A.I. Jimmy in the Snowstorm
Last Sunday would have been my last Sunday at my Protestant parish but the Pastor Cancelled the Service due to a bad snowstorm. (Side note: My Orthodox Parish was open for business; must be those hardy Russian roots ☺) So instead of attending the protestant service, I helped them by editing an old service from YouTube-I took out the irrelevant announcements- and re-posting so they could "worship" together. I guess that is my last act of service for the Protestants, at least as it pertains to Sunday Morning Worship. I checked the Stats and 76 of them did watch the service so my work wasn't for nothing. Why didn't I go to the Orthodox Liturgy if the Church was open? I guess I am not as hardy as those Russians yet. The Snowstorm was pretty bad.
I spent the morning typing up the attendance sheets for February so that the next Sunday School Superintendent can have an easy transition. I will offer to help that person in telling them how I "do the Stats" if they want me to. (They chose a new Sunday School Superintendent in February) Perhaps, they will develop their own system. I know I needed the help when I took over the job. My friend James used to do it and he used the excel program. I am not that proficient in that program, so I developed my own system.
This Sunday is my first Sunday at the Orthodox Church, leaving the past behind. I will have one week as "an inquirer," and then the next week, Fr. Gary receives me as a catechumen. It has been harder to leave protestant parish, -more than I realized. I think that is why I gave myself a transition period. But, my mind is now focused on starting life as an Orthodox Christian. In my prayer rule for years, I would mention several Saints and ask them
'"Lead me unto Christ and unto Holy Orthodoxy."
I said this prayer for years, asking St. James, the brother of the Lord, St. Moses the Black, St. Herman of Alaska, St, Mary of Egypt. St. James the Faster.- I asked these Saints for Prayer because when I first inquired into Orthodoxy (more than a decade ago,) these Saints stood out to me as an example- I love their stories - I am grateful that after all these years, my prayers have been answered.
To help me in my way back to Orthodoxy, I have decided to relisten to all of Fr. Thomas Hopko's podcast "Speaking the Truth in Love," on Ancient Faith Radio. There are over 250 episodes so that should keep me busy for a while. I am very grateful to AFR for all their podcasts; they are the reason I got the courage to walk into my parish. One day, I'll do a blog post about AFR and go into detail on how they changed my life.
No comments:
Post a Comment