Sunday, June 2
We extend an invitation to a special event on Sunday evening June 2, being hosted by St. Barbara Orthodox Church: Big Hats and Cocktails. Essentially this will be a multi-faceted fundraiser for St. Vladimir Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, New York. The night will feature unique, elegantly prepared Western cuisine such as bacon wrapped quail and jumbo stuffed shrimp, in addition to a number of other options. A salad bar and thematic dessert along with a cash bar will also be provided. Participants will hear live Texas Swing Music by a local band, the Uptown Drifters. The venue is equally attractive, River Ranch in the Ft. Worth Stockyards, 500 NE 23rd Street.
Archpriest Chad Hatfield, the President of St. Vladimir’s, will be a keynote speaker that night. We will hear as well from Archpriest Philip LeMasters, Pastor at St. Luke Antiochian Orthodox Church in Abilene and Professor at McMurry College; Archpriest Jason Foster, Dean and Pastor at Nativity of our Lord Orthodox Church in Shreveport; and Fr. Photius Avant, Pastor at St. Sava Orthodox Church in Plano/Allen.
Individual tickets for the event start at $35.00 a person with additional levels of sponsorship available. Tickets should be purchased no later than May 26 through the St. Vladimir Seminary website, www.svots.edu/events, or by calling 914.961.8313, x330 and speaking with Matushka Robyn Hatrak. Early ticket purchases by May 15 will be greatly appreciated and will help with preparations.
As is well known Orthodox Church history is characterized by an immense emphasis on prayer and missionary activity, as well as on theology. Consequently, seminaries as communities of prayer and study have always occupied an extremely important place within the Church’s life. They prepare future leaders for Godly service as bishops, priests, and deacons. Seminaries also provide Orthodoxy with faithful and knowledgeable lay leaders (men and women) who help guide the Church from many positions of ministry as choir directors, religious educators, council members, youth coordinators, counselors, diocesan assembly and national council delegates, lay chaplains, and so on.
Please make your plans to join us on June 2 for the St. Vladimir Seminary Night, Big Hats and Cocktails. It promises to be an enjoyable evening, and your participation will help with the education of future Church leaders. Please feel free to forward or to pass this information to anyone you think may be interested. Thank you in advance for your participation and generosity.