Unfortunately, we do not realize that when we do our work in a hurry, we become nervous. And when work is done nervously, it is not sanctified. Our goal should not be to do many things and be in constant anxiety. This is a demonic condition. What is done with calmness and prayer is blessed, and it also blesses the people who use it.   

St. Paisios of Mount Athos

When I speak it’s like everything I say is describing my parents’ farm… Some people like the city lights and an office in a skyscraper with a good view of other skyscrapers. I personally like fresh air and trees and fields and ponds and streams. I do have to say though that country folk and city folk can definitely learn from each other.

Whether you are in the countryside or city, we all need the peace and Presence of God. The human heart is in the most need especially of the healing touch of Jesus. Many don’t have in person contact with the fullness of the Good News of Jesus Christ in the form of a local Orthodox Church Parish with a full time Priest or even a Deacon for a reader service.

Many Priests and Deacons work unrealistic bi-vocational hours to share the love of Jesus. We can bring relief. The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few; pray to God that He might send laborers into the harvest. To learn more and possibly donate or to apply for relief as a Clergy, go to www.ocmamerica.us …or click the button below to donate…

It is with great sadness that we report the repose of our good friend, and recipient of Share the Faith Ministries, Father Andrew Short. Fr. Andrew was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in 2021 fulfilling the call to pastor St. Anna Mission in Columbia, TN. Fr. Andrew served his mission selflessly and worked long hours to sustain both his own family and that of the mission’s. Because of this, he called upon Share the Faith Ministries to help supplement his work. We at Share the Faith were very grateful to be able to support Fr. Andrew with a thousand dollar a month stipend to ease his burden and help spread the Gospel in Tennessee. In speaking with Fr. Andrew, even in his illness, he remained steadfast in his faith and a bastion in the teachings of Christ. He will be greatly missed. Memory eternal!     Fr. Dn. Christopher Purdef

Raised in a simple, blue-collar family on the southeast side of Chicago, Lorraine’s family

dynamics modelled an evangelical faith, strong work ethics, commitment, and community

service.

After high school, she completed a trade education in Computer Processing which led her to the

fast-paced financial world of the Chicago Board of Trade. In 1982, Lorraine would pack up all

she learned about commodity trading and married Gene, a farmer in South Dakota. After

farming and raising livestock for four years, they sold the farm, moved into town, and

established multiple agricultural businesses. Recognizing a need for the farmers and ranchers

of South Dakota, Lorraine and Gene opened a commodity brokerage firm, crop insurance

agency, and insurance consulting practice. They built their companies on quality service and

were recognized at both state and national levels. Managing the wonderful team of

professionals lasted nearly 32 years.

While raising their family in Mitchell, SD they were active community and church members.

They supported a variety of causes to include church plants and board memberships.

As a Mesa, AZ winter visitor, Lorraine was introduced to Saint Ignatius Antiochian Orthodox

Church in 2017 and was illumined in 2019. She uses her administrative skills as a frequent

volunteer and for the last several years has been given the blessing of Archpriest James Coles

of Saint Ignatius to coordinate the many moving parts for a program on the church property to

house and feed unsheltered families through the Family Promise organization. Through these

experiences, she has been a witness to the struggles and accomplishments of this new society.

Lorraine is a loving mother of three children and the crown of age has gifted her five beautiful

grandchildren. Her loving husband of thirty-six years passed in 2018 with their family at his side.

She considers herself blessed to be able to watch her family grow and give back to their

churches, communities, and nation.

Her hobbies include gardening, wood carving, camping, hiking, reading, remodeling, and

projects of any kind.

Below is a word from our SMM Coordinator:

The human heart is in the most need especially of the healing touch of Jesus. Many don’t have in person contact with the fullness of the Good News of Jesus Christ in the form of a local Orthodox Church Parish with a full time Priest or even a Deacon for a reader service. Many Priests and Deacons work unrealistic bi-vocational hours to share the love of Jesus. We can bring relief. To learn more and possibly donate or to apply for relief as a Clergy, go to www.ocmamerica.us … or click the button below to donate…

St. Jacob of Alaska started with a Moleben served on the Feast Day of St. Jacob Netsvetov, July 26/August 8, 2021, in venue space at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. Archpriest Gregory Joyce of St. Vladimir Russian Orthodox Church in Ann Arbor served as the first rector and appointed Deacon Jesse Rimshas of Sts. Sergius and Herman of Valaam in Houghton, Michigan as the Mission Coordinator.

St. Jacob’s mission has always been labor of love for its founding members. Fr. Jesse and his family drove two hours from his home in L’Anse with icons, music stands, and other church supplies, and the community set up and tore down the Mission in a conference room on weekends. Vespers and Divine Liturgy were served about every six weeks by a visiting priest from Traverse City or Houghton, and other weekends the community would hold Reader’s Vespers and Typikas. They held lunch at a local coffee shop that allowed them to plug in Crock Pots and dine at a room upstairs as long they ordered a carafe of coffee.

In March of 2022 the mission leased 5,000 square feet of space on the main level of an old middle school in Ishpeming, Michigan, about 20 minutes from Northern Michigan University in Marquette. The community has made this space their own. Fr. Jesse and his fifteen-year-son Anthony designed and built a portable wooden iconostasis.

On July 12/June 29, 2022, Archbishop Peter ordained Deacon Jesse to the Holy Priesthood and tonsured parishioner George Hunt, who is currently the mission’s sole seminarian, a reader. Fr. Jesse was appointed Rector on the community’s second anniversary, August 8/July 26, 2023. St. Jacob’s currently serves as Marquette County’s only full-time Orthodox Church, and parishioners drive as far as ninety miles for Divine Liturgies. The community is very active and has a full schedule of services.

Fr. Jesse’s goal is to facilitate growth in the community not only in numbers, but also in dedication and ability. Through the Grace of God, St. Jacob anticipates receiving three more converts to the Orthodox Faith this Lazarus Saturday, bringing the total to nine since July, 2022. The mission has its own budding iconographer whom Fr. Jesse plans to help attend formal training this summer. Parishioners read liturgically, sing in the choir, serve in the Altar, and serve in other ways. And Lord willing, the community’s seminarian, Reader George, will complete his education and be ordained to the Holy Deaconate this summer.

St. Jacob’s is a warm and growing community with many needs, including liturgical supplies, money for liturgical and musical training conferences, and vestments. But the community’s greatest need is a permanent home. It’s difficult to attract attention on the
main level of a former middle school. But old Protestant churches often come up for sale in Marquette County, and it’s only a matter of time before a suitable building is found. With this long-term goal in mind, the community has started saving toward a
permanent building, with the prayer that God might “establish . . . this holy house, even unto the consummation of the age” (Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great).