Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Update from OCMC Missionary Maria Roeber
Farah na amani! Joy and Peace!
Hello from Tanzania! The two months since my last letter to you have been extremely busy, but very educational and beneficial to me.
First, I was blessed to find a wonderful language and culture teacher, a lady named Methodia who grew up here in Bukoba, and also lived in England and Germany for close to twenty years. I’d prayed to God for weeks prior to my arrival here that He would send me the “right” nurturer from the start, and so He has: Mama Methodia has adopted me as her fifth child, and proudly declares that I will be speaking Kiswahili by Christmas. We are using a method of language acquisition where the first 100 hours of study do not involve me speaking, but rather listening to her speak to me, just the way infants first listen to their parents speak to them before they attempt to imitate sounds. I’ve been surprised both at how much fun I am having, and also at how quickly I seem to recognize many words. While I am not required to speak Kiswahili in class, I am allowed to use it as I feel able in normal activities, so I am becoming more comfortable greeting people and holding very simple conversations. My greatest delight is walking around town and having children attempt to greet me in English and being able to respond to them in Kiswahili. Yesterday as I walked along the beach to get to class, three children playing nearby watched me very solemnly until I asked them, “Habari ya mchana?” (How is your afternoon?) Their eyes got big and round, and the littlest boy who was about two or three squeaked out, “Shikamoo! Nzuri!” (Shikamoo is a greeting of respect to an elder. Nzuri means fine, or good.) It’s fun when I start running into the same group of kids each day on my way to school. There’s one family with three small children whose home I pass each day, and without fail the kids start waving excitedly when they see me. I feel less anxious about being in a foreign place and more welcome with each passing day, for which I am extremely grateful.
Most people ask me what a typical day is like, so I will attempt to answer that question very briefly. Every day starts at about 7 am, when the bells for Matins ring next door at the church. We attend Matins every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday it’s Matins and Liturgy. After service we enjoy a hot breakfast made by Mama Christina, our cook and housekeeper. After that it’s usually time for some chores—either going to the market or to pay a water or electricity bill, stop by the bank, or stay home and do laundry or clean my room. Then I spend an hour or so listening to the language lessons from the previous day, which I record and can store on my iPod. I also spend a little time each day preparing for the next language session—we have a curriculum provided for us, but it requires some thoughtful planning to execute well. Then I spend some time answering emails or updating my Facebook account, which I know many of you follow. It’s such a blessing to be able to communicate with folks from home so easily! Usually Mama Christina has lunch ready for us by 12:30, and by 12:45 I am out the door to walk down to the lake for my class. In the afternoon when I return I make myself a cup of tea and a snack and start the process of transferring the language recordings from that day’s session onto my computer, and then listening to them for another couple of hours, as well as reviewing previous sessions. I also usually do some more emailing at that point. By six we are back at church for Vespers, and then I make my own dinner—usually something simple. The evening might include more study, doing some relaxing reading, writing to my support team by email or “snail mail,” or chatting with my roommates about the day. Sometimes I get to call my family or friends, too! I try to get ready for bed by about 10, and am generally asleep by 11. On any particular day we might have visitors drop by, which changes the schedule a bit, and I am learning to be flexible with how to organize activities here.
Many people have asked for updates about how the work at the Orthodox clinic is going. My primary responsibility during the first six months to a year of service here is to focus entirely on language and cultural acquisition. People here generally do not speak much English, and without studying Kiswahili, I will not be able to care for patients without a translator. As the clinic will be functioning with the help of us as volunteers to staff it, there’s not provision for the hiring of translators. It has been challenging for me to “stop” being a nurse and to feel like I am “not working,” but the truth is that by working hard at language study I am building the foundation upon which my later nursing practice will depend. The Orthodox clinic is currently awaiting registration through the Tanzanian government in order to reopen. It was closed because it had originally been registered as a “hospital,” but since we cannot meet the staffing requirements to function as such, a new application had to be submitted. Please keep the registration and government approval of the clinic in your prayers. My hope is that the clinic will be ready to open at the same time that I am ready to focus more on direct patient care and less on language study, but I am also open to God’s will and am trying to accept whatever He asks me to do.
As many of you are aware, I did have the opportunity to use my medical background to conduct a health care needs assessment for the Turkana in northern Kenya last month, which is one reason you haven’t heard from me in a while. My fellow missionaries and I are also busy preparing to welcome an OCMC medical mission team that will provide medical care to rural areas in Tanzania for two weeks in October. My next update will include more detailed information about the trip to Kenya and about our preparations for the October team, and I’ll be sending it out shortly after this letter.
Thank you to each and every one of you for your faithful prayerful and financial support that sustains me here! I pray for all of you every morning when I thank God for allowing me to be here, and I thank you, too! Glory to God for all things!
Yours in Christ,
Maria
Hello from Tanzania! The two months since my last letter to you have been extremely busy, but very educational and beneficial to me.
