Challenge accepted

For your amusement....

Don't Forget...

New Years Open House in Aldergrove.
When: December 31 8:00pm to January 1 10:00am
Where: 26592 30A Ave, Aldergrove
What to Bring: BYOB + a snack and a sleeping bag if you want to stay overnight

If you haven't already let Graham or myself know that you're coming, please RSVP to (604) 537-6825 (of course we won't turn you away if you don't!).

even unto the depths of Althergrave

hmmmm
What's the word on New Years in Aldergrave?
Is it still on?
Are people actually going to be there?
Would it be worthwhile for me to swing by?
Just a thought.
Jesse.

God grant you many years!

(and Peter and Meike!)

click HERE for the rest of the photos!

Women's Quiet Day

 

Blessed Event

Thank you so much Theresia for hosting the Advent Women's Quiet Day!

What a blessed opportunity it was to not only ingest some delectable treats (Theresia you spoil us so!!!) and to sing the Akathist to our Blessed Lady Theotokos, but also to participate in some engaging discussions and thus gain a greater appreciation for the other women of our community.

I'm sure Victoria will be posting pictures of the event in due time, but I just wanted to note what a wonderfully enriching day this has been and how glad I am to have made it out there, to the Lerche-haven!

A special thanks as well to all who participated in their own little ways!

lovingly,
meike

count the catechumens

St. Herman's 3rd Annual Women's Advent Quiet Day

All women welcome!

To get away from the hustle and bustle of pre-Christmas preparations...

A quiet day at Theresia L's beautiful mountain home. Soon after we gather, we will pray an Akathist to the Theotokos, then share a Lenten buffet. Bring some food to share!

Then we can read, chat, do crafts, walk and generally hang out in peace & quiet (time for dad to take the kids Christmas shopping for Mom's present!)

Saturday, December 15, 2007

11:00am - 5:00pm

Theresia L.'s house in Chilliwack

we have about half a dozen 'yeses' and half a dozen 'maybes' on the Facebook page so far. If you aren't on there, chime in on the comments here and let us know if you are coming. Let us know if you are looking to carpool as well. oh, and pray for good weather....;-)

St. John's on OCA Front Page!

hey, look who's on the OCA front page today!

All that white stuff sure does look stereotypically Canadian, but any publicity is good publicity, eh? eh? ;-)

matins

The morning service of the Church is called Matins. It opens with the reading of six morning psalms and the intoning of the Great Litany. After this, verses of Psalm 118 are sung:

God is the Lord and has revealed himself unto us.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Let me just say how beautiful the Matins service was. If you missed it because of the snow take heart and know that we will be serving it again next Sunday. The music was beautiful. Inspiring and meditative.

Thanks to Gregory and his music. Thanks to the choir and their voices.

Turkey anyone?

For anyone interested, I will be hosting a Christmas open house after liturgy on Christmas day. You are welcome to show up anytime and help me eat the delicious golden turkey roast, with creamy mashed potatoes and gravy, succulent stuffing, and fresh hot apple pie.
If you know any "displaced people" who won't be celebrating with family, please let them know about this (of course, you're welcome to stop by even if you will be celebrating with family!). Give me a call at 604-537-6825 if you think you might be dropping by (although I won't refuse you at the door if you just show up).

Hope you can make it!
Dan

we interupt your regularly scheduled programming for an important announcement:

due to lives that have become frustratingly, maddeningly, blessedly busy, we the jordan's, are sad to announce there will be no new years extravaganza this year at the jordan house.
this decision leaves us a little sad, and a little relieved all at the same time.
for those that were planning to attend... forgive us.
for those that weren't... carry on.
love, the jordans

another sunday with the family

the rest of the pics...HERE!

WELCOME ANNA SERAPHIMA!!

...congratulations and Many Years to Cosmin & Monica on the birth of their new little girl Anna Seraphima! Best wishes to her big sisters Sophia and Christina as well.

Quick Correction... if i may...

Forgive my editorial note, but according to the Newsletter, Matins services will begin on Sunday, December 4th at 9:30 however... Sunday is December 2nd (at least, in 2007 it is)...

If I may clarify for my own sanity -- Matins will only be sung on Sunday mornings, correct, beginning this coming Sunday, December 2nd?

