Awana Children's Program
Awana is a great program for kids from Pre-K to 4th Grade where they learn more about Jesus and the Bible! Dinner is served at 5:00pm, and the program goes from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. See you there! For more information contact Heidi Richey at (715) 822-5502.
Join a Growth Group!
Join a growth group this fall! We are launching a number of new growth groups and now is a great time to get connected! There are sermon-based groups, men's groups, women's group, and more! For more information or to sign up, feel free to contact Pastor Bill at (715) 822-5502.
Impact Middle and High School
Impact Middle and High School are great ways to hang-out with friends, and learn more about Jesus and His influence in your life! Impact Middle School begins at 5:30pm at Northern Lakes, and Impact High School begins at 7:30pm. See you there!


Touchwood is set to sparkle and shine this Christmas, with the return of Santa’s Grotto, meet and greets with the kids favourite seasonal characters and carols from local choirs.
But wait, there’s myrrh! From Sunday 26th November until Christmas Eve, Santa’s Grotto will be open every day.
Touchwood’s Christmas programme also includes adults' choir performances and the annual School Choir Competition, which gives local school pupils a stage to entertain guests with well-known festive songs.
Kids will also be treated to a meet and greet with ‘The Gruffalo’ himself on Saturday 9th December, as he emerges from the forest to roam the malls of Touchwood.
Rounding off the festivities, the Salvation Army will be at the centre on Saturday 16th December to collect gift donations for families who are struggling this Christmas.


Jan 26, 2024
Buck is back to discuss what it means to be dead to the world.
Jan 18, 2024
Fr John Whiteford joined me once again to give an update on the Ukrainian government and its schismatic church's persecution of monks and parishioners in Ukraine, replacement theology, and the Israel Hamas war.
Jan 12, 2024
David Gornoski is back to discuss the direction of history, how Christians can direct technology, and the importance of a correct worldview to operate from.


'Nine Nights of Night Prayer' will bring the faithful together
Everyone across the eight-county Catholic Diocese of Cleveland is invited to participate in praying the Night Prayer of the Church at nine different parishes in the diocese on consecutive evenings from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Nine churches will be open for night prayer
8:15-9 pm each of those nights. Parishes taking part in this opportunity for prayer are:
St. Michael the Archangel Parish, 3114 Scranton Road, Cleveland (in Spanish)
St. Mary Parish, 242 N. State St., Painesville
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, 527 Beall Ave., Wooster
St. Peter Parish, 35777 Center Ridge Road, North Ridgeville
St. Augustine Parish, 204 Sixth St. NW, Barberton
St. Sebastian Parish, 476 Mull St., Akron
St. John Cantius Parish, 906 College Ave., Cleveland
St Luke Parish, 1212 Bunts Road, Lakewood
Holy Spirit Parish, 4341 E. 131st St., Garfield Heights
For complete information, click here.
St. Mary of the Falls
on Friday, July 23 at 9:00AM


GCU’s carol concerts have been bringing Christmas cheer to London audiences for over sixty years. Once again this year in the beautiful Arts & Crafts church of Holy Trinity Sloane Square, the Choir is delighted to be supporting Save the Children with a programme of carols old and new. There’s Bob Chilcott’s lively new carol sequence On Christmas Night, plus well-loved favourites for audience participation. A delightful evening of festive music for all.
Tickets for GCU’s Carols for Choir and Audience are on sale at the Cadogan Hall Box Office. Click on this CADOGAN HALL link to buy tickets online
Click HERE to download and save the flyer as a PDF


It seems a safe bet that God ranks up there with Coca-Cola and Anheuser Busch for brand market saturation. So many churches, so many customizable flexi-letter signs offering insight and encouragement to passing drivers as they head to the bar or wherever it is they’re going. Sometimes witty, occasionally poignant, often groan-worthy, and always with one goal: Getting people to think about God.
I’m pretty sure that if the pastor at the Westboro Baptist Church had run this sign by God prior to posting, it would not have gotten the thumbs-up. Reasons include (but may not be limited to):
- First, and obvious to anyone with corporate experience: Don’t associate your CEO with abject cruelty to innocent victims as retaliation for the actions of others. (Canceling the free coffee in the break room because one of the salespeople consistently botches his Power Point presentations is no way to build team morale.) Even if God is a killer, you people to think of God vanquishing evil, or at least something annoying like mosquito. Snuffing fuzzy little synonyms for joy isn’t the kind of press God wants.
- Next, there’s the spelling. The word is “masturbate”, and if they’d spelled it correctly, they would have been able to use the saved E to finish the last word of the message. However, I’m willing to forgive this one because it subliminally demonstrates that the folks at this church know so little about self-satisfaction that they don’t even know how to spell it. (Though the cynic on the committee in my brain thinks that exactly what they WANT me to think. Yeah, nice try.)
- Finally, they need an editor, as this seems to imply that people should wait until marriage before masturbating. If you really want people to abstain until marriage, then you need to up the ante on the reward system to include other people’s genitalia. (Though on the other hand, this might stand up as written—they may not know much about auto-eroticism, but they seem to know a thing or two about marriage.)
All in all, the fine folks at the Westboro Baptist Church ought to put a little note in the Sunday bulletin: “Wanted: copywriter. One clever line per week that reflects well on the congregation, the clergy, and God. Immediate opening.”
(This photo came from CNN’s iReport. I prefer to think it wasn’t photoshopped.)


AM and 4:30 PM (both Traditional Masses)
First Fridays: 7:00
and 9:00 AM
PM the evening before
Communal celebrations of Baptism are on the second and last Sunday of each month at 1:30 PM. All arrangements for Baptism must be made at the rectory.
The Sacrament of Marriage is celebrated:
Arrangements must be made by personal appointment with one of the priests. Couples should make an appointment with the priest at least six months to a year in advance of the marriage date. Nuptial Masses as well as ceremonies are available on Friday and Saturday. Ceremonies only are available on Sunday.
ReconciliationSaturday and Evenings of Holydays: 3:30-4:15 PM.
First Friday: 4:30-5:30 PM or by appointment.
Anointing of the Sick
The Sacrament for the seriously ill and elderly can be arranged by contacting one of the priests or at any time in an emergency. The Sacrament is also celebrated communally during the year.
RCIA (Rite for Christian Initiation of Adults)
RCIA welcomes those interested in becoming a Catholic and/or anyone seeking to further their education in the Catholic Faith.
RCIA is a comprehensive and dynamic Adult Education program for all those who seek a better understanding of the Catholic Faith, as well as a deepening of their spiritual life.
For more information about the Sacraments, call the rectory at 516-931-4351,
or e-mail email@example.com.


