::: From the Annual Meeting :::

Parishioners through discussions and affirmations came to the following conclusions:

1. We commit to support the renovation project now and in the future by Orthodox Christian usage.

2. We will support the work of the Church locally and beyond.

3. We will make certain that there is no “ministry of one” at St. Gregory’s.

4. We will practice sound stewardship by supporting the budget approved by the congregation at this meeting.

Speaking to #1.

From this point on, anyone going upstairs to check on progress could see it being made every day. Dry walling starts tomorrow. That means that supports are in place, the floor is down, electric circuitry is in place in walls and ceiling. Almost final decisions have been made on wall colors, trim colors, flooring, and countertops. A family within our parish has donated a wonderful commercial style stove.

Rick Murphy, the contractor, prods every worker on with this requirement: “Food has to be blessed up here by Pascha!” And it seems to be working.

While there was opportunity, the sanctuary was wired for a sound system. The ceiling will be marked for speakers but there may be a delay in installation because of cost – this was not part of the ‘upstairs’ renovation proposal, but frequently has been discussed as necessary, especially for those in the back, for the choir, and for all on many occasions. The Building Committee thought it unwise not to do the preliminary work when the opportunity presented itself. We have a proposal in hand, but unless additional funding or pledges for the project are received, it will remain on hold.

The family of the late John Volosin has recently blessed us with donations given in his loving memory. So far their donations have allowed us to acquire a new chalice. In the works are plans for a new sign on the outside of our edifice. In preparation for our 25th Anniversary next year, we are very excited to announce that the Volosin funds will also be used to have a mural of the Three Hierarchs (on the side wall) written by renown Russian iconographer Nikolai Mukhin.

We will need so many things once we’re up there: tableware, serving dishes, new tables and chairs. Once we’re there, the annex must be made more appropriate – it’ll be our entrance into the Church proper. How to keep it as a neighborhood gathering place, yet be presentable as a way for us to enter, for the Archbishop, for funerals, weddings, and special occasions – all suggest that we’ve endorsed a program and project worthy of the people of God.

That’s what faith often boils down to – stewardship, working in the vineyard in the most practical of ways. Think of it. Because we have the space, the means, and the Christian desire, we at St. Gregory’s feed maybe hundreds of people each month. That’s fulfilling a Gospel injunction!

So it happened that the parish endorses the renovation project. Must mean work. Must mean giving.
Must mean we take our calling seriously.

Speaking to #2

Someone I trust has told me that the word on the church streets is that the Orthodox Church in America, having endured a true time of trials and internal strife at high levels, is back on the right road again. Many of the things good people in the Church have been questioning for years have been brought out for discussion and investigation. Responsible people have seen and read the materials gathered by the firms hired to investigate wrong doing. His Eminence needs to be thanked for persevering. Our Diocesan Metropolitan Council representatives, V. Rev. Vladimir Berzonsky and Dr. Richard West, joined others to help the whole Church see the need for openness, documentation and conciliarity. I hope that this hopeful news will be born out as time goes on.

For me the need to hold onto a local Church, that is to say the Orthodox Church in America, was and remains paramount. There is no place else for me to go. More than 200 years of missionary labor and sacrifice and martyrdom has planted the Church here. This Church of ours, from the time of our Blessed Father Herman to the present time where another Herman guides the American flock, met and meets challenge, scandal, and potential disintegration. I believe that faithfulness and personal piety from the bottom up will save us.

To be saved and survive here, we start here with ourselves as community. Do we do what the Lord asks of us? Does our participation in worship drive every group and organization that exists here? If it doesn’t, it should adjust. We are right worshipping: worship, i.e., Christ who comes to us in worship, saves us.
Do we do the best job we can in whatever each of us as a member of the Body of Christ is called to do? From clean-up to clean-out, ministries and opportunity abounds. Remember, no volunteers, just ministries . . .
What this comes down to is this: we must be guarded in all our criticisms, locally and beyond. When St. Gregory’s becomes the perfect reflection of Christ, then His love will guide us in our dealings with those around and above us. In the meantime, we insist that the parts of the organization, i.e., the Orthodox Church in America, do what is called to be done. If on Parish Council, then administer and serve well. The Diocese of the Midwest ought to manifest much of the glory of the Lord, because its member parishes are doing what statutes, canon, Scripture and Tradition require of them. We pray constantly for His Eminence that he be the bishop most aptly described in the Epistle to Timothy, for example. He can’t be that if we aren’t worthy, rational sheep, faithful and obedient stewards ourselves. If called, we respond.

We are all under discipline. It’s that simple. Freedom without Christ, without the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, is no freedom at all.

| :: |