Parish Newsletter - the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George!

Dear Parishioners:
November 2016
This letter serves as notice that there will be a General Assembly of our Parish on Sunday, November 13, 2016 after
the Thanksgiving dinner in the Church Hall. The following items will be included in the Agenda:
Opening Prayer
Election of General Assembly Chairperson
Reading of Minutes of the last General Assembly
GOYA Report
JOY Report
Library Report
Sunday School Report
Greek School Report
Philoptochos Report
Spiritual Report of the Priest
President’s Report
Treasurer's Report
Budget for 2017/Administration Chair
Endowment Committee Report
Food Fair Report
Report of Audit Committee
Building & Grounds Committee Report
Administration Committee Report
Stewardship
Worship Committee Report
Old Business
New Business
Election of Tellers
Election of seven Parish Council Members
Election of Audit Committee
Closing Prayer
Please note:
Those reporting need to
submit a written report to the
Parish Council Secretary,
Nick Nopoulos.
Please remember that you must be a current Steward in good standing with the Parish in order to vote and be elected.
In accordance with the Uniform Parish Regulations, eligible voters include Stewards who: a) are in good canonical
standing with the Orthodox Church; b) have met their stewardship obligations to the Parish; and c) have been members in good standing with the Parish for at least three months. (To be elected to the Parish Council, however, a person must be a member in good standing with the Parish for at least one year prior to the meeting.)
If you have not fulfilled your annual financial obligation for 2016, please do so prior to the General Assembly. Direct
your payment and stewardship obligations to the Treasurer, Chrystalla Daly.
If you wish to have your name placed in nomination for one of the vacancies on the Parish Council, please contact any
member of the Council or Father Basil prior to the meeting. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor at the
time of the meeting.
Please plan to attend the General Assembly and participate in the important issues at hand. This is the time to discuss
changes, solve problems and have a voice in the future of our Parish.
Yours in Christ,
†Father Basil Hickman
Presbyter
Paul Despenas
Parish Council President
MONEY, MONEY, MONEY!
(By Father Christopher Metropulos in a Newsletter from “Come Receive the Light” Orthodox Christian
Radio Program. For further information on this program, please visit www.myocn.net.)
“I don’t go to church. All they do is ask for money.” Ever heard that before? Maybe you’ve even said it.
But did you know that Jesus mentioned money in the Gospels more than any other subject? He talked
about money and possessions more than heaven, more than hell, and even more than love. Why do you
think this is?
To answer this question, you need to answer a more fundamental question: “What is money?”
Money is just a thing, a tool, but money is also an icon of something very profound. It represents my
time, my labor, and sometimes even my vision of myself. When you go to a store or buy a service, you
are really engaging in a profoundly spiritual exercise. You are saying, “I will trade this amount of money
(which represents my labor, my education, and my personal efforts) for this item or this service.” When
you work at your job, you tell your boss, “I will trade my time, expertise, and labor for this amount of
money.” You are investing something valuable, yourself, into something else you happen to value at the
time.
This is why Jesus talked about money so much. He understood that my money and my possessions can
be a powerful master or a powerful servant. Significantly, St. Paul says that it is the love of money, not
money itself, which is the root of all evil (see 1 Timothy 6:10).
What is at stake if we fail to build an Orthodox Christian perspective about our finances and our possessions? Nothing less than running the risk of having another master other than Christ. Jesus said it best:
“You cannot serve two masters” (Matt. 6:24). If we lose our focus on Christ, we begin to violate the image of God in our fellowmen (Gen. 1:28; Jas. 3:9) by using them as a means to our own gratification.
Here are three spiritual principles concerning money and possessions that will help you avoid falling into
the slavery of using people and loving things.
First, Money is a Tool. As with any tool, the effect of money in your life depends on how you use it. A
hammer can be used to build a house or crush a skull. Money like all of our possessions must always be
considered a means to an end, never an end in itself. Anything that can be stolen or lost or burned
(continued on the next to last page of our November Newsletter)
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
OF ST. GEORGE
Fr. Basil Hickman, Presbyteros
NOVEMBER 2016 NEWSLETTER
Services in November: We will celebrate Great Vespers every Saturday (except Nov. 12 & 26) at 5:00 pm.
Tuesday, November 8, Archangels Michael & Gabriel, Orthros - 8:00 am & Divine Liturgy - 9:00 am.
Monday, November 21, Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, Orthros - 8:00 am & Divine Liturgy - 9:00 am.
NOVEMBER EVENTS
Sunday, November 6
Patriarchate Tray
Sunday, November 13
Philoptochos
Annual Thanksgiving Dinner
followed by the
2016 General Assembly
Food Pantry Collection is always the third Sunday of each month. Please bring
non-perishable food items. You are welcome to bring donations at any time and
leave the items in the Hall.