History of Kandanad Diocese
By the grace of God in the year 1875, during the apostolic visit of H.H. Ignatius Peter III the Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church visited the Malankara Church. In those days, the church in Malankara was administered and look-after by a single bishop. During the year 1876, His Holiness, introduce an effective administrative system and the church in Malankara was divided into seven Diocese. H.H consecrated and appointed Bishops for the newly created Dioceses. Kandanad Diocese is one among them.
The newly formed dioceses were given its name related to the famous and oldest churches situated in the concerned areas. In those days Kandanad was well-known for its marketing and trading and popular with the existence of St.Mary Jacobite Syrian Church. On 17th may 1877, the ‘ Ascention Day’ of our Lord Jesus Christ, His Holiness ordained Mor Ivanious Paulose (Murimattom) of St.Peters & St.Pauls Jacobite Syrian Christian Church Kolenchery as Metropolitan of the Kandanadu Dioceses at St. Lazzouros church Chirilayam , near Kannamkulam.
H.G Geevarghese Mor Gregoriose (Chathuruthil Mor Gregoriose ) and H.G. Geevarghese Mor Julious (Konattu) were assisted the consecration. Also with Mor Ivanious Paulose , Mor Dynasious Shemavoon (Karottuveettil) was also ordained for the Diocese of Kochi on 19th, May. His Holiness gave the “Susthathikkon” (appointment order ) to the newly ordained metropolitans. In the year 1878 June 16th, the appointment order of Mor Ivanious Paulose was read and conducted the “Sunthronisso” ceremony at Mor Michael Jacobite Syrian Christian Mamalassery , on the day of “Penthi-Kosth”.
Kandanad, S.Paravoor, Chembu, Kurinji, Puttumanoor, Kanyattunirapp, Nechoor, Mamalassery , Piravom, Onakkur, Kolanchery, Kottor, Pambakkuda, Ramamagalam, Mulakkulam, Mannathoor, Vadakara, Kuzhikkattukunnu, Puthuveli, Palakkuzha, Kadamattam were the twenty one churches including in the Kandanad Diocese. After talking over the Diocesion administration, H.G. Mor Ivanious visited the churches of his diocese and encourage them to grow in true faith and tradition. The far-sightedness of Mor Ivanious made him to purchase land for the bishop’s house and the chapel in the heart of the city of Muvattupuzha. By registering the deed for each churches, and in this deed Mor Ivanious declared true faith and allegiance to the Holly throne of Antioch.
H.G.Mor Ivanious retired from the Diocese due to the old age and weakness, His Holiness the Patriarch appointed H.G.Mor Koorilose Paulose Kochuparambil, the then Malankara Metropolitan. Several new churches were established by Him. H.G. Mor Koorilose secured 300(three hundred) acres ‘Methran Koop’ at Chathamattan near Pothanikkad, and utilized the returns to establish a seminary at Piravom.
After the death of H.G Paulose Mor Koorilose the administration of the Kandanad Diocese vested St.Paulose Mor Athanasious of Aluva, (Who was choosen as a “Malankara Metroplitan” in 1918. As per the order of H.H.Ignatius Elias III in 1920 Kumbam 25th St.Athanasious has taken change Kandanad, Kochi, Kottayam, Niranam, Thumpamon, Kollam Diocese. St. Athanasious has taken measures to ordain a metropolitan for the Kandanad Diocese, in order to reduce his duties in administration. V.Rev.Augen Ramban was elected by the Diocesan general body meeting and send to Patriarch H.H.Ignatios Elias III and H.H ordains him as metropolitan in the name of Mor Thimotheose. During his regime, seminary education started at Piravam. Mor. Augen Thimotheose shifted his residence from Piravom to Muvattupuzha. The ground floor of the Bishop’s and the chapel at Muvattupuzha was built by him. Mor Thimotheose Augen changed his allegiance to the defected catholicose group in 1942, made cheavose in the Diocese and St. Athanasious again has taken charge of the Kandanad Diocese by the order of H.H the patriarch. ‘Valiyathirumeni” made arrangements to ordain Metropolitian for each diocese and in 1925 the Diocesan general body meeting of Kandanadu Diocese conducted at Thrikkunnathu seminary, Aluva, elected Rev. Fr. P.J. Paulose (Late H.B. Mor Baseliose Paulose 2nd catholicose) and send to Homs, in1952 october 19, H.H.Ignatious Aphrem I, Patriarch, ordained him and given the name Mor Philoxinose. In 1953 January 12 Mor Philoxnose took charge of the Kandanad Diocese from Mor Athanasious. Due to the differences of the Patriarch-Catholicose factions this diocese faced very pathetic situation. So many civil cases started in different parishes and in 1956 the honorable High Court of Kerala found the arguments of Patriarch group true and declared the judgment accordingly. But unfortunately in 1958 the Supreme Court observed otherwise. After the judgment the situation becomes tensed and there started mediation for reconciliation in the church. The unity in both the faction did not last long. Trouble broke out again and Mor Philoxinose was given the additional charges of Kottayam and Kollam Diocese other than Kandanad. It was made clear that there will not be peace and tranquility in the church with out the relationship with Holly Apostlic see of Antioch. The selfless service of Mor Philoxinose found result and Mor Thimotheose Augen was ordained as the catholicose by H.H. Ignatios Yacob III, Partriarch of Antioch and all the East, in the year 1964
The catholicose faction in the Malankara Church tried to become Autocephalas and declared that the catholicose is seated in the throne of St.Thomas, which is totally against the teachings of the Holly church and the Partriarch fraction formed the Syrian Christian association to protect the true faith and allegiance to the Partriarch of Antioch, the supreme head of Universal Syrian Orthodox Church. The civil case started again, the Holly Apostolic see of Antioch accepted the plea of The Syrian Christian association and ordained H.G.Dr. Paulose Mor Athanasious in 1973 and Dr. Geevarghese Mor Gregorious , Dr. Thomas Mar Dinasious (H.G the Catholicose) and Kuriakose Mor Coorilose as Metropolitans in 1974. The Catholicose faction defected from the Holy Apostolic Church and in 1975 September 7th, Patriarch H.H.Ignatios Yacob III , ordained Mor Philoxinose Poulose Metropolitan of Kandanad Diocese as the catholicose.
In 1980 September 14, on the day of the feast of the Holly Cross, H.H.Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I enthroned as the Partriarch of Antioch and all the East. It is the blessing of the Malankkara Church that the ceremony was lead by H.B.Beselious Paulose 2nd catholicose. Mor Osthathiose Thomas (Later became Bishop of Diocese of Kochi), Mor Ivaniose Philipose were ordained as assistant Metropolitan of the Kandanad Diocese. In 1990 May 3rd, Rev. Thomas Puttaniyil was ordained as assistant Metropolitan of the Kandanad Diocese. The crises developed after the Supreme Court judgment, in 1995 June 20th, Mor Athanasious Thomas owed allegiance to the Catholicose faction. H.B. Baselious Paulose II taken to His heavenly abode in 1996 August 31st. Dr. Geevarghese Mor Gregorious ( Perumpally Thirumeny) took charge of the Kandanad Diocese and after Mor Gregorious, call for his eternal rest Dr. Thomas Mar Dynasious ( Now the H.B the Catholicose) served this Diocese as Metropolitan 2001 January 14th, was being the day of the realization of a dream of the people of Kandanad Diocese. Rev Fr. Joy Alungal was ordained by H.H. Ignatius Zakka I Iwas as Metropolitan Kandanad Diocese. H.G was given additional charges of the Arch Diocese of Malakara Syrian Orthadox Church in North America and also the Diocese of Trissur. H.G. Kuriakose Mor Diaskorose was ordained by the Patriarch and served the Kandanad Diocese as assistant Metropolitan, and later Mor Diaskorose has been relived and appointed as Metropolitan of the Simhasana Churches.
At present the Kandanad Diocese, having four regional centers comprising of projects. The main center is at Kandanad near to the Cathedral Church. It is named after the patron saint of the Diocese St.Skralla Mor Baselious, measuring 21000sq.ft
The Center at Kadakkanad is named after H.B. Baselious Paulose 2nd under whose leadership the Diocese overcome the burdles and flourished. The construction of a bishop house, Ashuwas Bhavan measuring about 32000sq.ft to accommodate 200 destitute, is already finished at his center. The Aramana Cathedral construction work is also progressing. The center at Koothattukulam is about to finish this year. The Karunnya center at Pampakkuda will be starting soon. A news bulletin, called “Resuraction” is also being published every month. Let us pray for the guidance of our Lord that everything should be for the greater glory of almighty and for the betterment of the Holy church especially of this Diocese.
History of Jacobites....
Here you can get a brief knowledge on the History and faith of Jacobite Christian in Malankara


The other day it occurred to me that a blog post on matrimony would not be amiss... There are all too many people that encourage only looking into the priesthood and the consecrated life, without encouraging young men or women to pray about matrimony, and I have recently encountered "Catholics" who are absolutely convinced that marriage is harmful to the spiritual life, but, as it were, a necessary evil. This is erroneous, fallacious, and dangerous. This conclusion is reached because the fact is acknowledged that the consecrated life is a higher calling than matrimony. (This is what the Church has said all along, so I won't get into it in any depth now, maybe later.) If this is true, it must be better for attaining salvation, and so a married person has given up his best shot at getting to Heaven. However, a vocation is that state in life for which a person is made. Practically by definition, it is through a person's vocation that the best and surest rout to Heaven is for that person. If you are one of those persons for whom I am writing this blog post, you're thinking right now: "Clearly, there is a contradiction... he just said that the best vocation is the consecrated life, but that the best vocation for anyone is their own vocation and that many people are not called to the consecrated life." So please, if you see this apparent contradiction, bear with me.
The religious life may be a higher calling than the married life, but the married life has a wholly different kind of glory. Only the consecrated life requires perpetual virginity, but marriage is still a sacrament which includes literally the fulfillment of chastity. Whereas the consecrated life takes a human faculty that brings joy and offers it to God pure and unused, matrimony takes that same faculty and uses it unto the end for which God made it. The sanctification of this faculty involves chastity, ordered to the love of the spouse and the good of the children; because marriage is so good, the abuse of chastity is so wrong. The consecrated life is a way of rising above our fallen nature in order to be brought as close to God as is possible in this life; marriage raises our fallen nature up, and brings it closer to what it was supposed to be in the beginning, when God blessed man and woman, and said "Be fruitful and multiply". In the one you may spend your whole life living God and praying to God for your fellow man, but in the other you devote your life still to God in a different mode. In the cloister you pray to God that the right people may come into the lives of sinners that they might convert; in matrimony you are on the front lines, coming into the lives of people and being used by God for the sakes of the sinners. In the cloister a person prays that good parents may give birth to and raise children to be the next generation; when you are married, you receive the graces from these prayers, because you are those parents.
It is only in matrimony that procreation is permitted because matrimony was made to sanctify the only way that humans can procreate. In this sacrament, a couple becomes a mother and a father, through mirroring God's trinity in the best way humanly possible: In matrimony two become one, and from their loving oneness children spring forth. A wise man once said that lust is wrong not because a person takes too much but that he settles for too little. This is why. Marriage carries with it great responsibility, great graces, great love, great symbolism, great joy, and humanity in its fullest.
So why is it that the consecrated life can be both higher objectively and worse for a certain person? Because both are so good, because individuals are given talents ordered to their specific vocation, to make the most out of it that can be made out of it, and because goodness comes exclusively from fulfillment of a thing's purpose. Just as a good knife is the one that cuts well, a good man is he who fulfills his calling. When a man is called to marriage, he will be holiest when he is married.


