CREATING A CULTURE OF STEWARDSHIP AND GENEROSITY
The Stewardship Ministry is led by Mary Kanalakis
Why are we here? Why were we created? Why do we exist? Why does our parish, Saint John’s, exist? As Christians we look to Jesus Christ for our answer. We have been blessed with unique gifts, talents, and abilities that make each of us unique parts of the whole body (the church) for which we are grateful. There will come a day when we will find ourselves standing before our Lord. We will be asked, “What did you do for My church under your watch given all the gifts that I gave you.”
The Lord has given you another day - today. And if you wake up tomorrow, he will give you another day - tomorrow. You have been given the opportunity to live the calling to which you have been called. (Ephesians 4:1) And what will you do?
These are important questions with unlimited possibilities. One of the things we can do is to respond to the many gifts and talents in our community to serve Christ. Rather that identify a ministry and see who would best fill roles in serving, we are identifying the gifts and talents in our parishioners and creating ministries that fulfill those God given talents. We are also striving to become a tithing parish that does not rely on ‘outside income’. Instead we recognize all of our blessings from God and give back to God in gratitude.
We made commitments to God in 2020 with our Stewardship pledges and we are accountable to God to meet those commitments. But for the most part we have been cheating God. We willing pay a 20% tip for dinner service, but we give back to God in some cases less than 1% of what we receive. There are a few who tithe, but the majority do not. And our parish has been affected as a result.
There are so many stories of God’s blessing that have flowed as a result of individual generosity. There’s no reason you shouldn’t also receive those manifest blessings. And I’m not talking about money. This is a season of gratitude and blessings that should be felt and expressed throughout the entire year. We hope you will respond to God’s call for you to be transformed and give of yourself to God using all the talents and abilities that he has given you.
As we move forward in Creating a culture of Stewardship and generosity, we ask you to think seriously about WHY you were created and what is your role in your parish and how you will respond to God's question: “What did you do for My church under your watch given all the gifts that I gave you.”
Online stewardship link: CLICK HERE
Online offering link: DONATIONS
Living the Gospel
BOOK FORUM
A ministry led by Kathy Shaw.
Attention Book Forum members and all others that want to attend: This Wednesday we will meet for a very special discussion with the author of Icon - A Novel. Georgia Briggs will join us in a ZOOM interview to answer questions about her very unique novel.
We will be able to meet with her, ask questions and discuss the writing of the book. Please join us. Maybe you have read the book but didn't attend the Book Forum or, maybe you would just like to sit in on the interview and consider reading the book. It is a novel that inspired much discussion by our group.
Wednesday, November 11, from 10am – directly after the Matins service.
Joins us early for Matins, too, if you are able. Please prepare questions for the author. We look forward to seeing you!
Adult Education
NEW BOOK FORUM BOOK
A ministry led by Kathy Shaw.
"At the Ringing of the Bells: The Paschal Martyrs of Optina" by Collective Works (author, Anna Larsen(translation) . On Pascha of 1993, three young monks of the famous Optina hermitage were brutally murdered by a satanic. The saintly lives of these monks show that their martyric death was a special gift to them from the Lord. This book is the most complete account of their lives, miracles, and writings available in English.
Our Bookstore offers a few copies. You may also purchase this book online through Amazon or the Ancient Faith store.
Beginning on Wednesday, November 18.
- Meeting time: from 10am, right after the Matins service.
- To prepare: Introduction and Chapter 1 – Heiromonk Vasily
- Zoom in at the known link.
Adult Education
THE CHURCH UNIVERSITY: DAILY SERVICE, PRAYER and REFLECTIONS
A ministry led by Father Ion
The Church University continues the Zoom webcasting from Saint Nektarios Chapel with the abbreviated Matins Services. At the end of the service Father Ion offers a daily teaching on the readings and the saints of the day. Connect via Zoom to extend Matins with the study of the Scripture readings, great discussion and fellowship time.
Worship and Education
SEMINAR: BUILDING EFFECTIVE PARISH LEADERSHIP TEAMS
The Orthodox Initiative Training Ministry is led by Thimi Saites
Next Friday and Saturday is the Orthodox Initiative seminar, and all are invited to attend. We especially encourage the leaders of the Strategic Plan who are engaged with developing the Objective Goal Action Plans.
Building Effective Parish Leadership Teams:
Healthy and effective parish leadership teams are built upon a shared understanding of who it is the Gospel calls us to be as Christians, how we are commanded to work with and care for each other, and what ministry it is that we are commissioned by Scripture to fulfill in the world.
Built upon that foundation, the mandate of the Orthodox parish leadership team is far more than to merely tolerate boring meetings limited to bills, budgets, and buildings. Rather than being a place where ideas and initiatives go to die, parish leadership teams can become environments of loving and creative collaboration, with each serving according to their station.
This session is designed to help improve the effectiveness of your parish leadership team, according to biblical principles, while inspiring new levels of careful governance and selfless cohesion.
