Rochester Greek Fest, August 26-28
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!!!
Remote “Introduction to Orthodoxy” Classes at Hellenic College Starting August 29
Registration is now open and will close on Monday, 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.
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.
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.
Lost & Found
Please check the Lost & Found box near the lower level coat rack for any items you might be missing, including winter jackets, water bottles, toys, etc. Items not claimed by September 1 will be donated.
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/
The Clergy Continuing Education Ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco is hosting a retreat for Deacons and Diaconal candidates from October 28 – 30, 2022 at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA.
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Church Music Federation Ministry invites you to participate in a day of education and inspiration to introduce the history, theology, benefits, and resources to add congregational singing to parish worship.
We did it! After two summers of not being able to hold our Metropolis Summer Camp in-person, we brought Summer Camp BACK after (and still during) a world-wide pandemic. It took a lot of work to create a unique plan for this summer, hire the staff, and get the property ready, but Glory to God, our team worked together to make it happen!
It is with sadness yet with hope in the Resurrection that the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco announces the passing of Rev. Father Elias Velonis, who reposed in the Lord on August 17, 2022. Father Elias was a dedicated priest in the Archdiocese, who came to the west coast upon his retirement in 2011.
