Newsletter - St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church

THE NEWS FROM ST. NEKTARIOS
January 2016
Volume 20, Issue 1
Fruits Worthy of Repentance
Fr. John Wallace
W
hen one reviews the opening
ministry of St. John the
Forerunner, a common theme becomes
quickly evident: “Repent, for the kingdom
of God is near.” Repentance is a complete
about-face from self-centeredness to
selflessness. It is a radical turnaround of
heart and mind. Repentance, to be fruitful,
should be followed by confession and
baptism and a life producing fruits worthy
of repentance.
The fruits are important for without them,
the sacraments and disciplines are robbed
of their traction. If we do not actually try to
live a life pleasing to God, then the
sacraments and disciplines are wasted as
if they were pearls thrown before swine.
The opening ministry of St. John also
IN
offers a striking parallel to the creation
account found in Genesis. In Genesis on
the first day, God separated the light from
the darkness. On the first day of St. John’s
ministry, he bore witness to the Light and
clearly stated that he himself was not the
Light. On the second day, God separated
the waters of above (heaven) from the
waters of below (creation). On the second
day of his ministry, St. John separated his
baptism with water from the baptism of the
One who was to come and who would
baptize with the Holy Spirit.
2
Focus on our Community
2
Parish Council Oath of Office
2
New Year’s Day & Vasilopita Cutting
3
Epiphany Celebration
3
Opera Carolina
4
Newcomer Sunday
5
Welcome Team Dinner Appreciation
5
Young at Heart Christmas Party
6-7
Cub Scouts Doing a Good Turn
7
Ministry Center Town Hall & Q&A
8
Queen City Glendi
9
Military Ministry
9
Deck the Halls
9
Philoptochos Celebration
10-11
Financial Matters
12
Youth Ministries
13-15
Saints of our Faith
16
Nevertheless, one might well ask
themselves “How does this apply to me?”
Since we are the church of the Holy Trinity, I
look for things in threes. Let’s see if there is
a third parallel that applies to us personally.
On day one, God created the Light. On our
day one, we were conceived. On day two,
God separated the waters. Perhaps our
day two begins when we are baptized with
water filled with the invisible presence of
the Holy Spirit. On days three, four, and
five, God gathered the waters, established
the dry land and the plants and animals.
Maybe our days three, four, and five (and
here is where we participate in and might
complete the gap in St. John’s parallel)
consist of living the life of the church and
growing in our acquisition of the Holy Spirit
producing fruits worthy of repentance.
. . . What are these fruits?
They are the thoughts, words,
and deeds of compassion,
charity, and self-sacrifice. . . .
THIS ISSUE
Saints of Our Faith
Accordingly, on the seventh day, God
rested. On the seventh day of his ministry,
St. John reported that Christ rested after
attending the wedding in Cana of Galilee.
From day one through day seven, therefore,
there is a symmetry that is intentional and
sublime and testifies to the magnificence of
God’s truth and beauty.
On the third day, God gathered the waters
of below and established the dry land. On
the third day of his ministry, St. John
began gathering his disciples and declared
one to be the foundation of the Church. On
the fourth day, God established the greater
light to rule the day and the lesser light to
rule the night. On the fourth day of his
ministry, some of St. John’s disciples
recognized Christ as the greater light who
surpassed the lesser light of the Law.
On the fifth day, God created the plants
and the animals. On the fifth day of
St. John’s ministry, there is, however, a
noticeable gap. I will come back to that
later. On the sixth day, God created
mankind. We are the pinnacle of His
creation because no other created thing
was made in the image and likeness of
God to share in His Holy Spirit. Not even
the angels in heaven have such a lofty
destiny.
What are these fruits? They are the
thoughts, words, and deeds of compassion,
charity, and self-sacrifice. Brothers, don’t hit
your sisters. Sisters, don’t tell on your
brothers. Husbands and wives, stop trying to
figure each other out. You never will. Accept
and bear with each other with all forgiveness
and mercy as best you can. When in doubt,
keep your mouth shut. Just zip it. Pray
instead.
If we do these works out of charity and love,
then our sixth day, our day of death and
fulfillment will be followed by the blessed
seventh day of rest in the kingdom of God.
What better fruit could you ask for? Amen.
Tatiana
the Martyr of Rome
Focus on our community
C elebrations, Milestones, Comfort & Support
January 12
S
aint Tatiana was the daughter of a
most distinguished consul of Rome.
She became a deaconess of the Church,
and for her confession of the Faith of
Christ, she endured many torments. As
she was suffering, angels punished her
tormentors with the same torments they
inflicted on her, until they cried out that
they could no longer endure the
scourges invisibly brought upon them.
She was beheaded during the reign of
Alexander Severus (111-135).