Welcome to Jesuit Theater
Home of this year's "Vitus Project"
This page is maintained through the work of Magis Theatre Company with a grant from the Jesuits of USA East and the Ignatian 500 Fund.
We hope that this can become the most comprehensive and convenient resource for finding out more about the tradition of Jesuit Theater.
This page is an evolving resource. If you know of a group that ought to be included here, let us know and we will do our best to include them.
ounded in the 16th Century, the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) is an order of Catholic priests and brothers following the tradition of Ignatius of Loyola who developed a method of contemplation and prayer that seeks a spiritual connection by use of the imagination, the feelings, and a practice of reflection in a way that is similar to what we do in theater. Whether it is fact or lore, it has even been said that much of the acting “method” used by many actors today has borrowed extensively from the Ignatian tradition.
Many of Europe’s classical dramatists were formed by Jesuit Education. Check out the History Page to find out more. As a living tradition, there are many theatre artists today who have been influenced by the Ignatian Jesuit tradition. You can find out about them on the Current Page.
This year is a special year in our history and we invite you to take part in our “Vitus Project”. You can find out more about it here.


Kindergarten – Apex
After receiving a Master’s degree in Social Work from UNC Chapel Hill concentrating on families and children, she turned her focus to education to better meet the individual needs of her own children. That focus blossomed into a tutoring business, Foundations Educational Services, where she specializes in early elementary reading, writing, and math. She also administers the Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement annually for homeschooled, public schooled, and private schooled students. Through her interaction with parents who have committed to educating their children, Dawn has found a passion in partnering with families to provide emotional support, practical guidance, and encouragement. Dawn is excited to enter the kindergarten classroom supporting children through their transition into school while laying a solid academic foundation on which to grow.
Kindergarten – Apex
After graduating from college, she worked in two different adoption agencies both as a birth parent counselor and as the office manager. She says it was a joy to watch families come together and to have the chance to pray with her clients in her different positions. Karen claims her love and passion in life is working with children. Her favorite times during the day are witnessing those ”ah-ha” moments when a child’s eyes light up just as they have learned something new. Karen is so excited about working in a Christian environment and having the opportunity to share not just knowledge but the love of our Savior with the kids! It is her hope and prayer that each child she gets to work with will see Christ in her as she strives to teach and touch their lives for God’s glory.
First Grade – Apex
Julie joined the HLA team this summer. She will be teaching first grade. She has taught preschool at Shepherd’s Weekday Preschool for 13 years and has taught many HLA staff students. Julie is excited to move into a new environment in her teaching career and is excited to be at HLA with her youngest son who is in 6th grade. She will be both a teacher and a co-teacher. She is looking forward to partnering with parents in the education of their children and in their spiritual formation as well.
Julie attended Toccoa Falls College and got a B.S. in Interpersonal & Organizational Communications. That is where she met her husband, Rob, and they have been married for 29 years. They have been in NC for most of their married lives and they have 3 children. Julie loves to read, hike, play games, and she is passionate about emotional health through a variety of inner healing modalities.
First Grade – Apex
Caitlin feels so blessed and excited to have joined the HLA staff this year. She and her husband of 11 years have a wonderful daughter who attends HLA. Born and raised in eastern North Carolina, she treasures this area she calls home.
Caitlin earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She has been a registered nurse and patient and family educator for the past six years. Her nursing career has brought forth and inspired her true passion of educating and empowering others. She has a love for learning and hopes to spark that in others as well.
She is so happy that she listened to the Lord’s nudges to pursue teaching and feels there is no other job she would rather have than teaching first graders at HLA! She is excited to combine her love for Jesus and education while supporting, encouraging, and inspiring her students. She is delighted to partner with parents in their child’s learning and spiritual journey while feeling greatly honored at the opportunity.
Second Grade – Apex
Rachael is a graduate of The North Carolina State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and her Master of Arts in Education. After teaching for 5 years in Wake County, she took a break from the classroom to stay home with her three children.
Rachael is so excited to be back in the classroom at HLA, where she hopes to inspire in her students a lifelong love of learning, while strengthening their relationship with Jesus. She and her husband, along with their 3 children serve and attend Hope Community Church and love spending time in Kure Beach with their 2 dogs.
Second Grade – Apex
Raised in the southwest, Dona earned her Bachelor of Arts at Colorado State University and her Master of Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While studying African Art History, she trained in Museum Education at the Elvehjem Museum of Art. Upon graduation, she worked as the Curator of Education at the Saginaw Museum of Art and taught art history at Saginaw State University in Michigan. Though she is enthusiastic about art and history, Dona’s heart is teaching elementary students. God faithfully provided teaching positions in Montessori schools in Michigan and North Carolina as well as an opportunity to work at Hope Community Church as the Preschool and Elementary Curriculum Coordinator. Dona feels blessed to join Heritage Leadership Academy as a second-grade teacher, where she can combine her passion for education with her desire to encourage this generation of students to know, love, and serve God.
Marrying in 1997, Dona and her husband Dave, a Michigan native, moved to North Carolina in 2005, where they are raising their two sons and daughter. The family attends and serves together at Hope Community Church. We also enjoy family movie and game nights as well as traveling to new places.
Third Grade – Apex
Amber has over ten years of teaching experience, four of those have been teaching third grade at HLA. She received both her Bachelors and Masters Degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education from California Baptist University.
She believes that as a christian educator, she has an awesome responsibility to guide young minds in cultivating their knowledge of who God is, who he has made them to be, and help shape their biblical worldview. She hopes to inspire each student to have a love for life-long learning. She desires to partner with parents in helping teach responsibility, accountability, to encourage creativity, and facilitate critical thinking. “Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew. Let my words fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants. (Deut 32:2).”
Third Grade – Apex
Fourth Grade – Apex
Fourth Grade – Apex
Katie fully believes that our only hope is found in Jesus. Being able to take that love for the Lord and mix it with her love of teaching seemed like the perfect fit for Katie. She strives to teach her own children, and now her students at HLA, that when we use the gifts and abilities given to us by our perfect and purposeful God, we will become successful in the deepest sense.
Fifth Grade/High School Guidance Counselor – Apex
Michelle joined HLA-Durham in 2018 after spending 10 years as an Army wife and a homeschooling mom. In 2019 she moved to the Apex team to continue to teach as well as serve as a school counselor in the high school.
Michelle received a B.A. in Religious Studies from Westmont College, a M.A. in Counseling Ministries from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and graduated from the Focus on the Family Institute. In private school settings, she has taught Spanish, Bible, and has served as a guidance counselor. Michelle is passionate about discipleship and encouraging others in their walk with Jesus. She treasures investing in students and supporting parents in their journey.
Fifth Grade – Apex
Bio Coming Soon.
Sixth Grade – Apex
Heidi comes to HLA from the beautiful Great Lake State of Michigan where she was born and raised on a small dairy farm. After graduating from Great Lakes Christian College (1992) with a BRE majoring in religion and minors in counseling, business, and education she went onto get her MEd in K-8 education with specialties in middle grades Math & Science at Milligan College in Johnson City Tennessee (1994). After marrying her husband Jonathan in Michigan (1995), they quickly moved south where the weather is warmer and the sun shines more often. They moved to Raleigh two years ago from Marietta, Georgia with their three teenage children, the oldest of which has already headed off to Liberty University, opening a whole new chapter of family life. The youngest (Jorja) started as a 9th grader this year at HLA.
