CHICAGO, IL [MW Diocese Communications] -- On Tuesday, January 31, 2012, the new web site of the Diocese of the Midwest made it's debut!
 
"As I announced at our Diocesan Assembly in Seattle, a dear friend and devoted Orthodox Christian, Trudy Ellmore, will be managing our Diocesan web site," His Grace, Bishop Matthias said in a letter sent to all diocesan parishes last week.  "She has begun this work January 1 of this year, [and] I am hopeful that this web site will keep our Diocesan clergy and faithful up to date on the activities of the Diocese of the Midwest primarily, but also the news of the Orthodox Church in America and Orthodoxy in general."
 
Bishop Matthias added that, since the cost of a diocesan magazine is "prohibitive" today -- postage and printing costs have soared since the last issue of The Vigil appeared a decade ago -- "it is vital that we share knowledge of the activities of the Diocese via the web site.  This will bring us closer to one another and really makes us a 'family.'
 
"As your Archpastor and Father of the Diocese of the Midwest, I encourage us to be working more closely together as a family unit," he continued.  "We need to know what is going on in individual parishes and the diocese as a whole.  To that end, I would like parishes to submit articles, photos and other items that would benefit the Diocese to Trudy," who has created special forms that may be used when submitting information.
 
Trudy may be contacted at trellmore@gmail.com, webmaster@domoca.org, 609-593-6181 [home], and 610-393-9897 [cell].
 
"Though Trudy will be the 'webmaster,' Father John Matusiak remains the 'Communications Director' of the Diocese," Bishop Matthias added.  "All articles will be vetted by him before publication on the web site.  They will work as a team.  As previously stated, please send articles, photos, and other newsworthy items to Trudy who will then review them with Father John before publishing them."  His e-mail address is tocmed@hotmail.com.
 
"This is just one of the first steps in providing a closer unity for the Diocese of the Midwest," Bishop Matthias concluded.  "Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.  I am hopeful that cooperating with this effort will bear much 'fruit.'"