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SEPTEMBER 2026
Welcome back to the What's Your Ministry? Newsletter! This month: a look at the feasts of September, resources for the new Church School year, and a ministry spotlight on technology, ministry, and the life of the Church.
WHERE ARE WE IN THE CHURCH YEAR
September is a season of new beginnings in the church year, making this month both an ending and a beginning.
Feasts of September:
New Calendar(Old Calendar)
Beginning of the New Church Year — September 1 (September 14)
Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos — September 8 (September 21)
Holy Forebears Joachim and Anna — September 9 (September 22)
Exaltation of the Holy Cross — September 14 (September 27) (strict fast)
Holy Protomartyr Thecla, Equal-to-the-Apostles — September 24 (October 7)
Repose of St. John the Theologian — September 26 (October 9)
FEATURED RESOURCES
THE GODPARENT PROJECT
A professionally produced 37-minute video resource explaining the sacred responsibilities of godparenting. Share it with anyone preparing to become a godparent this summer.Click here to watch.
NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS | LESSON PLAN | GRADES 1–4
The story of the birth of the Theotokos, the faith of Joachim and Anna, and how God answered their prayers. A gentle introduction to September 8 (September 21) for young learners. Click here to download a PDF.
EXALTATION OF THE CROSS | LESSON PLAN | GRADES 5–8
The history and theology of the finding of the True Cross, the role of Sts. Constantine and Helen, and the significance of September 14 (September 27) for the Church. Click here to download a PDF.
ORTHODOX LEARNING LADDER
A curated framework for parish educators, with carefully selected resources organized to help church school teachers at any level plan a fruitful year. A great home base as Sunday school restarts. Click here to learn more.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Doxamoot: The Orthodox Christian Tolkien Conference September 4–6 | All Saints Orthodox Church, Raleigh, NC Three days of feasting, fellowship, and intellectual exploration at the seventh DoxaMoot. This year's theme: "Tolkien: The Monsters and the Monsters." Lectures, trivia nights, divine services, and a grand feast. Ages 13+; all are welcome. Click here to register.
5th Annual Women's Retreat Saturday, September 19 | Holy Taxiarhai & St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church, Niles, IL "Return. Reset. Refocus: Renewing You." A day set apart for Orthodox women — details to follow. Click here to learn more.
Youth and Young Adult SundaySeptember 27 | Worldwide Join OYM as we put an emphasis on the importance of Youth and Young Adults in our parish families.Click here to learn more about OYM's initiatives.
33rd Annual Orthodox Church Musicians' ConferenceSeptember 30–October 4 | Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral, Des Plaines, IL A week of workshops, liturgical singing, and fellowship for Orthodox chanters, choir directors, and music lovers. This year's theme — Achieving the Ideal Orthodox Choral Sound — marks the centennial of composer Alexander Kastalsky. Click here for more information.
Connect Conference 2026October 2–4 | University of Saint Mary of the Lake Conference Center, Mundelein, IL Connect is the pan-Orthodox conference for young adults ages 21–29. Weekend of speakers, fellowship, and genuine community drawing Orthodox Christians from across the country. Click here to register.
How the Church can meet modern realities without losing its center: listening, collaboration, and a prudent "middle way."
Theo Nicolakis has spent more than 30 years at the intersection of the Orthodox Church and the modern world — from building GOARCH.org in the 1990s to serving today as Director of National Ministries for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. In this conversation, he reflects on technology, parish health, and what it actually means to serve young people well. His word for parishes at the start of a new Church Year: "Our youth and young adults are not the future of the Church. They are the Church — now. The responsibility rests with all of us to open doors, cultivate trust, and journey together."
The new Church Year is as good a time as any to begin, or restart, a prayer rule. The WYM Prayer Corner features a short video on How to Start (and Keep) a Prayer Rule, built around the wisdom of St. Theophylact of Bulgaria: "It is better to pray little but often."
This month, we want to invite you to explore OYM's Initiatives. The on-the-ground programs that What's Your Ministry? is built to support.
Did you know OYM has Ministry Support Coordinators serving parishes in the Chicagoland area? These are people whose job is to come alongside local ministry leaders, offer resources, and help your parish grow. If you're in the region — or wish you had something like this in your area —learn more here.
And if you have a resource, event, or story of ministry happening in your parish that you'd like to share with the wider Orthodox community, we want to hear from you. WYM is only as rich as the people who contribute to it. Submit your resource or event here or reach out to us at info@theoym.org.
WHO WE ARE
What's Your Ministry? (WYM) is a youth and young adult resource hub for Orthodox clergy, parish workers, and families; a place to discover tools, stories, and community that help you live out your calling in the Church. Whether you're a seasoned youth director, a parish priest, a Sunday School teacher, or a layperson wondering how your gifts fit into God's plan, this newsletter is for you.
Each month, we'll share what's happening in the Church year, highlight resources and events from across the Orthodox world, and introduce you to the real people living out ministry in ordinary and extraordinary ways. We believe every Orthodox Christian has a role to play in forming the faith of youth and young adults, and we want to help you do your part. Ministry grows when we grow together. If this newsletter has been useful to you, share it with a fellow youth director, priest, or parish worker who could use it too.
This is all made possible because of the support from our OYM family. Thank you for being a part of this community.
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