Time, Talent & Treasure 2019

Letter from Fr. Joshua

October 2019

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“Let us carry our firstfruits to the one who died and rose again for us. Do you think perhaps that I am talking of gold, silver, or precious stones? Insubstantial earthly goods, transitory, tied to earth, of which the greater part always belongs to the wicked, the slaves of materialism and of the prince of this world? No, let us offer ourselves, the possession most precious to God and closest to him. Let us give back to the Image that which resembles it most, recognizing our greatness, honoring our Archetype, knowing the power of the mystery and for whom Christ died.”

— St Gregory the Theologian

We are made in the image of God, and, as such, we are God’s most precious possession. He has breathed life into us and has established us within his kingdom. He has sent us into the world as he sent his Son, our Archetype, into the world. And he has empowered us with his Spirit to do his work in the world: reaching out to the poor and the stranger, forming the people of God into a spiritual temple, offering up a sacrifice of praise.

As we prepare for this coming year, I urge you to ask yourself:

“How can I best offer back to God the image that I bear?

What possessions—what time, what talent, what treasure—can I offer back to God?

What work is his Spirit yearning to do through me?”

As you examine your heart, I pray that the peace of Christ will reign there and that we, as the people of God, will abide

In the joy of the Lord,

Fr. Joshua Burnett

Ministry Role Descriptions

Building & Grounds

• Building & Repair Skills: Provide handyman skills, make repairs around the building when needed

• Gardening: Help with weeding, planting, watering, sweeping

• Organize Kitchen & Parish Hall: Keep the kitchen, refrigerator, and parish hall organized and neat

Church School

• Sunday School Assistant: Assist teachers in attending to needs of children and organizing classroom and materials

• Sunday School Teacher: Teach on a rotation (or substitute as needed) using prepared curriculum

• Vacation Church School: Teach or assist with one-week VCS program in late summer

Library

• Organize Books: Keep the library organized and manage check-out/check-in of books

Outreach

• College Ministries: Assist with special events for UMBC OCF

• Guild of Blessed Olga: Knit, crochet, or sew items for the needy, in support of church ministries both locally and in Romania

• Homeless Ministries: Assist with local homeless shelter during one week in December, or help provide a meal at the Community Recovery Center quarterly

• Tract Rack: Keep pamphlets stocked and organized in the track rack

Parish Life

• Lunch Clean-Up: On a rotation, help clean up the parish hall and wash dishes after Sunday lunch

• Refreshments on Sunday: On a rotation, provide entree, dessert, or salad for 50 people for Sunday lunch/coffee hour

• Special Event Volunteer: Assist with annual special events such as the Pascha feast, parish picnic, patronal feast, or Linthicum Fair

Pastoral Care

• Correspondence: Send letters or e-mail, conveying friendly greetings and parish contact information, to visitors who have signed the guest book

• Visitation: Visit elderly or sick parishioners

Worship

• Altar Care: Assist in cleaning the brass, dusting

• Altar Server: Boys 9 and older who have made first confession assist clergy at the altar during Divine Liturgy

• Bake Altar Bread: Bake the prosphora (holy bread) for Divine Liturgy

• Chanting: Chant at Vespers or Matins and participate in rehearsals

• Choir: Sing at Liturgy and participate in rehearsals

• Flower Arranging: Obtain and arrange flowers for feast days and other occasions

• Lector: Read the Epistle during Divine Liturgy

Youth Ministries

• Advisor/Meeting Facilitator: Facilitate youth meetings and activities

• Event Chaperone: Chaperone at occasional youth retreats or special outings

Miscellaneous

• Babysitter for Events: Babysit children during special events

• Bookkeeper: Record financial giving, transactions

• Phone Reminders: Make phone calls to remind parishioners of upcoming ministry assignments