Thank you : )

Fr. Lawrence's message and Nov. 11 Bulletin

Dearly Beloved:

Forgive me for not being with you today. Much to my horror, my retina (aka 'Old Reliable') came detached on Thursday, necessitating yet another surgery, my third, on Friday. The surgeon forbids me to serve this Sunday, but said I should be able to return to work (slowly) on the 18th. Please pray that this is so, and also that my retina stays attached. Otherwise I may have to be known as "Fr. Lawrence the one-eyed", which sounds a bit too much like a cyclops and may scare the children.
I have not much wisdom to share with you--just my still unalterable conviction that God never gives us more to carry than He knows we can bear. Our secular culture does its best to build into us the expectation that everything will always go smoothly--that retinas never detach, that we will never become sick, or that we will be easily and permanently healed when we do; that we will always have secure and well-paying jobs, that our marriages will be effortless, that nothing bad will ever happen to our children, that Oil of Olay and hair implants will keep women and men looking youthful until they die, unwrinkled and unbalding, at the age of 107.
It is, of course, a lie. All men until lately knew that in this age we are passing through a vale of tears; that health is precarious at best and soon gone, that life is uncertain and that earthly joys bloom like wildflowers and then vanish away. The wise did not entrust their souls and their happiness to anything in this age. The wise who were Christians entrusted their souls and their happiness to Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. That is where our real security lies, and where our real and lasting joy awaits us. As St. Peter says, we will then "obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for us, who are protected by the power of God through faith, for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Pt.
1:4-5). We are called to enjoy the blessings God gives us in this age, but to recognize them as the passing joys that they are, and as pledges of the eternal and unshakable joys to come. God has given us, even in this age, many good gifts: sight, good weather, music, chocolate, friendship, the laughter and noise of children, wine that gladdens the heart of man, the faces of those who love us. We accept these gifts into our open hands with thanksgiving. But we await with trembling hearts an even greater gift: the eternal weight of glory that Christ will bestow on the Last Day. That is our real treasure, and where our hearts should be even now.
Meanwhile, God never gives us more to carry than He knows we can bear. We are, it would seem, stronger than we sometimes think--especially if our burden makes us look to Him for the strength we need. When He loads us up, our knees (or at least my knees), sometimes buckle a bit. I wasn't quite expecting that much weight. But after a bit of buckling and moaning, we are required to get under the load and get on with our journey. It is a journey we should make with light hearts, for it is leading us straight into the arms of Jesus and the Kingdom of God.
all my love in the Lord,

Fr. Lawrence

Bulletin items Nov. 11

**IMPORTANT** This Wednesday marks the beginning of the Advent Fast. Please remember not to bring meat, dairy, or eggs to the Sunday Feast. Fish, however, is permitted during weekends.

There is a beautiful Hogwarts Gingerbread Castle made by Sandy Folster in the hall. We will be raffling it off to raise money for St. Arseny Camp. If you wish to purchase a ticket please speak to Dn. Kurt Jordan.
________________________________________________________________________________
Services this week:

Wed. Nov. 14—Vespers 7 pm

Sat. Nov. 17—Vespers 7 pm

update on Father's surgery

The surgery yesterday & checkup this morning were good. Father will be off this Sunday but is hoping to be back at services next week. This will depend on the next checkup sometime this week-- that appointment has not yet been set.

Father will not be going out of the house this week but after the weekend he will take phone calls, I think that is probably better than e-mail, as working one-eyed tends to strain his good eye and is tiresome if he does too much.

Meanwhile we have services as usual with Fr. John Bingham and Dn. Kurt. Thank you for your prayers, and see you at church!

Here we go again....

Fr. Lawrence is having a third emergency eye surgery at noon today. Three times is very Orthodox, so let's hope this is the last!

This will be a different procedure than the first two, involving a silicone oil instead of a gas bubble, and the recovery before returning to normal activities should be only a week or two. After the surgery there will be no vision in the affected eye for a few months, and then another surgery will be done to remove the oil. The doctor says the issue here is not whether Father will regain the use of this eye, but rather how good his sight will be at the end of that period.

We are blessed to have Dn. Kurt and Fr. John Bingham to hold the fort this weekend. Thank you all for your continued prayers!

Pray for Fr. Lawrence!

Pray for Fr. Lawrence - his retina is apparently coming detached again and so he is again going in for surgery at noon today. Lord, have mercy!

