Philoptochos wants to remind everyone about this weekend’s Membership Reception.  Let’s make it a robust welcome to Dr. Nick for his presentation.  We’ll have live music, mimosa bar & wine bar, delicious mezze, warm fellowship, and information to share. 

Do you know any family in need of a free full sized washer dryer?  Please let me know.  Looking forward to seeing you Saturday!!

Philoptochos cordially invites you to an afternoon reception

Featuring Dr. Nicholas Itsines…

Philoptochos, Philanthropy and the Greek Orthodox Church

 Join us for Mimosas, Wine, Mezze with Nick Fettis on the piano

 Learn what’s new with your small but mighty chapter of Philoptochos

Metropolis & National News

We invite every family Saint John ‘s to become a part of the Philoptochos.

Christ and the Church ask us to serve others, to share our God given talent,

and our wealth with those in need

Saturday, February 15th  3pm to 5pm

Secommbe Hall

Followed by Vespers with... Dr. Nick!

By God's grace we have already taken the big turn in our spiritual life, to face the great ascent to Pascha. This Sunday, the second of the Triodion period, is of the Prodigal Son. On Sunday we will hear one of the most beautiful, powerful and life-changing Gospel readings that will be prepared, taught and enriched by the hymns of the Vespers and Matins services.

On our website, you may find a plethora of excellent audio resources (podcasts) easily accessible and also structured in the flow of our Journey to Pascha.

Also, the small diagram above is loaded with hyperlinks to great info about all the events. To be able to use this new feature, you must download the pdf version of the diagram which is attached. Click on the little icon of this message and then learn, prepare and climb up!

The Catechism/ Orthodoxy 101 Class will continue on Sunday February 16 with topic #13: Repentance and Confession. The curriculum including audio resources can be found at our web site under Adult Education.

Our visitors and newcomers are encouraged to attend and participate. The class is also offered as RECATECHISM to all for their own benefit, for connecting with our visitors and catechumens and for strengthening our community. No asked questions are silly. Come, ask, learn, change and be transformed!

The Book Forum ministry brings to your attention "Wounded by Love" by Saint Porphyrios. This is a magnificent writing perfectly suitable for the Great and Holy Lent which we will soon begin. You may find the book at our bookstore. Consider it an investment to serve you for the rest of your life. Our first meeting to discuss Wounded by Love is scheduled for February 18 to revisit Part 1 and to begin Part 2, pages 87-112.

Newly canonized Saint Porphyrios, a Greek monk and priest who died in 1991, stands in the long tradition of charismatic spiritual guides in the Eastern Church which continues from the apostolic age down to figures such as Saint Seraphim of Sarov and Staretz Silouan in modern times. In this book he tells the story of his life and, in simple, deeply reflected and profoundly wise words, he expounds the Christian faith for today.

This book was compiled after his death from an archive of notes and recordings of his reminiscences, conversations and words of guidance, and was first published in Greek in 2003.

The vibrant personality of Saint Porphyrios at all times shines through his words with great transparency and charm. In his introduction to the Greek edition Bishop Irenaeus of Chania writes: ‘The words of blessed Saint Porphyrios are the words of a holy Father, of a man with the gift of clear sight, who was ever retiring, humble, simple and ardent and whose life was a true and authentic witness to Christ, to His truth and to His joy. Through his presence, love, prayer, counsel and guidance he supported an untold number of people in the difficult hours of illness, mourning, pain, loss of faith and death. He is a god-bearing Father of our days, a true priest and teacher who in his ascetic way fell in love with Christ and faithfully served his fellow man. His teaching is deeply impregnated with the ethos and theology of the Orthodox Church and is dominated by the person and image of Christ our Saviour.’

The Congregational Chanting Workshop will take place this week. The next class will be on Tuesday, February 18, from 10 am (before the Book Forum). Open to all.

The Saturday of the Souls is observed on Saturday, February 22, the last Saturday before Lent begins. Please bring the kollyva trays along with the names of those to remember at Saint Nektarios Chapel where we will meet to remember our departed.

The participation at COM-2 was fantastic. It seemed everyone had an interest in forming our new Vision and Mission for the coming 3 years, and had something to contribute to that end. Thank you to everyone who attended.

Rather that drag out the discussion to finalize the Vision and Mission, the meeting closed with a healthy list of suggestions and comments for the Vision 2020 committee to take and consolidate into statements to present back to the group at the next meeting, COM-3, on Sunday February 23.

This meeting is not limited to just those who attended COM-2. No, no. It is our hope the entire parish is now wondering what the next steps are and wants to participate in making those decisions. So PLEASE mark your calendars to stay after the fellowship lunch on Sunday (which will be an all meat Apokreatiko – Meatfare meal).

COM-3 will not only be your opportunity to review, tweak, approve the parish Vision of where we want to be in 3 years and our Mission of what we see ourselves doing to achieve the Vision. We will also be identifying some goals and accomplishments we want to take on to reach that Vision. And this is where the real excitement takes place. This is where we can see real action taking place and our dreams becoming a reality. So you can see it is very important EVERYONE be involved. It’s your dream, too, for this great parish of ours.

Join us
Sunday February 23
Following Fellowship Hour/Apokreatiko Lunch

Our church will hold its parish Oratorical Festival this Sunday, April 5.

The Topics for this year and a collection of hints can be found here. The age categories are as follows: Junior Division (grades 7-9) and Senior Division (grades 10-12). Children of any age may participate outside of the competition. Please see Presbytera Ana for information about participating in this ministry. Visit our Youth Ministry web page for recordings of the last years' participants.

