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WASHINGTON—Representatives of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches have issued two new documents outlining immediate steps they can take to overcome their thousand-year separation. The North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation finalized these agreed statements when it met at Georgetown University in Washington, September 30 to October 2. The Consultation is co-chaired by Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond of New Orleans and Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh.

The first statement, “Steps Towards a Reunited Church: A Sketch of an Orthodox-Catholic Vision for the Future,” is an unprecedented effort to begin to visualize the shape of a reunited Catholic and Orthodox Church that would result from the reestablishment of full communion. The text acknowledges that the role of the Bishop of Rome in the Church is a central point of disagreement and outlines the history of this divergence between East and West. It goes on to summarize the many elements of the Christian faith and ecclesial life that the two churches share, and emphasizes the urgency of overcoming our divisions.

Read the rest of the SCOBA-issued report here.

Julia Ritter, Curator and Librarian for the Antiochian Heritage Museum and Library, reports that the Museum’s traveling exhibit was viewed by many at St. Vladimir Seminary's Education Day on Saturday, October 2, in Crestwood N.Y.  As the headline exhibitor, the Village's display of icons and rare books fit in well with this year’s theme of “Many Cultures, One Faith.” Enthusiastic viewers enjoyed browsing the attractive exhibit which was set up in the seminary's beautiful library space. St. Vladimir's website reported on the event here.

Deborah Finley accompanied Curator Ritter; both were able to talk with many visitors and families who appreciated the exhibit, and who were eager to learn more about both Antiochian Village and the unique resources of the Village Museum.

OCCHY Members, ClevelandThe Orthodox Christian Coalition for Healthy Youth (OCCHY) has launched a website to make their resources more available to parents, youth workers and teens. As the website explains, "OCCHY is a national substance abuse prevention network established under the Department of Youth Ministry in the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese. We are an independent, non-profit, national organization of coalitions for healthy youth. We are a network of local Orthodox Communities across the United States dedicated to educating young people and their families to create living environments that are fun, safe and healthy for parents to raise their children.

OCCHY introduces strategies to reduce the devastating effects of drugs on our youth. The national OCCHY leaders developed a platform which offers the Orthodox Church communities an opportunity to heighten awareness of substance abuse issues, bullying, and premarital sex. OCCHY seeks to unite Orthodox Christian Church communities with public and private sector professionals and community advocates with the prospect of creating a healthier environment for our youth. Each coalition offers and promotes some aspect of substance abuse solutions, healthy sexuality and righteous living through awareness, education, and mentoring and prevention tactics."

Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou, Conference Speaker

Santa Barbara, CA — The Department of Missions and Evangelism announces that the Orthodox Conference on Missions and Evangelism, scheduled for October 15-17 at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is being offered free to all!

Conference presentations and workshops are designed to help participants better understand and articulate the Christian Gospel as understood by the Orthodox Church, and learn how to share the gospel of the Kingdom of God with others.

“Due to the generosity and vision of a few sponsors, we now are able to open the Conference to everyone at no cost,” said Howard Lange, conference coordinator.

St. Vladimir of Kiev[YONKERS, NY/SVOTS COMMUNICATIONS] The relics of St. Vladimir of Kiev, the pagan grand prince who converted to Christianity in AD 988 and then proceeded to baptize all of Kievan Rus', will be in the Three Hierarchs Chapel of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, NY, for public veneration from Saturday, November 13 through Sunday, November 14. A separate day for veneration by alumni/ae of the school and special guests will be set aside Friday, November 12.

“We are deeply honored to receive these relics of the patron saint of our school,” said Archpriest Chad Hatfield, Chancellor and CEO of St. Vladimir’s Seminary. “During this extraordinary occasion, we anticipate welcoming thousands of pilgrims to our campus.”

This will be the only opportunity in the United States for the Orthodox Christian faithful to venerate the relics, since St. Vladimir's Seminary is the only location in the country that will be privileged to receive them. Throughout the fall, the relics have been venerated by thousands of Orthodox Christian believers in Canada.