I didn't think it would be like this

But it is.
When I became orthodox, I saw clearly the way I didn't want to be, how I wanted to continue in the overzealous manner of first love to be conscious of every move, every thought, and every day as being a sacrament and a gift directly from God. If I managed to do something without that consciousness, it was either obviously sin, or indirectly sin because I made it about the object or moment itself, not something to look through and see God on the other side.
When I became orthodox, I knew that merely being orthodox would push me to Godliness, towards Holiness, but that it was also risky because with that thought comes the temptation to think that I no longer have to pursue holiness, that it will come to me as long as I line up every sunday morning and have not eaten meat twice during the week. I saw what orthodoxy could be if it became about less than God when I was in ontario, attending a church that knew it was dying, but still couldn't do anything about it. I have become a part of that culture club (and it has nothing to do with the wonderful parish I find myself in currently, its a long process) and its not about ethnicity, though it often is because its such an easy place to find your identity, especially if you call yourself a member of any diaspora. But, I find that I am tempted to identify myself by many different things, perhaps material like my bike, or the possibility of earning lots of money, or my abilities or lack thereof, ego and lack of self esteem. Or more easily yet, in the midst of this beautiful time of my life where I am about to be wed to the most beautiful woman alive, I put my identity in my ability to provide, to love, to be sensitive, to plan, to commit, and to follow through.
Anywhere but Christ.
heaven forbid that I find my identity in the One place that is safe and secure and eternal and real, where everything else is fleeting and/or shallow (not my wife-to-be, mind you)
And, what does that mean? I think it means doing all of the things I do, but doing them because I trust that God is in them, and not doing the things that he is not a part of.
And, not thinking that anyone else is doing the work for me, I forget that it will take effort, spiritual struggle, which is such a strange thing to write out, let alone define, so who knows what I even mean? but I know that that is what it takes, spiritual struggle, which of course doesn't exclude all realms of existence because we are not dualists (or duellists)
I suppose I have gotten lazy and distracted, and from what I hear, life doesn't get any calmer.

Fr. Lawrence's message to the parish Oct 14th

Here I sit, all fluey, posting Fr. Lawrence's message, as those of you NOT home with the flu (and I know there are several of us in the parish this week!) are singing the opening antiphons. Looking forward to seeing you all next week-- Mat. Donna

Dear beloved in Christ:

Glory to Jesus Christ!

As I was sitting down and tucking into a delicious turkey dinner this last Thanksgiving Monday, I was thankful for many things (including the fact that I was not a vegetarian—or, come to that, a turkey. It’s a wonderful thing to live on the upper end of the food chain). However, I couldn’t help but wonder how many people actually gave thanks on Thanksgiving Day, and if the title of the holiday isn’t a bit culturally anachronistic, for we are not a nation that stresses gratitude to God for our blessings.

When one thinks of it, it is maybe a little odd to have a national holiday stressing a virtue; it would be like us having National Chastity Day, or National Patience Day. No bad thing, I suppose (I would pay money to see a National Chastity Parade along side a Gay Pride Parade). But the point is that we are to do our best to practice the virtues every day, and not just when the calendar mandates a special stat holiday for them. In this sense, for the Christian, every day is Thanksgiving Day.

Or, in the words of St. Paul, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. All of life is a gift, and every day, even the wretched ones, are still packed with God’s mercies. And even on the wretched days, we can still give thanks as they end and say, “Thank God that’s over!” As disciples of Jesus, thanksgiving is to be our natural state. In theological terms, all of life is sacramental, to be received as a unique gift from God, the grateful enjoyment of which brings us into communion with Him.

Sin interrupts that communion, of course, and gratitude is a habit to be learned, often with difficulty. (It was otherwise in Eden.) Our own culture gives us no help with this. It teaches us, for example, that health and long life is our right, and we feel hard done by if we are sick or faced with shortened life span. It teaches us to regard happiness and prosperity and peace as things to which we are entitled, and we blame God if we experience sadness, poverty or turmoil. Other ages were manlier and hardier than ours. Suffering and misfortune were expected as the common lot of mortals, and no one blamed the Most High when they experienced them. One needed bravery to walk the earth: as CS Lewis reminds us, most of human history was spent without the benefit of anaesthetic.

The point is that we modern North Americans must strive to overcome the ingratitude and sense of entitlement built into our culture, and to give thanks to God for all things. To end with a prayer from Garrison Keillor (of Lake Wobegon fame): “Thank You, dear God, for this good life, and forgive us if we do not love it enough.”

