Next weekend, March 27-29, 2026, we are blessed to welcome Dr. Edith Humphrey, emerita professor of New Testament and Orthodox theology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, who has written extensively on Scripture, worship, and Christian formation, for our annual Lenten Parish Retreat. This year’s theme is The Theology of Agape: Learning to Recognize Christ in the Other. Dr. Humphrey will lead Saturday’s sessions, offering reflections on divine love and how it shapes our vision of one another. In her engaging and personal style, she will help us grow in our calling to live out Christ’s teaching in the Gospel of St. Matthew (Chapter 25). The retreat will also provide opportunities for children to deepen their faith:
- Friday evening, instead of the Presanctified Liturgy, we will serve Lenten Vespers followed by a special instruction on confession, particularly for our youth preparing for their first confession.
- Saturday afternoon,following Dr. Humphrey’s second session, we will host a Pascha Preparation Workshop. During this time, children are invited to participate with Dr. Humphrey, while retreat participants prepare St. Michael’s Church for Pascha through light cleaning and arranging of the temple. Parents with young children are especially encouraged to join us at any point in the afternoon and remain for Great Vespers.
All services, talks, and activities are free and open to all.
Retreat Schedule (all events at St. Michael’s Church and Hall in Irvona):
Friday, March 27
- Lenten Vespers, 6:00 p.m.
- Instruction and First Confessions for Youth, following
Saturday, March 28
- Memorial Divine Liturgy, 9:00 a.m.
- Continental Breakfast, 10:30 a.m.
- Keynote Address by Dr. Edith Humphrey, 11:00 a.m.
- Lunch (see sign-up below), 12:15 p.m.
- Second Session and Q&A, 1:00 p.m.
- Pascha Workshop (preparing the temple and children’s activities), 2:00 p.m.
- Great Vespers, approx. 3:30 p.m.
- Confessions, following
Sunday, March 29
- Third and Sixth Hours, 9:10 a.m.
- Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, 9:30 a.m.
- Coffee Hour, following
This retreat is sponsored by the Ss. Mary and Michael Outreach Fund, so there is no cost to attend. However, we are in need of volunteers to provide lenten soups, desserts, cases of water, and/or juice boxes for Saturday’s meal. Please sign up using this link. You are also encouraged to invite family and friends from neighboring churches to attend. A flyer is attached for you to share.
As we prepare for this weekend of prayer and learning, please keep Dr. Humphrey in your prayers for safe travel, and continue praying for one another, that we may deepen our love for one another as Jesus loves us.