The Fellowship events in 2019 have begun with an excellent study weekend 1-3 February hosted by the welcoming Parish of St Demetrios in Edmonton, North London. [The photographs in this post are all from that event and we appreciate the parish allowing us to use them.] The study weekend was on the theme of “Truth, Love and Fellowship in the Epistles of Saint John“. We heard from Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia, who introduced the epistles to us.  The main themes were taken up by different speakers: Dr Krastu Banev focussed on Fellowship; Fr Chrysostomos Tympas spoke about Truth; and Fr Kristian Akselberg spoke on Love. But our discussions were far wider and included baptism, the influence of the saints in our lives, prayer for others, how we should treat other Christians and non-Christians, art, how to love, and a whole host of other issues. It was a great start to our year! We thank Fr John Hookway and all the Parish for generously hosting the weekend.

And this was only the start! The Youth branch will be having their annual festival 24-27 May for 18-35 year olds on “Discovering Orthodoxy through our Saints“, held at the Othona community in Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex.

We would love for you to join us at our summer conference, 19-21 July at the Hayes Conference Centre in Derbyshire, where we will be discussing the intriguing topic of “40 things you didn’t know about Orthodoxy“. It is a special event, our 40th anniversary conference, so please come and help us celebrate, join in spiritual fellowship, and learn some new things about the faith! OFSJB 2019 summer conference application form

In September, we hope to have a meal in Oxford close to the feast of the Conception of St John the Baptist, at which all will be welcome. More details to come!

Don’t forget, the Women’s Ministries Initiative hold their own events such as study days, and the Mosaic Choir will be performing in various places at various times.  If you know of other events that we should include on our calendar, please let us know.

Come and see!

Mosaic Choir

Students from the Greek School perform

The eminent panel at the study weekend

Worshipping together in the Church of St Demetrios