Inspired by the incredible work of Fr. Vladimir Klimzo in Russia, and with the understanding that here in American the vast majority (perhaps up to 80% according to some studies) of families with special needs children or adult children do not attend church – ALTHOUGH THEY WOULD LIKE TO – we need to reestablish our Special Needs Ministry at St. Vladimir’s. We put this on hold for the pandemic. Surely there is no reason to wait any longer – we need to get back to work! Can you help? Please contact Fr. Gregory if you can. Not sure what to do? DO NOT WORRY! If you have a desire to help special needs children and adults, and their parents, you know all you need to know. The more experience you have with folks with special needs the better – but your desire to serve others in the name of Christ is what counts. We can teach you the rest!

Join us in providing a spiritual home for those seeking one, but struggling to connect with a parish family! Attend the services. Support those visiting. If we do our best, and we ask the Lord's blessing, we will do well.

All are welcome at St. Vladimir's! Please join us this Sunday! More information can be found at this link, and we encourage you to share this with family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers!

DIVINE SERVICES FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2022

JOIN US!

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE NEXT PROCESSION: NOVEMBER 13 IN SALINE!
More detailed information will be available soon, but you can sign up now at the link below. Join us for a short procession (1-2 miles walking at most). During the procession we will stop at some logical place (town square, etc.) and hold a short concert and/or serve a short moleben. We will provide a traditional Orthodox witness to our communities: we will have information about Orthodox Christianity available for those who are interested, and talk to those who would like to learn more. Don’t miss this great opportunity to bring our faith to our neighbors! Sign up for Saline today!

CROSS PROCESSION SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13

All are welcome - join us!

The first priestly martyr of the Bolshevik Revolution was Fr. John Kochurov. Fr. John had spent many years in Chicago as a missionary, and accomplished amazing things during this missionary work. Fr. John was murdered on October 31/November 13, and we therefore commemorate him annual on this date. This year November 13 falls on a Sunday. Our diocesan fund for those in need of assistance is named in St. John’s honor. This November 13 we will hold a membership drive at St. Vladimir’s with the goal of making our parish the single parish of the diocese with the most St. John Kochurov Society members. Learn more at the link below, and please consider joining the St. John Kochurov Society!

More Information

The Young Family Group kickoff meeting/dinner is set for December 9. All are welcome! YOU decide if you are a young family or not. :)

SIGN UP HERE

We present here a short educational offering for both children and adults on the upcoming Sunday's principle Gospel reading so that all can better prepare for the Divine Services. Parents are asked to review the children’s portion with their children. It is very important for us to attend the Divine Services on Sundays and whenever else we are able, but in addition it is our spiritual responsibility to educate ourselves and our families in the faith. It is our hope that this mid-week offering will be an aid in this regard. Please contact Fr. Gregory with questions or suggestions.

For Various Ages: from the Antiochian Archdiocese

Our Mother’s Group is starting up again now that we’ve gone through the pandemic! The first meeting is Sunday, November 27 at 6:00 p.m. at Fr. Colin’s house. Fr. Colin’s wife Katherine is leading and organizing the group and you should contact her for more information and to RSVP: info@stvladimiraami.org. This little block of time on Sunday night is a GREAT time for dads to spend quality time with their children so that moms can have a few hours to interact with other moms.

We do not talk too much in our parish about elections and this is by design. We have talked about Proposition 3 a little bit because of it promotes teachings contrary to the Church's teachings, but as a rule I do not think it is appropriate for me to tell you how you should vote. However, I can say that as Orthodox Christians – as the rational flock of our Lord Jesus Christ – we are expected to educate ourselves about the candidates and vote for those that we think will best advance the moral and social teachings of Christ and best help our country. But if we feel our civic duty begins and ends at the voting booth we are completely mistaken. It is our responsibility – our Christian duty – whether we vote or not and for whomever we do vote if we do, to pray for our nation. St. Paul calls upon us to pray for our leaders. He made that call during the time that pagans ruled over (and often persecuted) all Christians and this call has never been rescinded by the Church. So let us fulfill our civic duty as our conscience directs us, but let us not forget our Christian duty to pray for our leaders – that God will guide them. If we do this we can hope for the peace that we pray for at every Divine Liturgy – a peace we are asking the Lord for so that we can work out our salvation (the most important goal in our lives as Christians) in the most expeditious context possible.

Fr. Gregory

Please join us on Monday 11/7/22 at 6:00 p.m. and Tuesday morning (election day!) at 8:00 a.m. for the feast of the Great Martyr Demetrius. If you think about it this timing is essentially perfect. St. Demetrius was a civil leader before his martyrdom. He might even be the perfect patron saint for those seeking to serve others in such leadership. And really – what could be better than being at the Divine Liturgy before you vote? Especially since, if we vote, we should vote as Orthodox Christians first and foremost. Please join us for the feast, and please ask the Lord to guide you to make choices that will promote the moral values of our faith if you do vote. And no matter what – please pray for our country during this very important time.

Like to learn more about St. Demetrius? Visit the links below.

English ~ Русский

In the course of prayer, there sometimes occur dreams, laziness, melancholy, and coldness towards everything, lasting for a few days and even a week. It probably happened that before this we were secretly plundered by the enemy through vainglory, pride, judging others, anger, or something else. The spiritual enemy does violence to our nature so that we pass our days in idleness and laziness, rather than preparing for eternity. But if we are overcome due to our infirmity, let us not be despondent because of this, but instead let us humble ourselves and struggle with the help of God. The power of God is made perfect in infirmity.

Venerable Anatoly of Optina
Living without Hypocrisy