Please check the seminary’s Website, under “Upcoming Events” regarding the details and schedule of services as this special weekend in November draws near.

Synod at August Meeting

The final report of the 46th Regular Session of the Holy Synod of Antioch, which took place in the Monastery of St. Christopher between the 17th and the 20th of August 2010 under the leadership of His Beatitude IGNATIUS IV, has been released in The Word magazine. For the Arabic version of the report, go to page 8 in the October issue of The Word.

On Tuesday, August 17, 2010, the regular session of the Holy Synod of Antioch was held, lasting until Friday, August 20, 2010, under the leadership of His Beatitude IGNATIUS IV (Hazim) and in the presence of the Fathers of the Synod of Antioch, the metropolitans of the nation and the emigration. They studied an agenda related to pastoral and ecclesial matters and adopted appropriate decisions related to them.

Fr. Chad Hatfield and Fr. Lucas Rice of St. Vladimir's Seminary, at the Festival of Preachers 2010PRESS RELEASE: Oct. 1, 2010

The Preachers Institute, the world’s premier Orthodox Christian homiletics resource, has become a national partner with the Academy of Preachers.

The Academy of Preachers is an ecumenical initiative launched through a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment and energized by the conviction that Gospel preaching is a vocation of public and social significance, a calling worthy of the very best and brightest young people.

"In our mission to promote and advance superior preaching in the Orthodox Church, we are very happy to make this partnership with the Academy. We are very hopeful that this will provide an opportunity for more Orthodox youth and young adults to hone their preaching skills with confidence, and ignite their desire to spread the Gospel," said Fr. John A. Peck, director of the Preachers Institute.

Both groups are driven by a strong conviction that Gospel preaching is a vocation of enormous social significance.

“Our mission is to identify, network, support and inspire young people in their call to gospel preaching. You are the first Orthodox entity to become a partner; I hope not the last. I am eager for you to come to Louisville with your Orthodox preachers,” said Dwight A. Moody, founder and president of the Academy of Preachers.

Last year, the Academy of Preachers hosted the first ever festival of young preachers. 92 young preachers from 41 institutions in 21 states came to Louisville, KY and preached about Jesus. Included in the gathering were Catholic, Evangelical, Pentecostal, and Protestant preachers. It may be the most ecumenical initiative in American Christianity today. There was one Orthodox participant.

Alexei D. Krindatch, Research Consultant for both SCOBA and the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, has announced that the results of a 2010 Census of American Orthodox Christian Churches are available. The report is based on data obtained from parishes, monastic communities and from many self-described lay members of any Orthodox jurisdiction; research was conducted under the auspices of SCOBA.

Krindatch also authored the well known groundbreaking study and report about American Orthodoxy released in 2008, titled, The Orthodox Church Today.

Read the complete results of the 2010 Census HERE.

Dear Pastors and Church School Directors,

Ten years ago we surveyed our Church Schools to learn their needs, and the numbers of students and teachers we serve. Once again we are asking for a few minutes of your time so that we may determine the usefulness of the programs we offer, your needs, and the numbers we serve.

Go HERE to fill out our brief survey.

Your servant in Christ,

Carole A. Buleza, Director

Ascending the Mountain: It’s a Family Road Trip

The annual St. Thekla Pilgrimage was held on September 24-26 at the Antiochian Village. Bishop Thomas was the presiding hierarch, and Mother Alexandra of the Convent of St. Thekla was the main speaker of the weekend. Both of them talked on the theme of “Ascending the Mountain: It’s a Family Road Trip."

The main emphasis of the pilgrimage’s theme was in learning how to live an average, workaday life in a holy, Orthodox manner. Along with the talks by His Grace and Mother Alexandra, four small group discussions were led by clergy from the area. The topics included “Confession: Setting and Resetting the Course," “The Eucharist: What’s In Your Lunchbox?," “Holy Unction: First Aid and Urgent Care” and “The Walk: A discussion of the New York Times Best-Seller by Richard Paul Evans."

