SERVICES AT HOLY TRINITY CHURCH OPEN FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE AGAIN
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TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
In-Person Attendance at Services is Back! Pre-Registration Required
With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Savas, we are so thankful to be able to welcome our Holy Trinity family back to worship in-person at the Church again. As we are still in the “yellow phase” of easing COVID-19 restrictions, we ask you to kindly abide by the instructions you received when pre-registering for services, all directions of the Parish Council and Hospitality Ministry greeters and all posted signs. Though families in the same household may sit together in clusters close to one another, everyone is asked to maintain 6-foot social distancing while attending today. Please listen for instructions from Father John regarding Holy Communion and antidoron. Also, until restrictions are further lifted, we will not be able to have coffee hour or group socializing, so you are asked to depart at the end of the service from the same entrance you use to enter today. To register for additional services, visit HolyTrinityPgh.org/events.
Welcome to Holy Trinity Church's Live Video and Audio Broadcast Ministry
If you are unable or not yet ready to attend Liturgy in person today due to COVID-19 restrictions, or you are home-bound or are watching from an area where there is no church nearby, it is our joy to be able to welcome you into the worship life of Holy Trinity Church.
Trisagion Today
Trisagion prayers will be offered at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy today for the repose of the souls of the servants of God, Nicholas Gelis (1 year) and Emmanuel Giakouminakis (9 years). May their memory be eternal!
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
[June 6-8] Holy Trinity Pentecost Feast Day Weekend
Join the Holy Trinity community from June 6-8 in celebrating its Feast Day Weekend and the seventh anniversary of the opening of the new Holy Trinity Church. The schedule of services is as follows. Please note that the Saturday of Souls is at the St. George Chapel, all other services at Holy Trinity Church. Pre-registration is required.
- Sat. June 6, 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Liturgy: Saturday of the Souls (SG – outdoor service; will move to HT main church in case of rain)
- Sat. June 6, 6:30pm Great Vespers: The Great and Holy Pentecost (HT)
- Sun. June 7, 8:15am Orthros/9:30am Liturgy: The Great and Holy Pentecost followed by the “Kneeling Vespers” (HT)
- Mon. June 8, 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Liturgy: Monday of the Holy Spirit/Feast Day of Holy Trinity Church (HT)
“Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” This Week
- Daily: Prayer Partners. Have you remembered your prayer partner every day? Especially in these times! Please maintain the prayer partner you received in January. When we are all together again, we will distribute new cards.
[June 1] Bereavement Support Ministry: Join us TOMORROW for our monthly group gathering via Zoom!
Our Bereavement Support Ministry Team provides spiritual care to our parishioners and their extended family & friends in times of grief and loss of a loved one. However, during this challenging time, we are opening up our ministry to helping those in dealing with other losses too. Loss comes in many forms such as loss of a job or family business, loss of identity and purpose when family caregiving changes, loss of a pet, loss of independence and mobility when one ages, loss of one’s mental alertness with dementia and chronic illness, and loss of a role when children leave home and go to college. These are only some losses. Everyone’s grief and loss journey is unique. It may be a recent loss or one from many years ago. Grief is a reality and takes time to better understanding when the journey is accompanied by someone who cares. Our next monthly bereavement support group gathering will meet via Zoom tomorrow, Monday, June 1st, 7:00-8:00 pm. If possible, we ask everyone to bring a candle with a holder, matches, and a photo of your loved one. If you are not grieving a loved one, then bring a photo of yourself with family or friends at an event that brings a special memory. All are welcome to participate in group sharing or observe through quiet time with others who care. To learn more about our Bereavement Support Ministry or to register and receive your Zoom link or dial-in phone number, please contact Amy Armanious at 412.628.0973 or visitationministry@holytrinitypgh.org
[June 9] Spring General Assembly via ZOOM
Please note that the Spring General Assembly, originally scheduled for May 5 has been rescheduled for Tuesday, June 9 beginning at 6:30pm via Zoom, as it is not currently possible to hold an in-person assembly that meets the requirements for a quorum. Also please note this is an EVENING General Assembly as voted on and approved at last Fall’s General Assembly. Please watch for an agenda and sign-in information via email shortly.
Visitation Ministry Reaching Out to our Holy Trinity Family!
Our Visitation Ministry has helping hands and time to reach out to those who may need some support during this challenging time. Currently we are concentrating on our parishioners who are elderly, homebound, chronically ill, feeling lonely, grieving loss of a loved one, and/or need some extra home support. We are asking you to contact our Visitation Ministry coordinator, Amy Armanious (412.628.0973) or email visitation@holytrinitypgh.org for assistance. Please leave a voicemail with your full name and phone number so Amy can return your call as soon as possible. We are offering to pick-up pharmacy medication refills, grocery store items, and take-out meals. We can cook simple homemade meals, meet transportation needs in our local community, and run short errands. We have team members in our Phone Call Ministry who are dedicated to calling individuals at regular times throughout the week, or once a week for those who need an encouraging word and a prayer. Our Bereavement Support Team is offering phone calls to those who are grieving loss of a loved one and need a listening ear for support. Also, our Visitation Ministry coordinator is willing to assist families with community resources for extra help in the home. We are here to provide spiritual care and our helping hands. Don't hesitate to contact us for your own needs or needs of a loved one. We have Visitation Ministry team members ready to serve in many different ways. May we all stay safe and healthy these next weeks ahead asking God for His protection and guidance. No one is alone... we are all just a phone call or email away. If anyone is interesting in volunteering their helping hands and time, please contact Amy. Our Visitation Ministry Team is always in need of volunteers. Thank you!
Need Yard Work Done? Hire a GOYAn!
Are you in need of someone to do yard work? Holy Trinity GOYA is here to help! Our teens are ready for hire, and why not offer the work to youth from within our parish rather than others? Please send your contact information to GOYA@HolyTrinityPgh.org or call Presvytera Becky at 412-875-5195 with a description of the work you need done. You will be provided with the list of GOYAns willing to come and do the work for you! Thanks for providing the opportunity for our teens to put themselves to work.
Summer Camp Goes Online – Registration Open Now
The Metropolis of Pittsburgh Summer Camp 2020 program will now be offered virtually, with the theme “Bringing the Church Home.” Each session of camp will offer a few hours of programming each day, 1.5-2 hours in the morning, and around the same in the evening. Each week will begin Sunday evening for a brief intro and conclude Friday. The cost of attending is being completely covered for all Holy Trinity youth. When registering, use the code “SC20HTP” to sign up at no cost. The dates are as follows: Elementary/Middle School Session (Grades 2-7*): June 28-July 3; Junior High Session (Grades 7*-9): July 5-July 10; High School Session (Grades 10-12): July 13-17. (*7th graders are given the option to choose their session). Register today at https://y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org/en/summercamp.
Philoptochos Mother's Day Tea Fundraiser
Once again, the Ladies Philoptochos Omonia is honoring our mothers with a special May Mother's Day Tea fundraiser. Letters with a complimentary tea bag have been mailed out to the entire parish mailing list, so they can make a donation and enjoy a cup of tea while meditating about their mothers. This is one of the biggest fundraisers that our Holy Trinity Philoptochos holds each year, and due to the limited amount of fundraising we will be able to do this year, any monetary donations would be most welcome! The money collected from this fundraiser is used to help many people during the coronavirus epidemic as well as giving vital support to many local and special charities. Thank you in advance for your generosity and sending in a donation in honor of our mothers!
Non-Perishable Grocery Donations Still Being Accepted at Holy Trinity for Distribution to the Needy
Want to help those in need during this crisis? How about picking up a few extra groceries? While we are all being asked to stay home/restrict our outside activities, most of us still need to make occasional trips for groceries. The needy of the Hill District do not always have that opportunity and could use some help. Thanks to Dr. Chris and Kathy Balouris, we are able to provide it. Here’s how it works. Next time you go to the grocery store, pick up a few extra non-perishable food items. Canned soups, pork and beans, vegetables are in-demand, but use your discretion. Then, even though our Holy Trinity offices and campus are closed to outside visitors, please drive by the main entrance of the church and drop off your items in the labeled bin by the office entrance. They will be collected on a daily basis and be delivered by Chris and Kathy to the FOCUS center in the Hill. Thank you for reaching out with love to our neighbors in need!
Festival Cooking – WATCH FOR UPDATES AND BE READY!
The Parish Council and Festival Committee are evaluating how the current coronavirus restrictions how they will possibly affect the Festival situation. They will engage the community in that discussion when recommendations are ready. In the meantime, the early May schedule originally published is not possible, but the committee is working hard on an alternative plan. Please stay tuned and be ready!
“LIGHT A CANDLE” PROGRAM STILL AVAILABLE
St. Symeon of Thessaloniki said, “It is impossible to imagine an Orthodox church in which candles are not lit.” Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12). One of the first things most people do upon entering an Orthodox Church is to light their candle and offer prayers for one’s personal needs or that of a family member or friend. We also light candles to pray for divine protection and safety as an affirmation of our trust in the "Christ, the Son of the Living God" (Matthew 16:16). If you are not able to light a candle in-person during this time, it is still possible to have a candle lit for you! To light a candle, simply visit HolyTrinityPgh.org/candles. Before pressing the "Place Order" button, please use the space below the donation amount to submit the names of your loved ones, those who are alive and/or those who have departed this life or special prayer requests. During these times when you may not be able to visit the church in person, we would be glad to light the candle for you and offer the prayer(s) you have submitted during the next service.