CORONAVIRUS
The pandemic that we are currently experincing has affected us all and has limited the amount of people that are able to attend services to a minimum. (A maximum of 5 people.). We understand that we all are missing coming to Church; however, we all need to exercise patience, which is a great virtue God has bestowed upon us. Our Metropolitan Savas has been in frequent communication with us and wants us all to know that even though we are all in a difficult situation, he wants to make sure we all using safe precautions. Hopefully within two weeks, we will begin to slowly reopen our church on a limited basis. Soon, we will publish the guidelines for reoppening. Hopefully, this coming week, the Forerunner will be published with the directives from His Eminence. We thank you for your patience and your prayers. Father Tom and our Parish Council have been hard at work to assure your safety as we begin to reopen our parish. Christ is Risen!
STS CONSTANTINE AND HELEN
This Thursday, May 21, 2020 is the feast of Sts. Constantine and Helen. We will celeebrate a Divine Liturgy at 9:30 am. The service will be live-streamed on our Facebook page and on WFMJ.com.
LIVE-STEAMING
Until further notice, we will be live-streaming most all of our services on our Facebook page: St John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church @stjohnboardman; AND on the Youngstown tv NBC affiliate, WFMJ channel 21. You will find us on wfmj.com. Click on community, then on faith services and look for us there.
MEMORIAL DAY
Due to the current virus and social distancing regulations and recommendations from His Eminence, Father Tom will not be visiting the cemetaries as usual. Please contact him for special requests.
HOSPITALIZATION
Please notify Father or the Church office of any hospitalization, nursing home admissions, or illnesses so that Father can visit and offer the Holy Sacraments to your loved ones if he is allowed. We do not want to ever deprive anyone support and consolation during an illness. If you desire this information kept confidential, please advise us and strict confidence will be maintained. Please keep in mind that according to Federal Law, hospitals are not allowed to give our personal information such as religious affiliating. Hospitals will notify the priest or church only if the patient requests the facility to do so.
STEWARDSHIP
An Orthodox Christian Steward is an active participant in the life of the Church. The parish encourages all who accept the Orthodox Faith to become practicing Stewards. Each year the Steward is expected to carefully review his or her personal circumstances and make a commitment of time, talent, and treasure to support the Parish and her Ministries, which in turn support the National Ministries of our Archdiocese, Metropolis, and institutions. Have you pledged to your Church? Pledge cards have been sent out. Please turn them in so we can continue in the work of the church. Think Stewardship!
CALLING ALL GRADUATES
Please notify the office as soon as possible if you or a loved one is graduating from high school or an institute of higher education. We will honor our graduates this summer. Please email the information to the church email: stjohnboardman@yahoo.com. Please include a picture of the graduate, and the following information: from where the student has graduated, G.P.A. and class rank, acheivements, and future plans. Thank you. The information will be printed in a future Forerunner.
PARISH SCHOLARSHIPS
Parish scholarships are now available for high school seniors. Applications are available in the church office. Because of our current situation, the deadline for the scholarships have been extended. However, please get them in as soon as possible. To request an application, please call George Denney or Father Tom. Thank you
UPCOMING CALENDAR
THURSDAY, MAY 21 - Sts Constantine and Helen - Divine Liturgy @ 9:30 am
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 - Leave Taking of Pascha - Divine Liturgy @ 9:30 am
THURSDAY, MAY 28 - Ascension - Divine Liturgy @ 9:30 am
VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR
Keep an eye out for more information on a virtual Coffee Hour we will plan for in the near future. This will be a zoom meeting, where we as parioshioners will be able to log in and see each other to feloowship virtually. This is an opportunity for our parishioners and Father Tom to catch up. Details will be coming out soon.