A Word from Father Rick

Transcription

1 A Word from Father Rick Regis tr y P.3 Paris h News P.4 Yout h News P.6 Philop to c ho s News P.7 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ! On behalf of the parish council, I wish to thank the 249 individuals, couples and families who supported our parish mission and ministries through stewardship offerings in year Your generosity helped us shatter our fundraising goal of $240K as the total received was $257K a record year! Lest we rest on our laurels Our 2018 Stewardship Drive continues as we focus on our renewed commitment of Time, Talent and Treasure to God s Holy Church. The 2018 theme is Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord and not for men (Colossians 3:23). If you have not already, please meditate on how, through stewardship to the Church, you can love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind and all your soul and all your strength, and your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:35-40). Three simple principles for treasure/financial commitment: 1) give generously, 2) give sacrificially, and 3) give purposively. Three practical guidelines: 1) give at least 3% of gross income (biblical model of stewardship is tithing or giving 10%), 2) be sure to increase giving from previous year, and 3) budget your stewardship first then budget everything else. Parish council elections were held on December 10 th. Three new members were elected: Alexis Bighley, Dino Contolatis and Milam Paraschou. Three members ended their terms in 2017: Bill Clemons, Jon Kennedy and Lily Zahariades. Jon served as parish council president for four years a testament to his leadership. Bill served two years as assistant treasurer a big commitment of time. The new parish council elected its officers on January 7 th. President Alexis Bighley, Vice President Nanette Gomez, Secretary Steve Arsenault, Treasurer John Simon and Assistant Treasurer Milam Paraschou. Alexis is the first female president of our community a historic achievement. Thank you to all! On Friday January 5 th we celebrated our second annual Pan-Orthodox Blessing of the Waters service for Theophany/ Epiphany on the Mississippi River at Hidden Falls Park in Saint Paul. Four priests celebrated and approximately 30 laypeople participated. We also had liturgies and Agiasmos/Water Blessing services at St. George both January 5 th and January 6 th. It is unfortunate and sad that more people did not participate in Theophany as it landed on a Saturday this year. No excuses for not celebrating one of the greatest feasts of our Church! We and our children need to plan ahead and make time for these major opportunities to commune with God. On January 7 th, our parish community held its annual Vasilopita celebration to recognize the many leaders and participants in our ministries and to raise money to support St. Basil Academy, our Archdiocesan home for children in upstate New York. Thank you to the Philoptochos ladies for organizing another successful event. If anyone took photos, please them to me or the office. Coming up on Sunday February 4 th is our annual Godparent/Godchild Sunday. Please be sure to plan ahead, invite your godchild(ren) and godparent(s) to Divine Liturgy that day to participate fully in the service and receive Holy Communion together and share in fellowship afterwards. Also in February, is the annual GOYAL Family Basketball Tournament hosted by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Sioux City, Iowa on Feb Many of our children and adults will be participating and attending with their parents. Please pray for safe travels and spirited competition, giving glory to God in our words and actions. Because Great and Holy Pascha is early this year (April 8 th ), that means Triodion and Great Lent begin early too. Triodion (three-week preparation period before Lent) started on January 28 th. Meatfare, when we begin fasting from meat and meat products is Sunday February 11 th and Cheesefare is February 18 th, so Great Lent begins on Clean/ Pure Monday, February 19 th. Don t let Lent catch you by surprise. Start planning from now how you and your family will dedicate yourselves to participate as fully as possible in training camp for Orthodox Christians. Make every effort to pray more each day, worship more (three weekday evening services), give alms, fast, confess, be better educated (Lenten lectures and retreat). Don t let this time be like any other time during the year. Lenten lectures are being planned right now but the Lenten Retreat is set for March with Mr. Bobby Maddex leading on the theme of Film and Orthodox Christianity. The subthemes or topics are: Why Watch? How to Watch? And What to Watch. This is a little different format than we usually do and promises to be very interesting. For more info, see the flyer insert. Kali Tessarakosti! Blessed Triodion and Great Lent! +Fr. Rick

2 Missions and Benevolence 2017 Update Our Missions and Benevolence Committee is a reflection of our Saint George Parish members. We dutifully venture out into our surrounding communities and responsibly distribute the generosity given by our St. George community to benefit the poor and underprivileged. Nine times a year we turn your donations into meals cooked and served by our members for people who would otherwise go hungry. In 2017 we cooked and served 6 meals at Saint Matthews Church in West St. Paul. With anywhere from 7 to 16 volunteers we served 662 people a hot nutritious meal. In addition, three times last year we cooked meals in our church kitchen and transported them to Focus MN on Lake St. We served 474 meals hot meals with anywhere from volunteers from St. George, for a total of 1,136 hot nutritious meals. The quality and quantity of food that we are able to provide is a reflection of our Church s generosity and dedication to assisting those who lack the basic necessities of life. Please consider joining us in assisting our brethren face to face at our next meal - St. Matthew's February 5 th. New this year, we prepared and served a small meal to 4 families at St. Mary s GOC as part of the Families Moving Forward program. We also donated 72 complete IOCC hygiene kits which we assembled here with the community at St. George. Ongoing initiatives include transportation of food and clothing donations to Focus MN as well as their Adopt-a-Family program. This year our church donated an entire carload of toys at Christmas time. Currently we are organizing donations for winter wear for Focus MN families. The M&B committee organized a number of fundraisers to raise additional funds to the 10K that is allocated from the St. George operating budget. The silent auction and bake sales helped increase our total funds for programs and distribution. The committee this year voted to reduce the number of charities St. George sponsors in order to provide a more meaningful contribution to the remaining charities. In 2017, we allocated the following funds: IOCC $2000 OCMC $2000 Orthodox Christian Ministry $1000 Lyn Olson Medical Crisis Program $2000 Philoxenia House Rochester $2000 Father s Discretionary Fund $1000 Focus MN $3100 Total Funds Distributed $13,100 Thank you to all the volunteers and the St. George community for their support and contributions to Missions and Benevolence at St. George Greek Orthodox Church. We look forward to continuing our mission to help our local, national and international brothers and sisters in need in Pan-Orthodox Blessing of the Waters January 5, 2018 page 2

