LATEST METROPOLIS DIRECTIVES CONCERNING COVID-19
Please see the attached information at the end of this bulletin as to the latest directives from His Eminence Metropolitan Savas and our Metropolis.
CHURCH SCHOOL
Our Church School program will begin today! We will be virtual on line through zoom. Hopefully we will soon return to in person classes. Classes will begin promptly at 12 noon and will conclude at 12:30 pm. The theme of this year's program is "Iconography and Hymnology - The Not - So Hidden Treasures of our Church."
Today at 11:45 am we are offering an open house to Church School families. We encourage you to join in to learn more about our program.
We plan to be prompt with our times, so that we will encourage participation. More details and sign in information will be forthcoming. We encourage all of our children and anyone who may be interested to join in. Let us do all we can to make the best of this less than ideal situation. Sign in information will be available through email. If you have not received an email, please contact Eugenia Pontikos immediately. We plan to incorporate Google Classroom which will require a google email address. We encourage you to obtain a gmail account to be able to fully participate in the program. For further information, please see Eugenia Pontikos. Thank you.
DRIVE THROUGH GLENDI OCTOBER 10 & 11
Under the current pandemic situation, festivals are now limited. At Saint John the Forerunner, we are planning a drive-thru festival the second weekend in October (10 & 11). There will be a limited menu, however, we hope to have your favorites! The menu will include pastitsio, gyro and souvlakia sandwiches, crab roll ups, domathes fries and Greek fries, rice pudding and a plethora of pastries. Please see Plato Kalfas for details! We are also creating a special website to take orders on line. Please consult the attached flier. Please support your Saint John parish. Thank you.
PLEASE WEAR YOUR MASKS
The coronavirus is real. We must do what we can to protect ourselves from this global pandemic. Since there is a state mandadate, and directives from our Metropolitan, we are required to wear masks during the church services. This has been of some concern among our parishioners. Our own Metropolitan Savas at our clergy zoom meeting a few days ago emphatically emphasized that church attendees must wear masks. Please adhear to these regulations. Thank you.
DONATIONS CAN BE MADE ON ST JOHN WEBSITE
NEW PARISH COUNCIL MINISTRY AND OUTREACH
Our Saint John parish is concerned about all of our parishioners especially during this limiting pandemic. We understand that many may have needs that they may not be able to fulfil by themselves. Our parish council is developing a committee to try to help. If anyone has needs - i.e. grocery shopping or errands to be run, please feel to contact council representative, Debbie Kreatsoulas (home phone # 330-707-9028 or on her cell phone # 330-219-3236) and we will do our best to fulfill his or her needs. Likewise, if anyone is willing to serve on this committee, please contact Debbie. Thank you.
ELECTRIC TYPEWRITER NEEDED
Yes, you read this correctly. The typewriter at church is in need of costly repair. Our Archdiocese still has forms with carbon copies that are required to be typed. If anyone has an electric typewriter that is in good working order and would like to donate it to your Saint John Church, please see Father Tom. Thank you!
CORONAVIRUS - UPDATED INFORMATION
The pandemic that we are currently experincing has affected us all. As we have progressed through the varios stages of re-opening, we have moved from limits of only five people (red phase) to twenty five (yellow phase). In each of these two stages, no one over 65 were allowed to attend. Fortunately, as our states restrictions are being eased, His Eminence Metropolitan Savas, is also slowly beginning to open up the parishes in our Metropolis. Each parish has been given guidelines for the safety of our parishioners. At Saint John the Forerunner, we are complying to the directives of our Metropolis. Thanks to everyone's cooperation, we have now have progressed to the next phase - the Green Phase. This means we are allowed to have up to 50% of the Church capacity. (At Saint John the Forerunner, that is at least 200 people.) Age restrictions and prior reservations have been lifted. That means anyone who is healthy and is willing to follow the directives, guidelines and instructions are welcome to attend. Masks are required to be worn during the services. You are not required to register and make a reservation to attend; however, for safety reasons, we are required to have a record of everyone's name and phone number of those who attend. These lists will be kept for 30 days. There are markings on the pews as to seating arrangements so that we may all keep our social distancing. The ushers will help instruct 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. Please continue to follow these directives so that we all may remain safe and healthy. May God bless our Saint John parish!
LITURGY BOOKS BACK IN THE PEWS
This past Thursday, His Eminence has announced that we are now allowed to place our Liturgy books back in the pews for us to use to enhance our worship. There are new guidelines for our parishes during this pandemic. The fliers are attached in this bulletin.
WISH LIST
*One case of St John Commandarie communion wine ($175)
*Electric typewriter
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!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Tuesday, October 4 - Saint Thomas the Apostle - Divine Liturgy - 9:30 am
Saturday, October 10 - GLENDI ON THE GO - 11 AM - 7 PM
Sunday, October 11 - GLENDI ON THE GO - 12 noon - 7 PM