www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West Parish Fellowhsip

Hi all,
I am wondering what is and what isn�t appropriate fellowship in a typical Eastern parish? The reason I am asking is that there isn�t a whole lot going on in my parish. Is it appropriate to use the �Protestant,� paradigm for fellowship (e.g. mid-week scripture study, men�s prayer breakfasts, retreats, and community outreach)? Is there anything like this happening in the Pittsburgh area that I am unaware of? How do you get something started? I have made different suggestions to the priest, but they don�t seem to get very far. If these are not possible then how do you avoid fragmentation?

To the moderator. Sorry I meant to post this under 'Parish life,' if it could be moved there that may be a more appropriate heading.

For some ideas visit our website for Parish organizations:
Parish Organizations

Most of the above linked are liturgical or service oriented. This is where my parish was. It is a great beginning, but it doesn't provide much time for fellowship. Your ideas, depending on the parish, are all fine. Some other ideas:

There is a Greek men's fraternity if the guys are looking for something along that model. I don't remember the name, but do remember that their patron is St. Nicholas because of the wonderful material on him they sent me.

ECF is found in some places (Eastern Christian Formation). Think Sunday School. For the adults, the model might be more of a book or Bible study.

Socials after church are found almost everywhere. Some have donuts and coffee while others have a full lunch (typically pot luck).

If you aren't ready to move into anything on a regular basis, following the major feasts would give you an average of 1 activity a month.

There are so many ways it could go that I think it would depend on the demographics and talents of your parish. If it is mainly older people, they might enjoy a monthly lunch or cards. They also might like to teach the next generation their recipes and traditions. If it is mainly younger, they might prefer child-oriented activities. If it is in the middle, they might like outreach. If you are blessed with a wide range, they might enjoy bringing the different age groups together to foster more of a family atmosphere.

Then there is the question about what they are looking for. Do they want education for themselves and their families (ECF, Bible study, seminar series)? Are they wanting to be service/outreach oriented (soup kitchen, homeless shelter)? Are they more concerned with liturgics (iconography, music)? Do they like food (potluck, socials, bake sales)? If you take a pulse of your parish, then you can implement those ideas which would be most likely to succeed.

If there is little pulse, then you base it on those whose hearts are still pumping and what it is they want and need. If it were just me and one other guy, I'd just start something between us. If I had to, I'd use my own house instead of the church. Then I'd invite people to make it grow. If you have a Bible Study in your house and others are coming, they'll eventually start populating the church and showing this need there, too. There's nothing stopping you from having reader's services at your house, either. Do what you can with what you've got, be prudent and wise in choosing what you want, and pray for strength and guidance. Eventually the need will be so glaringly obvious that it won't be able to be overlooked or ignored.

What kinds of ideas are you thinking of? I would think as long as it didn't involve guitars, praise music, and overhead projectors, you would be doing fine.

Thanks for the input.
No, I am not at all into 'contemopary,' things such as guitars. It is kind of a difficult situation, but I don't think it needs to be. We have been going to our parish for about 8 years, a year ago the liturgy we went to was transferred to another parish due to the priest shortage, so we mostly go there now. The new parish seems a bit more friendly, and demographically it is more mixed, which we like. Coming from a 'Protestant,' community (altough we were origianally Roman Catholic, all biet poorly catechised) it has been a bit of an adjustment. Before we had Sunday bible study, morning & evening worship, mid-week bible studies, paryer chains, plus various other activities [business meetins, young adult gatherings, etc.]. All that compares in comparision to receiving Christ in the Eucharist & the other sacraments, but I don't think it has to be an either or. I had to read my way back into the Church, and since coming back my only close companion has remained books.
My ideas would be to incorporate some of those things that I mentioned above.

We do have:

Although C&M Angels can be considered a service it is also fellowship.

I do see your point, we should do more.

Regarding "Bible Study" if the priest has time this should be done. In New Orleans BC this was done by the deacon. If you parish is lucky to have a deacon then you might want to try and organize this.

Ray,

Please don't think I was disparaging your parish's efforts. The list was great and I am sure a great blessing to all involved. It appeared to me that the OP was wanting more in the way of fellowship, though, so I offered some other ideas on top of your own. I like the Sunshine Club!

"Regarding "Bible Study" if the priest has time this should be done. In New Orleans BC this was done by the deacon. If you parish is lucky to have a deacon then you might want to try and organize this."

No Deacon, and the priest is stretched too thin, I think. It doesn't have to be a "bible study" per se though. I was just looking for ideas.
Thanks.