This week began with a retreat/conference with the other fire chaplains in Massachusetts. This is an annual event and each year we have a different theme. This year was Faithful in Our Calling: “Serving Those Who Serve” It was a blessing to be able to get away and spend time with other chaplains and also to get some rest. We had different session during the time are were asked to write on different topics. One was prayer and our prayer life and how that translates into our ministry. I usually do not like these kinds of things, getting in touch with yourself, but this was a great exercise and I learned many things for others. One thing I learned is that I do not pray enough and I need to change that.
So back to the real world and the tasks that need to be completed around the church. I spent most of the day yesterday cleaning the house, doing laundry, grocery shopping and putting the air conditioners in the windows of the house. This weekend it is supposed to be in the 90’s so I hunker down in the a/c and wait for the temp to drop. I do not like the heat. Let’s hope I get to heaven!
Tomorrow we have liturgy here at 9am for the deceased members of the parish. Traditionally Orthodox Churches have a liturgy on the Saturday prior to Pentecost for the deceased. Ours will be a 9am and I believe that Brother Michael will be here. He is visiting from California and I think he is going to make his way to the village. It will be good to see him again.
Sunday liturgy as usual and then on Monday we all go to the cemetery for the blessing of graves. I like this little tradition that we have as it gives me a chance to speak with people about their loved ones that I did not know. So we walk around the cemetery, in full liturgical vestments, we need to figure a way to give them some a/c maybe NASA can help, anyway we walk around and bless the graves. Then I plan to veg for the rest of the day and enjoy memorial day. I usually try to get to the parade in town but I hear rain is coming so we will see.
I will try to catch up on the Podcast. I have one for last week and just need to finish editing it and put it up. Maybe I can get to that today.
