Now that Fr. Kirby may be typing more sermons, and thus able to post them, we are able to give more resources to lay readers who must carry the weight of Morning Prayer in churches that are without a priest, and to men who are ordained only far enough for Deacon's liturgies with the pre-sanctified, that is Reserve Sacrament, and who are not yet either licensed or confident (I say not yet) to compose their own without some help. For the first category especially, I want to draw your attention to a link over on the right of this page, under Resources. In a cooperative effort Mr. Ed Pacht (Poetreader) and Fr. John Hollister offer "Sermons for Layreaders" every week, and have done so for quite some time.
Some may think we are foolish to give these things away without charge. But, our main desire is to be of assistance whenever and wherever needed for the good of the Church, that God's people may be edified.
Thank you. The sermons make good devotional reading for people at home also. Much better than most of the material in the daily devotional reading booklets.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alice. We try.
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What a wonderful thing to do, I plan on going into some local nursing homes and conducting some sort of service for the people confined to those homes. I may use your resources. This is going to be odd, an Orthodox layperson conducting what will probably some sort of Anglican prayer service with western hymns. We'll see if this gets me excommunicated. I just don't know how I would do some sort of Eastern Service with hymn none of the old folk are ever going to know? I have conducted two funeral "rites" that I put together from scratch. People seem drawn to me in religious situations because they know I take my faith seriously. When they need some help going through a tough time they come to me. I wish I had some training so I could even be at least of assistance such as a Chaplain. I would love feedback.
ReplyDeleteFr Hart said,
ReplyDelete"Some may think we are foolish to give these things away without charge."
They are not ours to sell. They belong to the Holy Spirit.
David,
ReplyDeleteemail me
edpacht1@myfairpoint.net
It's what I do on a regular basis.
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David,
ReplyDeleteI don't know about excommunication, but if, as it appears, you are operating on your own account, I would imagine your priest, if not even your bishop, might look slightly askance at you engaging in a public ministry that is not sanctioned by them. If you feel called to ministry, then why not speak with them first?
Albion,
ReplyDeleteThere is where I have some confusion, I have never been able to get a response from my Bishop when I have communicated to him, given all that is going on in the OCA and his other diocese I assume he is just to overwhelmed to get back to me. My priest thinks I should attend seminary, he is about the third person from LCMS, to Anglican, to Orthodox who has said the same thing. Sadly my wife is not a believe so that puts a damper on things. All I am really interested in is getting out to souls in exile from the "regular" world. I have heard some sad, sad stories of how clergy are unwilling or unable to attend to the souls in the homes. I am not going to go out on behalf of the Orthodox church and I am not looking to really even lead something, organize it for the people really. I have a very, very good grasp of differing denominations as I studied them as I worked my way from the modern age to the beginning of the church. I am able to communicate pretty well with people from different backgrounds because I know the terms they use, aspects distinct to a denomination, etc.
I once asked two priest about doing something like this and they both asked me why I was asking them, that I don't need the approval of a man and if I find someone that demands to give such approval I should run from them.
I asked them because my previous experience within Orthodoxy was that you would seek a blessing for such things. I haven't been very comfortable when asked to do things like the funerals but I don't know how you say know when people are looking to you as a person of faith for answers, comfort and service.
Thank you all for the input.
If you make clear that you are a layman, praying with people, and sharing what you know of the faith, are part and parcel of what it is to be a Christian. I came into my ACA parish already responsible for a nondenominational prayer service/Sunday School in a home for the elderly. I started it as a minister, but, when I lay down that ministry to become an Anglican, I made it clear that I would continue as a layperson. I didn't ask my priest for permission, but I did and do let him know what is going on. It's not a formal public service, but an informal gathering for a handful of old people who aren't being reached by anyone else and who wouldn't be getting out. I'm not representing my church, as such, but I am representing my Lord as a member of His church. There's a subtle difference.
ReplyDeleteFor funerals, well, if I'm asked again, I will conduct one. I'm NOT authorized to do so for members of the church, but reaching out to those outside her fellowship, as a layman, not as clergy, would seem to be a part of the calling of a Christian.
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