National Night Out

Every year on the first Tuesday of August police departments around the country sponsor a National Night Out. Part of the purpose is for people to get to know their neighbors. We haved had some wonderful ones in in the Central District. I do not know if there was one this year. But I went to the Southeast District this year.

There is not just one outing. There might be one in each neighborhood. The one that I attended was in Washington Hlls where my church is located.

Besides meeting some of th eneighbors of the church, I had an opportunity to let them know who we are. To some we are "that white church on the hill." To thers, we are "that Russian church." This probably means to some neighbors that they are not welcome to visit and worship with us. This is not true.

But this is an issue that many Orthodox churches face. When I was at my old parish, I was told by a neighbor that I am not accepted at my church. This neighbor has never been in my church.

I had a wonderful time and I am glad that I had a chance to talk to some people about our church. I am looking forward to seeing many of them at our annual Russian Festival.

I also appreciate the Police Depoartment and the Fire Department for making an appearance. Some of the children of the neighborhood took advantage of the opportunity to sit inside the fire truck and put on a fire helmet. And I met a very cute girl name Alisha.

I also had a chance to talk photography with others. We had a woman with two Canon cameras, a gentleman with a Canon camera which he has had for a week now, and a woman with a Nikon.

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