I met You

Last Chance for Cards!!

It's that time of year again, and the Diakonia would like to welcome you to purchase this year's Christmas Cards from our stock of hand-made cards.

Sample Hand-made Cards

100% of the proceeds from your purchase will go towards supporting Doctors Without Borders, that means every cent will be used to help others.  No overhead, no supply fees (not on this end, at least).

There is also a selection of photographic cards available, samples of which can be found by clicking on the card names below:

Holy Family
Nativity Light
Merry Men
Star
Holly with Snow

We are currently selling cards for $3.00 each or 2 for $5.00.

Full stock is available for your perusal on the bookshelves in the narthex/coatroom at St. Herman's.

Thank you for your support!

St. Nicholas Day Event

Christmas Cards! * * Last Chance * *

It's that time of year again, and the Diakonia would like to welcome you to purchase this year's Christmas Cards from our stock of hand-made cards.

Sample Hand-made Cards

100% of the proceeds from your purchase will go towards supporting Doctors Without Borders, that means every cent will be used to help others.  No overhead, no supply fees (not on this end, at least).

There is also a selection of photographic cards available, samples of which can be found by clicking on the card names below:

Holy Family
Nativity Light
Merry Men
Star
Holly with Snow

We are currently selling cards for $3.00 each or 2 for $5.00.

Full stock is available for your perusal on the bookshelves in the narthex/coatroom at St. Herman's.

Thank you for your support!

Costume Party!

Sorry I didn't get too many close-ups of every kid's costume! They were all so cute!

More Showers!

Babies! Babies!  They're everywhere!

For those who are not on Facebook, Ana Wright has graciously offered to host a double-baby shower for both Taras and Diana's little girl, Kristina Maria as well as Ryan and Lora-Lynne's little girl, Mara Elisabeth. 

When: Sunday, November 18 @ 12:30 pm-ish (right after church)
Where: Ana Wright's house (please email if you need directions)

* * * Reminders * * * 

This event falls within the Nativity fast and there will be fast-friendly snacks provided by Ana.  On that note, please ensure you are still able to contribute to the post-Liturgy meal for those who will not be in attendance at the shower.

Also, children should be left at church with their daddies (nursing babes most welcome) so the ladies can have some stress-free time together to welcome the newest additions to our church community and celebrate with Diana and Lora-Lynne.

Thank you!!

All Saints Costume & Craft for children of the parish

Wed. October 31st before vespers.



Details at our parish site. If you have any questions, speak to Zane G.



http://sthermanofalaskachurch.blogspot.ca/2012/10/wednesday-october-31.html

An Open Invitation to our Pumpkin Party

In case you weren't aware, we Friesens are throwing a party on Friday, November 2nd! But this is not just any party: we are having a Pumpkin Party, to celebrate the most beloved squash of the season. Any and all are invited. A huge pot of pumpkin soup will be bubbling away for your enjoyment. We humbly request everyone bring something to celebrate the pumpkin, be it sweet, savoury, or alcoholic - but to encourage creativity (and quell the inevitable battles over whose grandmother's recipe is best), pies are strictly forbidden. Tarts, I suppose, are pushing it. Custard and curry alike are welcome.

Come any time after seven. Please also bring your own spoon ... maybe even your own bowl if you remember. (Sadly, I'm not kidding. I'm pretty sure all the Friesen spoons at some point undergo a metamorphosis and become forks.) The address is in the directory. We may have a weird parking situation, in which case parking instructions will be relayed, either here in advance or via text/frantic window gesturing upon arrival. Hopefully not the latter.


Warm regards,
Andrew and Erin



PS - sorry to those whose land-lines we texted. I know that's annoying.

Sunday School & Other Updates!

October 2012 will be another busy month!

CHURCH SCHOOL will begin this coming Sunday Oct. 7th in the hall during Matins-- please arrive on time at 9:30 AM!

For more information please contact Zane G -- minimum age was announced, but I forget what it was! But please note that this is not meant as a babysitting service. This will be an experiment and will be adapted as it goes along.

ALSO this coming Sunday Oct. 7th:  Please bring your harvest plenty for blessing (bring in the morning or to vespers the night before) to beautify the church. The harvest will be blessed after liturgy.

and some other important items: 

• Reminder of CHURCH CLEANUP at 10 AM Saturday Oct. 13th  mostly outdoor work, see Lora-Lynne or Sid

• DIAKONIA is now collecting cold weather clothing to help street-dwellers-- I believe they said they have enough socks at the moment, but sweaters and scarves, perhaps mitts and gloves will be welcomed

• The Fall 2012 PARISH DIRECTORY is available in the narthex-- thank you Kai for getting this done. 