All my love in the Lord,
Fr. Lawrence

Message from Fr. Lawrence Sunday Oct. 7th

Dearly beloved:

May I share with you a lesson I learned last Sunday? On Sunday September 30, I stumbled downstairs after my prayers to while away the time until Matushka returned from church. I turned on the Crystal's Cathedral's "Hour of Power" (admittedly for all the wrong reasons), then watched some of "Mass for Shut-ins" to wash away the lingering taste of the "Hour of Power". Eventually Matushka returned from church, bringing with her some prosphora/ antidoran from the service, which she put into my palm and which I consumed immediately.

I have eaten such antidoran countless times, but this time was different. When I received the fragments of bread into my palm, it was like a hand extended from the Divine Liturgy, which seized mine in its firm and warm grip. Consuming the prosphora I felt an instantaneous connection to the Liturgy, and felt united to all of you: to the priest who cut the prosphora at the proskomedia, to the deacon who assisted him and carried the diskos in procession at the Great Entrance, to the subdeacons who held the bread for the people at the end of the service, to the choir and people whose Eucharistic praises sanctified the bread in this way, making it not merely bread, but church bread, a divine gift. It was as if I could almost hear the chanting and almost smell the incense. It could simply be that I am missing you more each Sunday, but I think there was something more to it than that. The physical bread became a spiritual link.

The reception of prosphora that Sunday reminded me of what I knew before, though never so clearly as at that moment: that the physical carries with it the spiritual, and that this connection unites us all.
It was ever so: in the early church, Holy Communion was taken by the deacons after the service to the sick who could not be present at the Eucharist. In the early church, holy relics were sometimes shared among churches, one community giving as a gift to another community a portion of the relics of its local martyr.

This sharing of a physical gift (whether of the Eucharist or of a transfer of relics) created a bond between the giver and the receiver. The sick Christian, absent from the Eucharist, did not merely receive Communion; he or she was thereby also united again with the celebrating community. The church receiving the gift of relics did not merely enjoy the sacramental presence of the martyr whose relics they received; they also enjoyed a renewed bond with the church giving them. My reception of the prosphora reminded me again of the strength of our union, in Christ, with one another. Because we belong to Him, we belong to one another as well.

Your loving papa and fellow-servant,
Fr. Lawrence

Sept. 30th message from Fr. Lawrence & weekly bulletin

I have taken all your hugs, prayers & good wishes to Fr. Lawrence today. Tomorrow the doctor will tell us what level of activity he can return to in the weeks ahead. Meanwhile, for anyone who was not able to be at church today, here is the message read out by Dn. Kurt after liturgy today-- Mat. Donna


My dearly beloved brothers and sisters in Christ:

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Events of the last month have given me lots of time for reflection, and I would like to share some of these reflections each Sunday as a way of keeping in touch during my time of medical exile.

I have discovered, for example, that many thoughts go through one's head while lying on a gurney waiting to be taken in for eye surgery. The first thought that went through my head was, "Help! I'm trapped in an episode of /Grey's Anatomy /and I can't get out!" The second (and more enduring) thought was, "Now I know what Zech. 2:8 means." Well, actually, the numerical citation eluded me. But there was no mistaking the words of the Scripture: "He who touches you, says the Lord of Hosts, touches the apple of My eye."

In its historical context, this refers to God's care for the city of Jerusalem, newly-restored after the Babylonian captivity. In its mystical context, it refers to His care for the Church, the heavenly Jerusalem, the People of God. God declares that, just as a man jealously guards the apple (or
pupil) of his eye, so God guards and protects His people. Lying there on that gurney, waiting for nice people to stick sharp instruments into the apple of my eye, I had a renewed appreciation of God's care for us.
I felt very jealous about the apple of my eye. It was comforting (in
retrospect) to know that the Lord regards us in the same way. He loves us, cherishes us, jealously guards and protects us from all harm. He who would harm us harms the apple of His eye.

This is an important lesson, even for those who are not lying on hospital gurneys. All that we now have and enjoy will eventually fade: health, riches, sight, even life itself. Yet our true life remains untouched by the relentless parade of years. The outer man, St. Paul reminds us, is decaying, but the inner man, touched and transformed by Christ, is being renewed day by day. In this saving renewal, all is preserved by God's power, and will be restored to us in the Kingdom of God. Death, darkness and disaster cannot harm us, for we have a mighty Protector: the Lord of Hosts. He protects us from all harm, and he who would touch us touches the apple of His eye.

