As you know, the Orthodox Church condemns abortion. Life begins at conception and the willful termination of a fetus, of life in the womb, is a grave sin. Anyone who has an abortion is prohibited from receiving the Sacraments until such time as a Father Confessor allows. Please see information below on the annual National Life Chain. Our parishioners have participated the last few years in this event and I hope many do this year as well. It's across the street and even a few minutes would be appreciated. You may also find this Amicus Curiae of interest.
An Orthodox View of Abortion
National Life Chain Winchester - October 7th
GIVE AN HOUR-CHANGE A HEART-CHANGE A LIFE!: Join the National Life Chain in Winchester
Sunday,October 7, 1-2:00 pm. Arrive at 12:45 pm.
Stand prayerfully & peacefully for: Unborn children, Women victimized by abortion, God’s gift of life. Be a link in this year's Life Chain. We will stand along Amherst St. Meet at Keating Dr. Official signs provided. Rain or Shine! Families welcome. Ice cream social after.
National Life Chain
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Committees Being Reorganized
The various parish committees and some new ones are being reorganized. If interested in serving on any of the following committees please let me know as soon as possible. Many already have a chairman in place but may find assistance helpful. A listing of our various parish organizations and committees will be published in the coming weeks.
Hope and Joy
GOYA
Parea (focusing on social events for our senior members)
Prosfora (Holy Bread)
Outreach
Stewardship
Fundraising / Development
Baking for Fundraisers
Greek Festival
Grounds and Buildings
Narthex Servers / Greeters
Church Historian
Landscape Beautification
Social Hall Transformation
Sanctuary / Altar Care
Cleaning
Decorating
Visitation
Church Photographer
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Parishioner Parish Record
As I mentioned at the Parish Assembly on June 24th, the parish records are lacking and need to be updated. Everyone will need to complete a Parish Record Form (click on link below for the form) in order to be certified as eligible (upon review) for membership in the parish. Only Orthodox Christians in good standing are eligible to be members of the parish. Please review the following information from the Uniform Parish Regulations...
Article 18, Section 7
Each Parish shall maintain a Parish Record which shall include, at a minimum, the following information concerning each parishioner: baptismal and family name, occupation (optional), dates of baptism and/or chrismation and marriage, complete family record of spouse and children, date of entry into the Parish indicating if transferred from another Parish, date of death, and such other information that shall be deemed appropriate.
Article 18, Section 1
Every person who is baptized and chrismated according to the rites of the Orthodox Church is a parishioner. The religious, moral and social duties of a parishioner are to apply the tenets of the Orthodox Faith to his/her life and to: adhere to and live according to the tenets of the Orthodox faith; faithfully attend the Divine Liturgy and other worship services; participate regularly in the holy sacraments; respect all ecclesiastical authority and all governing bodies of the Church; be obedient in matters of the Faith, practice and ecclesiastical order; contribute towards the progress of the Church's sacred mission; and be an effective witness and example of the Orthodox Faith and Traditions to all people.
A parishioner in good standing practices all the religious and moral duties as described in this Section 1. At a minimum, a parishioner in good standing must: be eighteen years of age or over; be current in his or her stewardship and other financial obligations to the Parish, abide by all the regulations herein stated and the Parish Bylaws; and cooperate in every way towards the welfare and well being of the Parish. (Stewardship is recommended to be ten percent (10%) of one’s annual income as stated in Holy Scripture to help meet the financial obligations of the Parish, the Metropolis and the Archdiocese.)
Parish Record Form