Spruce Island

theophany 2012

2012-01-08T21:37:00.000-08:00

2012 Annual House Blessings

2012-01-06T12:16:00.000-08:00

Please contact Fr. Lawrence to have your house blessed in the Theophany Season. Lent comes early this year, and the parish has grown, so please make arrangements early!

How should I prepare for my house to be blessed?

Have the lights on and doors open in the rooms to be blessed (not the washrooms or storage spaces)
Turn off TV, radio and other electronic distractions
Prepare a table in the main room(preferably in the icon corner) and on it the following:

an icon with candle lit before it
a bowl containing holy water
lists of names of those you wish to pray for (living/departed)

If you have no holy water, the priest will supply some.

What will happen in the service of blessing?

When the family is gathered round the icon, the priest will begin with Trisagion prayers. Please join in with the Our Father
The priest will sing the tropar for Theophany; please join in(printed on the back of this leaflet).
The priest will pray the blessing prayer; the people respond “Amen”
A family member carrying the lit candle leads the priest to one room after another, where he sprinkles Holy Water. All follow in procession, singing the tropar repeatedly.
After all the rooms are blessed, the procession returns to the icon corner for the dismissal.

Hard copies of the house blessing leaflet are at church, or print your own from here.

THEOPHANY services coming up!

2011-12-30T13:21:00.000-08:00

Fast free season continues until and including Wed. Jan. 4th.

Thurs. January 5th

Complete fast from mid-day in preparation for communion

7 pm --- Vesperal liturgy and blessing of water
FESTAL meal (all foods allowed)

Sun. January 8th

Matins, Liturgy and lunch as usual

followed by BLESSING OF THE FRASER RIVER at Derby Reach Park

Farleys Open House CANCELLED Fri. Dec 30th

2011-12-28T11:27:00.001-08:00

Open House Friday 30th CANCELLED

Folks, due to stomach flu at our place, we are sadly going to

have to CANCEL

our planned open house this Friday Dec. 30th.

Please pass the word to anyone you know who might have

intended to be there,

especially those who aren't online.

Meals for the Family P.

2011-12-19T14:45:00.000-08:00

Robyn B

BABY P IS HERE!!!!!!

So, mommy, daddy and Zeke need some meals! I will be taking them some food tomorrow, but I need some more volunteers for a couple of weeks...

Please e-mail me at smallbyrd@gmail.com or call/text me at 604-897-8847 as soon as possible to let me know what days you are available. E-mail would be better for me since I can't have my cell phone with me at work, but I can respond to e-mails. I will, however, check my cell occasionally on my breaks.

Thanks in advance!!

Robyn

CHRISTMAS at St. Herman's-- NOTE special times!

2011-12-19T13:23:00.000-08:00

Wed. Dec. 21 7 pm: Vespers and CONFESSIONS.

Sat. Dec. 24 6PM CHRISTMAS EVE VIGIL:

** Note: if you have not yet made your Advent confession and cannot come Wednesday Dec. 21 after vespers, please arrange to see Fr. Lawrence before Christmas Eve vigil on Saturday night.

If there is no other alternative, Fr. Lawrence will hear confessions after the Christmas Eve vigil but not on Christmas morning before liturgy.

Sun. Dec. 25 9 AM CHRISTMAS DIVINE LITURGY

NO coffee hour after liturgy at church, but see Eileen if you want to pop by a Christmas brunch with fellow members in Langley, or Rhiannon for the same in Surrey.

Fri. Dec. 30th 1PM to lateish in the evening..... Fr. Lawrence & I want to invite all of you to drop by our Open House.

Prayers and Christmas wishes to those who must travel out of town to visit family at this time. See the rest of you at church!

St. Herman's North Star Post Office is OPEN!

2011-12-10T21:20:00.001-08:00

BRING YOUR CHRISTMAS CARDS TO CHURCH!

Address clearly to your fellow members
place in the post box in the library
they will be sorted for delivery by me, and delivered at coffee hour with help from anyone willing
I originally said the delivery would be Sunday the 18th, but so far there are no cards! So I'm thinking the delivery will be Christmas eve and Christmas day.
Any donations you would like to make can just be put in the box along with the cards. This will go to the building funds. Donation is not necessary to have your cards delivered.

Blog problems

2011-12-09T09:42:00.001-08:00

I'm trying to get Fr. Richard signed up with permissions/author status, but he isn't receiving the e-mail from Blogger. And now all the other authors have vanished from the settings page (behind the scenes, as it were).

I've posted a question on the blogger forums, but meanwhile if you are an author, will you try to sign in to the blog and let me know in the comments on this post if you are able to get access or not?

lost keys found

2011-12-05T14:32:00.001-08:00

Hi,

We found a set of keys at church on sunday, two different car brands are represented on the key ring. we have them at the church. respond here or contact me (David) or...someone else, and they will be at church this sunday or you can pick them up from me.

Old Apples and Mr. Prepared

2011-11-21T17:53:00.000-08:00

Update: I think I'm all set! Thanks very much to everyone who offered or contributed.

Hey, you know that closet full of bottles you keep meaning to take to recycling depot but just can't seem to find time for? Guess what! I can help! That is, maybe we can help each other. I've recently racked off some cider I made and I'm beginning to realize that I'm going to need more bottles than the measly pile I've collected in my pantry. If you have some bottles you're looking to get rid of I would gladly trade a few pints of cider for your bottles. I'm looking for around forty 355ish mL bottles. If we can do business give me a call!

Yours,

Andrew Seraphim

Ps. As mead nears completion I'll also be begging for wine bottles...

Anyone want a Christmas card post office at church?

2011-11-16T13:28:00.001-08:00

graphic from this site:

http://oholy.net/stherman/FollowingNoStar.html

Who will help me, said the Little Red Hen? :-)

An idea I've had for a long time-- not primarily for a fundraiser, but it may make a little on the side.

The last few years at Christmas we have tried to use the hall as a post office for member to member cards. The parish has grown so much that this is unwieldy, and we do end up with a lot of cards that never get picked up.

SO, this December I propose we open the "North Star Post Office" (name from the St. Herman tropar we sing after vespers) on, say, the first Sunday in December.

We will need:

Crafty folk who can make a mailbox (and donation box) and a sign for the library window. We encourage folks to drop their cards for fellow members in the mailbox, and gladly accept any donations great or small.

Volunteers to deliver the mail at coffee hour on the Sunday before Christmas, as well as any that get left over to the following weekend (Christmas Eve and Day) because the addressees were absent the first weekend.

I will personally commit to sorting and rubber-banding the cards on Sat. Dec. 17th, when I will be at the church for choir practice anyway.

I always felt this could be a nice fundraiser/awareness stunt for camp if kids were to do the delivery. But it could also be for the building fund or Diakonia.

So-- who's in? The more volunteers to deliver, the quicker we can share them out by alphabetical order and hopefully get them all delivered before people leave for the day.

And I am all thumbs, so there is a BIG need for someone with the talent to make a presentable mailbox.

2011-11-12T09:27:00.001-08:00

Women’s Annual

Advent Quiet Day

Saturday, December 3

at 11:30 AM

at Theresia's house in the country.

Akathist at 12:00 noon

followed by lunch.

Please car-pool, bring some Lenten Food (fish allowed) to share, bring your craft supplies, take a walk,and RELAX.

Pick up a handout with directions at church

Group Voice Coaching

2011-11-03T14:42:00.000-07:00

Hello St. Hermans!I have been asked by a couple of folks who are already doing voice lessons with me if I would do some group voice coaching, and I have been encouraged by our fearless choir leader, Rd. Gregory, to do this for the benefit of our choir and church.

Why would you want to join us? here are a few great reasons to come to a voice coaching with me.

1. Learning.You will learn technical vocal skills which are applicable to any situation including reading aloud in church, chanting the psalms, or singing in choir. we will focus on skills required for individuals, such as breathing techniques and tone production, as well as technical details regarding choral singing such as listening. I will also teach a short segment on conducting gesture for those who are learning to lead choir, and for those who are learning to follow the director.