In our prayers
Pat Baker Ethan Barnard Sylvia Belk Jodie Boyce Sandy Brewer Marie Callahan
Nikki Chomakos Kathy Clewell Dee Cockinos Barbara Cook Cleo Demopoulos Shannon Elliott
Ted Gillis Bill Griggs Nancy Guthery Catherine Kalivas Nick Kefalas Helen Keramidas
Dan Kiser Dean Kondilis Peter Mannering Catherine Manthos Casey Martinez Iris Medvid
Calliope Milios Christina Nixon Kay Owens Michael Pavlakos Barry Dale Price Jr. Irene Rodriguez
Mary Roupas Teziah Stalling James Tekin Mary Thayer Ernest Tsitouris Steve Tsitouris
Joey Woodruff Marion Zablotsky
And the persecuted Christians in the Middle East and the non-Christian World
AND FOR THOSE IN SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY
Helene Carras Buddy Craft Jordan James Dunn Krassimire Ivanov
Michael Mentavlos Zack Millsaps Matthew Millsaps Amanda Moril
Elias Nickolopoulos Anton Savin Danielle Zervakos
Congratulations
Agatha The
Martyr
February 5
T
his Martyr, who
was from
Panormus (that is,
Palermo) or perhaps
Catania of Sicily, was a most comely and
chaste virgin. After many exceedingly
harsh torments, she gave up her spirit in
prison at Catania in 251, because she
did not consent to the seductions of
Quintian, the Governor of Sicily. At her
burial, an Angel placed a stone tablet on
her grave inscribed with the words, "A
righteous mind, self-determining, honor
from God, the deliverance of her fatherland." The following year this was fulfilled
when Mount Etna erupted, spewing forth
violent fire from which Catania was
manifestly saved by Saint Agatha's
prayers. The holy Martyr Agatha, the
protectress and chief patroness of Sicily,
is, with perhaps the exception of Saint
Agnes of Rome, the most highly
venerated Virgin Martyr of the West.
Saint Damasus, Pope of Rome, and
Saint Ambrose of Milan both wrote in
praise of her.
http//www.goarch.org
"Copyright © Holy Transfiguration
Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by
permission. All rights reserved."
To Caitlin Bendall on her Baptism
To Basil Polivka on his Baptism
To Dawn Dresser on her Chrismation
To Patricia Kaloudis on her Chrismation
To Katherine & Frank Bartis on the Baptism of Anastasia and Nicole’s brother, John Frank
Sympathy
To the Wallace family on the passing of Presbytera Mary’s father, Paul Guthery
To Yateem family on the passing of Sawsan’s grandmother, Mariam Alhayek
To the Levantis family on the passing of Ana’s uncle, Luciano DeCastro
To the Guzelian and Plakas families on the passing of Karen’s mother, Cynthia Plakas
In Appreciation
Thanks to Diane Gilbert and Copycat for printing the Church Bulletin and Newsletter.
Please contact the church office with information we may share with the community or to add someone to the prayer list.
Also please contact the office when someone is in need of a clergy visit.
Parish Council Oath of Office and Officer Election
January 3, 2016.
(L to R): Christina Bonderer, Chris Levantis, Maria Mortis, Theodora
Sexstone, John Nichols, Kholoud Alyateem, Peter Keretsis, Elizabeth
Kleto, John Tsefrikas and Jim Thomas ((Patrick Taylor — not pictured)
Parish Council Officers:
President: Jim Thomas, Vice President: John Tsefrikas, Treasurer: Theodora Sexstone;
Ass’t Treasurer: Peter Keretsis, Secretary: Maria Mortis, Ass’t Secretary: Elizabeth Kleto
2
NEW YEAR’S DAY VASILOPITA CUTTING
O
ur first service of 2016 was held on New Year’s Day followed
by the cutting of the Vasilopita. A representative from each of
our Ministry Departments received a piece of bread. In the tradition of
Vasilopita, a coin is baked into one of the
loaves as it was in the 4th century by St. Basil the Great.
St. Basil wanted to distribute money to the poor in his
Diocese so he commissioned some women to bake the
bread in which he placed gold coins. His feast day is
celebrated each year on January 1st and we bake the
Vasilopita. A piece is given to each ministry and to the
children. Nicholas Vatsis received the coin this year.
Afterward, John Shelton presented
Father Steve with a birthday cake
offered by the community of St.
Nektarios .Happy Birthday, Father
Steve and may you have many more
years.
Kim Clewell
Epiphany -- blessing of the water
O
ur Epiphany service was held on Wednesday, January 6,
2016. The Great Blessing of Water is held on the eve of
the Feast of the Epiphany and on the day itself, following the
Divine Liturgy. The Blessing not only remembers the event of
Our Lord's baptism and the revelation of the Holy Trinity but
also expresses Orthodoxy's belief that creation is sanctified
through Christ. 
3
O p e r a C a ro l i na C h r i s t m a s c o n c e rt
O
ur Parishioners and neighboring families were treated to a
truly amazing evening when 27 members of the Opera
Carolina Chorus under the direction of Maestro James Meena
performed a very special holiday concert for an audience of well
over 400 people. The program consisted of many Christmas
favorites, a few new carols and an exuberant audience
participation sing-a- long.
own Born This Day with violinist Dina
Ringel and flutist Varvara Pasiali joining in.
At the conclusion of the program, many of
our Sunday School students joined the
program as Wise Men leading the
Maestro
audience to our Spiritual Life Center for a
James
Meena
reception in honor of the Opera Carolina
Chorus. They were greeted by angels also
singing carols while they lead the audience to a magnificent
Nativity tableau. The crowning moment then came as the entire
gathering joined in the singing of Joy To The World.
