Visit to New Zealand.

Fr Christodoulos and Presbytera Mary will be away from after the Holy Liturgy on the 16^th of January until the 25^th of February.  They are going to New Zealand to see their son Daniel, his wife Karen and their 2 children.  They have lived there for nearly 3 years, so it will be good to meet properly again. Sadly, it will be summer there, so they will miss all the lovely snow and rain of the English Winter.

Replacement Priests have been arranged, so the Sunday services will be held as normal.

Theophany

On Thursday the 6^th January, at the earlier time of 10.00am, we will be celebrating the Holy Liturgy of the Theophany.  This is one of the great Feasts of the Orthodox Church and is preceded by a day of fasting in preparation for it.

At the Feast of the Holy Nativity of Christ we have celebrated Christ’s Incarnation: God became Man.  At Theophany we celebrate the manifestation of the Holy Trinity; at Christ’s Baptism the voice of the Father is heard and the Holy Spirit is present in the form of a dove.  Do take time to see all this theology in the Holy Icon of the Feast and to show your children.

The Great Blessing of the Water will follow the Liturgy.  Remember to bring bottles to take home some Holy water for drinking and blessing.

In many places the Blessing of the Water will be done at the local river or in the actual sea or harbour, often blessing the fishing vessels as well.

Following this date, Fr Christodoulos will be glad to visit your home to bless it.  Please contact him soon to arrange this, because he will not be available after the 12^th January.

Heating in the Church.

At the last Committee Meeting a discussion was held about several different methods of heating the Church.  Having considered each of them, it was finally decided that we should go ahead with the installation of a proper central heating system in the church.  This has been made possible by some people who have made substantial loans to us, being prepared to wait longer for their repayment.  And now, 1^st January, the new system has been installed!

The cost is considerable.  If you are now warm in church, please remember that it is not free and that a special gift towards the cost will be a most welcome help to us all!

Vespers.

Because Fr Christodoulos and Presbytera Mary are away the Thursday evening service of Vespers is discontinued, possibly until after Pascha.  When they get back we will soon be doing the Lenten services in any event.

Nativity Almsgiving

It’s not too late to bring in your gift.  This Christmas the gift will be given to help the homeless young people of Leyland.  Thank you.  God will bless you.

Our condolences are sent to Anastasia Karen Barker and her family.  Anastasia’s mother, Mary, died shortly before Christmas.

Our condolences are sent to John and Shiny’s family, whose young child, Jenitta, passed away between Christmas and New Year.

May their memory be eternal.