Your loving papa and fellow-servant,

Fr. Lawrence

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Notes from the bulletin Sept 30:

Services this week:

Wed. Oct. 3—Vespers

Sat. Oct. 6—Vespers

Sun. Oct 7—Liturgy w. blessing of THANKSGIVING HARVEST

Please bring your harvest bounty (on Saturday night or early before liturgy) to decorate the temple and be blessed with holy water.
__________________________________________________________________________

October newsletter & calendar now available in the narthex.
To find the newsletter info online, click on the first link in the sidebar column on this page.

To have an item included in a future bulletin, please contact
Rhiannon G 604-726-0619 myotherleft@gmail.com
____________________________________________________________

Fr. Lawrence Farley, rector, is currently on sick leave.
For all inquiries at this time, please contact

Dn. Kurt Jordan, 604-824-1214 kurtedwardjordan@gmail.com

In our very own Archdiocese-- the FIRST Orthodox "Quiet Garden" in the world!

I hadn't even heard of the "Quiet Garden" movement-- Oh, how we could use something like this in the neighbourhood of our church! If only we had more property......check out the links at the archdiocesan website to find out about the Quiet Garden movement....

"Our Orthodox Quiet Garden
at Sifton, MB, Canada
On the grounds of the recently-restored, beautiful Orthodox Church dedicated to the Holy Resurrection, a simple Quiet Garden awaits visitors.
We invite all to drop by, sit for a bit and enjoy the greenery, flowers and birds. It is a lovely prairie spot.

It is affiliated with the Quiet Garden Movement world-wide. One of the Trustees of the Quiet Garden Movement is Bishop Kallistos (Ware).
We are the first Orthodox Quiet Garden in the world! "

Fr. Lawrence's message to the parish

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ at St. Herman's:
Glory to Jesus Christ!

Please forgive my absence from you as I recover from my second emergency retinal surgery in as many weeks. It is very difficult for me to be away from you: when the starting bell rings, an old race horse wants to bolt from the starting gate, and when Sunday morning comes, an old one-eyed priest wants to pray at the altar and preach from the ambo. But my surgeon has forbidden me to return to work for an entire month, and my bishop has ordered me to obey his medical advice.
In all this enforced absence, I am consoled by three things. (Here comes the three-point sermon after all.)

1. I am consoled by the hard work and dedication of Deacon Kurt, who is God's great gift to all of us. Being the interim pastor for an absent priest was /not /part of the expected job description when he was ordained, and this added burden is made all the more challenging by his extra domestic tasks during the week. Yet he has risen wonderfully to the sudden challenges and our community could not be left in better pastoral hands.

2. I am consoled by the presence of my dear friend and concelebrant, Fr.
John Bingham. This month has been more than interesting for him as well, and yet he has selflessly carved out the time to befriend a sick brother. I am grateful to him for his love, compassion and kindness, both me and to our community. It is my hope that we shall yet stand together at the same altar and serve together for many Liturgies.

3. Finally, I am consoled by your presence here in my absence, for it means that my words have not altogether been in vain. In all my sermons my aim has been to uplift the Name of Jesus, so that you, the holy people of God, come to Liturgy to meet, worship and exalt Him. He is our joy, the strength in our hearts, the breath in our lungs, and, (as I am discovering) the light in our eyes. You come to Church to commune with Him, as earthly members joined to our heavenly Head.

That is, you do not come to Liturgy because Fr. Lawrence is there, but rather because the Lord Jesus is there and because, as His people who belong to Him, you also belong to one another. Your absence from here on Sundays would tell me that you are failing one another as fellow-members of the same body, and therefore that I have failed you as your priest. (And how could I remedy that? By starting to preach
_four_-point sermons?) Therefore, as you meet together in the weeks to
come as the holy community you are, as St. Paul says, "I am filled with comfort, I am overflowing with joy in all my affliction". You are my consolation.

May God bless and keep you all.