3 St. Paul. MN Church Staff and Office Hours Church Office Hours M-F 9:00 AM 4:00 PM Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews, Presbyter (651) Registry Fr. John Kostas con-celebrated liturgy with Fr.Rick on Christmas day. Funerals December 22 January 19 Festal Icons Needed Harry Arvanitis Steve Zeece, Sr. Spero and Lana Payton celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary recently. Congrats! Address Changes Julie Delton & Theo Karvounarakis 10 E 26th Street, #203 Minneapolis, MN Please donate a Festal Icon (11" x 14") in memory of a loved one. The cost is $75.00 per icon. The icons are displayed in the church nave and are put out for veneration on the Feast Day of the Saint or event they represent. To donate an icon, fill out a form (found on the revolving bulletin board in the social hall) and return it to the office. Julie Delton Administrative Assistant (651) office@stgeorgegoc.org Nathaniel Kostick Youth Minister (763) Nathaniel@stgeorgegoc.org Alexis Bighley Parish Council President (651) abighley@aol.com Nathaniel Kostick Sunday School Director (763) Nathaniel@stgeorgegoc.org Stella Hofrenning Greek School Director (651) hofrenni@augsburg.edu Vicky Paraschou Philoptochos President (763) vicky.paraschou@yahoo.com Julie Delton Editor, Glad Tidings Newsletter George Mastrogiorgis Loaves and Fishes Coordinator FOCUS-MN Coordinator gmastrogiorgis@yahoo.com Stephen Arsenault Bookstore bookstore@stgeorgegoc.org Prophet Zacharias February 8 Symeon the God Receiver February 3 Submissions for upcoming issues are due by the 10th of the preceding month. Deborah the Righteous page 3

4 Memory Eternal: Harry Arvanitis fell asleep in the Lord on December 17, Funeral service was December 22. Sympathies to his sisters Cecelia Johnson, Ann Pathos, Georgia Ehrich and Mary Ellen Arvanitis. May his memory be eternal! Steve Zeece Sr. fell asleep in the Lord on January 16 th and funeral service was celebrated on January 19 th. Our sympathies to his children and grandchildren. Steve was a life-long member of our parish. PHILOPTOCHOS: FRESH Phyllo Pascha Orders are this month! Philoptochos ladies will be taking orders the first three Sundays in February for FRESH phyllo. Get your orders in for your Pascha meal. Orders taken Feb. 4, 11, 18 or by ing janedono1@gmail.com. Phyllo Pick-Up Day is March 4 following liturgy. We Did It! With the participation of 247 individuals and families, we raised over $257,000 in stewardship for year This includes the generous challenge match of $5,000. Fr. Rick and the parish council thank everyone for their generous support of our parish mission and ministries! This will allow us to finish 2017 with a positive operational balance (i.e. no savings/investments will be needed to balance budget). Looking for Family: My grandfather, Athanasios (Thomas) Kokovikas, came to America in 1911 from Sella, Greece, a rural mountain village in northern Peloponnese. If you or your ancestors emigrated from Sella or a nearby village, please call me: Jim Froemming at Message from Medical Crisis Program (LOMCP): now in our 4th year, as we have created a vibrant community of outreach and giving, committed to serving those in financial hardship resulting from medical crisis. Your generosity has provided relief for housing, work, transportation, physical and occupational therapy and medical needs uncovered by other medical support or insurance programs. In 2017, we distributed 6 grants of $1,000. It is our goal to double the number of grants in We need and welcome your continued support. Please share our story with like -minded friends, neighbors and colleagues who want to serve, who want to see the effect of their contributions in their own communities, and to those you know who may need our service. Parish Council Update: The John Pitsavas Memorial Scholarship was established by Theologia and Bill Pitsavas following the untimely death of their son Ioannis in With education as the focus, high school and college students have the opportunity to share their Orthodox faith by writing an essay on a selected Orthodox topic. Only youth who attend St. George GOC and are actively involved in youth programs are eligible to apply. One $1,000 scholarship is awarded each year. A committee (overseen by the Parish Council) of parishioners, parish council president and priest, reviews essays and awards the scholarship. For the academic year, students answered the question Why are the number of Nones (no religious affiliation) rising in America and what can we Orthodox Christians do about it? Stewardship Update: Thank you to all parishioners you did it! We exceeded our goal of $240,000 by exercising the match and many thousands more, for a total of $257,000. You are amazing! We would like to share some ideas occasionally on how to maximize your stewardship dollars from a tax point of view. One of the best ways available to anyone who owns any stock for at least 12 months that has gained in value is to transfer that stock to St. George as a gift. You avoid paying capital gains tax on the increase in value of that stock, and you receive a tax deduction for the fair market value of the stock on the date of sale. The church office has paperwork that makes the transfer clear and efficient, and ensures that you have a copy of the transaction. Please be aware that it is St. George s policy to sell that stock upon receipt. We advise you to consult your broker about this process. Each of you in 2017 has helped insure St. George s mission in faith. Alexis Bighley, Stewardship Chair Sympathies & Condolences: to Savvas & Katerina Nikolaides on the falling asleep of their daughter Konstantina before her birth on January 11th. A private burial service was held at Roselawn Cemetery on January 13th. May God embrace all with His ever-surpassing love! Basketball Tourney Info: still looking for players of all ages for February 9-11, 2018 at Holy Trinity GOC in Sioux City, Iowa. Theme is One Church, One God, One Goal. Hotel is Delta by Marriott, South Sioux City Riverfront. Visit or contact Milam Paraschou at milamjp@gmail.com, Pan-Orthodox Twin Cities Young Adult League: (ages 18-35) will meet on Sunday, February 25 th from 2-6pm at St. Mary s OCA Cathedral Parish Center (1701 5th St. NE, Minneapolis). Join us page 4

