A Goal Made Easy by Love

Beloved Brethren,

The Serbian Orthodox celebrate the Feast of our Lord’s Nativity on January 7.  This leaves us just a few days to gather resources to bless our brethren for the upcoming Feast in Kosovo. 

So far, God has moved the hearts of sensitive individuals to give $4,000 toward this goal.  We pray even more of you will be moved toward generosity before year end.  The window of time to accomplish this is narrowing.

I wish you could’ve visited the brethren of Kosovo with me last month.  Had you been there in person and experienced the conditions as I did, I know the response to this request would be quick and abundant! 

The existing Christian oppression in Kosovo is due to the steadfastness of the Serbians’ Orthodox Faith in the land of their ancestors.  At its core, these Serbs are persecuted because of their Faith.  Theirs is a continued life of significant hardship.  Please, would you bolster both their faith and their physical ability to stand firm with a generous gift this week?  The Orthodox of Kosovo are prayerful their plight will not be overlooked by their Christian brothers & sisters this season. 

Right now, the situation is acute in the region (brutal cold temps—firewood & food needed).  The Decani Monastery Relief Fund is ready to respond with whatever resources God sends our way.  All donations we receive go to relieve existing hardships.  And, at this season, we seek to provide a Christmas meal (pork roast) for families with insufficient resources.  These families routinely go without meat for months on end.  Children ask, “Will there be meat at Nativity?”

This is what I know to be true. Help someone for Christ’s sake and God will help you (in ways He knows best).  And not only does He help the person who benefits others, but will also bestow a bountiful reward (in His kingdom).  Why do we wait or withhold our assistance?  We are, (for now at least), stewards of God’s bounty in this life.  God love and keep each of you moved in heart!

Here are the existing needs.  Will you help us meet them by December 31?  A gift of any amount is much appreciated:

FIREWOOD (for homes, schools, monasteries & churches) 

$250 buys enough firewood to last 3 months

PORK ROAST (to celebrate the Feast of our Lord’s Nativity—January 7, 2017) 

$100 will buy a pig large enough to feed a family for a week

$50 will buy a pig that will feed a family of 4 for two days 

We’ve made giving easy with Paypal.  Visit our website www.thedecanifund.org and use the Paypal donation button.  It’s efficient.  Or, a check may be sent to:   

Decani Monastery Relief Fund
C/O Very Rev. Archimandrite Nektarios Serfes
2618 West Bannock Street
Boise, Idaho 83702

And, a quick reminder:  The Decani Fund is a non-profit organization and will issue a receipt for any gifts received on or before December 31, 2016 to benefit your 2016 tax preparations. 

Christ is Born!  Glorify Him!

 

Mir Boziji! Hristos se rodi!

Humbly in our Lord,
+Archimandrite Nektarios Serfes
Who always prays for you with great Christian love