Fr. Lawrence Farley, Coffee Cup Commentaries

Have you ever wanted to read scripture, but didn’t know where to start? Begin with a cup of coffee and your Bible. Go to your computer and log on to Ancient Faith Radio and go to Podcasts where you’ll find the Coffee Cup Commentaries. Father Lawrence is presently in the book of Acts of the Apostles. Listen and follow along as he reads and upacks a small portion of scripture each weekday with something interesting to be learned each time. Allow about 10 minutes each day to grow closer to God and the Church.

Dr. Jeannie Constantinou, Search the Scriptures

A second choice for Bible Study is offered by Presbytera Eugenia Constantinou. She offers an introduction to the Bible in Search The Scriptures, and is presently in the Old Testament book of Judges. Going back through her archives will allow you to find the books before Judges so that you can access information on the books of the Bible that she has already addressed. She does a fine job of teaching just enough, and clearly, on the Old Testament. Knowing the people and the stories of the Old Testament will open your eyes to why Jesus is indeed the Messiah, or “Christ.”

Ontario Training InstituteDon't miss these training events this fall:

October 2, 2010, at St. Philip Church, 15804 – 98 Street, Edmonton, AB. Contact Nellie Salloum at njsalloum@yahoo.com. 

     Go HERE for the Priest's Letter; Go HERE for the flyer; Registration information and details HERE.

October 9, 2010, Christ the Saviour Church, 5501 Old Locust Lane, Harrisburg, PA 17109. Contact Myra Kovalak, mekovalak@gmail.com.

     Go HERE for the flyer; Registration information and details HERE.

October 23, 2010 at the “Orthodox Institute Ontario,” St. George Church, Richmond Hill. Contact Joanieunis@hotmail.com.

     Go HERE for the flyer; Registration information and details HERE.

Ontario Training InstituteDon't miss these training events this fall:

October 2, 2010, at St. Philip Church, 15804 – 98 Street, Edmonton, AB. Contact Nellie Salloum at njsalloum@yahoo.com. 

     Go HERE for the Priest's Letter; Go HERE for the flyer; Registration information and details HERE.

Jacobs School of MusicAll Saints Orthodox Church, with the co-sponsorship of the Early Music Institute of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and the Department of Sacred Music of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, is presenting “The Musical Heritage of the Orthodox Church: Music, Liturgy, and Beauty in Orthodox Christianity” on Indiana University’s Bloomington campus on Saturday, 16 October 2010 from 8:30am until 2:30pm. This first-ever symposium on Orthodox sacred music at Indiana University will feature lecture recitals from the following:

-John Michael Boyer, protopsaltis of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco, artistic director of the Koukouzelis Institute for Liturgical Arts, and principal singer for Cappella Romana
-Alexander Khalil, PhD, psaltis of St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in San Diego, CA, postdoctoral fellow at University of California at Riverside, author of the dissertation “Echoes of Constantinople: Oral and Written Tradition of the Psaltes of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople”, singer for Cappella Romana and the Mt. Lebanon Choir
-Kurt Sander, DM, psalomchik and choir director at St. George Orthodox Church in Cincinnati, OH, Professor of Music and Department Chair at Northern Kentucky University, composer of many liturgical works in the Slavic style, author of the dissertation “The Musical Icon”
-Richard Toensing, DM, Professor Emeritus of Music at University of Colorado at Boulder, choir director emeritus of St. Luke’s Orthodox Church in Lafayette, CO, composer of Kontakion for the Nativity of Christ and other Orthodox liturgical works in English

On the terrace of the Four Seasons Hotel in SultanahmetIn his September 24 Clergy Brotherhood Memo, His Grace Bishop Basil reports:

BY YOUR HOLY PRAYERS, the Chair of the Episcopal Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Hierarchs of North & Central America ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America), the Second Vice Chair ARCHBISHOP JUSTINIAN of Naro-Fominsk (Russian Orthodox Church in the USA), the Treasurer ARCHBISHOP ANTONY of Ierapolis (Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA) and I (who serve as the EA's Secretary) have all returned from Istanbul where earlier this week (Tuesday, 21 September) we were graciously received at the Patriarchal Headquarters in the Phanar by His All Holiness ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW I. While in Istanbul I stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sultanahmet, right next to Hagia Sophia and Hagia Ireni (site of the 2nd Ecumenical Council in A.D. 381).