Adult Synaxis will meet Thursday, November 17, 7:00 - 8:00 pm in the Parish Hall.
Topic: “What do we Believe, and Why?” To help our discussion, we will use Fr.
Thomas Hopko’s book “Doctrine & Scripture” (found at www.oca.org/orthodoxy/theorthodox-faith/doctrine-scripture). Bring a friend!
AHEPA will meet Wednesday, November 16, 6:30 pm in the Parish Hall.
DOP will meet Wednesday, November 16, 7:00 pm at the Penelope Apts. in Ankeny.
GOYA (our teens) will go bowling on Sunday, November 20, 2:00 - 4:00 pm at Warrior Lanes (190 SE Laurel St. in Waukee). Please contact GOYA Advisor Phoebe
Myers (865-3747) for more details.
Serbian Vespers & Celebration
of St. Demetrius will be held on
Saturday, November 5.
Greek School meets every Wednesday (except November 23) from 5:30 - 6:30 pm.
St. Demetrius Serbian Orthodox
Library News – Please see Elaine Avgerinos (278-2032) for all books, tapes, videos,
Mission has extended an open
icons and updates. Looking for a Gift Certificate? Check out the library.
invitation to all of the St. George
Community to join them in celeParish Council Meeting - Monday, November 7, 6:30 pm in the Parish Hall.
brating the Feast Day of their
Patron Saint.
Philoptochos will meet Wednesday, November 9, 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall. Barbara Smith hosting.
Vespers will be held at our St.
George Church at 5:00 pm
(preceded by lunch and music in Sunday School meets every Sunday (except November 27th) immediately following
Holy Communion. Please remember: students and teachers should be first in line
our Hall at 2:00 pm). After Vespers, there will be dinner & enter- to receive Holy Communion so they can get to class as soon as possible.
tainment in the Parish Hall at St.
George.
We hope to see you!
Please note Philoptochos Bake
Sale information in this Newsletter. Orders need to be placed by
November 27th.
GOYA NEWS
GOYA had their first meeting of the
new Church year and elected officers.
STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY
Sunday, December 4, 2016
6th!
Your 2017 commitment pledge card
will be mailed to your home in a few
weeks. Please remit your pledge
card to the church on or before Stewardship Sunday. Thank you!
The new officers are:
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Christina Hickman
Aleka Hickman
Aliki Kassioti
Nathaniel Skinner
Congratulations to our new officers!
We look forward to a great year.
REGISTRY
Congratulations to Jonathan & Paula
Copeland on the birth of twin sons, Augustus & Perceval, born on September 30.
to John & Mary Pappajohn
Foundation
for granting 20, $1000 scholarships to college and university students
whose parents are members of
St. George.
Their generosity toward our students is greatly appreciated.
NURSERY
WHERE WE STAND
January through September
Stewardship Received - $138,205.04
Pledges received (as of 10/26/16)
61 families, totaling $69,691
$150,000
(Goal)
We are in need of a Nursery
Supervisor, as well as volunteers willing to watch over the
nursery on Sundays during
Divine Liturgy. We would like to
compile a list of Parishioners
who are willing to donate their
time once, twice or more during
the Sunday School calendar
year.
If you can help out, please contact the office at
[email protected] or
277-0780.
Baptism - October 1
Stefan Chukharev-Hudilainen. Parents
are Evgeny & Ann Chukharev-Hudilainen.
Congratulations to Nick & Sharla Zubulake, who were joined in marriage on October 8.
Memorial - October 9
Fred Kruzich (1 year)
May his memory be eternal.
Prayers and Get Well Wishes:
Elaine Avgerinos, Ron Beauchamp, Tom
Boosalis, Helen Gates, Tony Lazos,
Cheyenne Mills, Maria Mills, Monica
Moore, Charlie Notis, Robert Smith, David
Sweet, Yvonne Wessels, & Hayden Zubulake.
2016 General Assembly
following the Dinner on
November 13th.
92%
Collected
$138,205.04
Parish Council Minutes are posted
on the bulletin board in the Church
Hall for everyone’s perusal.
ANNUAL THANKSGIVING DINNER
If you haven’t submitted your
2016 Stewardship
Commitment Pledge,
please do so today!
DON’T FORGET We need Coffee Hour
Stewards!!!!!
Many coffee hours are “open.”
If your family hasn’t signed up to host
coffee hour this year, this would be
the perfect time! Sign-up sheets are
on the kitchen door. Please pick a
day of your choice and
sign your name, or call
the office: 277-0780.
Donations to the Ronald
McDonald Families
for Thanksgiving will be accepted until the November 13
Parish Thanksgiving Dinner.
