Bishop Pressey's 2011 Alaska Trip
In July 0f 2011, Bishop Dave Pressey visited the Church of Our Redeemer in Alaska.
The Church of Our Redeemer in Alaska is under the Episcopal oversight of Bishop Conner. This July, Bishop Conner requested Bishop Pressey to provide a pastoral visit to the church in Fairbanks, Alaska. The Pressey's stayed for two Sundays providing Holy Communion to the congregation and preaching both Sundays.
The Church of Our Redeemer consists of a small group of younger people who are completely dedicated to the traditions of our biblical faith, the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, and the Thirty-nine Articles of Faith appended thereto. Their service replicates the services of our other parishes with a strong singing group. Each Sunday and once during the week, many of the congregants meet at a huge log house for prayers, music practice, and fellowship. The choral practice is led by Portia and the chord organ is played by Tom Clark. Ron Brooks, a trained geological engineer is the chef extraordinaire who prepares such dishes as baked salmon, roasted moose, and spicy salads. The principal leader of these faithful Anglicans is Stephen Cooper, the Assistant Federal Attorney for the State of Alaska.
For many years, this parish has maintained itself principally through Lay leaders who do Morning Prayer as did George Washington in the early days of Virginia. Periodically, they finance a visiting priest/bishop to bring Holy Communion and provide opportunities to fellowship with the church in the Lower 48 states.
The Church of Our Redeemer is looking for clergy to provide spiritual leadership and service; however, they may eventually turn to a member within their own congregation to study for orders. Several of the male congregants have backgrounds that may help qualify them for postulancy and provide their church with trustworthy clergy leadership. Until a clergyman is found or developed, the Lay spiritual leader is Stephen Cooper who has been active in all phases of churchmanship for over 32 years.
The whole congregation welcomed Dave and Elizabeth Pressey with open homes and open hearts. Dining at the home of the Clarks was a most elegant experience surrounded in exquisite art and art objects along with a meal featuring Alaska king salmon and special side dishes. Mrs. Clark, born and raised in Chile, enlightened us on life in Chile when there was so much political turmoil. She and her boys work together in a family owned hearing clinic where each boy is trained in the business. The youngest boy, Josiah, named for a famous Old Testament King, recently return from a martial arts training experience in Korea. He regaled us with the finer aspects of martial arts training.
Mr. Clark is a graduate of two Christian Colleges and is a trained seminarian and Veterans Administration counselor. His work is a ministry in its own, though secular; there is a spiritual dimension of his work and intense involvement in helping our servicemen and women in difficult times and situations.
It was a blessing to fellowship, worship, and pray with this fine group, a remnant of the true Christian faith.
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| The Church of Our Redeemer is in the back ground. Elizabeth Pressey is on the sidewalk and parishioner Mary Tucker is in the foreground. | |
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| Sign at Church of Our Redeemer | |
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| Interior of the Church of Our Redeemer prior to the set-up of the Altar | |
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| Stephen Cooper, one of the leaders of the Church of the Redeemer, with his float plane |