Metropolitan Herman speaks at FORCC Annual Benefit
His Beatitute, Metropolitan Herman was the keynote speaker at the 10th annual benefit dinner sponsored by the Fellowship of Orthodox Churches of Connecticut [FORCC] at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church here Sunday, October 5, 2003.
Challenging his audience to continually struggle against those things which would hamper the Church’s mission in this world, Metropolitan Herman said that “it seems to me that if only we would focus our spiritual eyes on one simple maxim, we would find that our actions, borne of faith, would bring about a truly bountiful harvest. The maxim to which I refer is this: At every moment of your life, ask yourself, ‘What does God want me to do right here, and right now?’
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“It is precisely in this maxim’s simplicity that its tremendous wisdom is to be found,” Metropolitan Herman continued. “We have been placed here by God. He has, as Saint Paul writes, equipped us for the building up of His Body, the Church. He has blessed us as His chosen people, as a holy nation, and as a royal priesthood ‘to proclaim the wonderful things He has done for us,’ as Saint Paul reminds the Corinthians.”
Over 150 clergy and faithful from nearly all 29 FORCC member parishes from the state attended the gathering.
During the dinner, two $1,000.00 scholarships and four $500.00 scholarships were awarded to students who displayed academic excellence and consistent participation and commitment to Orthodox Christianity and the life of their parishes. The $1,000 scholarships are made possible through a special generous donation to FORCC from Mrs. Helen Smerznak, a member of Three Saints Church, Ansonia, CT. Known as the Smerznak, Medak and Kidwell Scholarship, the two $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually to one young man and one young woman beginning their freshman year at college. This year marks the first time $1,000 scholarships were awarded.
FORCC embraces Orthodox parishes of several jurisdictions throughout the state of Connecticut.