I recall many years ago a time when my brother in law called me for some guidance. He had recently retired from the Marine Corps, joined a church in central Pennsylvania – a Presbyterian Church – with his family and was enjoying his new community and church family. In fact, they had invited him to speak to the congregation about his career in the Marines. That’s why he called me.

He knew the community; he knew the church in general was very liberal and did not think they would understand his life among warfighters. He expected a negative reaction.

So, I began. I suggested he open his Bible to John 15:3 and begin there:

“Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:3)

From this beginning, the rest of what  he should say should flow easily. He followed that lead and to his surprise, it went very well. They appreciated his service. They recognized that he and his comrades were willing to offer the “last full measure” (the words of Abraham Lincoln).

Words cannot adequately convey how extraordinary are these young men and women who volunteer to serve our nation.  They repeatedly endure cramped quarters, long deployments, physical rigors, long separations from their families, uncertainty, fatigue, constant change, economic hardship and real danger in order to honor their enlistment or commissioning oaths.  I stand in awe of their courage and dedication.  Their ingenuity, creativity, and initiative humble me.  Their selfless commitment to each other and to their mission is nothing less than inspiring.  It is patriots such as these whom our nation honors on Veterans Day.  We owe them our profound gratitude, unrelenting admiration and respect, and our prayers.

This Monday, as a nation we celebrate Veteran’s Day. You are invited and encouraged to join me Monday as we honor them in a special service – an artoklasia (5 loaves) for the health and protection of those who are living, and a Memorial Service for those who have passed, whether in service or after. Fr. David Hostetler, a chaplain serving on the USS JAQUINTO will be the guest speaker. Please join us Monday at Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Newport News at 6:30 p.m.

For the past five years, the parishes of the Hampton Roads area have been gathering together on or around Veterans Day to honor those who are or have served in our military, those gone before and those living now. This is not a service just for the veterans, but for all of us to thank them. Please, come honor those who sacrifice so much for our freedom and security. This year, the Memorial Service and Artoklasia will be held at Sts. Constantine and Helen in Newport News on Monday, Nov. 11th beginning at 6:30 p.m. The sermon will be offered by Fr. David Hostetler, LT, CHC, USN.

(see the enclosed flyer)

One of the most visited sites on Aegina is the church of Agios Nektarios and the the monastery of the Holy Trinity. Agios Nektarios of Aegina (1846-1920) is one of the most widely known Greek Orthodox Saints. He was officially recognized as a saint by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in 1961. Yearly, thousands of people from all over the world coming to Aegina to visit the tomb of St. Nektarios for healing. Father Milton and Presbytera Connie recently visited the monastery and brought us oil from the church, with which all will be anointed this Sunday.

St. Nektarios was known as a great miracle worker, particularly as a healer of every sort of disease, especially cancer. He was also a prolific writer, theologian, philosopher, moralist, educator, poet, ascetic and mystic. Above all St. Nektarios was a man of deep prayer and a tireless worker.

At the direction of His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos, all parishes shall begin the Fast of the Nativity with the Sacrament of Healing, Holy Unction. On November 15th, Holy Unction services will be celebrated regionally, with the area clergy participating. We have two options for the faithful:

On Thursday, November 14th, at Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral in Richmond at 6:00 p.m.

On Friday, November 15th, at Annunciation Cathedral in Norfolk at 6:30 p.m.

The Feastday of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

Thursday, November 21st

Orthros, 8:45 a.m.

Divine Liturgy, 9:30 a.m.

 We are studying the Epistle lesson of the coming Sunday, which will be Galatians 6:11-18. We meet from 7 - 8 p.m. and all are welcome!

Once again we will join our neighbors for a Community Thanksgiving Service. The service will be held at Walsingham Academy on Monday, November 25th. Fr. Milton Gianulis will be participating along with other priests, ministers and rabbi of the Historic Area Religions Together (HART), a ministerial coalition of Williamsburg. See the enclosed flyer for more information.

We will once again be sending a Community Christmas Card to our parishioners and friends. For a donation of $25, you can participate. Sign up sheets are in the narthex, or mail your donation and name the way you wish it to appear to the church office. You don't want to be left off so act early. The deadline is Dec. 1st.

Pointsettias will be placed on the altar. If you wish to donate a plant at $15, either in memory of, or for the health and well-being of loved ones, contact Athena Canavos (908-938-9464) or Lisa Jones (757-345-5325). Names will be commemorated in the “proskomidi” of Christmas Eve.

Our Sunday School will again be sponsoring the Angel Tree/Salvation Army project this holiday season. Tags will be available to sponsor a child or a Senior. All gifts will be due back to church by December 8th. Please contact Christina Kokolis at 757-784-4697 with any questions.

Elections for the Parish Council will be held on Sunday, November 17th. We are seeking to fill 5 vacancies, so if you feel you could make the commitment and help St. Demetrios, please fill out one of the nomination forms enclosed in this bulletin or pick one up on Sunday. The voting will take place immediately after the Divine Liturgy during the coffee fellowship time. They will conclude by 12:30 p.m. All members in good standing are eligible to vote... and encouraged to do so. Absentee ballots are available from one of the Election Committee members: Elli Williams, Lily Panoussi, or Eva Zestos.

Our sponsor this Sunday is Greg Maloof. 
If you would like to host the coffee fellowship, please contact Elpitha Paparis at 784-6027. 

AnnMarie Axarlis-Cole on the birth or a baby boy, Theodoros. Mother and baby are both doing well. May God grant him many years!

...but he is not a mind reader.  If you are sick and hospitalized, or have any other pastoral or sacramental need, do not hesitate to call him.  Fr. Gianulis can always be reached by calling the church phone number, 220-0994.  If he is not in, leave a message and it will be delivered to his cell phone.

 The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

P.O. Box 1776

Williamsburg, Va. 23187-1776

www.colonialwilliamsburg.com

Free Admission for Military Families, Special Programs Offered Veterans Day Weekend

The “Honoring Service to America” program extends free admission to active-duty military, veterans, reservists, retirees and their dependents Nov. 8-11 thanks to a generous grant from The Home Depot Foundation

Have you visited us on Facebook? Like us at 

https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=saint%20demetrios%20greek%20orthodox%20church%20-%20williamsburg%20va.

Thank you to Presbytera Connie for keeping the page up to date, relevant and interesting. 

We now have a Go Fund Me page for St. Demetrios. Help spread the word on it, share it with friends and boost it if you can.  That can be on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.  

This Sunday on the occasion of the commemoration of St. John Chrysostom (Nov. 13), who is the patron saint of the Metropolis of New Jersey, there will be a second collection for the ministries of the Metropolis.

Partnering with COFM can take place in several ways. There are 18 host sites and some of the churches can really use a partner or two to help relieve some of the burden of providing volunteers and meals.  A full shift crew consists of about 21 people but you may be filling in for just specific shifts as the Host site needs.

 

There are 3 shifts:

1.  Dinner/Check-in   - 5:30 - 9:00 

The dinner group consists of 4 or more volunteers to either prepare or provide the evening meal.  They usually arrive around 5:00 and are finished around 8 or so.

 

The Check-in group consists of 5 or more volunteers with 1 being security and 2 being able to carry bags that may way 30 or more pounds while the other 2 would assist with checking in guests.  In the event of new guests, there also needs to be an Intake volunteer.  This volunteer may serve at the check-in table if no new guests arrive.  These volunteers arrive by 5:30 and stay until 9:00.

 

2.  Overnight volunteers -  9:00 - 5:30 A.M. - 

This shift consists of 4 volunteers, preferably 2 male and 2 female.  There are to be 2 awake at all times.  The main responsibility is to make sure all remains smooth throughout the night and to be the fire watch by walking around the building to make sure there is no sign of smoke or fire while the guests are sleeping.  There may be times when guests who work late will be coming in.

 

3.  Breakfast/Check-out - 5:30 - 8:00 a.m.

The breakfast group consists of about 3 volunteers who prepare and serve breakfast.  These volunteers will clean up afterwards and should be done by 7:30 bu we say 8:00 just in case.

 

The Check-out group consists of about 4 volunteers who make sure guests return their bedding bags and mats before breakfast and make sure the guests receive all of their belongings upon checking out for the day.  One of the volunteers serves as the security.

 

If you wanted to be in the volunteer "pool," contact Tom Coghill or Donnie Hines directly with: 

 

Name

email address

phone number

church affliation 

which shift/duty desired

 

 

Sincerely,

Donnie Hines

Executive Director

Community of Faith Mission

P.O. Box 6357 

Williamsburg, VA 23188

Office 757.634.6787 

Website www.cofm.info

COFM serves as bridge between living unsheltered and finding permanent housing.