First, I was blessed to find a wonderful language and culture teacher, a lady named Methodia who grew up here in Bukoba, and also lived in England and Germany for close to twenty years. I’d prayed to God for weeks prior to my arrival here that He would send me the “right” nurturer from the start, and so He has: Mama Methodia has adopted me as her fifth child, and proudly declares that I will be speaking Kiswahili by Christmas. We are using a method of language acquisition where the first 100 hours of study do not involve me speaking, but rather listening to her speak to me, just the way infants first listen to their parents speak to them before they attempt to imitate sounds. I’ve been surprised both at how much fun I am having, and also at how quickly I seem to recognize many words. While I am not required to speak Kiswahili in class, I am allowed to use it as I feel able in normal activities, so I am becoming more comfortable greeting people and holding very simple conversations. My greatest delight is walking around town and having children attempt to greet me in English and being able to respond to them in Kiswahili. Yesterday as I walked along the beach to get to class, three children playing nearby watched me very solemnly until I asked them, “Habari ya mchana?” (How is your afternoon?) Their eyes got big and round, and the littlest boy who was about two or three squeaked out, “Shikamoo! Nzuri!” (Shikamoo is a greeting of respect to an elder. Nzuri means fine, or good.) It’s fun when I start running into the same group of kids each day on my way to school. There’s one family with three small children whose home I pass each day, and without fail the kids start waving excitedly when they see me. I feel less anxious about being in a foreign place and more welcome with each passing day, for which I am extremely grateful.
Most people ask me what a typical day is like, so I will attempt to answer that question very briefly. Every day starts at about 7 am, when the bells for Matins ring next door at the church. We attend Matins every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday it’s Matins and Liturgy. After service we enjoy a hot breakfast made by Mama Christina, our cook and housekeeper. After that it’s usually time for some chores—either going to the market or to pay a water or electricity bill, stop by the bank, or stay home and do laundry or clean my room. Then I spend an hour or so listening to the language lessons from the previous day, which I record and can store on my iPod. I also spend a little time each day preparing for the next language session—we have a curriculum provided for us, but it requires some thoughtful planning to execute well. Then I spend some time answering emails or updating my Facebook account, which I know many of you follow. It’s such a blessing to be able to communicate with folks from home so easily! Usually Mama Christina has lunch ready for us by 12:30, and by 12:45 I am out the door to walk down to the lake for my class. In the afternoon when I return I make myself a cup of tea and a snack and start the process of transferring the language recordings from that day’s session onto my computer, and then listening to them for another couple of hours, as well as reviewing previous sessions. I also usually do some more emailing at that point. By six we are back at church for Vespers, and then I make my own dinner—usually something simple. The evening might include more study, doing some relaxing reading, writing to my support team by email or “snail mail,” or chatting with my roommates about the day. Sometimes I get to call my family or friends, too! I try to get ready for bed by about 10, and am generally asleep by 11. On any particular day we might have visitors drop by, which changes the schedule a bit, and I am learning to be flexible with how to organize activities here.
Many people have asked for updates about how the work at the Orthodox clinic is going. My primary responsibility during the first six months to a year of service here is to focus entirely on language and cultural acquisition. People here generally do not speak much English, and without studying Kiswahili, I will not be able to care for patients without a translator. As the clinic will be functioning with the help of us as volunteers to staff it, there’s not provision for the hiring of translators. It has been challenging for me to “stop” being a nurse and to feel like I am “not working,” but the truth is that by working hard at language study I am building the foundation upon which my later nursing practice will depend. The Orthodox clinic is currently awaiting registration through the Tanzanian government in order to reopen. It was closed because it had originally been registered as a “hospital,” but since we cannot meet the staffing requirements to function as such, a new application had to be submitted. Please keep the registration and government approval of the clinic in your prayers. My hope is that the clinic will be ready to open at the same time that I am ready to focus more on direct patient care and less on language study, but I am also open to God’s will and am trying to accept whatever He asks me to do.
As many of you are aware, I did have the opportunity to use my medical background to conduct a health care needs assessment for the Turkana in northern Kenya last month, which is one reason you haven’t heard from me in a while. My fellow missionaries and I are also busy preparing to welcome an OCMC medical mission team that will provide medical care to rural areas in Tanzania for two weeks in October. My next update will include more detailed information about the trip to Kenya and about our preparations for the October team, and I’ll be sending it out shortly after this letter.
Thank you to each and every one of you for your faithful prayerful and financial support that sustains me here! I pray for all of you every morning when I thank God for allowing me to be here, and I thank you, too! Glory to God for all things!
Yours in Christ,
Maria
Fr. David Rucker & Dn. James Nicholas to attend OCA All American Council
Fr. David Rucker & Dn. James Nicholas to attend OCA All American Council
10/31/2011 - 11/4/2011
Hyatt Regency Bellevue
900 Bellevue Way, NE
Bellevue, Washington
United States
98004
Fr. David Rucker, Associate Director of OCMC, and Dn. James Nicholas, Missionary Director of OCMC will be attending the All American Council of the Orthodox Church in America in Bellevue, Washington (greater Seattle area), from the 31st of October through the 4th of November. They will be staying at the conference location at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Seattle’s Eastside (900 Bellevue Way, NE 98004). They look forward to spending time with delegates, observers and guests. Feel free to stop by the OCMC display in the exhibition hall or call Fr. David to make an appointment to visit during the conference. He can be reached on his cell phone at 904-599-5812.
