Welcome Father John Russin!
We welcome with open arms Father John, Matushka Catherine, and their children Stephan, Aleksy, Sarah, Madison Elizabeth and Mason Alexander! Father John is now our full-time parish priest at Protection of the Virgin Mary, Merrillville, IN.
Father John and his family come to us from Northwest Ohio. Father John has served as priest at parishes in Pennsylvania and West Virginia as well.
Father John received his Master of Divinity degree at St. Tikhon Seminary in 1996 and was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in 1997. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Science from Alderson-Broaddus College and is a licensed State Tested Nurse Aide.
Prior to being ordained, Father John served as choir director at parishes in Ohio, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, as well as serving as director of the Mission Choir at St. Tikhon while at seminary. Father John has also been active in various deanery and diocesan assignments, including work with Christian education.
We are blessed to welcome Father John, Matushka Catherine and their family into our family!
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Annual Meeting February 15, 2015
Our annual meeting on February 15 will be preceded by a potluck luncheon in the hall. The church will provide chicken. Please bring a dish if you can. Important decisions for the church year including approval of the church budget will be discussed, so please plan to attend. Please pick up an annual report and review it so that you’ll be ready to discuss important topics at the meeting.
Youth Group Lock-In February 13, 2015
Starting at 6 pm at the church for ages 9 and up only please. Bring sleeping bags, pillows and blankets, as we will be locked in! Father John Russin will be guest speaker on “Everything Angels”. Evening will include the movie “Narnia” on projector screen, followed by general rowdiness, and then another movie. Pizza and pop will be provided, but bring some snacks. There will be breakfast the next morning: homemade waffles,
Fashion Show and Luncheon: “Fire and Ice” March 8th
Our fashion show and luncheon, “Fire and Ice”, is Sunday, March 8, 2015, at 1 pm (Daylight Saving Time begins) at the Avalon Manor Banquet Center, 3550 East U.S. 30, Hobart, Indiana. Doors open at Noon, luncheon at 1:00 pm, Show begins after luncheon. Bake sale and raffle, with gift basket prizes. Ladies’ fashions provided by Fashion Affair Boutique, 233 East 84th Drive, Merrillville, IN Phone (219) 736-1710. Come join us for an afternoon of fun and fellowship, for men and women. Donation: $35 per person. To purchase tickets: Please call Nada Buczek (219) 765-4314; Elizabeth Pederson (219) 365-6360 or any committee member. Make checks payable to “PTVM”.
Scrip Shopping – Year Round
A wide variety of retailers participate in the scrip program, and if you’re looking for something special that’s not on the table, please ask. In many cases, it can be ordered. Many well-known stores and restaurants, for instance, participate.
Remember, you can use scrip for a number of day-to-day stops, like gasoline, groceries, pharmacies, and more, throughout the year.
Scrip is still the most underused means of helping the Church. The Church could be benefiting so much more if more were involved. Please consider seeing Lara Hughes after Church. If you’re new to scrip, start small and find out how easy it is. Thank you!
From the Bookstore
Our Bookstore has a wide variety of literature and gifts. Please feel free to browse after Church on Sunday.
Add Your Voice to the Choir
Ever thought about joining the Choir? See Choir Director Rebecca Baskin.
Web/Email Adult Scripture and Study Program
We have started a web/email-based Adult Scripture and Study Program. The goal is for those interested to be able to participate from home via the internet. If you are interested in joining the group, please submit your email address here: ptvmcalendar@gmail.com.
