Sunday of the Last Judgment
Dear Friend of Annapolis College Ministry:
Christ is in our midst! He is and ever shall be! So much has happened since I last wrote to you last Fall. In that newsletter, which we sent out snail mail, we shared with you our vision to grow the ministry by offering the students specific men’s and women’s Bible studies at both St. John’s College and the U.S. Naval Academy.
;)
Fr. Dcn. Robert, Mat. Krissy, and students with His Beatitude at the ordination (click to enlarge)I also shared with you that I was to be ordained to the diaconate by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, which took place on 14 December at St. Nicholas OCA Cathedral in D.C. Soon afterwards, my Matushka and I found out that we are expecting. Praise God!
While we continue to need more monthly supporters to make ends meet for our livelihood, God has been providing for the ministry: many of you took a step of faith and sent in contributions, some also made monthly commitments to continue supporting the ministry in the future. As a result, the Board approved a raise for me so that I can truly minister to the students full time (without having to do landscaping work on the side) and means that Matushka Krissy can join me on Wednesdays on the campuses to lead women’s Bible studies.
;)
Virginia Bucher's chrismation (click to enlarge)Your faithful support means that I can now spend full time hours meeting with students, counseling them in difficult times, catechizing those journeying to the Faith, writing up and leading Bible studies and services, and giving teachings the holy Orthodox Faith. We have services Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bible studies Wednesdays and Fridays, I lead an inquirer’s and catechumen’s class on Sundays after Divine Liturgy back on campus, and I hold meetings with students Tuesdays through Fridays, and Sundays as well.
There are more students who need the personal encouragement, accountability, and pastoral guidance I provide than I can fit into my and their school schedule. We currently have a regular attendance of five men at each of the men’s Bible studies and that many at the women’s Bible study at St. John’s. We often have an average of ten students at Vespers and the teaching I lead at St. John’s on Wednesdays. One of our students, Virginia Bucher, was just chrismated this past Sunday after a year in the catechumenate, and there are currently another four journeying to Christ and His Church. Praise God! ;)
Meeting with His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah (click to enlarge)Journeying to Christ and holy Orthodoxy brings healing for many of the students as they come to embrace Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Your prayers and faithful support make this ministry possible. Thank you for being a partner with us as we reach out to the students and people of Annapolis and bring them to Him who is Life and Truth. We continue to need more regular monthly supporters to meet our 2010 budget needs so I can support my (growing) family. Please prayerfully consider what you can give. May God return His blessings to you four-fold!
In Christ’s love,
Father Deacon Robert Miclean
OCF Chaplain
Annapolis College Ministry