Prez to Prez "Prez to Prez” was created to encourage and support Presvyteres of the Holy Orthodox Church in faith, in love, and in relationships with their husbands and families. We welcome your feedback - feel free to write with your comments or ideas. Your sister Presvyteres in Christ ~ + Stacey Dorrance, Donna Pappas, Candace Schefe, Pat Tsagalakis, and Eleni Tsigas Week of April 21, 2008 Week of April 14, 2008 Week of April 7, 2008 Week of March 31, 2008 Week of March 24, 2008 Week of March 17, 2008 Week of March 10, 2008 Week of March 3, 2008 Week of February 18, 2008 Week of February 11, 2008 Week of February 4, 2008 Week of January 28, 2008 Week of January 21, 2008 Week of January 15, 2008 Week of January 1, 2008 Week of December 24, 2007 Week of December 17, 2007 Week of December 10, 2007 Week of December 3, 2007 Week of November 26, 2007 Week of November 19, 2007 Week of November 12, 2007 Week of November 5, 2007 Week of October 29, 2007 Week of October 22, 2007 Week of October 15, 2007 Week of October 8, 2007 Week of October 1, 2007 Week of September 24, 2007 Week of September 17, 2007 Week of September 10, 2007 Week of September 3, 2007 Week of August 27, 2007 Week of August 20, 2007 Week of August 13, 2007 Week of August 6, 2007 Week of July 30, 2007 Week of July 23, 2007 Week of July 9, 2007 Week of July 2, 2007 Week of June 25, 2007 Week of June 18, 2007 Week of June 11, 2007 Week of June 4, 2007 Week of May 28, 2007 Week of May 21, 2007 Week of May 14, 2007 Week of May 7, 2007 Week of April 30, 2007 Week of April 23, 2007 Week of April 16, 2007 Week of April 9, 2007 Week of April 2, 2007 Week of March 26, 2007 Week of March 19, 2007 Week of March 12, 2007 Week of March 5, 2007 Week of February 26, 2007 Week of February 19, 2007 Week of February 12, 2007 Week of February 5, 2007 Week of January 29, 2007 Week of January 22, 2007 Week of January 15, 2007 Week of January 8, 2007 Week of January 3, 2007 Week of December 26, 2006 Week of December 20, 2006 Week of December 13, 2006 Week of December 5, 2006 Week of November 28, 2006 Week of November 23, 2006 Week of April 21, 2008 Dear Sisters in Christ, This week, may we all reflect upon the incredible sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ with thanksgiving and humility, remembering that we are direct recipients of His love, His mercy, and His forgiveness. May we also bear in our hearts the knowledge that our unique role as presvyteres enables our husbands to continue to extend to others this great love, mercy and forgiveness of Christ. May we, like the Theotokos, stand at the cross and ponder all the wonders that we have witnessed in our own lives, never taking for granted the gift of our Faith, our Church, our communities and our families. In Christ’s Love, "Kali Anastasi!" Pat, Donna, Candace, Eleni, and Stacey Grant us by Your grace , O Lord, that like the wise virgins who were ready by their good works, our way of life shall also be watchful, that we shall not sit in darkness, with darkened souls, in darkness of mind, but that through prayer we may look forever on the shining splendor of Your grace. Expel, O Lord, by the daily light of Your knowledge the nocturnal darkness of our mind, that being enlightened it may serve You in the purity of its regeneration. (St. Ephraim the Syrian) Week of April 14, 2008 Dear Sisters in Christ, Many blessings as we head into the last weeks of the Great Fast - May we seek to serve our Lord with great joy and pure hearts. Quote for the Week Every influence that enters the soul from outside is worked out by its thinking and acting functions, then settles in the heart. Whatever the soul manifests in the outside world first passes through the heart.(St. Theophan the Recluse) Scripture for the Week “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) Question for the Week We are almost to the end of Great Lent. What, specifically, can I do for each member of my family this week to sustain and encourage them toward "finishing strong"? Thought for the Week: (On Serving Christ) Whenever I hear the parable of the Last Judgment, sinner that I am, I find myself justifying my imperfect life. When I hear, “I was hungry and you fed me,” I can’t help but think of the countless meals I have served my hungry husband and children. When I hear, “I was thirsty and you gave me drink,” I naturally think of all the liquids from within and without that I have given to my thirsty children. The same goes for, “I was sick, I was naked…” how many hours have we spent nursing sick children back to health, and how many dollars and hours have we spent on properly clothing our ‘naked’ children!! Of course, I know in my heart, I fall well short of this parable, and reckon myself amongst the goats, begging for God’s mercy on my well-intentioned but grossly selfish life. Sometimes it is enough just to get clean underwear in the drawers and a nice meal on the table! Is there any hope for us on judgment day? A beautiful abbess of a monastery once said, resolutely, “yes!” As women, we shared how we wanted to impart the Orthodox faith and be of more assistance to others in their lives, and she simply said, “Put that energy into REALLY LOVING AND SERVING YOUR FAMILY.” What a wakeup call. There is so much to do underneath our own roofs, we don’t need to look far for opportunities to love and serve others. Before we can blink an eye, our children are growing up and leaving our homes. Last week, we prayed the magnificent Canon of St. Andrew, at which the famous story of our beloved St. Mary of Egypt is read in its entirety. What an inspirational narrative! A wayward young woman follows the lusts of her heart and enters for seventeen years into harlotry, bringing down countless young men in the process. She comes to her senses through God’s intervention at the entrance of the Church displaying the life-giving Cross. Her therapy? What healed her soul? Like the greats of old, she was driven into the desert where she spent forty-one years battling her former lusts and sinful choices in order to regain life again as a true human person. The Holy Spirit revealed the Christian life to her, alone in the desert, with no community. Did she suffer on earth? Without measure, she suffered. She endured the intense heat of summer and the brutal cold of winter. She fought with all her soul to remain there in that wasteland knowing she could easily ‘walk’ and be back with civilization and her former way of life. She endured forty-one years of hell that she could spend eternity with our Lord, His precious Mother, and all the Saints. She left us an icon of true repentence. You and I live in warm homes with comfortable beds and food in our cupboards. We have beautiful families…amazing husbands, wonderful children. Have we sinned? Yes, we have sinned. But to repent, we don’t need to go to the desert. We have a different calling. We simply need to turn and look into the eyes and hearts of our family members and show love, concern and caring. Again, and again and again. Our families are our oasis and our desert. It is the community where we work out our salvation. How can we do this? With God’s help and through our efforts. We are now on the downhill side of Lent. We may be a little grumpy, and tired of legumes and vegetables. We may look forward to not rushing dinner for the services. But each morning, we wake up with another opportunity to serve, love and nurture our closest neighbors: our family. Our husbands are probably craving a little more protein right now. Their bodies are larger than ours, and they often skip meals (something we seldom do!) Make him a nice seafood dinner. Offer his favorite side dishes. Our children are sick to death of peanut butter and hummous. Recognize their struggles. Fix them a special Lenten treat. Most of us didn’t fast as children nearly as much as they do! We are not perfect wives and mothers. We don’t always pray and read as we ought. But, we support and love a man who is cultivating a Christian community in the Lord’s vineyard. We are raising responsible children and teaching them to love our Lord, His Holy Church and those around them by our example. When we do these things, we are surely serving our Lord, Jesus Christ. And with God’s mercy and help, we will find ourselves reckoned amongst the likenesses of St. Mary of Egypt, St. Gregory Palamas, and all those who have loved the Lord’s appearing. May the Lord strengthen each of us to love and joyfully serve our families and make the most out of these last few weeks of Great Lent. Try this terrific recipe this week: Mexican Shrimp and Scallop Soup Serves 6 1 T. oil (can omit oil by microwaving the onions and garlic, or by substituting with margarine) 1 chopped onion 3 minced garlic cloves 3 cups (or more) bottled clam juice 1 - 15 oz. can white hominy, rinsed and drained 1 cup salsa verde (tomatillo salsa - check the Mexican food section for an 8 oz. can) 2 T. finely chopped sun dried tomatoes (like the ones from Costco) 1 T. finely grated lime peel 1 lb. uncooked shrimp 1 lb. scallops (cut in half if they're too big) 4 T. chopped cilantro Heat oil (or margarine), add onion and saute 'til tender. Add garlic, stir 30 seconds. Add clam juice and next four ingredients, simmer 5 minutes. Add seafood and cilantro to tase. Simmer 'til seafood is cooked (shrimp should be pink when done), about 3 minutes. Serve with more cilantro, thinly sliced jalapeno, and lime wedges. Kali Anastasi! Week of April 7, 2008 Quote for the Week “As I ponder the true nature of compunction, I find myself amazed by the way in which inward joy and gladness mingle with what we call mourning and grief, like honey in a comb.... Compunction is…a gift from God, so that there is real pleasure in the soul, since God secretly brings consolation to those who in their hearts are repenting.” (St. John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 7) Scripture for the Week The world and everything that people want in it are passing away, but the person who does what God wants lives forever. (1 John 2:17) Question for the Week What am I cultivating in the garden of my soul? Am I sowing "seeds" (which germinate quickly) or "bulbs" (which take a bit longer to produce their blossoms)? Thought for the Week: (In the Garden) ‘Tis the season to head outdoors and feel the fresh, rich soil in our (gloved!) hands. There is nothing so fulfilling, peaceful and renewing than spending a morning or afternoon in the garden. It gets us out of the house, we hear the bright chirping of our