Welcome Baby Jordahl!

UPDATE: there will be a baby shower after church at Ana w's on Sunday, Oct. 28th. Further details will be announced via Facebook group. --MatD

Received from a member @ St. John & St. Nina's parish:

The Jordahl family have been blessed with another beautiful baby! 

It would be great to support them through this busy time by bringing them meals. 

If you are able to, please sign-up using the link below. 

Here's how:

1: Go to this link http://www.mealtrain.com/?id=m01tf68hffkt

2: Make an account / log in

3: Choose a day & bring a meal

* * Please note, they do not have an oven or a freezer large enough to keep meals.  If you would like to make a meal but are not able to deliver, I can deliver hot and around dinner time on select days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). * *

‎*****IMPORTANT SAFETY REMINDER for after church cleanup!

‎*****IMPORTANT SAFETY REMINDER for after church cleanup!

It being summer with members of regular cleanup teams away, we depend on everyone to pitch in with cleanup as they are able, and it has mostly worked out very well-- thank you all for pitching in! 

However, we draw your attention to one very important safety item: for the second time in recent weeks, the stove has been found left on-- it must have been on since last Sunday, as the kitchen was not used during the week since. 

There is a CLEANUP CHECKLIST over the sink in the scullery closet.

PLEASE PLEASE if you happen to be the last one in the building, whatever else you do or don't manage to do from the checklist, please DOUBLE CHECK that the oven and all stove burners are OFF before going out and closing the door.

Thank you everyone for your help!

Buhler Wedding

Moving Help!

Lora-Lynne and Ryan Hanley are moving on Friday, August 31 and are looking for helpers.


They are moving from a basement suite into a townhome, both in Langley city, and have a very small window to get out and in to the new place. 

If you are able to assist, it would be greatly appreciated, especially since Lora-Lynne is quite full with baby and unable to do any lifting.

Those of you who have moved understand the value of helping hands.

Please feel free to contact Macrina by email savoirwhy [@] gmail.com or to call Lora-Lynne directly (phone number in the directory) for more details.

* * * UPDATE * * * 

Moving Details: Truck will be @ their current place at 9:30 AM and it has to be returned by 5:30 PM, on FRIDAY, AUGUST 31/2012.

2012 Annual Ryder Lake BBQ!

49175 Elkview Road

Chilliwack, BC

Saturday July 28th

Beginning 1:00 pm

BYOB and food to share

Vespers on site at 6:00pm

(no vespers at church this time only)

For directions or details, please call the Lerches at 604-858-5421

Send a Child to Camp?

In the past people in our parish have been wonderfully generous in helping out kids who want to come to camp but can't afford it. I currently have four kids who can't afford to pay for camp. Keeping in mind that camp is not a charity and we cannot provide a tax receipt are there any people who are able to fully or partially support a kid to go to camp?

And regardless of monetary support I'd request that everyone pray for camp and the staff and campers. I will give Fr. Lawrence a list of all campers and staff.


Thank you.


Muryn

Renes' housewarming & blessing Sat. Jul. 7th

• • Saturday, 7 July 2012
  • 15:00 until 18:00

• 2979 168th Street, South Surrey,

• From Fr. Richard Rene: we will have a House blessing/warming party on Saturday, July 7th at 3:00 p.m.  We will bless the house, then visit and have supper before heading out for Vespers.  We will provide the main dish (pulled pork or burgers and hot dogs) and we ask that people bring a side dish/salad to share.  We will provide soft drinks, but if folks want to bring something alcoholic to share, that would be welcome.

Many Thanks to all of you!

for any who did not see it on Facebook-- many thanks from me & Fr. Lawrence. We had not even remembered that it was the 25th anniversary of our arrival at St. Herman's! --MatD




A big THANK YOU to everyone for the 25th anniversary surprise-- I am so sorry I was not there in person, I had to leave immediately to drop Magdalen Farley Rmt to the train for a very important board meeting! the flowers are gorgeous and so many I had to split them into several vases. It does not seem to be that long..too short a time to live among such excellent hobbits (don't worry, we are not going to put on any magic rings and disappear!) :-)

A special thank you to the Hartley family who prepared the ground for planting and tending this mission before our arrival. We are glad to count as part of our family everyone who has served God in this parish over the years-- those who have been here as long as Father & I and our daughters, those who have come and stayed, those who have come and gone (some to plant or serve in other parishes) (and some who have come, gone, and come back again!), down to the newest catechumens and the wee ones born in the last year. God grant you all Many Years! -- Mat Donna Farley

Rene's Are Moving In June 14th

The Rene Family plan to arrive from Cranbrook at the start of this party! We're going to greet them as they arrive and help them unload the truck, then enjoy pizza and beer or pop at the Hewlett's next door! If you would like to be there, please email me and I'll forward you the e-vite invitation so I know how many are coming, and order enough pizza for all.

