Tanzania and James – November 2009 Update and Itinerary

Dear friends,

A certain man asked Christ what he must do in order to inherit eternal life.

Our Lord’s answer was hard: “Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

Last week I met two people who took Christ at his word. Vasily and Alexandra Riggins answered God’s call in the late 1990s. They gave up their jobs, sold what they had, and began a new life as stranniki– holy pilgrims with no earthly home.

Alexandra and Vasily have traveled through more than forty countries on their bicycles. They bring joy wherever they go, singing beautiful folk songs and hymns in schools, nursing homes, and to anyone who will hear. And for twelve years they have relied on God to provide for all their needs.

Usually, God uses other people to provide for the needs of these holy pilgrims. Last week I was blessed to help them in small ways, with transportation and such. And they blessed me with their stories, their music, and their joyful witness to the providence of our Creator.

My own sacrifice pales in comparison to that of these stranniki. But my life has, in recent months, resembled theirs in a small way. I write to you from Colorado, having spent the past ten weeks with no earthly home, relying on God to care for me through the kindness of both friends and strangers. Travel can be wearisome. But the Riggins’ abundant heavenly treasures remind me of the great joy that is found through trust in Christ alone.

This small pilgrimage ends soon– I hope to return to Florida shortly after Thanksgiving. My support team continues to grow. I am asking our Lord to raise up about twenty-five more partners committed to regular prayer and monthly donations of $20 to $100 per month. Once this team is complete, final preparations for departure can begin. It is my prayer to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in Tanzania this spring.

To make a pledge, you can click on “Support Missionary” at http://jhargrave.ocmc.org, call OCMC at 1-877-GO-Forth, or send a check made out to OCMC with “M:Hargrave” in the memo line and mail it to OCMC, 220 Mason Manatee Way, St. Augustine, FL 32086.

Attached below you can find an itinerary for November in British Columbia.

Thank you for your prayers, your friendship, and your generosity. I thank my God for you daily. Do stay in touch.

By your prayers,

James Hargrave

Wednesday, November 11th Holy Nativity Orthodox Church in Langley, BC: Time of Vespers 7:00pm
Thursday, November 12th St. Maria’s Centre in Victoria, BC: Time 7:00pm
Friday, Nov 13th Orthodox Christian Chaplaincy at the University of British Columbia: 7pm, St. Mark’s Chapel
Saturday, Nov 14th Ss. John and Nina Orthodox Church in Vancouver, BC : Vespers at 6pm
Sunday, Nov 15th St. Herman of Alaska in Langley, BC : Liturgy begins at 10:00am

Updated Itinerary

October – November Itinerary, updated 10-1-09

Sunday, Oct 4th  Christ the Savior Orthodox Church in Cincinnati, OH : Divine Liturgy begins at 9:30 am
Monday, Oct 5th   Orthodox Christian Fellowship at Butler University in Indianapolis, IN
Tuesday, Oct 6th  Orthodox Christian Fellowship at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN
Sunday Oct 11th  Christ the Savior Orthodox Church in Cincinnati, OH : Divine Liturgy begins at 9:30 am
Sunday, Oct 18th  St. Matthew Orthodox Church in Torrance, CA : Divine Liturgy begins at 10:00 am
Sunday, Oct 25th  St. Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Church in El Cajon, CA : Divine Liturgy begins at 10:00 am

Sunday, Nov 1st  St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church in Littleton, CO : Divine Liturgy begins at 9:30 am
Friday, Nov 6th  St. George Orthodox Monastery, Denver, CO : Evening, exact time TBA
Sunday, Nov 8th  TBD (Denver, CO)
Wednesday, Nov 11th Holy Nativity Orthodox Church in Langley, BC : time of Vespers TBA
Thursday or Friday, Nov 12th or 13th   Downtown chapel in Victoria, BC
Thursday or Friday, Nov 12th or 13th   Orthodox Christian Fellowship at the University of British Columbia
Saturday, Nov 14th    Ss. John and Nina Orthodox Church in Vancouver, BC : Vespers at 6pm
Sunday, Nov 15th   St. Herman of Alaska in Langley, BC : Liturgy begins at 10:00am

October Update

Dear friends,

Glory to Jesus Christ!  Utukufu kwa Yesu Kristo!