2. EconomicalThe fee for this two hour session will be $20 per person, which is 1/4 the rate of a private lesson, and if you ask nicely I will bring us a snack for the break time, probably egg nog and coffee because it's good for your vocal chords.

3. Personal growth/funSinging is an intensely vulnerable act, and learning some technique will give you more confidence which will enable you to sing better, which will serve our community and our God. I will give you tools that will give you confidence, even by acknowledging the difficulty of singing in front of others, we can grow together and trust each other a bit more and incrementally improve our individual and group sound.

I will be offering this at my house, where I have two pianos, and a coffee grinder, likely on a saturday afternoon that we do not have choir practice.

NOTE: this is OPEN to ANYONE in the church, if you want to learn how to sing, want to join the choir, or are a reader and want some tips on vocal production and projection. Also, we need at least six people for this to happen, and a maximum of twelve so each person can have enough specific attention to make it worthwhile.

I am thinking Nov 19 or 26, between 1:30 and 3:30 (which of course will preclude eggnog, as it is fasting time, though coffee will still be available)

Also, if anyone else is interested in Private Voice Lessons, feel free to talk to me at church, though I think the best introduction and sample would be this group coaching. If you have any questions or suggestions, email me or leave a comment here.

And for those who wonder why I should be leading something like this, I have a BA in Voice and am almost finished my B.Ed in choral music.

David Pasivirta

the visit

2011-10-23T16:24:00.000-07:00

More furniture to give away

2011-10-23T15:06:00.000-07:00

ANOTHER update from Wendy Thurs Oct.27:

I thought this was going with the apartment but apparently not. It is an absolutely beautiful, custom-made magogany (my guess, at least that's what it looks like) 3 piece unit; when you the doors you can put in a large TV. It is probably 7 or so feet high and 6 feet wide.
I have a teacher friend coming tonight to look at it but would love for St. Hermanites to get it!-- Wendy M

(Ed. note from MatD : it looks to me by these proportions that it is actually at least 8 feet wide, not 6. Also, I believe one or both of the desks are now spoken for as well)

UPDATE: Wendy says the carpets, the sideboard and the lamps are now spoken for.

There is also an older but working fridge to be given away.

Wendy M. sends these pics. She needs the furnishings gone asap. She also has a number of smaller household items, so if you are in want of anything, give her a shout.

These furnishings are of very good quality, and if you need them they are yours; if you are able to give an offering of gratitude, large or small, please make it to either Diakonia or to the building fund. Possibly some of the smaller items can be saved to be sold at a parish fundraising fleamarket next year; if you are able to store any items for such, please let Kai know.

Contact Wendy via her number in the parish directory.

Episcopal visit & reader tonsuring with Bp. Irenee this Sunday Oct. 23rd

2011-10-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to bring some monastic-friendly dishes for his Grace Bp. Irenee this Sunday, as he does not of course eat any meat. Fish, cheese and eggs are fine.

Vl. Irenee prefers to serve very simply, especially with the heavy schedule and health challenges he has had while serving as our Archdiocesan episcopal administrator this past year. He only arrives at YVR after 10 pm Saturday night, and I believe the current plan is for him to vest quietly in the altar during matins, which begins as usual at 9:30. This is followed by something less than full hierarchical liturgy, but including the tonsuring of our own Gabe F. as reader. (However, there will be a little of the hierarchical music sung at some point.)

Please pray for Vl. Irenee as he travels and for Gabe as he prepares for tonsuring to this ministry in the church.

Memory Eternal to the Igumen Symeon (Edward) Weare of Kamloops

2011-10-17T22:28:00.000-07:00

We have just had word of Fr. Symeon's repose. Some of the older members of our parish will remember him-- long, long ago there was a youth group pilgrimage to the interior to visit his small monastic home. He was a monk in the Anglican church for many years and was received into Orthodoxy and if I recall correctly tonsured immediately after by Bishop Seraphim at Holy Resurrection Church Vancouver; Father Lawrence was his sponsor. Gareth and Arlee H of course have been in closer touch with him than anyone else, I believe both before and after their sojourn here in the lower mainland. I have no information about the funeral as yet, but we will of course do a trisagion at Wednesday vespers.

Card Making Event - Reminder!

2011-10-13T19:10:00.001-07:00

For those who enjoy making cards, this is a reminder that we are meeting @ the church THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15 at 10:00 am to make Christmas cards in support of the Doctors without Borders initiative.

Hope to see you there! All are welcome - experienced and not alike!

Free Furniture

2011-10-07T13:01:00.000-07:00

Say the Havelings:

We're trying to find new homes for three bookcases.

They are in good condition, each with six moveable shelves. 6ftx3ftx1ft.

Mahogany laminate finish. Anyone who wants one can just come and take 'em.

Sooner is better.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And here at Chez Farley we also have furniture to give away-- in our case, a country style

kitchen-dining table and four Windsor style chairs.

Birch top and seats, white legs. There is a leaf, with the leaf in the table can seat six.

The white paint is pretty banged up, so if you fancy fixing it up or don't mind it being like

that, it's yours if you can take it away.

Diakonia

2011-10-02T19:21:00.000-07:00

I am pointing...to the right of the screen and see...nothing. Seems at least to my computer that things have changed a bit on our blog! So, I am now pointing up, to the Diakonia tab...if you press that you will then see what I am pointing to on the right...the Diakonia blog! And if you pop over there, you will see what was just written.

Eastern Valley Orthodox Open House!

2011-09-25T22:33:00.000-07:00

Hey folks! for those of you who are planning on making the trek out to chez Jordan, we've got a handy little potluck sign up sheet for you to assign yourself a dish. This way we don't end up with 14 bags of chips for dinner. It's pretty easy to follow. If it's complicated and you can't make heads or tails of it, just shoot me an email -victoriarosejordan(at)gmail(dot)com and I'll add your item to the list myself.

Potluck Sign Up Sheet!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/15gCrRKj9UgfjEFwXiBc1h_oTdX3jBU4TsxaFAWE4wgc/edit?hl=en_US

Pascha 2011

2011-09-15T10:34:00.001-07:00

Ryder Lake 2011

2011-09-13T11:21:00.001-07:00

sweet child o mine

2011-09-11T23:11:00.001-07:00

Labour Day BBQ

2011-09-04T13:40:00.000-07:00

Hey Folks!BBQ Time!Its at our house (David, Laurenn and Zeke and baby2 Pasivirta) , we live in the trailer at the church. Fr. Lawrence will bless our house at 3:30, so the party starts at 3. Bring your own meat and beverages, we will provide salads of sorts. Bring your friends, your lawnchairs and your frisbee, we have a large lawn. -the Famille PasivirtaOH! Zane pointed out that I forgot what day it was happening. today! labour day, monday, september 5. sorry about that lack of detail.

Starting September at St. Herman's!

2011-09-02T19:54:00.000-07:00

We have begun the Church New Year!

This Sunday after liturgy, we will be blessing all students and teachers, including homelearners.

Next Wednesday, Sept. 7th, 7 pm there will be a

Vesperal Liturgy for the Nativity of the Theotokos

Please fast from noon before receiving communion, and bring FESTAL foods to share after the service.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

also, the September Calendar is available at church now; the bulletin will be available this weekend as well.

and, heads up, it will soon be time to update our parish directory.

See you at church!

Aug. 7-15th Busy Summer week at St. Herman's!

2011-08-07T16:24:00.000-07:00

DON'T FORGET these dates! Calendars are available at church, along with the August news bulletin.

TUES. Aug. 9th 7 pm. Akathist to St. Herman This is our patron saint's feast day!

FRI. Aug. 12th 7 pm. Men's night at Zane's (Aldergrove) AND Women's sewing group at Melissa's in Brookswood (Langley)

SAT. Aug. 13th 10 am DIAKONIA card-making bee for anyone interested. You don't have to know how-- just show up and be willing to work! Cards will be sold to benefit Doctors without Border.

then the usual 7 pm vespers,

and

SUN. Aug. 14th 9:30/ 10 am Matins/liturgy as usual

last day of Dormition fast

**NOTE: please only bring strictly Lenten foods to share at lunch after liturgy this week. Not everyone is able to keep the fasting rules strictly at home, but please during the fast no meat, cheese, fish or dairy at church lunches.

