On behalf of our Saint John Parish Council, Philoptochos, and all the organizations and Staff, I want to wish us all  Happy New Year, 2021!

Today a forty-day memorials will be chanted for Bessie Kostoglou and Nick Peroulakis.  Also, a 40 day memorial will be chaned for Stella Maggalousis who passed away in Greece.  She is the aunt of presvytera Vasiliki.  May her Memory be Eternal!

Next Sunday, January 17, a forty day memorial will be chanted for Gus Giannios.  May his Memory be Eternal!

Father Tom will be blessing homes  this week.  He is this week in the Boardman area. There is a sign–up sheet in the Narthex. This year, because of the Coronavirus , he will be blessing your homes from the front door and will give you holy water for you to finish your homes.   Please sign up or contact Father directly to have your home blessed.

This Tuesday at 6 pm, our Parish Council will have a zoom meeting. At this meeting we will elect our officers for 2021.  May God Bless our Saint John parish.

The Youngstown Community Food Center & Gleaners Food Bank are in need of volunteers to help prepare boxes of food for those in need, especially during these difficult times.  Volunteers are welcome Monday - Saturday 8 am - 11 am.  Visit their website: www.youngstowncommunityfoodcenter.org.

In the past few months when some have been limited in their ability to physically attend Church on Sundays, we want to thank especially those who have continued to offer their offerings, pledges and donations to our St John Church.  There are a couple of ways to continue contributing to the Church.  The first way is by bringing or mailing your contribution to the Church.  The other way is by donating through our website - stjohnboardman.com.  On the upper right hand corner of the home page there is a yellow "donate" tab.  You can donate through PayPal using this method.  

Lastly, we encourage everyone to reach out to our members of our Church family to let them know that they are being thought of and prayed for, and, most of all LOVED!  For those who who are still not ready to return to in-person services, they may continue to worship together in spirit by streaming on line at our facebook pgae: St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church @StJohnBoardman.  Thank you and may God bless you and our Saint John family!!

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 emphatically emphasized that church attendees must wear masks.  Please adhear to these regulations.  Thank you.

The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation has released the 2019/20 scholarship application.  The Foundation will accept applications from eligible Greek American college students through January 31, 2021.  The application and qualification criteria, requirements, and guidelines are available at www.panhellenicsf.org.   For any questions or inquiries, please email info@panhellenicsf.org or call (312) 357-6432.

We have received our 2021 Church calendars and are awaiting to find homes.  You may pick yours up from the Narthex desk.  May God bless us all as we near the end of what has turned out to be a very unusual 2020 year.

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.

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 was allowed to attend. Fortunately, as our states restrictions are being eased, His Eminence Metropolitan Savas, is also opening 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 are in 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!

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. 

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.

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? Our 2021 pledge cards have been mailed to you. Please turn them in so we can continue in the work of the church.  Pledge cards are available in the office at the narthex if you have not received one.  Think Stewardship!