Request evite invitation by e-mailing matushka(at)gmail.com

Orthodox Peace Fellowship Conference this weekend in Abbotsford

Hello all. Below is some information on the Orthodox Peace Fellowship Conference happening this weekend at UFV. It looks really interesting!

Orthodox Peace Fellowship Conference, 2012

Hosted by the Orthodox Peace Fellowship, In Communion, you may find details for registration here:  Conflict and Compassion: Reclaiming Eden

The 2012 Orthodox Peace Fellowship annual conference will take place at the University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC, June 1-3, 2012.  The keynote speaker will be Dr. David Goa, Adjunct Professor of Religion at the University of Alberta and Director of the Chester Ronning Centre for the Study of Religion and Public Life.  Sessions will be on such topics as the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Peacemaking in Africa, Relations between Iran and the West, and Religion and Peacebuilding.  Speakers include Jim Forest, Tarek Abuata, Alex Patico, Marc Gopin, Laurie Blanton Pierce, Ernie Regehr, Andrew Klager, Ron Dart, and Archbp. Lazar (Puhalo).  Registration is open to all interested parties, and although the conference maintains a multi-faith flavour, Orthodox Christian and Mennonite perspectives will figure prominently this year.

Conference Fees: 

§ $80 per person covers conference registration, five meals & breaks from Friday evening to mid-day Sunday.  $40 covers Saturday-only (registration, sessions, lunch, dinner & breaks).

§ All-inclusive registration fee for a couple: $140

DIAKONIA clothing collection on hiatus for summer

At this time of year we no longer need to collect scarves etc. for distribution. There is a possibility for donating all kinds of clothing to a women's shelter, but until we are able to find out about this, we ask that you not bring any clothing to the church at this time.

As always, we encourage you to share canned and packaged food for the food bank in the basket in  the prothesis chapel.

Uncle Wayne wants YOU for the cleanup crew!

Actually, we have four teams in the crew, one for each Sunday of the month....and we need more team members!

We are a growing community, and that means the job of cleanup after Sunday lunch is also growing. You can help by:

• Signing up to be part of a team for just ONE Sunday a month
• Remembering to do your part on that Sunday
• Getting your own substitute if you must be away that Sunday (especially important to remember now as vacation season is almost upon us)
• Even if you do not join a team, clearing your own dishes & 
• teaching your kids to clear their own dishes and not to litter 

In addition to the four teams, if a month has a fifth Sunday or if there is a weekday evening liturgy, we ask that EVERYBODY present pitch in and clean up, working till everything is done. You will find a checklist posted in the scullery room for items that need to be done before the church is closed up.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who has served in this way in our parish, past and present. If you have not yet made a contribution in this area, do consider signing up; if for any reason you cannot commit to a specific Sunday, try to remember to pitch in, in whatever small way you are able when you find the opportunity. Every little bit helps! 

To join a team, pleas see Wayne H. 

Cranbrook Bound!

Hi All,

So, I got a job in cranbrook, and we have to leave today. So...we need a bit of help with the lawn while we are gone. we intend to come back in two months but we can't cut the grass from afar. If anyone is willing to help, that would be great.

I won't post the details here, but contact me via email or facebook if you can help.

The posting is full time music, band/choir/recording, so its perfect. But it's only til the end of June.

Also, if anyone wants to take care of our garden, we have a number of strawberry plants that will need tending, as well as tomatoes, among other things. You are welcome to take it over completely and interpret it as you will. Everything in the backyard can be yours while we are gone, and when we get back, we can figure everything out. Perhaps we would share the bounty. I am open to negotiations.

If no one wants to tend it, fair enough, we will see what it looks like when we get back.

But, we do need a lawn mowing volunteer.

We have arranged to have some folks swing by the place regularly to check on it to make sure all is well, so that is taken care of.


We will miss you, but we'll be back soon.

