Announcement from The Parish Council – August 9, 2023
Dear St. Michael Family,
It is with heavy hearts and yet acceptance through the grace given to us by God, that we share with you the news that our beloved Fr. Ben Kjendal has been appointed as the Assistant Pastor (Second Priest) of Holy Cross Antiochian Orthodox Church in Yakima, Washington. Father’s appointment is effective September 1st, in preparation for the retirement of the V. Rev. Fr. Joseph Copeland, on March 1, 2024. At that time, God willing, Fr. Ben will succeed him as Pastor (Proistamenos).
Our community of St. Michael has been blessed and has prospered under Fr. Ben’s stewardship for the past nine years. Fr. Ben, Kh. Alyssa and their family have so positively impacted all of us at St. Michael in all aspects of their ministry. We are grateful for their service to us and we are especially thankful for Father’s abiding love for our community.
We know that although Father and his family will miss us, they are also honored by and excited for this new opportunity and assignment. Please join the Parish Council in community on Sunday, August 20th, 2023, for Orthros, Divine Liturgy, and a cookout following services to celebrate Fr. Ben’s ministry here and wish Father, Kh. Alyssa and the Kjendal Family our best wishes as they depart for Yakima.
May this be blessed! May God grant them many years!
The Parish Council of St. Michael the Archangel Antiochian Orthodox Church
Vacation Church School 2023 Photos
Vacation Church School 2023 was held July 31-August 2, concluding with a family potluck picnic party before Paraklesis on Wednesday evening. We focused on Genesis 1:26, being created in God’s image and likeness, and what that means as we live out our lives as Christians. In addition to praying and learning together, we had time for fun, outreach, working to beautify the outside of the church, team building, talking about church etiquette, and growing in our relationships with one another.
Backpack Blessings 2023
Once again we are collecting NEW school supplies for children living at the Village at Cataumet, a transitional housing shelter. Please see the list of suggested items and bring your donations to church by Sunday, August 20. On Sunday, August 27 we will pack and deliver the filled backpacks to be distributed as needed to the children at the Village at Cataumet.
Thank you for donating time, supplies, and money to help these kids start the school year off on the right foot!!! Please see Kh. Alyssa for details.
We are also collecting (new, clean) 13-gallon trash barrels and small bathroom waste baskets to donate to the Village of Cataumet. Most of us have several trash baskets in our homes that we only think about when we lament having to empty them. For families living at the Village at Cataumet, having a trash receptacle in their room is a luxury. The trash barrels we donate will be much appreciated by the families and be able to be taken with them when they move into their own homes.
The collection will continue through August 27, when they will be delivered with backpacks.
National Bible Bowl & Oratorical Festival
Erika, Mary, and Nicholas Kjendal traveled to the national convention in Phoenix, AZ this past week to compete in the national Bible Bowl against the teams from the seven other dioceses. It was a tough, tight competition. At the end of the second round, two teams were tied for first, and our team was tied with another team for second. After staging a comeback in the second half of the five round competition, our team was tied for first going into the last question! The final scores for the top three teams were the Diocese of Toledo with 96, the Diocese of Worcester (that’s us!) 94, and the Diocese of the East 89. Great job Erika, Mary, and Nicholas for placing SECOND in the NATION!!!
Anders Kjendal also traveled to the national convention in Phoenix, AZ this past week to compete in the national Oratorical Festival against teens from the other seven dioceses and placed SECOND! Great job, Anders!!!
