July 25, 2026

Our First Parish Retreat

St. Justin held its first parish retreat on July 25: a day of liturgical music, crafts, outdoor Vespers, shared meals, and fellowship.

Recently, our parish was blessed to host our first church retreat, a joyful opportunity for our community to gather in fellowship and prayer.

Liturgical Music

Throughout the retreat, we spent meaningful time together learning and practicing our liturgical music, strengthening our voices not only as a choir but as one unified parish.

Crafts for the Home

We also held a variety of hands-on activities for both children and adults, including crafts such as icons and candle-making. These offerings were intended to help equip our parishioners with beautiful and practical items to support prayer and devotion within the home.

Vespers Outdoors

One of the highlights of the retreat was the outdoor celebration of Vespers, allowing us to worship together in a peaceful and reflective setting.

Fellowship

In addition, we shared meals, stories, and laughter, enjoying time around the grill and deepening the bonds of our growing community.

We are grateful for the fellowship and spiritual growth experienced during this retreat and look forward to hosting another in the coming months. As we continue to build and strengthen our Orthodox mission in Southeast Missouri, we pray that God will bless and guide our efforts.