Heidi brings over 25 years of teaching experience to HLA, having taught at both middle and high schools for public, private, and Christian schools, homeschool and homeschool hybrids. One of her greatest joys is watching children learn that their Creator reveals Himself to us through Math and Science and to give students confidence in applying knowledge gained in the world around them.
Sixth Grade – Apex
Janice is beyond excited to return to the classroom and feels extremely blessed that it is at HLA. Born and raised in Prairie View, Illinois, she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Illinois. Upon graduation, she accepted a position with Dade County Public Schools in Miami, FL where she received Teacher of the Year honors for the 1984-85 school year. After 6 years in the classroom, she left teaching to pursue other adventures. She landed in North Carolina in the early 90’s where she met and married her husband, Martin. They were blessed with 3 beautiful daughters, Katie, Lily and Abbey. When their youngest, Abbey, was ready for school, they enrolled all 3 girls at a local christian school. It didn’t take long for Janice to feel God’s pull back to the classroom. After more than a decade of chasing the world’s idea of success, she finally returned to the classroom. . .the place God created her to be. She taught there for 10 years as her daughters attended the same school. She left the classroom again after the birth of her grandson, Tucker, in 2016. This time she pursued her favorite adventure yet. . .being a Grandma!
She learned about HLA from a fellow teacher shortly after the school opened. Though intrigued by its concept, she was too busy being Tucker’s grandma and welcoming her second grandchild, Summerlin Faith in 2018. But God’s plan is ALWAYS the best, and she once again felt pulled to return to the classroom. She listened to His leading and applied to HLA. No openings; not His time. Then on July 26th she received an email from HLA asking if she’d be interested in teaching 6th grade! It was finally His time, and, as always, His timing and plan is perfect (Proverbs 16:9). The university model allows Janice to pursue her heart’s desires – teaching and being a Grandma. She gives God the glory for the entire journey that has led her here, to HLA, where she can share her passion for reading, writing and history with His young leaders in training.
Algebra 1/Admin Assistant- Apex
MS/HS Elective teacher + Student Support Specialist – Apex
Sunny Yang believes God’s heartbeat is family. She joined HLA because she is passionate about serving homeschooling families, raising up Kingdom warriors one day at a time! Graduated from Liberty University, Sunny majored in Special Education, Elementary Education, and history. She enjoys living simply with Jesus, soaking up His creation daily.
Fundamentals + Pre-Algebra – Apex
After 4 children and 10 years of homeschooling and co-op teaching, Juliana made a transition to a home-based business of one-on-one academic testing and educational consulting. She now believes that God has uniquely prepared her to teach in the UM educational setting at HLA and she looks forward to supporting and nurturing her students and their families both spiritually and academically each year.
Juliana enjoys gardening, making music and spending time with family and friends.
Logic, & Leadership – Apex
Physical Science + Chemistry – Apex
Cheryl is married to John and is mother to three adult children. She was raised as a military child, moving to Germany and back to the States again. Somewhere along the way she fell in love with science and earned a Bachelor’s in Chemistry from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Her first post-college job was in Research Triangle Park doing research based on the Clean Air Act. She chose to stay home when her children were born. They were attending a local private school when Cheryl felt called to homeschool. She spent thirteen years homeschooling her children through high school graduation. During that time, she also volunteered at her church teaching Sunday school and chaperoning youth trips.
Middle/High School English – Apex
Wanting to merge the two vocations, she earned an English major and a Master’s in Teaching at the University of Washington to become an English Language Arts teacher. She married her husband, Eric, in 2004 and they have three children – one boy and twin girls. She enjoys reading, traveling – she’s visited 47 of the 50 states (airports don’t count) – learning to cook new allergy-friendly creations for dinner and a movie themed family nights, and cheering on her children at sporting events or cheering with them watching American Ninja Warrior.
Middle/High English + History, Middle Journalism – Apex
High English + History – Apex
Middle/High School History – Apex
Middle/High School Science – Apex
Geometry + Algebra 2 – Apex
Born and raised on a wheat farm in Kansas, Gentry loves being outdoors and traveling back to the family farm whenever she can. She earned an Associates of Arts degree from Hesston College (a Christian college in Hesston, Kansas) where she played volleyball and basketball. She then transferred to Kansas State University and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS degree in Secondary Mathematics Education. She has 9 years of teaching experience in the Kansas and North Carolina public school systems. During this time, she received National Board Certification, served as a Department Chair, and coached volleyball for several years.
Middle P.E/Spanish + High School Spanish/Missions/Musical Performance – Apex
HS Apologetics – Apex
Bio coming soon.
Music – Apex
After Taylor Katye interned in youth ministry at a church, worked as house staff in a therapeutic boarding school, and taught preschool for ten years, as well as teaching private piano, voice, and violin lessons for the last 20 years and various week long music camps. She is so excited to go back to her first love of teaching music in the classroom where she is passionate about helping students learn about themselves and their world through the lens of music and giving them the tools to be life long music makers and music enjoyers!
Physical Education – Apex
Some of the books that have informed Jay’s life journey over the last half-decade are “Love Does” by Bob Goff, “Mindset” by Dr. Carol Dweck, “Beautiful Outlaw” by John Eldredge and “The Underground Railroad” by William Still. Additionally, he enjoys road trips and videography. When you see him, ask him about the time he flew his drone over Beverly Hills.
His favorite Bible verse is 2 Corinthians 8:9, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”
Jay met his wife Carla in college. Together they have four children, Anna (15), David (13), James (11), and Roger (1).
Art – Apex
High School Bible – Apex
Spanish – Apex
My experience has been that learning through song allows students to retain new language concepts far longer than simple memorization. I have applied this wonderful tool of teaching in all of my elementary classes and they have enjoyed it! In my middle school classes (7/8), it is my desire to provide the students with some conversational skills in the language which they could easily incorporate, whether it be on a mission trip or family trip to a Spanish-speaking country. I am also excited to take a closer look at Spanish-speaking countries around the globe.
Latin – Apex
Anya graduated from Asbury University in Kentucky with a degree in social work and a minor in Spanish. After moving to Raleigh, she taught high school Spanish at North Raleigh Christian Academy from 2011-2014, taking one year of maternity leave to substitute in the elementary, middle, and high school. She transitioned to staying home when her second child was on the way and have spent the last three years caring for our family as well as babysitting for several other families in her home.
Middle School Worship Band – Apex
Prior to moving to NC, Robbie was a public-school Band Director at Lancaster High School in Virginia. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Instrumental Music from James Madison University. While at Lancaster he grew the high school band program to 190 members in 10 years. His bands performed all over the Eastern US as well as overseas in London, Bahamas, and Bermuda. His bands were known for their superior performances both in concert as well as marching band. He retired in 2018 after teaching at the same school for 33 years. In 2018 he was named teacher of the year for Lancaster County Schools. In addition to his teaching job Robbie was the Music Director and Worship leader at Kilmarnock Baptist Church (Va) for 10 years. He directed the choir, lead the worship band, and planned music for all services.
“I feel extremely excited and blessed to be a part of HLA. The fact that I can teach music, disciple young people, and serve my Lord and Savior is incredible.”
In his spare time, Robbie enjoys walking, biking, playing the trumpet and just spending quality time with his wife. Robbie volunteers weekly at “With Love from Jesus” where he enjoys being God’s Hands and Feet.


