As Jane and I reflect upon our many blessings, with grateful hearts we extend our sincere love and prayers to each of you. Thank you for your ministry of love within our St. George Church and St. Ignatius of Antioch Mission Station communities … thanks-for-giving to the Lord and His children.

Without the His grace working through your lives, there would be a great deal fewer blessings every day. May you always trust in the Holy Trinity to direct each aspect of your life as you grow in the grace, knowledge and love of the Lord!

Some of you may already know, that Metropolitan PHLIP has given dispensation in the past from the strict ‘Nativity Fast’ requirements on Thanksgiving Day. So let your heart be your guide as the traditional turkey and other non-fasting foods will be plentiful wherever we are.

Finally, with hearts filled with thanksgiving, may our desire to worship the Lord increase with each passing season. What joy there is to worship the Lord together in peace and love. For those who missed last night’s Festal Divine Liturgy for the Presentation of the Holy Theotokos, may you consider joining us tonight for the 6 pm Paraklesis service or Saturday for the 5 pm Great Vespers. Many may not know that attendance at the 12 Major Feast Day Celebrations is considered our Orthodox Christian responsibility (Unless there is a worthy reason for being absent.) as well as privilege.

May the blessings of the Lord be with you all! Your servants in the Gospel of Jesus Christ,

Fr. Paul and Kh. Jane

Arab-American Leadership Training: Oct. 24-28, Nov. 14-18

The Hala Salaam Maksoud Foundation for Arab-American Leadership is welcoming applications for its next intensive, 5-day leadership training seminars scheduled for Oct. 24-28, and Nov. 14-18, 2007, in Washington, DC. Applicants for both seminars are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Applicants should send a letter of interest explaining their desire to become community leaders or activists, a CV and a writing sample or any other relevant material to:

The Hala Salaam Maksoud Foundation
815 Connecticut Ave. NW
Suite 200
Washington, DC 20006

Or email them to director@halafoundation.org.

There is no charge for the training sessions, which are held in Washington, DC, but participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation. The training will be led and coordinated by the Hala Foundation‘s Program Director, Dr. Hussein Ibish. Participants are asked to commit to attending the full five days of the program and a refundable deposit may be required.

Applicants should be young Arab-American professionals who have completed their education and have already begun their professional careers, or those in the final stages of a Ph.D. program. They should have a demonstrable commitment to advocacy on behalf of Arab-American concerns, and a desire to devote substantial time and effort to leadership on behalf of the community.

The Leadership Training Program is designed to create a national network of highly trained, informed and focused young Arab-American professionals equipped to take on the advocacy and organizational efforts required for community leadership.

The Leadership Program provides extensive training in:

• Command of the Issues: mastery of both information and arguments
• Presentation Skills: making the case effectively
• Interpersonal Skills: making friends and influencing people
• Organizational Skills: mobilizing the community
• Collaborative Skills: building effective teams
• Coalition Building Techniques: finding unexpected allies
• Networking: building a national network of trained activists
• Continuous Improvement: developing long-term relationships with trainees

Please visit http://www.halafoundation.org for more details, sample seminar syllabi, guest experts, testimonials and other information.

Email director@halafoundation.org with any questions.

Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Lewiston, New York

September 7th,8th, 9th, 2007

Go to : http://www.lewistonkiwanis.org/peachfest.html for more information

Volunteers welcome all days!