Every Metropolis Clergy/Laity, the Philoptochos hosts a luncheon on Friday for the entire conference. They collect donations for the Bishop Anthimos Scholarship, to help seminarians with their education. At the luncheon a former recipient is asked to speak. This Metropolis Clergy/Laity in Tulsa, Deacon Paul Zaharas, our Chancellor, spoke. I am including his address to the conference, becase the content is very poignant.  We have 50 parishes in the Metropolis of Denver, 20% does not have a fulltime priest, 67% have 100 families or less.  Below are his comments:

Introduction

Your Eminence, Brother Clergy, Presbyteres, Ladies of Philoptochos, Church Musicians, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

When I was asked to offer this talk to you all today at the Anthimos Scholarship Luncheon, my thoughts went to my memories of His Grace Bishop Anthimos of blessed memory, for whom the scholarship is named. And my first recollection of His Grace was when I was a twelve year-old boy at the 1985 Diocese of Denver Oratorical Festival in Dallas. I gave my presentation and was the second place finisher, and His Grace presented to me a Bible embossed with the event on the front. It is in my office and I use it to this day.

Unfortunately, it seems Philoptochos was unable to secure the 1st placefinisher to speak, so you’re stuck with me.

The World Has Changed

In case you haven’t noticed, the world has changed. Right under our noses,in many ways the world has become a different place than the one we grew up in. For many years I worked in youth ministry and often told those who work withyoung people that, ‘while you were once their age, you were never their age.”Human development takes place now the same way it always has, however, the pressures and influences that kids face today are things we never would have dreamed of when we were growing up.

For us as adults, we are also experiencing the same kind of uncharted territory. Increasingly polarized politics, the 24/7 news cycle, instantaneouscommunications...all things that were unimaginable just a few decades ago. And while we realize that our world has changed, we have to also acknowledge that our Greek Orthodox Church in America has changed. In some respects for thebetter, but in other aspects...for the worse.

Church in Crisis

In fact, I would argue that we are a church in crisis. I’m not referring tofinancial issues in New York or the problem of completing the St. Nicholas Shrineat Ground Zero. I’m talking about the steady decline of participation insacraments and church attendance, which is truly alarming. Some of you haveheard me say before, we are facing a “perfect storm.” 1) people in general areleaving Christianity in our secular society, 2) there is no large Greek immigration taking place, 3) statistically, we cannot have enough babies to sustain our parishes, and 4) we have an Archdiocese financial system that penalizes growth.I’m not a prophet, but I can do math and it’s quite clear that we are not headed in a good direction.

We’re quick to point out that in the last 25 years we have established seven new parishes in our Metropolis, but we also have to accept that Grand Island, Nebraska and Port Arthur, Texas have closed; and some parishes in our region are currently on life support. Absolutely, we believe the Lord when he tells us that the Church will remain until His Second Coming, but that doesn’t necessarilyguarantee that it will remain in Tulsa, in Shreveport, in Cheyenne, in Austin, or in any of our other cities.

Canoeing the Mountains

So, Deacon Paul, why so much doom and gloom? This is a nice occasion, we want to feel good about gathering as a Church family, why shine a light onsuch dark news? Well, in Psalms we read, “weeping may endure for a night; but joy comes in the morning.” Despite our challenges, there is room for hope and positive change in the Church. The question is, are we bold enough to make those changes?

In the book “Canoeing the Mountains,” author Tod Bolsinger points out thatmost churches today are approaching ministry the same way they did in past decades, despite the fact that the world has changed so drastically. He draws a comparison to the great expedition of Lewis and Clark as they searched for awater passage to the Pacific Ocean in the early 1800’s. They discovered on the journey that their canoes were ineffective when they encountered the Rocky Mountains, and they were forced to find new ways to travel.

Without question the Dogma and Tradition of the Orthodox Church is undisputed and should not, better yet, must not be altered. However, much likeLewis and Clark, we must survey the terrain of today’s society and develop newways to share with our friends and neighbors the saving message of the Gospel and the richness of our inherited treasure.

Is this really possible? On the morning of his enthronement last weekend,Archbishop Elpidophoros tweeted. I’m not actually going to tell you what hewrote, you can go look that up for yourselves. What I’m drawing attention to isthat statement itself, “On the morning of his enthronement last weekend, Archbishop Elpidophoros tweeted!” Now say what you want about social media, but in reality, it’s just a new technology that can be used for good purposes or bad. At one time books were a new technology, one that the Church uses effectively to educate and enlighten. The Archbishop’s use of Twitter is simplyan example of how we, as a Church, must think creatively about how to engage those around us who are seeking the Truth in the cities and towns of our Metropolis. As our Metropolitan reminds us, God has given us intellect and free will, and through His love and His grace we have the capacity to engage the world around us in order to address and overcome whatever challenges modern society throws our way.

The World Needs More Cowboys

As many of you know, I hail from the great State of Wyoming and am a graduate of the University of Wyoming. A short time back a schoolmate of mine sent me the link to a new video advertisement for the University, who’s mascot is the Cowboys, titled, “The World Needs More Cowboys.”

In a part of the ad the narrator asks:
“When did we stop thinking of new questions and daring to chasedown their answers? Should we blindly follow pre-determined paths when they never take us anywhere new?

