A Remarkable History.....A Promising Future

Beloved in the Lord, Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 As a child, I was always perplexed at the constant lament of my elders that “things aren’t what they used to be”. Today, of course, I’m in a better position to understand that sentiment. Change is inevitable, but it’s only good when it yields positive results and tangible growth. If we observe the universe that God created, we see that it’s in a constant state of flux. Yet, God Himself does not change. His expectations of man are the same today as they were in the Garden of Eden.

Having the blessing of being associated with this parish since childhood, I’ve seen a lot of changes here, and I can’t say that they have all been for the better. Our story is a common one: a large urban parish that thrived in the days of the Industrial Revolution and for years beyond, but began to shrink as the generations that followed moved away from the area or worse yet, walked away from their Orthodox faith.

Where do we go from here? Indeed, left to our own wisdom and resources we are helpless to stop the exodus, and the future of the parish as it appears on paper would be rather grim. But God is not impressed with statistics, He is impressed with faith. As a priest once told me, never be discouraged at the number of parishioners in a parish, just remember that the entire Church began with just 12 men. It was those 12 men of great faith who pressed onward in the face of enormous adversity, and the Lord moved all the mountains that got in their way. We can do the same.

 No, things aren’t the way they used to be, yet we should look at that fact not as an excuse to grieve, but as an opportunity to grow. In 21st century America, more people than ever are in need of Truth and Love, and we who have seen the True Light must let it shine before all so that those who live in darkness will come to know He who is Truth. We must witness our Orthodox faith to others through acts of charity, and God, seeing our efforts, will send workers into His Vineyard so that the harvest may be full.

God alone knows what the future holds for our parish, but inasmuch as He has given us the means and the opportunity to make it grow, we should probably get to work. The question of who is going to do it is answered by our actions, the question of how it is going to get done is answered by our faith.

With Love in Christ,

Fr. Stephen