5 St. Paul. MN for ice breakers, a discussion on Lent, social time, Pan-Orthodox Vespers, and a Lenten dinner. Please RSVP to kaypapps@gmail.com Pilgrimage to The Holy Land: Tom and Mary Rudquist, of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in West St. Paul, will be leading their 2nd pilgrimage to the Holy Land on September 1-10, Cost of $1400 includes land transportation, hotels, all entrance fees, tips, breakfasts, dinners, 2 lunches (at Dead Sea and Galilee), earphone intercom system (for easy understanding of guide), cable car to Mount of Temptation, Dead Sea swim, and boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. It does not include airfare. For more information or to see an itinerary, contact Tom and Mary at or abousean@yahoo.com. Sermons Updated: and posted on our website through May 7, More to come including children s sermons from stgeorgegoc.org/pastors-corner/frricks-sermons/ Photos Updated! On parish website Videos Updated: Did you know our parish has a YouTube channel? To see videos of 75th Anniversary, go to UCmLF0t0U6p0ZEBTuGwqFLoQ. Several others include Lenten Lectures, Lenten Retreat, Introduction to Orthodox Christianity and recent presentation about Holy Land pilgrimage. AHEPA Holiday Party December 29, 2017 page 5

6 Letter from the Youth Minister: To our Beloved Community, Christ is born! Glorify Him! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Blessed Theophany to everyone! With the new year beginning, there are a lot of events taking place relatively soon that we get to look forward to. This year s St. George Oratorical Festival will be held on March 18 th. Something new is the fact that our Junior and Senior Sunday School classes are required to participate in the parish level, even if they do not desire to participate in the metropolis festival. To help our students with this and increase comfort levels, I have set aside a few dates to help the children prepare. Each will be scheduled on a Sunday after Sunday School. Please mark your calendars. Feb. 4 Oratorical Seminar on Editing, it is recommended to bring a rough draft Feb. 18 Oratorical Seminar on Presenting Feb. 25 Oratorical Support Day Mar. 4 Oratorical Seminar and Final Preparation During the school year, we have done so many wonderful things with our children. If you have not gone down to see the youth bulletin board downstairs of St. George, please do so. Here, we continuously keep it updated with events and pictures of the kids participating. This also gives you a chance to say hi to the kids and tell them how much you appreciate their effort in not only staying involved in our program, but also in helping with the liturgical worship. Though I am always overjoyed to talk about what we have done, it s so amazing to look forward to what we have coming up! We have baking parties, a talent show, a Feed My Starving Children Night, a Pascha Party, and a Blessing of the Pets service here at St. George! See the youth calendar for details! Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! Stay warm! In Christ, Nathaniel Kostick Youth Minister p.s. We're always in need of volunteers and chaperones. If you are interested in coming to our youth events, please contact me by phone or . Youth Christmas Program December 17, page 6

