Parish Thanksgiving Sunday Begins on November 4 th

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1 November 2018 St. Christopher Hellenic Orthodox Church Phone: (770) 347-PRAY (7729) 313 Dividend Drive, Suite 210 Peachtree City, Georgia Website: Very Rev. Fr. George J. Tsahakis, Pastor Tammy Soulakos, President, Parish Council Parish Thanksgiving Sunday Begins on November 4 th Every fourth Thursday of November, we celebrate the American tradition of Thanksgiving Day. Beginning on Sunday, November 4 th, and thereafter on the first Sunday of every month after the Divine Liturgy, we will schedule Parish Thanksgiving Sunday. My goal is to begin the first Sunday of every month with prayers of thanksgiving. At the same time, I have wanted to re-introduce a beautiful Orthodox practice that has become dormant in our parish. Its potential will increase the involvement of our parishioners and enable them to offer thanksgiving as Orthodox have done for many centuries. Let me explain how! On many Sundays, we are blessed with parishioners willingly offering a portion of the gifts that God has bestowed upon them back to the Church. Whether it is a birthday, Name Day, or marriage anniversary, we are thankful that our parishioners are responding to the heart-felt appeal of our beloved sister of blessed memory, Helen Hayes, who in her lifetime encouraged us to give a monetary donation in thanksgiving for our birthday. Now that we have grown, it s anybody s guess as to who is celebrating what on any given Sunday. In formalizing our current practice and designating gifts now be made on the first Sunday of each month, we will recognize this effort on our schedule and parishioners can be Page 1

2 Pastoral Remarks From Fr. George: Parish Thanksgiving Sunday Begins on November 4 th aware and plan accordingly. It s always been sad to me that someone will tell me in the Antidoron line, Fr. George, I was going to make a donation for my birthday and I was overlooked. Our new practice will eliminate hurt feelings due to someone being in the restroom or nursery and missing the weekly call for birthdays, etc. Scheduling also eliminates our youth from having to wait for their pre-sunday School snacks at the end of church services. Coffee fellowship and Religious Education classes will start on time more consistently. As far as I know, we are the only parish in our Metropolis that recognizes special anniversaries in the church before Coffee Hour. I m thankful we have grown to the point that we need it to be consistent and more organized. I ask you to follow these guidelines and join in our monthly celebrations! Parishioners comments gave me the idea of Parish Thanksgiving Sunday once each month. Knowing that our Orthodox tradition encourages us to offer the Blessing of the Five Loaves, Oil, Wheat & Wine when we wish to give thanksgiving to God for His gifts, I invite parishioners to set aside the first Sunday of every month to come forth, if they wish, to share their special commemorations that will occur during that month (e.g., birthday, Name Day, anniversary, or any other special event in which you wish to make a monetary donation). If you will be absent on the first Sunday or forget it one month, no worries simply wait until the first Sunday of the following month when we will have the next Parish Thanksgiving Sunday commemoration. We want to include everyone so don t worry if you miss the month of your celebration. In fact, our parishioners have shared that with travels, they often miss their intended donation date and now they won t have to feel they are late. The Blessing of the Five Loaves of Bread is a brief service of thanksgiving through which we express our gratitude for all the blessings of life. Oil, wine, wheat, and the loaves of bread which are used in the service, are viewed as the most basic elements necessary for life. The Blessing reminds us of the miracle of the multiplication of the Page 2