Your loving papa and fellow-servant,
Fr. Lawrence


posted by Mat. Donna

please see post below for bulletin announcements

New Issue of Canadian Journal of Orthodox Christianity

The Fall 2007 issue of the Canadian Journal of Orthodox Christianity is out, and includes Fr. Lawrence's akathist to St. Arseny and my paper "Parables for Mission Planters: Principles of Leadership and Community (Drawn from Richard Adams' Watership Down). This is our very own Canadian Orthodox Theological Journal, published by the St. Arseny Institute in Winnipeg as a free download in PDF. Check it out!

Further surgery for Fr. Lawrence

all, we find unexpectedly that Fr. Lawrence must return to surgery on Thursday this week. Last week we were told the eye was healing well, but today it seems the retina is detaching again. Please continue to pray. If there are any changes in services, they will be announced-- otherwise just show up for church as usual! thanks-- Mat. Donna

now or never

well, I know its not THAT far, but still. I need you all to know how important you are to me, you hermanites. and Fr. Lawrence being laid up is a little nervewracking but a little relieving. I am glad he is taking a rest, but hopeful for his recovery.
anyways. that said, you all need to know that whenever Fr. John commemorates the wonderworking elder Herman I feel a large tug of "I MISS HOME" deep in the caverns of my soul, and I know that it really is the people who live and breathe through that lame little building in langley who have so deeply shaped me and helped me get over so many things that needed to be gotten over. not to mention hosting great parties and putting up with my incessant complaining.
so, as I have just gotten back from work, and I need to eat, and drink, I wish you all could see me raising my beer in a solemn salute intending it to mean that I love you all very much and I know that while I will see you soon, it won't be soon enough.
Nice driveways!

David



oh, and ps, the island really does have better coffee. I tried it, and I like it. I know some will say I don't drink coffee, but Its the caffeine I avoid, I tried it, it really is much much better.

Reflections on Camp

Phil has told me some wonderful and inspiring things about camp, as well as reports from both parents and campers given after camp. I think it would be wonderful if we created a bit of a "reflections journal" here in which everyone and anyone (whether they attended camp or not) can reflect on the goodness that was and remains.
I, for one, would love to hear it.

What was inspiring?

What was uplifting?

What was funny or fun?

What was the best part?

What was the first thing you heard about when the campers returned?

What were the workshops like?

What was learned?

Camp Pix - Day 2

Pictures from our second day at camp are now up here. Thanks to Victoria and Matushka Sarah for documenting the experience. (I hope to get some pictures shot by others up soon too.) Enjoy, and keep keeping us in your prayers!

First Camp Photos Are Up!

The first photos of this year's camp are up - with more to come each day! Check in here to see all the fun that your children and friends and priests are up to!

Lucho, the much feared and terror inspiring Monastery Cat

As requested.

Animals at Orthodox Monasteries

I couldn't resist passing along this delightful news story. about animals at monasteries in Russia.

It is nice to know that our Vladika Seraphim also has peacocks, along with other creatures, at the diocesan centre in Ontario.

Ou est Seraphim?

Has anyone seen Seraphim lately?

Call home, buddy.

We miss you.

am I famous yet?

I must be if I'm doing a podcast, right? ;-)

The AGAIN Audio Journal on Ancient Faith Radio has its first sampler up. There are readings from me and Fr. John Schroedel. Have a listen.

End of shameless self-promotion post.

Photos from the Lerche's 2nd annual Ryder Lake BBQ

The Lerche's 2nd annual Ryder Lake BBQ was on July 28th.

Special guest appearnce by: Victoria Jordan!

Thanks for having us all over Kai and Theresia!

Click on the photo above to see more pictures...

a small prayer request

as some of you may know, I am going to school in the fall to begin my PDP (or b.ed, whichever you prefer) at UBC.
the only way this is possible (outside of selling one of our children) is for a funding grant to come through. they are now in the process of reviewing my application for funding.
please pray that it comes through.
this would be so huge for our family.

Pictures from Assembly 2007 in Ottawa

This is some sort of folk dance they do in Langley East, apparently.....

and more assembly photos!

New Caterpillars!

Hi.

many more things are on my mind, like how the sacramental nature of everything means that we must approach it with thanksgiving, like meals. every meal reminds us that everything good comes from God.

in any case, James and Katherine became catechumens at St. John of Shanghai!

pictures to come.

Many years James and Katherine!

Ryder Lake BBQ today!

Just a reminder that Kai & Theresia's 2nd annual Ryder Lake BBQ is today!
.
~ 2:00pm - 6:00pm ~
.

Everyone is welcome!