And then he states:
The world needs more Cowboys. It’s not what you are that makes you a Cowboy, but who you are. It’s a shared spirit. The kindthat emboldens those who possess it to stand on the perimeter and howl at the unknown with unbendable optimism. The world needs more people to pick up the torch of progress and fearlessly venture onwards. The world needs more Cowboys.”

Now the University of Wyoming didn’t sponsor my trip to Tulsa, but can’twe very easily apply these concepts to the Church? Don’t we need brave soulswho embody piety, and integrity, and generosity, and persistence, and expertise, and excellence to step forward and say to the Lord, as we read in the book of Isaiah, “Here I am, send me” People who are not afraid to challenge pre- conceived notions and dysfunctional habits. People who share an Orthodox mindset and ethos, and accept with open arms any and all who wish to join them.

People who will uncompromisingly confess the Gospel of Christ. Brothers and Sisters, the Church needs more Cowboys.

Examples of Cowboys

The Church needs more Cowboys like Metropolitan Isaiah, who is visionary. He said in his keynote address to the 2011 Clergy/Laity in Albuquerque, “we have an unconscious tendency, based on self-preservation, to be a closed entity, and thus giving the false impression that we are concerned only for ourselves... For parishes to grow and to flourish, it is imperative for all of us, clergy and laity, to accept the responsibility of sharing our great treasure of Orthodox Christianity with those who are searching for Christ and His true Church.”

The Church needs more Cowboys like Ted Koinis, who is dedicated. Ted volunteers his time and resources, offering literally hundreds of hours, tirelessly working on behalf of our parishes on the Archdiocese Total Commitment program; and advocating for changes to that program to ease the financial burden that our parishes bear.

The Church needs more Cowboys like the Metropolis Philoptochos, that is generous. In the Archdiocese there are eight metropolises, plus the Direct Archdiocese District, and the Metropolis of Denver Philoptochos, the smallest in numbers mind you, is annually the largest contributor of funds raised for St.Basil’s Academy and last year gave more than $115,000, over 25% of the totalraised nationally.

The Church needs more Cowboys like Father George Gartelos and the parish of Holy Trinity here in Tulsa, who are builders. When Father George was assigned to Holy Trinity the parish had endured eight months, not only without an assigned priest, but without any services, ministries, or cohesive spirit; and then within two years completed the $2million renovation that you all saw last evening. While building a building, they rebuilt a community.

The Church needs more Cowboys like the men and women from our Metropolis who now, and in the future study at Hellenic College and Holy Cross,who offer themselves to the service of Christ’s Church and His people. I think here shortly someone will come up and point out that there are envelopes andpledge cards on your tables. They’ll ask you to offer generously a portion of yourGod-given resources to assist those students through the Bishop Anthimos Scholarship. I encourage you to take whatever number popped into your headwhen you saw the envelope...and consider doubling it.

The Church needs more Cowboys like all of you here today, who have answered the call and become administrative and ministerial leaders in yourcommunities. Often times we think of “calling” in the Church as something thatapplies only to the clergy. Some kind of mystical, other-worldly event in whichGod’s voice booms from above and directs a man to pursue the priesthood. Whilethis may happen in some cases, in others a calling starts with a quiet, gentle stirring in the heart. In other cases, it may even be a literal call on the phone, asking someone to step forward to serve. Be assured, these callings absolutely are not limited to the clergy. Each and every person is called, and it is up to us todecide if we will reply, “Here I am, send me.”

In answering the call, which in reality is not a one-time event, but a continual discipline, we must return to our homes and our parishes after this Clergy/Laity Assembly with boldness and zeal to remove the obstacles that the world, and many times we ourselves, have placed in our way and to build healthy parishes that seek the Glory of God and the attainment of His Coming Kingdom for all who seek it.

Thank you.

Today, Sunday, July 7th, after Liturgy,  Peggy Pappas and family are hosting a luncheon to celebrate Jim's birthday.  Happy Birthday Dr. Jim Pappas!!! 

We invite you to take part in our fellowship hour by hosting for a Sunday.  Bring your own food or have the Church cook for the congregation.  Sign up as a Sunday School class, or celebrate a special birthday or name-day, the list goes on.  You can even offer to buy the donuts for the day, and we will add your name in the bulletin.  Call Stacy in the Church office to sign up today!

General Assembly

The General Assembly has been rescheduling for Sunday, July 28th following Liturgy.

Our new assisted hearing system is now installed. If you want to use it, please see Jim Soter or a Parish Council member in the Narthex.

The Board expended $1,400 towards this new system. We have received some donations and will gladly accept additional donations to help offset this cost.

Philoptochos Meeting:  Sunday, July 21st following fellowship hour.

Bunco & Grill Night:  Saturday, August 17th at 6:00 p.m.

Come join in the fellowship & fun!

ICON PAINTING WORKSHOP

July 18-21

Thursday & Friday sessions from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
If Sunday is needed – time from noon to 6:00 p.m.

No previous painting or iconography experience necessary. Materials included. Space available for 9-12 participants on a first-come, first-serve basis at a cost of $275 per participant.

Instructed by Christopher Gosey at http://holyimagesnh.weebly.com. For more information contact Chris Gosey at 603-892-7700 orgoseyicons@gmail.com.

Sign-up sheets are located in the Narthex