Useful items include paper
towels, tissues, canned
goods, non perishable items,
shampoo & soaps.
A box to collect donations will
be in the Fellowship Hall.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13th
Following Services
MENU:
TURKEY
POTATOES
CRANBERRY SAUCE
GREEN BEANS A LA GRECQUE
ROLLS - PIE - COFFEE
FREEWILL OFFERING —
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
SERVICE MINISTRIES FOR NOVEMBER
Narthex Duty: Barbara S., Michelle K., & Michael D.
DATE
ALTAR BOYS
Sunday, November 6th
Gabriel Miller & Caleb
Shenouda
READER of EPISTLE
PROSFORA
COFFEE HOUR
Chanters
Helen Christakos
Ragias &
Georgopoulos
Families
Tuesday, November 8th
Archangels Michael &
Gabriel
Freezer
Sunday, November 13th
St. John Chrysostom
Cameron Caldbeck &
Nathaniel Skinner
Sunday, November 20th
Christian & Noah
Roberts
Chanters
Presvytera Efi
Hickman
Philoptochos
Thanksgiving Dn. &
General Assembly
Christina Hickman
Christy Karthan
“OPEN”
Monday, November 21st
Entrance of the Theotokos
into the Temple
Sunday, November 27th
Maria Skinner
Ky & Jacoby Pearson
Chanters
Dimitra Kassiotis
“OPEN”
SERVICE MINISTRIES FOR DECEMBER
Narthex Duty: Paul D., and Eric & Catherine M.
DATE
ALTAR BOYS
Sunday, December 4th
Stewardship Sunday
Nicholas & Teddy
Triantafyllos
READER of EPISTLE
PROSFORA
COFFEE HOUR
Chanters
Elaine Notis
“OPEN”
Tuesday, December 6th
St. Nicholas
Sunday, December 11th
Freezer
Yebsira Ababa & Alex
Economos
Aleka Hickman
Monday, December 12th
St. Spyridon
Denise Ragias
“OPEN”
Freezer
Sunday, December 18th
Gabriel Miller & Caleb
Shenouda
Saturday, December 24th
Christmas Eve Vespers &
Carols
All Altar Boys
Sunday, December 25th
Christmas Day
All Altar Boys
Chanters
Barbara Smith
“OPEN”
“OPEN”
Chanters
Judi Telenson
“OPEN”
CHRISTMAS CARD – 2016
October, 2016
Dear Parishioner:
It’s time again to begin preparing our Annual Community Christmas Card. We hope you will continue to participate.
Considering the cost of postage and cards today, a community card to all instead of sending cards separately would be a
money saver.
Your donation of $15.00 per family and $20.00 per organization will be used for Christ’s work.
Please join the families of our Parish in expressing Christmas greetings and cheer to all the members and friends of
St. George Greek Orthodox Church.
Please complete the form below and return to St. George Greek Orthodox Church,
1110 35th Street, Des Moines, IA 50311.
DEADLINE DATE IS: NOVEMBER 13, 2016.
We look forward to your early response.
Yours in Christ,
†Fr. Basil Hickman
Presbyter
NAME(S) (as you wish it/them to appear in the card):_____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
If you are paying by check, please make your check payable to:
ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH – MARKED FOR CHRISTMAS CARD.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George is to grow in union with God as a family on the path of salvation, embracing and sharing
our Orthodox Christian Faith.
Strategies:
1.
Provide the authentic Orthodox setting and beauty in worship to inspire
all those who join us.
2.
Nurture fellowship in a warm and welcoming Church Community.
3.
Offer vibrant Christian education, programs and activities for all ages.
4.
Offer our time, talents and treasures in service to God and those in need.
5.
Share the Orthodox Faith through outreach and evangelism.
Our St. George Church Community
will be one of the faith communities featured at the event:
IOWA INTERFAITH &
MULTICULTURAL FAIR
Our communities will share our food, music, religious
practices and cultures.
Tuesday, November 15
4:00-6:00 PM
Parents Hall, Olmsted Center, Drake University
From Father Basil:
I would like to express my gratitude for the kind
words and thoughtful wishes shared with me on
the occasion of my 20 year anniversary to the
Holy Priesthood. It is truly an honor to serve the
Lord together with you. May God bless each of
you, and may His light always shine brightly on
our St. George Church Community.
With love in Christ,
Fr. Basil
The event is free and open to the public.
Spread a little sunshine!
Church Hall Heating & Cooling - Additional Donors
Many thanks to the following, who have contributed to the new Church Hall
heating & cooling system since last month: Eric & Catherine Madcharo.
As of October 31, we have received $26,972 toward the approximately
$28,000 needed to cover our costs.
We are still gratefully accepting donations. Please be sure to indicate that
they are for the new heating and cooling system. Thank you so much for your
dedication in supporting our spiritual home!