10/31/2011 - 11/4/2011
Hyatt Regency Bellevue
900 Bellevue Way, NE
Bellevue, Washington
United States
98004
Fr. David Rucker, Associate Director of OCMC, and Dn. James Nicholas, Missionary Director of OCMC will be attending the All American Council of the Orthodox Church in America in Bellevue, Washington (greater Seattle area), from the 31st of October through the 4th of November. They will be staying at the conference location at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Seattle’s Eastside (900 Bellevue Way, NE 98004). They look forward to spending time with delegates, observers and guests. Feel free to stop by the OCMC display in the exhibition hall or call Fr. David to make an appointment to visit during the conference. He can be reached on his cell phone at 904-599-5812.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Seattle, WA
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Seattle, WA
11/6/2011
Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption
1804 13th Ave
Seattle, Washington
United States
98122-2515
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Seattle, Washington on 11/06/2011. Please contact Fr. Dean Kouldukis by phone at 206-323-8557 or by e-mail at goca@qwestoffice.net for more information.
11/6/2011
Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption
1804 13th Ave
Seattle, Washington
United States
98122-2515
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Seattle, Washington on 11/06/2011. Please contact Fr. Dean Kouldukis by phone at 206-323-8557 or by e-mail at goca@qwestoffice.net for more information.
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Gillette, WY
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Gillette, WY
11/3/2011
Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church
122 South Gillette Ave
Gillette, Wyoming
United States
82716-3702
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Gillette, Wyoming on 11/03/2011. Please contact Fr. James Thayer by phone at 307-682-2328 or by e-mail at frjamesthayer@bresnan.net for more information.
11/3/2011
Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church
122 South Gillette Ave
Gillette, Wyoming
United States
82716-3702
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Gillette, Wyoming on 11/03/2011. Please contact Fr. James Thayer by phone at 307-682-2328 or by e-mail at frjamesthayer@bresnan.net for more information.
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Gillette, WY
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Gillette, WY
11/3/2011
Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church
122 South Gillette Ave
Gillette, Wyoming
United States
82716-3702
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Gillette, Wyoming on 11/03/2011. Please contact Fr. James Thayer by phone at 307-682-2328 or by e-mail at frjamesthayer@bresnan.net for more information.
11/3/2011
Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church
122 South Gillette Ave
Gillette, Wyoming
United States
82716-3702
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Gillette, Wyoming on 11/03/2011. Please contact Fr. James Thayer by phone at 307-682-2328 or by e-mail at frjamesthayer@bresnan.net for more information.
Orthodox Family Mission Team
by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Center for Family Care
This past July, a unique groundbreaking international Orthodox Christian missionary effort took place-the first Family Mission Team traveled to Albania. The team was a collaboration between the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Center for Family Care (CFC) and the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), and part of a new family ministry initiative of the Orthodox Church of Albania. Families from America and Albania participated in “One Family in Christ” Family Camp led by the CFC’s Resource Coordinator, Panayiotis Sakellariou, and by OCMC short and long term missionaries.
The purpose of sending the Family Team was to offer a “family witness”-while sharing the Orthodox faith and growing as a family in Christ-and to answer the call of the Church of Albania to begin its own family ministry. Albanian leaders plan to build on this camp experience and the family resources that were provided, to create a strong foundation for their new family ministry. Team leader Panayiotis Sakellariou said, “We thank God for providing for all the families and granting success to our camp efforts, and we are grateful for everyone’s support and prayers. We pray this first Family Mission Team will be the beginning of an ongoing missions endeavor that gives families the opportunity to share their love of God and of neighbor, and to grow in their faith.”
“One Family in Christ” Family Camp consisted of 65 adults and children of various ages. The camp included parent, couple and children programs; family activities and Olympics; outreach endeavors and local excursions. In particular, team members presented on the following topics: Church of the Home, Child Spiritual Development, Parenting Skills, Social Networking, the Journey of Marriage, and Family Ministry.
For further information on this mission team or the involved agencies contact the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Center for Family Care at 845-424-8175 or familycare@goarch.org, or Orthodox Christian Mission Center at 877-463-6784 or missions@ocmc.org.
This past July, a unique groundbreaking international Orthodox Christian missionary effort took place-the first Family Mission Team traveled to Albania. The team was a collaboration between the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Center for Family Care (CFC) and the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), and part of a new family ministry initiative of the Orthodox Church of Albania. Families from America and Albania participated in “One Family in Christ” Family Camp led by the CFC’s Resource Coordinator, Panayiotis Sakellariou, and by OCMC short and long term missionaries.
The purpose of sending the Family Team was to offer a “family witness”-while sharing the Orthodox faith and growing as a family in Christ-and to answer the call of the Church of Albania to begin its own family ministry. Albanian leaders plan to build on this camp experience and the family resources that were provided, to create a strong foundation for their new family ministry. Team leader Panayiotis Sakellariou said, “We thank God for providing for all the families and granting success to our camp efforts, and we are grateful for everyone’s support and prayers. We pray this first Family Mission Team will be the beginning of an ongoing missions endeavor that gives families the opportunity to share their love of God and of neighbor, and to grow in their faith.”
“One Family in Christ” Family Camp consisted of 65 adults and children of various ages. The camp included parent, couple and children programs; family activities and Olympics; outreach endeavors and local excursions. In particular, team members presented on the following topics: Church of the Home, Child Spiritual Development, Parenting Skills, Social Networking, the Journey of Marriage, and Family Ministry.
For further information on this mission team or the involved agencies contact the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Center for Family Care at 845-424-8175 or familycare@goarch.org, or Orthodox Christian Mission Center at 877-463-6784 or missions@ocmc.org.
