December 2025 Together in Faith Growing the Treasure Valley Orthodox Christian Community Save the Date: December Divine Liturgy By God’s grace, we are happy to announce our next Divine Liturgy: As in our previous gatherings, we will remain for coffee hour and fellowship after the service. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet new families, …
December 2025
Together in Faith
Growing the Treasure Valley Orthodox Christian Community
Save the Date: December Divine Liturgy
By God’s grace, we are happy to announce our next Divine Liturgy:
- Saturday, December 13, 2025
- Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Episcopal Church of the Holy Nativity, 828 W. Cherry Ln., Meridian, ID 83642
- Coffee Hour: Immediately following Liturgy
As in our previous gatherings, we will remain for coffee hour and fellowship after the service. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet new families, strengthen friendships, and share ideas about the future of the mission.
Please invite anyone who might be looking for an Orthodox home in the Treasure Valley—friends, neighbors, coworkers, and those who may not currently have a parish.
Fellowship Before Liturgy – Open Invitation
In recent months, a small group of parishioners has been meeting occasionally for a simple dinner before our Liturgy weekends. Over a meal, we talk about future plans, share feedback, and consider how best to grow this community.
These dinners are informal, and everyone is welcome.
If you would like to join a pre-Liturgy dinner or help host one, please reach out through the newsletter email or speak to one of the organizers during coffee hour. This is a community-driven mission; your presence and voice matter.
Discerning Next Steps – Visit From a Deacon
Earlier this fall, some of our leadership had a very encouraging meeting with a deacon from Washington who was exploring the possibility of helping us more regularly, and even discerning a potential move here.
After prayer and honest conversation on both sides, it became clear that the timing is not yet right—for him or for us. Our mission is still in its infancy, and we do not yet have a large enough, stable core of families to support a permanent move or long-term assignment.
This is not anyone’s fault. It is simply where we are today.
We are deeply grateful for his time, openness, and pastoral heart, and we remain in good relationship. We continue to trust that, in God’s time, He will send us the right shepherd for this community. In the meantime, we give thanks for the ongoing guidance and visits of Fr. Florin and the support of Fr. Patrick, who continue to help us grow in faith, love, and unity.
Still at the Beginning – We Need Board Members
Because we are a mission, not yet a fully established parish, the way we organize ourselves now will shape the future of any church that may grow from this effort.
We need:
- Board members who are willing to take responsibility and help steer the mission.
- Volunteers who can assist with planning, communications, setup/cleanup, children’s activities, fundraising, and logistics.
Our goal is to build a transparent, local community—rooted in the people who live here, know this place, and will be directly impacted by the decisions we make. We want a mission in which finances, activities, and decisions are handled openly and responsibly, with clear communication to everyone involved.
If you sense that God may be asking you to step forward—especially in a board or leadership role—please speak with the mission team after Liturgy or contact us by email. Even small, steady commitments make a real difference.
December Feasts, Busy Calendars, and Caroling Plans
December is one of the busiest months of the year for many families:
- St. Nicholas (Romanians and many others celebrate on December 6).
- The Nativity of our Lord (Christmas) and New Year’s celebrations.
- Community events, school concerts, work gatherings, and travel.
Because of this, a beautiful suggestion was made earlier this fall: to organize Christmas caroling as a fundraiser and a way to witness to our faith in the Treasure Valley.
Fr. Florin was very supportive of this idea, and many liked it in principle. However, as we approached December, we realized:
- Our calendars were already full with St. Nicholas celebrations.
- Families were juggling school and work obligations.
- Caroling is naturally closer to Christmas, when many people will be traveling or with extended family.
For these reasons, we decided not to move forward with organized caroling this year. There is no blame and no hard feelings—just an honest recognition that it is still early in our mission’s life, and we are all learning what we can realistically carry.
The idea is not dead. We can revisit caroling in a future year, when we have more volunteers, clearer organization, and enough time to plan properly.
Staying the Course – No December Break After All
At one point, there was discussion about taking a break in December to rest and resume services in the new year. After reflecting, we felt that such a pause might cause us to lose momentum at a time when people are actually most in need of spiritual grounding.
For that reason, we chose not to take a break and instead to move ahead with the December 13th Liturgy.
We see this as an important step in establishing a regular pattern of worship in Meridian—something our community has been working toward for many years.
Confession and Final Schedule – Watch Your Email
We are working to offer confession at Holy Nativity on Friday, December 12, in the late afternoon or early evening (likely between 4:00–5:00 PM, but exact time is still being confirmed).
Because details sometimes change as we coordinate travel and building availability, please:
- Watch your email for a final confirmation of confession time.
- Check the website at tvorthodox.org for any last-minute updates.
As in previous months, we will also note any choir practice times and additional gatherings in those communications.
About Treasure Valley Orthodox Mission
Treasure Valley Orthodox Mission exists to serve Orthodox Christians and inquirers in Meridian and the wider Treasure Valley—including Romanian, Greek, Middle Eastern, and other Orthodox faithful who may not currently have a parish home, or who are seeking services in English and their native languages.
For now, we:
- Gather once a month on Saturdays at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Nativity in Meridian.
- Are still in the early, mission phase, discerning how God is calling us to grow into a full parish with a permanent priest and location.
- Aim to build a local, transparent, family-centered Orthodox community for the Treasure Valley.
Our hope is to serve the people who live here, who know this place, and who will help shape the future of any parish that grows out of this mission.
Saturday Service
With Father Florin Iftode
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Coffee Hour: Immediately following
Possible Confession:
Friday, December 12 – final time to be announced by email and on tvorthodox.org.
Location
Episcopal Church of the Holy Nativity
828 W. Cherry Ln.
Meridian, ID 83642
Get in Touch
More Information / Questions
Website: http://tvorthodox.org
Facebook: Search for “Treasure Valley Orthodox Mission”
Support the Mission
This mission continues only through your generosity and prayers.
Fr. Florin donates his time to travel and serve us. We, in turn, cover his travel costs, the church rental, and insurance. Please consider making a one-time or recurring donation to help keep this mission going and to lay a solid foundation for a future parish in the Treasure Valley.
Join Us: Sign Up Today!
It’s easy and free!
Tags:
Nico
Nico the IT Guy
