5.13 V O L U M E 1 9, I S S U E 5 M A Y

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1 5.13 St. V O L U M E 1 9, I S S U E 5 M A Y George Greek Orthodox Church St. Paul, Minnesota in this issue O n Cr em at io n P.2 Regis tr y P.3 Paris h News P.4-5 Youth P.7 Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ: H opefully, you ll receive this newsletter before Pascha/Easter on May 5 th. I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who made this Great and Holy Lent extra special by attending the Lenten worship services, preparing the Lenten meals and listening to the Lenten lectures. Our Lenten retreat with Dr. Kyriacos Markides was a smashing success with the largest attendance numbers ever in the eight years we ve been hosting. By May 1 st we are already in the midst of Holy Week and we look forward to the visit of our chancellor, His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, on Holy Friday May 3 rd for the Apokatheilosis (Descent from the Cross Vespers). His Grace will be visiting all the Greek Orthodox Churches in Minnesota this weekend. We pray safe travels for him and thank him for being with us. As you already know, the Festival of Nations is occurring on the same weekend. Our parish council president has made arrangements for paid help so that we can attend the worship services of Holy Week. Thanks to Tom and all the volunteers who will be working that weekend especially during the busy days of Thursday and Friday. On Pascha night, after the Resurrection Liturgy, Jason Barbes and his team of volunteers will once again prepare and serve a delicious lamb dinner. Please be sure to thank them and help them clean up afterwards. Regarding Youth ministry, we still anxiously await word from the government immigration service on the status of our tentatively hired youth minister, Lydia Lekka. We pray for a positive affirmation of her status so she can begin working with our parents and youth. In the meantime, we will continue with our normal/ regular youth activities of Holy Week including the cleaning and decorating of the sanctuary on Lazaros Saturday, the youth retreat on Holy Friday and the Easter egg hunt on Pascha Sunday after Agape Vespers. Of course, the best activity for our youth is to participate in the worship services. Nothing speaks to their hearts and souls like Orthodox worship. Even after Holy Week and Pascha, May continues to be a busy month with St. George Feastday, FOCUS dinner, Retreat Groundbreaking, Metropolis Oratorical, Mother s Day, Graduation Sunday and Memorial Day weekend. As is our normal parish practice, we celebrate the Feast of St. George on Bright/Renewal Tuesday morning with Liturgy and breakfast following. St. George of course is the patron saint of our beloved parish. The FOCUS Fundraising Dinner will take place Bright Friday evening at St. Mary OCA Cathedral. We hope to have at least one table of our parishioners in attendance. See bulletin and newsletter for detailed info. Also on that day will be the Groundbreaking ceremony for the new lodge and cabins at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center in Brighton, Wisconsin, preceded by the Divine Liturgy of the Life-Giving Spring of the Theotokos (Feast Day of the chapel) and lunch. If you re not able to attend, please consider a donation to help. Thanks! The Metropolis Oratorical Festival will be held at my former parish of Kimissis tis Theotokou in Racine, Wisconsin on Bright Saturday, May 11 th. We pray a edifying participation for all including our own kids: Marissa Mortari, Bill Chadwick and Lily Lampros. We wish a blessed Mother s Day (with thanks) to all our mothers, step-mothers, grandmothers and godmothers! For Graduation Sunday, be sure to submit the following info for our high school and college graduates: name, photo, school, diploma/degree, achievements/honors and future plans. Congrats to all in advance! Hopefully, the inscriptions will be completed on the Roselawn Cemetery monument for our memorial service that will (Continued on page 2)