I'll be working at Mt Baker Secondary School, google it for info. They have a huge music program. I'm excited!

more on the yard sale

So much is going on in our parish-- I hate to post over top things in case they get missed, so first of all, don't miss the post on the Healing Service directly below this one.


Click here for  YARD SALE DETAILS 


Finally, at said yard sale I have volunteered to do a used book table. Any old paperbacks, kids books, pretty much anything though I don't think old school text books ever sell so maybe skip those. . If you can bring them Wednesday evening to the healing service, so much the better, I'll have a box or bin. You won't have to take these home if they don't sell-- I will see that they get taken to a thrift store or something after.

HEALING SERVICE Wednesday May 2nd at 7pm

HEALING SERVICE

A while ago, Bishop Irenee encouraged the parishes of the diocese to begin holding healing services on a regular basis. Our parish has not been able to arrange this till now, but we will now hold our first healing service on

Wednesday May 2nd at 7pm

instead of our usual Daily Vespers service.

The Healing Service (or the Sacrament of Oil as it is sometimes called) has its roots deep in the apostolic Church.  In James 5, the sick are encouraged to call for the presbyters of the church in order to receive anointing and prayer for their healing. 

All those who are ailing with physical or spiritual maladies are encouraged to seek divine help at this service, offering their lives to Christ afresh and trusting in His healing power.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

also please don't forget the 

YARD SALE 

next Saturday May 5th.  

See Lora-Lynne Hanley to volunteer. Details in post below. 

YARD SALE SAT. MAY 5th-- HELP WANTED!

(Sorry to post above Seraphim & Erin's wedding info, but this event is coming up fast. Wedding info in the next post down-- MatD)


Loralynne sends this info (and unless I am mistaken, the purpose is to benefit the building fund?) : 

 Saturday, May 5th 

 9:00am - 2:00pm. 

Set up starting at 8:30am.

-Set up: I'm hoping to have about ten tables of stuff. That would be good. I would like to set them up on one side of the parking lot so we would still have some parking available. Also, I'm working on getting hotdogs going on the BBQ. I'm hoping Tony will run that but I have not heard back from him as of yet. If people come with kids, the field area should be free for them to run around. So the amount of people I'm looking for to help would be... one person per table (10 people, some need to be big strong guys) two people on food (Tony and someone) and it would be good to have two or three people to watch the kids. So that's about 15 volunteers... I would be one

- Stuff: I am bringing a bunch of plants and some stuff. I need people to bring as much stuff as they can. I would like it if people could bring their stuff that morning, but if they can't we are going to have to figure out where we can store it. I'm hoping someone who lives close to the church and has a garage can do this (maybe two people)

- Food: Hotdogs (with buns, ketchup, mustard, relish), chips, pop/water and donuts

- Advertising: I need people to make signs for on the road, maybe about ten or so. Langley times gives a discount for adds to charities so a three line add is $23.50 + tax and a 1" add is $30.76 ,  tax. So I'm not sure if we want to do that. It would run the Thursday before the sale. I would like to. Also I'm putting together a Craig's list add. I think that should be enough.

- Take down: We can't have anything left at the church at the end of the day. People need to take their stuff home. On the off chance that there is stuff left, I will either put together grab boxes and advertise them on Craig's list or just take it down to the Salvation Army. I have a small car so I can't take much. I might be able to borrow a truck. If there is left over food I figure we can have it the next day (Sunday) for lunch!

I think that is it for now. If I think of anything else I will let you know. If you have any ideas or concerns, please let me know. Thank you so much! I will be making a big announcement at church on Sunday. Have a great day!

Lora-Lynne

Nuptials!!!

In case you haven't heard, Erin is doing me the honour of becoming my wife at 11am right here at St Herman's on Saturday, April 28th. The service will be a eucharistic service so if you wish to receive communion come fasting. The service will follow with a potluck. Erin's father is generously providing us with some large platters of Filipino food, but we are begging the kindness and mercy of our church family to indeed do your miracle of love that you do at every liturgy when we all go home with happy bellies. We are only expecting about 6-7 additional families so attendance should be up like on a baptism day. Uncle Sid (Ketel) has graciously arranged for a liquor license for the church. The "bar" will be selling $3 drinks. No BYOB. Sorry.

We do hope you all will come. It is very important to us to share this with our community and even more than that, to receive our community's blessing and prayers as we move toward Christ together in this next adventure of our lives. We wouldn't be who we are and, indeed, we wouldn't have a prayer without you. Thank you for saving us. You truly are our family.