7 St. Paul. MN To aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, the victims of disasters, to undertake the burial of impoverished persons and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the Church through fund raising effort From the Mission Statement of National Philoptochos Thank you to all our generous parishioners and bakers who helped make this years Vasilopita auction a wonderful success! All proceeds from the auction are donated to Saint Basil s Academy, which is the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese home for children in need. The academy provides a loving Christian envionment where resident children are nurtured to adulthood. For more information on the Academy please visit their website at: stbasil.goarch.org We invite all our parishioners to join us on Sunday, February 18 th, as we will be hosting the Cheesefare Luncheon. We look forward to seeing you there! We are so appreciative of all our supporters for your time, generosity and prayers. If you are interested to learn more about Philoptochos, we warmly invite you to join us at our next meeting, which will be held on Sunday, February 11 th, following Divine Liturgy. In Christ s service, Vicky Paraschou FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS Teddy Andrews, February 14; Steve Arsenault, February 19; Greg Boosalis, February 8; Samuel Brandt, February 11; Andreas Cervantes, February 8; Eleni Christoforides, February 18; Elena Condos, February 25; Thomas Decker, February 5; Joseph Donnelly, February 1; Tom Donnelly, February 27; Gayra Eliou, February 8; Adam Fuller, February 28; Aaron Hareid, February 27; Maria Hatzsis, February 4; Dinah Lampros, February 13; Melanie Loudas, February 3; Sophronis Mantoles, February 14; Milton Marinos, February 20; Angie McMahon, February 9; Stamatios Morellas, February 4; Evangelos Pappas, February 4; Penelope Powell, February 19; Peter Roumel, February 22; Steve Ryan, February 1; Tina Sageotis, February 26; Matthew Simon, February 23; Kostas Tsantir, February 2. FEBRUARY WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES John & Nancy Lambros, February 15; Michael & Mergery Makredes, February 11. FEBRUARY NAMEDAYS February 8: Fr. Ted Filandrinos; February 10: Bob Baffa, Richard Gnetz, Harold Johnson, Haralambos Taratsas; February 17: Theodore Petsopoulos, Theodore Roungou; February 22: William Chadwick; February 26: Fotini Donnelly, Dawn Lampros. FEBRUARY BAPTISMS/CHRISMATIONS Peter Boosalis, Peter Drivas, February 19; Stella Hofrenning, February 24; Eric Chadwick, February 11; Steve Ryan, February 12; Ronny Marazes, February 22; Mariana Powell, February 15; Eleanore Eliou, February Stewardship Pledges Received: thank you to the following faithful servants who have submitted their stewardship pledge cards for 2018 (as of January 23, 2018). Please join them today! Ronald & Reva Adkins John & Carol Alexis George & Christy Antoniou John & Marina Antoniou Steve & Minda Arsenault Bob Baffa John & Alexis Bighley Tom & Patricia Bombolis Evelyn Boosalis Jeff & Tina Bovis-Fuller George & Shannon Canas James Canelake Eric Chadwick & Andrea Faches Evelyn Charnell Dino & Stephanie Contolatis Becka Dokos Louis & Mary Ellis John Georgolopolos Lama Ghazi Rhonda Gilliland Richard & Sue Gnetz Eleni Hoffhines Peter & Stella Hofrenning Amalia Hummel Petko Ivanov Misael & Lisa Jordan Richard Kanavati Dimitrios & Dimitra Kaniamos Jon & Peggy Kennedy Anne Knocke Mathew & Ellen Kritikos James Lake John & Kara Lake Tom & Dawn Lampros Georgia Lucas Jon & Anastasia Maier Mary Makredes Michael & Margery Makredes Georgia Mann Jo Ann Mann Michael & Christina Manos Dan & Jackie Matuska Patricia McAdams Thomas Moran Savvas & Katerina Nikolaides Benjamin & Sophia Pachito Chris Panayoton Isodoros Papaconstantinou Stella Papaconstantinou Pres Miriam Paraschou Mike & Jill Patrou Spero & Lana Payton Lampros & Karen Petanitis Athanasios Poulios Paul & Elizabeth Poulios John & Sue Poulos,John Nicholas & Effie Psimos Steve & Rallou Rice Ted Roungou Fr. Daniel & Pres. Eileen Simon James Theros Gordon & Sandra Thole Kostas & Naomi Tsantir Georgia Tsepelis Lily Zahariades page 7

8 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 177 ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED 1111 Summit Avenue St. Paul, Minnesota Phone Fax Glad Tidings February 2018 WEEKDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE REGULAR WEEKLY SERVICES Thursday, February 1 Meeting of our Lord Vespers 6:00 p.m. Friday, February 2 Meeting of our Lord Orthros 8:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:00 a.m. Monday, February 19 Clean/Pure Monday Compline 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 21 Presanctified Liturgy 6:00 p.m. Friday, February 23 Akathistos-Salutations 6:00 p.m. Monday, February 26 Compline 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 28 Presanctified Liturgy 6:00 p.m. Holy Confession: By Appointment Vespers: (Oct. - May) Saturday 5:00 pm Orthros: Sunday 8:15 am Sunday School: (Sept. - May) following Communion Divine Liturgy: Sunday 9:30 am Please see our online calendar and bulletin for latest schedule updates: Also visit our Facebook page:

9 February 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 10a-2:30p FOCUS MN - Work Day (odd jobs) 6pm VESPERS 2 +FAST DAY +MEETING OF OUR LORD 8am ORTHROS 9am LITURGY 10:30a-2:30p FOCUS MN - Clothes Closet 3 5pm VESPERS 7p-9p JOY Youth Night - Baking Party 4 +PRODIGAL SON 8:15am ORTHROS 9:30am LITURGY Godparent/Godchild Sunday 12pm Youth Ministry Mtg. 4p-7:30p FOCUS MN - Serve a Meal 4:30p-6:30p Greek Dance Practice 11 +MEATFARE 8:15am ORTHROS 9:30am LITURGY 12pm Philoptochos Meeting 4p-7:30p FOCUS MN - Serve a Meal 4:30pm Greek Dance Practice 5 4:30p-6:30p Loaves & Fishes (St Matthew's Catholic Church) 7pm Catechism Class 12 7pm Catechism Class 6 +ST. PHOTIOS 7 +FAST DAY 11:30a-4:30p FOCUS MN - Food Shelf am MEOCCA Mtg. at +FAST DAY St. George Antiochian 11:30a-4:30p FOCUS MN - Food Shelf 8 +ST. THEODORE STRATELATES 10a-2:30p FOCUS MN - Work Day (odd jobs) 12pm OCF at UST 15 10a-2:30p FOCUS MN - Work Day (odd jobs) 7p-9p Ahepa Mtg 9 +FAST DAY 10:30a-2:30p FOCUS MN - Clothes Closet 16 +FAST DAY 10:30a-2:30p FOCUS MN - Clothes Closet 10 +ST. HARALAMBOS 5pm VESPERS 17 +ST. THEODORE OF TYRE 5pm VESPERS 6pm GOYA Baking Party 18 +CHEESEFARE 8:15am ORTHROS 9:30am LITURGY 4p-7:30p FOCUS MN - Serve a Meal 4:30p-6:30p Greek Dance Practice 7pm FORGIVENESS VESPERS 25 +1ST SUN LENT ORTHODOXY/ICONS 8:15am ORTHROS 9:30am LITURGY 11am +PROCESSION OF ICONS 2p-4p Pan-Orthodox Young Adults and 4pm LENTEN VESPERS at St. Mary OCA Cathedral 19 +CLEAN/PURE MONDAY - GREAT & HOLY LENT BEGINS 6pm COMPLINE SERVICE 7pm Catechism Class 26 +ST. FOTINI - SAMARITAN WOMAN 6pm COMPLINE SERVICE 7pm Catechism Class 20 6:30pm Parish Council Mtg. 21 +FAST DAY 11:30a-4:30p FOCUS MN - Food Shelf 6pm PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY 7:30pm Lenten Meal & Lecture FAST DAY 11:30a-4:30p FOCUS MN - Food Shelf 6pm PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY 7:30pm Lenten Meal & Lecture 22 10a-2:30p FOCUS MN - Work Day (odd jobs) 10a-12p Glad Tidings Mailing 12pm OCF at UST 23 +FAST DAY +ST. POLYCARP OF SMYRNA 10:30a-2:30p FOCUS MN - Clothes Closet 6pm AKATHISTOS - SALUTATIONS 7:30pm Lenten Meal & Lecture 24 +SATURDAY OF SOULS 9am LITURGY 9:30am Divine Liturgy (Eau Claire WI) 5pm VESPERS COMING IN MARCH 2-3 Lenten Retreat w/ Bobby Maddex 4 2 ND SUN LENT ST GREGORY PALAMAS 11 3 RD SUN LENT VENERATION OF CROSS 18 4 TH SUN LENT ST JOHN CLIMACUS 25 5 TH SUN LENT ANNUNCIATION Greek Independence Celebration 31 LAZAROS SATURDAY Youth Retreat St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1111 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul, MN