MANY THANKS to the anonymous parishioner who donated the beautiful
granite countertops for our restrooms. And a BIG THANKS to Paul Despenas
for donating the labor. The improvements look great!
FAREWELL, RENEE!
Our administrative assistant, Renee Ginder, has accepted an offer for increased
hours and responsibilities at her other place of employment. Thus, she is leaving
her position with us at St. George. We are very grateful to Renee for all she has
done, and we pray that God always blesses her and her loved ones.
The Parish Council has begun a search to find a new administrative assistant for
our Community, and hopes to fill the position in the near future.
Please remember our friends who
are not able to get out and about by
stopping by to say hi, or by sending
a card, note or phone call. This
would brighten their day.
Athena Kautz
Wesley Acres - Bldg. 3, Rm #215
3520 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50312
Krenio Wright
Wesley Acres - Rm #JH310
3520 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50312
271-6696
MARK YOUR
CALENDARS!
2017 Basketball
Tournament
Friday, Feb. 10 Sunday, Feb. 12
in Rochester, MN
MONEY, MONEY, MONEY!
(continued from the second page of our November Newsletter)
is not strong enough to bear the weight of human devotion or need. As Jesus said, “Lay not up for
yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through
and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and
where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21)
Second, Generosity creates Freedom. A wise man once told me that when a man becomes unthankful, he becomes unholy (cf, 2 Tim. 3:2). St. Paul told the Corinthians that “God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor. 9:7) A person with an open, generous, heart is always open to the mercy of God. Such a
person realizes that everything we possess is really a gift – and, as any gift, should be received with
humility and gratitude. By learning to give and expecting nothing in return, we humans build into our
own souls the freedom that God Himself enjoys. He gives liberally and freely knowing full well that
we humans can never truly “repay” Him. But He gives anyway because He is truly free of any “need”
to be repaid. He gives out of the sheer joy of giving. This is our model.
Finally, Eternal Life Changes Everything. When we live with the full knowledge that Christ has given us eternal life, we can no longer allow that which is temporary to govern our choices and our attitudes. If I have eternal life, then what I accumulate here is always put at the disposal of the Lord’s eternal Kingdom. Because of Christ and His love, I will live forever. If this really is true, then all I possess
is not worth more than what has been given to me because of Christ and His love. That helps me keep
in perspective what I possess or “earn”.
Asking how much I “have” to give to be in “good standing” with the Church shows that I have not yet
come to understand just what money and possessions are really all about. Learning that all I possess is
a gift of God, from my bank account to my very life, sets me free to use it all for the glory of God and
to further the work of His eternal Kingdom. This is a lesson for us to learn and to pass on to our children. It is also a way for us to move our churches from begging to blessing, with the resources we need
to truly build a witness to Orthodoxy for future generations.
Yours for the spread of Orthodoxy,
Fr. Chris Metropulos
Apolytikion for the Feast of the Entrance of the
Theotokos into the Temple
Today is the prelude of God's pleasure and the
proclamation of man's salvation. The Virgin is
clearly made manifest in the temple of God and
foretells Christ to all. Let us also cry out to her with
mighty voice, "Hail, fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation."
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
of SAINT GEORGE
Ladies Philoptochos Bake Sale - 2016
Celebrate the holiday with a few choice pastries made with love by the
women of St. George’s Philoptochos. You’ll get tasty treats and help support
local charities. What a way to warm up the winter!
Baklava - A layered, buttered phyllo
Sampler Box:
pastry with ground nuts, cinnamon & honey
Perfect for a holiday gift.
1 Square for
Includes a sampling of each
delicious pastry in a decorated
container with a holiday ribbon.
$4
Baker’s Dozen
Special: 13 squares
for $48
Kourambiethes - Melt-away
butter cookies with powdered sugar
Koulourakia - Delicious,
crisp twisted butter cookies
$1
for
NEW
Melomakarona- soft cookie
dipped in a honey syrup and walnuts
1 cookie
2 cookies
2 cookies
for
$8.00
$1
for
$1
Mail orders must be received by Sunday, November 27th. Mail orders to:
Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, 35th & Cottage Grove, 1110 35th St., Des Moines, IA 50311
Orders will be available for pick up on Saturday, December 10th from 10:00 am to noon at St. George’s
Make Checks Payable to Philoptochos
cut or tear here ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Name: _______________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________ Email:_____________________________________________
Item
Baklava
Baklava - Baker’s Dozen
Sampler Box
Kourambiethes
Koulourakia
Melomakarona
Price/unit
Quantity
X
=
$48
X
=
$8
X
=
2 for $1
X
=
2 for $1
X
=
$1.00
X
=
total order price:
Order No. _____________________
Total:
$4