One Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty-One
Between October 16th and December 28th 2012, we – the Orthodox Workers of Nativity of Our Lord Orthodox Church – served 1,961 meals.
Yesterday: Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Yesterday was an amazingly beautiful day. Our protagonist, the Indian gentleman, of whom I’ve written of in earlier postings, who is fluent in Spanish as well as English, was present to care for us, to call others to us, and to carry food to those who could not come to us. We shared our meals with families and their children, men who were hungry and asking only for a single meal, and day workers for whom there was no work. Some would ask us, “How much does it cost?” To this question, we have learned to say, “Regalo” – “a gift.” Those who asked were surprised and thankful. Appreciation and …
Today: 82, Nov 30; 64, Nov 27; 96, Nov 23 – 2012 A.D.
First, I apologize for not having updated the Orthodox Worker site recently; the facts of life took front and center-stage preempting any effort to return to the page. Second, please be assured that the facts of life did include the feeding of meals to those in need. In the span of eight days, from November 23rd to November 30th, we served 242 meals: last week Friday, November 23rd, 96 meals were served; this past Tuesday, November 27th, 64 meals were served; today, Friday, November 30th, on the Feast Day of St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle, we served 82 meals. But today was different – very different. It was so different …
Today: Friday, November 30, 2012
The Feast Day of St. Andrew the First-Call Apostle Reading: This Saint was from Bethsaida of Galilee; he was the son of Jonas and the brother of Peter, the chief of the Apostles. He had first been a disciple of John the Baptist; afterwards, on hearing the Baptist’s witness concerning Jesus, when he pointed Him out with his finger and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, Which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1.29,36), he straightway followed Christ, and became His first disciple; wherefore he is called the First-called of the Apostles. After the Ascension of the Saviour, he preached in various lands; and having suffered many things …
Today: The Entry into the Temple of the Most-holy Theotokos, November 21, 2012
The Entry into the Temple of the Most-holy Theotokos When the Most-holy Virgin Mary reached the age of three, her holy parents Joachim and Anna took her from Nazareth to Jerusalem to dedicate her to the service of God according to their earlier promise. It was a three-day journey from Nazareth to Jerusalem but, traveling to do a God-pleasing work, this journey was not difficult for them. Many kinsmen of Joachim and Anna gathered in Jerusalem to take part in this event, at which the invisible angels of God were also present. Leading the procession into the Temple were virgins with lighted tapers in their hands, then the Most-holy Virgin, …
Today: Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Thanksgiving came early to those whom we served today. Our “protagonist” was again present today. Each time we journey to our distribution point, he is there to meet us. Each time we learn a bit more about him. Today we learned he was born in India. We refer to him as our “protagonist” because that is precisely the role he plays; he notifies people that we have arrived. He makes certain that the people who need food receive it. He carries food to those who cannot venture outside because they are working, making certain they, too, can eat. He is, in many ways, our guardian angel – telling us who …
The Future: Food Prices Increasing
Commodity Outlook for 2013 – Keeping the Soaring Prices Grounded in Your Budget publication date: Nov 15, 2012 | author/source: Bruce Reinstein For mid-size and emerging chain owners two things are obvious: that the landscape has changed dramatically over the last ten years and that every penny counts. The down economy, market saturation, large chains opening specialty concepts – each development has played its part in transforming the industry. And while most of the above are natural and foreseeable, no one could have predicted the lasting impact of this summer’s epic drought. And it’s putting restaurants at risk. The drought has already spiked pricing on foods like pork, chicken, and …
Today: “The Question Begged” – November 17, 2012
And so “the question begged” is: how can you help? There are three ways that come to mind. First. We are blessed to have wonderful volunteers to do the cooking and food distribution. If you have the time to volunteer for food distribution, be at the parish on Tuesday or Friday at 10:30 AM and you may assist in packaging the meals – specifically, placing the soup into individual containers for distribution. And, if you have the time, you may accompany us to the distribution site and meet those whom we serve. Second. The next obvious level of support is monetary – and this may well be the part where …
Today: Friday, November 16, 2012
Today, Friday, we served one hundred and nine (109) meals. Tuesday, earlier this week, we served ninety-seven (97) meals. A week ago Friday, we served ninety-five (95) meals. Last week, Tuesday, we served eighty-five (85) meals. If you were to draw a graph, the left-to-right line is at a steady increase. We began with forty-five (45) meals on October 23, 2012. We prayed and hoped, then – on October 23rd, that we would reach more people. We prayed those in need would welcome us. They have welcomed us. And now we are not only challenged, we are committed. We will need your help. Winter is coming. http://orthodoxworker.org/wordpress/
Gloves for Christmas 2012
The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord will, this year, be on a Tuesday. We will celebrate our feast day at Nativity with a Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. After liturgy, the Orthodox Workers ministry will serve Christmas meals to those in need. Along with the meals we would like to provide those whom we serve with a gift – new gloves or mittens. We are asking . . . no . . . I am begging for your support in this effort. If every parishioner or individual reading this posting (or email) could contribute a new pair of men’s or women’s gloves or a small sum of money …