Even after almost two years living in Georgia, I’m still the sort of person who can’t walk past a church without popping inside.
While I personally think every church, monastery and convent in Georgia is special in some way, believe me when I tell you you have to prioritise which ones you visit – otherwise the details and stories will be lost on you as one blends into the next.
Having visited most if not all of Tbilisi’s churches, there are, in my opinion, a few that stand out and are absolutely worth going out of your way to see – even if you’re not a church person. Some boast stunning city views, some are built on the grounds of historical monuments, and others are just plain pretty.
Here are 10 of the best churches in Tbilisi that are personal favourites of mine and worth including on your agenda.
Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.
The 10 best churches in Tbilisi worth visiting
Tbilisi is known for its religious pluralism that goes back to the days of the Silk Road. You can find multiple synagogues, a mosque, and even an old Zoroastrian Temple in the Old Town.
For the purposes of this post I am only covering Orthodox, Apostolic and Catholic churches – otherwise the list would be far too long!
Also read: Guide to Christmas in Tbilisi, including Georgian traditions and Orthodox rituals.
1. Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi (Sameba Tbilisi)
The largest church in Georgia and one of the biggest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world, Sameba is hard to miss – no matter where you’re standing, chances are you can spot it’s lustrous gold dome. To truly appreciate the scale of the facade and the building’s monumental footprint, you need to see it up close.
The church is perched on Elia Hill, with a cascading staircase leading to the main door. From the top of the stairs you get a fantastic view of not just the churchyard but also the city. Inside, the bold verticality continues with soaring white columns leading the eye skywards to the central dome. You could spend a good hour inside the building exploring the various chapels, cloisters and crypts.
Sameba was constructed over a decade-long period starting in 1995. This was a tough period for Georgia, thus the church came to symbolise the nation’s revival in the wake of the USSR’s demise.
Located in Avlabari, traditionally an Armenian neighbourhood, Sameba sits where an old Armenian church once stood – it was destroyed during the Soviet era. The attached cemetery survived, and you can still see some of the gravestones out back.
Get there: 20-minute uphill walk from Avlabari Metro Station.
2. Anchiskhati Basilica
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Anchiskhati Basilica is a tiny, modest church tucked away between the river and popular Shavteli Street in the Old Town, close to the Clock Tower and puppet theatre.
You’d be forgiven for walking right past the arched entrance without a second glance. But there is a good reason to pause here: This is Tbilisi’s oldest surviving Orthodox church, with a history that goes back to the 6th Century.
Officially the Anchiskhati Basilica of St. Mary, the stone church is home to the Anchiskhati Choir, one of the country’s leading polyphonic choral groups. Visitors are welcome to drop in for morning mass and listen to liturgical chanting. Incredible acoustics make for a moving experience.
Get there: 10-minute walk from Freedom Square.
3. Metekhi St. Virgin Church
The Virgin Mary Assumption Church of Metekhi is another of my favourite churches in Tbilisi, mainly because of its location. Stradling Metekhi Rise, it appears to hang off the cliff above the Kura river.
There has been a church at this location for as long as Tbilisi has existed. According to some sources, it was King Vakhtang Gorgasali himself (the city’s founder) who commissioned the original structure as his court church in the 5th century. The statue in the courtyard shows Vakhtang on his steed, saluting his city.
When Georgia was part of the Russian Empire, Metekhi was used as a prison. In the Soviet Era, executions took place here at the hands of the NKVD. Today, the church offers tourists one of the best views of Tbilisi. Just across the river, the Old Town’s most magnificent balconies and facades are on full display, the panorama punctuated by another beautiful church, the Armenian St. George Cathedral of Tbilisi, with its distinctive cyan dome.
Get there: 10-minute walk from Abanotubani sulfur baths (via Metekhi Bridge). Note that the gates are locked from around 6pm until 10am.
4. Karmir Avetaran Armenian Church
Speaking of Armenian churches – there are a good many of them in Tbilisi, both functioning and forsaken. The boarded-up Surb Nshan Church in the Old Town has become Insta-famous, but I much prefer visiting a different abandoned church over the river in Avlabari.
Shamkoretsots Astvatsatsin (also known as Karmir Avetaran Church) was the tallest Armenian Apostolic church in the city when it was finished in 1809. After a robbery and a failed restoration, it closed in 1937 – and that’s where the mystery begins.
First, the church was repurposed as a bakery. But apparently the dough refused to rise. It was then used as a gym and a library before eventually housing artists’ studios. In April 1989, the church almost completely collapsed in the days following an earthquake. The cupola and western facade were destroyed, leaving part of the cathedral open and exposed.
You can climb into the belly of the church from a nearby car park. The whole area is scattered with bricks and debris, and a huge crack rises up right through the centre of the ruins. Like so many other buildings in Avlabari, it’s equal parts majestic and melancholy.
Get there: 15-minute walk from Abanotubani sulfur baths (via Metekhi Bridge).
5. Sioni Cathedral
Located in the heart of Tbilisi, Sioni Cathedral of the Dormition features on most walking tour routes through the old town. Before Sameba was consecrated in 2004, this was the seat of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.
Fashioned from yellow tuff stone sourced from Bolnisi in Georgia’s southern Kvemo Kartli region, the design is simple, with mostly unadorned facades save for a few bas-relief carvings. The vivid frescoes that adorn the interior are a marvellous contrast. Sioni houses a relic of St. Nino’s Cross and burial sites for half a dozen important clergymen.
Get there: 10-minute walk from Freedom Square.
6. Mamadaviti Church & Mtatsminda Pantheon
It took me several visits plus a full year living in Tbilisi before I finally got around to visiting St. David’s Church – AKA Mamadaviti. Now, I count it among my favourite places in the city.
Pretty as it is, it’s not the church itself that I love, it’s the grounds it sits on. Cut into the side of the cliff halfway up Mtatsminda, Tbilisi’s Holy Mountain, the churchyard is home to the Mtatsminda Pantheon of Writers and Public Figures. A score of prominent artists, writers, dramatics and national heroes are buried here, memorialised with the most fabulous headstones and sculptures you can possibly imagine.
If you’re going to walk up to Mtatsminda, follow the route that leads from Sololaki past the church (see directions here). The Tbilisi Funicular also stops here.
Get there: 25-minute uphill walk from Rustaveli Metro Station.
7. Betlemi Upper Church of the Nativity of the Savior
Similarly located at one of the city’s highest points, the Upper Betlemi Church towers over Old Tbilisi. It’s reached by walking up a historic flight of stone steps known as the Betlemi Street Stairs. On Sunday mornings you’ll find the stairs busy with parishioners.
Erected in the 18th century, the church started life as an Armenian chapel before being transferred to the Orthodox Church in the 1990s. Several relics, including a carved Khachkar stone, were reportedly destroyed or disappeared in the process.
Betlemi Rise stretches out in front of the church and affords amazing views of the city, including Sameba and old Avlabari. It’s something of a community garden, shared by parishioners, local residents and a few dozen friendly cats. Bench seats erected under trellises are the perfect spot for a picnic lunch.
From there, you can continue up a second flight of stairs to reach Narikala Fortress and Mother of Georgia.
Get there: 10-minute uphill walk from Abanotubani sulfur baths.
8. Holy Lord’s Transfiguration Convent & Queen Darejan’s Palace
Also located in Avlabari on the way to Sameba, just a few blocks from Karmir Avetaran, the Holy Lord’s Transfiguration Convent is a working nunnery partially set on the grounds of Queen Darejan’s Palace.
A tiny church was built here in the 1770s by Queen Darejan, wife of King Erekle II, and was one of the few structures to survive a fire that razed the city at the end of the same century.
If you walk up Wine Rise from Metekhi Bridge, you can trace the bottom of the palace and its towering stone walls. At the top, you can stand on the lovely round wooden balcony. I recommend visiting this tiny church on Sunday mornings during mass, when the nuns’ chanting spills out into the garden.
Get there: 15-minute walk from Abanotubani sulfur baths (via Metekhi Bridge). Note that the gates are locked between around 6pm and 10am.
9. St. Peter and Paul Apostles’ Church, one of the few Catholic churches in Tbilisi
Located in Chugureti district, footsteps away from Fabrika, St. Peter and Paul’s is an 1870s Catholic church with a beautiful lemon-coloured baroque facade. A statue of Pope John Paul II in the garden commemorates the October 1999 papal mass that took place here.
This is a great Tbilisi church to visit if you need to be reminded of the contrasts between Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions. Mass is held in Georgian every morning, on Sunday mornings in English, and on Sunday evenings in Latin.
Get there: 10-minute walk from Marjanishvili Metro Station.
10. Tabori Monastery
One more for the view-seekers: Tbilisi has numerous hilltop churches but Tabori Monastery has the best vantage of all, looking directly over the Abanotubani Sulfur Baths, Narikala Fortress and the river, with the Peace Bridge also in view. This is by far my favourite frame of Tbilisi… It brings a tear to my eye every time!
It involves a bit of a hike to get up to Tabori: Starting from Abanotubani, take Bazovi Street and follow the hand-painted blue signs. If in doubt, ask a local: There are lots of people around this residential area. If you don’t want to walk to the top, there is an unmarked viewpoint roughly a third of the way up the hill.
I only recommend visiting at early twilight or during daylight hours – the path is unlit and I have seen syringes in this area before. It’s beautiful at any time of year, but summer sunsets here are something else.
Get there: 30-minute uphill walk from Abanotubani sulfur baths.
Dress code & tips for visiting churches in Tbilisi
Orthodox churches in Tbilisi have a strict dress code that you should abide by when going inside or walking in the yard. Men need to cover their shoulders and knees. Women must do the same, plus cover their hair. Some more conservative churches ask that women wear a long skirt rather than pants, but this is more common in rural areas.
Ninety-nine percent of churches have scarves and apron skirts that you can borrow at the front door. For the 1% that don’t – and just generally for hygiene reasons – I prefer to carry a lightweight cotton scarf in my bag at all times.
Be a responsible traveller and observe the behaviour code – especially if you’re visiting during mass. Do not run, talk loudly or smoke on church grounds. If there is a sign saying ‘no photography’, please respect the rules. If you’re unsure, ask someone before you start taking photos.
All churches in Tbilisi (and across Georgia) are free to visit. You will often see people at the front gate collecting money, but you are not obliged to give them anything (unless you want to).
I personally prefer to put a few coins into the official church donation box, which should be somewhere near the back of the building. Better still, buy a votive candle or something small from the gift shop.
You might also be interested in…
– The ultimate Georgia itinerary: Four detailed & custom designed itineraries
– Places to visit in Georgia: 35+ unique destinations around the country