friends, the birds, we see our gardening companion, the earth worm, and we get back in touch with what is delightful and wholesome on God’s green earth. What’s more, we get to use our creativity in a way that is intrinsically part of our human makeup. Why on ‘earth’ don’t we do it more? Here are 10 reasons to motivate us to spend more time in our gardens this year. The garden was mankind’s first home. It is here that we feel close to all of creation. Beautifying the world around us fulfills our innate desire to create and cooperate with God in nurturing living things. Planting and enjoying flowers is uplifting to our spirits. The garden provides a wonderful setting for reflection. Eating from your own garden is gratifying and healthy, too. Gardening is a useful life skill. The garden is the basis for much of our art, poetry, color, cuisine, crafts and science. Being outside is as important as breathing. It alleviates many of the maladies we, and our children, suffer from today. There’s something for everyone in the garden. People of all ages can find an aspect of gardening they enjoy. Gardening is a parallel to life. It is no coincidence that our most treasured feast takes place at a time when the earth is aglow with life, sound and color. Foremost, gardening helps us keep in mind that our life is but a brief cycle, like the grass and the flowers. We are given life, we live, and we die. And because of God’s great love for each of us, we get to spend eternity with our heavenly Father in, once more, a beautiful garden. Try something new this week! Here's a great salad dressing recipe - GINGER SESAME DRESSING 1 cup canola oil 2 Tbsp. Asian sesame oil 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup soy sauce 1 1/2 tsp. Ground ginger 1 1/2 tsp. Dry mustard 1 tsp. Fresh ground pepper 2 tbsp. Sesame seeds, toasted. Serve on romaine or green leaf lettuce. Add tangerines, or oranges, nuts, celery and red onion. Add wonton strips or sugar coated almonds. Delicious! Week of March 31, 2008 Quote for the Week Jesus said: “Whoever wishes to follow Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me.” The first duty… is to deny oneself. To deny oneself means to give up one’s bad habits; to root out of the heart all that ties us to the world; not to cherish bad thoughts and desires; to suppress every evil thought; to avoid occasions of sin; not to desire or to do anything out of self-love, but to do everything out of love for God. To deny oneself according to St. Paul means to be dead to sin…but alive to God.” (St. Innocent of Alaska) Scripture for the Week The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy. Psalm 103:8 Question for the Week How do I feel when I realize we have passed the mid-point of Lent? Is it relief for being halfway through or panic that I haven't yet achieved the changes I had hoped for? Thought for the Week: On the Cross We have approached the halfway point through Lent. This Sunday, we commemorated the Life-giving Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a good thing for us to contemplate the cross at this point, as the recipes start dwindling, the personal prayer life is lacking for all the services, and the will starts waning. Then comes the cross. When I think of the cross, I think of my husband’s strong back. Like our Lord, our husbands bear the sins and failings of others, without complaining. Like our Lord, they bear the burdens and pains of others and help in their healing. Like our Lord, they often receive what they do not deserve, and yet they continue to be motivated by love for others and service to our merciful God. The Orthodox priesthood is like none other, and the cross is part and parcel of the Orthodox faith and life. Sometimes I forget about my husband’s big cross and focus on my small one…the lack of a normal schedule, the lack of a private life. But, as St. Paul says, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him…” (Phil. 3:7-9) How do we bear our cross? With joy? With grumbling? Do we try to lighten our husband’s burdens or are we part of them? Let us examine ourselves as we continue, together with our husbands and children, our Lenten Journey, until we arrive at the foot of Golgotha, at the tomb, and ultimately at the feet of our resurrected Lord. This journey, more than a cross, is a privilege and a blessing. Heavenly Father, Help us to see our life and all that it encompasses as a precious gift from You. May we look with honor upon our unique role as wives whose husbands serve in your Holy Priesthood. May we support them, pray for them, love them. Bless us, strengthen us, and remind us we are not alone in this holy task. Amen. Week of March 24, 2008 Quote of the Week Children, let us cling to self-discipline and not be careless. For the Lord is our fellow-worker. As it is written, “to all that choose the good, God works with them for good.” But to avoid carelessness, we should consider Paul’s words, “I die daily.” If we also live as though dying daily, we won’t sin. This means that, as we rise day by day, we should think that we won’t live through the evening. Also, when we are about to lie down to sleep, we should think that we won’t wake up. For our life is naturally uncertain, and, Providence gives it to us daily. (St. Athanasios) Scripture of the Week Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. (Psalm 63:3-4) Question for the Week There's a fabulously wistful line from a song in the musical,"My Favorite Year", that proposes: "If the world were like the movies, we would never mistakes, we'd correct our little blunders, and select our better takes." If I could "rewind" anything from this past week and do a "retake", what would it be and how would I have played it out differently? Is there a way I can "rescript" for the future to avoid a similar circumstance? Thought for the Week: On Forming New Habits We’ve talked about diligence in building new habits. Let’s take it a step further and flesh out some real life examples. We can call this true repentance (metania); that is, transforming our mind (nous) and our actions into something that truly pleases our Lord and gives us a sense of peace and wholeness. Let’s say we have a bad habit of being jealous of our husband’s time at the church. He normally comes home for dinner, but tonight he called to tell you he scheduled a pre-marital meeting at the dinner hour so that, although he will come home late, he won’t have to go back again for another meeting. You know this decision is for the best, but your knee-jerk reaction is negative and not positive. You are silent. He picks up on this and tries to explain that he hates missing dinner, but at least he won’t have to leave again tonight. You hang up, not a happy camper. He comes home and you are moody. So let’s analyze this scenario. What are the benefits of your negative reaction? Probably none. What are the pitfalls? Many! Your children probably picked up on your negativity. Your husband now dreads coming home, even though he needs the relaxation and peace it offers. He knows there is going to be a reckoning and it’s the last thing he needs right now. So let’s rewind and do the whole thing over. Your husband is going to be late, but he will be home for good. You say, “great idea!” You let him know you made a scrumptious dinner and that you’ll keep it hot for him. You say, “I can’t wait to see you! I’ve missed you today!” He says the same. You hang up on an upbeat note. So now what are the benefits? Plenty!!! You have not broken fellowship with your husband. You’re husband now has motivation to keep his meeting brief. Every fiber of his being is yearning to come home, and when he arrives, you exceed his expectations with your pleasant demeanor. You have a satisfying time chatting over a leisurely dinner and another brick is added to the edifice of your family life. Here’s another possible scenario. You have a love/hate relationship with food. You love how it tastes, but you hate what it does to your womanly figure. You have tried for years without success to form new habits of eating and exercise, and you desire more than anything to fit into a size of clothing you can take pride in. Solutions?? Forget about the food and exercise for the moment. Take a new route. Subscribe to Prevention Magazine. Go to the library and get some helpful (balanced!) books, educating you on the benefits of eating right and exercising regularly (The Doctor’s Book of Food Remedies by Selene Yeager is an excellent choice). Make it a habit to study health. Soon, you are going to want to fill your refrigerator with an arsenal of nutritious, colorful, and healthy foods and get your rear into gear!! You will begin applying the concepts you are learning, abolishing your old, bad habits. Education coupled with willpower is a sure winner in forming new habits! Dear Lord, We are on this earth for such a brief time. Help us to live in ways that honor You and Your image within us. Assist us in giving up the ways of the ‘old man’ and living like a new creation. Make present in our lives, together with our meager efforts, Your promises of an abundant life, free of the shackles of sin and regret. Help us to trust and rely wholly on You while giving our very best efforts in accomplishing these things today, knowing we have received no promise for a tomorrow. Week of March 17, 2008 Quote for the Week "God knows the prayer of each person. So He knows very well who is seeking heavenly things only in appearance and who is seeking them from the depths of his being. He sees quite clearly who says the words of his prayer merely with his lips while his heart is elsewhere. He sees who asks for physical health, earthly riches or the praise of others." (St. Basil the Great) Scripture of the Week "The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied." (Proverbs 13:4) Question of the Week It only takes 21 consecutive days to lock in a new behavior. For many of us, this is a cinch on Monday thru Friday when our lives run on a pretty regular routine, but then comes the weekend and everything seems to explode (or implode, as the case may be). How can we take the offensive and sustain enough regularity over the weekend to keep those changes going? (Too bad we can't live 21 days of consecutive weekends to keep those behaviors locked in!) Thought for the Week: On Building Good Habits Last week, the thought was on diligence. Proverbs 13:4 asserts that: “The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” And Proverbs 21:5 that, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” And