Introducing 'Oaks of Mamre'

Dear Parish Faithful & Friends in Christ,


"He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water'." (Jn. 7:38)


This is the beginning of a new blog series coming from our Oaks of Mamre Ministry. The chair of that committee is Kevin Rains, and what Kevin writes below is a fine explanation of the work and goal of that ministry. Briefly stated here, it is about parish hospitality as a key component on assisting visitors and inquirers to experience the fulness of life offered in an Orthodox Christian community.

 

- Fr. Steven

 

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Abraham and Sarah serve the Lord by the Oaks of Mamre (Genesis 18)


Hi. This is Kevin Rains. I lead the Oaks of Mamre ministry for Christ the Savior/Holy Spirit.

The title of our ministry may be a little obscure to some but it’s based on a story told in The Book of Genesis (ch. 18) and further enlarged in a famous icon about Abraham providing hospitality to three strangers. The three strangers, it turns out represent God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Our ministry is one of hospitality and welcoming people into our community of faith. We want to provide on-ramps for people who visit us. People visit us for many different reasons. Some are simply curious about the Orthodox Faith. Others have become convinced already that the Orthodox Church represents the “One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church” and they come looking for a local expression of that Church to align with. Others come become they are taking Fr. Steven’s class at Xavier and are required to be there for one of the assignments.

Whatever the reason may be for the visit, we want to be a warm, welcoming community to any and all who may visit us. Oaks of Mamre Ministry exists to do that and to aid others in doing that as well.

I’ve been talking to Fr. Steven about doing some writing based on the weekly Gospel reading that might nurture our mission to be a more welcoming community. And let me say at the outset: We are a warm, welcoming community already. Many people have joined this Church community over the years and I often hear comments from people about how they were warmly received by others here. So we are building on a foundation that has been laid long before most of us even joined this parish. 

But hospitality is a skill that can be developed, a muscle that can grow stronger with time and effort. Oaks of Mamre exists to do this work as well as help us continue to grow deeper and stronger in this ancient practice of welcoming the stranger. 

To that end, I offer these reflections.