New Start Day for Church School:
Church School Classes will begin on SUNDAY, September 10 during Coffee Hour, from about 12:15 pm to 1:00 pm. Classes will take place in the Church rather than in the Library, so that Music Classes may take place simultaneously. The new Sunday start date is a temporary change giving students who live at a great distance from Church, a better chance to participate. As is our custom packets of material will be made available to parents in order to follow-up classes with further studies at home. Please see Matushka Christine or Fr. Basil for more information.
Fall Clothing Drive:
Last year’s Fall Clothing Drive for the Ft. Worth Men’s Shelter was a tremendous success. This year we will conduct a similar effort. Cold weather will be with us at some point, and there will be a great need for larger size NEW men’s T-Shirts, underwear and socks. Gently used sweaters and coats can also be received by the Shelter. Please see Carol Guarnieri for more information and look for the collection box to be at the Church in the near future. We thank Carol, Bob and everyone in advance for your generosity.
Sunday Music Instruction:
On Sunday, June 11, we began offering classes in singing and basic music theory for parishioners. Sessions are about 45 minutes, taking place on Sundays toward the middle of Coffee Hour (about 12:30 to 1:15 pm). They are led by Ms. Jamie Lynn Gonzalez (adults and teens) and Ms. Ashlyn Bell (younger children). Jamie and Ashlyn are music education/performing arts majors with approximately a decade of choral, solo performance and directing experience.
One does not have to be a member of the choir, nor read music to take part in these sessions. Our hope is that classes will also enhance congregational participation in services, and will lead additional parishioners to consider singing with the choir in the future. Please contact Jamie, Ashlyn or Fr. Basil with further questions and/or to express your interest.
Congratulations:
As noted in a recent email, we offer congratulations to Ms. Ashlyn Bell, Ms. Jamie Gonzalez and Ms. Jamy Nguyen who sing in our parish choir. The three recently auditioned for, and were selected to join the UTA A Cappella Choir, “the premiere choral ensemble of the University.” This is a great honor and represents the young ladies’ dedication to their chosen field of study. We wish Ashlyn, Jamie and Jamy continued progress and success during the 2023-2024 School Year, as well as all of our students and teachers at St. Barbara’s.
Greeters Invite:
A Greeters Ministry is an important outreach and hospitality arm of any parish. We desire that our own Greeters Ministry continue to be a strength within the parish as it has been over the years. We wish to thank those people who have been serving as greeters, for their warm and friendly efforts. We invite others to join them, welcoming visitors to our community. Please see Rdr. Stephen Bodnarchuk for how you can help with this effort. Experience is not required, only a friendly face and a desire to welcome guests into God's House.
Financial Pledge Reminder:
During their Fall travels we encourage members of St. Barbara's to visit Orthodox Churches for Sundays and feasts in whatever city(ies) they may find themselves. In addition, we ask that members make a special effort to remember Church pledges and offerings. Such efforts are greatly needed and appreciated. Thank you.