2 (Continued from page 1) be offered on Sunday May 26 th after the Divine Liturgy at church. Please submit the names of your departed loved ones to me before the service. May their memory be eternal! We continue this month with our series on Orthodox Christian Ethics. So far we ve learned about gambling and traditional marriage. This month we ll cover Cremation. It s been five years since I gave this sermon and we published in the Glad Tidings. We know that cremation is becoming a more common practice, even greater than traditional burials. This is problematic for Orthodox Christians since and hopefully this month s article will enlighten us on the reasons why. If you receive this before May 5 th, I wish you Kalo Pascha kai Kali Anastasi! If after, I greet you with Christos Anesti! Blessed Holy Week and Pascha Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! +Fr. Rick Orthodox Christian Ethics Cremation Introduction Ashes to ashes and dust to dust is a common phrase we hear associated with funeral practices. This first appeared in the Church of England s Book of Common Prayer in The phrase dust to dust has some biblical origin from Gen. 3:19 and Ecclesiastes 3:20 but the words ashes to ashes do not appear anywhere in the bible. As we will see from Alvin Schmidt s book, Dust to Dust or Ashes to Ashes? A Biblical and Christian Examination of Cremation, the scriptures never instruct people to burn dead bodies turning them into ashes (p.67). History of Cremation Cremation comes from Latin word cremare meaning to burn (p.6). Some historical reasons for cremating the dead were (p.7): 1) To cope with fear of the dead. 2) To enable easy transportation of bones back to homes or other places. 3) To prevent bodies from being stolen by thieves and miscreants. 4) Belief that fire freed the soul from wandering and searching. 5) Belief that fire purifies the deceased person s soul. By the latter part of the fourth century, the burning of human corpses had become increasingly rare in the Roman Empire. Likely, the consistent Christian rejection of cremation, long before Christianity became legal, was having an empire-wide impact (p.18-19). Cremation begins reappearing in the West following the efforts of Prussian procremationists in 1855, when an international congress of medical experts met in Florence in 1869 contending that earthburial was unhygienic (p.19). Cremation appealed not only to atheists and freethinkers but it was commonly requested usually as an act of rebellion by Spiritualists, Theosophists, Unitarians, Universalists, anti-clerics and anti-church types (p.30). In 1875 the Cremation Societys in England and New York are formed (p.20). Cremation rates in United States have increased dramatically over the last several decades, from.003% in 1900,.04% in 1920, 3.5% in 1960, to 27% in 2001 and are expected to rise to 40% by year 2010 (p.21). What is Cremation? Cremation is not a completely accurate term for the burning of a deceased person. Human bones do not burn because they contain about 60% inorganic, noncombustible matter (p.23). Thus, the unburned bone portions are pulverized in today s crematoria by a grinding process that reduces them to small granules resembling dried fertilizer pellets, the latter comprising at least half of the total remains. Sometimes a white colored substance is added to make the ashes look more attractive (p.24). As a result of package leakages, UPS and FedEx refuse to transport ashes of cremated bodies. Sometimes, human ashes are mixed with ashes from another person or other sources. Burial in Ancient Judaism The Hebrews/Israelites in the Old Testament era lived and were surrounded by pagan societies: Canaanites, Amorites, Edomites, Hittites, Philistines and others. Through the prophets, God frequently warned the Israelites not to adopt the pagan values, beliefs, or practices of those societies such as worshipping pagan polytheistic gods, marrying pagan wives, engaging in homosexual practices, eating unclean food, sacrificing infants, and making graven images of pagan idols (p.31). In the OT, earth burial was the norm for treating deceased persons. Cremation was used only as punishment and humiliation for those who engaged in grievous, sinful acts as recorded in Joshua 7:15; Leviticus 21:9; 20:14. Cremation was also an instrument of God s wrath as He destroyed certain peoples by fire as recorded in Num- (Continued on page 6) page 2

