The Shepherd, January 2005
BROOKWOOD NEWS
EPISCOPAL VISIT
On 10th December, His Grace Bishop Photios of the Chrysostomite Synod in Greece briefly visited us, writing in the visitors’ book: “It was a blessing for me to venerate the holy relics of St Edward.”
SERBIAN VISIT
The parish priest of St Nicolas Church, Zemum, Belgrade, Father Djordje Popovic visited on 24th December.
DEATH OF A MISSION FOUNDER
On the feast of St Ambrose of Milan, 7th /20th December, David Dale passed away at his home near Dorchester in Dorset. Before becoming Orthodox, David had been the priest of the All Saints’ Parish (C of E) in Ryde, Isle of Wight, and he led a small group of his parishioners into Orthodoxy. He was baptised at St Edward’s on 6th /19th February, 2000, with five of his former parishioners, who now form the nucleus of the Saint Boniface Mission in Ryde. May his memory be eternal and his rest with the saints. Through the kind hospitality of Father Michael Harper, the dean of the British Antiochian Orthodox Deanery, and of the parish priest, Fr Chrysostom MacDonnell, the funeral is to be held in St Edward’s Orthodox Church, Athelhampton near Dorchester.
PRESENTATION TO MRS CASTLE
On behalf of the community, Fr Peter Baulk presented Mrs Elizabeth Castle with a crystal bowl at the end of the Divine Liturgy on 19th December, the occasion of her sixtieth birthday. Elizabeth is the only parishioner at Brookwood who has been with us from our very first days in 1982, and for most of that time she has been one of the most active helpers in our work. From almost the beginning she has been the treasurer of the charity which runs the property. She has chanted in the choir onSundays, feastdays and at our Tuesday evening Parakleses, and worked in organising the various meal rotas and work schedules for volunteers. The presentation marked our gratitude to her, and we wish her Many Years!
RUSSIAN FEAST
On the feast of St Spiridon and Herman, 12th / 25th December, we were joined at the Divine Liturgy by a sizeable contingent of parishioners from the London Russian Orthodox Church, who brought with them an altar server, Victor, to support Fr Niphon, and with the help of their “resident” chef, Vadim Grigoreyev, and with a generous contribution from John Foote-Forster, they provided us with an ample festive meal. So while the world around us was celebrating their Christmas, we were blessed to enjoy an unexpected and very welcome festal meal ourselves. Our thanks to all concerned.
NEW COMPUTER
We are extremely grateful to Collin and Anna Skyers of Bisley for the gift of a computer for the Brotherhood. This one is a PC and we hope that it will be able to handle some of the things with which we have had difficulties on our iMac.
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PRACTICAL TIP
A SIMPLE AND QUICK ONE this month, but one which it is well to learn early. When standing in prayer in church or at home before the icons, stand with your weight evenly distributed between your two feet, and stand straight, somewhat like a soldier at ease (not at attention!). You will find it much less tiring and you will be able to be more still and thus be better able to concentrate yourself, and in church less likely to distract others.
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