The Stewardship Ministry is led by Mary Kanalakis

As the Holiday Season approaches, we are given the opportunity to reflect upon the many blessing bestowed upon us. One being the many stewards of Saint John the Baptist Church. We are blessed with so many expressing their gift  of gratitude to God. We thank you for your love and commitment to our Lord! As of November 21, 2020, our Saint John stewardship is:

Stewardship Goal: $152,000
Received to Date: $117,254
Remaining: $34,746

We are at 77% of our goal! With one month remaining, we are positive we reach, if not exceed, our goal of 100%! 

This is the time to take aanother look at your year, consider your giving and step forward.  Join us to contribute and put us in the black.

If you have not had an opportunity to join as a steward, please prayerfully consider becoming a steward now.

What does it mean to be a steward? Well, christian stewardship is:

• Learning how to be a responsible and concerned caretaker of Christ’s Church; it is learning how to enjoy church life and be happy in church work. For in Her dwells the fullness of the Spirit of god.
• our active commitment to use all our time, talent, and treasure for the benefit of human kind in grateful acknowledgement of Christ’s redeeming love.
• our caring for the needs of others.
• our offering of one’s self to God as He offered Himself to us.
• what a person does after saying “I believe…” as proof of that belief.
• our devotion and service to God and His Church as persons, as families, as diocese/metropolis, as national church and as church universal.
• being involved in Parish voting and  decision-making that will affect us all and help transform lives. The UPR’s are clear that only Parishioners in good standing can be voting members in our Parish Assembly.

Offer by mail: Stewardship 2020
                   Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
                   P.O. Box 5808 Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921

Online offering link: DONATIONS

Online stewardship link: CLICK HERE

Living the Gospel

A Ministry led by Despina Hatton and Corkey Balcom

The Ladies I-HELP ministry continues to provide to the ladies in need. Although we will not be able to meet and minister to them in person, we continue to have the opportunity to personally contribute to the ministry. Our next day to provide food is this Tuesday, December 1.

Here is what is needed: 

    Meat $25
    Side dishes $25
    Drinks $10
    Desserts $10
    Fruit $10
    Snacks $20

Instead of going to the store to buy these items and bring them to church as done in the past, we ask you make a donation for the selected items directly to Philoptochos through our special web site link:

Click this link: Light a Candle site -  Helping those in Need. 

Then, one person will purchase everything at once at the store or online, and deliver them all to the cook. Once ready, the delicious food will be delivered to the place where the ladies dwell. We try to reduce the personal contact, be safe and keep privacy while still maintaining personal engagement. Thanks to all participating and serving!

And thank YOU for donating!

Living the Scriptures

An organization chapter led by Alexandra Mouzas

Although we won’t be able to gather around the community Christmas tree this year, nor will we be able to have lunch and decorate gingerbread houses as a community family. But we still can celebrate the true meaning of Christmas as a community and give to the underserved children in our community!!

These children are truly precious and innocent angels who deserve love and have a gift under the Christmas tree. Some of these children have been abandoned, are victims of violence, have a parent who is incarcerated, While others have witness horrific crimes and are in protective custody. May God be with: Sherry, Jacoby, Ashley, April, Aitana, Ariana, Isaac, Ezekiel, Karen, Chris, Janine, and all the precious children of the world. Won’t you please help Philoptochos give Christmas to these needy children?

If you would like to sponsor an angel’s gift, please mail a check in the amount of $35 to $50, made out to: Philoptochos PO Box 5808, Carmel by the Sea, CA  93921

Living the Gospel

Parish Council Ministry led by Thimi Saites

Our new 3 year Strategic Plan is coming together, thanks to the amazing work by many of our parishioners. Their work reveals careful preparation, thought, and love for our parish.  The efforts of individuals on our top six goals takes the form of Action Plans. These are being pulled together into one place where we can more clearly see the direction we are taking.

Our community will have an opportunity to review the new strategic plan 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, you will have many opportunities to join. You can let your Parish Council President know, volunteer at the Parish Assemby, or speak directly to one of the Action Plan leaders or team members. We are looking forward to the entire community getting involved in our future.

Living the Gospel

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.

Next Meeting on Wednesday, December 2.

• Meeting time: from 10am, right after the Matins service.
• To prepare: Part 3 – Heiromonk Vasily
• Zoom in at the known link.