Friday, October 21, 2011
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Chicago, IL
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Chicago, IL
10/30/2011
St. Constantine and Helen Cathedral
5410 N Newland Ave
Chicago, Illinois
United States
60656-2026
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at St. Constantine and Helen Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois on 10/30/2011. Please contact Fr. Vasile Muresan by phone at 773-774-1677 or by e-mail at f.frantz@ocmc.org for more information.
10/30/2011
St. Constantine and Helen Cathedral
5410 N Newland Ave
Chicago, Illinois
United States
60656-2026
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at St. Constantine and Helen Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois on 10/30/2011. Please contact Fr. Vasile Muresan by phone at 773-774-1677 or by e-mail at f.frantz@ocmc.org for more information.
OCMC Board Gathers at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral for Annual Fall Board Meeting
PARMA, OH – Led by Board President Fr. George Liacopulos, Board Members from across the country recently gathered for the annual Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) Fall Board Meeting. With the blessing of His Beatitude Metropolitan Constantine, Fr. John Nakonachny, Fr. Michael Hontaruk, Fr. Dn. Ihor Mahlay, and the faithful of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma, OH, this was the second board meeting for His Grace Bishop Savas who serves as a liaison between OCMC and the newly formed Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America.
During the meeting, the many accomplishments of OCMC missionaries serving in Albania, Moldova, Romania, and Tanzania were reviewed. Stories of the Church’s rapid expansion among the Turkana of Northern Kenya were shared as well as potential opportunities that exist for sharing the Faith in Mongolia.
OCMC ministries are increasingly working to welcome non-Christian peoples into the Body of Christ. This focus has been a driving force behind the Mission Center’s recent strategic planning process. The work that has been done thus far on the strategic plan was approved by the board. The new strategic plan is aimed at emphasizing the importance of bringing people to the Faith, establishing church communities in parts of the world where they may not yet exist, and helping these communities to mature into self-sustaining, self-governing, and self-propagating parishes.
On Tuesday, October 11th, a reception was held at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Rocky River, OH. This event, organized by Fr. Dn. Ihor and Fr. James Doukas, was held to broaden awareness of, and support for, Orthodox missions and the work of the OCMC. During the banquet Mission Team Member to Alaska Alexis Steffas, OCMC Board Member John Colis and his wife Carrie who recently served in Tanzania, and OCMC Executive Director Fr. Martin Ritsi shared their experiences from the mission field and highlighted the importance of missions in the world. The evening’s festivities ended with some closing remarks from His Grace Bishop Savas who, following his recent trip with OCMC to Kenya, underscored the profound impact that missions can have in the lives of others.
The next OCMC Board Meeting will be held in May 2012 at Mission Center headquarters in St. Augustine, FL.
During the meeting, the many accomplishments of OCMC missionaries serving in Albania, Moldova, Romania, and Tanzania were reviewed. Stories of the Church’s rapid expansion among the Turkana of Northern Kenya were shared as well as potential opportunities that exist for sharing the Faith in Mongolia.
OCMC ministries are increasingly working to welcome non-Christian peoples into the Body of Christ. This focus has been a driving force behind the Mission Center’s recent strategic planning process. The work that has been done thus far on the strategic plan was approved by the board. The new strategic plan is aimed at emphasizing the importance of bringing people to the Faith, establishing church communities in parts of the world where they may not yet exist, and helping these communities to mature into self-sustaining, self-governing, and self-propagating parishes.
On Tuesday, October 11th, a reception was held at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Rocky River, OH. This event, organized by Fr. Dn. Ihor and Fr. James Doukas, was held to broaden awareness of, and support for, Orthodox missions and the work of the OCMC. During the banquet Mission Team Member to Alaska Alexis Steffas, OCMC Board Member John Colis and his wife Carrie who recently served in Tanzania, and OCMC Executive Director Fr. Martin Ritsi shared their experiences from the mission field and highlighted the importance of missions in the world. The evening’s festivities ended with some closing remarks from His Grace Bishop Savas who, following his recent trip with OCMC to Kenya, underscored the profound impact that missions can have in the lives of others.
The next OCMC Board Meeting will be held in May 2012 at Mission Center headquarters in St. Augustine, FL.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Linthicum, MD
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Linthicum, MD
10/26/2011
Holy Cross Antiochian Orthodox Church
105 North Camp Meade Road
Linthicum, Maryland
United States
21090
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at Holy Cross Antiochian Orthodox Church in Linthicum, Maryland on 10/26/2011. Please contact Fr. Gregory Mathewes-Green by phone at 410-850-5090 or by e-mail at f.frantz@ocmc.org for more information.
10/26/2011
Holy Cross Antiochian Orthodox Church
105 North Camp Meade Road
Linthicum, Maryland
United States
21090
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at Holy Cross Antiochian Orthodox Church in Linthicum, Maryland on 10/26/2011. Please contact Fr. Gregory Mathewes-Green by phone at 410-850-5090 or by e-mail at f.frantz@ocmc.org for more information.
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Falls Church, VA.
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Falls Church, VA.
10/25/2011
St. Mary Orthodox Church
7223 Roosevelt Ave
Falls Church, Virginia
United States
22042
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at St. Mary Orthodox Church in Falls Church, Virginia on 10/25/2011. Please contact Fr. David Subu by phone at 703-280-0770 or by e-mail at f.frantz@ocmc.org for more information.