10 Parish Council Meeting Minutes Summary December 18, 2017 I. Call Meeting to Order 6:30 p.m. II. Opening Prayers and Readings (Dec 18) Heb. 3:5-11, 17-19, Mark 9:42-50, 10:1 III. Submission of past Parish Council Meeting Minutes Stephen Arsenault Motion: To accept the Parish Council Minutes of November 20, 2017, as well as the post-meeting minutes. Moved by Diane; Seconded William. Motion passed unanimously IV. New Parish Council Members Introduced Jon, Father Fr. explained the process of induction of the newly elected Parish Council members for Next Parish Council meeting is Wednesday, January 17, 2018 V. Treasurer s Report John Simon - Financials as of 30 November 2017 General FON G. Festival 75 th Lot Sales Capital Total Income Total Expense Net INCOME 217,430 23,423 75,111 16,915 2, ,879 EXPENSES 299,834 9,302 53, , ,625 NET (82,404) 13,796 21,292 (245) 16,915 (3,100) (33,746) - Reviewed tonight the figures for month ending November 30, 2017: revenue, expenses, investments and transfers from the Investment Accounts, and a projection for the end of the year. Also, review was the balance sheet figures, the Morgan Stanley Funds. Also presented are the budget to actual year-to-date. Discussed tonight is ways to manage funds for the Tuck-pointing Projects approved by the Parish Assembly. Motion: To accept the Treasurer s Report. Moved: Nanette., Seconded: Diane. Passed unanimously. VI. Committee Reports A. Stewardship Report- submitted by Alexis Bighley and Fr. Rick presented the Stewardship Details Through December to date. B. Scholarship Committee The essay questions are out. With completion of these essays the Pitsavas Scholarship will be presented to the candidate in February January 15 th is the deadline for submissions. C. Landscaping/Grounds Report Nanette Snow removal is done for snows of 1 ½ inches. D. Website Projects Report Mentioned tonight is the importance of the website for outreach and we need to update the website items on the website. Also mentioned is the Sunday bulletin and the welcome materials that ushers should handout. Added to the mix is a You-tube channel up and running and adding a link to the website. E. Missions and Benevolence (M&B) Report The Committee met and a total of $10,900 for 6 charities, down from 12 charities. The M and B Committee felt that we should more money for each. Final amounts at year-end will be detailed after the first of the year. Adopt-a-Family raised $325 to shop toys for FOCUS for distribution. F. Capital Projects Nanette-. Status of the project: examining of the project, sealing efforts, and discount. Funding effort for the Tuckpointing project G. Iconography: - Stephen Arsenault and Fr. Rick Contracts to be signed. Down payment is $10,000 for Mother Theodora, and $2,000 for Doug Trail-Johnson. H. Young at Heart Senior Program No Report I. Investment Committee deferred until they meet in January. VI. New Business A. New Parish Council Officers and New Candidates for Parish Council Jon Kennedy and Fr. Rick B. Substitute Secretary Approval Proposal for Julie Vacation Time Discussed is coverage while Julie is on vacation. C. Social Hall Rental Fr. Rick Advocating Change Together wants to use our facilities 2 nd and 3rd Friday of the month, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $100 per month. Motion: to rent to the Advocating Change Together group. Moved: Stephen K, Seconded: Nanette. Passed unanimously D Budget Final Detail Wrap-up Planning Discussion John Simon E. Women s Bathroom Nanette -Stool air leak may be the problem, and was fixed. The bill to come. Recommended is in 2018 to have a coordinator of the maintenance for building projects. F. North Door Mechanical and maintenance Results and Solutions and New Window in Social Hall and Sound System Jon Kennedy, Nanette, Milam Paraschou. Nanette is in discussion to get the door fixed; Jon is working on the window replacement; Sound System proposal is being worked on by Milam. G. Other New Discussion tonight on the needs of accounting and bookkeeping with the vacancy of a bookkeeper. Also discussed is the need for a coordinator of the maintenance issues of the church. VII. Adjournment: 10:55 p.m. Moved: Nanette, Seconded: Steve K. Passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted: Stephen Arsenault, Parish Council Secretary

11 Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 13th Annual St. Gregory Palamas, an articulate defender of Orthodoxy and true prayer in the 14 th century, is commemorated the second Sunday of Great Lent each year. He is the inspiration for this weekend festival featuring lectures, worship and fellowship. For directions to Saint George Greek Orthodox Church visit our website at stgeorgegoc.org or call Summit Ave. St Paul, MN Friday, March 2 Saturday, March 3 Sunday, March 4 Film and Orthodox Christianity Why Watch? How to Watch? What to Watch? Guest Speaker: Mr. Bobby Maddex 6:00PM Akathistos/Salutations Service 8:00PM Why Watch? 7:30PM Lenten Meal What are the reasons you watch movies? Out of habit or to be entertained? Should Orthodox Christians even watch movies? Is it a good idea to ingest art emanating from outside the Church? What about sex and violence? To what degree do we subject ourselves to these things? Come and hear Bobby talk about these questions and his personal journey to Orthodoxy. 10:00AM Coffee and Fellowship 10:30AM How to Watch Assuming I have convinced you to watch movies, here are some suggestions for how to do it. What do you look for in a film? What are the most important elements to look for in a film? Let s look at the elements that comprise a movie and how they contribute to meaning. 12:00PM Lenten Potluck Luncheon 1:00PM What to Watch There s a lot out there, so how do you select content that will edify and strengthen your Orthodox faith? What are the films to start with, and what are the advance markers that indicate a film might be worthy of your time? When should you leave a film? These are the questions we will answer in the final lecture. 3:00PM Great Vespers Service 4:00PM Please join Bobby for a viewing and discussion of one of his favorite films "Lars and the Real Girl." Please see page two for details 8:15AM Orthros Service 9:30AM Divine Liturgy 4:00PM Pan Orthodox Lenten Vespers Bobby Maddex is a Senior Editor of Salvo Magazine, Station Manager of Ancient Faith Radio (AFR; host of the AFR podcast The Orthodox Moviegoer, and a freelance writer and speaker on topics related to faith and culture. Bobby graduated from Wheaton College in 1994 with a degree in Political Science. After spending five years as senior editor of Gadfly, a national arts-and-culture publication out of Charlottesville, Virginia, and serving a one-year stint as the marketing director of Touchstone magazine in Chicago, he earned a Masters Degree in British Literature from DePaul University in He and his wife Paige live in Chesterton, Indiana, with their three daughters and son.

