Thursday, August 19, 2010

The Blessing of the 2010 Annual Picnic

What a Blessing - with fun and good times for all!
The group picture is at the bottom of this post. Scroll down.
Teresa Kochamma took almost all of these beautiful photos.

Blessing of Grapes and other First Fruit is done at the festival for Holy Transfiguration every year.
Ethiopian celebration of Holy Transfiguration (Buhe, boohay) includes singing and dancing.
Below is video recorded by Christopher, about 6 minutes of Buhe songs and dancing.


Burrows Park is a great place for children and games at the annual picnic, even though the day started out with rain.
some more pictures at the annual picnic
the Lord has blessed us and so with offer the fruit of our labors in our annual celebration
below is the 2010 annual picnic group photo.

  • Holy Transfiguration Publications: books by Fr John Brian
  • Banchi Wolde: A Special Tribute for a Special Daughter of Holy Church

    Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission joined the Mission Society of St Gregorios of India in 2001.  After a couple of years, Fr. John Brian asked Mission Society founder and Indian bishop, Thomas Mar Makarios, if the Madison mission should reach out to the Oriental Orthodox in the area. Madison still has the only Oriental Orthodox priest between Lake Michigan and Minneapolis. 

    So, Fr John Brian asked a few priests in diffferent parts of the country how to begin outreach. An Ethiopian priest and an Armenian priest both suggested send invitations to people driectly from the phonebook. And Fr John Brian, being a servant, sent an invitation card to each of the Ethiopian and Armenian names that he could find in the local phonebook, praying for God's angels to deliver them into the proper hands.
     
    Banchi Wolde received one of those invitation cards, as she recalled, "I couldn't believe it - an invitation to a church of my own faith! So, I went and I have been blessed for coming ever since." 

    "Banchi has been a blessing to our mission and to the whole community in the Madison area," said Fr. John Brian during the special tribute for her at the annual mission picnic on August 8, 2010.  "She has been an elder, a guide and a guardian for the Orthodox faith and for our mission," he said. And she will be missed.

    "As you return to Ethiopia in your retirement, always remember that there are people who love you in Madison. May God bless you on your journey as He has already blessed us with you," Fr John Brian concluded the toast said at the picnic.  The non-alcoholic sparkling cider was both festive and refreshing.   Banchi received a blessing for retirement and a gift of an icon from the mission.

    Special Tribute to Bachi Wolde - August 8, 2010 - Burrows Park Shelter, Madison, Wisconsin
    Banchi Wolde retires to Ethiopia. She will always have a place in the heart of Holy Transfiguration Mission

    Banchi was given a framed icon of the Holy Trinity as a reitrement gift from the mission.  Fr John Brian explained the Holy Trinity icon design of Andrei Rublev to Banchi and those present.  Banchi requested this be written down.  The icon represents the physical appearance of the Holy Trinity described in the Old Testament at the episode of Abraham's hospitality to three angels. In the icon, they are sitting at a table being fed with bread and wine.  One is blessing the offering in the manner a priest consecrates the gifts for Holy Communion. The tree of Mamre can be seen in the background along with Abraham's home.  Rublev's design has a quality that has endeared this icon to all Orthodox.  "As you stand before it, you can see cleary all three angels and the table in front of you.  But most importnantly, you can see there is always room for you at that table.  There is always room for you to be in God's presence," Fr John Brian said.

    Banchi Wolde in service, in worship and enjoying the good
    Banchi was a spiritual pillar for the women of our mission and encouraged all Ethiopian Orthodox to participate in Holy Transfiguration Mission services and events.

  • Holy Transfiguration Publications: books by Fr John Brian
  • Thursday, August 05, 2010

    Welcome to Our Tenth Annual Mission Picnic

    Everyone is welcome to attend our tenth annual mission picnic.  This is the tenth year in a row that we have held a picnic on or about the festival day of Holy Transfiguration (trad. August 6).  We have usually held it after Sunday church services.  We have always had shelter, so, rain or shine, we will be there!  Hope to see you there! 

    These beautiful children, dressed in traditional Eritrean attire, are looking forward to the picnic this year. There will be lots of fruit (that will be blessed), games, face painting, crafts and traditional singing with the big drum.

    Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Annual Picnic

    + Sunday, August 8, 2010 +
    + 11 a.m. to ?? +
    + Burrows Park Shelter +
    + Madison, Wisconsin +
    Burrows Park is at the intersection of Sherman & Fordem Avenues at Lake Mendota.

    The picnic will follow Chapel services that will begin at 8:30 a.m. (1 hour earlier than the regular time). The Mission Chapel is located at 621 N. Sherman Avenue, Suite B3.

    608-242-4244 ~ http://www.maruroopa.blogspot.com/ ~ transfiguration@usa.com

  • Holy Transfiguration Publications: books by Fr John Brian
  • Blessed Journey in Retirement

    Banchi announced that she is retiring and returning to Addis Adaba, Ethiopia by the end of August 2010.  She has been a pillar in the habisha community in the Madison area for years and has been a trusted elder and advocate for Holy Transfiguration Mission.  She will be missed.  The pictures above come from a retirement party at the end of July.  May God grant her many years as He has blessed us with her!

  • Holy Transfiguration Publications: books by Fr John Brian
  • Ten Year Memorial honored

    Ten year memorial incense prayers for Miriam (nee Summers), Fr John Brian's mother, who died July 15, 2000.

  • Holy Transfiguration Publications: books by Fr John Brian