I am always amazed at how quickly Fall comes. You go from the Dog Days of Summer to a chill in the air and leaves turning, literally in just a couple of weeks. We have made that shift in our lives, and we are settling into our autumn routine – school has started (Middle School, wow!), my long sleeve clothes are getting worn more and more often, and there are bursts of red and yellow in the trees.

One of my favorite things about this shift is the fact that Orthodoxy celebrates the New Year on September 1st, and the first feast we encounter after that day is the Nativity of the Theotokos which is September 8th. There is something so right and correct about beginning the year with the birth of the Mother of God (Presbytera Lisa posted an amazing article by a priest about this very topic). I was blessed to be able to celebrate the Feast up in Port Townsend at St. Herman’s Church, and to see my first Altar Consecration.

While the service was *really* long, and it was hot and crowded, it was a definite joy and blessing to be in attendance (plus, I spent the night with Dawn, and got to have a great visit with her. Thanks again).

Yesterday, the Bishop came to our parish, and ordained one of our Deacons to the Priesthood. Many Years to the newly ordained, and to his family. Axios!