The Mission of Compromise

One of the interesting things we've all learned in this Mission is the frequency of compromises we are called to make.  I don't mean compromise between varying factions or positions, though we do that too.  I mean compromise between the way things are and the way they ought to be -- compromise between what we know an Orthodox Church to be, look like, and act like, and, well, reality.

Most of the photos I'm using here are taken from other OCA missions.  They show the varying ways in which missions have to make do with inadequate space, beautify space that otherwise is drab and dull, and basically work with what we can acquire in order to lead to something more beautiful down the road.  Some are better "starting points" than others, but the burden we all have in common is taking a space that was not meant to invite Christ to come into our midst, and turn it into one that is.

We've been very fortunate.  We started in the nave at St. Margaret Episcopal Church, and they were so kind to us.  We were allowed early on to pay what we could rather than having a set rent amount.  They were always gracious and kind to us. But when we got the availability of a priest, using the nave at St. Margaret became a real problem.  Turns out, they'd like to continue using it on Sunday mornings, and it belongs to them.  We explored the option of doing later services, but eventually decided we needed something we could use Sunday mornings.

St. Patrick Orthodox Mission in the nave of 
St. Margaret Episcopal Church

So we ended up renting space just across the street from St. Margaret, at a wellness center.  That has its own set of compromises, in that we have to basically set up and take down an entire church assembly, including icons, the altar table, all the stuff on the altar table, etc.  At St. Margaret, we could "borrow" some of the decor.  At the new location, it's 100% up to us.  St. Margaret had a fully stocked kitchen, and another at a neighboring house they owned.  Now it's crockpots and cold food.  It was always imperative that we return everything the way we found it before -- St. Margaret still uses their space, as noted above.  Now it is more essential, since this is a place of business during the week.

Fr. Deacon Stephen peering through the "deacon's doors" behind our "iconostasis"
St. Patrick Orthodox Mission, Carrollton, Georgia

As you might imagine, the building isn't exactly set up as a church.  If we owned it, we could easily modify it to suit us, but it doesn't work that way naturally.  We have been looking for our own space since before we decided to move, so that is the next logical step for us -- though we are happy where we are, we will eventually need to find our own location that is ours to do with pretty much as we please.

Though, it still really isn't, is it?  We are still hampered by space, where the builder decided to put things, and where we would like things to go.  Do we have the bathrooms up front or right behind the altar?  Can we live with that door right in that specific location?  Because it's set into a cinder block wall with metal headers and framing.  Will all our people fit here?  Can all of them park nearby?  When we have a feast that requires a procession, is there a good place to do that?

Where do we eat?  Is there a place to prepare food?  To wash dishes?  Can we cook or is it just crockpots and cold cuts?  Is there a place for kids to go play after?  Can we hold a parish council meeting while parishioners are eating or is that all the same space?  What about choir practice, catechism, committee meetings?  How long is the lease?  Will we get it just right only to have to move out in a couple of years?

What about the neighboring businesses?  Will they be a nuisance? Will we?  What are the floors made of (and what are the odds a priest, deacon or acolyte drops something flammable onto them)?  Is there a sprinkler system?  Who signs for this stuff on behalf of the Mission anyway?  What are we going to do when we need a full time priest?

One day we will have a beautiful building, on beautiful land, with beautiful adornments and beautiful people being served by a beautiful priest and his beautiful family.  Or maybe we won't.  Until we do or don't, we will simply continue to beautify the space we are able to use.  It is a compromise, but one we are blessed to be a part of.  It humbles, and humility teaches.  Glory to God.