12 Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 13th Annual St. Gregory Palamas, an articulate defender of Orthodoxy and true prayer in the 14 th century, is commemorated the second Sunday of Great Lent each year. He is the inspiration for this weekend festival featuring lectures, worship and fellowship. Education BIOGRAPHY Mr. Bobby Maddex, MA Bachelor s Degree in Political Science, Wheaton College (1994) Masters of Arts, British Literature, DePaul University (2002) Background Bobby Maddex is a Senior Editor of Salvo Magazine, Station Manager of Ancient Faith Radio (AFR; host of the AFR podcast The Orthodox Moviegoer, and a freelance writer and speaker on topics related to faith and culture. Bobby graduated from Wheaton College in 1994 with a degree in Political Science. After spending five years as senior editor of Gadfly, a national arts-and-culture publication out of Charlottesville, Virginia, and serving a one-year stint as the marketing director of Touchstone magazine in Chicago, he earned a Masters Degree in British Literature from DePaul University in He and his wife Paige live in Chesterton, Indiana, with their three daughters and son. Bobby started his career in journalism in 1994 as an editor of Gadfly magazine, a national artsand-culture periodical out of Charlottesville, Virginia. In addition to reviewing films for the publication, he had the opportunity to interview a number of prominent cultural figures, including Ray Bradbury, Suzanne Vega, Steven Soderbergh, Dana Gioia, and Jonathan Yardley. Several years later he became the Marketing Director of Touchstone Magazine, another national periodical, this one focused on conservative ecumenism and what should be the fundamental commonalities between the various expressions of Christian theology what C. S. Lewis called Mere Christianity. It was at this time that Bobby and his wife converted to Eastern Orthodoxy. Their conversion was in equal part a response to the shortcomings of Evangelical Protestantism, Bobby s education at the hands of Touchstone, and most significantly his sister and brother-in-law s Chrismation a few years earlier. After graduate school and a brief stint as a teacher of English literature in Austin, Texas, Bobby and Paige returned to Chicago where Bobby helped start Salvo, a journal dedicated to debunking the cultural myths that have undercut human dignity, all but destroyed the notions of virtue and morality, and slowly eroded our appetite for transcendence. In 2009, Bobby changed careers and became the manager of Ancient Faith Radio, an internet ministry that his father and mother started on their back porch in Today, the podcasts of Ancient Faith Radio receive 300,000 downloads a month and are heard in over 172 countries. Bobby now spends most of his time developing content, hosting interview programs, and editing and producing radio programming, though he once had his own podcast on the network titled The Orthodox Moviegoer. Throughout this career, he has continued to keep tabs on film and hopes to resurrect the Moviegoer as a new video podcast. For directions to Saint George Greek Orthodox Church visit our website at stgeorgegoc.org or call Summit Ave. St Paul, MN Some of Bobby s Topics & Presentations: Ancient Faith Radio Technology Pop Culture Film/Television Literature/Arts SATURDAY, MARCH 3 4:00PM Please join Bobby for a viewing of one of his favorite films "Lars and the Real Girl." At the conclusion, Bobby will share a few of his thoughts about the movie and then open the floor to questions. "Lars and the Real Girl" is a story about a sweet, though socially inept, man whose non-sexual friendship with a life-size doll draws him into a community that ultimately heals him and his troubled past. Food- if we have leftovers. Parents- this movie is acceptable for teenage children but please research and decide on your own.

13 2017 CONTRIBUTORS Thank you to all our stewardship contributors who helped us exceed our stewardship goal for the third year in a row! Aida Abebe Hiwet Abraha Ronald & Reva Adkins Chris & Phyllis Afendoulis John & Carol Alexis Cathy Anastasion Diane Anastos Maria Andrews Fr.Richard & Pres. Jane Andrews Jesse &Christina Andrist Joanna Angelis Lucy Angelis George & Christy Antoniou John & Marina Antoniou Stephen & Minda Arsenault Harry Arvanitis Mary Ellen Arvanitis Bob Baffa Annoula Bahneman Mattheos & Christine Balasis Philip & Judy Barbatsis Jerry & Barbara Bauman Scott & Michelle Berge John & Alexis Bighley Tom & Patricia Bombolis Evelyn Boosalis Greg Boosalis Nick & Katherine Boosalis Peter & Susan Boosalis Marilyn Boros Stephen & Peggy Borzeka Jeff & Tina Bovis-Fuller Jason Brouzakis George & Shannon Canas Christine Canelake James Canelake Eric Chadwick & Andrea Faches Evelyn Charnell Chris Christoforides Lazaros & Anna Christoforides Sophia Christoforides & Andreas Sitorengo Yeoryia Christoforides & Timothy O Keefe Iulian & Adelina Ciuta William Clemons Elena Condos & Mark Stignani Kiki Constantine Athanasios & Panorea Contolatis Dino & Stephanie Contolatis George Contolatis Karen Criticos Samantha Crowther Robb & Katina Dahl Evelyn Daltas Philip Daltas Tom & Andrea Decker Julie Delton & Theo Karvounarakis Denetruis & Martha Demetriou George Dendias Mary Dimitropoulos Becka Dokos Tom & Fotini Donnelly Dean Dovolas Evan Drivas & Rosa Rull Marianne Dye Georgia Ehrich Natalie Eidsvold Chris Eliou George & Gayra Eliou Pendelis & Jeanne Eliou Vesba Ellingson Louis & Mary Ellis Fiona Eustathiades Mark Flumerfelt & Stephanie George Adam Fuller Yodahe Gamada Rafael & Dina Gavrilos-Cervantes Chris & Mary Georgantones John Georgolopolos Tom Germann Lama Ghazi Mary Giavassis Rhonda Gilliland Richard & Sue Gnetz Michael & Nanette Gomez Kiki Gore Tony Gouletas Dimitri & Kimberly Gounaikis Philip & Patricia Gounaikis John & Mary Grant William Grant Demetri & Joanne Halatsis Aaron & Carolne Hareid Paul & Evy Hatjistilianos Robert & Lani Hattling Dimitra Hatzistamoulos Marc & Jackie Hertz William & Lea Hoeft Eleni Hoffhines Peter & Stella Hofrenning Yannis Hourdos Amalia Hummel Petko Ivanov Don Johnson Harold & Cecelia Johnson Mark & Kalley Johnson Misael & Lisa Jordan Senait Kahsai Dionysia Kalogeropoulou & Suveev Bagwe George & Rita Kanavati Nicholas Kanavati Richard Kanavati Stephen Kanavati Dimitrios & Dimitra Kaniamos Sam & Joan Kantos Emilio & Phyllis Kapetanakis George Kappas Emmanouel & Alice Kappos Svetlana Kartak Bill & Stacy Katsiyiannis Louis & Tabitha Kazaglis *Italicized name indicates pledge card submitted deceased

