Expecting things to change without putting in any effort is like waiting for a ship at the airport.
Brightvibes
It is when passions are most inflamed that fairness is most in jeopardy. Susan Collins
When people are empty of Christ, a thousand and one things come and fill them up: jealousies, hatreds, boredom, melancholy, resentment, a worldly outlook, worldly pleasures.
Try to fill your soul with Christ so that it's not empty. St. Porphyrios
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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.
This past Sunday we participated in the National Life Chain with our Roman Catholic friends across the street. Many thanks to Norman & Linda Wells and Lee & Carol Congdon who joined Presvytera Vicki and me at the quiet, prayer-filled event. See some pictures in the link below.
National Life Chain
An Orthodox View of Abortion
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Parish Committees Reorganized
The various parish committees have been reorganized with some new ones added. If interested in serving on any of the following committees please let me (or the Chairman/Coordinator if one is designated) know. Many already have a chairman in place but will find assistance helpful.
Parish Organizations and Committees
Parish Council Jaime Karalis, President
Philoptochos Kate Conant, President
Catechism (Sunday) School Norman Wells, Director
Altar Servers Norman Wells, Coordinator
Choir & Service Music Georgia Yeatras, Director
Prosfora (Holy Bread) Maria Kakouras, Georgia Yeatras
Narthex Servers Parish Council
(others to be announced)
Hope & Joy Annitsa Spanos, Coordinator
Goya Sophia Orfanides and
Marie Hughes, Coordinators
Parea (Senior social activities) Sophia Sempeles, Coordinator
Stewardship Jaime Karalis, Chairman
Grounds/Buildings/Maintenance Bill Sardelis and Jill Karalis
Co-Chairmen
Landscape Beautification Maria Kakouras, Bill Sardelis and
Greg Coverstone
(The Gardeners of St. Phocas)
Greek Festival Jill Karalis, Chairman
Baking Committee Sophia Sempeles, Coordinator
Fundraising / Development To Be Announced
Social Hall Transformation Sophia Orfanides, Coordinator
Sanctuary Care Fr. Michael, Coordinator
Outreach To Be Announced
Visitations Audrey Jalepas, Chairman
Church Historian Helen Sempeles
Church Photographer Carol Demery
Special Church Decorating Angie Hutchinson, Coordinator
Facility Cleaning Marie Hughes
Special Cleaning Projects To Be Announced
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Parish Record Form
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. Completed Forms are to be returned to me. Only I will be seeing them and after review, keeping them with the Sacramental Records. You may drop them into the slot at the top of the locked box located on the wall next to my office door if you like or mail them to the church.
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