3 Pastoral Remarks From Fr. George: Parish Thanksgiving Sunday Begins on November 4 th bread and fish by which Christ fed the multitude. After the Service, the bread is cut and distributed to the congregation. Thus, in addition to birthday cakes or special treats that people wish to bring and share during coffee fellowship on Parish Thanksgiving Sunday, we will have blessed sweet church bread to share as well! Beginning November 4th, if you choose for me to recognize your special day that occurs anytime in November, after Holy Communion is distributed, if possible, kindly sit on the empty seats near the front so you re more easily accessible for recognition after the Blessing of the Five Loaves service. I will offer this service after the Divine Liturgy and ask God s blessings upon all celebrating special days in November. After its prayers, each person and their family will come forward and offer their donation to the Operating or Building Funds. I commend our parishioners for loving to celebrate and thank God for our blessings. Now, one Sunday each month, I invite you to share this opportunity together with your parish family. Presbytera Marinda and I are hopeful that our brothers and sisters in Christ will volunteer to make the five Loaves (artos) and offer oil, wheat and wine for the Artoklasia Blessing. Presbytera Marinda volunteered to make the first months artos and donate the wine, wheat, and oil. In December and the following months, let her know if you wish to make the artos and donations and she will schedule you so every month is covered. We welcome your participation in offering the five loaves and donations and thank you in advance for your willingness to serve in this new ministry. In short, Parish Thanksgiving Sunday is simple, easy, and will be scheduled in advance. If there are no family commemorations, we still want to offer the monthly Blessing of the Five Loaves, so we are asking for volunteers to prepare and donate the five loaves of bread, along with the oil, wine, and wheat on behalf of our parish family each month. In our Orthodox tradition, it is customary for the family to donate these items. If you Page 3

4 Pastoral Remarks From Fr. George: Parish Thanksgiving Sunday Begins on November 4 th prefer only to donate the artos, that is fine. We have families who are willing to donate the other items. If a family is willing to donate these items, this could be considered your thanksgiving offering instead of making another monetary gift. Anyone who wishes to learn how to make the artos, contact Presbytera Marinda and she can help teach you. She is hoping to offer a class one Sunday after Religious Education let her know of your interest. In closing, the custom of offering the Five Loaves monthly will remind us of the generosity and multiplication of the gifts of fish and bread that our Lord multiplied and shared with all present. Through this Orthodox Service, we return thanksgiving to God for multiplying our own gifts and hence, the icon of this miracle has been selected as our logo for Parish Thanksgiving Sunday the first Sunday of every month! Very Rev. Fr. George J. Tsahakis Chancellor, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta Pastor, St. Christopher Hellenic Orthodox Church Visit the St. Christopher s Online Parish Calendar at for up-to-the-minute details about upcoming events and services! Page 4

5 Our parish family is deeply appreciative to Emilia Moraitis and Katie Wilson for planning and overseeing our visit to Uncle Bob's Pumpkin Patch Farm on October 13th. A wonderful time was enjoyed by all. Page 5

6 Philoptochos Society Fall Pastry Sale To promote charitable, benevolent and philanthropic outreach to preserve the sanctity of life and family and to perpetuate and promote our Orthodox faith and traditions." Name: Phone: Pickup Dates: Friday, November 16 th 3:00 pm 6:00 Church Address Saturday, November 17 th 9:00 am -12:00 Church Address Order Deadline: November 2, 2018 Quantity Cost/Dozen Total Spanakopita: Spinach &Cheese stuffed phyllo triangle Tiropita: Cheese stuffed phyllo triangle Baklava: layers of phyllo filled with chopped nuts and sweetened and held together with syrup or honey Kourambiedes: sugar dusted butter cookie SAINT CHRISTOPHER HELLENIC ORTHODOX CHURCH 313 Dividend Drive, Suite 210, Peachtree City, GA Tel: (770) (770) Web: info@saintchristopherhoc.org $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Melomakarona: cookies with olive oil, walnuts and cinnamon soaked in honey syrup $ $ Koulourakia: twisted butter cookie $ 8.00 $ Sampler Dozen: Package containing 3 each of Baklava, Kourambiedes, Melomakarona and Koulourakia $ $ Pastitsio: luscious layers of seasoned ground beef, pasta, and a creamy bechamel sauce baked to perfection $ x9 pan $ TOTAL DUE: $ Paid: Cash Check # CC MAIL TO: PHONE TO: TO: St. Christopher Hellenic Orthodox Church, Philoptochos Society 313 Dividend Drive, Suite 210 Peachtree City, GA (ask for Dedee Panayis) wreay@yahoo.com Page 6

