UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES:
AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE: Please sign up to give blood. There is a critical need in Michigan for blood right now, and as an added incentive, all who donate will be given a $5 Amazon Gift card as a special “thank you”! On Thursday February 25th, from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, we will be hosting another American Red Cross blood drive in the Hellenic Cultural Center. To schedule an appointment, please log onto RedCrossBlood.org (our sponsor code: stcons) or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) today. If you need any help making an appointment, you can contact Caryl Lowes at 734.751.3683 for assistance.
SUNDAY SCHOOL ZOOMS: MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Listed below are upcoming Zoom meeting times for each grade level:
- SENIOR DISCUSSION – GRADES 10 – 12: Sunday, 2/28/21; 1:00 pm
- GRADES 8 – 9: Monday, 3/1/21; 7:00 pm
- GRADES 5 – 7: Wednesday, 3/3/21; 7:00 pm
- GRADES 2 – 4: Monday, 3/8/21; 5:30 pm
- GRADES PRE-K – 1: Thursday, 3/11/21; 6:30 pm
ZOOM LINK is: https://zoom.us/j/7345256789, Meeting ID: 734 525 6789 If you have trouble connecting, or are in need of more information, contact: stcons2@gmail.com Whether you are physically attending church right now or not, please make every effort, especially during this Lenten period to involve your children in church activities!
FRIDAY FISH FRYS: Our first Friday Fish Fry was a hit! On FRIDAY, February 26th, the Hellenic Cultural Center will be serving fish and chips dinners for CARRY-OUT ONLY. Chicken tenders and Calamari are also available. Pick up will be between 4:00 and 7:00 each Friday. Place advance orders by phone to the church office, 734.525.6789 or on the Hellenic Cultural Center website. Order forms are also available at the Pangari or church office. Please support this effort and help us get business going at the HCC!
NAMES FOR PARAKLESIS SERVICE: There will be a Paraklesis service held Friday, February 26 at 6:30 pm. Please submit the names of the living that you would like remembered in prayer for health, forgiveness, and salvation to the church office at stcons2@gmail.com Please include the word “Names” in the subject line. There are also prayer sheets available at the Pangari
PHILOPTOCHOS LENTEN LUNCHEON AND MARKETPLACE: DRIVE-THRU AND CARRY-OUT our traditional Lenten foods! On Sunday, March 14th, and on Monday March 15th, the start of our Lenten period, our St. Helen Philoptochos will be holding a Lenten “Marketplace”, selling full Lenten meal trays (PRE-ORDER ONLY by Monday, March 8th), and traditional Lenten foods. Sale will be held after church services on both days, for drive-thru and carry out. To place an order, to if you have any questions, contact Carol at: 248.471.4369
ORATORICAL FESTIVAL: The St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival provides Greek Orthodox youth, grades 7 – 12, the opportunity to write a paper and give a speech about their faith. Due to COVID precautions, speeches will be videotaped in the church, without an audience, March 19 - 25, 2021. Please notify the church office by March 1st, if your young person would like to participate, and we will schedule an appointment time. This is a great opportunity for young people to apply our faith to current issues, and to gain confidence in speaking in public.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY: Our Adult Bible Study group will meet on Tuesday evening, February 23th at 7:00 pm on the Zoom platform. We will continue study of the Book of Ruth. All adults are welcome to join. Zoom link is: https://zoom.us/j/7345256789, Meeting ID: 734 525 6789 If you have trouble connecting, or are in need of more information, contact: stcons2@gmail.com
NEWS AND NOTICES:
AHEPA COVID RELIEF: Thanks to the AHEPA Omega Chapter 371 for their continued support of our parish! The Omega Chapter has provided $13,650 in COVID relief funds to Michigan GOA churches, along with an additional $1,500 to each church in their area to be used for family support during this pandemic. The Chapter is now planning a second round of COVID relief funding of $1,000 per parish to Michigan GOA churches facing continuing financial challenges. We appreciate your support!
ICONOGRAPHY: We are still seeking sponsorship for the following icons: St Matthew, St. Gregory the Theologian, St. Cyril of Alexandria, St. Gregory of Nyssa, and St. Iakovos (James). We are also in need of general donations of any amount to complete our fundraising on Phase One: East and Dome. For those who are interested in sponsoring an icon, please talk to Father Teodor or contact the church office for more information. We are about 92% to completion of our fundraising goal!
STEWARDSHIP PLEDGES: All parishioners must complete a Stewardship Pledge form each year to be considered a “member in good standing” at an Orthodox Church. You may mail your form in, or bring your form when you attend church. This year, if it is more convenient, you may also complete your 2021 Stewardship Pledge online at the St Constantine and Helen church website, at https://www.stcons.org/stewardship
REMEMBER THE CHURCH IN YOUR WILL: You’ve supported the church your whole life, remembering us in your estate plan will help the church when you’re gone. Consult your estate planner or contact the Church office for information. We are grateful to our parishioners who have left bequests to the church in the last few years: Thomas Goffas, Irene Barbas, Anthony Keros, Kris Merikas, John and Alice Koinis, Joan Keker, Katherine Socol, Ted and Demetra Monolidis, Zoe Kokenakes, Peter and Eileen Lekas. Their loving legacy made a big difference! May their memory be eternal!
INCLEMENT WEATHER: During inclement weather and other times when there is nobody in the church office, phone messages and emails to the church are checked periodically during the day and responded to as soon as possible. In an emergency, please contact Fr. Teodor directly on his cell at 248.330.3177.
QUESTIONS FOR FATHER TEODOR: In this unusual year with no regular Sunday School classes, Father will take a few minutes on Sunday mornings to answer questions from our young people (or adults!) about our faith. Questions can be submitted online using this link: https://forms.gle/7ae8mqd6DNSghbQs6
HELLENIC CULTURAL CENTER BOOKING: The Hellenic Cultural Center is now booking events for 2021 and beyond! Masks and social distance restrictions are still in place, along with increased precautions in the preparation and serving of food and drink. Although they are not yet keeping regular office hours, if would like to discuss future bookings or other issues with the HCC staff, please contact Victoria at 734.525.3550 or Kathy at 313.303.6350 or helleniccc@gmail.com
MEMORIAL SERVICE INFORMATION: Please call the church office to schedule memorials in a timely manner so we can include the information in the bulletin. On the day of the service, please bring a list of family names you would like Father to remember in prayer. At this time, due to COVID restrictions, koliva that has been prepared for the memorial service cannot be distributed to parishioners, but will be returned to the family to take home. We are not currently allowed to have coffee hour, or distribute any cookies, paximadia or koulourakia.
Non-Orthodox Visitors Please Note: Holy Communion is offered to Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared themselves. Visitors are welcome to receive the Antidoron (Blessed Bread), which is distributed at the end of the Divine Liturgy.