Along with the traditional caroling, soloist Kim Butler, Johnny
Harmon, and Eric Loftin from the Opera Carolina Chorus
performed Ravel's “Five Greek Folk Songs” which was followed
by the traditional Byzantine Hymn “Christos Yennate” all of
which were beautifully sung in Greek. The chorus gave the St.
Nektarios community a special treat by following with our very
The evening was a collaboration of several of our ministries
including the Outreach, Welcoming, Catechism and
Hospitality Ministries. This was a free admission concert
with Opera Carolina donating their time. Free Will donations
were accepted with proceeds going to A Child's Place. As a
follow up to the concert, Opera Carolina has agreed to
perform again next year for another Christmas special.
They will also be producing a very special Christmas
Around The World CD which will be recorded at St.
Nektarios next fall.
Truly an amazing Christmas evening at St. Nektarios.
Gerry Clonaris
Our catechism students presenting the Nativity Tableau
Dr. Gregory Robinson
Gerry Clonaris directing the carol he wrote,
“Born this Day”
Welcome Team members
preparing refreshments
4
O u t r e a c h a n d w e l c o m i n g m i n i s t ry
Newcomer luncheon
T
he St. Nektarios Welcome Team braved the
frigid weather on Newcomer Sunday to
officially welcome our New Comers. A couple of
times each year, our Welcome Team stands
outside the sanctuary to meet, in person, people
new to our community, invite them to a special
brunch and offer them the opportunity for a Q & A
with Fr. Steve in the sanctuary afterward. We also
incorporate on these occasions with Name Tag
Sunday, giving us a chance to reconnect names
and faces, and to get to know each other a little
better.
If you know someone who is new to the
Welcome Team members,
St. Nektarios community within the last 12
Helen Clonaris, Jean Seymour,
months, please have them contact the office
Madalina Lowen & Kim Clewell
during weekday business hours or stop by the
Welcome Table in the Sanctuary upon arrival on
Sundays. We want to acknowledge them and to get to know them. As a
very diverse community, new comers of all backgrounds are welcome
and can find a home at St. Nektarios.
Vic & Carol Weaver and friends
Michael Higgins
Basil Polivka & Caitlin Bendall
Greg & Maria Swanson
Jackie & Tony Karagiannis
Nikitas Zagoras &
Maria Angelou
Beata Letfusova
The Bsetski Family
Above: Aphrodite Davis & Georgia Pouler helping
newcomers at the luncheon with their tickets
At left: Fr. Steve answering questions about the
Orthodox faith to our newcomers.
O
n the evening of December 29, Theodora Sexstone
entertained the members of the Welcome Team at her
home--a Christmas wonderland, and the gathering was
strictly pleasure--no business this time.
Theodora served delicious appetizers followed by a scrumptious
shrimp casserole (with lots of sides) that she prepared herself--a
lovely Julia Childs! We were fortunate to have Father Steve with
us, and he offered a blessing before dinner.
Following dinner, Father Steve cut a beautiful Vasilopita, and as
he did so, his prayers were quite moving. The Vasilopita was
made by Father Steve's mother, Athena.
The Welcome Team is grateful to Theodora for providing a lovely
evening of Orthodox Christian fellowship.
Jean Seymour
5
Dawn Dresser
Jean & Bill Seymour
serving cake to our
new comers
Young at Heart
F o r o u r 5 5 a n d o l d e r members
T
he Young at Heart had its
festive Christmas dinner on
Thursday, December 10th. The
Fellowship Hall at the church
was well decorated reflecting
the holiday season and adding
to the festive mood. We thank
all the ladies who added that
touch to the place. After the
blessing of the food by Father
Steve and Father John, dinner
was served with the choice of
salmon, chicken or steak
accompanied by good salad,
Special mention goes to Elvis
(Dr. Dennis Kokenes) and to
Gerry and his girls. Drawings
for three door prizes were done.
Congratulations go to the
winners.
The group was reminded that
the next three meetings
(January, February and March)
will be luncheon meetings and
the time will be communicated
to the group through the church
missal.
Georgia Pouler was given a
potatoes, green beans and
spinach pies. Of course not to
forget the appetizer and wine,
desert and coffee. Special
thanks goes to John Peroulas
for taking care of the cooking
and to the crew of volunteers
who served the food. While this
was going on, Bob was
circulating among the tables
playing Christmas hymns and
songs on his accordion [Thanks
Bob].
The highlight of the evening
was the performance of the
St. Nektarios Singers group.
There were glitches with one of
the microphones, yet the entire
performance and the variety of
songs were very entertaining.
plaque honoring her service
and constant support of the
Young at Heart program. It is
worth mentioning the Young at
Heart was established in June,
2002, where a committee of
ten (Georgia and Aemil
Pouler, Madeleine and Ted
Solomon, Tina and John
Peroulas, Kathy and Steve
Constantelos, Frances and Gus
Stamas), met and decided on
having this beautiful ministry
and to have the 2nd Thursday
of the month as the meeting
time. At that time, the members
totaled 50; now we are over
150 and growing. Georgia,
there is no one more deserving
of this honor more than you.
6
Congratulations and God bless
you, always. We love you.
The
meeting
ended with
socializing
over coffee,
wishing
each other a
very Merry Christmas to all, and
to all good night.
