Announcements — St. Barbara Orthodox Church

St. Barbara’s To Host Pan-Orthodox Vespers

Each year during the Great Fast, Orthodox Christians in North Texas meet on Sunday nights at local Churches for Lenten Vespers, a sermon, fellowship and Lenten meal.

This year the community of St. Barbara’s has been asked to serve as host for a Pan-Orthodox Service on Sunday, March 31 at 6:00 pm. That date happens to be Western Easter, but it is our Second Sunday of Lent (St. Gregory Palamas).

More information will be forthcoming. Main entrees have already been chosen for the reception. A sign-up sheet, however, is in the parish hall for members and friends of the parish to indicate Lenten side dishes, salads and desserts they can offer for the event.

St. Barbara’s has hosted Pan-Orthodox Vespers and events in the past. Each time proved to be an enjoyable experience. Based on prior attendance figures we will be planning for 100 to 120 people. Should you have any questions please contact Matushka Christine or Fr. Basil. Thank you in advance for your kind efforts.

Pan-Orthodox Lenten Vespers

March 24 – Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 13555 Hillcrest Rd. Dallas, TX (6:00 pm)
March 31 – St. Barbara Orthodox Church, 5201 Altamesa, Ft. Worth, TX (6:00 pm)
April 7 – St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 303 Cullum Dr., Euless, TX (6:00 pm)
April 14 – Sts. Constantine & Helen Antiochian Orthodox Church, 1225 East Rosemeade Parkway, Carrollton, TX (6:00 pm)
April 21 – St. Seraphim OCA Cathedral, 4208 Wycliff Ave. Dallas, TX (6:00 pm)

Many Blessed Years!

To the infant Miles Constantine Upshaw and to his family: John, Photini, Luke and Anna. Constantine will be baptized on Saturday, March 9 at 4:00 pm. “May the Lord grant them all many blessed years of health, prosperity and furtherance in all good things!”

Cheesefare (Cheesecake) Sunday

Please note that March 17 is Forgiveness and also Cheesefare Sunday. You are invited to bring your favorite Cheesecake or Dairy based dessert for Coffee Hour.

Looking Ahead to Holy Week and Pascha

Please note that Holy Week begins on Monday, April 29. Holy Friday is May 3, Holy Saturday, May 4, and Pascha, May 5. The Midnight Paschal Service will start at 11:30 pm on Saturday, May 5. We mention these dates so that all may look at personal calendars and plan ahead for this holiest time of year for Orthodox Christians.

Sunday Music Instruction

Classes in singing and basic music theory are being offered for parishioners, catechumens and inquirers. Sessions are about 45 minutes, taking place most Sundays toward the middle of Coffee Hour (about 12:15 to 1:00 pm). These are being led for adults and teens by Ms. Jamie Lynn Gonzalez. Jamie is a 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. Please contact Jamie or Fr. Basil with further questions and/or to express your interest.

Congratulations!

Many blessed years to the infant Calvin Lee (Justinian) Woods, baptized on January 20 and to Pamela (Ourania) Williamson (Calvin’s grandmother), received into the Church by chrismation on January 21. May the Lord bless and strengthen them in the months and years ahead!

General Parish Meeting on February 18:

St. Barbara's will convene its Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, February 18, immediately following the Divine Liturgy. (Football fans need not worry. The Super Bowl will be played on February 11). In accordance with the timing of prior meetings, we hope to start at 12:30 pm and end by 1:45 pm at the latest. All Church members, catechumens and inquirers are invited to attend. For those who are willing, food for Coffee Hour will be much appreciated. It is a Fast-Free Sunday, so any and all foods are allowed.

Fly Me to the Moon:

Is the theme for a Dinner Dance Fundraiser on March 1, for St. Maximus the Confessor Orthodox Church in Denton. Included in the event will be a silent auction, live band, cocktail hour, dinner and dancing.

To be held at The Big White Barn, 633 Country Road 4010 Decatur, Texas. Individual tickets are $75.00, with tables of 6 going for $400.00. Please see the poster in our Parish Hall and take part, if possible, in this worthwhile and needed effort. Contact Melissa at 940 368 6227 for more information.

Chili and Cornbread Competition:

Congratulations to those who placed in St. Barbara’s 2024 Chili and Cornbread Competition. The much-anticipated event has been held since the early 1990’s, warming our hearts in what is often one of the coldest months of the year.

Our thanks to all contestants whose entries we enjoyed immensely, and to those who brought delicious desserts, sides and beverages. We are grateful, as well, to Mrs. Lynn Powers our Chili Contessa, who graciously and proficiently hosts the event each year, awarding medals and prizes to the winners.

10 Chili and 6 Cornbread recipes were sampled by parishioners and friends. “Sampled” is a misleading term, as no one – I’m sure – left the Church hungry that afternoon. Competitors brought their A-game, offering a variety of hot, mild, sweet and spicy dishes. The chili’s contained a variety of meats. There were also bean and no bean versions. Friendly discussions took place concerning the latter, among chili connoisseurs. One did not know that chilis could be so different, yet each one so good.

CHILI RESULTS:

1st Place: Rdr. Michael Rodgers

2nd Place: Dr. Kevin Menard

3rd Place: Carol Guarnieri

CORNBREAD RESULTS:

1st Place: Ulyana Cole

2nd Place: Svetlana Herrera

3rd Place: Jess Chapin

Winter Charity Drive Results:

This year, St. Barbara’s Annual Charity Drive began in early November and ended in mid-January. The purpose of the endeavor was to provide the Presbyterian Men’s Night Shelter in Ft. Worth with much needed bed linens, new and gently used clothes items. The scope of giving this year was expanded to include gently worn men’s jackets and sweaters. As with last year’s effort, the 2023/2024 Charity Drive proved greatly successful.

Articles of clothing received included: 8 newly purchased heavy jackets, 6 sweaters along with knitted hats, 2 pairs (each) of gently used athletic shoes and cowboy boots.

Further cash donations totaled $475.00. With these generous offerings the following items were purchased: 48 pairs of men’s underwear, 96 pairs of men’s socks, 36 t-shirts and 10 twin bed sheet sets.

In addition to Savvy Shopper Trips to nearby discount stores, Carol and Bob Guarnieri made 3 runs to the night shelter. Each time their trunk was loaded with items to be donated. The outpouring from the parish was greatly appreciated by donation officials. They noted specifically, that while huge amounts of food are always donated from other sources just before Christmas, St. Barbara’s is one of the few organizations that collects and donates much-needed clothing.

In summation, this year’s project was a tremendous success! Please know that your generosity was and is greatly appreciated. We thank Carol and Bob for their efforts obtaining, organizing and delivering the much-needed donations to the FW Night Shelter. We look forward to next year’s Charity Drive.

Sunday Music Instruction:

Please Mark Your Calendars:

February 1 and 2: Services for the Meeting of our Lord in the Temple.

February 5-8: Pastoral Conference in Shreveport, LA.

February 18: Annual Parish Meeting following the Divine Liturgy (It is also the Sunday of Zacchaeus, the first day of Pre-Lent).

February 25-March 3: Fast Free Week.

March 17: Forgiveness and Cheesefare Sunday (Coffee Hour to feature assorted Cheesecakes and Desserts, followed by Forgiveness Vespers at 12:45 pm)

March 18: First day of Great Lent (Strict Fast until Pascha on May 5).

March 25: The feast of Annunciation.

March 31: St. Barbara’s hosts a Pan-Orthodox Lenten Vespers at 6:00 pm (Also, Western Easter).

April 27-May 5: Orthodox Holy Week.

March 2024 Announcements