2022 Greek Festival – We Need Your Help
Your Greek Festival Planning Committee has begun its work preparing for our Annual Greek Festival and we are off to a great start. The dates for our Greek Festival are June 18th- 19th. We are thankful for the many people that have generously offered to sponsor, chair, and volunteer, but we still need people to sign up for the following roles:
- Gyro Booth Chair
- Saganaki Booth Chair
- Festival Setup/Tear Down Team Chair
- Signage and Decoration Chair
- Food and Beverage Staging - Yellow Shirts Chair
- Electrician Support
- Ad Book Sales Support
If you are not comfortable chairing by yourself, get a family member or friend involved as a co-chair. We have plenty of experience and mentors available if you need training and support, but we need your leadership as these roles are critical to the success of our festival.
These positions must be filled within the next two weeks to allow the steering committee to properly plan, so please spread the word, step up, and support our festival. To sign up as a chair or for answers to your questions, please call or email Ben De La Riva - 619-253-7559, ben.delariva@cox.net.
Together in Christ,
Festival Steering Committee
Greek Independence Day Celebration - Sunday, March 27, 2022
The Greek School wishes to honor 201 years since the Greek Revolution, together with the community, on Sunday, March 27th in the Church Hall following Divine Liturgy. Our students are preparing to present a fully immersive program. A complimentary buffet will follow the performance, but donations are graciously accepted. We kindly ask for reservations due to limited capacity. To RSVP, make donations, or dedications, please visit the website below:
https://stspyridongreekschool.square.site/product/2022-greek-independence-day-program/11?cs=true&cst=custom
Or, you can call (619) 800-8355 or email stspyridongreekschool@gmail.com to RSVP.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
Theocharis Papatrechas, Director
March Shepherd Newsletter Online Version
http://theshepherdnews.com/issues/0322/index.html
April Shepherd Newsletter Deadline!
This Monday, March 14th. Please email your article/photos to tina@stspyridon.org. Thank you!
Metropolis Summer Camp - SUMMER IS BACK!
Remember, St. Spyridon families, our very own Bill Navrides coordinates the BUS to Summer camp for week #1 Sunday, July 10 – Saturday, July 16th. For only $150 per camper, Bill will take your child back and forth on the bus saving you FOUR driving trips. The bus fills up fast so please contact Bill soon at 619-992-6775 or navridesfamily@gmail.com.
For more extensive information visit the website: https://gosfyouth.org/summer-camp
2022 SUMMER CAMP IN-PERSON DATES for OUR PARISH
Session I: July 10 - 16
Cost: $575 per camper. Regular registration opened March 1st and closes March 31st. *A $100 non-refundable deposit is required to register. See the camp website for full cancellation and refund policies.
Upcoming Memorials
Sunday, March 27th - Theodora (Teddy) Cappos - 40 days
Sunday, April 10th - Maria Giannos - 1 year
Sunday, April 10th - Theodoros Georgaris - 8 years
Sunday, April 10th - Dorothea Georgaris - 15 years
Our parish Stewardship ministry has begun in earnest as we enter the third month of 2022.
We, the Stewardship Committee, first, would once again like to say “thank you” for your continuing financial support of our stewardship ministry. Because of your faithful and dedicated financial giving 2021 was a successful year for the community and we, the Stewardship Committee, are most grateful.
And, as a reminder, though our parish community continues to navigate cautiously and safely along with our greater community because of the pandemic, I remind you that the “church”, as we know it, has enjoyed and prospered through every major achievement and endured and navigated through every low moment that our society has endured: the church doors remain open to all as we strive to live the great commission of becoming more “Christ-like” by living the Gospel and thus, “loving thy neighbor”. Thus, regarding our own parish history and our almost one hundred years as St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, we respectively ask you once again to do what you can do to financially support your church parish as we continue to navigate through this historic and unique time.
If you have not completed your pledge card for 2022 please do so at your earliest convenience. If you need a 2022 pledge card please call the church office and one will be sent to you. You can also go to our parish website www.stspyridon.org and click on the Stewardship Giving button to donate electronically as well.
On behalf of the Parish Council, the Stewardship Committee once again says “thank you” and God bless you during these extraordinary times and always.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
The Stewardship Committee of Saint Spyridon GOC
John Kalas - Stewardship Chair Fr. Andrew Scordalakis
Ben De La Riva, Jim Gilpin, Stephen Thiros, and Spero Tzathas
Please see the 2022 Stewardship Card in the "Inserts & Fliers" section below.
The County of San Diego Covid Inside Mask Wearing Update
As a reminder, we are still following the most updated and current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and more specifically the county of San Diego's requirements, recommendations, and guidelines.
Thus, the county of San Diego has just lifted the requirement to wear a face-covering while indoors for those who have been fully vaccinated. Consequently, and until further notice, we are still recommending that a face-covering be worn but we are not requiring it to be inside our Sanctuary or fellowship hall.
For those who have not yet been vaccinated (for whatever reason) the CDC and County of San Diego still require that they continue to wear a mask while indoors. We are still using the "honor system" and respectfully ask that if you have not been fully vaccinated to wear your face covering while in the Sanctuary and fellowship hall.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration, understanding, and patience as we continue to safely navigate our way through the pandemic.
Ancient Wisdom & Modern Coffee
Please join us for our Adult Sunday School class (taught by Dn. Michael Kallas, MA, MDiv). We are studying the Gospel of Matthew this Sunday, March 13th. We will meet downstairs in the Education Building following the Divine Liturgy.
"Man of God" Film on the Life of St. Nektarios
Man of God is the highly anticipated award-winning film based on the inspiring life of beloved Saint Nektarios the Wonderworker, Bishop of Pentapolis, who won the hearts of the people in Greece, Russia, and Serbia. The movie features Aris Servetalis, Alexander Petrov, and Mickey Rourke. It is coming to theatres near you on March 21st for one-night-only.
To buy your tickets visit: https://www.fathomevents.com/events/Man-of-God.
The trailer is on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcgnbVlQ7Tc
Please see the Man of God flyer in the "Inserts & Fliers" section.
Philoptochos Beautifully Decorated Icons for Veneration Inside the Church
This Holy and Sacred Gospel edition contains all the readings needed for Holy Week Services, from Saturday of Lazarus through Agape Vespers.
This week's Speaker Series features Rev. Fr. Radu Bordeianu, who preaches about the Sunday of Orthodoxy. Watch this 10-minute video: https://youtu.be/xzfr4tu4Piw
This week, find insights about the upcoming Gospel reading where Apostle John talks about Christ calling Philip and Nathanael to become His disciples. How does Christ’s invitation to discipleship apply to us today?
Rev. Fr. Radu Bordeianu: Author | Associate Professor | Priest
Dr. Donna Rizk Asdourian: Author | Blogger | Founder of Orthodox Women's Ministry
On Monday, February 28, 2022 on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia accepted the invitation of Metropolitan Antony of Hierapolis of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA (Ecumenical Patriarchate) to participate in the PRAYER VIGIL FOR UKRAINE at the St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Memorial Church in Bound Brook, NJ.
