"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" It is with a complete embracing of these words from the Epistle of Saint James that a Diocesan Prayer Society, dedicated to Saint Nectarios, has been created. The sole purpose of the Prayer Society of St. Nectarios is to help foster within individual members of our diocese a deeper Orthodox Christian spiritual life through the use of a simple prayer discipline. And it is through this simple discipline that the greater goals of Diocesan spiritual growth, parish renewal and the acquisition of the Holy Spirit can take place. By becoming a member of the Prayer Society, you have shown your commitment to these goals achieved through a common discipline as follows: Daily prayer in the morning and evening using the diocesan "Come to Me" Prayer book. this will also include Daily Intercessory Prayers for the following: Mondays, Parish Renewal Tuesdays, Harvest 2000/Missions Wednesdays, Priestly and Diaconal Vocations/Diocesan Seminary Thursdays, Diocesan Youth/Camp Nazareth Fridays, Diocesan Monastics/Monasticism Saturdays, Departed Sundays, Diocesan Clergy Daily bible readings as indicated in the Orthodox Calendars provided by your parishes and the religious education home page of our diocesan web site. Fasting on Wednesdays, Fridays, and during the four Lenten periods of Great Lent, Advent, Dormition and Sts. Peter and Paul. Charitable Acts and Works of mercy including the responsibility to support a charity of your choice and to participate in such acts of charity and works of mercy. The Prayer Society will also be providing a newsletter dedicated to prayer as a way of life. The newsletter will include articles from Diocesan Priests, highlights of Society activities and continuing education and support for a successful prayer life. It is hoped that each parish in the diocese will provide a monthly service to St. Nectarios to include the names of the sick, followed by anointing. This service, while a worthy act of its own, will provide a community structure for members of the Prayer Society. Plans are being made to hold a yearly retreat in honor of St. Nectarios. The weekend would introduce you to different aspects of spiritual life, through guest speakers and prayer services and give all of us the opportunity to come together solely for the purpose of spiritual growth. It is hoped and prayed that with the guidance of our Holy Father Nectarios and the grace of All-mighty God, that this prayer society will truly become a way of life for all the members of our diocese. May God bless all of us in this endeavor to come closer to Him and achieve salvation.