My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This is the actual radio conversation of a US naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October 1995. Radio conversation released by the chief of naval operations, 10-10-95.

Canadians:    Please divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision.

Americans: Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the north to avoid a collision.

Canadians: Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision.

Americans: This is the captain of a US Navy ship, I say again, divert YOUR course.

Canadians: No, I say again, you divert YOUR course.

Americans: This is the Aircraft Carrier US LINCOLN, the second largest ship in the United States Atlantic Fleet. We are accompanied with three Destroyers, three Cruisers and numerous support vessels. I DEMAND that you change your course 15 degrees north. I say again, that’s one-five degrees north, or counter-measures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.

Canadians: This is a lighthouse. Your call.

This may seem humorous, and it is, when the conversation is between a ship and a lighthouse. But, what about when secular humanity is the ship and God’s church is the lighthouse?

It’s almost a daily occurrence that someone says to me, “that’s the Orthodox perspective.” This is usually said when one doesn’t agree with us.  Whether it be about the mysteries, i.e. Holy Eucharist or Holy Confession; traditions, like Holy Icons or Fasting; or, ethics and morality of contemporary modern issues of our society, like stem cell research, etc.  “Perspective” implies that diversity of opinion can result in multiple truths.  I love what Plato says regarding this, “Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance.”

God’s church is the lighthouse - His uncreated light that is the beacon therein.  The church is built upon “the rock” of faith.  It is unmovable; it is truth.

This world will continuously ask us to “divert our course” to accommodate what it believes is truth.  The demand will come in such conviction and belief that we may even begin to have doubts.  The opinions of those who lack knowledge become “truths” for those unwilling to recognize what truly is. And what truly is?  He is!  Truth is truth—there is no opinion or diversity.

So where do we reside? In the lighthouse with the truth? Or, on the ship asking for accommodation?  It’s our choice!

In His Service,

Fr. Jon

Assumption Covid Guidelines

Before Coming to Church

• †  Consider your risk.  Those who are at risk (persons with pre-existing health conditions and those over the age of 65) are strongly encouraged to stay at home.
• †  Assess your health.  Anyone who is currently experiencing any symptoms of illness must stay at home.
• †  Make sure you have a mask. (Masks for children under the age of 7 are not required but preferred. Note: Children 2 and under should not wear masks.)

Upon Arrival at Divine Liturgy

A Parish Council Member will greet you to:

• †  Verify all who enter the church have a mask.
• †  Take your temperature with a touchless thermometer (anyone with a temperature of 100.5° or above will not be permitted to enter).
• †  Provide hand sanitizer.
• †  Ask you the following:  Have you had a fever or other symptoms of Covid-19 in the past 72 hours? Have you been in contact with anyone that tested positive or exhibited symptoms of Covid-19 in the last 14 days?
• †  Open the door and direct you to your seat.

At Divine Liturgy

• †  The Icons will remain on the Solea.  One may bow to show respect.  Please do not kiss any icon.
• †  Seating (social distanced at 6 feet apart) will numbered and assigned.
• †  There will be no choir. (Chanter only)
• †  No paper bulletins will be distributed.  Bulletins will continue to be sent electronically.
• †  No liturgical books will be in the pews.
• †  Procedures for receiving Holy Communion will be announced prior to Holy Communion (procedures, given by the Metropolis of Detroit are listed below). The Eucharist will be distributed to those wishing to partake. Parishioners are reminded not to judge others based on their individual decision in this regard.
• †  No tray will be passed (the tray will be at the candle stand).
• †  Antidoron will be distributed in plastic bags. The hand of the priest is not to be venerated with a kiss.  One may bow to show respect.

General Applicable Guidelines

• †  The Commonwealth of Kentucky allows for upto 50% of capacity (=120 people). Family units must maintain a distance of at least 6 feet.
• †  There will be no gatherings on church premises aside from Divine Liturgy.  Fellowship groups, religious education and any other meetings that are typically held on church grounds will remain virtual (Zoom).
• †  The priest may offer pastoral counsel and provide the sacraments of Communion, Unction, and Confession on an appointment basis. Proper precautions for limiting contact and proximity must be observed.
• †  Weddings, Baptisms, and Funerals may also be conducted according to the capacity limitations and rules for each phase.
• †  No one is allowed be in any church facility without the express permission of the priest.

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 Holy Communion Procedures (Metropolis of Detroit)

It is clearly understood that the Holy Communion is the very Body and Blood of Christ which cannot be tainted by any harmful thing, and that those who receive it with proper intent of mind and heart cannot be harmed by it. However, for the pastoral reason that we do not want people to allow their fear of the coronavirus to separate them from the chalice, clergy are to drop the sacrament into the opened mouths of the faithful, being careful that the spoon not come into contact with the person. If accidental contact with the individual is made, the spoon will be immediately sanitized by dipping it in grain alcohol (140 proof or more) for at least 30 seconds,  dipping it in a rinse of water, and wiping it dry prior to the next use.

Bible Study is an opportunity for us to apply the Scriptures to our everyday lives. The Bible is the “Good News” that enriches our faith and deepens our understanding of every issue that we face. This can only be done through obtaining the mind of the Holy Fathers. Let the scripture come alive in your life today!!!

The Wednesday Orthodox Bible Study will meet on Wednesday Evenings via ZOOM Teleconference (check calendar or email for link) from 6:00pm-7:30pm (please check calendar to verify times). Make a commitment to learning His Word!

Come and celebrate the Restoration of the Icons into the Church as a united Orthodox Community of Kentucky on March 21st.Great Vespers will take place at St. Michael at 5 PM on March 21st!!! The congregation will be seated socially distant and there will be no reception to follow...but, we will be together in unity to proclaim the triumph of the faith!!!

• New Email Service and Platform! Done! Our new emails are all @agoclou.org. They are... priest, president, announcements, stewardship, office and Philoptochos.
• Enhancements streaming service! Done! Allows us to stream in HD to Facebook Live without the “buffering” that interrupted service at home.
• New URL www.greekorthodoxlou.org! Done! Allows us to stream in HD to Facebook Live without the “buffering” that interrupted service at home.
• Website appearance updated! In progress! Content has been updated to be more dynamic and simple. We can now accept donations through Paypal at our website! The next step is to create a better appearance with potential for current content upload.
• Livestream will be added to Website and Roku Platform! To be done... Our goal is to have more options for our parishioners and visitors to stream our services.
• A Youtube Channel to be opened! To be done... A place to share our community with the world...

Are you already Kroger shopper?
Your current shopping could be benefitting the Assumption!

Kroger Community Rewards® makes fund-raising easy...all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Plus Card!

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TO USE THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM:

· Go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com and register your Kroger Plus Card (if you are already registered, click “Sign In” instead of “Create an Account.”)

· Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions

· You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.

· Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.

· Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number. If you use your phone number at the register instead of a card, call 800-576-4377, select option 4 to get your Kroger Plus card number.

· Update or confirm your information.

· Enter “Assumption” or our NPO number of AT066 and select us from the list and click on confirm.

· If enrollment is complete, you will see Assumption’s name on the right side of your information page.

· That’s it!!! Use your registered Kroger Plus card or phone number at the register and our parish benefits!!!

By registering online, coupons can be electronically attached to your Plus Card. Not only do you help the Church, but you save money. Talk to everyone you know about registering to benefit our parish!!!