ACM 2012 Christmas Newsletter

Christ is born!  Glorify Him!  What a blessing to write to you, our faithful ACM supporters, during this holy season of preparation for our Lord God and Savior’s Nativity.  We have so much to thank God for!  I invite you to take a look below at the many happenings and blessings God has given us as He continues to work through this ministry to build up His Church, strengthen those already Orthodox, and bring others to the knowledge and love of Him.

Second Patronal Feast, Baptism, Interview on Ancient Faith Radio…

The mission, Holy Archangels, which the students of ACM helped found in 2011, just celebrated its second Patronal Feast on November 8.  Fr. John Parker, Director of the OCA’s office on Evangelism and Mission, encouraged the students and faithful in their missionary work in Annapolis.  Coinciding with the Feast, I baptized our three-month-old son, James (Iacob) Robert Miclean.  Several alumni from the ministry came to celebrate with us.  Coinciding with his visit, Fr. John Parker interviewed me for Ancient Faith Radio.  The podcast is a great way to introduce friends to ACM and be encouraged yourself about the ministry you support and pray for.  You can listen to the podcast by typing this address into your browser’s address bar: http://ancientfaith.com/podcasts/lordsendme/annapolis_college_ministry

Special Services and Outreach…

Among the many special services and gatherings in this Fall semester were our Advent Paraklesis at St. John’s College, the Akathist to St. Nicholas at the USNA, and an outreach effort at St. John’s called, “Orthodoxy and Tea.”  Six students who had never been to any of our ACM events before came to ask questions about the Orthodox Faith.

In addition to individual meetings at AACC (Anne Arundel Community College), our second larger outreach took place in October just before we moved the mission’s rectory to Annapolis.  We’re still unpacking as the demands of the ministry (and our baby and toddler) continue apace.  We’re so thankful to be closer to the students and the three campuses I serve as chaplain.  It’s made it much easier to use our home for ministry.

Apropos, twenty students, neighbors, and others came to join us for the rectory house blessing on 5 December, which we used as an outreach to the neighborhood and the students at St. John’s and AACC. 

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ACM August 2012 Newsletter

Holy Transfiguration of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ
 
On the Mountain You were Transfigured, O Christ God,
And Your disciples beheld Your glory as far as they could see it;
So that when they would behold You crucified,
They would understand that Your suffering was voluntary,
And would proclaim to the world,
That You are truly the Radiance of the Father!—Kontakion of the Feast

Eight Years of Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry( ACM).  

For eight years, ACM has been strengthening and discipling those already Orthodox and leading seekers to refuge from the false winds of doctrine that our culture puts forward to new life through communion with Jesus Christ and His holy Church.  Thank you for keeping ACM going and growing!

College is a critical time for ‘finding one’s way’ in life. 

It’s vital that we’re here for the students of this area to know Christ and His Church.  There is tremendous confusion out there today among those of college age, even among many calling themselves Christians.  What do I believe?  What is Truth?  What is God’s will for me?  These are some of the big questions that many young people ponder in college.  ACM is present on the campuses of Annapolis week in, week out, to minister to the students “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3), the timeless Truth that is Jesus Christ and His revelation to us through His Church.

To read more about the new outreach at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC), 2012 Graduation and more, click here!

ACM Lenten 2012 Newsletter

Annunciation Sunday, 2012

Greetings from the Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry (ACM)!

It’s with great joy that I write this newsletter update so that I may share with you the wonderful ways in which our Lord God has been working in the lives of our students through this ministry that you help make possible through your faithful prayers and support.  I look forward to sharing with you about our mission trip to an orphanage in Romania and news of our latest students to come to Christ and His holy Church through Holy Baptism and Chrismation, and much more….  

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(faces of Romanian children blurred for their protection)

Fr. Robert and some of OCF group

ACM Nov. 2011 Newsletter

Dear Friends of Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry (ACM):

Glory to Jesus Christ and blessed Fast of the Nativity! 

We are so grateful for your faithful support of this ministry on the campuses of Annapolis that is making a big difference in the lives of these young people seeking growth, healing, and life in Christ who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (Jn. 14:6)

Three Catechumens: Evangelism and Outreach are at the Center of our Ministry

We now have three catechumens journeying to Christ and His holy Church through the ministry and worshiping with us at our Mission: Maggie Mohr, Brian Merriweather, and Michael Janikis. 

We have a name for the Mission!  The Students are Growing a Mission

Usually, a church is founded and then years down the road starts a college outreach.  In our case, the tables are turned: the college students asked for a Mission and were given one so that they can participate in the liturgical life of the Church throughout the week.  His Beatitude Metropolitan JONAH has given us the name, Holy Archangels.  We rejoice in our new name for the Mission and the angels whom God sends to protect us and this holy ministry!

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ACM August 2011 Newsletter

Dear Friends of Annapolis College Ministry:

Giving Thanks for each of you

We give thanks to God for each one of you who make this ministry possible and remember you in our prayers!  We cannot minister to the students and midshipmen without your faithful support, which makes our living here possible. 

First Holy Week and Pascha in Annapolis: Birth of our daughter, Anastasia Marie

So much has happened in our life and ministry since I wrote to you in the Spring.  We had our first Holy Week and Pascha with the students in Annapolis.  Some 30 people came to Pascha.  Our daughter, Anastasia (Ana) Marie was born on liturgical Holy Saturday, a true resurrection baby (hence her name, which means, “the resurrection”).  Though I had only a couple of hours of sleep between Holy Thursday night and Pascha, I was able to serve my first Pascha Liturgy with the students and midshipmen.  It was a great blessing for all with so much joy!

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