Emile Khuri
Young at Heart
F o r o u r 5 5 a n d o l d e r members
S t. N e k t a r i o s C u b S c o u t Pa c k 4 9 0
“Doing a Good Turn”
S
t. Nektarios Cub Scout Pack 490 has enrolled in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Adopt-A-Street
program. The Pack made a commitment to keep Kuykendall Rd. clean of debris and litter by
conducting three cleanup events each year for a total of two years. In exchange for our effort, we
have a sign on the road near the sanctuary entrance indicating that Pack 490 is maintaining the
street. We have adopted the entirety of Kuykendall Rd. which stretches between McKee Rd. and
Providence Rd.
Our first cleanup was on Saturday, Nov. 21. We were joined by Pack 144 of Blair Rd.
United Methodist Church. The weather couldn’t have been better as it was cool and
sunny. Even though cleaning up a street isn’t the most pleasant of tasks, the boys had
fun doing it while providing a service to
the community.
St. Nektarios can be very proud of our
Cub Scouts and the Cub Scout Leaders
who made this cleanup a success.
John Lowen
7
Burn the Mortgage
“Our Journey Continues” from
a mission parish in 1998 to
vibrant parish of 600 steward
families in 2015; from
worshipping in South Charlotte
Middle School from the fall of
1998 to our first service in the
Spiritual Life Center in April of
2002, to opening of our
Q. Why do we need another building?
A. Today, our programming needs are seven days per week and many times
simultaneous. We now need more meeting space, gathering space, classrooms,
technology capabilities, a proper bookstore for Orthodox resources, recreational
space, and office space for our ministries to flourish. We want to better serve our
parish members be it our seniors, young adults, singles, children, newlyweds,
young families, college-bound students and more.
Q. How big will the Ministry Center be?
A. It is currently planned for about 28,000 square feet. The Spiritual Life Center is
16,000 square feet.
Q. What will the Ministry Center offer?
A. With the additional space and repurposing the existing space, we will have
 Increased 24-7 programming capabilities
 Simultaneous activities may now be held
 Multipurpose space for
 A 500-person banquet/activity room with stage
 Recreational and athletic facilities, including gymnasium and walking
track
 15 classrooms allowing the SLC to house “lower school” and Ministry Center
“upper school” and Adult Religious Ed classes on Sunday
 100 person meeting/activity room
 A new administrative office area, including confidential counseling spaces,
secure record storage, data and IT center
 Dedicated support space for ministries with storage areas
 Parish library and technology/media center
 Our Bookstore and Orthodox resource center relocated from the Spiritual Life
Center restoring it to a 300 person banquet/activity room
 Serving/warming food service area to support an expanded kitchen in the
Spiritual Life Center
 Snackbar/coffee house/ Lounge/gathering space
Q. What is the cost breakdown and total?
A. Preliminary estimated Project Costs include:
 $1.4 million to retire the Sanctuary mortgage assuming all existing outstanding
pledges are paid
 $4.2 million for Construction costs for Ministry Center
 $450,000 for Plaza completion and Spiritual Life Center renovations
 $350, 000 for Furnishings, fixtures and equipment for Ministry Center
 $200,00 to repair and maintain existing parking
 $350,000 for Reserve for capital maintenance items and contingencies
 $300,000 for interest cost
 $300,000 for Reserve for Operating Budget for additional utilities and
resources needed to support the additional space and activities for the next 2
to 3 years.
Preliminary Total Capital Campaign Goal: $7.5 million
sanctuary in October 2007. On January 10, 2016, we held a
Town Hall Meeting to discuss the next leg of our journey with
the payoff of the sanctuary mortgage and proceeding with the
development of the Ministry Center. Father Steve passionately
reflected on his years here, relying upon God to lead our path and to
us accepting His will to continue our Lord’s Ministry through
St. Nektarios. As Father reminds us, it’s not about buildings, but
about doing His ministry and providing the best resources we can to
accomplish His will. Following Fr. Steve’s talk in the sanctuary,
everyone was invited to participate in a round table Q & A session in
the hall during our Fellowship Coffee Hour. A panel of the Capital
Campaign and Building Committee was ready to answer questions
on how we plan to proceed. The Q & A document below was
distributed to all participants.
Q. Why take on more debt when we still have a loan to payoff and
challenges in meeting our operating budget?
A. We will not proceed with this project until certain milestones are met:
 Enough pledges are raised to cover the project
 Goal is to have half of the new pledges received in cash before we begin
 The debt on the sanctuary will be retired first.
 Our goal, predicated upon collection of all new pledges, is to be debt
free.
 We have experienced a balanced operating budget in 2 of the last 3
years. Stewardship has been growing. Our membership is growing.
 We learned in the last campaign the need to build in a reserve to allow
time for membership and stewardship growth to cover increased costs in
our operating budget. We did not do this in the last campaign. That is
now included in this project plan.
Q. Why now?
A. The balloon payment on our mortgage is due on May 15, 2016. We must raise
pledges and cash now to satisfy that payment and/or ask for an extension
supported by new pledges. In order to avoid creating another campaign later for
the Ministry Center, we see that creating one campaign now to accomplish both is
more expedient to our community. How our community receives this campaign will
determine the timing of this new project.
Q. When will we start and how long will it take to build the center?
A. We will begin when the fundraising reaches its milestone. Our goal is to have
the ground breaking in October 2018 on our 20th anniversary as a parish. The
construction will take about one year to complete.