This email update assumes that you’re already familiar with who I am and where I’m going.  If you’d like some more background on my preparations for long-term OCMC missionary service with the Orthodox Christian Diocese of Mwanza in Tanzania, please visit http://jhargrave.ocmc.org and click on “Biography.”

The beginning of autumn finds me in Cincinnati, Ohio where the weather has turned brisk and the long sleeves are coming out of the suitcase.  September has been extraordinary.  Since last month’s update, I’ve spent time with fifteen different Orthodox Christian communities– parishes, OCFs, and a monastery– across the Southeastern United States.  I have seen the work of saints.  The Diocese of the South and the Metropolis of Atlanta bear living witness to the finest traditions of missions and evangelism from the apostolic era to the present day.  If you want to know what missionary work looks like, just talk to an Orthodox Christian in the South.  (The Antiochians, from what I’ve seen at Holy Resurrection in Johnson City, TN, are also doing a mighty fine job)

These examples have been a great encouragement in my own efforts.  Thank you to everyone who has hosted, welcomed, fed, and encouraged me.  The memories you’ve shared are a daily blessing.

October will see my efforts shift into a slightly different mode.  I will continue working to raise up a team of 40-50 committed parishes, families, and individuals praying daily and faithfully giving $20 – $100 monthly in support of all aspects of my training and ministry.  These travels are taking me to Ohio and Southern California, but the hectic itinerary will slow down a little as I spend more time on language study, hands-on training, and following up with the considerable network of new (and old) friends who have asked to stay abreast of my progress.

Here’s a progress update on the support raising: As of October 1st 2009, I know of twenty partners who have pledged long-term monthly support of my work.  Forty-five additional donors have made one-time gifts.  And beyond that, 335 parishes, families and individuals have asked to be kept in the loop.  God willing, each of these is praying daily for God’s constant presence with me and with the Church of Tanzania.  In order for my missionary service to be sustainable long-term, I’m praying for thirty more monthly financial partners by the first of November.

If you are ready to make this commitment, there are several ways to pledge monthly support.  First, you can pledge online with your credit card at http://jhargrave.ocmc.org .  Second, you can call OCMC at 1-877-GO-FORTH to set up electronic funds transfer.  Third, you can contact me directly and we’ll work out a plan.

Thank you again for your prayers, encouragement, friendship, and support.  I thank my God daily for you.  Please stay in touch.

By your prayers,

James Hargrave

September: Orthodox Christianity in the American South

September began at one of my favorite places on Earth– the little hermitage in the woods at Ss. Mary & Martha Orthodox Monastery in Wagener, SC.  The sisterhood in Wagener has been part of my life for four years, and the past four years have been richer for it.  If you don’t know Ss. Mary & Martha, then you should.  If you’re in college (or just in your twenties), you should go to their winter retreat.

Holy Ascension Orthodox Church in Mount Pleasant, SC

Holy Ascension Orthodox Church in Mount Pleasant, SC

While based at the monastery, I experienced much of South Carolina– Holy Ascension in Charleston, Holy Apostles in Columbia, and Holy Resurrection in Aiken.  Charleston is called the “Holy City” for its skyline of steeples.  The churches of this port city are architectural landmarks, and Holy Ascension is the finest among them.  With its towering cupolas and breathtaking iconography, it is unmistakably an Orthodox Christian temple built for the ages.  With its heart pine floors and an exterior of stucco and bronze, it is unmistakably at home in Charleston.  This stunning work of liturgical architecture has a choir to match.  And the hearts of the faithful of Charleston exceed even the glory of their temple.

