PARISH VOICES

Commencement speeches come and go. Most of you don't remember what was said at your own graduation or you might remember the feeling of being sent. One chapter closes, another opens, and suddenly your life is your responsibility. Steve Jobs said at Stanford's 2005 commencement, that "the reality of our death is the most important tool for making decisions. Death strips away illusion, pride, fear, the need to impress, and leaves only what matters." It's a jarring thought, b

Sunday, May 3, 2026 — Our parish gathered for the Spring Parish Assembly to hear from ministry and committee leaders and parish council members on the current state of Holy Apostles, the building project, and our financial picture. Parish Council President Josh Ensley reminded us of our focus: being (and building!) a dwelling place for Jesus!

Sunday, April 27 2026 — The second Sunday after Pascha we celebrate the Myrrh-bearing Women. These devoted followers of Jesus remaining with him during his crucifixion and brought spices (myrrh) to his tomb on Pascha morning. Because of their faithfulness, they were the first witnesses to Christ's Resurrection. Our sweet Myrrh-bearers served throughout the services of Lent and Pascha, reminding us of the Myrrh-bearing Women's faithfulness. Today, again, they helped bring o

Recently I was blessed to spend three weeks with my Scottish granddaughters. Scotland is roughly 4,500 miles from Seattle and 8 hours ahead of us. It makes for difficult FaceTime and phone calls. The oldest is now 8½ so I've accepted the distance and relish the times I can be with them. The youngest, almost 2 years old, so loved "reading" books. She had her favorites and even if they were placed randomly on the bookshelf, she searched them out easily. The 5 year old still enj

Our series looking back twenty years enters its fourth month. Last month I shared the March 2006 issue of The Messenger, in which Fr. Tom likened the freshly-painted walls of the new Shoreline building to the soul-work of Great Lent. In 2006, Pascha fell on April 23rd, and in this April issue the parish is deep into Holy Week preparations. Highlights include a full walkthrough of every Holy Week service from Lazarus Saturday through Pascha and news that Metropolitan Gerasimos

Whosoever is a devout lover of God, let him enjoy this beautiful bright Festival. And whosoever is a grateful servant, let him joyously enter into the joy of his Lord. And if any be weary with fasting, let him now receive his reward. If any has toiled from the first hour, let him receive his just debt. If any came after the third, let him gratefully celebrate. If any arrived after the sixth, let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss. If any have delayed to the ninth

Sunday, April 12, 2026 — Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! What a night. Here are some scenes from Great and Holy Pascha 2026. From the midnight Resurrection service to the procession on our new concrete pathway to our darling myrrh-bearers in white with their candles, it was a beautiful Pascha! After Fr. Tom blessed the Pascha baskets, we packed into the fellowship hall and perched alongside our long, red-draped tables for the 2 AM Agape Meal. So many people brought food..

Saturday, April 11, 2026 — Arise O Lord!! This morning we gathered to celebrate Christ's triumph over the gates of Hades! The kids enthusiastically shook shakers, banged on pans, and clanked sticks together while Fr. Tom, at least as enthusiastically, processed through the nave flinging bay leaves and rose petals by the handful. Holy Saturday this year was, as always, such a beautiful turn towards the joy of the upcoming Resurrection!

Palm Sunday is tomorrow, and the dozens (or hundreds!) of Palm Crosses that Fr. Tom will hand out were each lovingly made by a member of the parish following our Lazarus Saturday Liturgy! . This is such a lovely tradition as everyone—kids, parents, young, old—did their best to follow the traditional folding pattern that turns strips of fresh palm into a pocket-sized cross!

Do you know what a Champion Leader is? In the Old Testament, we find that a champion leader was one soldier that was sent out to represent the entire army. The other army would also send out their champion leader, and the two soldiers would battle instead of the whole armies. Obviously, the most famous example of this is David and Goliath. We all know the story of the youngest, runt of the family, David going out to fight the behemoth, giant Goliath. Many times in Scripture,