Author: Vera

Holy Bread
Bakers Needed!

How much Holy Bread is needed each week?
On a typical Sunday, we use 5 loaves of Holy Bread. During Lent, we need extra for the Presanctified Liturgy, and many more for Holy Week. In addition, there are many Festal Liturgies throughout the year.
How many Holy Bread bakers to we have now?
Not enough! We also have one or two families who will occasionally donate several loaves of Holy Bread purchased at an Orthodox bakery. Any extra loaves we receive are kept in the freezer for use as needed. We would like to develop a rotation of 7 or 8 bakers to provide fresh Holy Bread each week.
I don’t know how to bake Holy Bread. I don’t have a seal.
If you are willing to learn, speak to Fr. Noah, Barbara Mullen, or Louise Shaheen. A workshop may be scheduled, or you may receive individual training. The church library has Holy Bread seals and pans available to borrow.
How do I sign up?
First, get Fr. Noah’s blessing. A signup sheet is posted on the bulletin board. Provide your name, the best way to contact you, and what training or equipment you need.
For more information,
contact Fr. Noah or Barbara Mullen.

On the Making of the Liturgical Bread
For many years, women here at St. Philip’s have quietly and faithfully done the work of preparing the liturgical bread. This is a ministry that has been humbly and quietly done over the years, from which we all have received great and eternal benefit. To those who have already been doing the baking for many years, you have our sincere thanks.
As one who is fairly new to the church, after my own Chrismation I began to pray about how God would have me contribute. Being a person who naturally enjoys baking, I was interested in how the liturgical bread was prepared and took interest in participating in this ministry. I am only beginning to learn it. My desire was to contribute to the church in whatever way God has given me ability. What I did not realize, was how much the baking of the bread would give grace to my own life and the life of my household. It truly is a blessing to be able to be a part of this ministry.
Father Noah asked me if I would consider facilitating a schedule for the baking of the bread, so that, Lord willing, we can have fresh bread to be used for services on a regular basis and so that the faithful who have already been doing this for many years are assisted and no one burns out. Ideally, it is a wonderful thing when fresh bread can be offered.
We need bread primarily for the Sunday Liturgy, feasts, Great Lent, and Holy Week. On a typical Sunday, it takes approximately 4-5 loaves, depending on the size and method used by the baker. That’s a lot of bread! As the old saying goes, “Many hands make the burden lighter.”
And so, we are asking for humble hearts and willing hands to make a commitment to the baking of the Holy Bread on a rotation. If we have 8 people willing to make a commitment to this ministry, then each person would only need to bake once every 8 weeks. In addition, we would like to see some of our teens begin to learn and rise up into this ministry. During the midweek, we also have a liturgy and for those services there are only one or two loaves needed. If some of our teens would be willing to take up the baking for those services, the help would be very much appreciated.
We would like to have fresh bread (as opposed to frozen) to offer as often as possible. The process of baking takes approximately 4 hours, so it is a commitment of time. If one cannot bake on the Saturday before liturgy, bread can be baked as early as Friday and if sealed in a bag can be kept fresh in the refrigerator until Sunday. Bread should be brought to the church prior to Vespers the night before the Liturgy, with a list of names to be commemorated.
Those who do commit to doing this may want to acquire pans and a seal for their own home, but if that is not possible, there are pans and a seal in the church library which can be used, others may share with you.
There will be a sign up on the table in the great room for anyone who is interested in being put on the schedule on a regular basis. If you would prayerfully like to be on the rotation for this, please sign up and include your email or phone number so you can be contacted with further details. Let us also know if you need any training or equipment. Please also get Fr Noah’s blessing for this ministry.
Yours in Christ,
Barbara Mullen