OCF and Missions

Today I am sitting in a coffee shop called The Golden Roast, right next door to the campus of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.  The local Orthodox Christian Fellowship (the Orthodox campus organization here in the States) has asked me to speak with them about my own OCF experience and how that’s drawn me towards missionary work.  I’ve spent the past several hours meditating and journaling about this, and here’s the result:

How does OCF encourage mission work?

September Update

Dear friends,

Utukufu kwa Yesu Kristo! Glory to Jesus Christ!

The ecclesiastical New Year on September 1st marks yet another major transition in my life. I am now on the road, traveling full-time for the next few months as I visit parishes to raise awareness and support for my upcoming long-term OCMC missionary service with the Orthodox Church in Tanzania. Be sure to visit the new website http://jhargrave.ocmc.org for updates and a calendar of events.

On being a stuff-haver

It is rare for me to live in the same dwelling longer than one or two years at a time.  Tomorrow will be the fifth time I’ve moved since April of 2008.  I am not fond of moving, and so these past several days have been a small misery.  Now, at the eleventh hour, there is yet work to be done.  Sunday I’m scheduled to speak in Gainesville, so had better be out of Fort Myers by then!

My distaste for moving is not an aversion to travel, nor is it a reluctance to say goodbye.  Goodbyes are a promise for meetings again; their sorrow is bright.  What dismays me about moving is all the stuff.

Travels, etc

Two short news-bits.

1.  See my new website at http://jhargrave.ocmc.org  .  I’m still working out the best uses for this.  Doubtful that it will supplant this blog entirely, but do keep your eye on that space.

2.  Last weekend at my 10-year high-school reunion.  We decided to have the reunion in Gatlinburg, Tennessee– why not, really?  Much fun.  I saw bears.  And got to visit St. Anne Orthodox Church in Oak Ridge on Sunday.  I love East Tennessee!

Itinerary (Updated)

Several events in the Carolinas have been confirmed, and this updated schedule reflects those changes:

Sunday, July 19 St. Philip Orthodox Church, Tampa, FL
Thursday, July 23 OCA Diocese of the South Assembly in Atlanta, FL
Sunday, July 26  Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church, Brooksville, FL
Sunday, August 2 TBD (in Florida)
Sunday, August 9 St. Anne Orthodox Church, Knoxville, TN
Sunday, August 16 St. John Greek Orthodox Church, Tampa, FL
Sunday, August 23 TBD (in Florida)
Sunday, August 30 St. Justin Martyr Orthodox Church, Jacksonville, FL
Sunday, Sept 6 Holy Ascension Orthodox Church, Charleston, SC
Monday, Sept 7 Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, Aiken, SC
Tuesday, Sept 8 Holy Apostles Orthodox Church, Columbia, SC (Nativity of the Theotokos)
Sunday, Sept 13 St. Philothea Greek Orthodox Church, Athens, GA
Wednesday, Sept 16 St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church, Greenville, SC
Saturday, Sept 19 Holy Cross Orthodox Church, High Point, NC
Sunday, Sept 20 Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Winston-Salem, NC
Sunday, Sept 27 St. Athanasius Orthodox Church, Lexington, KY
Sunday, Oct 4 TBD (Cincinnati area or possibly Vancouver, BC!)
Sunday, Oct 11 TBD (Cincinnati area)
Sunday, Oct 18 TBD (Southern California)
Sunday, Oct 25 St. Gregory Greek Orthodox Church, San Diego, CA
Sunday, Nov 1 TBD (Southern California or possibly Denver, CO)
Sunday, Nov 8 TBD (possibly Denver, CO)

If this schedule will put me anywhere near you and you’d like to see me, I would very much like to see you.  Be in touch!

The Road

In the past two weeks, I have visited St. Philip Orthodox Church in Tampa, the OCA Diocese of the South Assembly in Atlanta, and Christ the Savior Orthodox Church in Brooksville, FL.  Each was a very good experience and each very different.  All three of these groups are pioneering missionary work in Florida and throughout the Southeastern United States.  I’ve learned far more from them than the other way round.