News and Events

Journal Articles
Bryan Vanagaitis

Honoring Our Eldest, Helen Weddle!

Helen Kosowan Weddle was born December 27, 1927, in Canada’s Province of Saskatchewan and was raised up on the family’s farm which undoubtedly would have contributed to her many years of good health and strength. She is the eldest member, and one of the founders, of St. John’s. 

Helen married James Aldan Weddle on January 7, 1955, at Great…

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Journal Articles
Bryan Vanagaitis

Our Orthodox Witness in North Idaho, Ten Years Later

Ten years ago a young (35-year-old) New-Jersey-born priest from an OCA parish in Catasauqua, Penn­sylvania picked up the phone and called Fr. Peter Gillquist, the head of the Department of Missions and Evangelism for the Antiochian Archdiocese. The mission bug had bit. He asked Fr. Peter for possible. locations for Orthodox Missions around the country. When Fr. Peter…

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Journal Articles
Bryan Vanagaitis

A Mission on the Move

OUTREACH! This is the key that will open the door to success for any mission. We must have high visibility. We must be seen, we must be heard, and we must be read. The first, through our interaction in the community; the second, through exposure to our Church music; and the third through our literature…

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Breaking ground for construction of St. John the Baptist Antiochian orthodox Church
Journal Articles
Bryan Vanagaitis

The Birth of a Mission

WHY DO MISSIONS start up in one area and not in another? How long does it take before one begins the process until a mission is given birth? How do you go about starting a mission? These are questions I’ve been asked over and over again. The best way I can answer these questions is to share my experience about a mission which I’ve had the privilege of helping to found…

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