January 25th will be my last Sunday in the Nazarene church. I bet some hard-core Orthodox will think I should just "cut and run" as soon as I can. After all, they'd say, you found the Church; why would you wait any longer than you have to? Well, to be honest, I think it will help me to process my loss. Yes, it is a loss! I have been going to this church for over 30 years and have made very good friends. We were (and are) a group of people who sincerely love Jesus, who struggled together, who watched each other's kids grow up and leaving that will take some getting used to. I know what I will be getting is beyond compare. To be united to Christ in the Eucharist, to pray with the faithful, asking for the intercession of the Saints, to hear the words of the early Church Fathers is something that is beyond compare. But, I am still leaving something good behind so allow me to mourn for that, if you please.
My first Sunday at the Orthodox Parish will be February1st but i have to finish up some paper work as Sunday School Superintendent and get it ready for the mid-February Board meeting which I will not be attending. Some of things the Nazarene church will have to figure out is if they will live-stream the second service since I won't be doing it anymore. Right now, my friend James live-streams the first service so maybe they will just leave it at that. Also, I am the one who takes the video service and turns it into an audio podcast for distribution on Libsyn.com. I wonder if that will continue with someone else. I also manage their Facebook page and Facebook group but will, obviously do so no longer.
One of the projects I work with Pastor Del on is his weekly video devotion which is published on Sunday evenings. He decided to call it "Sunday Vespers" (A name I wouldn't have chosen since Vespers is a prayer service) but, he's the boss so he gets to pick the title. As of this posting he is in a series on the Psalms where he reads portions of a Psalm and comments. Many people find this encouraging, so I am sorry to have to leave it. Maybe someone else can continue with it. I have told him that we will continue until he finishes up the Psalms. (He is up to Psalm 97 right now) but once that is done, then that will end my official ties to the Nazarene church.
A sample video of Pastor Del doing "Sunday Vespers."
I have been emailing Fr. Gary and he says that I will be received as a Catechumen on February 8. There will be a short service before the Divine Liturgy where I (and someone else apparently) will have the prayers of the Catechumens said over us. I guess that will make me an Official Orthodox-wanna-be and that point. I wonder how long it'll take till I am Chrismated? I guess I'll find out from the new priest.
Oh, I forgot to mention, - I learned on Epiphany when I went to the service that Fr. Gary will be retiring and come next month a new priest will be assigned by Bishop Michael. May God grant many years to Fr. Gary and his wife Matushka Mary. I thank God for them both and I am glad that Fr. Gary will be the one to make me a Catechumen.
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| Fr. Gary and Matushaka Mary on vacation. Yes, even Priests get to take vacations. |
So there you have it. Keep me in your prayers.
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