CORONAVIRUS - UPDATED INFORMATION
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. Fortunately, as restrictions are being eased, His Eminence Metropolitan Savas, is also slowly beginning to open up the parishes in our Metroplois. Each parish has been give guidelines for the safety of our parishioners. At Saint John the Forerunner, we have tried to comply to the directives and have sent to our Metropolis information as to our compliance. We hope to hear back this week. We will inform you promply as we get the go ahead to impliment the next phase (yellow phase) as to opening the church. In the next phase, a maximum of 25 people (inccluding the priest, chantor, parish council members, and altar servers will be allowed to attend. For our safety, no one over 65 or those with health issues will be allowed to attend. Hand sanitizer will be at each entrance and masks must be worn during the services. Reservations to attend will be required and instructions as to how to receive Holy Communionwill be explained at the Liturgy. There are markings on the pews as to seating arrangements so that we may all keep our social distancing. The ushers will help instuct us as we enter the church. There are markings also on the floor to help with social distancing as we wait to approach the Holy Chalice. These are a lot of guidelines, however, they are hopefully temporary and may change week to week.
RESERVATIONS TO ATTEND THE SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY
SATURDAY OF SOULS
This Saturday, June 6th, is a Saturday of Souls Saturday. A Divine Liturgy with memorials will be chanted at 9:30 am. Please submit your names of your departed loved ones to Father by maii to the church, or by email to the church (stjohnboardman@yahoo.com), or by leaving a voicemail message on the church phone (330-788-5257). For those making koliva for the service as required to put the koliva in individual bags for distribution. Thank you for your cooperation
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.
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
SATURDAY, JUNE 6 - Saturday of Souls - Divine Liturgy and Memorials @ 9:30 am