finally, “Diligent hands will rule…” says Proverbs 12:24. Diligence leads to, and is supported by, good habits. Charles Glover, the 20th Services Squadron fitness and sports director at Shaw Air force Base claims that, according to research, it takes 21 days to build a habit. It also takes the same time to change a bad habit to a good habit. Why 21 days? Research shows that performing a challenging task for that number of days makes it a part of a person’s life. How encouraging this is! Think of all the bad habits you would like to change in your life…and the good ones you would like to incorporate into your life, and consider that this may only take three short weeks to accomplish! Key here is, of course, diligence. Performing a challenging task against all the forces of nature takes perseverance, steadfastness and single-mindedness. Of course, wisdom and discernment must be used in choosing habits that help our souls and bodies. Why not start today? Great Lent is the perfect time to grow in virtuous habits. Think of something that you dislike about yourself…it may be a habit as old as you are. Envision yourself abolishing and converting that something to a desirable trait. Maybe for you it’s jealousy, or anger, or over-eating. Maybe you want to become a regular walker, but lack the where-with-all to successfully become one. Or maybe you want to speak more kindly towards your loved ones. Just remember 21 golden days! Push yourself, hold your tongue, practice the opposite of your knee jerk reaction, and fervently, diligently, beseech God’s mercy and help! But pace yourself…if we succeed in building only one new habit every six months of our life, we are doing well. Make diligence your faithful friend to maintain your new habit, and thank God for any and all victories. Take joy in your growth! Good habits tend to beget more good habits, and before we know it, we will have a measure of living that we didn’t think possible. And all on account of a seed, planted in our souls at birth, to become more fully a child of God each day of our brief life. Dear Lord, You have taught us that we are not the slaves of sin, nor the pleasures of this life. Grant us wisdom and strength to grow in Your likeness this Lent, that the sacrifices of time and food may be to some wonderful end, a holier life, a healthier body, more loving relationships. Grant us diligence in accomplishing these things for Your glory, and our benefit, for You are holy unto the ages. Amen. ALMSGIVING IDEA Consider involving your family and or your parish in an almsgiving project by sending a Pascha greeting card to incarcerated brethren. The Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry called “St. Silas Fellowship” http://www.stsilas.org is collecting hand-colored Paschal icons for distribution to individual prisoners across America. Would you be willing to color one or more Paschal icons for prisoners? Here’s how: Download copies of the Paschal icon, carefully color the icons and mail them unfolded to St. Silas Fellowship. Fellowship of St. Silas Very Rev. Fr. David Ogan Post Office Box 822169 Vicksburg, MS 39182-2169 (601) 636-8392 Please color each icon neatly as prisoners often do not receive much mail and sometimes have little or no permission to display what they receive. However, we have heard that Orthodox icons, many times, are permitted as cell decoration. So, encourage your children to color neatly and to choose appropriate colors. Adults can color icons, also. Prohibited materials are glue, glitter or paint so steer clear of those—markers, crayons or colored pencils are acceptable media. It’s good to say a prayer for the person who will receive your icon while you color as the recipient is unknown to us—but God knows both the giver and receiver…may it be blessed! Colored icons may be signed by the artist—use first name only. Please do not fold your colored icon. Thanks in advance from St. Silas Fellowship prison ministry. Week of March 10, 2008 Dear Sisters - Fr. Hopko writes: “The lenten spring is welcomed by Christians in the Church… as the sanctified season… set apart for complete and total dedication to the things of God. It is the “tithe of the year” which tells us that all times and seasons belong to the Lord who has created and redeemed the world: The door of divine repentance has been opened. Let us enter with fervor, having cleansed our bodies, observing abstinence from foods and passions in obedience to Christ who has called the whole world to His heavenly kingdom, offering to the Master of all this TITHE OF THE YEAR, that we may look with love upon His Holy Resurrection” (Cheesefare Monday Matins) Quote of the Week What could be better, higher, more worthy of love and more splendid than our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Who created the firmament, and adorned everything, gave life to everything, Who keeps everything, feeds everything and loves everything—Who is Himself love, more splendid than all men! Should you not love God above all things, wish for Him and seek Him? (St. Herman of Alaska) Scripture of the Week Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber. Let the priests, who minister before the Lord, weep between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say, "Spare your people, O Lord. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?" Joel 2:15-17 Question of the Week There is a huge emphasis on weeding things out of our lives during Great Lent, but what habit or routine would I most like to put into (or back into) my life? Thought for the Week: On Diligence The famous Nike worker who created the Michael Jordan line of athletic wear was known to say to those whom he met, “Make your bed each day!” What was he trying to inspire in his acquaintances? Diligence! Diligence is the mother of success on many levels, both spiritually and materially speaking. Diligence is the persistent and hard-working effort we put forth in whatever we wish to accomplish in life. It is the force of our God-given will expended, over a long period of time, to some (hopefully meaningful) end. Thus diligence in prayer leads to intimacy with our Lord. Diligence in worship leads to reverence, humility and the fear of God. Diligence in homemaking leads to a family that is well nourished and cared for. Diligence in using our gifts and talents leads to material gain and/or fruit for the sake of the kingdom. How can we grow in diligence? It must be coupled with good habits and a healthy life routine. Diligence helps us to establish habits and routines and yet it takes a routine to help us grow in diligence. Other important virtues that work together with diligence are: resolve, perseverance and single mindedness. There is so very much to be gained by becoming a more diligent person, and Great Lent is the perfect time to grow these personal qualities. Diligence is a mark of our character, and a fruit of our relationship with the Lord. Work though we may, it is Christ who grants us growth in virtue, and we must be diligent in asking Him to bestow upon us all the virtues that lead to eternal life, according to His Holy will. Now, that is something worth being diligent about!! Lenten Recipe for the Weekl: Curried Shrimp Kebobs Ingredients 24 Large Shrimp 2 tart apples 3 Tbs. Lemon juice 1 Tbs. curry powder 1 Tbs. Vegetable oil 1/2 tsp. Salt 1/4 tsp. Pepper 4 green onions cut into 1 inch lengths Couscous 3 cups vegetable stock 1 1/2 cups couscous 1/4 cup golden raisins 1/2 tsp. Salt 1/4 tsp. Pepper 1/4 cup roasted peanuts chopped Preheat over to broil of prepare grill. Peel and de-vein shrimp. Cut apple into 3/4 inch pieces. Place lemon juice, curry powder, oil salt and pepper in bowl. Add shrimp and apples, toss to coast. Thread 2 shrimp, 2 pieces green onion and 2 pieces apple on wooden or medal skewers. For Couscous; bring vegetable stock to a boil. Slowly stir in couscous, and all ingredients except peanuts. Adjust oven rack 4-6 inches from heat. Broil or grill skewers turning once until cooked 3 min. per side To serve, fluff couscous with fork sprinkle with peanuts – Place skewers over couscous and serve! Week of March 3, 2008 Quote for the Week "Imitate the prodigal son: leave the city that starves you. Come and beseech Him and you will behold the glory of God. Your face shall be enlightened and you will rejoice in the sweetness of paradise. Glory to the Lord and Lover of mankind Who saves us!" (St. Ephraim the Syrian) Scripture for the Week "Beloved, since Christ suffered in the flesh for us, arm yourselves with the same thought, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer by human passions but by the will of God." (1 Peter 4:1-3) Question for the Week St. Ephraim's words above are striking: "leave the city that starves you". So often, we find ourselves in situations, circumstances, or relationships where we are spiritually starving. Is there a "city" within which I am starving? Is leaving this "city" an option for me? Or, is this a "city" ready for "urban renewal" through the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit? Thought for the Week: On Our Lenten Journey It will be here in only a few short days…are we preparing for the Lenten shift in our life? The Triodion is in liturgical use, and we have visited with Zacchaeus, the Publican and the Pharisee, and the Prodigal Son. Forgiveness Vespers will mark our official beginning and with Clean Monday the marathon will have begun. What have we learned from our prior Lenten Fasts that we can apply this year? Are we wiser? Do we know ourselves better? Have we a realistic set of goals that we may finish the race with as few scrapes and bruises as possible? Have we made an appointment with our spiritual father to have confession? How is our schedule right now, have we pared down our activities? Are we avoiding enrolling our children in extra-curricular activities this season? These are all questions that may prepare us for the most successful Lenten journey ever. May we take some time to examine ourselves, our schedules, our commitments and our priorities that we may plunge into this Lenten season with preparedness, a repentant heart, an openness to God, wisdom, and soberness…that we may greet our Bridegroom with lamps filled with oil and hearts full of faith and love. Week of February 18, 2008 Quote for the Week "Love all God's creation, the whole of it and every grain of sand. Love every leaf, every ray of God's light! Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything you will perceive the divine mystery in things. And once you have pereeived it you will begin to comprehend it ceaselessly, more and more every day. And you will at last come to love the whole world with an abiding universal love. Love the animals: God has given them the rudiments of thought and untroubled joy. Do not therefore, trouble it, do not torture them, do not deprive them of their joy, do not go against God's intent. " (Starets Zosima in the novel The Brothers Karamazov, by Fyodor Dostoevsky) Scripture for the Week “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof…the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalms 24:1) Question for the Week How can what we do daily make us better stewards of our God-given world? Thought for the Week: On Stewardship of the Earth “There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number—living things both large and small” (Psalms 103:25). Many of you may have read a news story recently concerning researchers who have been studying the effects humanity has had on our vast oceans. To the surprise of even the researchers, there are only a few corners of the world that have yet to be negatively impacted in some way by humanity. This is grim news. What environmental legacy are we leaving behind for future generations? What is the cost of our lust for more, for better, for cheaper? His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew wrote after the first five environmental summer seminars on Halki that: “…we have established that the protection of the environment in which humanity lives is a divine commandment. Our position is founded upon God’s commandment to those whom He first created, that they, according to the teaching of our faith, “ labor and tend the garden” in which they were first placed by Him. This is the theological basis for humankind’s role in the protection of the environment. Thus, at the beginning of this new millennium, it is not only our divine obligation to labor and utilize the fruits of His gifts on this terrestrial globe, but also we, as His most humble servants, are responsible for tending of the garden of Eden.” This is profound indeed. But how does this impact you and me? How can what we do daily make us better stewards of our God-given world? Plenty! Consider the following: Americans are the number one global trash offenders. Consider the refuse your family creates each week. Find ways to minimize your garbage by shopping for products with less packaging, buying bulk items, and buying only what you need. There are 40 million plastic bottles that go into the trash or become litter each day, claims one non-profit group. These are bottles that could have been recycled. What can we do? Buy re-usable water bottles for our families, and install water purifiers in our homes. When we do use plastic bottles, make a greater effort to recycle them rather than put them in the garbage. Keeping your car well-tuned with proper tire inflation will reduce pollution and save fuel. Map out your errands and trips to maximize fuel efficiency. The average American meal can travel 1500 miles to your dinner plate. Buying local food and products saves the energy it takes to bring it to you. Support your local farmer’s markets! Remember that our Orthodox fasting diet is the least harmful diet to our earth (this will help our fasting attitude!). Make a family garden. Create your own Garden of Eden at home. The chemical choices you make in your garden and home make an impact on your own living environment and on the environment at large. Read carefully; choose wisely. Saving energy in your home reduces the CO2 released into our environment and will also save you money. Get a free energy audit of your home. Lower the thermostat and support renewable energy options in your area. Water is one of our most precious resources. Install low-flow showerheads (your teenagers will live!). Turn down the water-heater temperature. When needing to replace a hot water heater, look into an instantaneous hot water unit--hot water on demand, only when it's needed. ‘Getting out of the city’ will remind you of the sublimity of God’s creation, and will help you make wiser decisions at home to promote and preserve the earth’s beauty. Take your family on hikes, enjoy the splendor of the earth, and be a family that is environmentally educated and steward-minded. Being aware of what we do, what we buy, and how it impacts our environment is a great start to environmental stewardship. Let us all think before we act, and once again become ‘tenders of the garden.’ We are all accountable to God for the choices we make…let us use the surplus of information on conservation to help us, as Orthodox Christians, hold the highest environmental standards for ourselves. May we, like the saints, learn to live in harmony with nature and sanctify the world around us. “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof…the world, and they that dwell therein” (Psalms 24:1). Week of February 11, 2008 Quote for the Week What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility. (Leo Tolstoy) Scripture for the Week Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. (1 Chronicles 16:11-12) Question for the Week What better week than Valentines' to contemplate our spousal relationships? What are the qualities I saw in you that first attracted me to you? How do I feel as I recall those qualities now? What are the qualities that attract me to you now? Do I make the effort to share these with you on a regular basis? Thought for the Week: On a Great Marriage There are many "okay" marriages dotting the planet earth, but we don’t want "okay" marriages! We want GREAT marriages…the kind God intended us to have! No matter how challenged our lives or marriages might feel at times, it's worth reminding ourselves of ways that WE can impact change, instead of waiting for life or our mates to "fix everything." Here are some things we can do TODAY to improve our marital harmony and enjoyment. In honor of St. Valentine's Day, let us strive to love our husbands as God would have us love them. Be an understanding wife. Our guys are literally at the front line, and they need to feel special and loved when they step through the threshold of our home. Enjoy every moment you have with your beloved. He will probably be gone before you are. Recognize the need for both you and your spouse to take personal time. Try not to keep track of it…ask for it when you need it. Give it when he asks. Show your husband he is the most important person in your life (after God). Do not think your words can replace or make up for your actions. Prime your children to love and have understanding for their father and the Church he serves. Remember your youthful times together. There is nothing to stop us from being romantic, playful, and attractive to one another today. Be motivated to organize and prioritize your life so that you are prepared to give yourself fully to your husband and family whenever the time arises. Never forget that a good meal is vital to a man’s life, and gives the key to his heart to his loving wife! Don’t waste your precious time together on negative conversation. Be pleasant and upbeat. Look for the good in your life. Let the Lord carry your burdens. We have no guarantee of tomorrow. Our Maker alone knows when we will pass from this precious life. Live each day with your husband and family as if it is your last…. "Dear Lord, give us the strength and desire to have wonderful marriages; bringing glory to You and life to those around us. Amen." Week of February 4, 2008 Quote for the Week "For Holy Communion, the confession of our sins to a father confessor is needed; whereas for our communication with God, the confession of our weaknesses before Him is necessary." (Elder Paisios) Scripture for the Week "Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the Church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." (Ephesians 3:1-12) Question for the Week How do you feel when you consider that we, who are "less than the least of God's people", are entrusted with the sharing of the Gospel message to the people around us? Thought for the Week: "Chip, Chip, Chip Away!" Time seems to slip like sand through our fingers. It feels like there’s never enough of it to do what we most enjoy in life. Not that we mind cooking, cleaning, shopping, chauffeuring, or working outside the home, but these works bring a temporary satisfaction until the next meal, the next load of laundry, the next paycheck, etc. We want to get to other ventures, but few are the days when we are awarded with enough time to start and finish something like framing precious photos, planting seedlings for our garden or inputting addresses for next year’s Christmas cards. There has to be a way, and there is! But it is not necessarily the way WE want it. How many times have we started something we really want to do, only to have meals, laundry, and straightening thrown to the wind? This is NOT the way. We need to take small bites in order to accomplish our goals. It doesn’t take long before a dripping faucet fills up the bucket, and we all know the tortoise’s victory. We just need his PERSEVERENCE. So we have to think differently. An "all or nothing attitude" earns us nothing but frustration. Imagine a mother duck with her ducklings, patiently bringing them along, down the way, across the pond, hither and thither. She doesn’t lose one very often. We are like that mother duck, and the ducklings represent all that our life embodies: wife, mother, worker, artist, musician, hobbyist, whatever makes you uniquely YOU. You must learn to "bring along" all these responsibilities and interests in a way that doesn’t compromise your family or your particular gifts and interests. Sure, there are seasons when you will do well to provide the basics then fall into bed from a job well done. But it won’t be long until you’re itching to paint, or plant, or create. The key is, "Chip, Chip, Chip Away!" Five minutes here, a half hour there, but never at the expense of your cherished relationships. In this way, we can use our God-given talents and interests to enrich our home life, our families, and our communities. “Slow and steady wins the race." “Lord, grant us patience. And please do it quickly! Amen.” Week of January 21, 2008 Quote for the Week "Has a brother been the occasion of some trial for you and has your resentment led you to hatred? Do not let yourself be overcome by this hatred, but conquer it with love. You will succeed in this by praying to God sincerely for your brother and by accepting his apology; or else by conciliating him with an apology yourself, by regarding yourself as responsible for the trial and by patiently waiting until the cloud has passed." (St. Maximos the Confessor) Scripture for the Week "Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God–truly righteous and holy." (Ephesians 4:23-24) Question for the week Is there someone who has "been the occasion of some trial" for me? Has my resentment led to hatred? (Am I even willing to admit that hatred in one of its various forms--jealousy, annoyance, etc.