Q. Can we build something smaller or can we postpone it?
A. Our committee has been reviewing the cost/benefit of several alternatives. In
the long run, building now what we envision for our campus will cost less
(construction cost inflation) and provide the needed space for our ministries
sooner. The master plan for the campus has always included this third building.
It’s only been a matter of when. We had hoped to build it in 2008, but had to defer
it because the financial support was not there due to the great recession. Our
recent Council of Ministry validated the need for this building. Our Ministry
Directors have provided input on the functionality the new space should provide
and which is being integrated in the design.
Q. What about the Senior Living Project?
A. That project will be self-funded with pre-sales of its condos and not be
impacted by this Ministry Center. In fact, the Ministry Center will be able to serve
as an activity center for the residents.
8
Build the
Ministry Center
2nd annual queen city holiday glendi
T
hanks so much to everyone who came to the 2nd Queen City Holiday Glendi on January 2, 2016 for high
school through college graduates! It was a great way to end the holidays before we all had to go back to
school. Thank you so much to our GOYANS Gone Gray ministry for hosting this event. If you weren't there,
make plans to come next year!
Here is to a blessed 2016! Καλί Κρονιά!
John Shelton
Deck the Halls!
Military Ministry
The Ladies Philoptochos
Society coordinated the
decorating of the Hall for
the Christmas holiday.
Thank you to all the ladies
and their families who put in
so much effort.
Dn Harry Lainis and Dr. John Nichols celebrated with Sgt.
Krassimere Ivanov during Family Day for National
Guardsmen at the Morganton NC National Guard Armory.
9
Philoptochos — A Legacy of Philanthropy
O
nce again we had a wonderful
Christmas brunch and fashion show
fundraiser on December 5. Besides raising
funds for Dress for Success Charlotte we
collected business attire (80+ items), shoes
(10+), handbags (25+) and accessories (30+)
for that same non-profit and we also collected
80 pairs children's pajamas, 5 pairs of
slippers, 6 pairs of sock sets and 5 hat/glove
sets for A Child's Place. Meg Inglefield, Dress
for Success representative, spoke about her
organization while we ate our delicious lunch of
three varieties of quiche, salad and fruit. Prior to
the beginning of the brunch, we had a social time
where everyone could view the centerpieces,
vote for their favorite and enjoy several different
appetizers and drinks. We had over 150
attendees including 15 children.
We kicked off the fundraiser with our annual
fashion show, showcased by our own Timira
Cockinos. The show concluded with a children's
pajama parade, after which 12 of our children
parishioners ran down into the crowd to give out
candy. The lovely casual outfits provided by
Monkees of Charlotte (Selwyn Avenue) and
formal wear by Nitsa's Apparel (Phillips Place.)
were modeled by Julie Andrews, Timira
Cockinos, Elaine Miller & Stephanie Tsahakis.
They did an outstanding job modeling the
beautiful outfits. Even our president, Maria
Wheatley, was donning a gorgeous dress from
Nitsa's.
This year we did something new, seeking cash
sponsorships to help boost our raffle ticket sales.
We raised $1,500 from 8 sponsors to allow us to
raffle off $250, $350, $500 and a weekend getaway. We also raffled off over 75 various donated
door prizes (total value of $6,000) that we
received from more than 50 donors. All of this
helped us raise $2,400 in sales of raffle tickets!
Our raffle cash money winners were Theodora
Sexstone - $250, Ana Levantis - $350 and Becky
Smith - $500. The Asheville weekend get-away
was won by Maria Boukidis.
This was our second year to ask for donated
centerpieces for our brunch tables and also to
sell at silent auction (total sales of $580) and the
contest for 1st and 2nd Place winners. We
received 22 centerpieces and they graced each
table beautifully! We had all attendees vote on
their favorite centerpiece. Helen Bondurant won
1st Place and Becky Smith won 2nd Place. Becky
was a centerpiece winner last year as well!
Congratulations Helen and Becky.
Overall we raised more than $10,000, our best
year ever. With payout of cash prizes and food/
event expenses, we should net about $5,700.00
with $5,000 going to Dress for Success.
We were delighted to have in attendance Pres.
Patricia Artemas and Pres. Stacey Ehmer from
Holy Trinity, Holy Trinity's Philoptochos
President, Lucy Papadakis and Daughter's of
Penelope's Treasurer, Dianne Leventis, and
several other Holy Trinity parishioners.
A very big thank you to all raffle prize donors,
centerpiece donors, sponsors and attendees. We
would not have been as successful without your
generosity and support!
Many thanks to our co-chairs, Dee
Drobonick & Ana Levantis.
Committee Members Pictured above.
Also, thank you to our brunch/fashion show event
committee, the entire Philoptochos board, other
Philoptochos & parish members, Pete Douglas
and his kitchen staff, the church staff, Timira and
the models and everyone else who helped make
this our most successful and profitable brunch
ever!
A grand time was had by all!
We are already looking for our chairperson for the
2016 Christmas fundraiser so if you are
interested please contact one of the Philoptochos
board members.
Dee Drobonick
First and Second Place
Centerpiece winners
Fr. Steve & Fr. John blessing the
blankets for Levine Children’s Hospital
and the Neonatal Unit at CMC
10
Philoptochos — A Legacy of Philanthropy
Our pajama parade models
Our Fashion Models
Faces in the Crowd
Celebrating the start of the Holiday Festivities
Reflecting on 2015
Looking forward to 2016
The Philoptochos Board wishes everyone
a VERY happy and healthy 2016. The
board held their budget and planning
meeting for 2016 and we are excited for
our upcoming events. In 2015, the
Philoptochos donated over $13,000
to charities locally and around the world.
We also volunteered our time and talents.
Finally, we provided in kind support to
several charities including Dress for
Success and a Child's Place. We hope to
increase these charitable items in 2016
with your participation and support.
Thank you to everyone who
supported our Angel Tree and
brought the hundreds of gifts.
Thank you to Ritsa Neary
and her crew for assembling and
delivering special baskets for our
shut-ins-- filled with wonderful
treats.
11
Financial Mat ters
One Faith. One Family.
St. Nektarios Church.
Stewardship: “. . . Let us commit ourselves and one
another and our whole life to Christ, Our God.”
I
t is again a privilege to chair the Stewardship Committee. Last
year, with the participation of almost 600 families, we met our
stewardship goal. It is because of your dedication and commitment to
Christ’s Church and His ministries that we were able to achieve this
goal, and we thank each of you. The past year has seen our faithful
grow in number, our ministries reach more people, and our youth
program help more students. God’s grace has blessed each of us and
blessed our community.
These blessings are supported by your stewardship donations and by the dedication of your time
and talent. As a family, as a community, we want to continue our stewardship so that our blessings continue
to multiply. It is important to understand the role of stewardship in our church.
three major
financial funds
The 2016 Stewardship Committee consists of Andrew Asimos, Fr. Seraphim
Dedes, Elizabeth Kleto, Mark Malatras, Alexis Maloney, Heidi Sarantou, Jim
Thomas, and myself. We are grateful that with your help, and God’s, we were
successful last year and we hope and pray that we may be as successful in
2016. We welcome your comments and suggestions
Thanks. Theodora Sexstone
There are three financial funds that support
St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church.
#1 Stewardship Fund. It provides 85% of the income to support budgeted expenses.
The remaining 15% of income is primarily monies from candles and the offertory, and
they are in addition to stewardship income. Expenses paid from these funds are outlined
in the Operating Account / Income and Expense Budget. They range from youth
ministries, to liturgical supports, priests and office salaries, administrative costs, minor
building operations, hospitality, and our contribution as Stewards of the Archdiocese. This
budget is approved by the Parish Assembly and becomes the financial footprint for the
year. It only funds those items outlined in the budget.
#2. Building Capital Fund. It provides only for the repayment of monies due to our
lender for our Sanctuary—i.e., the mortgage and related expenses, such as interest. It
does not fund any major building operation expenses. This fund currently consists of
pledges from two capital campaigns, in 2004 and in 2011, which will be completed this
year. The mortgage balance, estimated at $1.4 million, is due in full in May 2016.
As we consider meeting this debt and burning the mortgage, we also consider the future
needs of our family. A comprehensive five-year capital plan, now being initiated, will not
only burn the mortgage, but provide a 28,000 square foot Ministry Center and needed
updates to the Spiritual Life Center and the campus.
#3. Dedicated Fund. There are over eighteen projects that are supported by this fund.
They include, most importantly, Property Improvement and Repair and Iconography. Also
in this fund are projects that raise and spend monies for specific missions, such as Prison
Outreach, Project Mexico, and Child of God Academy feeding program and tuition
assistance in Kenya. Other projects in this fund earmark their proceeds for specific
needs, i.e., monies to be raised by Goyans Gone Gray will be dedicated to the Dean
Kondilis Medical Fund. These donations are separate from the Stewardship and the
Building Capital Funds.
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IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES, IT WAS THE WORST OF TIMES—IT WAS WINTER YOUTH RALLY 2015! It began in
the pouring rain after Sunday Liturgy—no group picture by the bus this year! We loaded luggage and people
into the church bus, two rental SUV’s and two coaches’ SUV’s, and convoyed away in the rain. The traffic
down was crazy—stop then go then stop again—but everyone was having fun ANYWAY! Arriving at the
Center City Marriott in Atlanta where all 14 floors are filled by GOYA, chaperones and Metropolis staff is always wild—but we
finally got everyone into their rooms and made it
down to the first night’s dinner. So began three
nights and four days of faith, fellowship and fun.
This year, we had a Girls’ Volleyball, Junior Boys’
and Senior Boys’ Basketball teams and a
Bible Bowl in competition, so we were all
over the hotel, all over Atlanta, and all hustling from one place to another, all the time.
All of our teams did a great job, but only the
Junior Boys’ Team brought back a trophy—3rd Place.
The final night began with “Vespers in the
Round,” with the priests and chanters in the
lobby and all 14 floors singing from their
balcony. Next, dinner, awards, a dance—
fellowship in the lobby, talking long into the
night. The chaperones were taking selfies
and some folks were falling asleep.
MANY THANKS TO:
Advisors: Michaelina Antahades, Gus &
Phyllis Gianakopoulos, Lea Kokenes, David & Kara O’Brien, and Coaches: Dean
Kalariotes and Gary Anderson!
