Win a MacBook Air!
Connect a student to OCF (Orthodox Christian Fellowship)'s rich community in Christ, and they'll be entered to win a MacBook Air! Do you know a student who could use a new computer for school? OCF has you covered. OCF is giving MacBook Air computers to two students.
Rules:
1. You must be a current college student or entering college during Fall 2022.
2. You must submit the "Laptop Giveaway Entry Form" or click https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E355495&id=57
Get to it! The contest ends 6/27/22 at 9pm (Eastern). Winners will be announced on the OCF social media accounts. Entrants' personal information will not be shared outside of Orthodox Christian Fellowship.
OCPM Job Opportunity
Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry, one of the agencies of the Assembly of Bishops, is seeking to fill a full-time position in the Twin Cities. See the job description here: https://theocpm.org/about-us/careers/ or call (347) 868-6940.
Feast of the Twelve Holy Apostles in Duluth June 29-30
Join our sister parish of the Twelve Holy Apostles in Duluth (632 E 2nd St, Duluth, MN 55805) for their feast day later this month!
Schedule:
Vespers—Wednesday, June 29, at 5:00 pm
Matins—Thursday, June 30, at 8:15 am
Divine Liturgy—Thursday, June 30, 9:30 am
YAL National Conference June 30-July 4
Tickets are now available for this summer's YAL National Conference in New York City! The Conference will take place in conjunction with the 46th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress in celebration of the Centennial of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
WHO: Orthodox Young Adults from all over the U.S.
WHAT: 2022 National YAL Conference; a gathering of young adults from all over the country, to join together for four straight days of Faith, Fellowship, Networking, and FUN!
WHEN: June 30th - July 4th
WHERE: New York City at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square
A discount is available for the first 100 signups. Register at https://www.clergylaity.org/yalconference
St. George Middle Eastern Bake Sale - July 16
The St. George Middle Eastern Festival is canceled this year...again. But the BAKE SALE IS ON! www.mideastfest.com/shop. We simply didn't have enough time to plan for a festival this year given the recent pandemic. However, we hope to see you at the Middle Eastern Festival Bake Sale again this year. Please consider picking up some goodies for you and the family. Shop and purchase your items online now at www.mideastfest.com/shop. Pick up your delicious food items at St. George on Saturday, July 16th, 2022. We have added some new items including three different hot meals for you to enjoy. There are several vegan choices and some new dessert items! Please check it out!
This is a pre-pay bake sale so please visit the website now and reserve your items. All food will be served out of the church building but you are welcome to enjoy your meal under our new pavilion or take it home and enjoy. We are planning to bring the full festival back in 2023. Stay tuned. Be sure to check out the directions for the day of the bake sale and thank you very much for your continued support of St. George Church.
Pan-O Dance July 23
Hello, Pan-Orthodox community of Minnesota! We are excited to announce the return of the Pan-O dance! It is an event for all; parents, kids, young adults, babushkas, taetas, papous, etc. This year the Pan-O dance will be on July 23 at 6 pm and hosted outside at the St. George Antiochian pavilion. Address: 1250 Oakdale Avenue West St. Paul. Drinks will be provided by the Twin Cities YAL! Please bring a snack or appetizer to share! We look forward to seeing you all there! If you have any questions please contact Francine Perry: fsperry1@comcast.net
Centennial Commemorative Journal
All parishes, ministries, and members of the Greek Orthodox Church in America are invited to submit greetings to the 2022 Centennial Commemorative Journal, which will be published as a presentation of the history of the Archdiocese and a showcase of the historic Centennial Clergy-Laity Congress that will be taking place July 3-7. See Inserts section for details and submission form. The deadline is August 1, 2022.
FOCUS Minnesota Annual Fundraiser August 18
Summer's here and it will soon be time for our annual get-together. It's food, drink, music, fundraising, and a report back about all the wonderful things FOCUS Minnesota has been able to accomplish because of your support. Save the evening of Thursday, August 18th, 2022. It's guaranteed you will be uplifted and encouraged to hear about the work we are doing together, for those in need. RSVP:
focustwincities@gmail.com
Friends and Supporters of FOCUS Minnesota, WE NEED YOU!
Our staff is tiny, and volunteers are at the very center of how we manage and operate all of our programs. During the summer we are always looking to cover vacations and time away, for whatever reason, and it's a great opportunity for a short-term commitment. We also always have a need for help throughout the year.
We could increase our programming by extending our hours or add another day if we had the volunteers to make it happen. Volunteering at FOCUS isn't a forever commitment. Offering us your time for 6-8 weeks during the summer would be a blessing. Joining one of our core volunteer teams also means you are free to miss whenever you need, to attend to everything else in your life! Visit our Help Helper page to see what's available.
Here's a quick summary:
• Help in Clothing Closet - Monday through Thursday, help clients shop or sort our donations.
• Help with our Food Shelf - the 3rd Saturday of the month.
• Help on Sunday Nights - various duties around offering a hot meal to visitors, indoors and at our front door.
• Anytime during the week or month - a shopper or gopher to help us bring in supplies and water.
• If a Saturday would work for you, once a month we'd like to start a Saturday Clothes Closet.
• And don't forget our "Back Burner List!" This allows us to call you whenever we might have a need, sometimes on short notice, with the understanding that you'll decline the opportunity if it doesn't work. But you may be able to jump in!
Curious enough to find out more? Please call Vera Proctor for more information - 651-222-0712 or vproctor@focusna.org.
Summer Church Visits
Traveling this summer? Please send in (gladtidings@stgeorgegoc.org) photos of you/your family in front of/at the Orthodox Churches that you visit! Please include in your submission the name of the church and the city/state/country. Photos submitted by August 10 will be published in the Sept-October Glad Tidings.
Orthodox Daily Prayer App
Faithtree Resources, an Orthodox non-profit, is introducing a free daily Orthodox prayer app for your phone. Download it and give it a try…then share it with everyone you know. What could be better than praying for our world? Praying together with 1000’s of other Orthodox Christians! Download app for Androids: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.faithtree&mc_cid=4590ed1f4b&mc_eid=feb26ca396 Download app for Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-encounter/id1596789782?mc_cid=4590ed1f4b&mc_eid=feb26ca396
Support for those in Need
Please contact Fr. Perry or our Ladies Philoptochos if you or someone you know is in need (food, clothing, shelter, etc.). Our Ladies Philoptochos, Missions & Benevolence, Discretionary support, FOCUS MN, etc. are here to help.
Metropolis of Chicago Launches Leadership Podcast
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago has announced the launch of its new podcast-style educational series, Called to Lead: An Orthodox Christian Perspective. Primarily intended for parish council members, heads of ministry, and volunteer coordinators, the series is envisioned to be a leadership development program rooted in Orthodox Christian ideas and values.
The program was developed by the Metropolis’ Lay Leadership Strategic Plan Goal Team, which settled on a podcast-style format to deliver its leadership tutorials anytime, anywhere. The series is available on the Metropolis website at: https://chicago.goarch.org/called-to-lead/.
Save the Date – September 18
Please support the Lyn Olson Medical Crisis Program by attending their annual gala on September 18, 2022, from 3:30-6 pm at the Korluka Equestrian Farm in Stillwater, MN. Enjoy great food, horses, yard games, silent auction, music, and more.
Ancient Faith Women’s Retreat - November 10-13
This retreat will take place in Bolivar, PA. For more information and to register: https://store.ancientfaith.com/2022-afwr/
Save the Date: Orthodox Connect Conference Sept 29-Oct 1, 2023
Orthodox Connect Conference, September 29 – October 1, 2023, https://www.connectorthodox.org
Many of you will be interested to know about the Orthodox Connect Conference 2023, which is taking place here in the Twin Cities NEXT YEAR. The dates will be September 29th through October 1st 2023.
Orthodox Connect is a young adult initiative to bring together Orthodox Christian young adults and emerging leaders from all across the continent. Orthodox Connect was founded in Atlanta, Georgia, and is separate from the Young Adult League, Young Adult Ministries, etc. … Fr. Paul Lundberg, a priest of the Atlanta Metropolis of the Greek Archdiocese, is the coordinator and planner for Orthodox Connect. Our own Jamie Zaine and Deanna Kolas are helping him to plan the event and they have provided more information for you in the email and URL linked below. Please address any specific questions you might have to them directly at Jamie Zaine or Deanna Kolas.
Announcing 2022 Roselawn Program Prices
Advance planning can give you and your family peace of mind and is also cost-effective. Annual cost increases are typically at least 2% and have risen over 27% since 2013. The St. George Roselawn Cemetery Program continues to offer lots at Roselawn in Roseville for a 15% discount off list prices. All revenue from lots supports our church and its ministries. These lots are in the St. George section, adjacent to the “Greek” section, and easily identifiable by the monument/altar table. Contact the church office for more information.
2022 Discounted Prices for Parishioners:
$6,715 = Monument Lot (2 Graves)
$4,670 = Flat Lot (2 Graves)
$2,995 = Flat Lot (1 Grave, Limited Availability)
(These prices reflect a 15% off Roselawn Retail Price)
This continues to be one of those great opportunities where you can support the church, save some money and create a legacy for your family all at the same time. Lots for both monument and marker stones are still available. Please follow Roselawn regulations for the care and beautification of your lots.