Letter from Father Menas: "Behold, I make all things new."

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:2

With your prayers and invaluable assistance we have passed the halfway mark in our great clean up project. 7 dilapidated mobile homes gone, 7 to go. In their place, two new buildings now stand. The first is already in service: kitchen, trapeza (refectory), guest rooms on the ground floor; and the second floor awaits partition walls to become cells for monks. The second building is the new workshop, already walled, wired, insulated, and heated as of this week, but waiting for siding and some plumbing. 

All this was possible only with the help of innumerable wonderful people who generously gave of their time, skills, and financial support. That means you. It's almost unbelievable: working together, we built the trapeza for less than a quarter of the amount our contractor friend said it would cost.



Now we stand at the threshold of moving into the new shop. Once it is in service, we will be able to clear out the remaining old mobile homes and get ready for major landscape improvements in the spring. Besides the peace and beauty this will bring, this will also mean saving an estimated 40-50% on our heating costs, which is no small thing as we approach winter. For this reason, we are eager to move in as soon as possible. The difficulty is that we have already spent nearly everything on this work and now need a helping hand to cross this last stretch. I am totally committed to get this building in service before really cold weather closes in. 

Why are we putting so much energy into this? Our holy monastic Fathers refer to the monastery as a harbor, a hospital, a sheepfold, an athletic arena, among many other metaphors. It is also a crucible: (from the same root as "cross," "crucifixion," etc.) a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development. This is why we are pouring our lives into this work, to build a place where Christ's people can come to purify their souls.

My prayer is to raise forty-five thousand dollars before the end of the year. That is the lowest bar, which will make the new shop functional and provide a seed for clearing away the rest of the old mobile homes and starting the landscaping. If more comes in, we could proceed to tool up the shop and start making prototypes for new items, like icon corner shelves, kiosks, and eventually iconostasia. Ok...allow me to dream a little!

Many friends who have visited these past few years tell us how much has been done in so little time. It is true: but I only see the future, and can't wait for it to become the present! That day is close. Your help at this moment will make all the difference. 

I know this is not a "standard" fundraiser letter, but it is my desire to speak simply. If you have already helped us, know that I am deeply humbled by your love, and I am doing everything in my power to stretch and multiply every gift for the glory of God and the good of this monastery.

May the Mother of God lead you to the spiritual Bethlehem, so you may welcome the Savior into the cave of your heart.

In Christ our Incarnate God,

Father Menas, Superior

And all the Brotherhood

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