AXIOS!
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“Basketball doesn’t build character; it reveals it.” This quote has been attributed to various people, including legendary basketball coach John Wooden. If it is true, what does it mean when applied to our Athletics Ministry? What do we—the players, the
coaches, the fans—reveal about ourselves at the games? This year St. Nektarios has four teams playing in the Charlotte Interfaith
Basketball League: 7th grade boys; 7th grade girls; 9th grade boys; and senior boys. Most Saturdays and Sundays, there are at least
two games played, plus practice once a week. Playing for a team is a significant commitment of time and energy for the players, the
coaches and the parents. The team fees and gym rental are also a significant investment from the Youth Budget. So, every year, we ask
ourselves, do youth athletics support our Youth Ministries Mission Statement: “To educate and prepare our youth for a lifetime of
spiritual growth as Orthodox Christians”? This year, once again, we answered, “Yes.”
For our coaches, our players, and our parents, we emphasize again and again that at every practice, in every game, we represent our
parish and our faith. Players on the court, coaches on the sidelines, and parents/fans in the stands are called upon to hold themselves to
that standard. It isn’t always easy, especially when the game isn’t going well—when the ball just won’t fall, the calls seem always against
us, the other team seems to get all the breaks. The temptations come to get angry, to lash out, to use language, say things that are cruel
or mean. This is the crucible, the “place or occasion of severe test or trial.” What does our behavior then reveal about our character, our
spiritual growth as Orthodox Christians? These are the lessons we all have an opportunity to learn.
To remind us all of the blessings we have, we also use our basketball season to collect urgently needed items for the
homeless children served by A CHILD’S PLACE.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,
as working for the Lord.” Colossian 3:23
Each Christmas the PK—3rd
graders have a special opportunity to perform
for the community. It takes a Parish—kids and parents, teachers and choir, priests and congregation—to
bring off this annual effort celebrating the Nativity of Our Lord as
a family. The children who play the parts are all volunteers. Their
parents bring them to two practices on Sundays after they have already attended Liturgy and Catechism. They practice their
lines
and where to go when. Then on performance day, they get into costume, and walk out onto the solea in front of the whole congregation
to teach us all about the Nativity Icon—Holy Family, Angels, a Star, Shepherds and Wise Men. This year’s cast: Narrators - Jacob
Ceffalo, Evie Demakis, Nicholas Vatsis; the Star - Matthew Gervescu; the Angels - Summer Clewell, Iris Cotoman, Mieka Ulmer-van
Deur; Mary - Evelyn Galasso; Joseph - William Kontakis; the Wise Men - Petr Cotoman, Anthony Korolos; Shepherd - Bella Korolos;
Animal - Maddie Edwards. Special Help: Icon Maker - Christina Bonderer; Asst director - Kabee Kokenes; Music - the Ladies’ Choir
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At the first Parish Council meeting for 2016, members of the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) offered a presentation outlining the
scope and content of our Department of Youth Ministries, to give new members (and remind returning members) a clear picture of the
challenges and endeavors of this important ministry of our parish. The YAB, which meets weekly during the Catechetical Year,
includes: Kabee Kokenes, Gerry Clonaris, Alexis Maloney and Helen Giles, led by Director of Youth Ministries Elaine Miller. Here are
some highlights from their presentation:



Youth Advisory Board—
meets weekly to review past
week’s programs, plan upcoming programs, address
short term and long term
goals and assist the Director
in providing a well-rounded,
integrated approach to
achieving our mission
Youth Protection & Awareness Guidelines—
guidelines which apply to all
those who interact as volunteers with our youth which
include background checks
and thorough training to
ensure the safety and well
being of our youth.
Youth Handbook—updated
annually to provide a resource for parents about all
programming, guidelines,
and events

Serves 215 students 3 years old—
12th grade; 35 teachers; 30 Sundays a year; meeting the needs of
cradle and convert children of
varying ethnic backgrounds, varying levels of church experience
and varying learning styles.


Fall and Spring Sessions meeting
Sundays from 5:30—7:00 pm
offering faith, fun and fellowship
through service projects, nights in
and nights out, planned and led by
the GOYA Leadership Council
under the direction of a former
GOYA member Micha Antahades

Seasonal play from December—
February; 40+ players; 12—15
volunteers; many fans; players
must attend Catechism and must
exhibit the highest standard while
representing our parish; the goal is
providing an opportunity for spiritual growth and fellowship; includes
an ongoing service project collecting urgently needed items for the
homeless children served by A
CHILD’S PLACE.
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

GOYA—METROPOLIS—
Advent & Lenten Retreats;
Winter Youth Rally; Hellenic
Dance Festival; Oratorical
Festival; St. Stephens Summer Camp
GOYA—PARISH—Beach
Trip, Christmas Party, Ski
Trip, Holy Week Lock-in,
Senior Celebration, Samaritan’s Feet
JOY-HOPE—PARISH—
Advent Service Saturday,
Family Mardi Gras Party,
Holy Week Retreat, Samaritan’s Feet Saturday, Vacation Church Camp
The Greatest Commandment: To love our Lord
and love one another
Ethnic diversity—
recognizing and celebrating all those who come to
Orthodoxy
Catechism is the foundation for all our programming; everything else is
supported and enhanced
by the learning and the
fellowship our youth find
in their classes.
