We began our four-day orientation at St. Nicholas in Juneau and then would travel to Hoonah.  The orientation was for individual and team preparation, along with culture training about Orthodoxy in Alaska and the indigenous people.  The parish priest for both St. Nicholas churches is Fr. Simeon.   

 As part of the orientation and the team building, we had to prepare a three-minute presentation about ourselves and our orthodoxy. I was unexpectedly nervous and emotional thinking about what I would say. The other team members expressed similar concerns. The Holy Spirit was moving us all to continue to inwardly evaluate ourselves and our mission.

 As we presented our stories, there were tears and laughs.  Despite the common thread of Orthodoxy, the lifetime of patterns weaved by each of us look so different.  Some were filled with straight lines, others in circles and others were zig zags.  Nevertheless, here we all sat together with one common goal.

We were blessed to meet Richard and Nora Dauenhauer.  They have jointly written eight books, four of which are about the Tlinget, one of the five major groupings of Alaska’s indigenous people, also called Alaska Natives. 

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Nora is a Tlinget and spoke to us in her native language.  Hoonah is primarily Tlinget, and thus, part of our orientation is to educate us on their culture. 

The history and wealth of knowledge that Richard and Nora gave us was impressive and valuable. 

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Nora also authored two books of poems.  Richard also authored a book of poems and brought us copies, which he autographed. Before they left, Richard and Nora chanted "Christ is Risen" in Tlinget.  We have attached the audio here.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

GunalchÈesh (Thank you).

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Ho Ho (You’re welcome).

Sunday’s Divine Liturgy at St. Nicolas Russian Orthodox Church in Juneau and the Missionary Blessing Service was overwhelming.  I do not feel worthy of the prayers on our team’s behalf.  The church was filled to capacity.  We also met Fr. Eugene, Presbytera and their beautiful daughter.  Fr. Eugene assists at St. Nicholas in Juneau and is the full-time chaplain for the United States Coast Guard.  As Chaplain, Fr. Eugene covers all personnel in the water services provided by the U.S. military.