October  2008
 

In this Issue

 Orthodox Family Camp
Prosphora and Kolyva

Orthodox Family Camp 1st – 4th August 2008

     During the first weekend in August this year the 2nd annual Orthodox Family Camp was held at a conference centre near Newtown in Powys, Wales. We had a great time – 7 families attended from different parishes and jurisdictions.

     The children who attended ranged from 5 months old up to 7 years, and they all mixed and played beautifully in the wonderful open spaces and play areas available. The parents, some of whom were strangers to each other at the beginning of the weekend (Friday to Monday) soon built close bonds of Christian love and fellowship as we prayed and played together.

     Our theme, informally, for this year was Transfiguration, as the weekend led up to that particular great feast of the year. Aidan Hart, iconographer, who was there with his family, gave us a succinct but inspiring talk on Transfiguration, based on a look at the icon of the feast.

     Next year’s OFC will be held Friday 21st to Monday 24th August 2009, at Cefn Lea Park, Dolfor, Newtown, Powys. Watch this space for prices and booking information – we intend to give an early bird incentive this year.

     If you have children under 12(ish), please come! You will meet like-minded Orthodox families and learn more about the Faith in a fun and supportive atmosphere.

     We are delighted to say that the Orthodox Fellowship of St John the Baptist has recently absorbed the Orthodox Family Camp into their sphere of activities. Their support and expertise will be invaluable.

     Please join the fun next year – 21st to 24th August – keep the date!

     For more information contact Hugh and Imogen Maxfield on hughandimogen@tiscali.co.uk
 

     Prosphora baking

     The baking of the bread for the Holy Liturgy is a wonderful and honourable privilege. Joseph has done this for our Liturgies at St. Michael's almost from the very beginning, taking over from James (Fr. Samuel's brother, who reposed in July) when his arthritic hands made it too painful. Mindful of the fact that none of us is immortal, there should be one or two others who would be willing to learn from Joseph. Please ask Fr. Samuel or Joseph and training will be given. You will not be expected to take over from Joseph who is happy to do this until his dying day, but perhaps occasionally when need arises.

     Kolyva

    The making of Kolyva, for general and specific Memorials, should be something every Orthodox Christian is able to do. It is very easy; even Fr. Samuel is capable of doing it and is willing to instruct others! It is a wonderful way of remembering our loved ones who have reposed and the symbolism is much more meaningful than flowers. Please ask!

“Love thy neighbour as thyself”. It was given to me to understand this commandment in the form of a gigantic tree, of cosmic dimensions, whose root is Adam. Myself, I am only a little leaf on a branch of this tree. But this tree is not foreign to me; it is the basis of my being. I belong to it. To pray for the whole world is to pray for this tree in its totality, with it’s milliards of leaves.
(Fr Sophrony Sakharov, Words of Life).

If you have any items for the newsletter, please e-mail Simon Harvey at simon.harvey@stoke.gov.uk or else leave a copy of your submission with Father Samuel or with Simon at church. Ideally, submissions should be made by the 15th of the month to get into the following month’s edition. Exceptions may be made in emergencies.