From the May 2007 Newsletter

Sweet Sorrow: Bidding Farewell

to Fr. Justin & the St. John Mission Folk

If it is true, as the Bard says, that parting is such sweet sorrow, we may find some sweetness in parting with Fr. Justin and his fellow St. John of Shanghai members in the knowledge that they begin a new chapter in Orthodox outreach to Vancouver. Fr. Justin, baptized at St. Herman’s (along with his Matushka Sarah), departed for three years of study at St. Vladimir’s Seminary and then returned to the Vancouver area for the specific purpose of founding the first all-English mission in Vancouver. This necessitated a time of preparation and liturgical apprenticeship served at St. Herman’s, so that he and his (growing) family have been with us until now. From before Fr. Justin’s return from Seminary, his Vancouver mission was envisioned as a daughter plant of St. Herman’s, and as an organic extension of our growth here, so it was natural that he would gather resources and experience here before transplanting it further west across the Fraser River.

Now the Lord has blessed St. John of Shanghai mission with a place of their own for Sunday liturgy and fellowship meal: the building next to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish, on Napier St. at Semlin Drive. Their first Sunday Liturgy there is scheduled (quite appropriately!) for Pentecost, May 27^th Their last Liturgy with us will be Sunday May 20, the Sunday of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council.

Archbishop Seraphim has charged us here at St. Herman’s with special support for Fr. Justin’s mission and that means, though we love and pray for all Orthodox in the lower mainland, St. John of Shanghai parish will always have a special place in our hearts. We will support them—for example-- with liturgical and musical resources. Also, certain items (e.g. a censer, a Communion set, a Shroud for Holy Friday) have already been provided. But above all, we support them with our love, our encouragement and our prayers. I remember only too well in what short supply such crucial things were when I arrived to help St. Herman’s mission in 1987, when it was the only canonical English language mission in B.C., beginning in the Hartleys’ home chapel. A hug and an encouraging word can go far!

We therefore pledge to Fr. Justin, his courageous family and intrepid parishioners, all our love, encouragement and prayers. As the Lord said, “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Mt. 9:37). On Sunday May 20, make sure that you add your voice of encouragement and your pledge of prayer to Fr. Justin as he bids us farewell to begin this new work in the Lord’s harvest.

Yours in the Lord

Fr. Lawrence

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NEW info St. John of Shanghai

www.stjohnofshanghai.org

frjustin at stjohnofshanghai.org

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+++++ May Events +++++

Fri. May 4-- 7 pm—ladies’ wine & cheese at Ana Wright’s

May 7-15 – Fr. Lawrence on vacation (weekend services May 12-13 continue as usual)

Wed. May 16 – 7.00 pm Vesperal Liturgy for Ascension Day

Sun. May 20 – Farewell to Fr. Justin & St. John mission folk

Sat. May 26^th- afternoon Youth Bowling at Dell Lanes details TBA

Sat. May 26^th-- 7:00 pm Vespers w. Litya and Memorial Trisagion

Sun. May 27 – Pentecost (1.00 pm Kneeling Service)

FASTING RULES MAY 2007

Paschaltide is fast free, with the blessing of Abp. SERAPHIM, until the leavetaking May 16^th on the eve of Ascension

Wed. April 16^th: fast from noon for communion at Vesperal Liturgy

Festal food for meal after

Fri. May 18/ Wed May 23/ Fri May 25:

return to regular Wed/Fri fast: no meat, fish, dairy, wine or oil

Sunday May 27- Sat June 2 Pentecost Fast-free week.

(be prepared for Apostle’s fast first Monday in June! Pascha was early this year, and so the Apostle’s fast will be longish.)

not on the icons please...

Lipstick, gloss, and lip balm make smudges on the holy icons, unpleasant for fellow members and ultimately damaging to the icons. Blotting with a tissue does not remove all traces, so it is better to simply refrain from using these products before any church service.

Next St. Herman’s

youth event:

Bowling

at Dell Lanes Surrey

Sat. May 26^th afternoon

Details TBA

See Magdalen Farley

or Dave Pasivirta

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HOCKEY DAY IN THE DEANERY!

Watch for details coming soon!

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Pray for our catechumens:

Andrew & Lindsey Friesen

Dylan Falk

Peter Schultz