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Seminarians & Their Sponsors
Annie (Anna - Church Name) Born in Anchorage, Michael graduated from West Anchorage High School in 1983. The growing up years were spent between villages and Anchorage. Michael completed 2 years at the University of Colorado in Boulder before joining the Army in 1986. He received an honorable discharge after 2 years and joined the Alaska National Guard in Anchorage. This work gave him the opportunity for many missions throughout Alaska for the next 6 years. Completing his time for the Guard, Michael returned to his home village of Churathbaluk where he worked as the City Manager, substitute teacher, cook, teachers' aid and other jobs for the school in Churathbaluk. Other work included construction of the school, local housing and Native Youth Olympics. His decision to attend St. Herman's Theological Seminary was based on a lot of faith. Anna was very hesitant but supportive. She was most concerned about the bills and bringing the children to Kodiak. Anna was the secretary at the school and had to quit her job. They had only 2 weeks to prepare for travel to Kodiak. They signed for grant money for Alaska seminarians and the Diocese of Alaska funded transportation for the children from Anchorage to Kodiak. Sarah stayed behind in the village with family. Chantelle returned to the village for starring (Russian Orthodox Christmas Tradition) in January and decided to stay. She will be back with the family in Kodiak for 2002/03 terms. Michael began his seminary studies in 2001/02. He says it has been hard but rewarding. Balancing the great amount of reading with assignments and writing has been difficult. He works hard to not get behind. The biggest challenge is the fasting - spiritual fasting as assigned by the church. "Spirituality has been a challenge to us this year. Learning to cook Lenten foods versus the native foods has been hard. Increasing a regular prayer life has also been difficult." For Anna, looking for work in Kodiak has been hard. She is worn
out with the application process. Even though she is very qualified
as a secretary, Anna feels that she is not hired in Kodiak because,
as the wife of a Seminarian, she will leave for her village in the
summers and not be there year-round. The family left the village
without being able to pay their bills. Anna is concerned as to how
they will meet this debt responsibility without her being able to
work. She is home schooling Thomas and working 10 hours a week in
the seminary office. Both are beginning the actively job hunting
in Kodiak.
2421 Perry St. • Wichita, KS
67204 |
Reverend Father Michael
Fredericks