3 St. Paul. MN Registry Births March 12, Day Churching March 3, 2013 Address Updates Panayiotis. Parents are Dina & Eric Negron; grandmother is Aristea Kontinakis. Tamara Merkouris and baby, Nicholas. Church Staff and Office Hours Church Office Hours (Mon., Wed., Thurs. & Fri.) 8:00 AM 2:15 PM (Tues.) Noon 6 PM Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews, Presbyter (651) FatherRick@usa.com Pres. Patra Sevastiades 2603 Greysolon Rd Duluth, MN Peter Poulos 117 Victoria Blvd Mankato, MN Kally B Fuller rd Ave W Duluth, MN John Lambros 3200 Lake Johanna Blvd Apt# 201 St. Paul, MN Kathryn Schuster 3741 Towndale Dr Bloomington, MN Dominic Osterman 1034 Montclair Ave Mounds View, MN Niki Kontinakis-Youso Itea Ave Lakeville, MN Administrative Assistant (651) office@stgeorgegoc.org Tom Lampros, Parish Council President (651) tlampros@hotmail.com Reva Adkins, Philoptochos President (651) rradkins@comcast.net Festal Icons Needed 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 bulletin board by the kitchen) and return it to the office. Andrea Faches, Sunday School Director (507) afaches@msn.com Stella Hofrenning, Greek School Director Jennifer Argeros, Glad Tidings Editor Andrea Faches & Eric Chadwick, Loaves and Fishes Coordinators afaches@msn.com Submissions for upcoming issues are due by the 11th of the preceding month. Jesus Rebukes the Sea Healing the Multitude page 3

4 Parish News Pledge Card Mailing Many parishoners recently received a letter stating that we have not received your stewardship pledge card. The letter referred to an enclosed pledge card and return envelope but unfortunately those were not included in the mailing. Thus, we will have stewardship cards and return envelopes available in the pews. However, if you would like them mailed to you, please contact Emmy Maschke in the church office by phone or office@stgeorgegoc.org and she will mail them to you. Thanks for your patience and support! Bishop at St. George Bishop Demetrios will visit our parish on Holy Friday May 3rd for Apokatheilosis (Descent from Cross Vespers). New Version of Christ is Risen Hymn Our parish will use a new version of this hymn for our upcoming celebration of Holy Pascha. This English translation and musical notation is authorized and adopted by the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese. Pascha Lamb Dinner Again this year we are receiving donations for the lamb meal after Resurrection Liturgy on May 5th. If you would like to make a donation please talk to Jason Barbes or jason.barbes@yayab.com FOCUS on FOCUS This year s FOCUS fundraiser dinner will be held Friday May 10th, 2013 at St. Mary`s Orthodox Cathedral. Tickets are $50/ea ($25 tax deductible) and can be purchased from Sandra Thole, Please help support this wonderful outreach program to continue our mission to help those who are least among us. Groundbreaking Ceremony The St. Iakovos Retreat Center celebrates the groundbreaking for the phase two building program (main lodge & two cabins) on Bright/Renewal Friday May 10th. For more info: Graduation Sunday We will celebrate our graduates on May 19th. Please Fr. Rick with details of your graduating student, including their name, photo, school, degree/diploma, achievements/honors and future plans. We will publish that information and recognize them that Sunday. Congratulations in advance! Support Our Police & Citizens Two events are on the horizon for this effort. The first is the annual St. Paul Police Department Memorial Service on Wednesday May 15th, 11am at Mears Park in downtown St. Paul. This service honors all the officers who have fallen in the line of duty in the 150 year history of the department. The second is the 11th Annual Walk to Remember/Hope sponsored by Survivor Resources on Monday May 20th, 6pm at Como Park. This event memorializes loved ones and is the main fundraiser for SR who helps grieving families after the loss of loved ones. For more info, contact Fr. Rick or go to Thanks for your prayers and support! Lost & Found Please be sure to check the lost and found basket on top of the coat rack at the bottom of stairs, and claim any items for you or your friends. Philoptochos News There is no meeting in May; Decades Birthday Party in June. Please advise Reva Adkins if you are celebrating a decade birthday (i.e. 30, 40 ) Daughters of Penelope News We will be on vacation from May August. Watch for more information on the AHEPA Night Out. The District 14 Convention will be June 7-9 in Waterloo, Iowa. The AHEPA Family Supreme Conventionwill be held August in Orlando, Florida. Summer Church Camp Registration is already underway and church camp will held at Camp Wapo June 29 to July 5, The cost is $450/ camper. Registration closes on May 30th. For more info: Summer Church Camp Scholarships The James Nickitas Camp Scholarship is awarded to worthy applicants in need of financial assistance who are members of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Saint Paul. Please contact Fr. Rick for an application. The Presbytera Mary Coniaris and James H. Zubulake full scholarships will be awarded to two essayists. Based on the 2013 theme for camp of face God, this year s essay question is, How do I make time each day to face God? There are two divisions: Junior Division - children entering 3rd- 6th grades Fall 2013; 250-word (typed) essay. Senior Division - teens entering 7th- 12th grades Fall 2013; 500- word (typed) essay. Deadline is Friday May 24, Please submit entries to: Fr Christopher Wojcik htoc@amerytel.net. page 4

5 St. Paul. MN Metropolis Clergy-Laity The biennial Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Clergy-Laity-Philoptochos Assembly will take place October 2-4, 2013 in Sioux City, Iowa hosted by the Holy Trinity parish. For more info: or Thank you! Pres. Eileen Simon and Minda Arsenault extend their sincere thanks to everyone who donated money, food and their time working the Lenten retreat. We appreciate all the wonderful help and support we received. Parish Council Treasurer s Report January - March 2013 Income $57,297 Expenses $82,997 Percent of Budget 102% Stewardship $47,534 Stewardship percent of goal 84% Comparison to 2012 Income $53,731 Expenses $79,587 Percent of Budget 105% Stewardship $47,750 Stewardship percent of goal 86% CPA transition is progressing well, our accounting is streamlined into one company, stewardship and bank accounts are balanced monthly. Resolution of prior year accounts continues. Parish Council President s Remarks - April 7, 2013, Parish Assembly We are so blessed at St. George. Thank God for all we have here. Also thanks to all of you that make this community, its ministries and our programs possible. At this time of year, Great Lent, the vibrancy of our church is especially obvious due to the extra services and additional visitors we host at the Lenten Retreat, Pan Orthodox vespers and dinner, and at the Wednesday and Friday night speaker series. Special thanks to Fr. Rick, the chanters, and the choir who perennially rise to the demands of Great Lent. In addition to those volunteers who so graciously organize these events and related meals, it would be great to see even more of our own parishioners participate in all of these services and programs. The number of visitors drawn to our church by these events has been impressive this year and those visitors are in turn impressed by what this Parish can offer. In addition to the Great Lent activities, we continue to maintain all our programs and ministries, so I also say Thank You to all the volunteer leaders and participants of: Philoptochos, Loaves and Fishes, FOCUS, Sunday School, the choir, the chanters, readers, altar servants, book store, Glad Tidings and publications, Parish Council, Greek School, Greek Dancers, Daughters of Penelope, AHEPA, the American Legion, to all of our pledgers and donors, and to festival and other Fundraiser volunteers. And to those of you who bring your babies and children and support your elderly and sick so that they can attend services and participate in these programs. And to any groups I may have missed THANK YOU. All of these ministries that you make happen unite us with God and drive a family-like atmosphere in our Parish. Finally, I thank you and the Parish Council for allowing me to serve as your Council President again this year. (Excerpt from introductory remarks at the April 7, 2013, Parish Assembly meeting) page 5

6 (Continued from page 2) bers 11:1-3; 16:35; Joshua 7:15,24-26; 2Kings 1:10-12 and famously the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19:24 (p.35-36). The Lord says through the prophet Amos, For three sins of Moab, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath, because he burned, as if to lime, the bones of Edom s king (2:1-2). This is argued as a clear denunciation of cremation. (p.37) The Israelites treated the body of a dead person with great respect by closing the eyes (Gen.46:4); washing the body (Acts 9:37); draping a napkin over the dead person s face (John 11:44); anointing with aromatic spices (Lk.23:56; 24:1; Jn.19:40) and wrapping with linens (Mt.27:59; Mk.15:45; Lk.23:53; Jn.19:39-40). Christian arguments against Cremation 1. Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ died on the Cross and was buried. (Nicene Creed) We should imitate Jesus. 2. Everyone will be bodily resurrected in the Second Coming of Christ. Cremation is a denial of the bodily resurrection. 3. The human body is a sacred sanctuary even after physical death. 4. Cremation with God s blessing is never mentioned in the Old Testament 5. We must not be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2) especially as cremation becomes more common. Benefits of Earth Burial Cemeteries provide consecrated ground for survivors to visit the graves and honored loved ones. These visits reminded survivors of the brevity and uncertainty of their own lives and our inevitable destination to leave this world and meet our Lord (p.28). Studies show that survivors of the deceased who are cremated express less grieving and weeping at time of funeral, rarely visit the site where their relatives or loved ones are kept, especially with those whose ashes are scattered. Relics of the Saints It is well known among church historians that the early Christians fervently opposed infanticide, child abandonment, abortion and suicide because they believed in the sanctity of the human being. In their minds, the sanctity of the human body did not come to an end when a person died. They saw the human being as the crown of God s creation, for man was made in the image and likeness of God (Gen.1:27) (p.49). The saints, during their earthly lives, were filled with the Holy Spirit. And when they fulfill their course, the grace of the Holy Spirit does not depart from their souls or their bodies in the tombs (St. John of Damascus). Cremation denies and deprives us of the sacred tradition and benefits of the presence of saintly holy relics. St. Paul emphasizes this in the Epistle reading from the 9th Sunday of Matthew: 16Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. For God's temple is holy and you are that temple (1Cor.3:16-17). He repeats this again later, Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which have from God? You are not your own (1Cor.6:19). So, even though we may not have attained a level of saintliness like some of our spiritual predecessors, nevertheless, God s Holy Spirit lives and dwells within us. Conclusion Cremation is the denial and purposeful destruction of God s human temple. As follower s of Christ, we are not dualists or spiritualists who believe that the material world is inherently evil and to be despised. Rather, as Christians, we believe in the inherent goodness of the material world, especially our human bodies. Together, our body and soul, are created in God s image and likeness. We are called to redeem and transfigure the creation to its original glory and beauty by continually resisting sin and temptation, repenting of our transgressions, and opening our hearts, minds and bodies to the indwelling presence of God s divine grace through His only-begotten Son and livegiving Holy Spirit. The only fire we should submit ourselves to is the fire of God s love and holy presence. St. Paul also says in today s reading, 13Each man s work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done 15If any man s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved but only through fire (1Cor.3:14,15). Amen! Because the Orthodox Faith affirms the fundamental goodness of creation, it understands the body to be an integral part of the human person and the temple of the Holy Spirit, and expects the resurrection of the dead. The Church considers cremation to be the deliberate desecration and destruction of what God has made and ordained for us. The Church instead insists that the body be buried so that the natural physical process of decomposition may take place. The Church does not grant funerals, either in the sanctuary, or at the funeral home, or at any other place, to persons who have chosen to be cremated. Additionally, memorial services with kolyva (boiled wheat) are not allowed in such instances, inasmuch as the similarity between the "kernel of wheat" and the "body" has been intentionally destroyed. ( articles/article8083.asp) Page number quotations from: Dust to Dust or Ashes to Ashes? A Biblical and Christian Examination of Cremation by Alvin J. Schmidt, Regina Orthodox Press page 6