MON. Aug. 15th 7 pm Dormition Vesperal Liturgy. Total fast from mid-day before receiving communion tonight. FESTAL meal afterward, all kinds of food permitted.

This week at St. Herman's Transfiguration liturgy 9 AM Saturday

2011-08-01T10:42:00.000-07:00

TODAY the Dormition fast begins, and runs to Sunday Aug. 14th inclusive.

TRANSFIGURATION liturgy

will be served

SATURDAY AUG. 6th

at 9AM (note early time!)

FISH is permitted at the meal afterward.

Please note that the meal Sunday Aug. 7th will be strictly Lenten foods only-- no meat, dairy or fish with backbone (shellfish & seafood permitted.)

urgent moving help needed tomorrow AM

2011-07-29T18:31:00.000-07:00

Says Mike: We only have a moving truck from

7am until noon, so there's no reason anyone needs to miss the bbq!

Michael LaRoy needs help!

I know most of the gang is probably heading to the BBQ at the Lerches in Chilliwack at 1 PM, but if you can possibly give Mike any assistance, he is moving from his current Vancouver location to another Vancouver location.

Says Mike: We only have a moving truck from 7am until noon, so there's no reason anyone needs to miss the bbq!

so please FB him or give him a call if you can help!

SPECIAL this week-- VESPERS will be held at Kai & Theresia's at the BBQ!

2011-07-26T19:10:00.000-07:00

NO 6:30 PM VESPERS AT THE CHURCH THIS SATURDAY!

Last year, we talked about having vespers -at- the annual BBQ at Kai & Theresia's on the mountain in Chilliwack-- since more of the parish, and guests, were there than were able to get back to the church in Langley for vespers.

This year, we FORGOT about that idea till just now! And so it did not get into the July calendar and bulletin. SO you are hearing it here!

Saturday July 30th

ANNUAL RYDER LAKE BBQ

at Kai & Theresia's

starting at 1 PM

VESPERS at the BBQ at 6:30 PM

SEE YOU ALL THERE!!!!

Diakonia Fundraiser

2011-07-24T21:49:00.000-07:00

Diakonia invites all who would wish to participate, to come to the first of many card making gatherings at St. Herman's on August 13. The time of the event will be confirmed in a few days. The cards made will be for the benefit of Doctors Without Borders who are currently on the ground in the refugee camp in Kenya which swells with 1000 new daily arrivals. We also invite you to view the Diakonia blog...pointing to the right...there it is! All news about the famine, about the relief efforts, about our own cup of water given in the name of the Lord, can be found there.

Summer has finally arrived here in the Lower Mainland and we begin to think of Christmas. Christmas cards made in love and sold for the benefit of those who thirst.

a weekend in fort langley

2011-07-19T22:00:00.000-07:00

The W's are wanting to head to the Okanagan this Friday night but, Echo the husky is not invited. He is easy going, super friendly and would like a companion. You can have a little mini get away in the heart of Fort Langley. Good walking trails. A great bookstore/ coffee shop. Lots of good people watching on the weekend. Or you can rest on the chaise lounges. Email Ramona for more info.

Remember in Prayer

2011-07-19T12:58:00.000-07:00

For those of you know know Mark Northey, his brother (who also happens to be my cousin's husband) had a motorcycle accident a couple weeks ago. He is alive - thank God! - but had some serious damage done to his knee. Mark has informed me that his brother (Dave) had surgery last week and is on the road to recovery.

If I might ask my church family to remember Dave and Christina in your prayers as they work together towards Dave's recovery and rehabilitation.

Many thanks,
little macrina

Orthodox Ecumenism

2011-07-14T18:02:00.001-07:00

From Father Lawrence:

Orthodox Ecumenism

Recently an Anglican friend of mine was speaking with me about the possibility of opening a west coast chapter of the Fellowship of St. Alban and St. Sergius, an Anglican-Orthodox group, and this started me thinking about our Orthodox involvement in Christian ecumenism. Orthodox have been involved in this work of witness since the beginning of what would become the World Council of Churches in the 1920s. It has always been a delicate balancing act for us Orthodox, balancing our desire to cooperate with our Christian brethren, and our commitment to the truth that Orthodoxy is the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church confessed in the Creed. In this ongoing ecumenical work, we have many partners and friends.

Perhaps our closest friends are in the Coptic, Armenian and Ethiopian Orthodox Churches—the so-called “non-Chalcedonians”, who accept the first three Ecumenical Councils of Nicea, Constantinople and Ephesus, but reject the Council of Chalcedon, asserting that it is Nestorian (an assertion we Orthodox reject). Theologians from all our churches have recently reached agreements about Christology (the original cause of the schism in the fifth century), but other problems remain. Despite tremendous good will between (for example) Copts and Orthodox such as the O.C.A., we remain out of communion, so that Orthodox may not partake of Communion in Coptic churches. This, however, does not hinder a warm fellowship between us.

Next come our Roman Catholic friends, and the Orthodox maintain a warm but unofficial dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church. Virtual agreement has been reached about the historically-contentious filioque clause of the western Nicene Creed (basically, they have now agreed with us), but the problem of the papal primacy remains the largest stumbling block. As long as the Bishop of Rome continues to insist on the right of universal ordinary jurisdiction throughout the world (i.e. the right of governing every single episcopal see), no real further progress is possible toward sacramental communion. As with our Coptic friends, we remain out of communion with them until this is resolved.

Our Protestant friendships are also important, especially our long-standing and warm relationship with the Anglican Communion. The Anglican insistence upon ordaining women and their current decisions to bless same-sex marriage have chilled these historic relations considerably. Our dialogue with Anglicans especially is made problematic by the current de facto schisms in that Communion. As Anglicans themselves continue to sort out what they believe, Orthodox will respond accordingly.

What can we at St. Herman’s do in the meanwhile? First of all, we can pray for our Christian brothers and sisters, that all who love Christ our God will be united in the truth (i.e. in the fullness of the Orthodox Faith). Also, we can continue to talk with them, and work together in whatever social causes we can. Finally, we must be patient, and not jump ahead of where we are. Former attempts at prematurely establishing inter-communion (such as promoted by the Orthodox Sergius Bulgakov) did not bear fruit, and were in retrospect seen to do more harm than good. Perhaps the difficulties of persecution, when it comes, will do more than previous ecumenical strivings.

Furniture available from Wendy

2011-07-07T11:07:00.000-07:00

10 foot by 10 foot couch. It is in three pieces, two 7 foot long pieces joined by a corner piece, making it L-shaped. I also included a close-up of the fabric; it's basically beige with blue squares. It was just recovered a year or so ago so it is in perfect condition but too big for where my Mum is moving.

Thanks for putting it out there; she is prepared to give it away. Wendy M.

Here is a picture of a large green chair, in a kind of velvety material; it is at least 3 feet across the front. There are two identical chairs (altogether) like this one.

There is also a dining room table, which may be hard to see but it is mahogany coloured and includes two captain chairs with blue vinyl coverings. (Mum gave away the other chairs because she wanted a change.)

Hope these can help someone out there! Thanks for your help,

Wendy

Annual Ryder Lake BBQ

2011-07-04T12:20:00.000-07:00

just a reminder that this is coming up on the

last Saturday in July-- July 30th.

at the Lerches',

1 pm till 6 pm or so

more details on the poster at church.

Trip to Portland to help move parents.

2011-07-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

The weekend of July 23-24 my parents will be moving from their current house to my grandma's former house. If there is anyone interested in getting a free trip down to Portland I could easily use 3+ people to help.

The plan would be to leave on Friday night after work. Spend Saturday helping move the larger items my parent's need help with. Of course free food would be provided all weekend. Saturday late evening would be free to explore Portland. Sunday we have the chance to attend liturgy at my parent's parish and travel back Sunday evening.

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in doing feel free to e-mail, call or talk to myself or Julia.

