There is no power at the church and thus we will have to cancel services. No power and thus no water. Please forgive the late notice - with the bad roads we are just arriving at church.

it is snowing this morning. Please find our inclement weather policy below. We hope this helps you as you decide when and if to attend Divine Services and other activities this weekend at St. Vladimir's.

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In case of inclement weather St. Vladimir’s parishioners are urged to use caution and their best judgment when deciding whether to travel to the parish church for Divine Services. If the priest is able to reach the church the Divine Services will be conducted, but if parishioners perceive the driving conditions to be dangerous they should not feel compelled to travel to church.

Church School Teachers, Potential Future Clergymen, and those interested in learning more about their faith - THIS IS FOR YOU!

The Pastoral School of the Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America is committed to making high quality Orthodox theological education as accessible to all interested students as possible.

Applications for admission for the winter semester are due February 1, 2016. Classes begin February 15, 2016. Applications and further information on the Pastoral School programs can be found at our web site:

http://orthodoxtheologicalschool.org/

Questions should be directed to the Dean of the Pastoral School, Priest Gregory Joyce:

fr.gregory.joyce@orthodoxtheologicalschool.org

Please find the schedule of youth activities at St. Vladimir's for the first half of 2016 at the schedule below. Parents – please add these activities at once to your family calendar! :) Please join us as your schedule allows!

http://stvladimiraami.org/flyers/youthgroup.pdf

I think this went rather well Sunday, except I brilliantly forgot to mention that if one is not able to stand, or does not feel well, or something of that nature, then one of course does not have to stand. This is completely my fault and I ask everyone's forgiveness in this regard! So, please let me be very clear. There are times when we light the three lampadas and we ask everyone to stand quietly and prayerfully. If you are physically unable to stand during that time it is completely permissible to sit quietly and prayerfully.

Fr. Gregory

What are the three lampadas? Learn more here:

http://stvladimiraami.org/flyers/lampad ... ldoors.pdf

Yesterday we asked people to stand during the communion of the faithful. Unfortunately we did not mention that if it is not possible for you to stand you of course do not need to. This is always the case. We light the lampadas above the Royal Doors to note times when the faithful should stand quietly IF THEY ARE PHYSICALLY ABLE TO DO SO. Please do not endanger yourself if you cannot stand safely! We ask the forgiveness of all for not making this clear. Please stand if you are able. If you are not, you are welcome to sit. All are asked to be understanding of those who cannot safely stand. Please contact Fr. Gregory with questions.

Our Nativity Ball is set for January 15. Find more information at the link below and please join us!

http://stvladimiraami.org/flyers/nativityball2016.pdf

Our Nativity Yolka/Christmas Pageant is set for January 10. Find more information at the link below and please join us!

http://stvladimiraami.org/flyers/yolka2016.pdf

The 2016 annual calendars have arrived from the printer. The mailing will be available for pick up on Sunday, January 3. Please plan to pick yours up then. Those calendars not picked up will be mailed to your homes. However, please know that this is a very expensive mailing so we very much appreciate it if you are diligent to pick up your calendar if you are at church - and we thank you for doing so!

As promised at last night's moleben, please find the life of Sts. Boniface and Agladia at the links below.

English:

http://oca.org/saints/lives/2015/12/19/ ... in-cilicia

Russian:

http://days.pravoslavie.ru/Life/life3145.htm

If we were in a room and the bishop entered we would stand up – and we would not think of sitting down until he took his seat. This is true of all dignitaries from the President to a Governor to a Mayor, etc. However, somehow we have developed the practice in our parish of sitting during the time when the King of All, our Lord Jesus Christ, is carried forth to His people so that they may partake of His Body and Blood in Holy Communion. Of course this does not make sense – why would we stand for the bishop but not for God? The fault with this habit taking hold in our parish lies squarely on my shoulders. Honestly, I have never noticed that people sit during this time until it was pointed out to me recently. So we will begin to move, with love and understanding, towards standing during this important time of the service. We will light the two outside of the three lampadas beginning with Sunday, January 3, and ask that those who are aware that we should stand lovingly point this out to those who are sitting. It will take some time to work this through, but with God's help we will get where we need to be. Of course, as always, those who are unable to stand for physical reasons are welcome to sit.

Please forgive me for not having noticed this earlier. However, the Lord has given us an opportunity here to educate and support each other in appropriate worship practice with love for our fellow parish family members at the core. Let us move forward with Christian Love. If we do that all will progress and end with peace.

Please contact me with questions or concerns about this or any other issue.

Fr. Gregory

What are the three lampadas? Learn more here:

http://stvladimiraami.org/flyers/lampad ... ldoors.pdf