2010 Nov. Advent Newsletter
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 The Holy Apostle Phillip
November 14, 2010
Dear Friends of Annapolis College Ministry (ACM):
I write to you with great thanksgiving! Through your faithful contributions, we have been able to expand the ministry to the students at;)
Labor Day Picnic St. John’s and the Naval Academy in accordance with the vision that we presented to you earlier this year. We have six inquirers and catechumens journeying to Christ and His Church at this time. Twenty additional persons have come to the Orthodox Faith through this ministry over the past several years. Here’s a brief summary of some of our regular ministry activities on (and off) the campuses that you help make possible:
- Tuesday Small Compline and Fellowship at the USNA
Men's Bible Study - Wednesday Women’s Bible study at St. John’s
- Wednesday Daily Vespers and Teaching at St. John’s (all welcome)
- Wednesday Bible study on the Acts of the Apostles (all welcome)
- Friday Bible study at the USNA
- Friday Men’s Bible study at St. John’s
- Friday evening fellowship dinner (St. John’s)
- Every other Saturday Vigil, Teaching, and Potluck Dinner at St. John’s (all welcome)
- Every other Sunday Orthodoxy Course, entitled, “Worshiping the Undivided Trinity: Exploring the Orthodox Christian Faith” for those already Orthodox and for catechumens
Evening Teaching at Fall Retreat - Once monthly Divine Liturgy on campus with visiting priest
- I hold individual meetings with students Wednesdays and Friday afternoons, and other days, as scheduled or needed.
- Fall Retreat—Columbus Day weekend
As you can see, this is very much a full-time ministry. Your contributions enable us to provide the students with these many regular ministry opportunities to grow in their faith, and makes it possible for others to come to Christ and His holy Church. Ably assisted part-time by our intern, Thomas Browning, and my wife, Matushka Krissy, we are able to provide the students and others with one of the most dynamic college ministries in the Orthodox Church. Praise God!
Met. Jonah Visits CampusWe were greatly blessed to have His Beatitude, Metropolitan JONAH visit us on September 29. Vladyka spoke to a large crowd of some 30 students and others over tea, followed by Vespers and a dinner with our Acts Bible study group.
God willing, I will be ordained to Christ’s holy priesthood under the omophorion of His Beatitude, Metropolitan JONAH (OCA) on December 5 (St. Sabbas). Please keep me in your prayers as I enter the priesthood. I am excited and humbled at the prospect of being able to offer the students even more ministry. Having Divine Liturgy in Annapolis, being able to hear confessions, and minister more fully to the students will mean increased opportunities to help them grow and own their faith, particularly at the USNA, where a number of restrictions make that more challenging. We have already seen large groups of students, including a greater number of midshipmen, coming to our monthly Divine Liturgies in Annapolis.
Living in this area is expensive. We live 30 minutes from the campuses to keep our living costs down on our tight budget. We are eagerly expecting our first child in April. Can you help us make ends meet so that we can 
Monthly Divine Liturgy on Campuscontinue to faithfully minister more than full-time to the students? Over the last seven years of this ministry, God has miraculously provided for us. You, our partners in this ministry, are a great part of that miracle! I need to ask each one of you to prayerfully consider increasing your monthly contribution. Even an extra $10 or $5 a month can add up and make a big difference in helping us meet our budget needs, which are increasing with baby on the way. Please keep us in your prayers and please also keep us in mind as you consider your Nativity Fast alms giving.
May Christ our God bless you this Advent and Nativity Fast! We are so grateful to God for you!
Your fellow servant, in Christ our God,
Fr. Dcn. Robert Miclean
ACM/OCF Chaplain, Annapolis