Dear Parishioners of our Beloved Assumption,

August 1st marks our anniversary! That is yours and mine – 5 years together at the Assumption.  I don’t know why, but 5 years seems more important than 3, 4 or 6.  Perhaps is a bit of numeric OCD in which multiples of 5 are more pleasing and take precedence.  Whatever the cause, it is a time for looking both to the past and to the future.

As the one given to the Assumption as shepherd to the community, I am constantly looking for ways that I, and we, can grow both our faith and our community.  How can we become more faithful and become greater beacons of Orthodoxy as Christians and as a Parish?

The most common answers are typically very specific: be on time to Divine Liturgy, attend more frequently, participate in Bible Study, increase stewardship, fast more (or at all), etc.  But these are merely examples, or symptoms, of the changes that are needed.  So, what needs to grow?  The answer is actually quite simple, even if its internalization is not easy.

The answer is 3-fold: obedience, commitment and discipline.

Obedience to God is simply submitting to His authority.  This means that we must truly understand that He is our King, our Savior, our God;  that I am (we are) the chief of all sinners; and, that the only thing that connects the one that is greater than the heavens to us is mercy.  This is truly the power of the Jesus Prayer, “Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, the sinner.”  This is the first step – it is the “Ah-ha” moment in which we truly understand, and our reality is forever altered.

Commitment to God (or faithfulness) is consistent dedication to His will. Having submitted to God in obedience, we now must allow the “rubber to hit the road.” What is His will? This is the question that we ask ourselves (or try and discern) at almost every decision.  When we are looking to buy a house or change jobs, do we consult God as to His will? Do we use our gifts to help others?  Do we see ourselves in His world as the creation, or are we constantly seeing ourselves empowered as though we are the creator?  None of these are easy questions – but in obedience, He gives us the answers.

Discipline is putting aside what you want right now for what you really want. This is where “eschatology” enters. The “eschaton” is the point at the end of temporal history and the beginning of eternity. In common terms, it is the “last judgement” or the “end of the world” – although it is not the end of the world, just the end of the world as we know it.  Discipline is to see the present world through the lens (or filter) of the eschaton.  It is to desire salvation more than anything that the physical world can give us.

As stated earlier: The answer is 3-fold: obedience, commitment and discipline. A simple, but not easy, solution.

So, where do we see our beloved parish in 5 years?  Ultimately, many more dedicated members in participation in the sacraments; a new community center to not only service our current faithful, but also provide for future generations and those that are brought to the faith; philanthropic efforts that make the Assumption a place of faith, hope and love to the greater Louisville community; and most importantly, a place where His will is manifested though obedience, commitment and discipline.

Will this remain merely a vision? Or will we, as His body, make it the reality? Will my letter on our 10th anniversary be a repeat of this one? Or will we be rejoicing in our journey?  Our beloved parish has already had an extraordinary journey – will we continue it? That is up to us, both you and I…

I remain,

In His Service,

Rev. Father Jon Boukis

Proistamenos

"Attract, Serve, Illuminate"

Parish Council members are more than ushers. Our dedicated Parish Council is the administrative body of our Church community elected by its stewards for the purpose of working together with Fr. Jon in fulfilling the mission and goals of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church.

Parish Council members have been elected to serve a special ministry which requires total love, loyalty, and dedication to Christ and His Church. Parish Council members are an official representative of our Church and thus are expected to exert every effort to exemplify its sacred character and spirit. Upon election to this trusted office, Parish Council members assumed three basic obligations:

1. To understand, live by, and uphold the tenets, teachings, and traditions of the Greek Orthodox Church;

2. To understand and abide by the GOAA Regulations (formerly known as the UPR-Uniform Parish Regulations) as set forth by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America through the Clergy-Laity Congresses.

3. To live by and uphold our oath of office by utilizing our God-given time, talents, and treasures for the spiritual progress and advancement of our parish.

All of our Parish Council members are Orthodox Christians who have either grown up in the (Greek) Orthodox Christian Faith (some Assumption long time members) or have become Orthodox Christians.

The Parish Council meets once a month, conducts our meetings using Robert's Rules of Order and addresses issues facing our Parish. Coming from diverse backgrounds, we don't always agree but we vote on a consensus basis. Fr. Jon is a non-voting member of the Parish Council. As President, I vote to break a tie or as may be required by GOAA regulations. Parish Council minutes (includes treasure's report) are available to all stewards of the Church and it is our intent to have them available on our expanded website.

My mission, as President, is to:

(1) Create unity, promote fellowship within our community and to support our Orthodox Christian faith;

(2) Champion our capital campaign efforts to build our expanded Church campus;

(3) Support all Assumption fundraising events;

(4) Support all of our ministries;

(5) Make sure the administrative issues are addressed in a timely fashion.

In Christ,

Charles Blackford, President, Assumption Parish Council

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For those who may be interested in details of the Uniform Parish Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, here is a link to the full document:

https://www.goarch.org/documents/32058/3058354/2019+Regulations.pdf

Worldfest is August 30^th thru September 2^nd!

Come and support your Church community for this critical fundraiser!

Sign-ups in the Parish Hall!

If you have any questions please contact Chuck Shuff (502)264-7728 or charles.h.shuff@gmail.com

Bible Study is an opportunity for us to apply the Scriptures to our everyday lives. The Bible is the “Good News” that enriches our faith and deepens our understanding of every issue that we face. This can only be done through obtaining the mind of the Holy Fathers. Let the scripture come alive in your life today!!!

The Wednesday Orthodox Bible Study will meet on Wednesday Evenings from 6:00pm-7:30pm (please check calendar to verify times). The Sunday Orthodox Bible Study will meet after Divine Liturgy from 12:00 noon-1:00pm (please check calendar to verify times). Make a commitment to learning His Word!

The 4th Annual "GOGO" (Greek Orthodox Golf Olympics) will take place at Heritage Hills Golf Club in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, on Saturday, November 28, 2019.

The format will be a 4 Man Scramble with a Shotgun Start at 9:00am.  Details will soon be available in the Monthly Beacon at www.assumption.ky.goarch.org.

Kroger has partnered with the Assumption to provide flowers for us to take out to those who are homebound, in assisted living facility or hospitals.

Please bring any empty vases that you may have accumulated and don’t know what to do with—we will put them to good use!!!

Are you already Kroger shopper?
Your current shopping could be benefitting the Assumption!

Kroger Community Rewards® makes fund-raising easy...all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Plus Card!

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TO USE THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM:

· Go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com and register your Kroger Plus Card (if you are already registered, click “Sign In” instead of “Create an Account.”)

· Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions

· You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.

· Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.

· Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number. If you use your phone number at the register instead of a card, call 800-576-4377, select option 4 to get your Kroger Plus card number.

· Update or confirm your information.

· Enter “Assumption” or our NPO number of AT066 and select us from the list and click on confirm.

· If enrollment is complete, you will see Assumption’s name on the right side of your information page.

· That’s it!!! Use your registered Kroger Plus card or phone number at the register and our parish benefits!!!

By registering online, coupons can be electronically attached to your Plus Card. Not only do you help the Church, but you save money. Talk to everyone you know about registering to benefit our parish!!!