Thanks,

- Zacchaeus [Zane]

car mechanic wanted

2011-06-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

Hello All,
After a long drive across the continent, our car needs a little tender loving care (and a safety inspection) from a good car mechanic. We are wondering if you might be able to recommend a good and affordable car mechanic somewhere in the Lower Mainland (preferrably in Vancouver).
Thanks for your help,
P&B

Apostles' Feast vesperal liturgy Tues. June 28th

2011-06-27T14:54:00.000-07:00

Fr. Lawrence has returned from vacation-- many thanks to the deacons and everyone else who kept the services going these past ten days!

Tomorrow

Tuesday June 28th

we serve

VESPERAL LITURGY at 7 PM

in honour of the Apostles Peter and Paul

The meal afterward will have FISH PERMITTED but not meat or dairy, as the feast itself falls on the regular Wednesday fasting day.

ps later this week we have been invited to join St. John of Shanghai parish at their Canada Day picnic on Friday July 1st. Unfortunately Fr. Lawrence & I cannot go, but Fr. Lawrence will be serving Saturday morning for their parish feast day, as Fr. Justin is on vacation. For more details of both the Friday picnic and Saturday service go to the St. John's website.

Trailer Available for Rent

2011-06-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

Short note from Parish Council:

The trailer will be available to rent as early as July 1st. The rent is $700 per month plus utilities and plus maintenance of the church grounds.

If you are interested in renting the trailer please contact Sid Ketel.

Thanks!

CHANGE in June service schedule

2011-06-12T15:53:00.001-07:00

Due to circumstances beyond our control,
WEDNESDAY VESPERS services WILL NOT be served
during Fr. Lawrence's vacation June 14th-27th.

Saturday vespers on the 18th and 25th WILL be led by the deacons or readers.

In case of pastoral need during Fr. Lawrence's vacation, please contact Dn. Gregory or Dn. Kurt. If you should need a priest, they will arrange it.

Blessed feast of Pentecost to you all, and see you when we get back! --Mat Donna.

This coming week at St. Herman's June 2011

2011-06-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

PENTECOST this weekend!

Don't forget that on Sunday after lunch at 1PM
there will be the service of KNEELING VESPERS

ALSO, Please try to get your confession in this Saturday at vespers, as
Fr. Lawrence will be leaving on vacation the following week

and will not return until the vesperal liturgy Tuesday June 28th on the eve of feast of the Apostles

While Fr. Lawrence is away, in case of pastoral need, please contact one of our deacons. If you need a priest, they will arrange it.

More Wedding Celebration!

2011-06-01T17:22:00.000-07:00

For all of those who did not

1) get the Facebook invite
2) get the St. Herman's calendar
3) get a face-to-face invitation

I will be hosing a post-wedding Bridal Shower for Lisa Steenburgh (formerly known as Nalos) on Sunday, June 5 @ 1:00 pm Chez Hall. There will be some snacks and games and a grand ol' welcome for our new extended family member!!

Anyone interested in helping setup is welcome to join me IMMEDIATELY after church (I may even feed you!). RSVP by email: savoirwhy [at] gmail [dot] com.

Hope to see you there!

This coming week at St. Herman's

2011-05-28T12:53:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder of

Healing service after liturgy this Sunday
Ascension Eve, Wed. June 1 is a fast day. However, we will serve VESPERAL LITURGY Wed. evening, followed by a FESTAL meal (all foods allowed.) Therefore, please eat fasting foods before noon on Wed., and abstain from all food after your noon meal before receiving communion.
Friday June 3rd is also a fast day, as are the Wed. & Fri. of the week following. More fasting details and other items for June will be posted in the bulletin next Sunday; till then, the Google calendar to the left and the hard copy calendar at church this weekend will provide some information.

Welcome Daniel Pryadko!

2011-05-20T18:05:00.000-07:00

Andriy and Hannah Pryadko joyfully welcomed their new son, Daniel, born in the early hour of the morning May 20.

They are joined by Makariy, Patrick, Lydia and Matushka Ana, and everyone is happy to see the new little addition.

Both mom and baby are doing well, though quite tired! She did have enough fortitude, though, to text me first thing this morning with the update.

St.Arseny Orthodox Camp 2010

2011-05-15T22:01:00.001-07:00

pascha 2011

2011-05-09T13:17:00.000-07:00

Heading Home

2011-05-05T16:37:00.000-07:00

After an absence of almost five years (we had hoped it would be no more than two), Phil & I are set to return home at the end of the month. We will be very happy to introduce you to the two gorgeous additions to our family, as well as to catch up with old friends and meet all the new ones!

We look forward to the opportunity to live near our Church home and dear dear friends, and we are also hoping that locating ourselves there will enable Phil to continue on in his studies and contribute more fully to the life of the Church in B.C. (Let it be known that he is not intending to start another mission. He is happily just a "lay guy.")

Our move back to B.C. is taken as somewhat a leap of faith, since as of yet we have no employment secured and do not know where we will live. For this reason, I am posting this news here, hoping that perhaps some of you may be able to help ease our transition from New York to B.C.

Phil and I are both looking for work. Phil has many years experience working with developmentally disabled adults and is primarily looking for work in that field, but if other job opportunities arise he is open to considering them as well. I have experience teaching ESL and coordinating ESL programs for immigrants and would like to continue doing so, hopefully part-time.

We are also looking for a home. It will come as no surprise to those who know us that we would like this home to be both close to church and close to friends (close to work is not bad either...). We are wondering if anyone might know of housing possibilities that might suit a family of 4, or perhaps if any of you have suites you would like to rent out.

In addition, if we cannot secure housing before our arrival, we may also be in need of a temporary home. I will be arriving with the girls ahead of Phil, who will be driving out with our stuff. He should be arriving no later than June 10 (but hopefully sooner!).

If you have information you would like to pass on, please speak to Angelina or Br. Cyp to obtain our contact information.

Most of all, please keep us in your prayers, as we prepare for this move while juggling two girls and the end-of-semester crunch.

We look forward to seeing you all soon!

Biss

Anointing Service after Liturgy Sunday May 29

2011-05-05T13:47:00.000-07:00

From the days of the apostles, the Church has always asked the Lord to heal its sick, anointing them with oil and laying hands on them with prayer, even as St. James directs in James 5. The Lord never fails to respond to the prayer of faith, bringing His power upon those who humbly seek Him, whether for the healing of physical or spiritual ills.

Following the directions St. James gives (which presuppose a many presbyters in the local church), the Church’s service books envision seven presbyters gathering together for this service. Now that the Church (with its presbyters) is more spread out, it is not always possible for seven presbyters to gather together for this service, and the service books recognize this also, allowing the rite to be used by a single presbyter (the norm in most parishes), in an abbreviated rite.

St. Herman’s (with its single presbyter) will follow this pattern. At the conclusion of Liturgy on May 29, immediately before the final blessing and dismissal, Fr. Lawrence will offer the customary prayers for the blessing of holy oil and then will lay hands on and anoint any who come forward for prayer.

The Anointing Service can be served anytime. Recently it has become customary to have the service on Holy Wednesday, where it (sadly) functions as a kind of substitute for sacramental confession. The typikon knows nothing of this custom, which must be considered a liturgical aberration, especially since it interrupts the flow and progress of the Holy Week services, in which we journey with our Lord from Palm Sunday to the Cross. (It is for this reason that Archbishop Seraphim once directed his clergy not to serve the Anointing Service on Holy Wednesday, but at other times.)

We will serve the Anointing Service several times during the Church year. We serve it now in response to the request of Bishop Irenee, who has discerned a need for healing in the parishes of the archdiocese at this time.

Tiffany's shower info reposted to the top-- this coming Sunday!

2011-04-25T13:41:00.001-07:00

Let the Showers Begin!

Ladies of St. Herman's and affiliates, hear ye, hear ye!
Pull out your calendars and mark the date: We have planned a Bridal Shower for Tiffany Wolters and would like to invite you to come and celebrate!

(click picture to embiggen)

Questions? Feel free to email Macrina Hall or Sofia (aka Kristy) Duran for more info.