Monday, 2 September 2013
The other thing we did was blog everyday on each of the passages so as to create a kind of youth friendly, easy to access commentary on the entire Bible.
Well, this year I'm planning on doing the whole thing again and I want to invite anyone who wants to join me to do so. Some young people are coming along for the journey too.
I'm going to repost all the blogs from last time round, editing them where I think they need it.
It started yesterday so, if you want to try this, you've got one day of catching up to do.
Until the Youth Project website is revamped I'm posting my blogs on Facebook, so you can find them by clicking here.
Monday, 19 August 2013
Thursday, 6 June 2013
- Chicken Rogan Josh
- Dum Bara Gosht (a baked beef curry)
- Kaddu Korma (a creamy butternut squash curry)
Monday, 29 April 2013
I'm putting myself through this to raise money for the summer camp in Romania that a team of our young people are running in conjunction with Carpathian Aid. Below is the link to my just giving page if you're feeling in a generous mood (which I'm sure you are!).
Thursday, 25 April 2013
Light House Cafe
Salary £6.50 per hour
Monday, 18 March 2013
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
All of a sudden Simon knows that Jesus isn’t just a good man, a wise teacher, a dispenser of ideas or a kindly friend. Face to face with the full reality of all that Jesus is, he becomes all too aware of who really is too. In that moment, Peter feels ashamed, like Adam and Eve when they realised they were naked: “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid” (Genesis 3:10). Or like Isaiah in his vision in the heavenly throne room: ‘“woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips…”’ (Isaiah 6:5). Peter, a little more bluntly, simply blurts out, ‘“Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man’” (Luke 5:8).
When we truly encounter Christ we cannot maintain our facades of holiness, our vain attempts at charity, our continuing shortcomings. Any true encounter with Christ in his righteousness strips away the masks and illusions we put on to allow us to have our own way whilst keeping our consciences sufficiently distanced from the scrutiny of God and others.
The problem, of course, is that we desperately want these illusions about ourselves to be true. That’s why W.H. Auden can write:
But as we encounter Christ, our illusions of ourselves cannot survive.
The French painter Georges Rouault was walking past a circus caravan one evening and saw an old clown repairing his costume. What struck him was the contrast between the costume and make-up worn by the clown and the ‘infinite sadness’ that rested just below the paint. Rouault wrote, “I have seen clearly that the clown was I, was us, almost all of us… That sumptuous sequin covered costume is given to us by life, we are all clowns to a greater or lesser extent, we all wear a ‘sequin covered costume.’ But if someone surprises us as I have surprised the old clown, oh! Who would then dare say that he has not been overwhelmed, down to the pit of his stomach, by an immense pity?”
Christ surprised Simon-Peter on the shore of Lake Galilee that day and Simon-Peter was ‘overwhelmed , down to the pit of his stomach, by an immense pity.’ And he was right to be, as we all should be when face to face with Christ in his glory. But the amazing truth to hold onto this Lent is the word Jesus speaks into Simon-Peter’s moment of agonising self-awareness: “Don’t be afraid” (Luke 5:10).
In our world of illusions, masks and make-up, only Jesus has the authority to say those words at the moment of our unmasking, because he alone knows us as we really are, and yet loves us anyway! And only Christ’s love can redeem the poverty that we so desperately seek to hide. No wonder Simon-Peter ‘left everything and followed him’ (Luke 5:11).
Thursday, 21 February 2013
But why does the journey of dsicipleship involve a journey into the desert? Many of us were taught to believe that when we decided to follow Jesus all out troubles would be over. Yet, if we want to walk in his footsteps over during Lent and beyond, they lead deep into the wilderness. You see, the desert exposes and lays bare; it exposes our vulnerability and lays bare our weakness in the face of temptation. The desert reveals the harsh reality that we are sinful but, in so doing, it also reveals our absolute dependency on God’s grace.
There are dangers in the desert… we can quickly start to dehydrate and despair can overtake us. If we’re not careful, soon we’ll dry out and allow the evil one to overcome us. Equally, we can take mercy for granted and ignore the harsh lessons that the desert teaches us. If we cheapen grace then we risk being duped by the devil who wears the ‘deceitful face of hope,’ as T.S. Eliot put it. But, if in the desert we sense our own poverty and guilt, all the while keeping the vision of Christ before us, then the desert experience will strengthen us for the journey ahead. The desert represents an encounter between our misery and God’s mercy, our guilt and his forgiveness.
Self-sufficiency is all the rage at the moment – in food, energy, finance and so on. The temptations of Christ in the desert were all designed to lure him out of his relationship with God and into a self-sufficient life. The temptation to turn stones into bread was about exercising power on his own behalf rather than trusting himself to his Father’s care. The temptation to fling himself from the pinnacle of the temple was about making use of God rather than serving him. The tempatation to rule over all the nations of the earth was about setting himself up as an idol. Each temptation is an appeal to self-sufficiency: to rely on his own devices for securing power, pleasure and position.
Each of Christ’s responses, all from the Scriptures, show that he remians faithful to his relationship with his Father. You see, sin is not just breaking a moral code but – first and foremost – the fracturing of a relationship. All temptation is a call to selfishness. If we remain faithful and obedient, as Christ did, we acknowledge that are lives are fundamentally relational. Self-sufficiency should not be all the rage for the Christian. In the desert of temptation we live either obediently within relationship to the Trinity, or alientated in the hell of our own disobedience.
In the desert we can give up or we can embrace our emptiness, vulnerability and guilt with complete trust… and find God. And in finding God we find ourselves and the strength to journey on.
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
- The invitation
- The desert of temptation
- Uncovering illusions
- The abiding presence
- The abundance of joy
- The movement outward
- The final act
'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,and I will give you rest.
and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.'
The thing is, whatever you think of icons, this one was never meant as a lovely decoration for a place of worship or as a helpful explanation of a difficult doctrine... this icon is an invitation. It is an invitation out of ourselves and into the house of God; an invitation out of fear and into love. And, with the vansihing point located in us, the perspective opens before us. What Rublev is trying to say is that, as we accept God's invitation, our life opens beyond us into the ever-widening life of the Trintiy
Lent - and, for that matter, the Christian life - begins with an invitation. It begins with the call of Christ to leave ourselves behind and follow him. George MacDonald once worte, 'Christ is the way out, and the way in: the way from slavery, conscious or unconscious, into liberty; the way from the unhomliness of things to the home we desire but do not know; the way from the stormy skirts of the Father's garments to the peace of his bosom.'
The problem is that such an invitation seems almost too good to be true and, as such, is difficult to accept. We become all too aware, like the invited guest in George Herbert's Love Bade Me Welcome, that we are 'guilty of dust and sin.' The truth is this, though, that Love does bid us welcome... he draws near to us... he takes us by the hand... he implores us to sit at his table.
The invitation is there. All we have to do is make a movement towards Christ. And every step taken toward him confirms the mystery that our journey into the community of the triune God is our journey home. My prayer, as Lent unfolds before us and as we contemplate Rublev's icon, echoes that of Steven D. Purcell: 'that we might move beyond the confines of ourselves into the life and infinite possibility of the triune God.'
Sunday, 18 November 2012
Allan McKinlay doing the lead vocals and Yvonne Lyon doing backing vocals. Other talented musicians playing!
Soon to be available on Amazon, iTiunes, Spotify, and MediaNet
Monday, 8 October 2012
Hilton Parish Church
After the morning service on Sunday 4th November there's going to be a congregational lunch.
I think some people may have misunderstood the information, thinking that 'church family lunch' meant that it was a lunch for families within the church as oppossed to for everyone - single, married, with children or without - who belongs to the family of the church itself.
I hope that clarifies any misunderstanding and hopefully lots of you can make it along. All the congregational lunches I've been part of in the past heave been really enjoyable times of fellowship and getting to know one another better.
If you could indicate if you'll be bringing a dish with you (hot savoury, cold savoury or dessert) on the sign-up sheet in the church lobby that would be great.
Monday, 9 July 2012
If you were willing to help out with some of the driving (it's a nine seater car, just so you know) that would be great. But, other than that, it would essentially just be spending time with 23 brilliant teenagers from the church, 5000 others from across the UK and God. What more could you want?!
Oh, and maybe I ought to mention that you'll be camping!
It'll be awesome fun. Let me know if you're interested by dropping me an email (email@example.com) or giving me a call (07540 168744).
Wednesday, 27 June 2012
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Thursday, 14 June 2012
I want to let you know that the first Scottish Regional Day of the national movement Christian Vision for Men (CVM) is taking place in Inverness this June as part of the aLive Festival. It takes place on Saturday 23rd June at Culduthel Christian Centre and will run between 9.30 – 4.00pm.
I am very excited about this event, it is the first of it's kind to be held in Scotland, and it is happening right here in Inverness!
The ethos of CVM is for local men to reach local men and they want to help you to do just that. The day will feature food, music, seminars, fellowship and teaching from CVM General Director Carl Beech and will address real issues men face in today’s world. I attended one of their regional days in London last year and can highly, highly recommend the event, it is a very relaxed, enjoyable day.
Can I PLEASE ask that you consider coming along, and to encourage as many men as possible from your church or ministry to come along to this worthwhile day? Tickets (which include lunch and refreshments) are now only £15 per person but there is a saver price of £10 for bookings of 10 or more! We are also running a buy one get one free offer, so you can invite a friend for nothing! Click here to get your ticket.
You can find out more about Christian Vision for Men at http://www.cvm.org.uk/ and the aLive Festival at www.alivefestival.co.uk and I have also attached a booking form. If you don’t think you’re the right person to “rally” everyone together for this could you forward on to someone who may be able to and therefore ensuring the men at your church don’t miss this.
Please can I ask you to consider supporting this special Men's Day, uptake has been very low so far, and it is proving hard to encourage Christian Men to come together for an event such as this, Your support would be really appreciated.
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
This should be a great night. Come along with family - invite friends - and be cooked for and waited on by the young people in the church.
The cause, just so you know, is getting all the young people down to Soul Survivor (hiring a minibus, petrol and so on) and making sure that they're fed and watered when they get there. Our funds are still a bit short for this so come along and help us out!
If you want to book a table please call me on 01463 233310 or email me at firstname.lastname@example.org.
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Saturday, 5 May 2012
Thursday, 3 May 2012
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Thursday, 26 April 2012
Friday, 20 April 2012
Sunday, 8 April 2012
Friday, 6 April 2012
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Saturday, 24 March 2012
Friday, 23 March 2012
Hopefully by now you will have received programmes and information on all the events taking place as part of the aLive Festival this June. We don’t wish to clog up people’s inboxes with lots of emails and tend therefore to do most of our updating through our facebook page but as not everyone is on facebook I just wanted to highlight a couple of important things:
31st March (next Saturday) is the last date for the “early bird” prices for the Equip conference, Ladies’ Night and the Christian Vision for Men Day. Tickets will of course still be available after that date, they just cost a bit more! The Equip conference in particular has the potential to be an outstanding day. To be held at Smithton & Culloden Free Church, it is packed full of inspiring speakers, seminars and workshops and we have 18 different local and national ministries represented at the day. The whole day is aimed at “equipping” you and your church to impact your community. Please encourage as many folks as you know to book their place early. The early ticket price of £10 covers the whole day, people can stay for it all or come and go as they desire – it also include the worship evening with Dave Bilborough. Tickets are available at www.alivefestival.co.uk or CLC bookshop in Inverness.
Eden Court have now released the rear circle seats for the Keith & Kristyn Getty with Stuart Townend and New Scottish Art Choir concert on 6th June. The tickets have been selling rapidly for this event – could you please help us ensure that people are aware tickets are going fast and if they are hoping to attend should be considering purchasing their ticket soon – these are available from Eden Court box office only.
If you are a “facebooker” please do “like” our page following the link in the first paragraph of this email. This is the most effective way of keeping up to date with what’s happening. Our own website is at www.alivefestival.co.uk . If you have yet to see a programme for this year’s festival please let me know by return email and we’ll get one to you.


