June/July newsletter

well, I still don't have the hang of formatting here, but no doubt much of that is due to my ancient computer, which will be replaced when I return from vacation.

Meanwhile, late-breaking news-- Fr. Justin has just served the first liturgy for St. John of Shanghai mission station in Vancouver at Dunbar Lutheran church. In addition to filling in for Fr. Lawrence at St. Herman's most of June, Fr. Justin will continue to have Thursday study & compline at the Chois', and will also serve another Saturday liturgy at Dunbar Lutheran June 10th. Check

http://stjohn.orthodoxmission.org

for more details.

meanwhile, here's the June/July newsletter. June/July calendars will be posted at the calendar page. -- Mat. D.

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The Essence of Community

The word “community” is composed of two words: “common” and “unity”. The question is: what is it that we hold in common? What is the “common” in our community? The answer is: each other. There are many lesser things we at St. Herman’s all hold in common: a building, a shared history, a Rector (that would be me, Fr. Lawrence), a bishop (our own beloved Vladika Seraphim). But the most important thing we all share in common is each other, the Eucharistic assembly that meets each Sunday, the faces we see when we look around at the Liturgy and which see at the coffee hour following that Liturgy. We might move from one building to another, one bishop might succeed another. Even Rectors do not live forever. (Sometimes they even go on somewhat extended vacations.)

The one constant is the community of the faithful. According to merely worldly standards, those other people at St. Herman’s are simply “the others”, persons having no real and lasting connection with ourselves. But according to St. Paul these “others” are fellow-members of the same body, as intimately connected to each other and as important to the common spiritual health as one limb or organ is to the others. The loss or absence of one is a grief to the entire body, and to every member of that body. We are, in fact, essential to each other.

I will be away on vacation for the month of June (returning for Feast of Ss. Peter & Paul). But the community remains, led by my esteemed and beloved colleague, Fr. Justin. The absence of this or that priest throws into higher relief what is really essential to the life of a community—namely, the presence of its members. I have always known that you have been the gift of God to me. While I am away, you remain the gift of God to one another. Take care of each other while I am gone! And pray for me, a sinner.

All my love,

Fr. Lawrence

ST. ARSENY CAMP!!

www.starsenycamp.ca

Dates: July 4 to 9

Contacts: Kurt Jordan

or Fr. Justin

Campers must be registered online.

Any interested Staffers must contact Kurt as soon as possible.

' Who you gonna call?

June 2-28 While Fr. Lawrence is on vacation,

Fr. Justin Hewlett will serve all the regular services and handle all pastoral responsibilities.

Phone: 604-541-7343

July 10-14 While BOTH our priests are at the Clergy Synaxis in Calgary, ONLY in an emergency requiring a priest call longtime friend of our parish Fr.Mel Gimmaka of St. Innocent Antiochian Church at 360-966-3937

+++Fasting Rules June/ July 2006+++++

Wed. May 30^th: Vesperal liturgy on eve of Ascension; we break our Eucharistic fast (from noon) after the liturgy with festal foods.

Friday June 2^nd: sees a return to regular Wednesday and Friday fasting until after Pentecost. June 11^th.

Sun. June 11^th - Sun. June 18^th Fast Free

Mon. June 19^th -Thurs June 29^th Apostles' Fast . Fish, wine and oil permitted on the weekend; wine & oil on Tuesdays & Thursdays.

Wed. June 29^th – Vesperal liturgy on Eve of Ss. Peter & Paul; we break our Eucharistic fast (from noon) after the liturgy with festal foods.

Fri June 30^th – return to normal Wed & Fri. fasting again

Wed. July 5— Relics St Sergius of Radonezh--fish, wine & oil

Wed. July 19^th— Relics St Seraphim of Sarov wine & oil

Wed. July 26^th -- St. Jacob Netsvetov (Alaska), wine & oil

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JUNE/JULY Special Events

June 1^st Choir Concert 8pm at St. Michael's Serbian Church,

June 2^nd- 28^th Fr. Lawrence will be on vacation.

Fr. Justin will continue to serve the regular schedule of services

June 19^th-28^th Apostles' Fast

June 28^th 7 pm Apostles' Vesperal Liturgy

July 4^th -8th St. Arseny BC Orthodox Youth Camp!

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St. Herman's Youth End of School Fun !

As the newsletter goes to press, details for a great youth event are still being worked out. For more info see Magdalen Farley, David Pasivirta or Maria Dafnis.

Don't miss the Orthodox Choir Concert!

WHEN: Thurs. June 1^st

8:00 p.m.

WHERE: St. Michael's

Serbian Church Bby.

TIX: $15 at the door

On sale at 7:30 p.m.

St. Herman's Choir will be one of five or six choirs performing music from various Orthodox ethnic traditions.

St John of Shanghai News

Our Vancouver mission station held its first Saturday liturgy at the end of May.

Fr. Justin will continue Thursday study & compline except as noted in the calendar.

To keep current on the details of our daughter mission, be sure to check the website at :

http://stjohn.orthodoxmission.org

YE EDITOR will be on vacation in June, so make sure you TURN OVER the June Calendar for the July calendar! -- Mat. Donna