10/25/2011
St. Mary Orthodox Church
7223 Roosevelt Ave
Falls Church, Virginia
United States
22042
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at St. Mary Orthodox Church in Falls Church, Virginia on 10/25/2011. Please contact Fr. David Subu by phone at 703-280-0770 or by e-mail at f.frantz@ocmc.org for more information.
Monday, October 17, 2011
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Piedmont, SC
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Piedmont, SC
10/23/2011
St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church
701 Augusta Arbor Way
Piedmont, South Carolina
United States
29673
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church in Piedmont, South Carolina on 10/23/2011. Please contact Fr. Marcus Burch by phone at 864-299-1140 or by e-mail at frmarcusburch@bellsouth.net for more information.
10/23/2011
St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church
701 Augusta Arbor Way
Piedmont, South Carolina
United States
29673
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church in Piedmont, South Carolina on 10/23/2011. Please contact Fr. Marcus Burch by phone at 864-299-1140 or by e-mail at frmarcusburch@bellsouth.net for more information.
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Piedmont, SC
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Piedmont, SC
10/23/2011
St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church
701 Augusta Arbor Way
Piedmont, South Carolina
United States
29673
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church in Piedmont, South Carolina on 10/23/2011. Please contact Fr. Marcus Burch by phone at 864-299-1140 or by e-mail at frmarcusburch@bellsouth.net for more information.
10/23/2011
St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church
701 Augusta Arbor Way
Piedmont, South Carolina
United States
29673
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church in Piedmont, South Carolina on 10/23/2011. Please contact Fr. Marcus Burch by phone at 864-299-1140 or by e-mail at frmarcusburch@bellsouth.net for more information.
Reflections on Seven Years of Service in Albania: An Update from Missionary Georgia Gilman Bendo
Protagonists School has just begun its 10th year in existence! From 12 students in 2002 to about 250 this year, we thank God for always blessing us with success and strengthening us to face new challenges. His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios maintains education as a top priority in his vision for the Church’s social outreach in Albania.
I am thankful to be a part of that vision. This past August marked the seventh anniversary of my arrival in Albania as a missionary. Since then I’ve enjoyed a steady ministry of teaching English and offering an after-school catechism club at Protagonists.
In Albania, students must study two foreign languages starting in 3rd grade. Since we are an “Albanian-American” school, our English program is essential and many of the parents choose Protagonists because of it. Although we are a private school it is still illegal to teach the faith during school hours, so we must at least be vigilant that our curriculum is not working against us. I realized this last year while choosing the books for our English classes. Often the authors of these books are primarily interested in keeping the attention of young adults with little care to high moral standards. One series that the bookstore was encouraging us to use, for example, was rife with reading material about scandalous relationships and less than admirable examples of friendships. Fortunately we were able to find an excellent series for our middle school students
Our after-school catechism club is called “Spiritual Journey” and is open to all the students once a week. Many of those who sign up are from Orthodox backgrounds but we also have a number of students from Catholic, Muslim, and even atheist families. We teach the basic beliefs and traditions of the Orthodox Church with catechism books, crafts, songs, field trips, etc. Two years ago, I started teaching the older students from a book which was written by Archbishop Anastasios and recently translated by my husband into Albanian. The book, Divine Messages, is written for the catechist, so I am creating an accompanying activity book with small paper crafts for each lesson for the students.
Although formal persecution of faith has ended in Albania, there continue to be frequent attacks on the Church in the media. Sometimes they try to make the people feel that it is not really Albanian to be Orthodox. To combat this I try whenever possible to show the children that Orthodoxy has been around a long time in Albania and is an integral part of its history and culture. To this purpose, we invited the students on a trip to Ardenica Monastery this spring. This 13th century monastery is dedicated to the Nativity of the Theotokos and the walls of the church are covered in icons painted by famous Albanian iconographers. The national hero Skenderbeg was even married in a chapel at this monastery.
Every so often God grants us a glimpse of the fruit of our efforts. At the end of January, our students have first semester exams. One day Elena, a recently baptized 6th grader, ran up to me breathless. “I found you!” she exclaimed, “Teacher, there’s St. Basil, St. Gregory, and who’s the third?” “Oh, the Three Hierarchs. St. John Chrysostom is the other one,” I replied, “Why?” “Well we’re about to have an exam and I remember last year in Spiritual Journey club you told us they were the protectors of students and we should pray to them for help at school! Thanks!” and she ran off. I was delighted to see something we discussed last year had stuck and she was actually putting it into practice.
This summer, our family enjoyed time in America visiting parishes to tell about our work in Albania, while awaiting the birth of our second child. Evdoxia Lindsay was born on August 7th, and our 40-day churching service in Maine on the September 18th. Visit our website to see our new photos! Please keep our family in your prayers as we continue our ministry.
I am thankful to be a part of that vision. This past August marked the seventh anniversary of my arrival in Albania as a missionary. Since then I’ve enjoyed a steady ministry of teaching English and offering an after-school catechism club at Protagonists.