Hope to see you there!

palm sunday 2011

2011-04-19T07:19:00.000-07:00

HOLY WEEK SERVICES

2011-04-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

These are also listed in the Google calendar in the sidebar.

Unless otherwise noted,

Mon- Fri evening services begin at 7PM

** special note: NEW this year 5PM Holy Thursday Vesperal Liturgy

There will only be a SHORT meal break between this liturgy and the Gospel Service at 7 pm, so please:

fast from noon before receiving communion
bring ONLY food that is READY TO EAT and requires no cleanup-- such as peanut butter sandwiches

We will endeavour to keep this meal quiet and reflective, by listening in silence to readings as we eat.


Mon. Apr. 18	7 pm Bridegroom Matins
Tues. Apr. 19	7 pm Bridegroom Matins
Wed. Apr. 20	7 pm PreSanc Lit. & meal
Thurs. Apr. 21* note Liturgy new this year	5:00 pm St. Basil Lit & meal 7 pm 12 Gospels**
Fri. Apr. 22	7 pm Shroud Veneration & Overnight Vigil
Sat. Apr. 23	9 AM St. Basil Liturgy 10 PM Baptism 11:30 PM PASCHA
Sun. Apr. 24 PASCHA	NO morning service 4 pm Paschal Vespers & parish BBQ

Sun. 9:30 Matins & Liturgy	Palm Sunday Fish allowed
Mon. Apr. 18	Bridegroom Matins
Tues. Apr. 19	Bridegroom Matins
Wed. Apr. 20	PreSanct. Liturgy & meal
Thurs. Apr. 21* note Liturgy new this year	**5:00 pm St. Basil Lit & meal 7 pm 12 Gospels
Fri. Apr. 22	Shroud Veneration & Overnight Vigil
Sat. Apr. 23	9 AM St. Basil Liturgy 10 PM Baptism 11:30 PM PASCHA
Sun. Apr. 24 PASCHA	NO morning service 4 pm Paschal Vespers & parish BBQ

Sun. 9:30 Matins & Liturgy	Palm Sunday Fish allowed
Mon. Apr. 18	Bridegroom Matins
Tues. Apr. 19	Bridegroom Matins
Wed. Apr. 20	PreSanct. Liturgy & meal
Thurs. Apr. 21* note Liturgy new this year	**5:00 pm St. Basil Lit & meal 7 pm 12 Gospels
Fri. Apr. 22	Shroud Veneration & Overnight Vigil
Sat. Apr. 23	9 AM St. Basil Liturgy 10 PM Baptism 11:30 PM PASCHA
Sun. Apr. 24 PASCHA	NO morning service 4 pm Paschal Vespers & parish BBQ

Sun. 9:30 Matins & Liturgy	Palm Sunday Fish allowed
Mon. Apr. 18	Bridegroom Matins
Tues. Apr. 19	Bridegroom Matins
Wed. Apr. 20	PreSanct. Liturgy & meal
Thurs. Apr. 21* note Liturgy new this year	**5:00 pm St. Basil Lit & meal 7 pm 12 Gospels
Fri. Apr. 22	Shroud Veneration & Overnight Vigil
Sat. Apr. 23	9 AM St. Basil Liturgy 10 PM Baptism 11:30 PM PASCHA
Sun. Apr. 24 PASCHA	NO morning service 4 pm Paschal Vespers & parish BBQ

Let the Showers Begin!

2011-04-10T18:36:00.000-07:00

(click picture to embiggen)

Questions? Feel free to email Macrina Hall or Sofia (aka Kristy) Duran for more info.

Hope to see you there!

Cleaning Bee Saturday April 16th

2011-04-06T12:04:00.001-07:00

Saint Herman’s Annual

LAZARUS SATURDAY

CLEANING BEE

Please join us

Saturday April 16th

at 10 AM

and pitch in to beautify the church for our

celebration of Holy Week and Pascha

Please Bring:

· Cleaning supplies

· Cleaning equipment

· Food to share

Welcome Baby Marta!

2011-03-22T21:57:00.001-07:00

...and many years to parents Alexei & Svetlana S.

Funeral Wednesday March 23rd for Aura Fyfe

2011-03-22T08:36:00.000-07:00

Many of our parish never knew Aura, as she has been a shut-in for some years. She departed this life and entered the kingdom early on Sunday morning. Those of you who did know her please note that the service will not be at the church; however, Fr. Lawrence will be officiating.

Choir members, if you haven't yet heard of this through other channels, please let Magdalen know if you can come to sing (I believe Gregory is expecting to be out of town.)

Wed. March 23, 10 am

Victory Memorial Park funeral centre,

14831 - 28 Ave, Surrey (entrance off King George Highway)

Memory Eternal Aura!

The Angel of Daylight Savings Time!

2011-03-12T12:19:00.000-08:00

No, not really, I don't think Daylight Saving Time has an angelic origin. (I REALLY don't think so!) But I have two items to note in this post, and the first is:

SET YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR

AT BEDTIME TONIGHT!!

The other one is, we have several of these great Angelic Icon Calendars for sale at the church bookstore

REDUCED TO ONLY FIVE DOLLARS EACH!!

LENT COMETH!

2011-02-26T15:08:00.000-08:00

The March Calendar is now available at church (after being sick this week, I have yet to catch up with the online calendar-- that will be done soon.)

Also at church you can find the 2011 sheet of Lenten Fasting Rules. One item was left out, as it hadn't yet been scheduled-- a new item this year, a communion fast from noon for the Holy Thursday liturgy, which will be an evening liturgy held before the service of the Twelve Gospels, with a brief supper in between. That's not till April, of course, so more about that next month.

Meanwhile, tomorrow is the last meat day. So clear out the hot dogs and chicken; and after Sunday prepare to enjoy your pancakes, fish, veggie omelettes and cheese pizza this week!

A week from tomorrow, on Sunday March 6th, we will have Forgiveness Vespers after lunch (where we may eat all foods EXCEPT for meat). The church membership has increased a lot, so if you are very ascetic you can just let it hit you like a ton of bricks. But if not, you might want to do a little, um, training in the week leading up to it.....

One additional note: Abbotsford Dinner & Study at Sava's this week only will be on TUESDAY March 1st. at 6 pm. I believe it's pot luck? Anything but meat.

ps. I couldn't take the rain anymore, so I changed the Spruce Island template. :-) If any of you photo-savvy folks would like to try customizing it with a more relevant background image, please give it a whirl!

2011-02-13T08:27:00.000-08:00

Green's Open House Warming

Saturday, February 26, 2:30pm - 5:00pm at our town house in Aldergrove.

We are finally getting settled into our new house and would like to invite you over to see it. Feel free to stop by for a visit. We will have some snacks.

There are several "Visitor" parking spots scattered throughout the complex. If these are all full, please DON'T park in someone else's spot. They don't like that.

If you don't have our address or phone please e-mail agentzane@gmail.com

Be Back Tomorrow, by Sheree Plett

2011-02-11T00:08:00.000-08:00

2011-02-09T22:58:00.000-08:00

Kay. So please pardon the bad formatting. It's been years since I've posted on here.

This is what our parties usually look like, and involve Aaron totally embellishing some story to make himself seem, way more herioc.

The pic to the left is Jenn and Felix awaiting Ori's arrival.

I was trying to dig out a pic of Jenn and her hubby Alex, but alas it's not going to happen.

Your kids at St. Johns invite you to come celebrate the new addition to our family. It's a baby shower for Jennifer and Alex Wicks-Ness.

(that's the part I typed first but it totally slid format-wise.)

This is kind of a big deal for us. And well, we're happy for any excuse to have a party.

Home of Peter and Judy Choi, this coming Saturday. 2-4pm. All are welcome.

(here's an old group shot of us, from a while back... some hopefully familiar faces)

Lovely party host: Judy Choi.

842 66th Ave, Vancouver

A coupl'a blocks from the new Cambie and Marine Skytrain.

Ori and his big bro Felix.

The Pasivirtas are warming up their house in the hood at around the same time, and celebrating Mr. Zeke's birthday, so there's two reasons to come out and pay your old buddy old pals a visit, if you can swing it.

