Stewardship 2024 as of February 21, 2024:

Goal: $491,000 (Approved 2024 Budget with tentative stretch goal of $500,000)
Pledged: $119,865
Pledges Paid: $53,100
Average Pledge: $951
Outstanding unpaid commitments: $66,765
Number of Stewards Pledging: 126

Stewardship 2023 on February 21, 2023 for comparison purposes:

Goal: $500,000 ($3000 per Stewardship Family, as an average)
Pledged: $262,330
Pledges Paid: $120,521
Average Pledge: $1,187
Outstanding unpaid commitments: $141,809
Number of Stewards Pledging: 221

Please continue to keep our Saint Nicholas Church in your thoughts and prayers throughout 2024. 

Dedicate yourself to Christ and His mission here at Saint Nicholas.  Look for opportunities to volunteer your time and talents, and pay toward your 2024 commitment pledge. 

Not a Steward of Saint Nicholas?  Please prayerfully consider becoming a Steward by completing the 2024 Stewardship Commitment Card.  You may also submit your commitment either online or by mailing it to the Church Office.

To give by mail: Stewardship 

                        St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
                        986 Chapman Street
                        San Jose, CA 95126

To make a committment electronically, please visit our online stewardship link: https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/70/responses/new

Donation link: https://saintnicholas.org/donate

Company Matching Donations: many companies offer some type of philanthropic program in which a company may financially match donations that their employees make to nonprofit organizations. When an employee makes a donation, they will request the matching gift from their employer to the specific nonprofit organization. If you are interested to learn more about Company Matching Donations at work, please inquire with your Company's Human Resources Department if it offers a similar program. Please note that Saint Nicholas Church would be identified in a Company Matching Program as "Greek Orthodox Community of Santa Clara County". 

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is a 501©3 Corporation and our tax ID is 94-1578745. 

In our Light A Candle program, vigil candle(s) are lit along with an opportunity to submit names to be prayed for at the Prothesis (Preparation).  When lit, the vigil candles last for one week.  Please see the online form on our website or use the link below.  When filling out the online form, please note that only first names are needed, preferably the baptized names, and it's helpful to designate if prayers will be for health or for repose.

Donate online here: https://saintnicholas.org/virtual-chapel/light-a-candle 

If you would prefer to mail in your request, please write the name(s) for whom the candle(s) will be lit and send to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Attention: Light a Candle, 986 Chapman Street, San Jose, CA 9126.  For more information, please call the church office.

We are a registered non-profit on Facebook and you can donate any time (without any fees for the church) by pressing the donate button in this link:  https://www.facebook.com/SaintNicholasOrg/

Saint Nicholas is happy to present another option for our parishioners to contribute to Saint Nicholas through our Fidelity brokerage account.  If there are stocks, bonds or funds you wish to contribute, please use the following  information:

Account #: Z40-125155
DTC #: 0226

This coming Sunday, February 25^th, his Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos will attend our liturgical service.  At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence will officially install Fr. James as our Proistamenos.

Sunday, February 25th has been designated by the Saint Nicholas Parish Council as Stewardship Sunday.  Each of us is called upon to prayerfully consider our Stewardship Pledge for 2024, and to fill out the Stewardship Cards that will be mailed out to you this week.

Following Divine Liturgy, the Fathers will invite all Parish Council Members to offer thier completed Stewardship Cards. Then the tray will be made available to the congregation to, likewise, offer their completed Stewardship Cards. 

If you do not receive a 2024 Stewardship Card by mail by the end of next week, you will find blank cards available in the Narthex; simply ask one of the Parish Council Members on duty for one. Or if you prefer to make your 2024 Stewardship Commitment online, please use the following link: https://www.saintnicholas.org/donate#stewardship

Thank you for your continued support of our beloved Saint Nicholas Parish!

The 47^th Metropolis of San Francisco Greek Orthodox Folk Dance and Choral Festival (FDF) took place in Anaheim, California. Hearty congratulations are to be made to our stellar dance groups for their outstanding performances.  A big thank you goes out to the parents, grandparents, extended family members and friends who gave their time and support to our dance groups. A very special round of thanks and appreciation goes to the Dance Council, directors, musicians, group parent representatives, costume closet assistants, costume makers, and the clergy for making our dance groups' participation possible.  In addition, thank you to Laurie Sahines, FDF's Northern California Parent Representative, who travels to FDF every year to support the ministry.

