The Kindness of Strangers

I am sitting in the Dallas airport, waiting for my departure time, tired and ready to return to Tennessee. As always, my time in Dallas has been largely spent in Church and has been more than I could have imagined.

This year (or at least this vivm1445sit) I have been increasingly aware of the “community” of faithful readers. I met many people who are regular readers of Glory to God for All Things, and even more who are regular listeners to the Glory to God podcast on Ancient Faith Radio. I am a parish priest like other parish priests – and that is the primary commitment of my time. I also have responsibilities as a Dean giving help and support to other parishes and priests in a portion of the Diocese. But the ministry that has taken shape through writing and podcasting has brought with it a community of friends.

I had opportunity to meet many of them in Dallas this week – and am grateful for their kind words and support. Sometimes the world becomes very small. For readers or listeners – please know that I remember you all in my prayers each day (though God knows the names I do not know). I pray that what is found here is helpful and confirming of what you have found elsewhere of the Orthodox faith. I have continually met the kindness of strangers – which through the mercies of God – are strangers no more. May God be thanked!

About Fr. Stephen Freeman

Fr. Stephen is a retired Archpriest of the Orthodox Church in America, Pastor Emeritus of St. Anne Orthodox Church in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He is also author of Everywhere Present: Christianity in a One-Storey Universe, and Face to Face: Knowing God Beyond Our Shame, as well as the Glory to God podcast series on Ancient Faith Radio.



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5 responses to “The Kindness of Strangers”

  1. Daniel Avatar

    How often do you go to Dallas? When you are there (if you haven’t already done so) I recommend that you check out Trinity Hall – an authentic Irish pub in Mockingbird Station (corner of Mockingbird and 75). If you go on weekend-nights there is often live celtic music. In seminary, it was a great place to meet and ponder such things as, say, the Trinity!
    Godspeed.

  2. helaineking Avatar
    helaineking

    Your Blessings, Father!

    I spoke to you briefly about stopping in Tennessee on my way up from Virginia, so this posting seems very timely. I have been reading your blog and listening to your podcasts for the last year, attended your talk in Dallas, and have been wanting to visit your Parish for some time now. I do hope that I can arrange to stop there. Good to see you at the Cathedral, and I hope you had a safe trip home.

    elaine

  3. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    By your faithfulness with this blog you have reached a much larger community. God’s blessings on you, your family, your parish, and those who are touched by this blog.
    I am truly blessed to have found this community.

    Chris

  4. Mimi Avatar

    Father bless,

    What a wonderful experience.

  5. Matthew Redard Avatar
    Matthew Redard

    Father Stephen,

    It was an absolute pleasure to finally meet you this weekend at St. Seraphim’s after being a long time reader of your blog.

    I’m looking forward to your book on the Two-Storey Universe sometime soon. 😉

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