Friday, Nov. 13 – Part 1 - 6:00-7:15pm
Principles of Servant Leadership
Saturday, Nov. 14 – Part 2 - 9am – 1:30pm PST
Disciplines of Servant Leadership
Tools to Build Effective Parish Leadership Teams
To prepare, please review the recommended reading and take the initial survey before the workshop.
The Zoom link is below and a separate link will be provided for the Saturday morning session.
Objectives and Recommended Reading: https://www.orthodoxservantleaders.com/building-effective-teams.html
InitialSurvey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVdazXuH7q6VgFtfwyhvl1NtlODCIx8Pz9CKxb_fqiGICmUQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
Phone one-tap: US: +13017158592,,98413088781#,,,,,,0#,,033169# or +13126266799,,98413088781#,,,,,,0#,,033169#
Meeting URL: https://zoom.us/j/98413088781?pwd=U0ROd0xyVWlpaDN6L1Q5ckNNbFE4QT09
Meeting ID: 984 1308 8781 Passcode: 033169
Living the Gospel
PARISHIONERS PREPARE GOALS FOR STRATEGIC PLAN 2020
Parish Council Ministry led by Thimi Saites
Our Strategic Plan created 5 years ago has run its course and is dated when you consider our current situation. A new 3 year plan is in development. In addition to the Mission and Vision, the Special Parish Assembly on October 26 approved the top six goals to focus on that will be included in this new Strategic Plan. An action plan for each of the six is being developed by several of our parishioners. Our community will have an opportunity to review the new strategic plan for approval and contribute comments on the Action Plan at our next Parish Assembly on December 9.
The top six goals are:
- Plan for Creating a Stewardship Culture of Generosity, Tithing Community
- Explore Market Information and Community Consensus for the possible sale of the Salinas property
- Leadership Development
- Plan for Bible Study, lives of the saints. Evening hours. Online
- Plan for Welcoming
- Formal arrangements for congregational chanting
If you are interested in participating in one or more of these areas, please let your Parish Council President know. We are looking forward to the entire community getting involved in our future.
Living the Gospel
FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP THIS WEDNESDAY
A ministry led by Paige Benton.
The Faith and Fellowship Small Groups ministry is being led by Paige Benton. Paige is one of the newer members of our community. She is preparing and coordinating the meetings and will run one of the small groups.
The small groups will continue to meet every other Wednesday with participants in 6 groups led by Angela, Thimi, Rania, Paul, Mary and Paige.
The remaining date is Wednewsday, November 18, at 7 pm:
After this last session, the small groups will take a break for the remainder of November and December. A new session for 2021 will be announce for mid-January, so watch for the next oppoortuity to sign up.
Adult Education, Community and Relationships Building
NEW: HIGH SCHOOLERS' BOOK FORUM
A ministry led by Father Ion
The High School children of our community and from anywhere under the sun are invited to join in reading and discussing books that edify and strengthen the Orthodox faith. The group and the discussions are led by Father Ion. The first book we are reading is
Crazy John
by Dionysios Makris
The group meets on Tuesdays from 4 pm via Zoom. If interested, please sign up with Father Ion.
For Tuesday, November 10: read pages 43-66.
Youth Education
PHILOPTOCHOS FALL BAKE SALE
An organization chapter led by Alexandra Mouzas
Its time!
For the Philoptochos Big Fall Bake Sale
November 20th & 21st at Star Market in Salinas 10:00 until sold out
November 22nd pick up at St. John the Baptist Church 12:00-1:00
Tsourekia, Baklava, Koulouraikia, Almond Cookies, Cretan Rusks Paximadia, Sesame Koulouria, Greek Mountain Tea, Greek Oregano & more.
For more information: 619-519-2855 or Alex@alexandramouzas.com
Thank you for supporting the Philoptochos!
Living the Gospel
CREATING A CULTURE OF TRUE STEWARDSHIP
The Stewardship Ministry is led by Mary Kanalakis
Bill Marianes from Stewardship Calling, took us on an inspirational journey filled with relevant information, best practices, and 15 empirically proven specific strategies. We encourage you to watch the series.
Watch all sessions' recordings here.
Living the Gospel
OUR AUDIO AND VIDEO ARCHIVES
SUPPORT OUR PARISHIONERS BUSINESSES
Remember our parishioners and support them:
Toula Hubbard: doTerra Essential Oils
Lauren Poulos: Poulos Property Management
George Pappas: Pappas Family Farms
George Cominos: Hand Made Horse Gear
Faisal Nimri: Dametra’s Café
Munjed Haddad: Flying Nuts & Gummies
Hix Family: Epsilon Fine Dining Restaurant
Alexandra Mouzas: Coldwell Banker Realtor
Anthony Zavitsanos: A to Z Design/Architect
John Scourkes: Architect
Jim Wagoner - Wagoner Management Consulting
Community Building
BAKING GOODS FOR YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS
Our sister Simi Georgalos is baking special Greek pastries for the next few weeks. Platters of assorted Greek pastry for $25, cheese cakes, and other baked delicacies await your orders. Contact Simi at: 831-229-3662.