FDF Results:

Division II - Kim Efstathiou Memorial Dance Director's Award - Angeliki Pries

Division III - En Horo - directed by Venni Bletsas

Division II – Primary Category - Special Achievement Award for their Chios Set - Ethnos - directed by Angeliki Pries, Eleni Zafiris, Anthipe Pries, and Yoryia Papas

Divsion II - Advanced Junior Category - Costume Award - Enosi
Divsion II - Advanced Junior Category - 2nd Place Award - Enosi - directed by Anna-Maria Tsellas, Niko Tsellas, Christos Matheou, and Maria Halatsis

Division I – Advanced Senior Category - Choral Award - Patrida Tis Arhondias - directed by Vivian Tavernakis, Costa Bakouros, Amanda Fields, and Dena Armeniakos

*Please note: no Orthodoxy 101 class this Monday

Please join us for a Paraklisis to the Most Holy Theotokos on Monday nights at 5:00pm followed by a hybrid Orthodoxy 101 class which will be on the topic of the Kingdom of Heaven, beginning at 6:15pm.  You may attend the class in-person (in the church office conference room) or online via Zoom using the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7084362224?omn=82835392316.

We are excited to announce that with Father James' blessing, we will be discontinuing the majority of youth-ministry hosted coffee hours on Sundays and bringing back a team-led coffee hour.  This way we hope each team will only be responsible for 2 coffee hours per year.  If you haven't already been approached and are interested in having your own team or would like to be placed on a team, please send an email to: coffeehour@saintnicholas.org OR call Penny Pagonis at (408) 772-6229 or Nicole Perakis at (408) 250-0967.  The schedule will be released soon!

The Choir is actively recruiting new members!  If you are interested please contact Anthony Pappas at (408) 832-4271.  Men are especially needed, so please consider joining!  We have two options for practice, Sundays after services (with time allowed for the Coffee Hour) and Thursdays at 7:30pm.  Thank you!

There has been a change in our scheduled meeting this Sunday with regards to our Proposed Budget vote. Because His Eminence is joining us to officially install Father James as our Proistamenos, we have rescheduled our meeting to a Zoom meeting on Monday, February 26th at 7:00 p.m.  Listed below is the link for the Zoom meeting.  If you have any questions please contact: Olga K. at olgaekc@yahoo.com.   If you wish to place your vote via email, the deadline is:  Sunday, February 25th, 9:00 AM and you can place your vote with Olga K. at olgaekc@yahoo.com.

Topic: Philoptochos Budget Zoom Meeting

Time: Feb 26, 2024 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8361229737?pwd=bDhQc3B2dEQzUzc5VlF0ekpMMXBFUT09&omn=84928234779

Meeting ID: 836 122 9737       Passcode: Budget24

To better accommodate schedules and events we are moving our JOY/HOPE meeting to Tuesday February 27th at 7:00pm in Room 7 of the Educational Building.  Please feel free to reach out to Helene Panos if you have any questions: 209.324.4918.  We hope you join us for Fun, Fellowship and Faith!

Putting our Orthodox Faith into action! Join us at Second Harvest Food Bank the 4th Tuesday of every month, 6pm to 8pm, to prepare food for distribution in our Santa Clara County community.  One in five families in Santa Clara County faces food insecurity.  Help us serve our community while enjoying the fellowship of our Parishioners!  Advance registration is required; vaccination is suggested but not required; open to ages 12 and up. 

We invite you to sign up in advance for Tuesday, February 27, 2024 using the link:  https://shfb.tfaforms.net/350?VSID=a0v8W00000WFQ4pQAH&_gl=1*52dv1z*_ga*MTQyMjYyMDM2Ny4xNzA2MTE2Mzk4*_ga_E3SL0CTS82*MTcwNjExNjM5Ny4xLjEuMTcwNjExNjc4Ni42MC4wLjA

Our Saint Nicholas Community will be preparing Meal Kits for people who are currently living in unstructured housing (tents, lean-tos, sheds or vehicles) to be distributed by City Team Ministries. 

Just what does a One Day Meal Kit for an unhoused person consist of? Two bottles of water, a tube of yogurt, two pouches of tuna fish, a serving of applesauce, a bag of nuts, cheese crackers, a granola bar, a fruit leather and a wet wipe. That is a day’s worth of food if you are living on the street. 

