Mission Statement

Question: 

Is there a common mission statement which encompasses all the Ukrainian Orthodox Churches in Canada?

If so, would you please state what it is. Also, what could a small,rural parish do in the event that a Cantor is no longer available.

Very Rev. Ihor Kutash kutash@unicorne.org 

I suppose the best mission statement is still the Nicene Creed.

I expect, though, that you want something more detailed and focused on our Ukrainian Orthodox experience in Canada.  I would direct you to the Vision 2000 statement that was worked on by the Sobor which took place in Winnipeg in July 2000.  You could also communicate with the Office of Missions and Education at the Consistory of the Ukraininan Orthodox Church of Canada.  It is headed by Fr. Andrew Jarmus who has also been traveling extensively to bring this Mission into the field.

I am not aware of a succinct Mission Statement such as is nowadays commonly prepared by organizations and corporations.  I myself have offered one which has appeared on an earlier Question and Answer page of this website.

As for the cantor problem, it is frequently resolved by sharing cantors with other communities.  Or even more frequently by some courageous soul coming forward to do the best they can by singing what (and as) they are able and reading what (and as) they can - and being willing to look and sound foolish - to make mistakes and learn from them.  You know, God looks at the *heart* of the one who reads and sings.

There is a story of an abbot who yearned to have a service that would be sung beautifully as opposed to the off-tone, cacophonous efforts he always got from his his brother monks.  So he got a professional to come in and rejoiced and savoured in the beautiful concert that was provided.  But to his dismay he was visited by an Angel in his monastic cell that evening and the heavenly Visitor asked: "Why did we not hear any singing in the Church tonight?"  The professional's voice and presentation were impeccable but it appears his heart was elsewhere. 

We are living in challenging times.  Let us pray the Lord to send the workers we need.  And let us be willing to be the workers He sends, too!