Dear brothers and sisters!

       

On July 1, 2016, His Grace Peter, Archbishop of Chicago and Mid-America, appointed me to be the acting rector of church of All Saints in the city of Fargo, North Dakota. I want to tell you a few words about the church, about its current state, about people who take care of it, the hopes and prospects for the future.

 

This church, which was quite prosperous a while ago, was brought to a deplorable state in the past few years, a lot was lost and stolen. And the biggest loss of all – the people, the congregation! The opportunity to pray together and the joy of the spiritual and prayerful communion were lost. Parish was reduced to a few people who, despite their best efforts, were unable to maintain the church financially and spiritually. The church was literally dying before our eyes.

 

Now the situation, thanks God, is changing. Together the parishioners, with God’s help, started to raise our church from the ruins. First of all, we gathered all parishioners, who for various reasons left the parish, into one big family again. We started the reconstruction of the iconostasis, the altar, the church dining hall, and the repair of all necessary utilities. The services resumed. I conduct a service every other Saturday, we have Sunday School and hold dinners, during which we discuss spiritual issues and pressing problems of our church.

 

On August 10 – 12 we have done a lot of work around the temple, especially in the iconostasis and altar area – this work is about 80% completed. All that’s left to do is to add icon frames and decorate them with gilded carvings.

 

I would like to wholeheartedly thank all who participated in the restoration of the church and the parish. Special thanks to Fr. Michael from us – the rector of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Madison – for the priceless gift: seven large altar icons that were painted by masters in 1955. These formed the basis of the iconostasis in our temple.

 

Yesterday we had another Worship – Divine Liturgy and a prayer for the beginning of the school year, consecrated honey, nuts, fruit, held a lesson of God’s Law. We revived the tradition of having lunch together, which helps us with communication, formation and strengthening of the parish.

 

But this is far from enough. It’s not enough to restore the church! It must be kept in decent condition, our presence is needed to support it’s prayerful and spiritual life. We shouldn’t forget about the constant financial support needed for the church. Nobody but ourselves can do that. We have clearly seen how difficult it is to restore a temple, and how quickly and easily it can be lost. Let’s take care of this jewel, love and cherish the House of God! Our children and grandchildren will thank us for it.

 

Next Liturgy with the priest will take place on September 3. At the meantime, on Sundays and holidays, our church in Fargo will be open andsubdeacon Alexander will be reading the hours and Liturgy starting at 9:40 am. You can come to church, light candles, venerate the icons and pray.

           

God bless you!

The giving hand shall not become scanty.

Those who do not forget about the Temple of God, will not be forgotten by the Lord.

 

With respect,

Fr. Vasyl Kuzmych.