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
Remote “Introduction to Orthodoxy” Classes at Hellenic College Starting August 29
Registration is now open and will close on August 22. Qualified applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The course is open to students and learners from around the globe. Please join us for this 3-credit, college-level course taught by Rev. Dr. Demetrios Tonias. Applicants must provide their most recent academic transcript and one letter of recommendation.
This three-credit undergraduate course costs $2,850 plus a remote access fee of $50. Generous scholarships are available for those who need financial assistance. If you wish to request scholarship information, indicate this on the course application. This class may be audited as well for a reduced fee. Apply at
https://tinyurl.com/ycktym63.
Rochester Greek Fest, August 26-29
Saints Kosmas and Damianos Greek Orthodox Church, 703 West Center Street, Rochester: https://greekfestrochester.com/. The Original Greek Festival in Rochester, MN, is an annual event that has taken place during the last weekend in August since 1963! Due to several reasons, we are excited to announce a repeat of our DRIVE-THRU ONLY SERVICE but with a LARGER MENU!!!
Save the Date: Taste of Greece, in Minneapolis, Sept 9-11
Taste of Greece at St. Mary’s GOC in Minneapolis, September 9-11. https://mplsgreekfest.org/
GEKAS Scholarships Announced
The St Paul AHEPA chapter wishes to announce the initial list of college students that will receive a GEKAS grant/scholarship for the school year 2022-2023:
1. Dinah Lampros, DePaul University, Chicago, IL (Junior)
2. Nicholas Petanitis University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire (Sophomore)
3. Sophia Selliris, University of Wisconsin, River Falls (Senior)
4. Mark Simon, Minneapolis Community Technical College, Minneapolis, MN (Sophomore)
5. Sho Kato, St John’s University, Collegeville, MN (Freshman)
6. Rachel Tukua, Iowa State University, Ames, IA (Sophomore)
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.
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.
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. See flyer at https://www.lomcp.com/gala.
About LOMCP
The mission of the Lyn Olson Medical Crisis Program is to help pay medical bills, overdue mortgage/rent, and utility bills due to loss of income as a result of a medical crisis. We still have more grants to give this year. Do you or someone you know need financial assistance due to a medical crisis? Go to https://www.lomcp.com/ to learn the criteria for receiving a grant.
Latest Issue of Glad Tidings
To view the July-August 2022 Glad Tidings: https://www.stgeorgegoc.org/assets/GladTidings/GladTidings-2022-JulyAugust.pdf
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/
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.
Boston— A groundbreaking new text with a foreword by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America has been published by Rev. Dr. Eugen J. Pentiuc, the Archbishop Demetrios Professor of Biblical Studies and Christian Origins at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.
