladies’  toilets as our next job. Knowing that ladies have a far greater understanding of colours and suitable shades, please feel free to make your suggestions to us in the near future! The alternative is the male choice of “Matt Black” for all surfaces…….! The cost will be about £100. Any contributions will be gratefully received.
 As another project, we need to apply gesso to the Deacon Doors which are part of the Iconostasis. They will be removed from there whilst this is done. The work is not greatly time consuming. They need a layer of gesso being applied. This takes about ½ an hour. When dried out, usually about a day later, they are sanded smooth and another layer applied. This whole process is done until a decent thickness is in place, then they are sealed before the icons are painted on them. If you are able to do this work over the period of several weeks it will be a great help to us as a Community.
Pilgimage
Sat. 3rd October is the annual pilgrimage to Holywell in North Wales to remember Holy St Winefride. Holy Liturgy is served in the beautiful Chapel above the Well at 11am. This is followed by a Picnic lunch, Blessing of the Waters, including Veneration of the Saint’s relics and Vespers, to make the day memorable. There is free time to share fellowship together and have a look in the adjoining shop and information centre.
Few of our Parish take this opportunity to share in the Pilgrimage, which is organised by the Chester Community. Making pilgrimages should be an important part of each year for us; setting aside a day to give thanks to God for the Saints who established the Holy Orthodox Church in the British Isles.
Proposed Pantomime Trip
‘Cinderella’ is on at the Guild Hall in Preston. You could look on the website for more details. I’m sure it will be a good family show!
We propose making a Church trip to see it on either Wednesday 30 December at 2pm (school hols) or Saturday 2nd January at 5pm.
Tickets for a group booking work out at £9 each for a child or adult. Tickets sell out very quickly, so please let Pres. Mary know which performance  will be best for you, or that both dates are suitable, as soon as possible , and then I can book the seats. I need to know by Sunday 4th October at the latest, please.
Children’s Sunday School
Lessons have started again and are held all Sundays except the 3rd Sunday of the month.
We hope to present  a short performance on Sunday of the Forefathers, 13th December during Coffee Time. This will only be possible if children are at classes regularly, as the lessons up to that day will all be linked with the presentation! The more the merrier!
Some simple costumes will be needed- more details to follow!