A Word from Fr. John:

Concerning noise and our modern world: words from St. Paisios of Mt. Athos (1924-1994).

“Most of the devices that people use these days for their comfort create noise. They have driven peaceful nature crazy with the noise!... In the old days there was so much tranquility! How is it that man destroys and is being destroyed – without even realizing it?

We are now used to living with noise. Many young people cannot study without listening to rock and roll music!... They are comforted by unrest because there is so much unrest within them.” [Emphasis added by Fr. John.]

“The restless, secular spirit of our times, supposedly so cultured, has destroyed sacred desert sites that bring so much calm and sanctity to souls.”

“[Someone asks – ] ‘Geronda, is there a quiet place left on the holy mountain of Athos?’

Even there, today, where would there be a quiet place, since new roadways are constantly being cut through the forests? And the place is full of cars!... I wonder why these people have come to the desert! When a gentle wind from the desert would stir the reeds, Saint Arsenios the Great used to say, ‘What is this noise? Is it an earthquake?’ I wonder what the Holy Fathers would be saying now if they could see and hear the things that go on today.”

– From With Pain and Love for Contemporary Man; Vol. 1 of the Spiritual Counsels of St. Paisios of Mt. Athos

Special Prayer Requests: 

^“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  (Phil. 4:6-7)

We pray for the recent repose of Fred Day (10/25) and pray for Betty and their family.  May his memory be eternal!  We pray for mercy, life, peace, and healing of all parishioners, especially His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, Augustina, Margaret, James, Kyriake, Mike and Ingrid (Evangelia) Fotianos, Irene Hastalis, Jim Manos, Chresanthe Lemieux, Jane Anderson, Despina Xynidis, and Nicola Lykam’s father-in-law and mother-in-law with health issues. Remember also our missionary families, Michael, Lisa & Liam Colburn, and Fr. Stephanos, Pr. Alexandria, Moses & Athan Ritsi.

Adult Bible Study:  

The adult Bible study on the Gospel of John meets every Sunday, unless otherwise announced, in the classroom opposite the men’s room. The class starts 15 minutes after the start of coffee hour, and is led by Michael Colburn. We are using the epic 2003 movie “The Gospel of John” directed by Philip Seville. This movie uses the text of the Gospel of John from the Good News Bible verbatim—no extra words added and none left out. The syllabus and study questions for each week are available at https://thecolburns.us/classes/john. Also check there for any last minute announcements about the class.

Hostess Schedule:  Carman Gaetanos (904) 540-0367 or carmgaet@gmail.com      

• November 3^rd                     
• MELISSA KAUTTU-STRANGE; PENNY ANGELUS
• November 10^th                    
• ANGELA LEKOS; JOAN MANIAS
• November 17^th                           
• ELLEN KELBERT; LISA COLBURN
• November 24^th                    
• LAST SUNDAY POTLUCK      

Post Festival Meeting Wednesday, November 6^th, 7:00 p.m.:

If you have not already done so, please send Toula Zotos zotost@gmail.com a brief email with your comments to ensure that all observations and suggestions are addressed. Thank you to all for your efforts!

November 9^th - Active Shooter Presentation: 

Sgt. Richard Warner of the St. Augustine Police Dept. will speak on “Responding to an Active Shooter” on Saturday, November 9^th, at 3 p.m. here at our church. This presentation is for our Church family and friends, whomever you wish to invite. Children may attend. Sgt. Warner will advise if parts of the presentation are graphic, and children may be excused for a short time.

November 10^th - General Assembly Meeting

Memorial Services:

• November 10^th                    
• 40-day Memorial for Kleopatra (“Patra”) Birbilis, offered by the Demos Birbilis.
• Artoklasia offered at the conclusion of Liturgy 

Koliva for Memorials: 

Koliva is a dish based on boiled wheat that is used for commemorations of the dead.  It symbolizes the circle of death and rebirth.  Koliva is made for Saturdays of the Souls and memorials (40^th day after death; 3^rd, 6^th, 9^th month; annually).  Contact Faye Peterson, pete9839@comcast.net or Angela Lekos, angelmou1@att.net if you need Koliva prepared (there is a charge of $100).

2019 Christmas Card:

The 2019 Christmas card will be available for you to sign after Liturgy beginning on Sunday November 17^th, and the following Sundays--November 24^th, December 1^st, and December 8th.  

The cost is $15, if paying by check, please make out to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and indicating in memo “Christmas Card”.

Sunday School:

In our youngest class, in addition to introducing the children to the liturgical life of the Church, we are introducing and reinforcing some lessons about the Gospel reading we have just heard in church. We have some fun songs and crafts to reinforce the theme. Parents can make preparations to “get ready” for Sunday by reading the Gospel for that day, going to bed early, and making Saturday night a “quiet night."  

Diakonia Retreat:

Join St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Daytona Beach at the Diakonia Retreat, February14-17, 2020.  Space is very limited.  Registration and monies must be submitted timely.  For more information or to secure your spot, please contact Irene Katra at 386-290-3208 or email Santorini257@aol.com

Youth Safety Compliance: 

All parishioners seeking blessing to participate in Sunday School and Youth events throughout this Ecclesiastical Year are required to complete the registration in order to have access to the needed background check which is facilitated through our Metropolis Youth Office.  Please see all details of the new compliance www.goarch.org/safety and www.goarch.org/youth-safety-compliance, and contact our Parish Youth Safety Compliance Officer, Margo Kelley (htgocpresident@gmail.com or (602) 617-2467) for further details.

Philoptochos News:

• Osceola Elementary School, our partner school, is seeking mentors for children who need extra help and support. Mentors need to contact the St. John County School Board and complete an application process. Once accepted as a mentor, there are ongoing training programs. Please contact Irene Pergeorelis or Susan Stone if you are interested.
• Also, we have a challenge from the Interfaith Advisory Council for St. John County Schools to raise $100.00 in gift cards to Target or Walmart. These will be given to appropriately screened and approved families to use to buy perishable food for Thanksgiving dinner. Any amount would be greatly appreciated. Please see Irene Pergeorelis or Susan Stone if you have a gift card you would like to donate.
• Today, Sunday, November 3^rd, the Philoptochos will be passing a tray to raise money for the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The money will be sent to National Philoptochos and used for philanthropic programs and charities of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. We thank you for your generosity.
• The November 10th Philoptochos board meeting is cancelled due to the General Assembly meeting.
• Philoptochos membership meeting will be on Sunday, November 17^th after Liturgy.

Stewardship – A Pattern of Caring:

Giving is a habit that begins with a commitment. Becoming an active steward requires a conscious decision to actively support the needs of the Church. The commitment card we offer to Holy Trinity parish each year encourages us to give regularly. There are extra cards in church, or you can call the church office. 

Weekly Offering: 

Sacrificial Offerings - Weekly Offering: Oct. 27^th - Candles $99; Tray $240; Stewardship $3309

Contributions - Tracking Your Giving:

• Each time you contribute funds to the parish, the notation on the memo line of your check allows us to identify your intentions:  Stewardship, Candles, Trays, Memorials, etc.  
• If you are setting up contributions through your bank, please be sure that a specific notation (ex: stewardship) is included for each transaction.
• For any cash contributions, please use one of the envelopes in the Narthex so that we can add that amount to your record of donations.

Wednesday Bulletin Submission:

Please submit your articles weekly by Wednesday if possible. Thank you. 

Is your email address or your US mail address changing?

Please, notify the church office!  holy3goc@gmail.com