7 Philoptochos Society Fall Pastry Sale Upcoming Preparing/Baking Dates: Preparing and Baking of Kourambiethes, Koulourakia, and Melomakarona Saturday, Nov. 3 rd 9:00 am Sunday, Nov. 4 th - following the Liturgy (if needed) Preparing and Baking of Baklava Monday, Nov. 5 th - 5:00 pm Wednesday, Nov. 7 th - 5:00 pm (if needed) Boxing of Pastries Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 12 th & 13 th - 5:00 pm ** Come, Learn, and Enjoy Fellowship while making these wonderful foods. Proceeds from this sale fund all of our Philoptochos commitments and activities. We need everyone to share their time and talents. ** Please mark these dates on your calendars NOW! Last year only a few had to do a whole lot to insure the success of this fundraiser. Don t want to cook? Let s EAT Tired of doing the dishes? Let s EAT Been meaning to eat out with your Family? Let s EAT Have you been putting off catching up with old friends? Let s EAT Wishing you had the opportunity to meet new friends? Let s EAT Join Us at Broadway Diner, 535 S Glynn St., Ste. 1009, Fayetteville Sunday, November 25 th, 12:00 pm Save the Date! Philoptochos Vasilopita Luncheon Sunday, January 6, :30 am 1:00 pm (At St. Christopher s) Food + Live Auction + Entertainment for all ages = FUN! Everyone is welcome and we hope you will join us! Your Good Will Offering Benefits St. Basil s Academy. More information to follow! Page 7

8 Schedule for Sunday Greet and Close Teams November Date Volunteers 11/4 Gail Ericsson Georgia Lungaro Jeannie Lydia McGee 11/11 No Services in PTC Archangel Michael Honors Weekend Becky Butler 11/18 Cynthia Cromartie Julie Skouteris Pat Zenais Bassett 11/25 Tammy Soulakos Dina Tagalos-Kearns A big Thank You to all our volunteers who help keep our Church clean and tidy! If you would like to help but are unable to commit on a regular basis, please feel free to help clean up after services at your convenience. The more the merrier. We greatly appreciate everyone's help and are always looking to add more team members to this ministry! Please call or Claudia Sliwinski (678) , claudia.sliwinski@yahoo.com or Tammy Soulakos (404) , tammy@soulakos.org. November Prosfora Baking Schedule The following families are scheduled to prepare Prosfora this month: Sunday, Nov. 4 (due Fri, Nov. 2 by 4:00 pm) Effie Sakkas/Susan Kleto Sunday, Nov. 18 (due Fri., Nov.16 by 4:00 pm) Pat MacDougall/Stella Christodoulopoulos Tuesday, Nov. 20 (due Mon., Nov. 19 by 4:00 pm) Costas and Tammy Soulakos/Lydia McGee Sunday, Nov. 25 (due Fri., Nov. 23 by 4:00 pm) Georgia Lungaro/Claudia Sliwinski Thursday, Nov. 29 (Due Wed., Nov.28 by 4:00 pm) Helen Psihountas/Julie Skouteris PROSFORA BAKERS: PLEASE BE SURE TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Presbytera Marinda appreciates everyone s help and if needs arise, please contact her at mtsahakis@comcast.net or (770) Page 8