--might actually be there?!) Am I willing to lay an axe to the root of this weed and earnestly pray for this person and allowing God's love to supplant my own reactions? Thought for the Week: On Cynicism If you would like to quickly destroy your soul, there is a simple way: through the toxin of cynicism. Cynicism is to a human person what poison is to a rodent, the bait is irresistible but deadly. Here’s how it works: Rather than look to your own soul and thus your own sins, glance sideways and look to your neighbor instead. Poke fun, be crass, tear down… see not Christ, but a sinner. But only do so if you want to erase all good fruit from your life. We are susceptible to cynicism because we seek perfection and project that onto those around us. As well, our physical eyes look outward, and we easily notice the sins of others if we are not practicing vigilance. But the Lord tells us to see with the eyes of our souls…to look to Him and to look within ourselves, and only when we have removed the log from our own eye are we to aid our neighbor in removing the speck from theirs. Only in this way can we protect ourselves from cynicism, this self-delusion and road to utter destruction. Bend your neck, repent of all gossip, sarcasm and cynicism and find Christ in your neighbor. Thus, we will become friends of the Lord. It was such a joy to share in the San Francisco Metropolis Sisterhood Retreat in January. We were blessed to have Sister Magdalene of the Community of St. John the Baptist in Essex be our guest speaker. We wanted to include her address, in case any of our sisters and their parish bookstores are interested in ordering her most recent book entitled "Conversations with Children" Communicating our Faith. It is extraordinary! This book is very costly when purchased through booksellers throughout the United States, but if you write directly to Sister Magdalene, she will send you books at 40% off + shipping costs. (Your final payment will need to be made in British pounds). Well worth the effort for a fabulous book - especially for families in your community! Her address is: Sister Magdalen Community of St. John the Baptist Tolleshunt Knights Maldon Essex CM9 8EZ ENGLAND Week of January 21, 2008 Quote for the Week "Prayer is a conversation of man with God. He who prays with a broken and humbled spirit is filled with divine gifts and blessings - that is, with joy, peace, comfort, illumination and consolation - and he, too, becomes blessed. Prayer is the double-edged sword that slays despair, saves from danger, assuages grief, and so on. Prayer is a preventive medicine for all diseases of soul and body." (Elder Ephraim of Mt. Athos) Scripture for the Week "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) Question for the Week There was a popular song that came out several years ago that had a line in it that was unusually striking. It simply said that "there's more room in a broken heart". Do you recognize this ability within your own heart to receive so much more when it is broken? Thought for the Week - Growth in Pain Why is it that we grow more through painful situations than through joyful ones? You cut a rose plant and it hastens to grow into ever more beautiful blooms. This is true also in our lives. Sometimes we wish we would not make errors, that somehow God would prevent us from saying and doing things that, even unwittingly, harm others. But it seems God does not always guard us in this way. He knows that it is through these moments of pain, embarrassment, humiliation, whatever the case may be . . . it is then that we have our most lucid moments, seeing the glory and holiness of our Creator and the sinfulness of us, His creation. As difficult as it is, these are the moments to thank God for . . . that we may truly see who we are and use that vision to propel us onto true repentance; that we may, like the rose, blossom forth into a sweetly fragranced flower, and become a witness of the creative energies of the Master Gardener, our Lord Jesus Christ. Week of January 15, 2008 Quote for the Week "Be a good tree. Do not fool yourself that you can produce good fruits if you are a bad tree; good fruit comes only from a good tree. So, change your heart and your actions will change, too. Weed out greed and plant love. As “the root of all evil is greed,” so the root of all good is love." (Blessed Augustine) Scripture for the Week Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15) Question for the Week In what practical ways can I begin to "weed out greed and plant love" in my life? Thought for the Week: On Staying Current Have you ever been swimming when someone jumps on top of you in the water and down you go, not having taken a good breath? It’s a scary feeling, to be sure. Sometimes we get that same feeling in our day-to-day life…especially as Presvyteres. There is so much for us to manage, sometimes it feels like we are taking a nosedive to the bottom of the pool, and can scarcely come up for air. It may seem like everyone around us is so together…why is it so difficult to keep up? Of course, not every Presvytera feels this way. We all have differing numbers of kids, different sized parishes, and differing financial means. But enough do feel this struggle that it is worth exploring. Let’s mention, first off, that being a priestly family necessitates that a great deal of the family/home responsibilities falls on our shoulders. It doesn’t mean our husbands are exempt from helping with the family and around the home, they just truly do not have the discretionary time that other husbands may have. So straight away we must say, it isn’t helpful comparing. Secondly, we chose this deck of cards, and we must accept the hand dealt in our lives. Period. Otherwise any suffering is our own doing. So rather than feel sorry for ourselves, it is much more productive to put some new tricks up our sleeves and get our precious lives in order that we may feel more like free stylers than sinkers. Here are some great principals to keep in mind: Live within your means. Know your finances at all times. Give to the church on a routine basis. Put God first, and you will be blessed. You may not become a millionaire, but you will not starve. Stay current on your chores. Don’t leave for tomorrow what should be done today. It will kick start your day to begin with a clean home. Live within your given space. It may not be your forever home, but try to keep only what comfortably fits in your current space. Try to live at 80% capacity of your closet space. It is easier to find things and put away clean items in drawers and closets that are not overstuffed. Process paper work daily or at set times each week. Always deal with important papers first. Create a filing system and use it regularly. Continually toss what you no longer need. Create notebooks to organize your family’s current important papers. Be routine about prayer, a little reading, exercise, e-mail. Depend upon quality, nutritional food for your daily nourishment. Minimize sugar and processed or artificial products. Avoid eating out. It’s a budget killer. Shop after the New Year sales for the best prices. Stock up on next year’s gifts. Add a few items to keep your wardrobe current. Stay focused. Keep your planner with you. Use technology to manage your life. Do what you enjoy. Make time for friends. Cherish each moment with your husband. Parent and take joy in your children. Offer your gifts and talents, as you are able. Ask for God’s guidance and grace each and everyday. Remember that because of you, your parish has a wonderful priest! Week of January 1, 2008 BLESSED NEW YEAR! Quote for the Week “Without the health of body, material things are of no benefit to you. Without streams of prayer, what you have sown will not be watered. Without the help of prayer you shall not reap what you sow. Without the mercy of the Creator, there can be no good, no blessing. Be earnest then in prayer, and your barns will overflow. Winter and summer be earnest in prayer; for winter and summer prayer is necessary for us.” (St. Ephraim the Syrian) Scripture of the Week “For He has strengthened the universe so that it cannot be moved. Ready is your throne from the beginning; You are from everlasting.” (Psalms) 92:2 Question of the Week Do I “water” what I “sow” with “streams of prayer”? Or, do I simply “scatter seeds” in hopes that some of them might survive and produce, leaving their watering to others or to chance? Thought: On Respect I once had the blessing of staying at the home of a beautiful widow of 20 years. She spoke at length about her husband and how much she missed the life they once shared. She said that she was once visiting with a good friend. The conversation turned, and her friend began complaining about her husband. The widow replied to her, “If he only sits on the couch and breathes, you should be thankful for that man in your life.” How meaningful from a woman who had, no longer, even that fair pleasure. What wisdom she shared with me. What conviction! Our husbands do so much more than “sit and breathe,” and how easy it is for us to find fault in them! Rather, we, as presvyteres, ought to regard our husbands with the highest esteem. Does this mean they are faultless or perfect? Of course not! Does it mean we never share thoughts or ideas that may be helpful to them? No. We would betray our role as helpmate if we did. What our husbands need and desire most from us the wise Paul wrote in his Epistle to the Ephesians. We hear it during every wedding service, “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband (Ephesians 5:32-33).” If we obey the second portion of this simple command, we will find most assuredly our husbands will dutifully fulfill the first part with joy and delight. Respect for our husbands increases our endearment to them. It makes us more lovable. Let us make our New Year resolution this: to respect with our