Friday, August 1, 2025:

Welcome, Father John Dresko! Father John and Matushka Elizabeth will be with us through August 10th.

Volunteers are needed to help move items and get the Parish House ready for our next two visiting Priests. We are meeting THIS SATURDAY at 10 am at the Church!

Dormition Fast began on August 1st! Fast ends on August 14th.

In addition to the information on www.oca.org from the All-American Council, please continue to explore the Orthodox Christian ministries and resources available via https://www.assemblyofbishops.org

Interested in church ministries? Reply to admin@wilmingtonoca.org with the subject “Ministry Interest” and list any of the ministries you would be interested in joining or participating in if there were a ministry at St. Basil’s.

 Pan-Orthodox Ministries and Resources:

  • https://www.assemblyofbishops.org

  • Directory of all Orthodox Christian military chaplains -

  • https://www.assemblyofbishops.org/directories/military-chaplains

  • OCF – Orthodox Christian Fellowship - https://ocf.net

    • College fellowship for orthodox students (part time, undergrad, or graduate)

    • UNCW/CFCC used to have a shared OCF chapter (located in UNCW campus activities), so the bylaws are there and ready to be reopened, plus there are multiple orthodox faculty members!

  • IOCC – International Orthodox Christian Charities - https://iocc.org

    • We can make buckets or sanitary kits at any time and bring them to storage in Maryland

    • We can attend a rebuild or muck out after a disaster (contact Jen C if able to join the upcoming trip Sep 17-20, 2026 in Tennessee)

    • We can make a disaster plan for our own parish

    • We can host an event fundraiser on IOCC’s behalf

  • OVC – Orthodox Volunteer Corps - https://orthodoxvolunteercorps.org

    • 10-month volunteer opportunity for Orthodox young adults (21-29), to live in a community with other young adults, rooted in a local orthodox parish, and volunteer

    • Volunteer with education, public health, environmental health, immigrants or refugees, law and public policy, social services, homelessness, and other areas of ministry that fit your God-given skills and interests

  • OCMC – Orthodox Christian Mission Center - https://ocmc.org

    • Support or explore missionaries around the world

  • OCPM – Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry - https://theocpm.org

    • We have a few current or previous supporters. Please contact if interested.

  • OYM – Orthodox Youth Ministry - https://www.theoym.org

  • Camp Programs - https://www.orthodoxyouth.net

    • Nearest are located in South Carolina

    • Camp St. Thekla is held at Asbury Hills Camp and Retreat Center in Cleveland, South Carolina, with two one-week sessions each July for campers ages 9-17, and a Winter Camp weekend each February for grades 7-12. Accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA).

    • Saint Stephen Summer Camp is the located at the Diakonia Retreat Center in Salem, SC.

  • Mental Health Ministry - https://www.assemblyofbishops.org/ministries/mentalhealth/

    • Directory of Orthodox mental health professionals

    • Podcasts on various mental health topics

    • Peace of Mind training for Orthodox clergy and lay leadership to identify, understand, respond and refer mental health concerns as they arise in a parish, and cultivating an ongoing conversation about spiritual and mental health in Orthodox Christian community

    • OCAMPR

      • Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion

      • Member professionals pursue an understanding of the whole person, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, especially at annual fall conference

  • Resources for deaf and blind to experience Orthodox services and communities

  • Resources to increase relevance in local communities

    • Resources for building a homeless outreach ministry at your parish

  • FOCUS - https://focusnorthamerica.org

    • Community connections, including backpack initiatives for children in poverty, and other ministries that meet the specific needs of a local city

  • Project Mexico and St. Innocent Orphanage - https://www.projectmexico.org

  • App: Koinonia, available soon

  • Other Orthodox Resources mentioned during the discussion:

    • Agape Wellness Collective is a nonprofit offering affordable, pay-what-you-can, Orthodox Christian mental health services via telehealth. To support this ministry or learn more, visit https://agape-wellnesscollective.org

IOCC Rebuild dates Sep 17-20, 2026 in Erwin, TN. It is very similar to Habitat for Humanity: open to all skillsets, anyone willing and able. Text Jen Castiglione at 862-432-6376 by August 18 if you are available and interested in joining.

Matthew Zazitski needs a ride to church on August 10th. If anyone is able to give him a ride to church, please text him at (910) 619-9510.

Church Flowers: There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board near the restrooms. Paige or Jen can fill you in on the details if you are interested in signing up!

Prosphora Baking Demonstration: Patty and Andy Brusko will be offering another holy bread baking demonstration at their home in Southport on Saturday, August 16th at 9 am. Please RSVP to patty.brusko@gmail.com if you'd like to attend. Their contact information is in the church directory as well.

Basket Collections:  For August, we will be collecting for the Alms fund, due to the increased need from our local community.