UPCOMING MEMORIALS:
- TODAY - 40 Day Memorial for Goldie Anderson
- November 22nd - 5yr Memorial for Kosta Skeriotis, 6-month Memorial for Sokratis Konstantakis
Debbie will be out of the office again this week.
The Nativity Fast Begins TODAY: This means we are 40 days away from the Nativity and our annual fasting season starts. This fast is not as strict as Great Lent, but that does not mean it is not as important. Yes, the fast does intensify around the 12th of December.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY - November 29th immediately following the Divine Liturgy. We will be having our meeting in the Church, the sign in book for members in "Good Standing" will be available upon entry during Orthros & Divine Liturgy to reach our quorum of 35 members in good standing. The meeting will be a hybrid of in-person with a simultaneous Zoom call, which the link will be sent to members in good standing prior to the meeting via email.
AGENDA:
- Opening Prayer/Call to Order
- Election of the Chairperson of the General Assembly a. Appointment of the Secretary for the General Assembly
- Approval of the Minutes of the last General Assembly
- Priest Report
- 2019 Audit
- 2021 Budget
- Update on the Architectural Work
- Organization Reports
- Old Business
- New Business
- Adjournment/Closing Prayer
Please note that only stewards who are members in good standing as defined by Article 18, Section 1, and Article 31, Section 3 of the Uniform Parish Regulations (2017) may vote in the General Assembly.
THANKSGIVING BASKET COLLECTION: For 36 years our parish has come together to help put thanksgiving dinner on the table for many families. Last year we provided for 28 families. This year in addition to Sophia Chickos and Harriet Sickles, Nicholas Marvin will also be leading the collection. Please make checks payable to Holy Trinity. The baskets will be packed on November 21st and delivered on November 22nd. You can even give through our online giving portal here.
A message from Nicholas Marvin: My name is Nicholas Marvin and I am a senior at Central Valley High School. I have decided to take on the Thanksgiving Basket Donations for my Senior Project this year. I hope to increase the number of baskets from 28 to possibly 40 this year. The cost of filling one basket for a family is approximately $45, so any donations would be greatly appreciated. I will be available the next several Sundays in the Narthex after church and in the hall during coffee hour if you are interested in making a donation. The boxes will be packed on November 21 st and delivered on November 22 nd . My goal is to help as many needy families in Ambridge as I can, and give them a Happy Thanksgiving.
ARE WE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS? With all of the upheaval in the world, many people wonder if these are the last days before the coming of Christ. And we hear about the “rapture”.
But these discussions in America happen solely within the context of some Protestant groups’ interpretation of the Bible’s Book of Revelation. But what does the Orthodox Church say? What does the Book of Revelations tell us … interpreted by the Orthodox Church… the Church that gave us the Bible!
Fr. Vincent Dranginis, Pastor, will have a brief discussion of the Book of Revelations and “the last days” on Sunday Nov. 22 at 2:30 p.m. in St. John’s Orthodox Church. Free. You and your parishioners are welcome to attend.
Social distancing will be practiced and masks must be worn. To help with social distancing, please RSVP to John Righetti at 412 518 7149 or rusynone@gmail.com.
HOPE & JOY TOY DRIVE: We will continue to collect new toys to be given to those in need. A box is in the hallway off of the narthex for donations. Gift Cards can also be donated. We plan to donate these, as we do annually, to the Women's Shelter in Beaver. Toys/Gift Cards due by December 6th.
2021 Stewardship Drive: Join us as we make our plans for 2021 by submitting your 2021 Stewardship Card, which was on the back cover of the Voice Newsletter. Copies are available at Church as well. Stewardship is our greatest fundraiser and also lets us know that you stand with us. We thank you for your dedication over the years and especially during 2020 and look forward to many years of serving you and your family through your generous donations.
Philoptochos Vasilopita Fundraiser: Philoptochos will be selling $12 Vasilopita Bread homemade by Rosie's Gleeka for pickup on December 20th or 27th. See Paulette Wilson or Harriet Sickles for more details. The order form was in the Voice. The deadline to order is December 6th.
CHECK-IN VOLUNTEERS: In the current policies of the metropolis we are required to have a check-in person or team for every service. We are looking for additional volunteers who are willing to come a little early to check people in and, if able, to help sanitize after the services. Please contact Fr. Anastasios if you are interested in helping a necessary function during these times.
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CARD: We are now accepting donations for the annual Christmas Card. Please contact Debbie for any questions.
CHOIR SOUP SALE: The order form will be available later this month for our Fasolatha Soup Sale, which will be held in December during the Christmas Fast... Information forthcoming!
ONLINE GIVING & STEWARDSHIP: Is OPEN! Online giving can be found by clicking here! Please consider your continued support of our church through becoming one of our online giving families. You can make general contributions and stewardship contributions.
REGULAR GIVING: The church is still accepting donations in normal ways through the mail and drop off. Thank you to all of those who have continued to contribute in these challenging times.
Live-Stream: If you don't have a Facebook account, don't worry! You can still access our services right on our website (HTGOC.ORG) or a larger video directly on facebook, learn more by watching the following video:
The Department of Religious Education has a variety of educational and gift items for the Christmas season for all ages. Browse the collection on Orthodox Marketplace but order early as we are still experiencing some slower delivery times.
The Department of Religious Education has released the 2021 Topic Tips and Resources for the St John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. Simultaneously, the parish registration is now available.
I am so very pleased to be with you for this magnificent feast of your Patron Saint – the Commander of the Heavenly Host, Michael, whose name – Μιχαήλ, is a question: “Who is like God?” What a question to ask this day! A question for all of us to consider, and whether our lives are like God and reflect His love for all creation.