.

49175 Elkview Road

Chilliwack, BC

.

For directions or detials, please call the Lerche's at 604-858-5421

.

photos of the team

my amazing family

thank-you! I love you all and miss you sooooo so much!! 5 more days and then I`ll see you at Kai and Theresia`s!

the sheepwashes. remember these lovely people?

, originally uploaded by simply victoria.

it was so good to be able to visit them.
hopefully I`ll see them once more before I go...

My Fiance & Her Animals

Hello.

This is my first entry on Spruce Island. It is dedicated to, about, and in praise of my beloved Katherine Ramos. While I'm now in Vancouver alongside Brother Cyprian and she's down Stateside, I thought the Saint Herman community would enjoy this read.

Indeed, I am engaged to a celebrity.

More Canada Day photos from the Jordan's party...

Click on either of the collages above to see more Canada Day photos from up at the Jordan's house...

Click on the collage below to see more photos of breakfast at the Jordans house after Canada Day...

Tribute to Victoria...

Kurt and Victoria Jordan always throw a Canada Party but this year, after planning the party, Victoria found out whe would have to miss the party as she would be in Montreal for school at the time. So this is our "we miss you Victoria - wish you were here" tribute to Victoria.

Click on the collage to see more photos or click here...

news...

It's time to let you all know (if you don't already)
That on Saturday, Laurenn and I got engaged!

Thanks for your prayers,

details to come.

-David

our newest little sister...

Matushka Jenny gave birth

on June 22, 4:35 pm to a healthy baby girl.

Miss Bridget Antigone Hainsworth.

Many Years!

.

Goodbye Victoria - see you in 5 weeks!

Vic's going away party

Victoria is going to Quebec for 5 weeks for school (she is studying to become a french teacher) so we had a going away party for her at Milestones in Langley last night. There were 22 girls there - it was a great time!

Click on the photo/link above to see photos of the evening.

Orthodox Hockey team

Hey I hear from Dave P. that Thomas Wildeman is the person I should contact in regards to the Orthodox Hockey team.

Thomas, my email is theological.disciple@gmail.com- please email me. Two buddies of mine, from St. George's Greek Church in Vancouver, are interested in joining.

Thanks and God Bless...

Fr. Lawrence Concelebrates the Archbishop's Anniversary

{Click on any of the images for a larger view}

We were blessed to have Fr. Lawrence here with us at St. Herman's in Edmonton for our beloved Archbishop SERAPHIM's 20th Anniversary celebration of his Consecration to the Episcopate.

On Saturday morning, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was served by Vladika SERAPHIM, His Grace Bishop BENJAMIN of San Francisco, and His Grace Bishop IOV of the Moscow Patriarchal Parishes in Canada. The Bishops served together with 16 priests and three deacons!


The whole weekend was a joyous reminder of our Archbishop's work for the Lord.

Fr. Lawrence having a visit with Presbytera Jaime Rene and little John Rene.

Vladika Seraphim's 20th Anniversary

A wonderful retrospective online photo exhibit!

EIS POLLA ETI, DHESPOTA!!!!!

The Goads' Reply to the fiveyearoldswithsticks

Recently there was a ridiculous post on this blog, by a 'pretender' to the real man's game of hockey...

This is our reply...



(posted by Dn. Kurt, in Victoria's name)

"No mowe penciws, no mowe books. Oh, dat scwewy wabbit! .."

Schoow's awmost ovew! And, as any student, aduwt ow youf knows, that means pawty time!

Dave and I awe pwanning to pawty down wif the seniow youf in Wangwey fowwowing ouw Vespewaw Wituwgy on Duwsday June 28th. We'ww head out to ouw pawty destination aftew Wituwgy is ovew (appwox. 8:30) and pawents can pick up theiw youf at awound 10:30 ow 11:00.

Dewe is, howevew, a swight hitch in ouw cunning pwan, uh-hah-hah-hah. Dave and his woommates awe moving out of Casa Phiw this month, pwanning to be moved out by the 26th. Dis puts us in a bit of a tight spot fow a pawty wocation, uh-hah-hah-hah. So, this is ouw officiaw pwea to aww you Wangwey-dwewwing St. Hewmanites. Oh, dat scwewy wabbit! If one of ouw Wangwey dwewwews wouwd be wiwwing to host the youf fow a few houws that evening, we wouwd be etewnawwy gwatefuw, and you wiww be handsomewy wewawded. Which is to say, you get a big hug, thank you, and pewhaps some kind of chocowate.

