Vacation: Fr. Nick will be out of town beginning today and will return to the office on Monday, August 28. Please call the office if there’s an emergency.
The custom of blessing grapes, the first fruits of the harvest, can be traced back to Old Testament times, when farming was a common vocation that so much care and time was given to it. Of the vast variety of produce, grapes had a special place of honor and were considered the "first fruits", because they were the first produce of harvest.
Rides to Church: If you, or anyone you know, needs a ride to church, please call the office. We will either send a fellow parishioner to pick you up, or call a cab for you. Also, St. Nicholas is compiling a list of individuals who would be interested in picking up fellow parishioners who do not have a ride to church. If you are interested in helping us in this very important ministry, please call the office. It is our hope that everyone who wants to come to St. Nicholas will be able, whether they can drive or not.
Benevolence: Hunger is all around us, even here in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County. Many times, we are asked to distribute food and toiletries to families who are hungry and in need. Please consider bringing non perishable food items and toiletries and leaving them on the shelf in the exo-narthex. Thank you and God Bless You.
Iconography Phase III – Dome: Funding for Phase III – Dome is 90% completed. As the funding balance comes to a conclusion, all are invited and encouraged to consider making a contribution within one’s means towards the Icon of Christ Pantocrator, the Almighty. Forms are available at the Church office or on the Church web-site, or at the iconography information table in the Social Hall with updated displays.
Stewardship: The Parish Council is seeking volunteers to help our Parish improve our Stewardship program. Please join the Stewardship Committee meetings which have been scheduled on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm in the conference room. Our next meeting will be held this Wednesday, September 6 at 7:00 pm. Everybody is welcome to join this committee. Your time and talents are valuable to our Saint Nicholas Church. For any questions, please contact George Kokales or Christos Philippou.
Survivors of Suicide and Loss Grief workshop: Presvytera Julie Honeycutt, LPC led a workshop recently on how to talk about suicide, how to support one another, how to talk to children, how to heal and what to expect in the months to come. Copies of her presentation are available on the table in the hallway.
Prosforo needed all of September. Fellowship Hour sponsors needed August 13, 20 and September 3, 17, 24. Please call the office if you are interested.
Philoptochos: IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities):
Philoptochos thanks all the generous people who made donations at our International Coffee Fellowship Hour recently. Many of you were not able to attend and to those people we remind that everyone’s donations are essential for the success of this Pan Orthodox humanitarian effort. We welcome your donations through August. For every $1 you contribute, it is matched by $7 from other sources. Your generosity will go a long way. If you would like to donate, or have questions. please contact Clevie Daniels (734) 528-9092. Thank you for your continued support.
St. Nicholas Bookstore: The bookstore recommends an icon of St, Modestus of Jerusalem, the protector of domesticated animals. We also have ordered a limited number of church planners. Please visit us if you are interested in placing an order.
Philoptochos: Please save the date for the Sts. Constantine and Helen/Westland Philoptochos Fashion Show and Luncheon to be held on Saturday, September 23. The cost is $30/person. Vangie Kolokithas will provide more information soon.
Habitat for Humanity is in its’ 7th year of participation, and you have helped to renovate many homes to date. If you were unable to support our Ice Cream Social and Fireworks fundraiser, it’s not too late. A poster is on display in the hallway. We hope you will consider supporting this worthy project. Our next build date for Habitat for Humanity is Sat., Aug. 26, beginning at 9:00 am. Please contact Robert Ashley at rashley200478@gmail.com if you would like to sign up.
Festival Food: We have in our freezer the following leftover over food from the festival. Spanakopita and tiropita ($25/tray), pastitsio ($75/tray), dolmathes ($160/140 pieces, deposit on pan/lid $25). If you are interested in purchasing, please call the Church office during regular business hours of Monday – Friday, 9am-3pm. Thank you.
Fellowship Hours: During the next few months while the iconography is being installed, fellowship hours will be held in the hallway. Please be mindful of the carpeting and take extra care with your coffee and refreshments. Thank you for your patience.
As you know, the Parish Council has traditionally been responsible for hosting the coffee hour if no one has volunteered. Since we have had a decline of volunteers, please consider hosting a fellowship hour. Please contact the Church office and offer your assistance. Remember, the fellowship hours do not have to be elaborate. Coffee and donuts are fine. Thank you, the Parish Council.
Assumption of the Theotokos: Great Vespers for the feast of the Assumption of the Theotokos will be held Monday, Aug.14 at 7:00 pm at the Assumption Church in St. Clair Shores and at 6:00 pm at the Assumption Church in Grand Blanc. We will celebrate the feastday of the Assumption at St. Nicholas on Tuesday, August 15 beginning with Orthros at 9:00 am.
A Taste of Greece: Nativity of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Plymouth, MI will host their 13th Annual Cultural Festival August 25—27. Come and enjoy Greek food and pastries, music and dancing. For more information, please visit our bulletin board.
Flowers: If you are interested in purchasing flowers to decorate the icons for any upcoming feastday, please contact Lambrini Lagos or the Church office.
Donor Match: Kosta Flevaris, cousin to Faye Sekaros, Kay Foster and Nick Roopas, has been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and is in urgent need of a stem cell transplant. The best chance for a match is through the Greek community. If anyone is interested in being tested, a cheek swab can be sent to you to be mailed back, and the testing done at no cost. For more information, please contact Be The Match at bekostasmatch@gmail.com.
Lost and Found: There are many items in our Lost and Found bin in the hallway. Many of these items have been left from the festival. Please take a moment and see if anything belongs to you.
Our sincerest love and condolences to Mike and Eva Mikhail on the passing of Mike’s sister Weddad on July 23 in Egypt. May her memory be eternal.
