MONASTERY NEWS-Saints Mary & Martha Orthodox Monastery

Christ Is Risen! As this issue of “One Thing Needful” is being written, we are coming to the end of the forty days of Pascha (the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ). Truly, He Is Risen!
So many of you are wondering when we’re going to break ground -- when God allows. The only deadline we had was to have part of the land cleared so that it could be blessed at Pilgrimage, April 28th. This was done, with the larger logs (oak and pine) being milled for interior use, the smaller logs for the fire place, and the rest to be burned or possibly mulched. Due to drought conditions we have not been able to burn.
Back in late September, we hired an architect that truly wanted to do the work and had some good ideas; however, his health proved to be too great an obstacle. In March, we started interviewing other architects and obtaining bids. On May 4th we hired another architect. The monastery building can be built in three phases, completing the exterior and roughing in the interior. Then, as we have funds, we will work on the interior, starting with the Chapel and one bathroom. As our contractor teasingly says, “We need to get this built before Mother Thecla changes her mind again.” God willing, there will be updated plans in our next newsletter and, just maybe, a building permit.
Saint Walburga’s Warehouse might be finished by the time you receive this newsletter. Currently, the metal workmen are correcting their mistakes. So much for being required to hire the workmen that the metal building company states you must hire if you purchase their product. We were told that they would have it finished in two days, but figured it would probably take a week. They arrived on the 12th of March, did not have it finished by the end of the week, then finished it incorrectly, and are now having to correct the mistakes. When the job is correctly done, they will be paid. Nothing is ever simple. We just learned that the metal workers are one sheet short. So the saga continues.
On the second Friday and Saturday of February, we hosted our annual Knitters’ Retreat. While only four women attended, the retreat was good for all of them, both spiritually and physically.
As any Southern gardener would tell you, there is always work in the garden, no matter what month it is. There is never any lack of work in a monastery. We received some much needed help from Maria Floyd, Donna Davenport, Debbie Stankus, Debbie Davis, Kathy Smith, Kathy Poole, Rebecca Rommen, Elizabeth Barna, and Fr. Dn. Steve and Nancy Hall.
Each year on the Saturday before Forgiveness Sunday, the Church Commemorates All Departed Monastics. We were blessed to have Liturgy served that day by Fr. Robert Royer. A number of years ago, we added the names of women monastics (nuns) to the list of men monastics (monks) in the canon of Matins. Hearing the names of women along side the names of men, who “fought the good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7), inspires us in our own struggles.
On Friday, March 23rd, one unborn child (a miscarriage) was buried here in the morning. That afternoon Jacob Kowalcheck, a newborn infant whose lungs had not developed was buried. Great sadness enveloped all, then it started to rain, then poured and drenched everyone. With the rain came cleansing and joy in knowing God cares for and comforts all. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Howard Thomas (Peter) Herbert from the Charleston, South Carolina area along with the ashes of his wife, Reva Marie Wine Herbert were buried here on May 16th.
As with all those buried here and throughout the world -- May their memory be eternal.
Lent and Holy Week were challenging on many levels. One level was the goodly number of candle orders, for which we are grateful. As always, praying the Lenten cycle of services, keeping the Lenten fast, as well as other ascetical endeavors are challenging. Holy Week and Pascha services are more demanding, and for most of us exhausting. Keeping the Paschal spirit for forty days, fifty if you add Ascension and Pentecost stretches us to our limit. With Christ’s strength, we can “run the race” of the Pre-Lenten, Lenten and Paschal seasons, which are roughly one-third of the year.
Our annual Pilgrimage on April 28th went well. Liturgy was concelebrated by Fr. Thomas Moore, Fr. Peter Smith, and Fr. John Parker. Forty-four others attended throughout the day. With so many people contributing to the potluck luncheon, the table was full and overflowing. After praying the Akathist to Saints Mary and Martha, the four corners of the cleared land where the monastery will be built were blessed. (God willing, next year we will have a chapel and not have to put up tents.) Then we gathered under the tents again and prayed a forty-day Panikhida (prayers for those who have reposed) for Nona Zheltov, whose son and family now live here. Afterwards, we sang the Pascha Canon of Matins as we processed to the cemetery to bless the graves. After resting for a short time and cooling down from the heat, the few of us remaining, prayed Vespers. (Below are photographic portraits of some of the people who attended.)

On May 8^th and 11^th two groups of home-schoolers came for a candle demonstration and a tour of our monastery. Everyone enjoyed themselves, as they had the opportunity to become acquainted with us, and we with them.
A long-time friend and Orthodox Christian missionary, James Hargrave, visited us in late February after returning stateside from Tanzania in East Africa. With great joy, he and his to be bride, Daphne, will be married on May 27^th. We haven’t met Daphne, but we know James is a very happy man. Both are planning to return to the mission field in Tanzania. May God grant them many years!