14 2017 Contributors, continued Michael & Athana Keifer Jon & Peggy Kennedy Dina Kiprose John Kluznik Thomas & Joan Knocke Angie Kontenakos Tia Kontenakos Aristea Kontinakis Mathew & Ellene Kritikos James Lake John & Kara Lake Nicholas & Martha Lake Stella Lake John W. & Nancy Lambros Steven & Rose Lambros Thomas & Dawn Lampros John Larson Hazel Leaskas Andrew Lewis Irene Loudas Paul & Wendy Loudas Georgia Lucas Marina Luger Fred Madsen & Katerina Karter Jon & Anastasia Maier Mary Makredes Michael & Margery Makredes Georgia Mann Jo Ann Mann Michael & Christina Manos Vaciela Manos Connie Manos-Andrea Sandy & Barb Manson Sophronis & Anna Mantoles George & Melissa Marazes George & Anastasia Mastrogiorgis Dan & Jackie Matuska Patricia McAdams John & Lerah McCullough Adam & Angie McMahon Christopher Menke Panos Michalopoulos Michael & Elizabeth Mihailidis Alex Moran Thomas Moran Morellas,Vassilios & Venetia Laganis Frank & Angela Mortari Tia Muchulas Helen Nachicas Eric & Dina Negron Don & Marlene Nelson Savvas & Katerina Nikolaides Daniel & Patricia Nodes Benjamin & Sophia Pachito Chris Panayoton Tasso & Carey Pappas Isodoros Papaconstantinou Stella Papaconstantinou Milam & Maria Paraschou Pres. Miriam Paraschou Soule & Vicky Paraschou Sotirios & Christine Parashos Ann Pathos James & Sally Pathos Nik & Karen Patronas Mike & Jill Patrou Marie Paulos Spero & Lana Payton Lampros & Karen Petanitis Theodore Petsopoulos Dimitri & Sofia Pitsavas Theologia Pitsavas Peter & Pamela Ploumidis Nikola & Rada Popov Stamatios & Jenny Pothos Athanasios Poulios Paul & Elizabeth Poulios John & Sue Poulos Nicholas & Effie Psimos Plamen & Mariya Radeva Steve & Rallou Rice Peter Roumel Theodore Roungou Stephen & Katherine Ryan Luke & Krisandrea Rylander Tina Sageotis Elisabet Samonides-Hamrick Antigoni Sander Rena Sarigianopoulos & Scott Gabrik Pauline Sherman Brandon & Anne Sherod Fr. Daniel & Pres. Eileen Simon Daniel Simon John & Rafif Simon Nancy Skalkos Clark & Denise Smith Joan Spell Ann Speredon Haralambos & Maria Taratsas Takis Taratsas James Theodorakakos James Theros William & Louise Theros Evanthia Thomaidis Dean & Dena Tortorelis Peter & Dana Tountas Jane Trigas Louis & Kathy Trigas Kostas & Naomi Tsantir Elefterios & Irene Tsengas Georgia Tsepelis Paraskevas Tsobanakis & Belene Urquiola Joanna Tzenis & Dean Natto Michael & Connie Tzenis Brad & Loula Valek Jason & Mersina Van Cleave Demetrios Verros Kalliopi Verros Ruta & Kalju Vetra-Kubits Adrienne Viljaste Frank & Kathy Viola Andrea Walkush Caryl Wedes Joseph Weiser Christina Withers Brian & Niki Youso Lily Zahariades Deena Zubulake & Steven McKinney Helen Zubulake Nicholas Zubulake *Italicized name indicates pledge card submitted deceased