Upon arriving at the Patriarchate on Tuesday morning, we immediately visited the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Greatmartyr George where we venerated the holy table and the sacred relics of St John Chrysostom (+403AD), St Gregory the Theologian (+389AD), the Great Virgin-martyr Euphemia the All-praised (+304AD), the Holy Empress Theophano (+893AD), and Righteous Solomoni the mother of the Seven Maccabbean Youths (+168BC).

Apb. Justinian, Abp. Demetrios, His All Holiness, Abp. Antony, Bishop BasilOn Tuesday, September 21st His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew received the Officers of the Episcopal Assembly of North and Central America at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul. His All Holiness had invited the Officers through the cooperation of Archbishop Demetrios of America, the Chairman of the Assembly, who also led the delegation to the Phanar for the substantive and detailed meeting. The other Officers included Archbishop Justinian of Naro-Fominsk (Moscow Patriarchate, Vice-Chairman), Archbishop Antony of Hierapolis, (Ecumenical Patriarchate-UOCUSA, Treasurer) and Bishop Basil of Wichita and Mid-America (Patriarchate of Antioch–Antiochian Archdiocese, Secretary). Also in attendance at the meeting were Archimandrite Bartholomew Samaras, Deputy Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov of the Moscow Patriarchate, and Frs. Mark Arey and John Chryssavgis of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

OCF Honorary Dinner for His Grace, Bishop DimitriosJACKSONVILLE, FL [OCF/OCA] -- Orthodox Christian Fellowship honored its founder, His Grace, Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, at a tribute dinner at the San Jose Country Club here on Friday, September 17, 2010.

As a recent seminary graduate in the 1960s, Bishop Dimitrios (James Couchell) was the driving force in establishing what has become the joint campus ministry arm of all canonical Orthodox jurisdictions in North America.

The dinner gathered clergy and laity from throughout North America to honor Bishop Dimitrios’ dedication and devotion to college students and to celebrate the ever-growing network that OCF has been able to build upon the foundation he laid years ago.

At the dinner, the OCF Board of Directors announced the establishment of the Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos Orthodox Christian Fellowship Ministry Endowment, which has been created to sustain and further the ministries of OCF. The fund was initiated with a $100,000.00 anonymous donation.

"Bishop Dimitrios has offered so much to Orthodox Christianity in North America and throughout the world in various capacities," said OCF Board of Directors Chairman and Interim Executive Director, Rev. Mark Leondis. Specifically, his efforts on behalf of college students are significant and this recognition of his work is long overdue."

In conjunction with the dinner, members of the OCF Board of Directors, the Regional Chaplains Network, and the Student Advisory Board met.

Those who are interested in participating in the Bishop Dimitrios Ministry Endowment are encouraged to contact OCF Development Director Presvytera Shyla Hadzellis at 800-919-1623.

Don't miss our Online Resources guide for Orthodox Christian Education, available HERE.

Listed are numerous programs from helpful general websites to camping programs to online lesson plans and craft ideas.

New! The Sunday Gospel Program, “Let Us Attend,” now includes a Reader Theatre page! The page provides the gospel as a script for reading aloud the different parts. Taking the parts of Jesus, the disciples, the crowd, the women disciples allows the students to come closer to experiencing the presence of Jesus. The goal is for the students to get to know Jesus Christ through the gospel. Although they hear the gospel in the Divine Liturgy, it is chanted in a continuous rhythm, unlike what occurred in reality.

Here is how to use this resource. 1) Let the children read through it once silently; 2) discuss the various feelings of the characters and how they would have spoken the words they did; 3) assign the parts and read aloud; 4) discuss how they felt about Jesus’ words—did they get a different idea of Jesus from this passage?

No doubt Jesus would have paused before answering certain questions. Those who addressed Jesus undoubtedly were taken aback at some of his responses. For the older students, add three components. 1) talk about where Jesus would have paused before answering, and where the crowd would have been silent in amazement, 2) use the footnotes of the gospel to enhance their understanding of Jesus, and 3) look at the gospel passage just before the reading to find other hints as to why Jesus said/did the words/actions of the day’s gospel.