7 Answers: 2, 2, 4, 1, 4, 1, 1, 2 St. Paul. MN Trivia for Pascha What is the common custom that goes along with Pascha (Easter)? 1. Walking around the house 3 times 2. Cracking red eggs 3. Giving out palm fronds 4. Aplogizing to anyone you may have hurt by your previous actions St. George Youth When someone says "Xristos Anesti", what is the proper response? 1. Anestasis Amartou 3. Efharisto 2. Alithos Anesti 4. Ne What is the main component of the traditional Paschal meal? 1. Beef 2. Chicken 3. Gnu 4. Lamb What is the day after Pascha called? 1. Ayapis 2. Tsoureki 3. Malias 4. Loukoumathes How many candles make up the priest's Bundle during the Paschal service? What is the recurring miracle that occurs on Holy Saturday? 1. Holy Fire 2. Sightings of saints 3. Resurrection of dead 4. Healing of the sick What does Pascha celebrate? 1. The resurrection of Christ 2. The beginning of the world 3. The end of the world 4. Lunchtime Sunday of Orthodoxy The youth of St. George celebrate the restoration of icons for use in church services and in the private devotional life of Christians. According to the Apostles' Creed, what side of the Father does Jesus sit on? 1. Left 2. Right 3. On top of 4. Under Courtesy: FunTrivia.com. Used with permission 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 May 2013 WEEKDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE Holy Week Services Wednesday, May 1, 3pm - Holy Unction Wednesday, May 1, 7pm Bridegroom Service with Unction Thursday, May 2, 9am-Vesperal Liturgy of the Mystical Supper Thursday, May 2, 7pm-Holy Passion 12 Gospel Service Friday, May 3, 9am-Royal Hours Friday, May 3, 7pm-Lamentations Service Sts. Raphael, Nicholas & Irene Divine Liturgy Tuesday, May 7, 9am Apostle Simon the Zealot Divine Liturgy at St. Iakovos Center Friday, May 10,9am SPPD Memorial Service Service, Wednesday, May 21, 11am at Mears Park Sts. Constantine and Helen Divine Liturgy Tuesday, May 21, 9am REGULAR WEEKLY SERVICES Holy Confession: By Appointment Vespers: (Sept. - May) Saturday 5:00 pm Orthros: Sunday 8:15 am Sunday School: (Sept. - May) following Communion Divine Liturgy: Sunday 9:30 am

9 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Coming in June... 2 Grand Old Day- Youth Parking Event 10 Loaves & Faith Lutheran 11 Patriarch Bartholomew's Nameday 12 Apodosis of Pascha 13 Ascension of our Lord 16 Father's Day 23 Pentecost 29 Sts. Peter & Paul; Summer Church Camp Begins; Liturgy in Eau Claire, WI 30 Twelve Holy Apostles May PROPHET JEREMIAH +9:00am VESPERAL +3:00pm HOLY LITURGY OF UNCTION SERVICE MYSTICAL SUPPER +7:00pm +7:00pm HOLY BRIDEGROOM PASSION - 12 SERVICE W/ GOSPELS UNCTION SERVICE :00am ROYAL +9:00am VESPERAL HOURS LITURGY- +11:00am Youth DESCENT INTO Retreat HADES +3:00pm DESCENT CROSS VESPERS +11:00pm ORTHROS +7:00pm OF RESURRECTION LAMENTATIONS SERVICE + HOLY AND GREAT WEEK -Strict Fast GREAT & HOLY +PROPHET JOB +STS. RAPHAEL, +PROPHET +APOSTLE SIMON PASCHA NICHOLAS & IRENE ISAIAH THE ZEALOT +ST. IRENE ST. AMALIA & +9:00am LITURGY- ST. JOHN St. George THEOLOGIAN *9:00am LITURGY, Feastday Lunch, Open +12:00am Observed *12:00pm MEOCCA House, & RESURRECTION Meeting Groundbreaking SERVICE *10:30am Bright at St. Iakovos Week Breakfast *7:00pm Parish Retreat Center +1:00am DIVINE Council LITURGY- PASCHA + BRIGHT/RENEWAL WEEK -CHRIST IS RISEN! + *6:30pm FOCUS MN Festive Dinner at St. Mary OCA +5:00pm VESPERS Mother's Day +ANTIPASCHA/ ST. THOMAS +8:15am ORTHROS +9:30am LITURGY *12:00pm Acolyte Training *4:00pm Feed the Hungry at FOCUS, MN *11:00am SPPD Police Memorial Service at Mears Park +9:00am Liturgy in Eau Claire, Wi +5:00pm VESPERS +3RD SUN. PASCHA- MYRRHBEARERS +8:15am ORTHROS +9:30am LITURGY STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN +9:00am LITURGY GRADUATION SUNDAY *6:00pm Survivor *7:00pm Bible *4:00pm Feed Resources Study at Fr. Rick's the Hungry at Walk-a-thon House FOCUS, MN Como Park - East Pavillion TH SUN. PASCHA- MEMORIAL DAY PARALYTIC - Office Closed +8:15am ORTHROS +9:30am LITURGY +12:30pm Memorial Roselawn *4:00pm Feed the Hungry at FOCUS, MN St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1111 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN Rev. Father Richard Demetrius Andrews -- Phone: (651)