Our Righteous Theodosius
the Cenobiarch
January 11
T
his Saint had Cappadocia
as his homeland. He lived
during the years of Leo of
Thrace, who reigned from 457
to 474. The Saint established in
the Holy Land a great
communal monastery, wherein
he was the shepherd of many
monks. While Saint Sabbas
was the head of the hermits of Palestine, Saint
Theodosius was governor of those living the cenobitic
life, for which reason he is called the Cenobiarch.
Together with Saint Sabbas, towards whom he
cherished a deep brotherly love in Christ, he defended
the whole land of Palestine from the heresy of the
Monophysites, which was championed by the Emperor
Anastasius and might very well have triumphed in the
Holy Land without the opposition of these two great
monastic fathers and their zealous defense of the Holy
Council of Chalcedon. Having lived for 103 years, he
reposed in peace.
Timothy the Apostle
of the 70
January 22
T
he Apostle Timothy, who
was from Lystra of
Lycaonia, was born of a Greek
(that is, pagan) father and a
Jewish mother. His mother's
name was Eunice, and his
grandmother's name was Lois
(II Tim. 1:5). He became the disciple of the Apostle Paul
when the latter first preached there, and he followed St.
Paul during the whole period of the Apostle's preaching.
Afterwards, Timothy was consecrated by him as the first
Bishop of the church in Ephesus. Under the supervision
of John the Evangelist, who governed all the churches
in Asia, he completed his life as a martyr in the year 97.
He was stoned to death by the heathens, because, as
some surmise, he opposed the festival held in honor of
Artemis (Diana). The Apostle Paul's First and Second
Epistles to Timothy were written to him.
http//www.goarch.org "Copyright © Holy Transfiguration
Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. All rights
reserved."
DIRECTORY
Church Office: 704-708-4669
Church Fax: 704-846-6094
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.stnektarios.org
5108 Kuykendall Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28270
Father Steve Dalber, Protopresbyter
Home: 704-708-4638
Cell Phone: 704-451-6524
Email: [email protected]
Father John Wallace
Home: 704-905-2558
Cell Phone: 704-905-2558
Email: [email protected]
Father Seraphim Dedes
Music Ministry
Phone: 704-719-3074
Email: [email protected]
Father Stephanos Potter, Deacon
Father Paul Tsahakis, Deacon
Parish Council
President: Jim Thomas
Vice President: John Tsefrikas
Secretary: Maria Mortis
Treasurer: Theodora Sexstone
Ass’t Treasurer: Peter Keretsis
Ass’t Secretary: Elizabeth Kleto
Members: Kholooud Alyateem, Christina Bonderer, Chris Levantis,
John Nichols, and Patrick Taylor
Parish Administrator
Evelyn Klund
Administration Staff
Madalina Lowen, Kim Clewell
Carol Jelush, Niki Kleto
Dir. Youth Ministries, Elaine Miller
Property Manager, Dena Kondilis
Philoptochos Board
President: Maria Wheatley
Vice President: Bessie Vrettos
Recording Secretary: Heather Korolos
and Renee Tsefrikas,
Coresp. Secretary: Helen Clonaris,
Treasurer: Evelyn Klund,
Ass’t. Treasurer: Dee Drobonick,
Members: Thalia Fergione, Maria Kleto,
Melisa Galasso, Joanne Kiser,
Ana Levantis, Madalina Lowen,
Ritsa Neary, Charlotte Nickolopoulos
SUNDAYS AT
SAINT NEKTARIOS
Worship
Matins & Divine Liturgy: 8:15 a.m.
Youth Catechism:
Following Holy Communion
Fellowship Coffee:
Following the Divine Liturgy
Prosfora
Please contact the church office or Christie
Asimos at 704-756-1512 if you would like
to provide Prosfora.
Coffee Hour
Please contact the church office if you
would like to host or co-host a Coffee Hour
on Sunday. Your Stewardship pays for the
coffee hour refreshments provided by the
Hospitality Ministry Team.
Flowers
You may donate flowers in honor of a
family member’s feast day, in memory
of a loved one or friend, on the occasion
of a holiday, or simply as a gift to the
community of St. Nektarios. To donate
flower arrangements to be placed at the
Iconostasis or in the Narthex for Sunday
Services, please contact the church office
to reserve a Sunday.
Sacramental Wine
& Pure Olive Oil
You may make a financial gift to help
defray the cost of the sacramental wine
that is used for Holy Communion. Please
note on the memo line of your check or on
the envelope “Communion Wine”. You may
also donate a bottle or can of pure olive oil
which is then blessed at the Shrine of St.
Nektarios and is offered in the anointing
kits. Please feel free to bring this with you
to any of our services and give to an usher
on duty.
For additional information contact the
church office.
UPCOMING DEADLINE
Newsletter & Bulletin:
Information Due: February 10, 2016
Published: February 20, 2016
OUR MISSION:
St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church is dedicated to the continuation
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s ministry of salvation
through the proclamation and teaching of the Gospel;
through Baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
and through loving service to God and to mankind.
OUR VISION:
The community will provide a loving, caring and welcoming
environment where all belong and grow in the faith through
worship, service, witness, and fellowship.
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