Announcements – Page 10 – Saint Andrew's Orthodox Church

Remembering Barbara Ondris

We are reprinting here a memoriam offered at the time of +Barbara’s repose by Ginger Jerosh. As Ginger notes, Barbara was truly a pillar of our community, who bore her illness with grace before the Lord, and who we miss dearly.

There are many different roles our parishioners fulfill in order for St. Andrew’s Church to function as a living parish. Some preach, some teach, some clean, others plan. We have some who sing or beautify our surroundings in other ways. Without the multiplicity of talents that each person offers, we wouldn’t be able to grow and thrive as a living organism.

Liturgy in the time of coronavirus

We celebrated Liturgy today (June 14) for the first time after the Church being closed for three months, due to the coronavirus. Richard McLaughlin kindly met with me to set up things on Saturday afternoon, and was a huge help. We brought out the old altar that had been used by the community from its earliest times, and the matching Table of Oblation, and covered them with green cloths for the Feast of Pentecost, which was exactly one week ago. We placed the Altar on the cement walkway immediately outside the doors to the Narthex, which we left closed, and the Table of Oblation just to the left of the Altar. Nilus and Moses assisted as altar servers, and were invaluable. Lasha was on hand to conduct, and Juliana and Andrea were the singers. In attendance for the service were Richard, Jan & Mike, Andrew, Steven, and Gabriella.

Parish reopening

Dear parishioners,

Christ is in our midst!

I write to announce the reopening of our parish church. Because the reopening will be strictly limited in many different ways for some time, this is not the reopening that we would like to have, but it is what we are permitted to have under the combination of governmental, Synodal and Diocesan directives, all of which we must follow.

A note regarding reopening

Dear Parishioners and Friends:

Christ is risen!

I am polling the members of our parish council regarding the tentative reopening of our parish church. Please be advised that once the civil authorities will again permit public gatherings in Suffolk County, NY (a decision over which we have no control or influence), we must first draft a plan for reopening which must be approved by our Archpastor, Vladyka Michael (Dahulich). Such a plan must be consistent with the guidelines issued by both the Holy Synod of the OCA and our own Diocesan Guidelines. Many issues are presented by the issue of reopening the church amidst this pandemic and we encourage all parishioners to read the article posted by Robin Freeman on our OCA website this week (https://www.oca.org/reflections/misc-authors/what-covid-19-means-for-singing-in-church) which speaks to these issues.

My Life in Suite D202

by Andoni Carris

Just learned we have two more cases of the virus and I told my five children, “I’m in the right place during this tragic time. This Gurwin environment is a blessing for my material and spiritual needs.” That said, I will tell you how I have lived here for over two and a half years.

When I was applying for a residence at Gurwin, they asked me what I desired. I replied, “I wish to be part of the Gurwin family and live as an ascetic.”