10 St. George Greek Orthodox Church Parish Council Meeting Minutes March 14, 2013 Attendees: President Tom Lampros, Vice President Joe Weiser, Secretary Sophronis Mantoles,, Joanna Tzenis, Dan Simon, Fr. Richard Andrews, Michael Merkouris, Nanette Gomez, Bill Katsiyiannis, Frank Nemeth Absent: Alexis Bighley. Eric Chadwick, Jon Kennedy. Guests: Christ Kontenakos and Steve Arsenault. I. Call to Order: 7:04pm II. Opening Prayers: 7:07pm III. Special Topic and Guests: 1. Audit report Presentation: Steve Arsenault presented the report from the board of auditors for the calendar year Steve presented the purpose of the auditing process and reiterated how important the decision to hire a professional accountant has been. Steve also went into more details explaining some of the committee s general observations for 2012 and suggested recommendations for Some of the reported issues for 2012 were the single person process to automatically pay accounts. This needs to be corrected. Individual reimbursements to individuals needs to be fixed as well. Individuals need to have the Churches nonexempt letter before making purchases. IV. Submission of minutes from previous meeting: Nanette makes a motion to submit minutes electronically and finalize them by next week (March 21st). Joe seconded the motion, motion passes unanimously. V. Treasurer s report: Dan Simon prepared and distributed the treasurer's report. The main items are: Jan - Feb Income $33, Expenses $49, Percent under budget expenses 8% 4. Stewardship $24, Stewardship percent of goal 66% Comparison to Income $ Expenses $46, Percent under budget expenses 8% 4. Stewardship $31, Stewardship percent of goal 68% CPA transition is going well, efforts are being invested in streamlining our accounting and monthly tasks while resolving prior year accounts. VI. Investment committee report: Dan Simon presented the investment committee report. A major decision was made to reinvest dividends to increase gains. The report for 2012 will be distributed electronically. VII. Father's report: Father presented the following: 1. Lenten Encyclical from the Archbishop of America Demetrios was read to the parish council members. 2. Update on Lydia the youth director. INS needs more information on the parish information. The information was submitted to INS as requested. 3. Great lent starts this coming Monday, March 18.

11 4. Fr passed brochures on the Lenten Retreat and the Lenten Lecture series. 5. Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos will be here on holy Friday evening service. VIII. Committee reports: 1. Insurance committee: Committee switched insurance companies. The insurance company will do an assessment of the property. Some stipulations are in place and once they are through we will be getting a price break on our premium for the building. 2. Stewardship Committee report: Tom presented the report from Alexis. i. Goals for 2013 ii. Launch the eternal light society iii. Conduct a seminar iv. Sponsor two social events v. Formulate a committee of parishioners to help. vi. Proof the monthly deposits against the Deacon reports. Father presented the stewardship report: 3. Buildings and Grounds: Dan Simon presented the building and grounds report. Among the material presented was update on the roof issue. Water collected on the roof is an issue. We have warranty on the roof which will be inspected by duralast. 4. Festival of the Nations (2013): Tom Lampros gave a quick update on the festival of the nations. 5. Roselawn committee: Table the discussion for the next meeting. IX. Unfinished Business 1. Strategic planning workshop and parish assessment: Joanna Tzenis presented her plan to have an assessment for the parish after liturgy at the fellowship hall. 2. Parish assembly strategic planning: One Saturday in May 18th 25th or June. An will go out for people to choose dates. Stewardship program will be scheduled later. 3. Parish Assembly meeting on April 7th: Audit review, election of board of auditors and board of elections. 4. Administrative assistant: Update on the administrative assistant was given by Tom and Fr. 5. Pew Configuration: Frank presented a plan to get the job completed in the next few days. X. New Business: 1. None. XI. Adjournment and Closing Prayer: 10:46pm. Motion to adjourn made by Joe Weiser seconded by Nanette Gomez. All documents and reports submitted at the meeting are on file with the original copy of the minutes at the church.

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