St. Paul, Emmaus Celebrates Mortgage Burning
On the weekend of February 8th – 10th, St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church in Emmaus, Pennsylvania celebrated the final payment of their mortgage with a mortgage burning ceremony. His Grace, Bishop THOMAS was present with the community and shared with the faithful in the weekend’s festivities.
On Friday evening, he met with the priest, Reverend Father Theodore Mikovich and the members of the parish council for dinner and general discussion about parish life. On Saturday he shared lunch with the church school children, and afterwards met with the local chapter of AOWNA, and the stewardship committee. In the evening, Father Theodore and Bishop THOMAS were joined by several other members of the clergy for Vespers. Present with the faithful of St. Paul were the Very Reverend Father Peter Pier, the Reverend Father Noah Bushelli, the Reverend Father Demitrios Makoul, and the Reverend Deacon Jerome Alterholt. This particular Vespers marked a special event for the community as one of their younger members, fifteen-year-old Marshall Goodge, was tonsured a reader and given the name Reader George. Vespers was followed by dinner with the clergy, the newly-tonsured Reader George, his parents and other family members.
On Sunday, Bishop THOMAS and Father Theodore were joined by the Reverend Father Joseph Butts and again by the Reverend Deacon Jerome for Orthros and Divine Liturgy. In his homily, Bishop THOMAS, spoke of the historical development of Great Lent, and of our need to demonstrate the faith and persistence of the Samaritan woman in our life.
Liturgy was followed by a spaghetti banquet to celebrate this milestone in the life of the parish. St. Paul, which was organized as a mission parish in 1986, began with forty-five members. Gathering each week at a church building on 4th Street in Emmaus, the community was first led by Reverend Father John Kahle. For the next twelve years, the St. Paul grew slowly but steadily. Parish membership nearly doubled, and the community was able – with the generous help of patron John Walson – to move from the building they originally occupied on 4th Street to the one they occupy today on East Main Street. With further contributions from the faithful, and after many hours of hard work, the building on East Main Street was purchased and renovated; and in 1997 the community moved to its current location. Renovations and improvements have continued ever since that time; and today, the faithful of St. Paul are pleased to have a church temple that is beautiful both in its appearance and in its warm, welcoming atmosphere. That same year, the faithful of St. Paul also saw the ordination of one of their own sons, Theodore Mikovich, to the diaconate. 1999 proved to be another big year for the community as Father John Kahle was elevated to the rank of Archpriest, and Deacon Theodore Mikovich was ordained to the holy priesthood. Further changes in the community took place that same year as Father John retired from active ministry and Father Theodore was appointed to be the priest and spiritual father for the parish.
Under Father Theodore’s leadership the parish continued to grow. New members arrived and a number of icons were added to the church. In 2006, his Grace, Bishop THOMAS, consecrated the church in a solemn celebration at divine liturgy. In December 2007, the community’s most recent milestone was reached when the mortgage was completely paid off.
Numerous people spoke at the banquet, and it was a great blessing and joy for the community that they were able to be joined by the Archpriest John Kahle on that day. At the banquet and throughout the weekend Bishop THOMAS applauded the community on their accomplishments; however he both cautioned them against complacency and encouraged them to continue to push ahead, to grow, so that they might truly be lights in the world and bring others to truth, light, and life in Christ.
The banquet was concluded with the burning of the mortgage, and afterwards the ashes were purchased by the faithful as a symbol of the legacy they are building and in the spirit of continuing good stewardship in the community.