Some of you have been asking about gifts. Gifts are certainly not expected, but for those of you who have been wondering, we have set up a wishlist at Lehman's. That can be found here. If you think our list is lame, we also will be headed to Portland shortly and we are huge fans of Powell's Books.

Thank you all and I look forward to sharing this day with you!

Your servant,

Andrew Seraphim Friesen

Pascha 2012

Let's Celebrate!

Bachelor Party! Secrets! Adventure!

Hello,

I am hosting a bachelor party for Andrew Friesen, it involves two parts, one here in langley, and a second one at a secret location. I have details for you if you are a Man and want to join us. If you want information, please contact me through this blog, or through email or on facebook.

The main thing is to meet at St. Hermans this coming friday the 20th at 6pm ish. The first half will include a primer, some special clothes for the Bachelor, and a short langley event. If you can't join us for the overnight, this first half should prove entertaining, please plan to attend. The first half will require a loonie, a beer or two, and bring a camera to capture the glory.

If you are coming to the second half too, bring sleeping gear, a few more barley sandwiches for the evening and to share with Andrew. We want to provide a large selection of quality malt for the bachelor to sample during the evening.

All of the information is on facebook, as far as the specific details which I will be happy to share.

Again, if you need to contact me, use the code: firstname.lastname@gmail.com   (spell it right, it's pasivirta)


Kristus nousi kuolleista!

PASCHAL GREETINGS draft list-- please chime in!

We want to use multiple languages for the Paschal Greeting after Paschal vespers on Sunday.  There are many lists available online, but we want to stick to those that are going to get a strong response in our own congregation.

 If you don't see your ancestral language here, please  let me know the form of the greeting you know or are able to find, and be prepared to chime in strongly with the response when Fr. Lawrence reads the exclamation. If yours is a less common language, you might want to recruit a few other members to study up ahead of time and shout out along with you. 

I've put in the most common ones for our community here to start with:

English:   Christ is risen!  Indeed He is risen!

Greek:  Christos anesti! Alithos anesti!

Russian/Slavonic:  Khristos voskrese!  Voistinu voskrese!

Ukrainian: Khristos voskres! Voistinu voskres! (note Ukrainian is only slightly different from Russian/Slavonic but it's important in Canada & our parish to acknowledge both!  :-)  

Romanian:  Hristos a inviat!   Adeverat a inviat!

French:   Le Christ est ressuscite!  En verite il est ressuscite! 

German:  Christus ist auferstanden! Wahrlich ist er auferstanden! Kai & Theresia is this the version you know? 

Spanish:  Cristo ha resucitado! En verdad ha resucitado! Sava, is that correct? 

Arabic: Al Masiah Qam! Hakkan Qam! I don't think we have any Arabic speakers?  but they constitute a large group we have connections with in North America. It's easy, I know many of us know this one already. 

Aleut:   Khristus anahgrecum!  Alhecum anahgrecum!

 in honour of St. Herman, but there are several versions online and they are all 'Greek' to me :-)

Mandarin: Jidu fuhuo le!  ta queshi fuhuo le! (thanks Desmond,shout it out loud and the rest of us will do our best not to massacre it! 

Cambodian: Tanya, what Father gave me is only one part, do you have the rest and does it match this one:    Preah Christ mean preah choan rous leong vinh ; trung mean preah choan rous leong vinh men (and BTW, what about Aaron's ancestral language?)

F/Pilipino: Si Kristo ay nabuhay ; totoo ngang nabuhay!  Erin, Graham, is this what you would want to say? 

Haida: Victoria, did you find this one out?

Finnish:  Kristus nousi kuolleista! Totistesti nousi! (David P we're counting on you!)

Gaelic: All you Scots/Irish descended folks, are you prepared to belt this one out? Or are you going to insist on separate Scots and Irish versions? 

Taw creest ereen!  Taw shay ereen guhdyne! 

Welsh: ditto Welsh-descended?  I am one of those, but I will have to keep the paper in front of me

Atgyfododd Crist!  Atgyfododd yn wir! 

Anglo-Saxon, properly called Old English: due to my St. Cuthbert obsession, I am up for this one and  it is actually very easy:  Christ aras! Sothlice He aras!

Ethiopian or ? Asmaite G will you be with us, and what is your ancestral tongue? 

For those who are interested,  here's a site which gives about 250 versions, with sound files and more: 

http://srbigham.com/en/langues/l-r/pilipino.html

(and NO we will not be using Klingon, Quenya or Sindarin!)

palm sunday 2012