If you have any questions, you can email me at: kimberleyfrancis@gmail.com

Much Love to All. xx

PS. Oh and if you're planning on coming, please don't be bothered about a gift. We've decided that rather than clutter up the already well appointed Wicks-Ness household (it's baby #3), we're treating them to a deluxe day of pro house cleaning service, so that they can simply put their feet up and gaze adoringly at one another, for atleast one day this year, so if you do come, just bring a twoonie or a twenty, to toss into the bucket of goodness.

Men's Night later this month

2011-02-04T12:16:00.000-08:00

Advance notice about Men's Night

at Dn. Gregory's house

Friday February 25th

7 pm

Wed. Feb. 2nd Feast of the Meeting of Our Lord

2011-01-25T10:31:00.000-08:00

Wednesday February 2nd 7 pm

Vesperal Liturgy and

Blessing of Candles, Lamp Oil and Incense

Please bring your candles, lamp oil and incense to be blessed for use in your home icon corner

Fast from noon in preparation to receive communion

Please bring festal foods to share at our meal together afterward.

Also, please don't forget to schedule the blessing of your home-- the New year is well under way already, and it is just a little over a month till Great Lent!

Schedule your house blessing

2011-01-12T16:28:00.000-08:00

Please call Fr. Lawrence to schedule your house blessing this Theophany season!

Meanwhile, here is the info from the brochure on how to prepare:

How should I prepare for my house to be blessed?

1. Have the lights on and doors open in the rooms to be blessed (not the washrooms or storage spaces)
2. Turn off TV, radio and other electronic distractions
3. Prepare a table in the main room(preferably in the icon corner) and on it the following:
an icon with candle lit before it
a bowl containing holy water
lists of names of those you wish to pray for (living/departed)

If you have no holy water, the priest will supply some.

What will happen in the service of blessing?

1. When the family is gathered round the icon, the priest will begin with Trisagion prayers. Please join in with the Our Father
2. The priest will sing the tropar for Theophany; please join in(printed on the back of this leaflet).
3. The priest will pray the blessing prayer; the people respond “Amen”
4. A family member carrying the lit candle leads the priest to one room after another, where he sprinkles Holy Water. All follow in procession, singing the tropar repeatedly.
5. After all the rooms are blessed, the procession returns to the icon corner for the dismissal.

Theophany Tropar (tone 1)

O Lord, when You were baptized in the Jordan
The worship of the Trinity was made manifest/
For the voice of the Father bore witness to You
And called You His beloved Son/
And the Spirit in the form of a dove
Confirmed the truthfulness of His word./
O Christ our God who have revealed Yourself
And have enlightened the world// Glory to You!

MEANWHILE, don't miss the Blessing of the Fraser slideshow, courtesy of Victoria-- scroll down to the post below!

Theophany 2011

2011-01-10T12:51:00.001-08:00

Baby Bishop Baptism

2011-01-07T18:19:00.001-08:00

Theophany Services

2011-01-02T16:33:00.000-08:00

Wed. Jan 5th, 7 pm:

Vesperal Liturgy and Blessing of Holy Water

Eat LENTEN food only before noon.
Fast entirely from food from noon before receiving communion.
Bring FESTAL food to share at the post-liturgy meal.
Bring small bottles to carry Holy Water home.

Sunday, Jan. 9th: After Liturgy and lunch, we will go to bless the waters of the Fraser River.

Directions to Derby Reach Park are here

ALSO, DON'T FORGET: Please call or e-mail Fr. Lawrence to schedule your annual house blessing after Theophany.

reminder

2010-12-26T19:29:00.000-08:00

If you have donation-in-kind receipts to submit for St. Herman's please bring them by next Sunday.

January 2nd.

Christmas Service Times Reminder!

2010-12-22T17:15:00.000-08:00

Fri. Dec. 24 6PM Christmas Eve Vigil

Sat. Dec. 25 9 AM Christmas Liturgy NO meal after and NO Saturday vespers in the evening

Sun. Dec. 26 10 AM Liturgy-- NO Matins preceding, Lunch as usual after.

Fr. Lawrence will be leaving immediately after Sunday liturgy for vacation.

Wed. Dec. 29 7 pm Deacon's vespers
and New Year's Day Sat. Jan 1st, 6:30 pm Deacon's vespers

Fr. Lawrence will return for Jan. 2nd Sunday Matins & Liturgy

Christmas Cards

2010-12-20T15:21:00.000-08:00

Thank you to those of you who ordered Christmas cards and participated in this Youth Fundraising Initiative.

From the sale of the cards we were able to collect $125.00 to donate to the upcoming Youth Retreat in February.

Thanks again!

Post-Christmas Liturgy Breakfast

2010-12-15T10:00:00.000-08:00

Hi all!

The Gascoignes would like to extend an invitation to all our St. Herman's family for a Christmas breakfast at our house after liturgy on Christmas Day.

We did this last year and it was a jolly event, and a lovely way to spend those hours before your pre-Christmas dinner nap time. We'll have the wood fire burning, the music playing, the bacon in the oven, and the eggs in the pan. It would be lovely if people could bring a few things to share, but the best thing to share is your presence.

Hope to see you all there!

Love Gascoignes

Holiday Fundraiser Initiative

2010-12-11T19:59:00.000-08:00

I would like to help the youth group raise funds for their Winter Retreat by selling Christmas cards to the parish.

Cards would be ordered in advance and available for pick-up or distribution on Sunday December 19.

The price for individual cards is $3.50 or 5 for $15.00 (excluding the oversized card). $2.50 from the sale of each card will be donated back to the church for youth events, such as the Winter Retreat. The remaining funds will cover the cost of materials and time.

There are 6 styles to choose from. All cards are made with paper obtained from an environmentally sustainable paper mill and prices include envelopes. Photos can be mounted on red or green cardstock for an additional 25c/card (or $1.00 flat fee for groups of 5).

Many thanks for your participation in this fundraising initiative. Please feel free to speak to me directly if you wish to place an order or email us before Friday December 17.

Love in Christ, Peter & Macrina Hall

radiantgalaxy@shaw.ca

Book Request

2010-11-28T22:18:00.000-08:00

Posted on behalf of Fr. John/Hannah Pryadko

Father John Bingham is collecting used Orthodox books for one of his parishioners who owns a used book store. The man and his wife are going through a rough spell financially; the wife recently hit a moose while driving and their car was totaled. Insurance did not cover the damage and in addition to that, the wife had to stop working to undergo surgery and will be off for recovery and rehabilitation.

The book store business is slow. Father John is hoping that as well as making Orthodox reading material available to the public through the book store, the proceeds will help to provide a bit of additional income to this struggling couple.

If anyone has any used Orthodox books that they are no longer reading or using as reference, or second copies of good Orthodox books that they would like to donate, please give them to Hannah Pryadko to send to Father John. They will be sent out the first or second week of December. Thanks so much.

Hannah

Event Reminders this week

2010-11-22T12:52:00.000-08:00

**update-- December calendars and Christmas Tree blessing leaflet will be available in church this weekend. Bulletin next weekend.

Sunday Nov. 28th-- 2 pm baby shower to welcome baby Meredith at Ana W's

Wednesday Dec. 1st-- 7 pm Bp. Irenee is with us for vespers & coffee time. Please bring some finger food!

Episcopal Visit December 1st

2010-11-17T13:30:00.000-08:00

Vladika Irenee will be with us for

Wednesday vespers at 7 PM

on December 1st.

If you can be with us for the service that evening,

please bring some Lenten snacks

for a brief informal coffee time afterward.

Women's Annual Advent Quiet Day

2010-11-16T18:08:00.000-08:00

11 am till 5 pm on

Saturday, December 4

at Theresia's

Address and directions will be posted at church.

Bring something Advent-friendly and tasty to share.

Welcome Baby Bishop on the Eve of Advent!

2010-11-13T11:36:00.000-08:00

WELCOME to the newest St. Hermanite, little Meredith Jean, who arrived this past week. Ladies please remember that there will be a baby shower at Ana W's at the end of the month, Sun. Nov. 28th after church. See details here.

