A bigger church

     It has been very obvious for some considerable time that our beautiful little church at Audley has become too small for us. We thank God for His blessings and for giving us His grace to persevere and to be faithful.
     We now have the strong possibility to use another larger church, as well as St. Michael’s.

     I have asked for our Metropolitan’s blessing to consider the use of the Church of the Holy Resurrection, Dresden in addition to St. Michael’s, Audley.

     This church, which is near to Longton Park, is not too big, in good repair and could be made available to us in the very near future. There would, probably, be only the cost of maintenance and insurance for us to find, the building remaining in the ownership of the Church of England, but for our exclusive use for Orthodox worship.

     These are still early days, but things could move swiftly once we receive a blessing and negotiations begin. Please pray that we may be guided by the Holy Spirit in our planning and discussions.
 

Meeting of Trustees

     At our recent meeting, we discussed the above proposal, accepted the Accounts as prepared by our treasurer, Veronica Warden, and made our annual Grants to charities.

     We will continue with a very small monthly donation to Monk Elias and the Deanery.

     In addition we will make one-off donations to:

     ROOF, a charity for Russian orphans as outlined in last month’s newsletter;
     Lebanon, still ravaged by the effects of the recent conflict;
     The Orthodox young children’s/family camp;
     The Donna Louise Trust a local hospice/respite facility for very sick children;
     ARCH, a local charity for the homeless and those suffering abuse at home, helping over 2,000 local people last year.

     Out of the bounty which God has given us, we have been able to help a little.

     Thanks be to God for His great mercy to us!

Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Western and Central Europe Christmas 2008

     مع إطلالة الأعياد المقدسة للميلاد ايد والظهور الإلهي، أتقدم إليكم بأحر الأدعية وأفضل التمنيات رافعاً صلواتي إلى الطفل المولود أن يحفظكم بالصحة والعافية إلى أعوام عديدة.

     A l'occasion des saintes fêtes de la Nativité et de la Théophanie, je vous envoie mes voeux les meilleurs et les plus chaleureux, adressant mes prières au Nouveau Né afin qu'il vous accorde santé et prospérité pour de nombreuses annéeseuses annéeseuses annéeseuses annéeseuses années.

     In the occasion of the upcoming feasts of Holy Nativity and Theophany, I send you my warmest and best wishes, lifting up my prayers to the Newborn Babe to keep you always in good health and prosperity for Many Years.

     Επ΄ ευκαιρία των Αγίων εορτών, των Χριστουγέννων, του Νέου ΄Ετους και των Θεοφανείων, Σας υποβάλλω τας θερμάς μου ευχάς, δεόμενος προς τον γεννηθέντα εν φάτνη, όπως Σας χαρίζη υγείαν και ευτυχίαν επί πολλά έτη.

     Metropolitan JOHN of Europe

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch & all the East Christmas 2008

     Dear to God:

     Christmas is the great event that reconciles Heaven and Earth.

     In this event God has joined us, and has become the catalyst that unifies, and that eliminates all polarities between God and the world, God and man.

     The Birth of Christ represents the living example that God has claimed His creation fully. This is so because man is the symbol of creation, and God's progenitor on earth. Man has thus regained the image that was intended for him, and has restored creation to the Divine purpose for which it was intended.

     Is it too much for us to hope for a modicum of justice and to thus restrain the immoral aggressor, and to help instead the homeless refugee to return to his family and his home?

     Is it too much for us to expect the world to look at us as ends in ourselves, not as means in the hands of powers that recognize nothing short of force and violence? Is it too much for us, people of the East, the people of love and brotherhood, to have our voice heard throughout the world?

     We pray the Lord of Heaven and Earth that He may infuse His Spirit in our world, that we may be sanctified by it.
     We ask the Child in the Manger to confer His grace upon you, and render your Holidays occasions of continuing joy and success. May the Lord protect you and give you everlasting peace.

     + I G N A T I U S  IV
     Patriarch Antioch and All the East