We are making progress in our Fill-the-Gap campaign to meet our 2018 Stewardship budget of $130,000. Since launching at the beginning of October, we have had 2 new stewards join us!! God bless them! And we are within 11% of meeting our Budget Goal. We still need to raise another $14,218 to get there. Thank you to all who are opening their hearts to help Saint John’s efforts. And what progress we’ve made. We encourage you to reassess the many ministries now being offered and participate in the very rewarding encounters with have with each other and with our God.

Yes, it is still possible with 73 stewards to hit or exceed the 100% mark by adjusting our pledges! It is also possible for additional parishioners to stand up and be counted as Stewards!  Considering the many blessing God has granted us, with thanksgiving, let us fill the gap!  Complete a “Fill the Gap” card or stewardship card. Or simply make a contribution and it will be counted toward stewardship. Feel the gap? Then let us fill it!

This Sunday we open a series of five-minute presentations to take place right after the Liturgy: Give Him Five! brought to us by the Stewardship Ministry, they are part of the FILL the GAP! campaign, pointing to the foundation of our life as stewards of God's creation and Church. The topics are as follows:

1. Prayers - 10/28, this Sunday.

2. Fasting - 11/04

3. Alms giving - 11/11

4. Church attendance - 11/18

5. Mysteries - 11/25

So, give to the Lord through these five ways and receive from Him in many more and much more!

The Sunday School classes will be in session this Sunday after the fellowship time. The children should follow their instructors to class - Presbytera Ana and Carrie (preschool) and Jacob and Daniel (primary and secondary grades).

Orthodoxy 301 is a new class to complement our regular catechism training. It is structured as a short lecture given by various people from our community followed by discussion. The topic of Orthodox Spirituality has become more relevant in a world where many consider themselves "spiritual but not religious", finding refuge away from the Church. Open to all. Will use material from "Orthodox Spirituality - a Brief Introduction" by Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos. The book is available at our bookstore. The class will meet at noon every Sunday in Saint Nektarios Chapel.

Remaining Lectures on Orthodox Spirituality

4. Degrees of Spiritual Perfection (10/28 by Mary Kanalakis)
5. Praxis and Theoria (11/4)
6. Sacraments and Asceticism (11/11)
7. Neptic and Social Theology (11/25)
8. Monasticism and Married Life (12/2)

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH - Invites you to our annual

Stewardship Appreciation Dinner

Please join us for a Blue Jeans Barn Party hosted by the Parish Council

 Saturday, November 10, 2018

Doors open at 6 pm, Dinner at 6:30 pm, Children welcome

Admission Ticket is Your 2019 Stewardship pledge card

 Located at Saint John the Baptist Church, Seccombe Hall, Dolores and Ninth, Carmel-by-the-Sea

Dress Blue Jeans or Denim wear for indoor or outdoor (weather permitting)

RSVP to Mary 831-277-2078 or tasktrak@hotmail.com by November 6th

Our Fall Parish Assembly Meeting scheduled for Sunday, November 18, following Divine Liturgy.  We encourage you to attend this important meeting of all parishioners to learn all the news. You won't want to miss it! Elections for Parish Council members will be held at this time as well. 

Elections for Parish Council will be held Sunday, November 18. If you’re are interested in becoming a member of the Parish Council, please contact Father Ion to complete a candidate application. Qualifications for the position include active participation in the liturgical life of the church and the desire to serve in this ministry for a term of two (2) year’s, beginning in January 2019, you are a parishioner in good standing as stated in Article 18 of the 2007 Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and that your parish stewardship commitment is current. You will need to attend the Pre-Election Seminar on Tuesday, November 13 (pizza provided) in Saint John's Room, Carmel, prior to the elections, and if elected, will take the Affirmation of Office as stated in Article 26 of the Regulations and that:

-  You have been Baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity.
-  You have been Chrismated into the Orthodox Christian Tradition.
-  You have had your Marriage in the Orthodox Church.
-  You participate in the Sacraments of Holy Confession and Communion.
-  You participate in the Divine Services, observe Fast Days.

"Praise the LORD! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting." (Psa 147:1 NRS) We encourage congregational chanting at our services. In an effort to make it more accessible, we are beginning to introduce new music to our services following the new Divine Liturgy Hymnal book. This will be a gradual transition for which we will prepare with practice sessions on Tuesdays (11:30am, before noon prayer and Book Forum) and on Saturdays (4:30pm, before Vespers) starting October 27. The first hymn that we will work on is Only Begotten. Music and audio recordings for private practicing can be found at our web site http://stjohn-monterey.org/about-us/chanting-at-saint-johns Join the choir and sing praises to our God!

We are reading and discussing "The Struggle for Virtue: Asceticism in a Modern Secular Society" book by Archbishop Averky (Taushev).  The book is available at our bookstore and from Amazon.com. The text offers wisdom, scriptural support, practical directions and it is very enriching. Our next Forum will be on Tuesday, October 30 after the Akathist service (12 noon). Even if you haven't read the chapters, you are welcome to join in the discussion. Bring your own lunch and join us! Prepare Chapters 8 and 9.