Sunday School Students will be accepting donations in front of the Church and during Coffee Hour on March 10^th, 17^th and 31^st.  Our goal is to complete 200 Kits.  The supplies for each kit cost approximately $10.  If you would like purchase supplies or sponsor one of the items, we ask you to select from our Amazon Wish List which takes advantage of Bulk Buying: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/PG8YXHQ0H3YM/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2 

We invite you to join us on April 7th to help assemble kits in the Small Hall during Coffee Hour!  All ages are welcome to help us assemble!

Our San Jose 2024 AHEPA Family Event is here! Don't miss it, buy your tickets now!  Our annual Crab Feed Fundraiser is on Saturday, April 13th in the Community Center at St. Nicholas Church from 6pm to 10pm.  We will be honoring our spiritual leader, Father James, and Presvytera Vasso.

Fresh crab with with drawn butter, salad, pasta, garlic bread and dessert; live music and dancing; raffle.  

See the flyer in the Special Events section of the e-bulletin for more information.  Adults $85; Youth $40 if 18 & under; early bird special: $5 off until 3/31/24.  You can buy tickets at Sunday coffee hour or online at this site: 

https://sites.google.com/view/ahepac251/home/annual-crab-feed-event-2024

Everyone is welcome!  Hope to see you all there!

We invite you to join parishioners from the Resurrection parish in Castro Valley who will journey to Mexico this summer on a mission trip to build homes for poor working families just south of the border.  We will depart Castro Valley on June 25^th and return July 1st. For more details, visit projectmexico.org.  In addition, you can view a video of our trip in 2019 to get an idea of what this mission trip involves.  Click on this 2019 Project Mexico Mission Trip link or query "Project Mexico 2019" in Youtube.

For questions about this mission trip, please contact Mark Fridell (maark56@hotmail.com or Cell: 925-872-8111).

Youth Basketball practices continue THIS WEEK!

Elementary Boys (Grades 3,4,5): Tuesdays 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Elementary Girls (Grades 3,4,5): Wednesdays 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Middle School Boys (Grades 6, 7, 8): Thursdays 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Middle School Girls (Grades 6, 7, 8): TBD, please contact John Cocoles, jcocoles5@gmail.com if interested
High School Boys (Friday practices will begin after FDF)

Games begin Sunday, March 3rd.  To be placed on the season roster, you MUST be registered at https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/63/responses/new.  

Be sure your child wears basketball shoes! Thank you!

AAS is a pre collegiate, tuition free, online program focused on Greek archaeology and cultural heritage and is designed for middle school and high school students, 13 to 17 years old. 

The AAS Program consists of a series of modules and an immersive curriculum on topics related to archaeological methods, ancient Greek history, classical studies, and cultural heritage. 

Upon completion of the program, students receive a certificate of attendance. 

Classes meet on Sundays from 1:00 to 3:00 pm PST, beginning March 10, 2024 and ending on April 28, 2024. For details and to apply, visit www.archaeologyafterschool.org

Deadline to Apply: Saturday, March 2, 2024

Calendar for Sunday School:  

February
Sunday School in session: Feb 4, 11, 25
Activity: February 4 Godparent's Sunday / Coffee Hour Sponsorship SNC community

March
Sunday School in session March 3, 10, 17, 31
Activity: March 10 Forgiveness Lesson and March 17 Forgiveness Sunday/Kites

April
Sunday School in session April 7, 14, 21, 28
Activity: April 7 Lenten Alms Project and Saturday, April 27 Lazarus Breakfast

May
Sunday School in session May 12 and 19
Activity: Friday, May 3 Good Friday Retreat
Activity: Sunday, May 19, Graduation and last day of Sunday School

Registration link for Sunday School: https://forms.gle/esUftdmLhEJH77Ap6 

Classes will be weekly, with a few exceptions for special events and holidays.  The Saint Nicholas website has the current and updated calendar: Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

All Youth ages 8-18 from across our Metropolis are invited to attend our Metropolis Summer Camp this July at St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends, reunite with old friends, and learn more about our faith. Online camper registration is open, and spots are quickly filling up.

We at St. Nicholas are hoping to get a good group together for Session 3! 

The Metropolis is also looking for dynamic and faithful young adults, ages 19 or older, to serve as part of the camp staff. They are also in need of medical and lifeguard staff, so please encourage anyone you know who would be an outstanding addition to the Metropolis Staff to apply.

CAMP WEBSITE: https://gosfyouth.org/summer-camp

2024 SUMMER CAMP DATES

Session 1: July 7 - 13

Session 2: July 14 - 20

Session 3: July 21 - 27 (St. Nicholas is hoping to get a group going at this session!)

