Reminder! Time to Spring Forward tonight (Sat. March 13)!
Forgiveness Sunday 2021 Fr. Anthony Coniaris said, "the acid test of love is not whether we love our friends, but whether we love our enemies." A Russian Saint once said, "Where there is love for one’s enemy, there also is God." And Chesterton wrote once, "Love means to love that which is unlovable, or it is no virtue at all." Impractical? Read more here
A New Online Discussion Group Series for High School Students is being launched by the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco. Called “OrthoTalks”, the first series will focus on Lent. This six-part series will help teens in “Cultivating a Purposeful Life” and will address questions like, “Why am I here? What is the purpose of life?” Find out more here
Young Adult Book Club. Ages 18-35. Looking for a book to read this Lenten season? Join us virtually for a bi-weekly discussion on ‘Wounded by Love: The Life and Wisdom of Elder Porphyrios.’ Meetings are facilitated by Alex Karcher and Kirsti Davis. Book cost is $30. Schedule coming soon! Contact Kirsti at ksettas@nevada.unr.edu or (775) 287-7297 if you are interested in joining.
Faith and Light Progress Update Thank you to all who continue to generously support the Faith and Light of our Church. We are encouraged by the love shown through the offerings of treasure, talent, and time in support of our Income Generation Plan. Through the efforts of many we are now at the 60% mark. After review of our progress, financial outlook, and consideration of the pandemic-related uncertainties, the Faith and Light Committee decided to stay with the original fundraising goal of $125,000. However, the committee does anticipate the opportunity to extend the time needed to achieve this goal. At the beginning of April, first-quarter financials will be reviewed and used as a basis for setting a possible new target date. This Spring will show an uptick of fundraising event activity.
Preparations are underway for our first Food-to-Go event on April 3rd! We are taking a TEST, LEARN, GROW approach to this new way of sharing our delectable food specialties and hospitality to our community. With this is mind, the first Food-to-Go event will focus on serving a limited Lenten menu to our Parish community. You can help in this endeavor by volunteering your time, or placing a food order during the event and helping us to learn and grow in preparation for larger, community-wide offerings down the road. More details on how to participate and order will be sent via-email in the coming days.
We continue to explore and welcome new, creative, pandemic-friendly activities. If you have an idea, we invite you to share it with us...or better yet, join the team as an organizer or support volunteer! To put these ideas into action we will need the support of many!
SIGN UP NOW for the Annual Golf Tournament! Our second annual memorial golf tournament will take place on Monday, June 7 at Hidden Valley Country Club. Click Here for Golf Tournament Details to sign up to play, sponsor a hole, or simply join in for lunch and a raffle!
2021 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN CONTINUES! With much love, faith, and light, let's share gratitude for our 2021 stewards, and ask those who haven't yet had a chance, to prayerfully consider making a 2021 commitment. Click on this link for an explanation of Stewardship at our parish. View and print a 2021 Stewardship Commitment Card by clicking this link: 2021 Stewardship Commitment Card
FAITH AND LIGHT TOWN HALL--The Faith and Light Committee anticipates hosting another Town Hall in April. This provides an opportunity to learn more about our progress, lessons, and adjustments; as well as provide an opportunity for questions and ideas to be shared! The date and information on how to attend will be communicated next month.
As we enter the season of Great Lent, let us take a moment to reflect on inspiration that started us on the journey...Church is an expression of God's love for us; it is our source of Faith and Light, holiness, and power. Our Parish is our Treasure. May we all be blessed with a reflective and uplifting Lenten season.
Church Attendance Update Governor Sisolak recently shared plans for a slow relaxing of gathering limits for the coming months. This is welcome news and signals an opportunity for us to adjust capacity for our services. However, this must be done in a thoughtful and measured way. Since the onset of Covid-19, our parish has followed guidelines of health and civil authorities and our Metropolis.
Our parish will continue to follow these guidelines to ensure the safety of our parishioners. In February, seating capacity for services was increased by 20% while keeping all safety protocols and guidelines in place, which include social distancing of 6 feet, wearing masks, and hand sanitizing upon entry to church. Reservations for Sunday Liturgy also continues. In-person church office hours remain limited to Thursdays and Fridays only. The office remains available by phone and email during normal business hours. Father Stephen continues to be available via phone and email and by appointment for in-person meetings. The Reopening Team will reevaluate the capacity again in mid-March in line with the State's next planned step forward.
The journey to restoring parish life has been longer than any of us would have imagined. With patience, understanding, flexibility and love we will support each other and persevere knowing that "with God, all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26)
Here is the link for this Sunday's Children's Word
Let us continue to pray for those impacted, for our front-line health care workers, and for the health and well-being of our entire community. God willing, these additional restrictions will only be with us for a limited time.
Bible Study Online meets each Thursday morning at 11am. To receive a ZOOM invite please contact Father Stephen at fatherstephen@att.net