"In Communion," the journal of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship, announces that the Annual OPF North American Conference will take place soon in Irvine, CA, October 1 through 3, 2010. This year's theme, “Interfaith Dialogue,” will feature speakers from within the Orthodox Church, as well as Jewish, Muslim, and other lecturers. The program will be a mix of talks and discussions, music, comedy, award-winning films and one-on-one conversation.

Notes OPF, "Though differences exist and need to be acknowledged, we can learn from one another and create a more peaceful world in the process. Non-members are welcome — this conference is not to be missed!" Those interested in registering may go here for more information and downloadable forms.

Conciliar Press recently released a new title, A Book of Hours: Meditations on the Traditional Christian Hours of Prayer. The website description reads: "Eastern and Western Christians share a rich spiritual heritage in the Hours of Prayer—the brief services of praise and psalmody that mark the progress of each day, sanctifying the hours of our lives. In this gem of a book, Patricia Egan digs deeply into the meaning of each of the Hours, drawing on poetry, nature, experience, and theology to show how the services reflect the different aspects of our salvation and our lives. A Book of Hours is an excellent companion for anyone who wants to experience the blessing of praying through the Hours of each day." To order, go to Conciliar Press' website here. The book's retail price is $21.95.

[YONKERS, NY SVOTS COMMUNICATIONS] Prepare for a holy pilgrimage and expect a multi-cultural immersion experience at St. Vladimir’s Seminary during its annual Orthodox Education Day on Saturday, October 2, 2010.

Highlights of the day include the presence of an exact replica of the famed Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God, from Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY; an exquisite exhibit of 15th–19th century icons, Arabic Christian manuscripts, and Syrian artifacts from Antiochian Heritage Museum; and a keynote address by Fr. Michael Oleksa, an expert in Alaska Native history, in keeping with this year’s theme, “Many Cultures, One Faith.”

The seminary campus will be transformed into a global community filled with the sights, sounds, aromas, and tastes of many lands. Visitors will enjoy music and folk dance groups from the boroughs of New York City, ethnic dishes and delicacies, and workshops for all ages.

Colorful exhibits will introduce campus visitors to the religious traditions and cultural customs of peoples from the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches—representative of the student body at St. Vladimir’s. Faculty from both St. Vladimir’s and St. Nersess seminaries will participate in a panel “The Road to Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Unity,” which will explore the historic rift between the two church bodies.

Services include: Divine Liturgy, 7:30 a.m.; Hierarchical Akathist, noon; and a Memorial Service, 4:00 p.m., followed by Vespers, to conclude the day. Food booths, exhibits, and workshops will be open from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

For a full schedule of the day’s events, please view the “Upcoming Events” section on the seminary’s Home Page: www.svots.edu.

-END-

With the blessing of His Grace Bishop George, Vicar of the Eastern American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, the Damascene Gallery, a supplier of fine antique icons, newly painted icons, and high quality mounted icons, opened on August 29 (the feast of the Translation of the Icon of the Savior "Not Made by Hands" from Edessa to Constantinople, Old Calendar). The web store features a wide selection of antique and new hand-painted icons, as well as a unique type of mounted icons consisting of high-quality canvas prints mounted to traditional solid-wood panels with support slats commonly found on antique icons. Concerning the rationale of such a design, the founders of Damascene Gallery explained that such panels combined with the canvas prints result in a mounted icon that looks and feels much like the antique icons also being offered in the store.

Currently, the web store features around 30 antique icons, ranging from the early 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century. Additionally, there are some 20 new painted icons in inventory, as well as numerous antique brass icons and crosses. Around 230 images, including many from the Holy Trinity Monastery collection, are available for ordering as mounted icons. The inventory of icons is expected to significantly increase within the next several weeks, and the selection of mounted icons is being continuously updated.

