The Nativity Fast Began on November 15th!
Printed Nativity Service Calendars are available at the church. The calendar is also on our website.
Children may leave their shoes outside the doors of the nave before entering for Divine Liturgy to receive gifts from Saint Nicholas this Sunday. (December 7th!)
Sister Valeria will be visiting us from the St Elisabeth Convent in Minsk, Belarus, and will be with us from December 7th through December 10th. On December 9th, we will have a small reception for her at 5:00 pm. Sister Valeria will be giving a talk at 6:00 pm.
It's time for our Annual Parish Meeting, which is scheduled for December 7th, 2025. If members of the Parish have proposals for agenda items, please submit them to the Parish Council. Final agenda to be distributed in advance of the meeting.
Attention all families (including catechumen families) with school-age children:
Classes for school-age children, including teens, begin again on Saturday, December 13 at 10:30am (shortly after the divine liturgy for St. Herman, and including a light snack). This first session will focus on preparing children for the Nativity of our Lord and learning a hymn to sing. Teens/tweens will also discuss options for the upcoming student-led lesson topics. Matushka Melissa will lead a simultaneous parents' group discussion on raising children in the Church and at home. Registration is not necessary, but please let Cindy Heise or Jen Castiglione know if your children can attend.
After the class on 12/13, children are welcome to stay to help decorate cookies!
On Sunday, Dec. 21st , after coffee hour, children will present the Nativity Icon story to the parish, right before the canon service. We will practice this at the end of class on 12/13, but parents, please meet with Nancy Coons this Sunday, Nov. 30th, if you think your child might be interested in participating to help us prepare.
In January and going forward, the monthly child/teen classes will be on a Saturday at 3:30 pm, dates TBD.
Saturday, December 13th - The Women's Guild will be preparing for our third annual bake sale immediately following Liturgy. If you would like to help or have any questions, please reach out to Paige Svetahor (paige.svetahor@gmail.com). Baked goods will be available for purchase (cash or check) Saturday/Sunday in the church hall until supplies last. All proceeds go to the Saint Hermione Home in Charlotte (Saint Hermione Home).
Systema Breathwork Class has been postponed for now. We will be back in touch with a new date soon.
Bookstore Orders have been received for several of our regularly stocked books as well as some specifically for the Advent season. Nativity ornaments and Christmas greeting cards are available, too. 2026 Calendars are in and are only $7 each.
Remember, if anyone has any special orders or requests, please email Heather Sekela at bookstore@wilmingtonoca.org. (Do not pay online; cash or check only please!)
Basket Collections:
For December, we will be collecting for The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina