The Latest News in the Diocese
Lake Havasu Outreach
During the months of January and February volunteers from St. Peter the
Aleut Orthodox Mission worked with residents of Jasmine House, an
assisted living facility, in the creation of an art project.
Led by Matushka Mary Lynn Henry, each resident hand built a ceramic wall
sconce featuring texture. Once the pieces were fired another session
was conducted to glaze the artist’s work. After a final firing the
volunteers returned to Jasmine House to present the finished products
filled with flowers.
This outreach provided multiple opportunities to spend time with the
same residents. Relationships were formed, clay messes were made, there
was laughter, history telling, and a great exchange of love. The church has been invited to return for visits and future art lessons.
New Temple in Santa Maria Blessed
On Saturday, February 5, 2011, the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in Santa Maria, California, with great joy and thanksgiving to God, celebrated the second Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in its 32-year history. However, this Liturgy was special, in that it was the first Hierarchical Liturgy to be celebrated in the Parish’s New Main Temple, which first had opened its doors for worship on Saturday, December 4, 2010.
On February 5, 2011, which marked the Feast of St. Theodosius of Chernigov, and which also happened to fall within the Afterfeast of the Meeting of Our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ in the Temple, His Grace, Bishop Benjamin, presided at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Also concelebrating were other clergy from throughout California...
What if Sundays were Different?
(The following is a reflection written for The Pueblo Chieftain in Pueblo, Colorado)
My debate scholarship wasn't huge, but I was proud of it. I hated giving it up after only a semester, but that's what conscience dictated.
Accustomed to the high school forensics model of tournaments running Friday evening to Saturday afternoon, I was shocked to discover that in the world of college debate, tournaments require your Sundays as well.
Bishop Benjamin in Alaska
His Grace, Bishop Benjamin, also locum tenens of the Diocese of Alaska, has been on an amazing journey of nature and blessing of waters in Alaska. See the story and pictures on the OCA website.
2011 MISSION DEANERY RETREAT
Knowing Your Story
Telling Your Story
Telling THE Story
2011 Annual Mission Deanery Retreat
February 15-17, 2011
Church of the Annunciation
13515 SE Rusk Road
Milwaukee, OR 97222
Blessing of the Continental Divide
The Chancellor of St. Vladimir's Seminary, Father Chad Hatfield, visited Colorado Springs and joined the local clergy for the Great Blessing of Water at the Continental Divide. See the article and pictures posted on the seminary website.
Blessing of Lake Mead
On the Great and Holy Feast of Theophany, January 6, 2011, Father John Dresko and the faithful of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Las Vegas gathered at Lake Mead for the Great Blessing of Water.
Colorado Winter Teen Retreat 2011
Our annual Winter Teen Retreat is full of fun, fellowship, reflection on Scripture... and of course, broomball! This year 58 of us gathered at a beautiful camp facility, 9,600ft up the west side of Pikes Peak. Our time consisted games, “mixers”, and activities designed to build and strengthen relationships amongst participating youth, across respective parishes and across jurisdictions. We celebrated the Birth of our Lord in daily services, learned from each other, grew in our faith, and as we do each year, probed a specific book of Scripture.
2010 Stewards of the West
2010 List of Stewards of the West Members
Torch Bearers
Anderson, Bradley
Hill, Darrell & Pat
Holy Trinity Cathedral/San Francisco, CA
Hughes, Robert P. & Olga R.
Nowik, Eugene & Dorothy
St Herman Orthodox Church/Littleton, CO
St Moses the Strong Mission,/Helena, MT
Funeral of Father Vladimir Anderson
Father Vladimir Anderson of Willits, CA fell asleep in the Lord on December 16, 2010 after complications following surgery in October. Fr. Vladimir had served for many years in St. John the Almsgiver Orthodox Church, a small mission church in Willits. He will be sorely missed by his family and loved ones as well as the Orthodox Christian community at large...