The Winter/Spring season of 2007-2008 is complete and with it many accomplishments to list.  Our programs were powered by the energy and hard work of many volunteers from various countries and backgrounds.  Although different, all came together to aid Orthodox Communities throughout North America while participating in the prayer life of the community and engaging in discussions led by monastics.  Our new Program Leader/Regional Contact system proved effective and efficient allowing exceptional levels of productivity and memorable experiences to be achieved.  Listed below are summaries of the four programs that occurred during the winter/spring of 2007/2008.  Please visit www.thespfl.org for information about upcoming programs.
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Seattle Washington, The Convent of the Meeting of the Lord:

During the week, we relocated fence and a gate for more parking and access to the woods around the convent. We removed clutter from one bay of barn, built a sub-floor to protect donated furniture for long term storage, built a shadow board--stored and organized massive amounts of tools, relocated and organized hangers for candle sale signs, relocated candle equipment to loft, moved work bench w/ storage cabinets for efficiency and to delineate tool area vs. storage area, and organized 40,000 candle tealights into individual smaller boxes for storage. We organized piles of lumber and gardening equipment previously scattered through the woods. Massive amounts of landscaping were completed, trees and bushes pruned, flowers transplanted, new garden plots dug, grounds completely raked and beautified w/ loads and loads of gardening material hauled off for compost, and a young tree was transplanted from a flooded area. The entire chapel was cleaned spotless, candle stands were polished, icons and oil lamps were cleaned, the icon screen was decorated for Nativity with beautiful cedar boughs, holly, and ribbons, along with the main room, and a Nativity manger/cave scene was set up complete with animals and trimmed cedar branches. The candle shop floors were scraped free of wax and cleaned, votive molds were cleaned, wicks were prepared, candles were poured and packaged, and shop candle wares were organized. The garage/candle shop roof was covered with a giant tarp until repairs could be completed, due to the shingles being damaged which were causing leaks. Finally, a full truckload of garbage, trash, and junk was hauled to the dump as a final note to the extraordinary amount of work that was accomplished during the week.

Mother Thekla and the Sisters were very hospitable and never failed to feed...always having snacks between work, and delicious meals.  Evenings were filled with conversation and talks with the nuns.  Apart from the work completed, trips were made to downtown Seattle with dinner out and bowling of all things.  Everyone really appreciated it, it put everything together.

Guatemala, Mission Parish:

St. Paul’s Fellowship of Labor made its debut safely to Guatemala City for a week of fellowship, liturgy, and labor.  Arriving February 2nd to Guatemala, 15 pilgrims from the US and Canada spent a week turning the recently purchased parish building into a holy Orthodox Church.  Knocking down walls, building an iconostasis, pouring cement, mounting icons, painting, and gardening; St. Paul’s Fellowship of Labor teamed up with their brothers and sisters in Christ of Guatemala for a spiritually profitable and labor intensive week of service; not to mention, a baptism and a trip to Lago Atitlan, known as “the most beautiful place in the world!”

The entire week would be one of instruction not only for the parishioners but also for the SPFL crew.  Whether it vespers services, liturgies, or an all night vigil for the feast of St. Xenia; the parish and the SPFL visitors worked side by side, struggling in the faith, and learning from one another.

Meanwhile, evenings were spent at the Guatemala hotel eating on a pilgrim’s Thanksgiving table; where all 15 SPFL members sampled from the authentic cuisine of Guatemala; tomalles, pescado, carne, and other delicious dishes.  Each evening was followed by discussion led by the clergy.

Throughout the week, they traveled all together in the blessed SPFL van (compliments of Bishop Demetrius).  Transportation around Guatemala City was filled with hymns of the saints, stories, and laughter.  As the week progressed; the building began to transform.  The project pushed forward and the shell of a structure took form; each volunteer contributed in some way to greater progress.  Following the week of labor; the group took a scenic and unspoiled tour to Lago Atitlan where Antonio, new catechumen, was baptized in a natural baptismal font formed at the base of three enormous active volcanoes and a clear fresh water lake.

Tucson, Arizona, SS. Peter and Paul Mission Parish:

During the week, the Baptismal basin was filled, prepared for a Baptism, and removed properly as required afterwards. The entire Church/chapel area was cleared and precious things were covered. The old carpet was ripped up, cut into pieces and placed into the dumpster. The floor was sanded in prep for a new floor to be installed. All nails and underlying stripping were removed. An area of the floor was replaced creating a flush area for the installation of vinyl flooring (an imitation hard wood floor). The trim and baseboard for the chapel were cut and painted. The entire yard was, once again, pick-axed and thoroughly weeded. Decomposed granite common gravel in Tucson) was sifted, removing spare dirt, moved, and smoothed out for the cars to park on and to provide a reprieve from muddy walks to the door of the church. A border of brick was placed into the ground dividing the stone with the dirt of the yard. A new deck/stairs were built covering the old cement stairs. The planks were cut, stained, drilled, etc. The footers for the deck were also dug out and poured.

We went to the Sonoran Desert Museum, climbed a nearby mountain to view the delights of the desert edge from above and to watch the sun begin to set. We traveled to Tombstone, the town that never dies, where we visited the famous Boothill graveyard, saw the traditional look of a town with saloon doors, shopped, and saw reenactments of shootouts that resulted in people’s deaths back-in-the-day.

San Francisco, California, St. Gregory of Sinai Monastery:

We completed a great deal of carpentry work during the week. We designed and built four voluminous shelves to accommodate Bishop Sergious’s extensive collection of books for the Monastery’s library. We also milled some fallen logs into useable lumber. We had a great week. No fasting, no meat of course, which meant lots of great food, three times a day!  A smaller group meant we could prioritize our efforts toward one objective. The shelves, which were built from scratch, were assembled moderately fast, leaving us ahead of schedule. Mid week we toured California, which was great for everyone, especially people who had never been there. We saw the coast, the redwoods and historic sites. On Saturday, the official day off, we explored San Francisco after seeing the incorrupt relics of Saint John. We almost toured Alcatraz but the seating was full. After eating lunch at the fisherman’s Warf we headed south to see a Harley Davidson Museum and an Arlen Ness shop.
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My sincere gratitude and appreciation to all the volunteers, Program Leaders/Regional Contacts, and hosts.

May God Bless You,
President and Co-Founder of St. Paul’s Fellowship of Labor
Peter J. Patitsas