whole being the unique, attractive, valiant person we have chosen and joined in sacred matrimony, his priesthood, and all that he represents, with diligence, attentiveness, and perseverance. We will thus protect our marriages, our family, and our communities, as much as is possible through God’s abiding grace and love. May the Lord strengthen and help us each in fulfilling this noble task. Week of December 24, 2007 Your sisters from "Prez to Prez" wishes you a blessed Christmas and a joyous new year! "Christ is Born!" "Glorify Him!" "Your birth O Christ our God did shine upon the world and through the light of wisdom illumined the universe and to those who held the stars in worship did through a star learn to worship You. Worship You the sun of righteousness and came to know You the Light from on high. Glory to You O Lord." (Apolytikon of the Nativity) "Today, the Virgin bears Him who is transcendent, and the earth presents the cave to Him who is beyond reach. Angels, along with shepherds glorify Him. The Magi make their way to Him by a star. For a new child has been born for us, the God before all ages." (Nativity Kontakion) The Fourth Wise Man What you would like to give Christ as a gift on His birthday? Your gift should reflect your offering of love, talents, and treasure. Put Christ first, above all in your living and your life. Three Wise Men, led by a star, went to worship the Baby of Bethlehem, and gave Him, as gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They say there was another Wise Man, called Artaban. He was to meet the Three Wise Men in Babylon and then start together the journey to find and worship the Newborn Baby. Artaban sold all his possessions, bought three jewels, a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl, to present to the Baby, and he set out to join the other three Wise Men. On his way, Artaban saw an unknown injured man, and stopped to help him. To do this, he had to sell his sapphire. Because of this, he was delayed. So when he reached Babylon, he found that the other three Men had already departed. He set out alone again. But when he arrived in Bethlehem, he found that the three Wise Men had come and gone, and that Joseph of Nazareth and his family had fled to Egypt. "I will leave immediately for Egypt to worship the new King," exclaimed Artaban. But at this point, a solider came to slay a woman's child on orders from Herod. Artaban gave the soldier his ruby and the infant's life was saved. He then hurried to Egypt, where he wandered in vain, searching for the King. Old and weary, after 33 years, Artaban finds himself in Jerusalem. Then he learns that a so-called King of Israel was to be crucified that very day. There upon he determines to ransom Him with his pearl. But on his way to Golgotha, Artaban was stopped by a young girl who was being dragged off by two brutal soldiers. He gave them his last jewel, the pearl, to the soldiers to save her, instead. When a little later, Jesus was dying on the cross, Artaban realized that he could neither ransom Him not pay tribute to Him, as it was too late and as he did not have any jewels left. Artaban collapsed from sorrow, but when he was lying face down he heard a soft voice, saying: "I was hungry and thirsty and you gave me food and drink; I was naked and sick and you clothed me and visited me." "Not so, my King," protested Artaban. "Thirty-three years I have looked for You, but I have never seen Your Face, not served You, my Lord." But the voice replied: "Whatever you have done unto one of the least of these my brothers, you have done it to me." - Taken from Lovely Little Stories by Metropolitan G Polizoides As Presvyteres we are given jewels, the jewels of love, talent and treasure. In imitation of the Fourth Wise Man – offer them selflessly to the least of those whom you encounter along life’s journey and see the light of Christ in those you serve. Christ is born! Glorify Him! Week of December 17, 2007 Don't miss our Metropolis of San Francisco Sisterhood Retreat with Sister Magdalen on January 18 - 20, 2008 at St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center. Please mail your registration form in today! Attached you will find the Registration Form for our retreat! Quote for the Week He became a servant on earth; He was Lord on high. Inheritor of the height and depth, Who became a stranger. But the One Who was judged wrongly will judge in truth, and He in Whose face they spat, breathed the spirit into the face. He Who held a weak reed was the scepter for the world that grows old and leans on Him. He Who stood [and] served His servants, sitting, will be worshipped. He Whom the Scribes scorned the Seraphim sang "holy" before Him. (Saint Ephraim the Syrian) Scripture of the Week: Prophecy from the Prophet Isaiah "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. (Isaiah 42:1) Question for the Week What does it mean to me when someone is described as having a servants heart? Do I know someone I would describe this way? What is it about him/her that I would wish to emulate in my own life? Thought for the Week This time of year is so busy as we plow through the endless list of mailings, Christmas programs, last-minute to-do lists, and then, something comes along that completely bring us up short and reminds us of those things most precious. It is an annual Christmas tradition in our family to carol at a local hospice on Christmas Eve. One year, we arrived at the hospice as usual, and the director met us at the door and gave us a short briefing on each patient before we entered each room. The last room was one that we will never forget. The directo's briefing was not nearly enough to prepare us for the sight we would behold on the other side. For there, in the room where there would normally have been a hospital bed, stood a crib, and in the crib, lay a small, delicate baby. Baby Julia had been born with difficulties that her little body could no longer tolerate. This Christmas would be both her firstand her last. As she lay there, our eyes met one another's. Only one song would do for this beautiful slumbering baby: a lullaby for another infant born 2000 years ago--the One into Whose arms she would soon find herself abiding. As we reached the words, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, tears flowed and voices wavered slightly as the emotions welled up within us. As we left, the director smiled and murmured softly, "You know, that was her very first Christmas carol." We left the hospice that night with a different perspective on the preciousness of life, on the blessing of children in our lives, and the comforting assurance of a God who gathers us to Him. May we all find time to pause this week and reflect on those things most precious and needful in our lives. Sacred Hymn to Ponder At that time, since Mary was of the house of David, she registered with the Venerable Joseph in Bethlehem. She was with child, having conceived virginally. Her time was come and they could find no room in the inn, but the cave seemed a joyful palace for the Queen. Christ is born to renew the likeness that had been lost of old. (Troparion of the Paramony of Christmas) Week of December 10, 2007 Quote for the Week We cannot be saved by seeking just our own individual salvation; we need to look first to the good of others. In warfare, the soldier who takes to flight to save his own skin brings disaster on himself as well as on the others, whereas the good soldier who takes up arms on behalf of his comrades saves his own life along with theirs. Many of our brothers and sisters have fallen in this battle, wounded and covered with blood, with no one to care for them. There is no one to look after them, no layman, no priest, no comrade, no friend, no brother, because we are all of us seeking our own individual salvation, and thereby spoiling our chance of attaining it. (St. John Chrysostom) Scripture of the Week: Prophecy from the Prophet Isaiah Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness s hall waters break out, and streams in the desert. (Isaiah 35:5-6) Question for the Week At this time of year, I remember a scene from an old Flintstones cartoon where shoppers were lined up outside the doors of a department store until the doors were unlocked and one particular patron led the crowd in with a cry of, CHARGE!!!, and in they went like a herd of buffalo! As we draw closer to Christmas, our to do lists seem to grow exponentially along with a sometimes overwhelming sense of urgency. Am I willing to set aside my list for a day (or even a portion of a day) to assist someone else who may be struggling with their own list? Thought for the Week:On Assets and Liabilities We all would like to improve our assets, and decrease our liabilities. The same holds true for our lives. We want to be the greatest asset we can be to our husband, our children, and our community. That is bold, you may say. It is bold and true. We are, so to speak, our husbands greatest assets. If we are for them, it matters not who is against them. We have the power to love, support, and lift up our husbands, even in the most difficult situations. We can be a tremendous aid in their ministry, simply by being a kind, friendly person. A presvytera who is an example of patience and kindness is indeed a blessing to her husband and community. A wonderful 94-year-old man once said, "It don't cost nothing to be nice." Ladies, our husbands are priests of the Most High God. Their cross is heavy and large. Let us not be an other thorn in their side, but rather through our virtuous life, let us be builders and not tearers-down of the life God has bestowed upon us. Let us demonstrate exceeding kindness to our husbands and to the people Christ has brought us to serve. Dear Lord, grant us words of gentleness and kind-heartedness. Let us look with admiration upon our husbands, letting them know through every compassionate look and helpful action that we are on their side and that they can count on us to bear our cross along side theirs, together serving and loving Gods people. Amen Week of December 3, 2007 Quote for the Week “The purpose of the advent of the Savior, when He gave us His life-giving commandments as purifying remedies in our passionate state, was to cleanse the soul from the damage done by the first transgression and bring it back to its original state. What medicines are for a sick body, that the commandments are for the passionate soul.” (St. Isaac the Syrian) Scripture of the Week: Prophecy from the Prophet Isaiah “Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a Virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call his name Immanuel,” which means: God is with us. (Isaiah 7:14) Question for the Week Inarguably, we Orthodox adhere to the Ten Commandments. How do I “remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy”? How do I extend my keeping of the Sabbath beyond attending Liturgy? Is this an area in which I would like to challenge myself this Advent? Sacred Hymn to Ponder “Today the Virgin is on her way to the cave where she will give birth in a manner beyond understanding to the Word who is, in all eternity. Rejoice, therefore, universe, when you hear it heralded; with the angels and the shepherds, glorify Him who chose to be seen as a new-born Babe, while remaining God in all eternity.” (Kontakion of the Preparation of the Nativity) Thought for the Week: Whole House Clean Up Do you ever feel like a librarian, but instead of shelving books, you are shelving your family’s possessions? If every member of your family takes out and does not put away even a dozen items (an underestimation), that’s 60 items to "re-shelf"! Add to this the Advent Season with all the commitments and pressure it can bring, the challenge of Lenten cooking, and before you know it, this pot is going to blow its lid! Let us, rather, set ourselves up for success this Advent season. Have a "whole house cleanup" today or ASAP. This means everybody pitches in and helps put everything back in its place, gets the laundry going, does team dusting, vacuuming, and a five minute bathroom rescue for each bathroom. If you can get your husband on the same page with you, this task will be a breeze. Promise that you will bring out Christmas decorations this week if they will help do this today (or if this is too stressful an idea--think of another appropriate reward--they help!). Then (here comes the hard part), be unwaveringly ruthless in monitoring and holding people accountable for putting away their own things. Out of place items become more apparent on a cleared counter or empty floor. Require the children to leave their rooms with a made bed and toys put away each morning. It’s a worthy goal and one that will serve them well throughout life. Get it kick started with a reward system. Accent the positive! A group effort at reducing/eliminating clutter that stems from bad habits will give you one of the best boosts you can ask for this season. Remember to reward yourself, too, with the things that are important and bring warmth and joy to our lives--a nice meal, Christmas programs, and Church attendance with a peaceful, loving attitude. A "Whole House Clean Up" will provide a homey springboard for your family to really enjoy this special, holy season. Amen! Week of November 26, 2007 Quote for the Week "Be attentive towards yourself. Strive to be at peace, be quick to forgive, pour out your repentance and sorrows before the Lord more frequently, act according to your conscience - you will then feel better and attain salvation. Nothing comes without effort. Labor for God and you will be saved." (Abbot Nikon) Scripture for the Week "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."(Colossians 4:2-6) Question of the Week How lovely is the concept that our conversations should always be "full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone". Salt was a precious commodity which made things more palatable and could also be used as a preservative. What if we allowed God's grace to infuse our responses to others with these special qualities? How can our conversations be "full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that we may know how to answer others? Thought for the Week: On Negative Talk We all know that our husbands are probably, on occasion, the subject of someone’s dinner conversation. Good or bad may be said, we will never truly know. But does the reverse happen as well? Are our parishioners ever the subject of OUR dinner conversations…good or bad? Nothing will hurt our ministries more than allowing negative talk or gossip to transpire at our dinner tables. Does it mean we never have a conversation with our husband about a parishioner? It depends on the priest, but most of us will probably have SOME conversations (positive or negative), hopefully limited, about our parishioners. The key here is, DISCERNMENT. We all know that there exist in our parishes hurting, sick, and ill-intentioned people. Unfortunately some of these people end up in leadership positions and can be great thorns in our husbands' (and others') sides. They may cause pain in our communities. However, in order to stay above reproach, and to be right in God’s eyes, we must be careful about what we say about these situations, ESPECIALLY AROUND OUR CHILDREN. We, as adults, understand the dynamics of life: the hardship, the difficulties, the realities, etc., BUT OUR CHILDREN DO NOT NEED THIS INFORMATION. It will harm them and distort their view of the priesthood and of our Holy Orthodox Church. Also not talking about others in front of young children, because in their refreshing honesty and lack of filters, your comments will undoubtedly get (embarassingly) repeated! Rather than discuss our parishioners, it would be better to pray for them, to love them and to support our husband in all ways, as he bears the brunt of almost everything in the parish. There is a good rule of thumb we can apply in almost any situation: If we are talking about our own sins, it is confession; if we are talking about the sins of others, it is gossip. Week of November 19, 2007 Quote for the Week The Christian, even here on earth, must accustom himself to live the heavenly life, in faithfulness to Christ and His commandments; in fasting, in renunciation, in prayer, love, meekness, gentleness, patience, courage and mercy. How hard will the hour of death be to the person who in his lifetime made idols of money or food and drink, or earthly honors! In that hour none of these things shall serve him, while his heart, because it is strongly attached to them, does not possess the true treasure which would give him eternal life. Let us then be faithful servants of Christ, caring principally for the soul that it may be saved. St. John of Kronstadt Scripture of the Week You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11 Question of the Week What treasures do I spend the most time and effort storing up? How do I feel about my answer? Thought of the Week: On Giving Thanks There is nothing more vital, more crucial, and more essential than the simple act of giving thanks. What else can we give to our Creator and Maker? He has no need for our praise, our great deeds, our creations… He has need of nothing, yet He created this lovely world with its infinite possibilities for our sake, and for our salvation. Do we remember to give thanks, if not moment by moment, then day by day? Have we ceased to bear in mind the great gift of our own life, and the lives of those around us? Satan would have this ‘stealing of our memory,’ which leads to a life of discontent, restlessness, and disgruntlement, but clearly God is not the author of this erroneous way of being. What can we give our Lord in thanksgiving for all He has given to us? Here is a little list of reminders to keep us on the straight and narrow of a Eucharistic (thanksgiving-centered) life. 1. Look for goodness wherever you can find it. 2. Look for the strengths and talents in those around you. 3. Affirm, often, those strengths and talents in others. 4. Be cheerful and a light in a dark world. 5. Forgive others and yourself quickly. 6. Repent of your sins with your whole heart. 7. Give of your time with ardor and devotion. 8. Greet each person you interact with daily demonstrating your affection and love for them. 9. Remember the gospel is, for us, a way of life. Dear Lord, please give us Your perspective on our life. Help us to see, through Your eyes, Your beloved sons and daughters with fresh eyes, with a love renewed, and with motherly and sisterly affection. Help us at all times to turn to You for inner strength, for you are the Author of Love and of Life. Amen. We are truly grateful for our sisterhood - Week of November 12, 2007 Quote for the Week True prayer brings with it a sweet consolation of heart, so that many Holy Fathers stood for whole days and nights in prayer, and in their sweet rapture they did not notice the time or the length of their prayer. For them prayer was not a labor but a pleasure. But it is not easy to reach such a state, especially for anyone who from childhood has given free rein to his passions or stifled his conscience. But what in the world, what sciences or art, or what consolations are acquired by us easily, quickly, and without toil? (Saint Innocent of Alaska) Scripture for the Week Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:15-17 Question of the Week How do I perceive the practice of prayer in my life? Is it something I rush toward like a thirsty man toward water? Or do I see it more as a part of my daily routine... just one of the many things to which I need to attend? Do I judge that I need to refresh my perspective of prayer? Thought for the Week: On the Parental Inferno If we see parenting as a means of salvation, then having children is certainly a means of purifying our lives and hearts. How so? “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven,” says the Lord (Matthew 18:3). Children have a way of helping keep our ‘puffed up’ selves in check…not only by their many needs which we must constantly meet, bringing us a measure of humility and self-sacrifice, but also by their authentic example of being themselves, including their joy, their frankness, and their guilelessness. Children are God’s gift to us, an icon of His holiness and goodness. However, they come with a price, and if we accept it, it is the destruction of our self-centered will. But is it only one way? In other words, do we not also bring them salvation? Of course, but not without pain and suffering. It has been said, “Give blood and receive the Spirit.” It is no different with parenting. Our every word, our every facial expression, our every action is constantly being looked upon and received by our own flesh and blood. And if we are willing, the Master Surgeon will wield His knife, cutting away all that ‘misses the mark’ within us, freeing us to become like the very sons and daughters we co-created with Him. Dear Lord, please give us the strength and courage to face within ourselves