The purpose of the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival is to give children and teenagers an opportunity to learn, write, and speak about their Orthodox faith, church and heritage. This process will enhance their understanding and appreciation of their identity as Orthodox Christians and cultivate spiritual growth and maturity.

He who loves little, gives little. He who loves more, gives more. And he who loves beyond measure, what has he to give? He gives himself. - Saint Porphyrios

Thank you to our 39 Pledged Stewards. They are truly the life of our community with their generosity of time and talent in the kitchen, at the chanter’s stand, in the book group, at the altar, at the bookstore, at IHelp, on the Parish Council, at Vespers, Liturgies, Paraklesis … The list goes on, and on.

AND YET!  If you haven’t yet filled out a pledge card, and been involved in these sacraments and ministries, you are very much missed. We love you too much to not include you in the joy.

We have, of course, big plans, and we are hoping to make some great moves for the community in 2020!!  But we need everyone in our beautiful community to be a part.  This Parish is in all of our hands. We have been working on our Mission and Vision. Soon we will be setting new goals to reach our Vision. This requires everyone and a sacrifice of our time, our talent and our treasure. This is how we define Stewardship.

So please, take a few minutes right now to go online at:  http://www.stjohn-monterey.org/about-us/stewardship to download a Stewardship Card. Cards are also available at the church in the Narthex. This completed card can be:

• deposited in the tray at church, or
• mailed in (P.O. Box 5808, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921), or
• emailed to saintjohnmonterey@gmail.com.

It is very easy.  Together, as a community, we can make a difference in the world.
 
Thank you and God Bless you!  

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

February 16
Parish Council member: Katherine Shaw
Greeter: Rania Zavitsanos
Fellowship: Orange Team – Every 3rd Sunday

February 23 -  Meatfare Sunday
Parish Council member: Euthimios Saites
Greeter: Nadia Zajicek
Fellowship: Green Team – Every 4th  Sunday - with contributionsd from the entire parish for a meatfare meal. Clean out the refrigerator. Bring meaty dishes to share and prepare for the Lenten Season that approaches.

If you'd like to join the Welcome Ministry, please contact Temia Demakopoulos. And if you’d like to join the Coffee Hour team, please contact Corkey Balcom.

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.

if you already shop on Amazon, or if you’re looking for the perfect gift for a loved one, we invite you to shop at smile.amazon.com and choose Saint John the Baptist Church Carmel as your charity of choice and 0.5% of your purchase will be donated to Saint John’s. This is no cost to you. Below you can read about how to use Amazon Smile.

How Does it Work?

1. Visit smile.amazon.com.
The entire shopping experience is the same and most products available on amazon.com are available at Amazon Smile. Link to https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-6136359.
2. Sign in and Choose Saint John the Baptist Church Carmel
The screen will look slightly different depending on whether you’re already signed into Amazon. If you’re already signed in, you’ll see a screen like the one below. Simply search for “Saint John the Baptist Church Carmel” and proceed to step 3.
3. Begin Shopping

Every summer, hundreds of children and teenagers from throughout the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco gather for summer camp program at St. Nicholas Ranch in Dunlap, CA. Their Orthodox Christian Faith comes alive for young people as they develop lifelong friendships and memories that will last forever. Summer camp activities include: arts and crafts, swimming, canoeing, campfires, archery, nature hikes, Olympics, skit nights, daily worship services, a visit to the Monastery of the Theotokos the Lifegiving Spring, and Orthodox life discussions.

AGES: For children AGES 8-18 years old

The Metropolis will once again offer summer camp “scholarships” (Camperships) to campers of families experiencing financial challenges through the Archdiocese Leadership 100 Foundation.

If you are interested in a “campership”, ask Father Ion to fill out an online Campership Application. The deadline for applications is May 1, 2020. All requests will remain confidential.

Please note: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and camperships are awarded on a first-come first-served basis until the available funds are distributed. Submission of an application does not guarantee that a campership will be granted, or that the entire amount requested will be awarded.

Calling all Young Adults! Join us for the Metropolis Young Adult Lenten Retreat at St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center, April 3 - 5, 2020. This retreat is open to all Orthodox young adults ages 18-30's from across the Archdiocese. Please share this with your friends and encourage them to register as well!

SPEAKERS: Fr. Tom & Pres. Pat Tasgalakis from the Metropolis Family Wellness Ministry.

THEME: "Let Your Light So Shine" Living out our Christian faith amidst a complicated world.

We will spend time having discussions and fellowship at St. Nicholas Ranch, as well as visit and help the Sisters at the Monastery of the Life-Giving Spring with a work project on Saturday. You won't want to miss out!

DATE: April 3-5, 2020
LOCATION: St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center, Dunlap, CA
COST:
$140 for a Dorm Room (cabins with multiple bunk beds)
$180 for Double Occupancy Lodge Room (hotel style room with two queen beds)
$250 for Single Occupancy Lodge Room (hotel style room)

ONLINE REGISTRATION & MORE INFO: http://gosfyouth.org/young-adult-lenten-retreat

AGES: Young Adults, ages 18-30's
ARRIVAL TIME: Arrivals begin at 5:00pm on Friday and continue throughout the evening.
DEPARTURE TIME: 1:00pm on Sunda6

FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/events/809504842806321/

The All Saints Church Outreach Committee will hold the annual chili, cornbread, beer and wine fundraiser on Saturday, February 29, 5 pm.  A delicious assortment of spicy, tame, meaty and vegetarian chilis and cole slaw will be served. Tickets are $20.00.  Raffle for a week’s stay in 2021, at a lovely cottage in Hawaii at $25 a ticket. We have been cordially invited to attend.