Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. George Українська Православна Церква Св. Юрія 1100 Colville Road, Victoria, BC, V9A 4P7 (250) 381-1352 NEWSLETTER January 2010 Pastoral Message A couple years ago in the Visnyk Fr. Gene Maximiuk posted a story at Christmas time that I have often thought about around this time of year. Some of you may remember reading it, and even if you do it might be nice to have a bit of a reminder about what this time of the year is all about! I would like to share this story with you as my pastoral message. We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat my son in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly eating and talking. Suddenly, he squealed with glee and said, "Hi there." He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment. I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map. We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. "Hi there, baby; Hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster," the man said to my son. My husband and I exchanged looks, "What do we do?" Erik continued to laugh and answer, "Hi, hi there." Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, "Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek-a-boo." Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skidrow bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments. We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. "Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik," I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's "pick-me-up" position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man s. Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby shared a very tender moment. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged
shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labour, cradled my baby and stroked his back. There was a love there that was beyond words. I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, "You take care of this baby." Somehow I managed, "I will," from a throat that contained a stone. He pried Erik from his chest unwillingly, longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, "God bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift. "I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, "My God, my God, forgive me." I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, Are you willing to share your son for a moment?" when He shared His for all eternity. I believe that often the best teachers of what it means to live a life of true faith in God are right before us if we only open our spiritual eyes to see. And I believe that children are some of our best teachers. Jesus said that if we want to enter the Kingdom of heaven, we must become like little children (Mt. 19:14). Both of these stories are meant to remind us of this eternal truth. We must not judge those we come in contact with but instead we are called to love them with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. This is what the coming of the Christ Child means for us. This is what is renewed in us every year as we prepare to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Is 9:6 reads, 'For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.' God's gift to us was a child and that child was His Son, our Saviour and that child leads us to all that is good and holy and pure. Let us not instill in our children the cynicism that we often feel, but let us learn from their innocence and nurture their spirits, for they then will nurture ours. '... and a little child shall lead them.' (Editor of the Visnyk Article, January 2007.) Personal Message Fr. Peter Haugen s Contact Information: 2810 Haliday Cres. Nanaimo, B.C. V9S 3M9 Home- 250-585-5293 Cell- 250-667-5293 Email- peterhaug_en@hotmail.com Hot Seat with Fr. Peter On November 15 th we all took part in the Hot Seat with Fr. Peter during which we discussed elements of confession and communion and why they are so fundamentally important to our faith as Orthodox Christians. It was discussed that the Eucharist must
remain to be the most important aspect of our faith and it is vitally important to approach in the most appropriate manner. Therefore in accordance with our Metropolitan s blessings, confession should precede whenever someone goes to Communion. This may take time for us to become accustomed to, but it is important that we all be aware of what is expected. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this please feel free to speak with me about this at any time. If anyone you know is in the Hospital, or are at home ill and would like a visitation from me, please contact me and I will make immediate arrangements to meet with them. From Dobr. Erin and me to your family, may God bless you all with a Joyous Nativity and Prosperous New Year. Христос Родився! Славімо Його! Christ is Born! Let us Glorify Him! Message from the President At this season of the Nativity I wish to extend to you and your families, best wishes for a blessed Christmas and a happy and healthy 2010. Upcoming Events Blessing of Water and Lenten Potluck Dinner On 18th January, at 5:30 pm following the Great Blessing of Water Service we will have a Lenten, potluck dinner. Please let either Sandra Ostapovich (479-6439) or Betty Faryna (5981268) know what you would like to bring. Thank you. Please note on your Schedule of Services that there will be a Nativity on Thursday, 7th January, at 10 am. Blessing of the Water at Elk Lake Once again the four Orthodox churches of Greater Victoria, the Greek Orthodox Church, All Saints of Alaska Orthodox Church, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and us, will be gathering at Elk Lake, behind the rowing club, on, the 10th January, starting at 2 pm, to commemorate Christ s baptism. It is a joyful community event, with a colourful procession of banner carriers, followed by clergy, choir members and the general public.
As in the previous year, St. George was asked to provide the refreshments, hot chocolate, and baked goodies. We are also looking for some volunteers who are brave enough to jump into the cold Elk Lake water and retrieve the cross. Last year, we had Larissa Kohut dive for the cross. She set a record of being the first woman to participate in the diving since the celebrations started. Who is going to be the second? An invitation is extended to you all. Come and join us in this joyful celebration and brings your friends. Home Blessing Please make a note on your calendars that following the 18 th, January Theophany Vespers, Fr. Peter will be doing house blessings during his regular office hours, Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 5pm, He will also be available some evenings. If you have some preferred time please let Fr. Peter know, otherwise he will call you to arrange a blessing time. This is an excellent opportunity for Fr. Peter to meet his parishioners, to get to know them and to understand their needs, so as to serve them more effectively. Also, this would be an opportunity for you to get better acquainted with our new priest. Donations A reminder from our Treasurer that an official tax-deductible receipt, for donations during 2009, will be issued in January. In order to save postage costs, they will be distributed to those attending church services during January or at our Annual General Meeting, in February. If you are unable to attend, the receipts will be mailed to your last known address in February. Looking Ahead Towards February Please Note: Our Annual General Meeting and Election of officers will be on 14 th February, 2010, following. Please plan to attend, your vote and voice is most important in electing candidates to your 2010 Parish Council. If you wish to propose someone, or if you yourself would like to stand for any of the following positions, (i) President (ii) Vice-President (iii) Secretary (iv) Treasurer (v) Building Maintenance (vi) Outreach (vii) Board Director (four positions), please do not hesitate to contact either Betty Faryna or Ludmilla Weaver. Perogy Supper Our Perogy Supper will be held on 26 th February, 2010, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre. If you can help in any way, please let us know. We shall keep you informed about the dates of perogy and cabbage roll making sessions as soon as they have been established. Thank Yous Past Events Thank you St. Nicholas for visiting us on, 13 December. We very much appreciated you taking time off your very busy schedule and distributing the goodies. The chocolate was delicious!
Many thanks to all the Frozen Food Sales volunteers who gave up a good part of their Saturday to help out with the sales. We did well. Also, thank you to Diane MacMillan for decorating the Christmas tree in church. It is lovely! Parish News In Memoriam We extend our deepest sympathy to the Moore family on the passing of their dear mother and grandmother, Olesia, known to us as Kari. Kari Moore sang in the choir and was a member of the Church Executive, serving as Vice-President for a number of years. She was very active in the Ukrainian community locally and nationally. A memorial service was held on Monday, December 14th, at the First Memorial Chapel. If you wish to make a donation in Kari s memory, you may make it to: Ukrainian Studies Society, c/o 3277 Douglas Street, Victoria, B.C. V8Z 3K9. Вічная Паміять! Eternal be her Memory! Services in January Thursday 7 January Nativity Divine Liturgy (Різдво Хистове) 10 January Blessing of Water at Elk Lake 2:30 pm Monday 18 January Theophany Vespers (Blessing of Water and Holy Supper) 5:30pm Saturday 23 January Vespers 4:00 pm 24 January Saturday 30 January Vespers 31 January 4:00 pm The next Executive Meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on THURSDAY, 21st January, 2010.