Catherine has asked me to post on our blog, a remembrance of June 4 1989.
So here’s the first thing that came to my mind, from the Gospel of John, 18:38. That was when Jesus was on trial before Pontius Pilate, and Pilate asked Him, “What is truth?”
It was the ultimate and eternal confrontation between Truth and power. Jesus personified Truth, but the Powers of the World refused to acknowledge any Truth other than their own power. Consequently, Truth was murdered by power…
…but then the Truth rose from the dead!
What is Truth? THIS is Truth!:


June 12, 2012
Dear Knaphus Family,
Elder Knaphus arrived in Edmonton on Tuesday, the 12 of June. He arrived with 12 other missionaries that he worked with closely at the MTC. They looked a little anxious when they stepped through the doors, but thankful to be here. We were there to greet them at the airport, President and Sister Campbell and the assistants showed up shortly after they arrived with the van and trailer.
It was a pleasure to finally meet your son, Elder Knaphus, after studying his picture for the past few weeks. The assistants helped them load their luggage into the van and we were on our way to the mission office.
Once at the mission office we introduced them to the office staff and had a bite to eat. They were very tired and hungry and appreciated the lunch we provided for them. We had the opportunity to sit down and eat with them and enjoyed the time to just visit. They filled out and signed the necessary forms that would allow them to get right to work.
After the office we went to the mission home, where the missionaries were able to sit and rest while President Campbell had the privilege of interviewing each one of them. We welcomed them into our home and saw that they were well cared for. During interviews they received their first training by the assistants.
We provided dinner and then had a fireside where they watched a DVD of sights from the mission. Then we had the privilege to hear testimonies from each of the new missionaries.
Thank you for raising such an amazing son and preparing him for the work. We look forward to serving with him and watching him grow in testimony and purpose as he serves the people of the Canada Edmonton Mission.
Enclosed is a photo of your son with us on the day he met his new companion. May God bless you and your family during Elder Knaphus' service here in Edmonton.
With warm regards,
President and Sister Campbell


His antics with the other men and more finally cost him his chance at love.
After he told Hannah that he would have to leave if she had been intimate with the other guys, she fired right back by showing him the door and telling him she had been with the other men, which left him shocked.
"It hurt my heart that @alabamahannah felt I was shaming her," Luke said on Instagram. "In our conversation my heart was never to judge or condemn Hannah. I was simply making a decision for myself on what I expected in our relationship, our conversations and our beliefs led me to believe we were on the same page about sex. For me it was never about getting a rose, it was always about finding a wife who would choose me everyday just as I would choose her everyday."
He continued by adding that he had "made mistakes" and "didn’t totally behave as the man I want to be."
"This journey has taught me so much and for that I am grateful but the greatest gift I have received is a compassion for those who love the world and it’s ways. My desire is to put the Father first above all things and share the truth that he has given to us all," he added. "Thank you everyone for the prayers always remember speak truth and rid yourself of all hate, let compassion drive your words. Stay tuned."
On Monday's episode, things started off great, with Luke telling Hannah that when he looks into her eyes, he sees his “future wife.”
However, the date took an ugly turn at dinner when Luke brought up sex: specifically, that he needs a commitment from Hannah that she won’t have sex with the other men. That doesn’t sit well with Hannah, who believes Luke has no right to make such a demand. He tried to walk to back his statement but it’s too late.
Finally, the moment for which fans have been waiting all season arrives, as Hannah, who has finally gotten “clarity” on Luke, tells him she doesn't want him to be her husband.
On Twitter, the two of them got into a back and forth about the departure and their vision of faith.
"@AlabamaHannah The difference in how we view sin is seen in the response, I’m weeping at mine and you’re laughing at yours. All sin stings. My heart hurts for both of us," Luke tweeted.
Hannah then decided to respond and wrote, "Time and time again jesus loved and ate with 'sinners' who laughed. and time and time again he rebuked 'saints' that judged. where do you fall Luke? #TheBachelorette."
@luke_parker777 time and time again jesus loved and ate with “sinners” who laughed. and time and time again he rebuked “saints” that judged. where do you fall Luke? #TheBachelorette https://t.co/FlhZ5JbOCA— Hannah Brown (@AlabamaHannah) July 16, 2019
Luke also added, "There is a difference between eating with sinners who laugh and sinners who laugh at their sin. Sin is the very thing that put Jesus on the cross and that’s not a laughing matter."
Hannah was having none of that and wrote, "I have never said that i find my sin funny. i’m not going to lectured on appropriate emotional responses by a guy who threw deli meat in a guys lap."
@AlabamaHannah There is a difference between eating with sinners who laugh and sinners who laugh at their sin. Sin is the very thing that put Jesus on the cross and that’s not a laughing matter. https://t.co/cU1YlEgeFB— Luke Parker (@luke_parker777) July 16, 2019
Her last tweet to him was, "The devil wants to shame sin. God dealt with shame when he dealt with sin, so i will not allow someone who comes in the name of God to bring me something that God has taken off me."
@luke_parker777 the devil wants to shame sin. God dealt with shame when he dealt with sin, so i will not allow someone who comes in the name of God to bring me something that God has taken off me.— Hannah Brown (@AlabamaHannah) July 16, 2019
"The Bachelorette" returns with "The Men Tell All" next week on ABC!


Christ Episcopal Church in downtown Binghamton held a Good Friday liturgy at noon.
The service was very solemn without music and no flowers or crosses adorning the altar, as Christians marked the day when Jesus was crucified.
The Reverend James Jones says today's holiday is as religiously significant as Easter Sunday because without Christ's death on the cross, there can be no resurrection two days later.
Despite the solemnity, the day does represent a mixture of joy and sorrow.
"It's a unique experience on this day when we experience the sadness of death that we all experience. And also the victory over death," said Jones.
Christ Church, located on Henry St. across from the Lost Dog Cafe, holds another Good Friday service this evening at 7.
Easter Sunday services are at 8 and 10 a.m.
Copyright 2017 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


christian social entrepreneurs
Hi, my name is Evangelist Kanwal Gill, I live in Sahiwal Punjab, Pakistan with my family. We have a ministry called New Life Ministry and we evangelize and teach children from here… and we also run a ministry school where we are giving free Education to Christian poor children. We also running Sunday School for these Christian children, where they are getting Christian Biblical education too!
About a year ago I met Julia and Brian Corradetti on face book and they have been faithfully sowing into our ministry. New Life Ministry is able to work in many Villages in with a Gospel mission with the help of Julia n Brian now, they both are sending help to New Life ministry to spread the words of thy Lord in Pakistan! They can do this because of their business, with Mannatech.
One day I asked Julia if I could join her business cos I love Mannatech n what Mannatech doing is Incredible, I always admire Julia’s work, and I requested her to give me a Job in Mannatech, she gave me this opportunity, I thank her for this super favor, now I’m working for Mannatech from my home with the help of my Computer, I’feel so blessed to work for that company which is doing a great mission to feed 5 million kids in the world.
Some days ago Julia, give me a good news that I got a cheque from Mannatech, I was so happy and got excited because it was my first cheque I ever received. Its all cos of Mannatech and Julia! She trusted me and I’m doing this work with passion cos I love Mannatech!~ I pray that Mannatech get great success. Julia, Brian and I can go and do best for Mannatech in future! at last I would like to share my fave lines and that is…. Mannatech, A company has it all!
Evangelist Kanwal Emanuel Gill!
Kanwal, Brian and I, would like to invite you to our new Christian Social Entrepreneurial info Calls coming soon to tell you more of what’s happening around the world and how you can play a part to Change your world and change THE world, just like Kanwal has.