Adult Education

A ministry led by Father Ion

The Church University continues the daily Zoom webcasting from Saint Nektarios Chapel with the short Matins Services. At the end of the service Father Ion offers a reflection, 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

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: DECEMBER 1 

Please take a moment to register for the annual Light the Path Luncheon.  This year the event will go live broadcast on Zoom, which is such a blessing as so many more of you will have the chance to participate in this festive kick off of the Celebrated Christmas Season.  This ministry started by our Beloved Bishop Anthony of memory to help our seminarians graduate without the burden of debt.  Successfully for over 20 years Philoptochos has carried on the torch.  Our very own seminarian, Devon Latzen, is among those graduating this year.  Please take a moment and register.  It will be a beautiful event, featuring our own associate Philoptochos member, Nick Fettis.  Let’s cheer on our own!!!

His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos
and the
Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos
joyfully invite you to attend
Light the Path
A Virtual Celebration

Saturday, December 5, 2020
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. PT

There is no cost to attend, however advance registration is required. Complete the form below by December 1, 2020 to receive the Zoom link login information which will be sent to you via email prior to the event.

RESERVATIONS HERE

Donations will be accepted LIVE during the event or make a secure donation online TODAY!

For questions regarding 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

The Parish Council Ministry is led by Thimi Saites

Our Fall/ Winter Parish Assembly will take place on Wednesday, December 9, right after the Paraklesis Service, from 7pm.

Living the Gospel

The Parish Council Ministry is led by Thimi Saites

The Parish Council is a ministry that calls its members to witness Christ and the Orthodox Faith to those they encounter in all aspects of life. It is a truly a high responsibility task that requires serious individual committed to our Lord. The calling of a Parish Council member is holy and spiritual. In assisting in the administrative responsibilities of the Church, a Parish Council member acknowledges and makes real the importance of strengthening the earthly ministry of Christ through God’s Church. This takes humility, faith and a deep commitment to Christ our Lord.

In accordance with the 2014 Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, all candidates seeking election to serve on the Parish Council must attend a PARISH COUNCIL SEMINAR organized by the local Parish Council and under the leadership of the Parish Priest. The purpose of the Seminar is to prepare candidates for the Parish Council, as well as making aware of the sacred responsibilities expected of a Council member.     

Saint John the Baptist Church will hold a PARISH COUNCIL SEMINAR on a date convenient to the candidates. All potential Parish Council members, including those seeking re-election, must attend the Seminar. In order to be placed on the ballot, one must complete the Application for candidacy form and return it to Brian Balcom not later than December 1. Elections will be held Sunday, December 13.

Living the Gospel

The Audio/Video Ministry is led by Hussam Ibrahim

• Daily services, reflections and homilies video.
• Sunday homilies audio.
• Some Sunday homilies video and archives prior to June 1 2020 audio.

Organization and Leadership 

Are you finding yourself shopping more on Amazon these days??? Don't forget you can 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. How Does it Work?

1. Visit smile.amazon.com. Link to https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-6136359.
2. Sign in and Choose Saint John the Baptist Church Carmel
Search for “Saint John the Baptist Church Carmel” and... Begin Shopping

We are a registered non-profit on Facebook and you can donate any time (without any fees for the church) by pressing the donate button in this link:  https://www.facebook.com/SaintJohnTheBaptistGreekOrthodoxChurch

We continue to worship each Sunday on the Patio.

EVEN IF IT SHOULD RAIN, DO NOT FEAR! Plans are in the works to keep you dry even on a rainy day on the patio. Just wear extra layers for warmth. 

Thank you to all for observing and practicing the safety protocols! Please wear the mask and maintain the 6 feet distance to non-members of your family.

Notice of Informed Consent:

We have been asked by our Metropolis to provide the following information for your information prior to attending the live services.

By voluntarily attending Saint John's services in person, you affirm that:

• You are not currently ill or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
• You agree to abide by the social distancing and safety guidelines as being practiced in our Parish.
• You acknowledge, that while the recommended CDC, State and Local County safety measures are being taken by the Church, the parish cannot guarantee that there is no risk of infection for attendees.
• If you are not able to agree with the above statements, we kindly ask that you remain at home to participate in the live-streaming of our services.

We look forward the day when EVERYONE returns home to worship God together!

Father Ion can hear confessions at the church. Please contact him directly for an appointment.

Lighting Candles when you can not attend services is possible through our Light a Candle website.

Click this link: Light a Candle

The candles will be lit at the next service after the request was received. The names mentioned in the online order will also be remembered during that week at the Wednesday Paraklesis (the living only), at the next Sunday Liturgy and at any other liturgy that week (both the living and the departed).