The Protection of the Theotokos Sisterhood is the women’s organization of the parish of St. Symeon Orthodox Church. The purpose of the Sisterhood is to serve the parish and our larger community through works of charity and mercy; to tend to the needs of the church, the clergy, and our parishioners; to care for parish families; to fundraise for our works; and to support fellowship events within the parish. The Sisterhood is comprised of all women aged 18 and older in the St. Symeon community. Inquirers and catechumens are welcome to participate but are not able to hold a leadership position within the groups.
Sisterhood objectives
The Sisterhood seeks to meet its objectives by performing specific tasks:
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Fund and schedule teams for First Light breakfasts on the 3rd Saturday of each month
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Offer aid to the sick, the needy, the dying, and their caregivers through meals, visits, help with housework or errands, or other actions as needed
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Provide meals or other items for special occasions when necessary
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Deep clean all interior buildings on Lazarus Saturday and the week before the Food and Culture Fair
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Organize meals for mothers after giving birth and provide a baby shower for each parish mom having her first baby
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Organize and hold fundraising projects to support our charitable activities
All women will receive emails and information about the organized opportunities to help those in our parish and community, as you are able. You can participate a little or participate a lot. Perhaps you can occasionally participate in a meal sign-up, or help at First Light, or bake something for our bake sales? Some of you may even want to consider a leadership role. Every hand helps – “many hands make light work!” Please consider using the gifts that God has given you to help those in your parish and community.
President and Treasurer - Kassiane Mulder
Secretary - Adriana Ritchey
Sister Circles - Nicole May
Bake Sales - Julie Desko
First Light - Caterina Reese
Events - Akylina Chambers, Brigid Dersam-Hewes, and Xenia Thomason
Meals for Moms - Elizabeth Conner
Sign up Genius - Helen Ritchey
Baby Showers - Monica Albers and Mary Alston
We have three bake sales planned this next church year. Our first sale will be a non-Lenten bake sale late in December to sell goodies for your Christmas gatherings. Our second sale will be a Lenten bake sale halfway through Lent with soups, baked goods, and other Lenten items to get you through the long fast. Our third sale will be next summer and will be non-Lenten with cold soups and light treats.
Sisterhood Leadership
Leadership positions are voluntary. There are no term limits for leadership positions; however, if a Leader chooses to end her role, a request will be made for a volunteer to fill that position.
Our Ministries
To facilitate fellowship among our sisterhood and to help members get to know one another, our sister circles meet periodically throughout the year in various settings, decided by the leader of each group. Groups rotate periodically. Inquirers and catechumens are invited to join. Contact Niki May for more information.
Sister Circles
First Light is a women and children's homeless shelter where we serve breakfast every third Saturday of the month. We send out a Sign-Up Genius quarterly asking for leaders and volunteers. This service is so rewarding for those who have experienced it. If you have never been to First Light, you can sign up as a helper to experience this blessing. View the sign up list here.
First Light
The Sisterhood provides a baby shower for each first-time mom.
Baby Showers
We send out a Sign Up Genius to all women in the parish to help provide meals for mothers and their families when they get home from the hospital. We generally try for four meals a week for three weeks, unless a different need is identified.
Meals for Moms