In Albania, students must study two foreign languages starting in 3rd grade. Since we are an “Albanian-American” school, our English program is essential and many of the parents choose Protagonists because of it. Although we are a private school it is still illegal to teach the faith during school hours, so we must at least be vigilant that our curriculum is not working against us. I realized this last year while choosing the books for our English classes. Often the authors of these books are primarily interested in keeping the attention of young adults with little care to high moral standards. One series that the bookstore was encouraging us to use, for example, was rife with reading material about scandalous relationships and less than admirable examples of friendships. Fortunately we were able to find an excellent series for our middle school students
Our after-school catechism club is called “Spiritual Journey” and is open to all the students once a week. Many of those who sign up are from Orthodox backgrounds but we also have a number of students from Catholic, Muslim, and even atheist families. We teach the basic beliefs and traditions of the Orthodox Church with catechism books, crafts, songs, field trips, etc. Two years ago, I started teaching the older students from a book which was written by Archbishop Anastasios and recently translated by my husband into Albanian. The book, Divine Messages, is written for the catechist, so I am creating an accompanying activity book with small paper crafts for each lesson for the students.
Although formal persecution of faith has ended in Albania, there continue to be frequent attacks on the Church in the media. Sometimes they try to make the people feel that it is not really Albanian to be Orthodox. To combat this I try whenever possible to show the children that Orthodoxy has been around a long time in Albania and is an integral part of its history and culture. To this purpose, we invited the students on a trip to Ardenica Monastery this spring. This 13th century monastery is dedicated to the Nativity of the Theotokos and the walls of the church are covered in icons painted by famous Albanian iconographers. The national hero Skenderbeg was even married in a chapel at this monastery.
Every so often God grants us a glimpse of the fruit of our efforts. At the end of January, our students have first semester exams. One day Elena, a recently baptized 6th grader, ran up to me breathless. “I found you!” she exclaimed, “Teacher, there’s St. Basil, St. Gregory, and who’s the third?” “Oh, the Three Hierarchs. St. John Chrysostom is the other one,” I replied, “Why?” “Well we’re about to have an exam and I remember last year in Spiritual Journey club you told us they were the protectors of students and we should pray to them for help at school! Thanks!” and she ran off. I was delighted to see something we discussed last year had stuck and she was actually putting it into practice.
This summer, our family enjoyed time in America visiting parishes to tell about our work in Albania, while awaiting the birth of our second child. Evdoxia Lindsay was born on August 7th, and our 40-day churching service in Maine on the September 18th. Visit our website to see our new photos! Please keep our family in your prayers as we continue our ministry.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Build Mission Awareness in your Parish in this New Church Year
Build Mission Awareness in your Parish in this New Church Year
As we begin a new Church year, please consider the following opportunities to develop international Orthodox missions as a regular part of parish life. The activities listed below are just a sampling of those that can be coordinated, and the OCMC is always ready to assist your community! Some ideas are:
Establish a missions committee and/or name an OCMC Ambassador;
Coordinate a missions-related Bible Study focusing on the lives of missionary saints;
Invite a missions speaker;
Incorporate missions into the Sunday School curriculum;
Hold a missions luncheon/dinner featuring foods from mission countries;
Coordinate a missions retreat;
Financially support the ministry of a long-term missionary and/or mission priest;
Hold a Walk for Missions;
Recruit parish members to participate on a short-term mission team;
Include support of OCMC mission ministries as part of the local parish annual budget;
Coordinate a Youth Event and/or participate in Hunger Strike;
We look forward to brainstorming these as well as many other ideas with you as you look toward this new Church Year! Please give Kenneth Kidd, Annual Gifts Officer, a call at 904-829-5132, ext 161 or by email at kenny@ocmc.org, to discuss ideas or obtain more detail on items listed above.
As we begin a new Church year, please consider the following opportunities to develop international Orthodox missions as a regular part of parish life. The activities listed below are just a sampling of those that can be coordinated, and the OCMC is always ready to assist your community! Some ideas are:
Establish a missions committee and/or name an OCMC Ambassador;
Coordinate a missions-related Bible Study focusing on the lives of missionary saints;
Invite a missions speaker;
Incorporate missions into the Sunday School curriculum;
Hold a missions luncheon/dinner featuring foods from mission countries;
Coordinate a missions retreat;
Financially support the ministry of a long-term missionary and/or mission priest;
Hold a Walk for Missions;
Recruit parish members to participate on a short-term mission team;
Include support of OCMC mission ministries as part of the local parish annual budget;
Coordinate a Youth Event and/or participate in Hunger Strike;
We look forward to brainstorming these as well as many other ideas with you as you look toward this new Church Year! Please give Kenneth Kidd, Annual Gifts Officer, a call at 904-829-5132, ext 161 or by email at kenny@ocmc.org, to discuss ideas or obtain more detail on items listed above.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Tanzania and James: St John the Theologian 2011 Update
Dear friends,
Tupendane.
Let us love one another.
- 1 John 4:7
Greetings from Mwanza on this feast of the Holy Apostle John. It's a sunny September, the trees on my hillside are in blossom, and the lake is very blue.
I recently had business in Kenya, and returned to Mwanza on the seventeenth of September- the very date that I first moved to this city, one year ago. Time does fly.
It's been a good year. The learning curve has been every bit as steep as expected, and of course it will take a lifetime to adjust fully. But I'm happy to be where I am.
In about ten days, we plan to receive a medical team from OCMC. The team will be conducting clinics in rural and urban areas around Mwanza Region. Logistics are every bit as complex as you might imagine, and I'm grateful to be working together with my missionary colleagues Maria Roeber, Felice Stewart and Michael Pagedas as we prepare to care for the visitors.
