BLESSING EVERY HOUSE IN 2021: Due to COVID, Fr. Anastasios' current plan for house blessings is as follows, instead of signing up, Father plans to bless every home of our parishioners in the local area. He will be praying a short service and blessing the OUTSIDE of each home (unless asked specifically not to come). He intends to leave one bottle of holy water at each residence with instructions for sprinkling the inside. Father will keep all exposure to a short limit to protect everyone and masks with social distancing will be required. These will not be appointment-based, but rather he will be doing specific areas on specific days and will bless the outside of your home even if you are away. Thank you for your understanding.
*Please let us know if you have moved or no longer reside at the address we mail things to.
As of this weekend Fr. Anastasios has completed all the addresses in Aliquippa (almost), Ambridge, Baden, Conway, Freedom, Cranberry, Mars, McCandless, Sewickley (almost), and Wexford. If you live in these areas and didn't receive a holy water bottle at your home, please contact the church office. It will take Fr. Anastasios at least another week to complete all the houses.
Parish Assembly—THIS SUNDAY - January 31, 2021: Sunday's meetign will be conducted in the Church with a hybrid format. Our quorum is 35 members in good standing. For members in good standing who are unable to join in person, the Zoom link will emailed out saturday.
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 (2019) may vote in the General Assembly.
Souper Bowl of Caring The familiar red soup cans will be out on the Pangari from Sunday, January 17 through Super Bowl Sunday February 7, 2021. If you will not be attending church, you may send a contribution earmarked for the Souper Bowl of Caring to the church or use the online option and make a contribution that way. The proceeds will be sent to the IOCC—International Orthodox Christian Charities. Thank you for helping our brothers and sisters in need.
FEBRUARY FOCUS ON THE LITURGY - Due to interest from our GOYAns and conducted for the benefit of all: starting next Sunday and through the first Sunday in March during the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Anastasios will be highlighting and explaining different parts of our Liturgy. Each lesson will take place in the midst of the liturgy during the part that he will be explaining for the day, so please make sure you are in attendance or on the live-stream before the beginning of Liturgy (10am) on February 7th!
Orthodox Catechism Classes For Anyone (Lifelong Member, Inquirers, those looking to convert, refresher, etc): Please contact Fr. Anastasios if interested. Our class schedule will be as follows, Monday Evenings from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm:
- February 1st, 8th, 22nd,
- March 1st (If needed, the 8th)
Virtual Godparent Sunday Since we are unable to honor our Godparents/Godchildren in the usual manner, we would like to make a virtual tribute to our Godparents. Take a photo with a poster honoring your Godparent. Please send that and feel free to send along a picture from your baptism or Chrismation to Fr. Anastasios at asathanasiou@gmail.com for inclusion in our virtual tribute. Items are due on or before February 2, 2021. This will be similar to how we honored our grandparents on Yiayia-Pappou Sunday. We hope to have it put together for February 14th.
2021 Stewardship Drive: Join us in supporting our Church. Stewardship Cards are available on the back of the two most recent newsletters and on the Pangari at church. Stewardship is our greatest fundraiser and also lets us know that you stand with your church. 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.
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.
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: