St. John the Forerunner Foundation
Winter Newsletter, 2010
Almsgiving…it is a seal on those who practice it. Not even death when it comes will wilt this flower, but it always stands to illumine the mind, to feed the veins of the soul, to increase strength. Its wings are light, and extremely great is its boldness, which ascends before the throne of the King and freely passes into the Kingdom those who bear it. Nothing can inhibit the one who enters into the Kingdom with Almsgiving.
-St. John Chrysostom
Beloved Brethren,
Eastside view
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! We pray you and your families are well by the grace of God.
It is time once again to update you on the progress of our building project which through your love and support we were able to begin last spring.
The building with the cells has come along beautifully. The roof is now on and the windows were just recently installed.
Due to the very mild winter, work on the building has been able to continue through these winter months. The interior framing is now complete and they are currently finishing up on the plumbing, electric, heating & cooling and fire sprinkler systems. We hope this portion of the project will be completed within the next month in order for us to proceed with insulation and drywall.
Interior Framing
Last year we took out the first loan of 0,000 and we are now in the process of getting a second loan of 0,000. We hope that with these loans we will be able to finish the building and receive the permission for occupancy.
It is with great fear and caution but also with deep faith in God that we are proceeding with this building project despite the economical crisis of the world.
Southwest view of building
Through many incidents that have occurred during the building process it is our belief and deep conviction that this endeavor is within the will of God. We see that it is the desire of the Holy Forerunner for his monastery to be built; to become a safe haven and a refuge for struggling Christians in the Northwest and all of America in these confused and turbulent times we are living in.
"We have a great opportunity to help build the monastic witness in our area. Could there be anything more important for our parishes, for our own lives, than to have this beacon of Orthodoxy shining as brightly and broadly as God will bless it to shine? May we do all that we can to assist them in this great work. To the everlasting glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!"
-Fr. Joseph Copeland
Holy Cross Orthodox Church
Yakima,WA
North Side
Following are some current details about the plans for the new Church which by the Grace of God and the intercessions of St. John the Forerunner, we hope to begin within this year. Our structure engineer is currently working on the engineering plans for the new Church. The Church will be in the basilica style with one dome.
The church will be built architecturally in the cruciform type with one dome. The dimensions of the main church will be approximately 76 ft by 37 ft., or about 3200 sq. ft. including the chapels and choirs. We have added to the plans an eight foot wide covered exonarthex for weather conditions.
East Side
The Church will be jointly dedicated to the Panagia and St. John the Forerunner. On one side of the church we will have a chapel dedicated to St. Nektarios, which will also be used as a confessional. The other side of the church will accommodate storage space and utility room for the church.
In closing this newsletter we wish you all good health and may God bless all your efforts, whether spiritual or material, in your lives. We gratefully continue to remember all of you and your families in our humble prayers. Once again, we thank you for your faithful love and support of our Monastery. As always, we appreciate any help you may be able to provide, as so many of you have offered for so many years. We whole-heartedly wish you all a blessed Triodion period with strength and zeal for a spiritually fruitful Great Lent! May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Mother, our Panagia be with you always.
West side
In His Love,
Gerontissa Efpraxia and the sisters
intercede for us."