CAMPER AGES

The youngest campers are 8 years old (or entering 3rd grade in Fall 2024) and the oldest are 18 years old (or will be graduating High School in Spring 2024).

SUMMER CAMP STAFF

We cannot put on summer camp without our incredible staff! We are looking for young adults who are 19 years of age or older. Applications are open until March 10. Please encourage young adults you'd like to see on staff to apply here: CLICK HERE

MEDICAL STAFF

We are always in need of medical staff while at camp. If you are a licensed medical professional or know someone who is, please encourage them to contact me directly at this email or apply on our website CLICK HERE. We especially love having MD's, NP's, and RN's!

AMAZON WISH LIST

Help us keep the cost of camp down and make a donation from our Amazon Wish List HERE.

 For more information, please contact Johanna Duterte Carter, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Metropolis Camp Director, Cell: (408) 712-7658; Email: JDuterte@sanfran.goarch.org; Website: www.gosfyouth.org

Click here for the registration link with information about the dates of the program and tuition costs: https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/73/responses/new

School Age Greek Language Classes (3-18 years old)

In-person classes are offered on Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:00 pm - 6:45 pm and Saturdays 10:00 am - 11:45 am (pending registration numbers)

Zoom classes are time flex and are offered Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays.

In addition to the classes, several assemblies take place annually to celebrate Greek Independence Days (October 28th and March 25th), Christmas, and the end-of-the-school-year party. Parents and other family members participate while the students recite poems, skits, songs, and dances.

Adult Greek Language Classes (18 years and older)

New Testament Greek: Tuesdays 6:30 - 9:00 pm

Intermediate Conversational Greek: Thursdays 6:30 - 9:00 pm

Beginner Conversational Greek: Saturdays 10 am - 12:30 pm

For more up-to-date information in regards to the adult Greek classes kindly contact: Dr. Peter Nanopoulos at petern_grklang@yahoo.com

Please read the Canon of Faith for February 2024 using the online link viewing:   

https://indd.adobe.com/view/c1f383f0-3061-4b2e-8d69-3d94a80f9bc0

The Philoptochos and the church sometimes receives inquiries from parishioners who are searching for low income or section 8 housing.  If you are a landlord or know of anyone who provides section 8 housing, please email Connie Chrysoglou at cchrysoglou@gmail.com and we will place you or your contact on a list of potential providers.  We will then give the provider list to any parishioner who is needing assistance.  If you are interested in being a section 8 housing provider, you will need to contact your local housing authority to make an application and to find out more about the process and decide if this is something that you would want to pursue.  The church will only be providing the list to people inquiring about this and will not intercede in any way or become involved in the vetting process. It will be up to the landlord to determine if there is a match.  Section 8 housing rental reimbursement to landlords begins from $1740 for a one-bedroom house/apartment up to $3696 for a four-bedroom unit.

We will plan on holding our meetings at 7:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month (directly after Greek School).  Please mark your calendars.  

We hope that all students in grades K-5th can join us! This year, Father Nebojsa has planned an exciting curriculum focusing on the Story of Creation.  Each monthly lesson will be concentrated on a particular day of this journey.  Each meeting will be scheduled for approximately one hour and will include a discussion with Father, an interactive activity and/or craft, refreshments and fellowship.  We want to be inclusive of everyone so please feel free to reach out to Helene if you have any concerns: 209.324.4918.    

For families with children in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade, please register your children for our JOY/HOPE ministry.  The link to register is here:

https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/67/responses/new  

We are collecting unwanted paper icons, wooden icons, and palms that require disposing, please drop off in the baby room in the Church.  There is a plastic bin located underneath the pew.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Julie via email: j_sarigiannides@yahoo.com.

Please contact the church office at 408-246-2770 if you plan to leave items outside the office or Community Center.

If you wish to order kollyva, artoklasia, prosphora, paximadia, koulourakia, melomakarona, kourambiedes, or other Greek pastries, please see the bakers listed below with their phone numbers to call.  Payment is arranged with the bakers and not the church.

For kollyva:   Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124  

For paximadia, koulourakia, melomakarona, kourambiedes, and other Greek pastries:   Maria Tsaboukos  408-723-5175      Antonia Komianos  408-472-3888     Marcella Fotis  408-723-4124.

For artoklasia:  Antonia Komianos 408-472-3888   Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124   

For prosphora:  Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124