I have been a pastor for 18 years, and they haven’t all been good ones. But I am learning what it means to be a pastor, and the bad years have taught me just as much as the good ones. Maybe more.
I’m not sure if many pastors read my stuff, but for those who do, here is my encouragement to you. Here are my learnings. I care a lot about the future of the church, and so I care a lot about pastors, because it’s a much more taxing job than we let on, most of the time.
Here is what I’m learning as I wrestle with my own calling:
Try + Fail = Learn is the only formula I trust. I used to be so tempted to try to copy the formulas and successes found in the great church conferences that I went to in the 90’s. They were so inspiring. Unfortunately, my ambition drove me to want to succeed so badly that I tried copying a lot of great stuff that I shouldn’t have ever tried to copy. I’m learning that each church is unique, and we are called to be faithful to her unique story. While we can learn from the successes of others, our own failures, rooted in our own story, are far better teachers. I’m leaning that for me to really be leading and trusting God with our future, I’ll always be doing things that I don’t really know how to do, and when I do that, I’ll fail a lot. But the point is not perfection (or even success), the point is faithfulness to the unique calling on your unique church.
I’m learning not to waste my time on haters. I know, that sounds harsh. But I used to think I had to spend a lot of energy and time on the scary people, people who are vindictive and angry and want to make me (and others) pay. But I’m learning to confront what I need to confront with directness and compassion, and then move on. In fact, I’ve learned that spending more time with vindictive people almost never helps them, or me. It takes a monumental amount of energy, and it’s just not worth it. This has been a hard lesson to learn.
Calling is rooted in place and people, more than my gifts. I used to think that my gifts (like preaching or leadership) are what I am called to do. Now I think that calling is about a specific geographical place and a specific local people, and while my gifts are at play in that setting, my gifts are not the point. I’ll never forget the moment, looking out at the people at my church, and it hit me: I love them. These actual people in this actual church. I’m called to them, not just to preach or lead. For me, that’s calling.
I’m leading less strategically and more messily. I used to think that we had to have an iron clad strategic plan so that we could know whether we were succeeding at our mission. Strategic plans are important. But I’m learning that being a pastor, and leading other pastors, is mostly about entering into the scary and mysterious parts of people’s lives. Helping a couple try to remember that they love each other. Sitting with a gay person in my church and hearing her story. Listening to a parent cry over her adult child’s bad decisions. At our church, our mission statement is “To invite people to pursue the struggle of becoming fully alive in God.” That’s messy.
I’m learning to be for something, instead of against it. It took me a long time to realize that I was fighting against the very church in which I was spending my life’s energy. This came from an arrogant and naïve place, thinking that I knew what was really important, and almost nobody else did. But it also came from a wounded place, needing so badly to be heard. Thank God, I am breaking free of that slavery. I honestly just don’t have the energy for that anymore. There are things to fight against. But the true prophetic voice that this culture needs is rooted within something deep and strong and true – the essence and Spirit of Jesus. It is not enough to simply be against something.
The best thing I can bring to ministry is my own transforming self. Being transformed into the image of Christ is a mouthful. What it means is that in my actual life, what’s most important is that I’m arranging my life so that I’m empowered by Jesus to become who he wants me to become in my marriage, in my family, and in my community, for my own joy and for the sake of others. I am grateful to my time spent with Ruth Haley Barton and the Transforming Center for this lesson. It’s so easy for pastors to think incessantly about the health of others, while neglecting our own souls. And when we do that, everybody loses.
If you’re a pastor (or were a pastor, or want to be a pastor) what are you learning?


150 Years of Methodism in Crowthorne
Helping people to meet with God, rejoice in and express his love
10 Dukes Ride, Crowthorne, Berkshire. RG45 6LT
150 years ago, on the 15th April 1870 (which was a Good Friday), the first Methodist Church in Crowthorne was erected on the site where our present Church now stands.
We are a very active church with a number of
regular groups and various special events.
For more information on regular groups please
The calendar shows all regular and special events.
Due to the current Covid situation many of our groups are meeting virtually. Please phone for details.
Prayers are held in peoples’ homes or church for informal prayers and discussion
Bible Study & Fellowship Groups
Tuesday Fellowship is held weekly and provides informal bible study and discussion
Thursday Fellowship held weekly and provides informal bible study and discussion
Men’s and Ladies Social Groups
Serendipity is a monthly Ladies Group meeting to look at a wide range of interesting topics
Men’s Group is a monthly get together for an informal social chat or sometimes a more formal topic discussion or speaker.
Coffee Mornings are hosted in the Church Reception Room every Tuesday after the Tuesday service.
Copyright Crowthorne Methodist Church 2020


Mission 901 is passionate about seeing the church living loud their faith in word and deed.
What makes Memphis so unique? Learn more about this Memphis, this city we call home.
Join us in Memphis for a week of telling all the good things of God!
6896 US Hwy. 70,
Bartlett, TN 38133
Phone: (901) 373-6161
Fax: (901) 373-2992
© 2018 Mission 901. Copyright © 2015 Mid-South Baptist Association. All rights reserved.


Back in 2010, I was impressed with the Holy Spirit to share my profession and willingness to help others. After doing research of medical missions, I felt led by the Holy Spirit to volunteer with Hand of Hope.
I have been so impressed how the Lord has moved in my life. Not only did it change me, but it also changed my husband even though he was staying home.
He stayed home that is until May, 2013. Because of an unction from the Holy Spirit, Robert joined our Shkodra, Albania team. He was able to touch many lives as he worked in what is called “crowd control”, guiding and helping the patients as they wait for their treatment. Above is a photo of us in front of the church we used in Albania.
Being able to serve on the Albania mission team was truly a blessing from The Lord as Robert was filled with hidden metastatic malignant tumors and passed into Heaven on December 12, 2013.
Robert made me promise I would continue serving with Joyce Meyer Ministries Hand of Hope. My plan is carry out that promise and use this website is to share my experiences, so that you and others may be encouraged to step out of your comfort zone and use the talents God has equipped you with to help others.
I also would like to offer you an opportunity to sow seed into my life, so that, I may continue to use my profession that God has blessed me with to help others while sharing the love, the grace, and the power of the resurrected Christ. My husband taught me to take the principles of tithes and offering very seriously. I promise to do my utmost in insuring that I will be good ground, so that you will be able to reap a good harvest from your gift.
For information on how to contribute, please click on “Donations” in menu. Donations may now be made as personal gifts.
Since all gifts are anonymous, I want to take this moment to give thanks to all of you who heed the call of the Holy Spirit in blessing me and therefore blessing others.
If you have any questions of a personal nature, please contact me at
Thank you for your support. Prayer support first and only if led your monetary support.
New International Version (NIV)
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’


This past weekend I spent a few days in Lawrenceville, GA (not to be confused with Atlanta). MTW had a Vision Retreat for three days that I attended to learn more about short and long term options. The weekend at MTW headquarters was wonderful. I had the opportunity to interact with many of the staff members and recruiters from the organization. Different departments shared what they do, their interactions with missionaries, and why so many of them have been there 10+ years. I think what I loved most about this experience was seeing how much the MTW staff cares for, loves, and prays for their missionaries. While there I also got to hear from five different missionary families. I had some really valuable time learning about the missionaries, sharing my story with them and getting really great feedback. We also spent time in prayer with each other which was wonderful. I met missionaries from Australia, Australia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Peru. All of them in different stages of time in the field. I appreciated the honesty of the missionaries as they shared their experiences, their struggles and God's faithfulness through it all. They talked about God's sovereignty, his perfect plan, and our own pride.
I think my favorite part of the trip was that I had time for great one on one conversations with many of the missionaries to learn more about them and their experiences. They were interested in hearing about me and my call. Dr. Kooistra, the head of MTW talked with us about support raising and what it means to be called.
My prayer is that the Lord would continue to make my next steps clear. That he would continue to give me clarity as I move forward in my final year at CTS. That he would give me a burden for a people group whether it is stateside or abroad and that my heart would be open to his direction and call on my life.
To those that are considering the Vision Retreat (you know who you are), I highly recommend it. Even if the area of the world you are interested in serving is not present MTW will arrange a time for you to speak with someone from the Resource Team to learn more about opportunities. The time with staff and missionaries was very encouraging. They were able to answer questions and concerns. I still do not know what my next steps will be but feel at peace and encouraged knowing that I can't make a wrong decision about it.


Last Updated Sunday, December 26, 2021 9:24PM UTC
The members of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, Priory of Canada, along with the volunteers and staff of St. John Ambulance Canada share their sincerest condolences upon the sad occasion of the death of The Most Reverend Desmond Tutu.
His life of service to his country and his people were a humbling inspiration for the rest of the world, and will not be forgotten. We hope you take comfort in the memory of the tremendous legacy of justice, freedom and leadership that he leaves behind.
*Image Copyright: The Canadian Press