Anyone wanting to vowunteew theiw home to us pwease give me a caww duwing the coming week. I'm best weached on the chuwch phone wine, as my ceww phone is off whiwe I'm at schoow.


(confused?)

Travel Journal

Hello everyone. If you are interested in seeing a travel journal for my recent trip to the Holy Mountain, go to http://athostrip2007.blogspot.com.

"No more pencils, no more books..."

School's almost over! And, as any student, adult or youth knows, that means party time!

Dave and I are planning to party down with the senior youth in Langley following our Vesperal Liturgy on Thursday June 28th. We'll head out to our party destination after Liturgy is over (approx. 8:30) and parents can pick up their youth at around 10:30 or 11:00.

There is, however, a slight hitch in our cunning plan. Dave and his roommates are moving out of Casa Phil this month, planning to be moved out by the 26th. This puts us in a bit of a tight spot for a party location. So, this is our official plea to all you Langley-dwelling St. Hermanites. If one of our Langley dwellers would be willing to host the youth for a few hours that evening, we would be eternally grateful, and you will be handsomely rewarded. Which is to say, you get a big hug, thank you, and perhaps some kind of chocolate.

Anyone wanting to volunteer their home to us please give me a call during the coming week. I'm best reached on the church phone line, as my cell phone is off while I'm at school.
Thank you!

Certain Death Awaits 'The Goads'

Men of the East (east of the island),

Behold your demise. Behold, aye, and tremble. These bold hockey
warriors await you on the fields of Panorama. They are fell men,
hardened by weeks of ruthless training. Death is no obstacle, nor
skinned knees, nor winded priests. Nay, but anon you shall see their
mettle, and their valor shall shine forth in a blaze of glory, and you shall be like wet noodles under their chopsticks.

Meet them, if you dare.

Cordially yours,

the fiveyearoldswithhockeysticks

Canadian Orthodox Messenger

The latest issue has arrived and will be available at church for Wednesday vespers. However you can also access it online:

http://www.archdiocese.ca/com/183.2007.Summer.pdf

If you have a good colour printer, you can get much better prints of photos from the online edition in the reports of:

Dn. Kurt Edward Jordan's ordination
The women's retreat with Frederica Matthewes-Green
The Kenosis/Resonance debut concert

along with other news around the archdiocese and some excellent articles.

another sunday with the family...

(click the picture to see the slideshow)

Pictures of St. John's...

...are, by popular request, now up on the St. John's website, with a few more links and info here.

Orthomansions on the drive...

There has oft been talk of lofty ideals, communal livings, houses for many, a community of like minded idealists who were willing to suffer through the reality of their naivete, but not in my history has there been such an opportunity as this.

St. John's, our newest daughter mission, has the MOST AMAZING building. I don't think anything better could have been given as a mission parish site. It needs a bit of work, but that is even better, it gives us all something to help with, a sense of immediate purpose, and its just such a cool space. Upstairs has about 6 rooms I think, and the middle floor has a bunch, and there is even a top floor with two rooms. the basement is full of boxes of weird but loveable old catholic gear, organs and shuffleboards, throne-like couches from which to sing praises, latin books of all sorts and myriad other wonderful things to discover.

the kitchen has a gas stove, the dining room has beautiful acoustics, there are front and back porches, and OH MAN the GARDEN POTENTIAL! its ridiculous. seriously, there could be enough veggies to feed a bunch of people. well, it used to be a convent, so it makes sense. anyways, the yard is huge too. Sure, there are structural problem, the roof leaks in places, a handrail is loose, and who knows what else.

The fact remains, that God has blessed this community in a way that is so glaringly obvious.

Not to mention that it is SO close to commercial drive, such a cool community to live near. Organic veggies, patchouli oil, italian coffee shops, memphis ribs (sniff),

anyways. We have to be thankful to God for this gift, and when people ask about orthodoxy in Vancouver, it won't be too far off that there is another thriving english community, replete with the coolest in house atmosphere ever. After vespers last week we sat down, talked some good church talk and enjoyed a nice ale in the dining room with some candles and guitar. It really will take on its own atmosphere quickly and comfortably, in large part thanks to a beautiful creaky old building.


God grant you many years St. John's!

Pentecost