ChurchScripture Readings
- Epistle: St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 5:1-10
- Gospel: Matthew 6:22-33
Saints and Feasts
- Martyr Aquila of Byblos in Syria
- Saint Triphyllius, Bishop of Leucosia (Nicosia) in Cyprus
- Martyr Antonina of Nicaea
- Saint Anna and her son Saint John of Constantinople
- Saint Antipater, Bishop of Bostra in Arabia
Those in need of our prayers
- Khouria Mary
- Andy
- Sheryl
The Departed we Commemorate today
Ingraham – Ernest- Argeo
- James
Typika this Sunday 10:30am
Open letter to all Regarding St Michael’s Church Dunedin
Dear Parishioners and Friends;
As you will know, the Dunedin parish suffered a sad loss earlier this year with the repose of Fr Ilyan and at present we are facing difficult times. This letter is an attempt to reach out to all those within the parish of Dunedin, and to those beyond our Dunedin parish, as we are in need of your prayers and assistance at the present time. While Fr Ilyan was with us we enjoyed regular services, with him and he was our focus in many ways. Everyone worked together to support him and us, and in turn we found the energy and courage to support him and his family both spiritually and financially to the best of our ability. I feel that, if we are not vigilant, all that we worked for here under his guidance, could be in danger of falling by the wayside.
From the earliest days the people within the Church felt weak and under threat at times so this feeling is nothing new. On the Sunday of the Fathers of the first Ecumenical Council, when Fr Victor was here , I stood and read the Epistle for the day
Acts 20:16-36 (King James Version)16For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
17And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
18And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
33I have coveted no man's silver, or #aaaaaa, or apparel.
34Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
36And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
These words could have been written about us and it seemed to me to be a message especially for our parish at this time. We are a small parish, but we have always been a loving and caring one, and now we need to be that more than ever. As the Epistle says we need to pray together. Remember there is an Orthodox church service at St Michael’s every Sunday. When we do not have a priest visiting to provide a liturgy , there is a Typica service, lead by Khouriah Mary. Through this we can pray for each other, our dead and our living, and our community. Praying together is central to our Church Life. It Is a short but beautiful service which reflects the Orthodoxy at its heart.
Bishop Paul has expressed his concern for us and over the past few months has made sure that there was a liturgy in place for us twice a month. He has stated that he wants, “ the Church to be Open, and to keep the people of Dunedin thinking of the Church.”
Over the winter months we may have to reduce the number of liturgies to once a month , as we all know, winter weather can become very unpredictable, snow, ice and floods, can all happen. We experienced this two weeks ago, when Fr Jack’s bus, which was bringing him down from Christchurch to serve a Liturgy here had to turn back, due to flooding and Road closures.
We can pray together as regularly as possible, but more is also needed if we are committed to our church and our faith. Saint Paul also points out that ,” It is more blessed to give than to receive.” By this he is referring to the fact that we all need to think of the practical ways we can support our Church.
Unfortunately nothing survives without material support. Each pastoral visit by a priest must be supported with travel costs, accommodation, and other expenses incurred . Without regular attendance and giving our church will not survive. Fr Ilyan gave of his time freely, and although we tried to support him and his expenses, I think we may have grown to expect that it will all happen without any real need to think about it on our part. He was like Saint Paul who says,
“33I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. “
How can you help? We all need to think about offering a little of what we have to the Church, and thus to God. This could be in the form of candles , or charcoal ( both available from the Catholic Shop in Dunedin), or olive oil for lamps. We can also give time by cleaning or maintaining the Church. However there is also a need for financial assistance. We must pay for electricity, water, and, the biggest outgoing of all, insurance, at around $1000 per annum. We have a great responsibility here, as we care for the oldest, and most historic Orthodox Church in Australasia. The founders of our parish left us with a stunning legacy and successive priests, parishioners, and friends of the Church have added to its glory over the years , especially with all it lovely icons and fittings.
I would simply ask you to think of these things when making your offering to the Church. Is the Church worth as much to you as a cup of coffee a day, or a movie ? Some have found a monthly automatic payment into the Church fund to be a painless way to give. What you do not have you do not miss. It is also useful for the Church administration, as we know it is regular income that can be relied on .
Forgive me if you find this talk of money and our financial situation too direct, but as your elected representative , I am trying to be honest, and caring and to share the concern our council feels for our Church at present with you in the hope of your support in return Please contact any one of the parish council if you feel able to offer your support
Yours in Christ
Alice Baird ( President of the Parish Council)
Reposed in the Lord, 20th March 2010