Time flies indeed. My first term of service as an OCMC missionary will conclude early next year, and so I am working on plans to visit North America- I'd likely be on the continent from the beginning of February until just after Pascha.
And I want to see you! Yes, each of you- or at least as many folks as I can in ten short weeks. My goal in visiting will of course be to spend a little time at home in Gainesville with family and friends, and also to touch base with as many people in my support network as is possible. I'd like to see you in person, catch up on your life, (meet your new babies!!) and talk with you face-to-face about the work that God is doing in Western Tanzania thanks to your prayers, encouragement, and generosity.
So, if you'd like me to visit, please be in touch. When I met many of you in the fall of 2009 and spring of 2010, I was inspired and instructed by the way that you and your communities are bearing witness to the Resurrection and proclaiming the glory of God in your local context. I look forward very much to coming back and getting another glimpse.
It is obvious to me that your prayers are with me, as God sustains me here. The challenges are good and healthy, but they are challenges indeed, and I am borne through them by strength that is not my own. Thank you.
Thank you also for your encouraging communication, and for your consistent generosity. I am here because of you.
By your prayers in Christ,
James Hargrave
Tupendane.
Let us love one another.
- 1 John 4:7
Greetings from Mwanza on this feast of the Holy Apostle John. It's a sunny September, the trees on my hillside are in blossom, and the lake is very blue.
I recently had business in Kenya, and returned to Mwanza on the seventeenth of September- the very date that I first moved to this city, one year ago. Time does fly.
It's been a good year. The learning curve has been every bit as steep as expected, and of course it will take a lifetime to adjust fully. But I'm happy to be where I am.
In about ten days, we plan to receive a medical team from OCMC. The team will be conducting clinics in rural and urban areas around Mwanza Region. Logistics are every bit as complex as you might imagine, and I'm grateful to be working together with my missionary colleagues Maria Roeber, Felice Stewart and Michael Pagedas as we prepare to care for the visitors.
Time flies indeed. My first term of service as an OCMC missionary will conclude early next year, and so I am working on plans to visit North America- I'd likely be on the continent from the beginning of February until just after Pascha.
And I want to see you! Yes, each of you- or at least as many folks as I can in ten short weeks. My goal in visiting will of course be to spend a little time at home in Gainesville with family and friends, and also to touch base with as many people in my support network as is possible. I'd like to see you in person, catch up on your life, (meet your new babies!!) and talk with you face-to-face about the work that God is doing in Western Tanzania thanks to your prayers, encouragement, and generosity.
So, if you'd like me to visit, please be in touch. When I met many of you in the fall of 2009 and spring of 2010, I was inspired and instructed by the way that you and your communities are bearing witness to the Resurrection and proclaiming the glory of God in your local context. I look forward very much to coming back and getting another glimpse.
It is obvious to me that your prayers are with me, as God sustains me here. The challenges are good and healthy, but they are challenges indeed, and I am borne through them by strength that is not my own. Thank you.
Thank you also for your encouraging communication, and for your consistent generosity. I am here because of you.
By your prayers in Christ,
James Hargrave
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Chattanooga, TN
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Chattanooga, TN
10/21/2011
St. Tikhon Orthodox Church
357 Lookout High Street
Chattanooga, Tennessee
United States
37419
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at St. Tikhon Orthodox Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee on 10/21/2011. Please contact Fr. Daniel Talley by phone at 423-821-5100 or by e-mail at daniel.k.talley@gmail.com for more information.
10/21/2011
St. Tikhon Orthodox Church
357 Lookout High Street
Chattanooga, Tennessee
United States
37419
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at St. Tikhon Orthodox Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee on 10/21/2011. Please contact Fr. Daniel Talley by phone at 423-821-5100 or by e-mail at daniel.k.talley@gmail.com for more information.
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Oak Ridge, TN
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Oak Ridge, TN
10/19/2011
St. Anne Orthodox Church
560 Oak Ridge Turnpike
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
United States
37830
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at St. Anne Orthodox Church in Oak Ridge, Tennessee on 10/19/2011. Please contact Fr. Stephen Freeman by phone at 865-482-0088 or by e-mail at stephenfree@comcast.net for more information.
10/19/2011
St. Anne Orthodox Church
560 Oak Ridge Turnpike
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
United States
37830
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at St. Anne Orthodox Church in Oak Ridge, Tennessee on 10/19/2011. Please contact Fr. Stephen Freeman by phone at 865-482-0088 or by e-mail at stephenfree@comcast.net for more information.
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Houston, TX
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in Houston, TX
10/16/2011
St. Joseph Orthodox Church
10644 Hammerly Blvd
Houston, Texas
United States
77043
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at St. Joseph Orthodox Church in Houston, Texas on 10/16/2011. Please contact Fr. Joseph Huneycutt by phone at 713-973-7001 or by e-mail at office@saintjosephorthodox.org for more information.
