Hello, everyone,

I just got off the phone with Fr. Nektarios who has planned his 15th humanitarian relief trip to Kosovo (Serbia) this November.

Fr. will be traveling from November 17 -November 29.  His travel plans include spending a couple days with seminarians in Pristina, being present and serving with the Decani fathers at their monastery for the Feast Day (St. Stefan of Decani on 24 November).  While in Kosovo, he’ll be visiting local soup kitchens, schools and surrounding villages–comprised of families, elderly, and other monastics in the region.  He routinely distributes aid on every visit whether it be financial, or other tangibles, such as food, clothing or household necessities (firewood for heating, etc).  Homes and schools are heated with firewood, however, most churches are unheated.

Fr. Nektarios has asked us if we might not only contribute to the Decani Monastery Relief Fund at this time but also consider sending wool scarves, hats and/or gloves for all ages.  When he visits schools, he likes to have colorful hats, scarves or mittens to distribute to children and teachers.  Same for other village visits that include families or elderly persons.  Would you be able to help with that?

For seminarians in Pristina (approximately 30 brave young men) he would like to take wool black beanie hats, and, if there is enough interest, black wool beanie caps for the Decani monks as well (25 additional hats).  Hats are 50% wool and cost $15.99 each.  We can also purchase additional color beanies to give to families (adults/teens).  We hope to purchase these in one lot with donated funds.  God willing.

Wool hats, scarves and gloves or mittens for all ages are most desired.  If you can knit quickly or have a knitting machine to turn out such items–even better!  If you’d like to make items and lack wool yarn please drop me (Pres. Candace) an email and I’ll send you some very nice wool yarn right away.

Wool is the material of choice – it’s the only thing that provides significant warmth in temps that can dip to -20 degrees F during winter.  So much of life is conducted outdoors during Kosovo’s harsh winter season that warm items are a necessity.  Since travel suitcase space is an issue, please send wool or mostly wool items for gifting.

Whether you fund hats/scarves/gloves or send them by mail to Fr. Nektarios before he leaves, all such gifts will make a difference for this humanitarian aid visit.

Wool Hats / Scarves / Gloves can be sent to:

Decani Monastery Relief Fund
c/o Very Rev. Nektarios Serfes, President
2618 W. Bannock Street
Boise, ID   83702

Note – Clothing items must arrive in Boise, ID no later than November 14.

FURTHER OPTIONS:  Funds may be sent via Paypal or check by mail:

Use this Paypal link to make an on-line donation:  https://www.thedecanifund.org/

OR

Send a check in any amount to the Decani Monastery Relief Fund at the address above and let us know how you’d like the funds used–for warm clothing or to distribute other humanitarian assistance during Fr.’s upcoming visit to Kosovo.

As always, Fr. reminds the recipients that what he gives during his visit is made possible by our Fund’s benefactors–without our benefactors, there would be no Decani Monastery Relief Fund.  Grateful hearts offer prayers of thanks for those they’ve never met, but have sent a sacrifice of love.  This is huge–the love of Christ made manifest.

God bless, help, sustain and enlarge the resources of those who give!  Thanks to many of you for years of loving generosity to the Orthodox who live in spiritually and physically oppressive conditions in Kosovo.  The Lord reward you!

Sincerely,

Pres. Candace Schefe
Honorary Board Member
Decani Monastery Relief  Fund