and lay before You all that falls short of Your glory. May we become joyous examples of love and hope, turning to you in all circumstances for strength, courage and perseverance. Amen. Week of November 5, 2007 Quote for the Week "Constantly, each day, each hour, God is sending us people, circumstances, tasks, which should mark the beginning of our renewal; yet we pay them no attention, and thus continually we resist God's will for us. Indeed, how can God help us? Only by sending us in our daily life certain people, and certain coincidences of circumstance. If we accepted every hour of our life as the hour of God's will for us, as the decisive, most important, unique hour of our life -- what sources of joy, love, strength, as yet hidden from us, would spring from the depths of our soul! Let us then be serious in our attitude towards each person we meet in our life, towards every opportunity of performing a good deed; be sure that you will then fulfill God's will for you in these very circumstances, on that very day, in that very hour." (Alexander Elchaninov, The Diary of a Russian Priest) Scripture for the Week But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. (2 Corinthians 3:16) Question of the Week Do I truly see each day, each hour as a gift and/or opportunity? Am I able to discern God’s Hand in the midst of challenging circumstances? Do I recognize God’s call even within the mundane tasks of everyday life? If needed, how can I renew/restore my perspective? Thought of the Week: Talking to Our Kids about Sex There comes a time in every parent’s life when REALITY strikes. Our teenage son (who is heading off to college next year) meets a special girl. They talk on the phone for hours, chat at bit on IM (instant messaging) and, then, SHE walks through the door – stunning, 5’9 and gorgeous. Racing through my mind are my motherly affirmations: “He knows what’s right!” “He knows about saving himself for marriage.” “He’s a great Orthodox Christian kid with a good head on his shoulders.” “Right?” “Right!” Regardless of how much I want to believe that he will make the right decision around the issue of sex – I recognize many worldly forces pulling teens into believing sex before marriage is completely the norm. Unfortunately, they see plenty of sexual encounters every time they turn on the TV or watch a PG-13 movie! Sure, throughout the years, we’ve spoken about the importance of sexual purity, to be careful not to follow the crowd, to make wise decisions knowing that will affect his future, to avoid temptation and stay in groups, to THINK with the eyes and mind of Christ. But suddenly, I panic at the thought that all of our well-intentioned conversations will be tossed aside and overcome by those raging hormones! Then it dawned on me admonitions about sexual purity have been re-iterated in uncountable conversations with our kids over time. Hopefully, the little voice of mom and dad will speak to them when faced with these big decisions well into young adulthood. Following family prayers, we have a common practice in our home which my husband established—we call it “office hours”--a time when we just lay on our kids’ beds and talk about everyday stuff. home, is time for “Office Hours” - a time when we just lay on our kids beds and talk about everyday stuff. Sometimes, it accompanies a back rub or just a quick wrap up of the day’s events, feelings or thoughts. I remember having read once, “Don’t wait for an ‘important’ conversation to have a good conversation,” i.e., like right after the bombshell of a girl walks through our door. If our kids learn they can trust us with the “little stuff, they’re more likely to come to us about the “big stuff.” Showing that we understand what they are feeling and sharing similar experiences about what we went through when we were their age might open up an entirely new way of connecting. Boldly and openly sharing about the importance of sexual purity is a conversation we need to continually have with our kids – not just once – but over and over again. May we continue to pray for our children to make wise decisions with their eyes and minds on Christ. Week of October 29, 2007 Quote for the Week "Hold to patience in your hearts, my friends, and put it into action when the situation calls for it. Don't let any abusive word from your neighbor stir up hatred in you, and don't allow any loss of things that pass away to upset you. If you are steadfast in fearing the loss of those things that last forever, you will never take seriously the loss of those that pass away; if you keep your eyes fixed on the glory of our eternal ecompense, you will not resent a temporal injury. You must bear with those who oppose you, but also love those you bear with. Seek an eternal reward in return for your temporal losses." (St. Gregory the Great, Be Friends of God) Scripture for the Week And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. (Colossians 1:10-12) Question of the Week In our “microwave” society where everything moves at the speed it takes to simply press a button, we often struggle to cultivate patience. When do I find myself most patient? Am I less patient with those who are closest to me? How do I hold onto patience in my heart? Thought for the Week - "IN THE END" In a particularly painful time in my life, when nearly every day was filled with stomach-twisting dread, I had a dear friend send me a card. The cover read: "Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end." I have meditated on that thought nearly every day and in every situation since then. It is an act of utter patience to move through the worst times and the worst situations (or even just mildly annoying ones) with your eye on "the end" instead of the potentially painful "now." The end may be the collapse into bed at the end of the day, it may be the end of a project, or a chapter in your life, or leaving a particularly difficult parish, or the end of your life, or the end of time. To remember that our Lord is King reminds us that He will always make "it" - whatever "it" is - okay. And to remember that our understanding of "the end" may not be His. So if it isn't feeling okay yet, and you thought it was over... it isn't. So in the meantime, while our patience is being tested and it may not feel "okay" yet, we must remember that we are only called to be faithful, to do "the right thing", to act with integrity, with the proverbial "what would Jesus do" guidance. We are not called to be successful, we are called to be faithful. Week of October 22, 2007 Quote for the Week He who esteems life in this world and judges its values as worth protecting, does not know how to discern what is his own from what is alien to himself. Nothing transitory belongs to us. (St. Gregory of Nyssa) Scripture for the Week "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." (Colossians 1:16) Questions for the Week Do you let your "presvytera" title define you? Do you let your "presvytera" title define you? How are you defining yourself? Or are you letting your title define you? Thought of the Week: The Invisible Presvytera One of the messages that has circulated the internet is called "invisible mom." It could just as well be called "invisible Presvytera" with a few alterations. The story begins: I'm invisible...It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Pick me up right around 5:30, please." I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude -- but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going ... she's going ... she's gone! As presvyteres, sometimes we can feel like appendages to our husbands. We are just "Presvytera" - without a name, without a life beyond the church, without our own foibles, spiritual struggles, hopes, aspirations, or even professional callings. "Presvytera" may carry with it a pre-determined set of responsibilities and characteristics. I'll never forget one former parishioner whose jaw literally dropped when he found out I had not just a "job" but a full-fledged career. The point isn't whether or not we choose or need to work outside the home, but that we are individuals in our own right. The "role" we choose to fill as the wife of the priest is equally individual and sometimes those choices are painfully scrutinized or, perhaps worse, assumed to fit a mold. We can certainly help our parishioners not to take us for granted by being touchable and human. But as the "Invisible Mom" story continues, we must remind ourselves that the choices we make are of utmost importance to our Lord and Savior, and not necessarily to those around us, who may render us either invisible or pre-defined. And perhaps, more importantly, we must remind ourselves that the invisible things we do as presvyteres and mothers do make a difference in the lives of the people that matter most to us, even if they go unnoticed. For it is ‘more blessed to give than to receive,’ and we are called to ‘give, expecting nothing in return. The story continues that a friend of the writer gave her a gift, a book on the great cathedrals of Europe, at a time when she was feeling especially irrelevant. "I wasn't exactly sure why she’d given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees." “ In reading that book, “Charlotte” learned some life-changing truths: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees." I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you’ve sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can’t see right now what it will become." At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. A bit later, the writer finishes: When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand-bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there. " As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we’re doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women. Today, let us faithfully pray for our sisters and brothers in Southern California - for "those affected by the fires, their safekeeping, health, and the restoration of their homes and land." let us pray to the Lord. Week of October 15, 2007 Quote for the Week "Such is the power of love: it embraces, and unites, and fastens together not only those who are present and near, and visible, but also those who are distant. And neither time, nor separation in space, nor anything else of that kind, can break up and divide in pieces the affection of the soul." (St. John Chrysostom) Scripture for the Week This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence (1 John 3:19) Question of the Week