July  2008
 

In this Issue

 Our New Bishop
Jean Grace
Orthodox Family Camp
Pilgrimages

Our new Bishop



     With great joy, we welcome the choice, by the Holy Synod of Antioch, of  Bishop John as the new Metropolitan of  Western Europe.

     At our beloved Metropolitan Gabriel’s invitation, Bishop John consecrated St. Michael’s church on August 11th 2002. We all remember his great warmth and kindness and his radiant holiness.
We wait to hear when and where Bishop John will be elevated, but I am sure that many of you will wish to be there.
     We wish our Father and Bishop John “Many Years”.


          Some facts about His Eminence Metropolitan John

   • Bishop of  Pyrgou Diocese in Syria. Al-Hosn, Syria (1995 - present)

   • Abbot of  St. George Al-Humayrah Patriarchal Monastery (1993 - 2005)

   • Abbot of  Our Lady Of  Balamand Patriarchal Monastery (2001- 2005)

     • Dean of St. John Of  Damascus Institute Of  Theology University of Balamand, (1989 - 1992 & 2001- 2005)

    • Professor of  Liturgics St. John of Damascus Institute of  Theology in both the Bachelor of Divinity
      (1981 - present) and Master of  Theology Programmes (2000 - present)

     • Spiritual Father to Our Lady of  Blemmana Convent, Lattakia, Syria (1983 - present)

 

Jean Grace: Memory Eternal

     Richard and Jean were Chrismated together on 28th February 1999 at St.Michael’s. We had known them for about one year before and they had become friends and then family.

     Jean took over the leadership of the singers from Martin Chadwick and kept all together and running smoothly. Jean’s musical expertise and teaching abilities stood her in good stead. Much more important than anything she did, was her quiet, strong faith in God and her prayerful support.

     Married for over fifty years, it was always Richard and Jean, or Jean and Richard, and it will be hard to adjust. Our prayers for Richard and their large family will be joined to our prayers for Jean. How fitting it was that Jean should repose during Paschaltide and her funeral be full of Paschal joy, for Christ is risen!

     “May God grant her rest and have mercy on us, for He is good and loveth mankind.”
 

Orthodox Family Camp

     The Second Orthodox Family Camp will take place from Friday 1st August to Monday 4th August at Cefn Lea Park, Dolfor, Newtown, Wales.

     The camp attracts families of all ages and offers a relaxed and informal environment for socialising, prayer, and rest. OFC attracts families with children of all ages – from 15 months to 15 years. Accommodation at Cefn Lea is offered in bungalows and static caravans on a fully or self catering basis to suit different budgets.

Fully catered cost:
     Adult for three nights (all meals except Sunday evening) Friday to Monday £97.00. 11-13 yr olds: £72.75; 8-10 yr olds: £48.00; 3-7 yr olds: £24.25

Self-catering cost:
     Adult for three nights – Friday-Monday £57.00; 11-13 yr olds: £42.75; 8-10 yr olds: £28.50; 3-7 yr olds: £14.25

Any family wishing to use their own caravan or tent can take 30% off the prices stated above.

     To book a place at OFC, information on the venue, location etc., contact Imogen and Hugh on 07967 106236 or email bookings@orthodoxfamilycamp.org.uk. You can also visit the website www.orthodoxfamilycamp.org.uk and you can ask Simon Harvey who went last year with some of his boys.
 

Pilgrimages

     On 29th March Barbara reposed in the Lord.

     On Saturday 19th July, there will be a pilgrimage to St. Guthlac and St. Theodore, Crowland Abbey (near Peterborough). This is organised by Fr. Dennis and the Doncaster parish. There is ample parking right next to the Abbey and toilets and a tea-room in the Abbey itself. We serve the Divine Liturgy in the ruins of the old Abbey then, following a picnic lunch, We serve an Akathist to St. Guthlac and venerate the skull of the hieromartyr Theodore. The weather has always been glorious but we have the option of indoor celebrations if need be. We are always made very welcome by the vicar and his wardens.

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.