Venerating the Relics of St. GeorgeOn August 18, 2010, 43 pilgrims including His Grace Bishop Basil, joined pilgrimage organizer Fr. Joseph Abud (St. George Church, Flint, Michigan) for a journey which would later be described as "life changing" by Kh. Cindy Baize (Holy Transfiguration Mission, Hillsboro, Kansas). At one of the holiest seasons of the year which included the Feasts of the Transfiguration and the Dormition on the Old Calendar, the American faithful joined pilgrims from all over the world as they venerated the relics of saints and visited sites that even Orthodox tours pass over. "Our guide said he had never seen a group received as well as our group and he heard and saw things which he never had access to before." enthuses Bishop Basil. The packed schedule included a nightly Bible study and debriefing session, and some of the travelers even attended the midnight liturgies served daily at the tomb of Christ. Readers can browse the gallery of photos taken by Fr. David Moretti of St. George, Terre Haute, Indiana.

"I prayed for you all facing the sunrise over the Sea of Galilee," writes Bishop Basil on August 21. Read on for the rest of his pilgrimage diary.

Wednesday, 18 Aug. 2010

Visited St Peter Church (Orth) over house of St Tabitha house of Simon the Tanner, St Michael Monastery (Orth) with its church of St Tabitha. On to Lydda.

Pilgrim groups are here from Greece, Romania, Russia, and us (and probably others we haven't seen yet).

OCF has announced their annual event, College Student Sunday, which will take place Sunday Sept. 19, 2010.

Writes the OCF, "Over the past 50 years, campus ministry has made a presence in the Orthodox Church. We would like to ask all of you to make a presence this year for Orthodox college students at your parish. Now more than ever is the time to raise awareness.

Over the past few years the national average of young adults leaving the Church has been 6 out of 10. Recently the Pew Research Institute declared the average is quickly growing to 7 out of 10. We would like to encourage each of you to visit our website to find the resources you will need to conduct a presentation. If you are unable to make the presentation, please ask some to fill in for you. Thank you for your support of campus ministry!!!"

Endorsed by the Episcopal Assembly of Orthodox Bishops in North America, this observance is designed to draw attention to the importance of ministering to our college age Orthodox Christian Students. Parishes are reminded that young Orthodox Christians are attending college in their cities and towns, and the faithful are encouraged to connect with these college students in order to provide a parish home away from home. For more information, contact the Orthodox Christian Fellowship.

"Icons: Windows to Heaven"

Getting To Know the Iconographers

Cheryl Ann Pituch and Niko Chocheli will be presenting workshops at Antiochian Village for the event, “Icons: Windows to Heaven,” November 4–7, 2010. Vasiliki Oldziey, Christian Education Coordinator for the Diocese of Wichita and the Midwest, interviewed them this summer. The Department of Christian Education sponsors the annual Orthodox Institute, and the theme of this year’s event is iconography. The Institute will include several courses on iconography and provide participants an opportunity to learn how to write icons (“Utilizing Crafts”). Teacher-training courses and the Church School Director Seminar are also scheduled for the Institute. Amateur or professional iconographers are encouraged to bring an icon for our “Festival of Orthodoxy” display. If you love icons, don’t miss this opportunity! For more information or a brochure, please e-mail the department at aodce@aol.com, or visit our website.

Cheryl Ann Pituch

Cheryl Ann has been married for thirty-eight years to Eugene Pituch and is the mother of four children and the grandmother of two. She currently resides in Davidsville, Pennsylvania, a small town in the Laurel Mountains, 92 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Her icons are featured in the current Icon Calendar from Conciliar Press.Icon Calendar, 2010

1. Icons were not part of your early life. Tell us how icons have changed your life.  

I grew up in the Presbyterian Church and was taught that any statues or “pictures” were never to be kissed or prayed before in any way. I struggled to understand icons, in order to embrace the faith. I have been an Orthodox Christian for 32 years and have been painting for about 26 years. Now, I can’t imagine life without icons. The most dramatic change in my life with icons is prayer. Icons open constant opportunities to pray. They have changed my life just by being visible and witnessing (in their silence) their love for God, and stirring my heart to do more.