The Shepherd, March 2009
SiR UK* NEWS
* Synod in Resistance Churches in the UK
BISHOP AMBROSE’S EASTER VISIT
BECAUSE of the shortage of SiR clergy in this country, His Grace Bishop Ambrose of Methoni has generously volunteered to come to England for the dedication festival of the Convent, the Annunciation, and to stay for two weeks, until Bright Monday, so that he will be able to serve the Holy Week and Paschal services for the sisters. At the time of going to press, it is hoped that he will come to Brookwood to serve a Liturgy in Romanian for the Romanian Traditionalist community on Lazarus Saturday and stay over to celebrate the Vigil and Divine Liturgy for Palm Sunday for the Saint Edward parish. Nearer the time, we will publish a more exact schedule of his services. If you are not on our regular mailing or e-mail lists, please let us know if you want to be kept informed. It is probably too late to let you know beforehand with this issue, but His Grace Bishop Sofronie of Suceava will also serve at Brookwood on the Sunday of Saint Gregory Palamas, and may return at the end of the fast to join Bishop Ambrose here.
BUILDING PROGRESS
WOKING BOROUGH COUNCIL has approved the scheme of our architect, Irina Aldersley of Eulinea Ltd, Worcester Park, for the replacement of the church roof. The bat survey showed no sign of bats living within the church, and special precautions have been set in place to preserve their environment if they are found in the turret above the central crossing, which could not be surveyed because of its inaccessibility. Ms. Aldersley is now tendering for contractors to undertake the scheme. At the same time we have now completely paid off the contractor who worked on the monastic house and the Old Mortuary refurbishment, as well as the project managers, KSP Consultancy LLP. This brings the first two phases of the whole project to completion. At the time of going to press, our Building Fund Total, which includes monies both already donated and those formally pledged, stands at £709,364.45. Within the next few weeks we should know the cost of the roof replacement.
VISITORS
IN THE LAST MONTH, we have been blessed to receive, among others, the following visitors: -
On 1st February, a group of Iranian and Turkish Moslems attached to the Woking Mosque came to see the church and to ask questions about our Faith and practices.
On 2nd February, Scott Bower brought a group of ten young nondenominational Christians to see the church. The group is planning to go to Macedonia, and wanted to learn something about the Orthodox Church. After being shown the church, they stayed with us for Vespers, and then went to see the Exhibition Room. They plan to come again.
On 9th February, Father Gabriel and Presbytera Helena Lawani and the iconographer Dimitri Brown visited us early in the morning. They were on their way back to the northern regions, but kindly brought us provisions and stayed for a chat and cup of coffee.
On 12th February, Father Stavros Solomou of the St Nicolas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Shepherd’s Bush paid one of his periodic visits and brought a supply of provisions for the fathers.
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