With the Blessing of His Grace, Bishop Tikhon, three parishes from our diocese are joining together to take a trip to Appalachia the last week of June.  During the week, Orthodox youth and adults from around the diocese will use their talents to help serve the poor and witness to the Orthodox faith in the community of Spruce Pine, North Carolina, a town especially hit hard by the last year’s economic difficulties. 

Our jobs will be determined by the skills and experiences of our group and at present we have three very experienced contractors going on the trip with 22 others. We will be doing hands-on renovation projects in three or four different areas of the town. If you would like to take a week to serve and show the love of Christ to those less fortunate this could be your opportunity. This trip is formally sponsored and organized by FOCUS North America, and included in the $300 cost for the trip is the stay, meals for 7 days, travel costs and supply costs for the various projects. 

The trip will also include an outreach to the community with a Vespers service and short introduction to Orthodoxy one evening, and a spiritual retreat for those in attendance with sessions and prayer each evening.  Those attending will stay in a beautiful and spacious local Inn with separate quarters for men and women. There is a large kitchen and dinning area for preparing meals, eating, fellowship, and prayer.

Fr. Daniel Mathewson from St. Mary's in Coaldale (570-645-2772) or email at  fr.danielm@gmail.com

Fr. Nicholas Solak from Holy Trinity in Stroudsburg (570-350-1482) or email at hteoc@ptd.net

Fr. Michael Demko at Holy Annunciation in Berwick (570-752-3184) or email at frmichaeldemko@hotmail.com

for more information. 

At present there are only a few openings left, but the deadline for determining the group is March 25th. If you would like to attend or would like more info please contact one of these priests. If you decide to attend, with the blessing of your priest, you will need to provide your phone number, address and email, as well as a $50 deposit (with the other $250 due at the time of departure), also any up to date insurance information and emergency contact information as well. If you are able to go you should plan on attending the orientation meeting which will be held on March 25th at Holy Annunciation, in Berwick, PA at 2:00 pm preceeding the Mission Vespers service with His Grace Bishop Tikhon at 4:00 pm.