Meanwhile, this Sunday is the last day before Advent-- time to use up all your non-fasting food!

Details are found on your liturgical calendar at home and in the November bulletin available in the church narthex.

Memory Eternal

2010-11-05T16:52:00.000-07:00

... to our much valued sister in Christ and long time parish member

Edith Lorraine Gavriel,

who fell asleep in the Lord this morning.

Her funeral will be

at St. Herman's

Tues. Nov. 9.

Viewing at 9.30 am,

funeral at 10.00 am,

interment in Langley following.

FALL BACK THIS COMING WEEKEND!!

2010-11-01T11:51:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to turn your clock back an hour on

Saturday night, November 6th

(unless you don't really want the extra hour of sleep that night, of course!)

SPECIAL Wed. Oct. 27th NO VESPERS-- TWU event Fr. John Behr

2010-10-23T10:46:00.000-07:00

PLEASE NOTE: for this date only, Oct. 27th, our Wednesday daily vespers will be CANCELLED to enable us to attend this free event with St. Vlad's professor Fr. John Behr at Trinity Western University. Fr. John has agreed to spend a little time with us afterward, likely at the Dublin Crossing-- details to be confirmed on the day.

Map & Directions to TWU

The Very Rev. John Behr, Professor of Patristics, St. Vladimir’s Seminary in New York

WED. OCT. 27^TH AT 7:30 P.M.

IN THE NW AUDITORIUM AT TRINITY WESTERN UNIVERSITY

AND BY THE RELIGIOUS STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT TWU.

“Orthodox Christianity as Paideia: Faith, Reason, and Culture in the Early Church.”

Fr. John Behr is the Dean of St Vladimir’s Seminary and Professor of Patristics, teaching courses in patristics, dogmatics and scriptural exegesis at the seminary, and also at Fordham University, where he is the Distinguished Lecturer in Patristics. Fr. John hails from England, though his family background is Russian and German - and clerical on both sides.

After completing his first degree in Philosophy in London in 1987, Fr. John spent a year studying in Greece. He finished an M.Phil. in Eastern Christian Studies at Oxford University, under Bishop Kallistos (Ware), who subsequently supervised his doctoral work, which was examined by Fr. Andrew Louth and Rowan Williams, now Archbishop of Canterbury. While working on his doctorate, he was invited to be a Visiting Lecturer at St Vladimir’s Seminary in 1993, where he has been a permanent faculty member since 1995, tenured in 2000, and ordained in 2001. Before becoming Dean in 2007, he served as the editor of St Vladimir’s Theological Quarterly, and he still edits the Popular Patristics Series for SVS Press.

His early work was on issues of asceticism and anthropology, focusing on St. Irenaeus of Lyons and Clement of Alexandria. After spending almost a decade in the second century, Fr John began the publication of a series on the Formation of Christian Theology, and has now reached the fifth and sixth centuries. He has recently completed an edition and translation of, and introduction to, the remaining texts of Diodore of Tarsus and Theodore of Mopsuestia. He has also published a synthetic presentation of the theology of the early centuries, focused on the mystery of Christ.

Fr. Behr is the author of the following books which will be available for purchase at the lecture:

The Mystery of Christ: Life in Death (Crestwood, NY: SVS Press, 2006). 186 pp.
The Nicene Faith, vol. 2 of The Formation of Christian Theology (Crestwood, NY: SVS Press, 2004). 2 vols in paper; single hardcover volume 580 pp.
The Way to Nicaea, vol. 1 of The Formation of Christian Theology (Crestwood: SVS Press, 2001). 261 pp

Baby Bishop

2010-10-14T13:36:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder to the parish women about the baby shower for Robyn & Ryan's wee one

When: Sunday, November 28th
Time: 2:00pm
Where: Ana Wright's house
What: please bring something edible to share - remember it will be the Advent fast.

Also - I am collecting money for a stroller so if you are so inclined you are welcome to give your stoller donation to me any Sunday between now and November 21st.

Thanks!

Re: The Allegations against Abp. Seraphim

2010-10-08T17:57:00.000-07:00

By now most of you have heard that our Archbishop is under investigation by the Winnipeg police. He is on a leave of absence, which was announced on OCA.org. That announcement is also quoted by Bishop Irenee in a newly posted letter,which can be read via this link:

http://archdiocese.ca/news/2010/20101006-Leave-of-absence.htm

Some of you were present at vespers on Wednesday when we prayed about this matter, along with various other requests for particular needs, as we do every vespers. At that time, Fr. Lawrence gave a brief message prepared by him with help from Dn. Kurt and Dn. Greg. Several people have since asked for a copy, so it is now being posted here. You will find that Fr. Justin has also posted a helpful message on the St. John's blog.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
No doubt most of you will have heard about the allegations made about our Archbishop in the media. Regarding this situation, I would like to say the following:
1. The first thing to remember is that Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. He is the true head of our Church, not Archbishop Seraphim or Fr. Lawrence or anyone else. As such, we continually look to Him for support. As the Scripture says, the joy of the Lord is our strength.
2. The archdiocese is currently in the capable and loving hands of Vladika Irenee, who has been given the task of being the Administrator of the Archdiocese for the present time. He has been at our church, and we have already experienced his pastoral care.
3. The clergy of the Archdiocese, to the best of my knowledge, do not know anything beyond what they have read in the media and on the official OCA website. We found out about this situation when everyone else did.
4. The Archbishop has not been charged yet with anything. Certain allegations have been made, but to date, no charges have been laid.
5. The Church is cooperating with the police, and is also conducting its own investigation, as mandated in its Policies, Standards and Procedures on Sexual Misconduct.
6. The early date of the alleged offence has no moral significance for the question one way or the other--the passage of time in itself does not lessen any offence.
7. The sacramental acts done by any cleric are not dependent upon his moral state--any baptisms or ordinations done by the Archbishop will remain valid regardless.
8. The proper response to the situation is prayer for all concerned, not speculation.
It is tempting to cope with the situation by talking endlessly about anticipated or feared outcomes.
The hardest thing is to simply wait and pray. But we must not let either any love for our Archbishop on the one hand, or any sense of moral indignation regarding the alleged offence on the other, dislodge us from our posture of prayer. We do not know the events of the past, or the outcomes of the future. All we know is that we are all in the hands of God.

All my love in the Lord,
Fr. Lawrence

Thanksgiving next weekend-- please bring your harvest baskets for blessing!

2010-10-04T08:54:00.000-07:00

Sorry this announcement got missed yesterday!

Sun. Oct 10th—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.

2010-09-27T11:19:00.001-07:00

Via: OnlineSchools.org

Baby Shower for Baby Bishop

2010-09-20T13:25:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, November 28th the church women will gather at Ana Wright's house at 2:00pm for a baby shower for the newest little Bishop. Robyn is due at at the end of October/beginning of November so by then the wee one will have arrived.

Robyn has advised that she and Ryan need a stroller. So if you would like to contribute towards the stroller please let me know. I'm away from church for the next 2 weeks but after that I will collect money for and then buy the stroller.

Feel free to do your own gift as well!

Feel free to bring some snacky foods for us all to share while we ooh and ahh over the baby!

I am part of a large family

2010-09-17T21:44:00.001-07:00

SHORT NOTICE-- VISIT OF RELICS OF ST. VLADIMIR TO VANCOUVER!

2010-09-17T21:25:00.000-07:00

Archdiocese of Canada BC Clergy have just received the following URGENT last minute notice about this historic event from Abp. Seraphim.

Please see the info on the archdiocesan website:

http://archdiocese.ca/

(nb. the Holy Resurrection website says the service will be held at Saturdy vespers and at Sunday liturgy, but I gather from HE's message that perhaps there was some sort of delay, and now there will be a service held Sunday evening at 6 pm. I am also told that Fr. Michael hopes to have English as well as Slavonic used in the service.) --- Mat. Donna

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Dear Brothers,

I am writing to tell you that the Relics of the Holy Prince Vladimir of Kyiv are in Holy Resurrection Sobor this week-end. An Akathist will be served there Sunday evening at 1800 hrs. You are all welcome.

