Third Annual Winter Youth/Young Adult Service Retreat

 Tentative Schedule of Activities

Because of Nativity/Christmas falling on Tuesday this year and our not wanting participants to travel during the sometimes precarious New Year's Eve Holiday, our schedule for this year's activities will be altered slightly from the past two year's events.

Saturday, December 29th:

Day for Travel - Registration in Evening

Snacks ~ Fellowship ~ Blessing of Retreat Site

For those who arrive early enough, meet us for

Great Vespers at St. George's at 6 PM.*

St. George's Orthodox Church is located at 704 W. Sam Houston in Pharr, Texas

If you arrive after 7:30 PM, come directly to the Valley Baptist Retreat Center, located at:

1600 E. Business Hwy. 83; Mission, TX 78572

NOTE: If you need directions, wish to update us on your travel progress or have trouble on the road, call us on our cell phones at: 956-358-8875 (Father Antonio) or 956-358-1941 (Analucia)

(*Our first official 'retreat covered meal' won't be until brunch on Sunday after Divine Liturgy, but those who arrive early can pitch in $ together and we can have something together, like pizza and salad, plus fellowship time Saturday after Vespers.)

Sunday, December 30th:

9:30 Hours; 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy

Brunch after Liturgy

Welcome & Introduction Sessions

Opening Spiritual Session

(Session Open to Parish & Public)

Welcome: Fr. Antonio Perdomo, Pastor, St. George’s Orthodox Church

Introductions – Orientation to the Borderlands

1st Spiritual Retreat Session: Fr. Joseph Hunneycutt, Author & Pastor of St. George's Antiochian Orthodox Church in Houston, Texas

Evening Prayers at Baptist Center

 

Monday, December 31st ~ New Year's Eve

Prayers ~ Breakfast

2nd Spiritual Session

Lunch

Sorting & Organizing Donations

3rd Spiritual Session

6 PM Great Vespers for the Circumcision of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ

After Vespers: Dinner, New Year's Eve Party, Dancing, maybe the Talent Show???

Tuesday, January 1st, 2008 ~ New Year's Day

Wear Clothes Suitable for Church Services; Bring along your Swim Suits, Towels, Hats, Sunscreen & other beach gear when you leave the Retreat Center!

Divine Liturgy for the Feast or Morning Prayers

Breakfast/Brunch

Make Lunches & Load Up for Day-Long Trip to South Padre Island Beaches

Eat either at beach or on return trip; back to Retreat Center for Showers & gametime or movie

Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008

Wear Casual Clothing; Bring Clothes for Vespers

Morning Prayers, Breakfast

St. George's Food Pantry - Pick up food from Food Bank of Rio Grande Valley; set up for special distribution of Blankets, Coats, Toys and such, plus Food Boxes for more than 100 families!

Late Lunch & Afternoon Spiritual Session

Down Time (Field Soccer?)

6 PM Daily Vespers

Dinner & Movie or Session or Activity or Talent Show or Spanish Choir Practice or...

Thursday, January 3rd, 2008

Morning Prayers ~ Breakfast

Load Up Vehicles ~ Day Trip to Reynosa, Mexico

Casa Amparo Orphanage for Girls - We will deliver food, toiletries and other items, eat lunch there and do a work project while there.

Back in USA for dinner & Final Spiritual Session

Prayers at Retreat Center

Friday, January 4th, 2008

Hours & Divine Liturgy, Primarily in Spanish

Brunch & Goodbyes for those who must head home.

Others are welcome to stay (informally) for the entire weekend and join us for Saturday night Vespers at 6 PM and Sunday Divine Liturgy. Let us know if you would like to stay over so we can make arrangements!