10/16/2011
St. Joseph Orthodox Church
10644 Hammerly Blvd
Houston, Texas
United States
77043
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be at St. Joseph Orthodox Church in Houston, Texas on 10/16/2011. Please contact Fr. Joseph Huneycutt by phone at 713-973-7001 or by e-mail at office@saintjosephorthodox.org for more information.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Help Orthodox Clergy in the Mission Field by Supporting OCMC's SAMP Program
The light of Orthodoxy shines around the world and is often embodied in priests that minister to diverse cultures in some of the poorest countries. Priests serving in these parts of the world strive to establish vibrant ministries and address the physical and spiritual needs of people who may have never before heard Christ’s life-saving message of hope and salvation. Show your love and support of these dedicated priests by making a gift to the Orthodox Christian Mission Center’s (OCMC) Support a Mission Priest (SAMP) program. Your prayerful contribution will help make their vital work and witness possible. For more information or to become a SAMP supporter visit http://samp.ocmc.org, or contact Michelle DeAngelis by phone at 1-877-463-6784 or by e-mail at samp@ocmc.org.
Friday, October 7, 2011
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in McKinney, TX
OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz to Speak in McKinney, TX
10/9/2011
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church
708 S. Chestnut
McKinney, TX 75069-6503
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be speaking at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in McKinney, Texas on 10/09/2011. Please contact Fr. Seraphim Holland by phone at 972-529-2754 or by e-mail at seraphim@orthodox.net for more information.
10/9/2011
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church
708 S. Chestnut
McKinney, TX 75069-6503
OCMC Missionary Mr. Floyd Frantz will be speaking at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in McKinney, Texas on 10/09/2011. Please contact Fr. Seraphim Holland by phone at 972-529-2754 or by e-mail at seraphim@orthodox.net for more information.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
An Update from Missionary Christina Semon
Dear Friends,
Glory to God for all things! My utmost appreciation for your prayers and support!
Your prayers have not been in vain as trials and struggles are prevalent in the missionary field. I have relocated to a new parish in the town called Orhei to better serve my youth ministry. Most of the youth were on summer vacation and those young people that were around had wonderful and exciting experiences at summer religious camps and pilgrimages. The Metropolia of Bucovia and Moldova of Romania invited us to participate in these spiritual events and one could see their love for their neighboring brothers and sisters.
Now that school has started in Orhei, the amount of activity for the body of the church will increase at the local parish church called Saint Basil. Through the blessing of Fr. Sergiu Aga, parish priest of St. Basil, I am currently developing an English program for all ages and a knitting activity with young ladies at the half-way house called “Toward Independence” run by Diaconia- the social outreach department of the Bessarabian Orthodox Church. We have already initiated these activities which are improving as time goes by and we are eager to provide more ways of feeding the souls of the youth.
It is true that ministry work can take time; but if you yourself don’t watch your soul, you can spiritually dry up. To avoid this danger, and better equip me as a missionary, I have enrolled in the Masters’ Program in the Theological Department at Alexander Ioan Cuza University in Iasi, Romania. This theological education can enable me to have credentials that will be of benefit in the mission field and life in general. Also, in the near future, we are looking forward to planting little seeds through inaugurating a catechism class for children and a church youth group to educate and build leadership within the youth of today.
I wish all of you a happy ecclesiastical new year and good strength in following Christ!
In Christ,
Christina Semon
Glory to God for all things! My utmost appreciation for your prayers and support!
Your prayers have not been in vain as trials and struggles are prevalent in the missionary field. I have relocated to a new parish in the town called Orhei to better serve my youth ministry. Most of the youth were on summer vacation and those young people that were around had wonderful and exciting experiences at summer religious camps and pilgrimages. The Metropolia of Bucovia and Moldova of Romania invited us to participate in these spiritual events and one could see their love for their neighboring brothers and sisters.
Now that school has started in Orhei, the amount of activity for the body of the church will increase at the local parish church called Saint Basil. Through the blessing of Fr. Sergiu Aga, parish priest of St. Basil, I am currently developing an English program for all ages and a knitting activity with young ladies at the half-way house called “Toward Independence” run by Diaconia- the social outreach department of the Bessarabian Orthodox Church. We have already initiated these activities which are improving as time goes by and we are eager to provide more ways of feeding the souls of the youth.
It is true that ministry work can take time; but if you yourself don’t watch your soul, you can spiritually dry up. To avoid this danger, and better equip me as a missionary, I have enrolled in the Masters’ Program in the Theological Department at Alexander Ioan Cuza University in Iasi, Romania. This theological education can enable me to have credentials that will be of benefit in the mission field and life in general. Also, in the near future, we are looking forward to planting little seeds through inaugurating a catechism class for children and a church youth group to educate and build leadership within the youth of today.
I wish all of you a happy ecclesiastical new year and good strength in following Christ!
In Christ,
Christina Semon
Saturday, October 1, 2011
OCMC Family Event to be Held in Erie, CO.
OCMC Family Event to be Held in Erie, CO.
11/13/2011
4-7 pm
St. Luke Orthodox Church
722 Austin Avenue
Erie, Colorado
United States
80516
Mission Team Denver will be hosting an OCMC Family Event at St. Luke Orthodox Church in Erie, Colorado on 11/13/2011 from 4-7 pm. Please contact OCMC Ambassador Sue Nelson by phone at 303-665-4013 or by e-mail at ssnelson22@aol.com for more information.
11/13/2011
4-7 pm
St. Luke Orthodox Church
722 Austin Avenue
Erie, Colorado
United States
80516
Mission Team Denver will be hosting an OCMC Family Event at St. Luke Orthodox Church in Erie, Colorado on 11/13/2011 from 4-7 pm. Please contact OCMC Ambassador Sue Nelson by phone at 303-665-4013 or by e-mail at ssnelson22@aol.com for more information.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