I am sorry for short notice. We could not tell until the last minute when and how the Relics would come from the Kyiv Caves, and we had to devise our agenda at the last minute.

Love in Christ,
+Seraphim

ordinations

2010-09-17T14:32:00.000-07:00

full album here

2010-09-14T22:11:00.000-07:00

full album HERE!

Christie's Goodbye Party!!!!

2010-09-12T22:48:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

Don't forget that Christie's goodbye party is THIS FRIDAY at the Gascoigne residence. That's 9642 139th St in Surrey. She's away to Winnipeg indefinitely at the end of this month a deserves a proper send -off: so y'all turn up ok?

The festivities begin at 4-ish. I will provide calories in the form of flourless cake (Christie is gluten intolerant) and a few other snacks and drinks, but we'll appreciate any other contributions to the table.

Also, don't forget this is a FORMAL occasion-- which means it will be MUCH more fun if people turn up dressed the nines for a cocktail party. We won't turn anyone away for being underdressed of course, but we may have other "decorations" to utilize if your attire appears to need it. Trust me, it'll be terrific fun.

Looking forward to a stellar night. Contact Rhiannon if you have any questions about what you can bring!

Thanks!

Gascoignes

Hierarchical Liturgy EARLY this Sunday Sept. 12th!

2010-09-10T17:06:00.000-07:00

Vladika Seraphim will be with us to visit on Sunday, and one of our readers will be ordained to the subdiaconate. (I don't know if he wants a fuss made, so I am not posting his name just now. :-)

There will be NO matins, and instead we will formally greet the bishop upon his arrival at 9:30 AM

It would be wise to arrive well -before- 9:30 if you can. Also, please remember to bring a little extra food as these visits always draw attendance from beyond the parish. As a monk of course Vladika does not eat meat, so cheese, eggs and fish will not go amiss. Plenty of green veggies are also good for his health.

Marriage Encounter

2010-09-08T06:37:00.000-07:00

Dear brothers and sisters,

On Sunday September 26^th a couple from Marriage Encounter will be visiting St. Herman’s to give us a presentation during coffee hour, regarding Marriage Encounter Weekends.

Marriage Encounter offers Christian married couples a unique tool to help grow communication in their marriages, in a private setting, during Marriage Encounter’s planned retreat weekends.

Marriage Encounter is a program which was founded by the Roman Catholic Church, however, it has been adapted and used by Orthodox and Protestant Denominations as well. The closest Orthodox Marriage Encounter is in California, thus this Marriage Encounter will be presented by the Roman Catholic Church. As the message in any Christian Marriage Encounter is the same as the Orthodox Marriage Encounter, namely growing communication and love in marriages, while recognizing Christ as the focal point in the Christian marriage, the upcoming Catholic Marriage Encounter will undoubtedly be useful to the married couples in our community.

I deeply encourage all of the married couples in our community to attend a marriage encounter weekend, as Marriage Encounter is a program designed for GOOD Marriages, to help good marriages grow stronger by encouraging communication and mutual love in Christ.

Please plan on hearing the upcoming presentation on Sunday September 26^th. If you wish to look into Marriage Encounter in advance, their website is www.wwme.org

Your servant in Christ,

Dn. Gregory

Women's Night - Sit 'n' Stich

2010-09-06T13:26:00.001-07:00

There has been talk about starting up monthly women's nights, now that the summer is over and most people are back from their holidays. Because we are already hosting youth group in September, I would like to offer to host a women's night Chez Hall on Friday October 29th. We can make parking and car-pooling arrangements since our area isn't particularly favorable when it comes to parking!

Also, I was thinking of canvasing the community to see if anyone was likewise interested in putting together a regular Sit 'n' Stich. Imagine if you will, a cozy room with comfy chairs, fire roaring in the corner, steaming cups of tea and coffee and hot chocolate grouped on a coffee table, and mountains of yarn and fabric creations gracing the laps of a small collection of individuals who have gathere for a common interest: creating with their hands something not only functional, but beautiful! This kind of get-together would provide a neat opportunity for getting to know people with whom we might not otherwise socialize. Since there are a LOT of knitters and crocheters and quilters and other crafty gals in our ever growing community, this would be a great excuse to get together semi-regularly... not to mention get those projects done!!

For those who don't have specific projects in mind, there is also the possibility of gathering a collection of hand-made scarves, hats and mitts to contribute to the Diakonia, and keep warm the bodies of those who will suffer in the cold and wet this coming winter.

September events

2010-09-03T13:43:00.000-07:00

Here are the September events from the newsletter-- hard copy available at church this weekend. Also, don't forget to update your info in the draft copy of the directory in the narthex.

Wed. Sept 8 7 pm. Nativity of the Theotokos

Vesperal Liturgy Fish allowed at meal after

Sun. Sept. 12 9:30 am Greeting of Bishop

10:00 am Hierarchical Liturgy

Tues. Sept. 14 7 pm Vesperal Liturgy & Lenten Meal

Fri. Sept. 17 7 pm Farewell for Christie G at Gascoignes’

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Fasting this month

Regular Wed & Fri fasts: NO meat, fish, dairy or eggs

except:

Wed. Sept. 8th Nativity of the Theotokos Fish permitted

Fri. Sept. 24th Holy New Martyrs of Alaska fish permitted.

*NB Tues. Sept. 14th Holy Cross Day is a strictly Lenten fast. Please remember to bring NO meat, fish, dairy or eggs to the post-liturgy meal that evening.

=================================================

A visit from our Archpastor

Sunday Sept.12th 10 AM

Hierarchical Liturgy served by

Archbishop Seraphim

Please arrive EARLY so that we may greet our Vladyka

============================================

Youth plans 2010-2011

First meeting of the New Church Year will be at the Halls’ in Langley on Fri. Sept. 24th 7 pm.

The traditional Pumpkin Patch outing will take place on Sun. Oct. 24th.

A Winter Youth Retreat is being planned for February. More info coming!

Prayers

2010-08-31T19:56:00.000-07:00

As some of you may be aware, last week a young girl (15) from the Lower Mainland was reported to have jumped out of her mother's moving vehicle after an argument with her and died from a head injury caused on impact of her fall.

A friend at work knows the family well and has given me their names that our church and wider community might remember them in prayer. The family's name is Delesalle, and the mother (who is likely particularly distressed at this time) is named Patricia. They have two other children.

The funeral for the young girl was today.

Thank you,
macrina

Reminder-- fast day on Sunday August 29th Beheading of John the Baptist

2010-08-28T12:49:00.000-07:00

The Beheading of St John the Baptist, a Feast day established by the Church, is also a strict fast day because of the grief of Christians at the violent death of the saint. In some Orthodox cultures pious people will not eat food from a flat plate, use a knife, or eat food that is round in shape on this day.

Please remember to bring only strictly lenten food to church this Sunday-- no meat, fish, eggs or dairy.

The Orthodox Church magazine online

2010-08-18T16:34:00.000-07:00

The spring/summer issue 2010 includes an article by Fr. Richard Rene, formerly of our parish and now rector of St. Aidan's Cranbrook.

2010-08-16T11:41:00.000-07:00

(see full resolution photos HERE)

Christopher update, and thanks

2010-08-08T19:58:00.001-07:00

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Dear brothers and sisters;
Macrina Lewis has passed on her deepest gratitude to all of you at St Herman's, for the card and generousity her family received.
Her husband Christopher is done with his three (!) surgeries on his leg and is mending- he's nearing the end of a very fragile 10-day resting time following the final surgery.

From one of Macrina's emails:
"...But I did get loud and clear that this was a VERY complex break, with bits and pieces 2.5" away from where they should have been. And [the doctor's] impression on opening it all up was that he's rarely seen an injury like that. The upshot of his brief report was that the knee is now "mechanically sound" and that his part went smoothly. He also reiterated that it will be 12 weeks of non-weight-bearing, with some exercising of the knee after about 3-4 weeks."

Please keep them in your prayers, and thanks for your love.

-Mark Basil
(PS given it's after sunset... Blessed Feast Day to you all!)