Our high school and college students and their friends are invited to join the Young Adult Group for Monday evening activities from 6:30pm. Each month we rotate four activities, one per session: lesson, fellowship, worship and an activity/ project. We meet at people's homes and in Saint Nektarios Chapel. The theme for this coming school year is A Life of Offering. The month of November will orient us towards Offering Our Conflicts to God. Our next meeting is on Monday, November 5. Please contact Father Ion for details.

The Ladies of Philoptochos are baking delicious cookies and pastries! Perfect for your Holiday tables and gift giving. Be sure to visit us at Star Market in Salinas Friday November 16th and Saturday November 17th 10 AM until 4PM. Sunday November 18th parishioners are invited to pick up their orders after Divine Liturgy. Accepting pre orders now. Please contact Sandy Sanders 831-229-1937 or Alexandra Mouzas alex@alexandramouzas.com 619-518-2755

Serving this Sunday in church and at the fellowship hour following Liturgy:

October 28
   Parish Council: Christina Pressas
   Fellowship: Team Green – always 4th Sunday of the month.

November 4
   Parish Council: John Ehab
   Welcoming: Brian and Corky Balcom
   Fellowship: Team Gold – always 1st Sunday of the month.

Father Ion is available to hear confessions after services and also by appointment at other times. If you need to do confession, please contact Father Ion ahead of time.

The Saint Emmelia West Orthodox Homeschooling Conference will be held November 8-11, 2018 at St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, California. For more information, please reference saintemmeliaconferences.com/west-conference or email stemmeliawestconference@gmail.com.

Saint Anna Philoptochos Chapter of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Invites you to an Advent Retreat  on  Saturday, November 10 , 10:30 am to 3:30 pm.  Guest Speaker  is His Eminance Metropolitan Nikitas speaking on Philanthropy and Christmas. Refreshments and Lunch will be provided. Open donation. RSVP to Stacy Panayotopoulos at 408-295-0387 or stacypanayotopoulos@yahoo.com.

SAVE THE DATE!! Gerontissa Markella and her Sisterhood invite you to a benefit dinner to support the Life Giving Spring Monastery on Sunday, November 11, 2018 at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Community Center, 1270 Davis Street, San Jose. More details to follow.

His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos and the Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos joyfully invite you to attend Light the Path, a Christmas Luncheon in support of the BISHOP ANTHONY PHILOPTOCHOS STUDENT AID ENDOWMENT FUND.

Saturday, December 1, 2018 from 11am
Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross
900 Alameda De Las Pulgas
Belmont, California
$75 per person

For reservations contact Alexandra: alex@alexandramouzas.com

“The Bishop Anthony Philoptochos Student Aid Endowment Fund
started as a small seed, but with faith, nurturing and perseverance,
we have been able to secure the future of our faith and culture in
this Metropolis. Hundreds of students have received considerable
support and are now serving the Greek Orthodox Church as priests,
educators, pastoral assistants and youth directors. Since its inception,
the Metropolis Philoptochos has been the guardian angel of this
important effort. Your support of this event will help them to further
expand their efforts and will create a lasting legacy for our future.”
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos

SAVE THE DATE for the 14th Annual Metropolis Young Adult Winter Retreat in Lake Tahoe, January 18-21, 2019!    Join us for this beautiful retreat, located on a private beach on the shore of Lake Tahoe with spectacular views, incredible food, and awesome accommodations! Not to mention, we have a weekend packed full of fun, faith, and fellowship with Orthodox young adults from all over the West Coast! This retreat will sell out with a max capacity of 60, so make sure to register beginning November 1, 2018!

DATE: January 18-21, 2019
LOCATION: Galilee Episcopal Camp & Retreat Center, South Lake Tahoe
ARRIVAL TIME: Friday beginning at 5:30pm
DEPARTURE TIME: Monday 9:30am
SPEAKER/THEME: Coming soon!
AGES: 18-30's
ONLINE REGISTRATION Opens: November 1, 2018 at www.gosfyouth.org
FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/events/1943883609026865/
RETREAT VIDEO from 2016: https://vimeo.com/153430756

COST: $260 includes 3 nights lodging (Fri, Sat, and Sun) and all meals except lunch Saturday & Sunday since we will be out exploring Lake Tahoe both afternoons. Price does not include lift ticket.

A Pilgrimage to St. Anthony’s Monastery in Florence, AZ is scheduled for the weekend of December 8 – 10.  Visit the grounds, see the churches and chapels or you could have confession with Elder Paisios or one of the other priestmonks, upon request. If you are interested, please call Despina Anagnosotu at 520-457-0000, who will be making accommodations to/from the airport/monastery along with reserving rooms at the monastery for all the pilgrims.  Flights are reserved by each individual but you may contact Despina to obtain the specific flights.

Our brethren from All Saints Church will gather for cleaning once a month as listed below. We were invited to participate and take care of the space that we use and offer support in other areas as needed. Let us join the effort with gratitude and joy on these following Saturdays from 10:30am: November 10 /December 8.