Fall Progress

As December 21st approches and when fall ends winter begins. Over the past few months, we have been working on several major projects around the church and residence. The following are some of the projects.

✅ Cupol Repairs
✅ Cupol Scales
✅ Sheetrocking
✅ Altar
✅ Electrical
✅ Candle Making

Bishops Directive

In August, the Bishop traveled to Australia to visit the parishes there and Romania for a councile meeting. Upon departure, he gave us several important tasks to complete. One of the first was move all of his belongings from the old apartment into his new residence. We also clean the our church connex as it had accumilated lots of junk. He also directed us to begin work on the old church cupola. We repainted the belfly and, during the washing phase of the cupola, discovered extensive damage. Rotting wood trims and several holes were sealed using Bondo; however, due to weather conditions, we were unable to apply the recommended EZPoxy paint. This paint requires temperatures of at least 60°F/15.5°C with no rain, which we were unable to meet. In addition, we completed landscaping around the Bishop’s house. We cleaned and repainted the old apartment, removed large amounts of refuse, and purchased a new mattress, dishware, cutlery, and other essentials to replace what was no longer usable. There is still work to be done but livable as of now.

Cupol Scales

Regarding the new cupola, we were able to create accurate scale patterns for the metal work. We devised a system using a metal template (which mention in the last post) covered with clear tape, allowing us to lay out each scale precisely. While the process is still tedious, it results in well‑fitting scales with proper spacing to allow the metal to expand and contract during seasonal temperature changes—something that is critically important. Weather continues to be a limiting factor, as wet conditions make it impossible to mark the clear tape accurately. Despite these challenges and a difficult summer of poor weather, we were able to complete two rows of scales. I also started putting the saints of the day prayers on each scale using the text from ustavshik.ru. Each scale takes approximately 30-40 minutes to create. This project has since been placed on the back burner due to higher‑priority interior work and the altar directive.

Altar

The Bishop also directed us to begin work on the altar area. We bent and cut sheetrock into pie‑shaped sections to match the curvature of the ceiling. Paper and cardboard templates were created first, then used to cut the sheetrock accurately. We staged scaffolding, installed backing where the sheetrock edges meet, and began hanging the panels. During this phase, we held a post-Thanksgiving (American brief pause between gratitude and full-throttle consumerism) taping party, where crews came together and taped a large portion of the completed work. Significant progress was made in the altar area. The next steps include finishing the taping, applying SilverSet 90 mud to the curved surfaces, painting with elastomeric waterproofing, skimming the walls with two coats of high‑density concrete, and finally preparing the surface with gesso for iconography.

We also reinforced the iconostasis area of the altar by installing a heavy‑duty L‑shaped metal bar. Holes were drilled and the bar was secured with lag bolts. This structural reinforcement allowed us to add additional rigidity by building a 2×6 soffit from the L‑metal support.

Electrical

We had originally planned to relocate the electrical service from the church to the church hall. However, that work was postponed due to moisture and mold issues discovered in the crawl space. Out of concern for everyone’s health and safety, we chose not to send anyone into an environment that could cause illness. Instead, we pivoted to an alternative solution. The existing electrical panel was replaced with a larger one, a dedicated circuit was added for candle making, and the exterior electrical box was trimmed out to meet current code requirements. The candle make machine was also rewired. All of this work was generously donated by one of our parishioners.

Candle Making

Before the Bishop left, we ran out of our supply of small candles, so we organized several candle‑making sessions to replenish them. The process begins by melting the wax, then feeding the wick through a wax trough and a metal plate with a series of progressively larger holes. As wax builds up on the wick, it is guided through increasingly larger openings until it becomes a long candle rope of the desired thickness. Once the proper thickness is reached, the rope is cut and packaged in bundles of fifty candles. We had hoped to hold three sessions, but were only able to complete two before the motor failed. We are currently looking into repairing the motor or purchasing a new one so this important work can continue.

Next Push

Our next major push will be to build the nave dome, complete interior taping, and try to install unfortunately—the ugliest doors ever.

Personal Reflection

This entry echoes much of what was shared in the last update. Turnout has remained relatively low, and the burden of the work continues to rest on the same few shoulders. It raises difficult but necessary questions about commitment, stewardship, and care for one’s soul. When tithing is minimal or absent, physical help is scarce, and participation in the life of the Church is limited, the strain becomes visible, not only in the work itself, but in the spiritual health of the community. The Church is not sustained by effort alone, but by the faithful participation of all who call it home.

We thank God for His guidance in these plans and Bishop’s pastoral care in ensuring that every detail is designed with beauty, practicality, and Orthodox tradition in mind. May this project continue to progress steadily for the glory of God and the salvation of all who will pray within these walls.

Thank you all for those who participated and for your continued prayers, patience, and support as we keep moving step by step toward completion. Don't forget to donate.