9 Hands of Love: November For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore, I command you to do this word which says, You shall surely open your hands to your brother, to your poor and needy in your land. (Deut. 15:11) All Sundays in November: Ecumenical Patriarchate Charities Hands of Love, a ministry of our Philoptochos Society, will be accepting monetary donations to support the charities of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul, Turkey is the seat of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, primus inter pares or first among equals with the other leaders of the various Orthodox Churches. His All Holiness is the direct administrative superior of dioceses and archdioceses serving believers in modern day Turkey, South and North America, West Europe, Australia and New Zealand as well as Mount Athos. For more information about the Ecumenical Patriarchate please visit: Yours in Christ, Anna Andreeva Naydenova, Hands of Love Chair Preparing Christmas Hugs Our next blessing will be in December 16 th and shared with the ladies being assisted by Promise Place in Fayetteville. Promise Place offers shelter and assistance to women experiencing domestic violence. Our prayers and prayer shawls provide moral and emotional support and the knowledge they are special and cared about. Presbytera Renee Ritsi, OCMC, shared the following: In September in Albania, at the 2018 Clergy Wives Retreat held at the Orthodox Theological Academy in Shen Vlash, Albania, about 60 women gathered to grow in Christ and have time for fellowship. For three days the women gathered in both small and large groups, discussing various topics around the theme of Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Souls. At the final session on Sunday afternoon, various gifts for all the participants were made available. In addition to the lovely prayer shawls the participants choose from handmade bracelets, wall hangings with quotes from the lives of saints in Albanian, and yarn with knitting needles. The shawls went quickly, and the women were very touched by the love and prayer that went into each shawl. Please contact Susan Kleto at (678) or sbkleto@gmail.com if you have any questions, need yarn for a shawl, would like to receive a Prayer Guide, or have any suggestions for improving this ministry. Page 9

10 And he said to them, The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. (Luke 10:2) We need your help so... You re Invited! Calendar Reminders: In place of our next General Meeting, we have a hands-on project Skilled care services have evolved over time to expand beyond traditional nursing home care. Southland Health & Rehabilitation can help you choose the appropriate level of care for your loved one. If your loved one will only be with us for a short-term stay we can offer a full service of transition of care. November 18 th Stay to tie a couple of blankets and sign a Christmas card or two! Make it a family Nativity Lenten Activity! Help us provide each resident with a lap blanket and a Christmas Card. November 3 rd,4 th,5 th, 7 th, 12 th, & 13 th Fall Pastry Sale Preparations (see p. 7) November 16 th & 17 th Fall Pastry Sale Pick-Up Dates (See Order Form, p. 6) November 18 th : Open Meeting- Help us make no-sew fleece lap blankets and Christmas Cards for the residents of Southland Nursing Home Set-up Angel Christmas Tree for the St. John the Wonderworker s Christmas Toy and Food Box Program We have lots of fun opportunities for collaboration and fellowship in the coming months. We hope everyone will join us. Your Sister in Christ, Helen Psihountas, Philoptochos President Philoptochos News and Updates Page 10

11 Parish Council News Parish General Assembly meeting scheduled for Sunday, November 18, 2018 Following the Divine Liturgy, we hope you will join us and be updated on the progress of our parish. At this meeting you will also have an opportunity to be nominated to serve on the following committees: Audit Committee Election Committee Parish Council Parishioners who serve on these important committees must be members in good standing. Below are excerpts from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Uniform Parish Regulations that define a parishioner in good standing. For more information you may visit the website at: documents/pdf/2007-regulations-amended.pdf. Everyone is welcome and we hope that you will join us! Faithfully, Julie Skouteris Parish Council Vice President Parish Financial Update The financial gifts and expenses through September are shown below. Stewardship gifts increased in September as evidenced by a reduction in the YTD net deficit. Expenses were fairly normal for the month. We will continue to monitor through the remainder of the year. Thank you for your continued support of our Operations. Please contact George Psihountas, Treasurer, or Steve Sarantis, Assistant Treasurer, if you have any questions. YTD Activity YTD Budget Total Op. Income $105,552 $103,179 Operating Expenses $110,051 $103,179 YTD Net ($4,499) Faithfully, George Psihountas, Parish Council Treasurer Page 11

12 Stewardship Update What a Difference a Year Makes! Last year at this time, I reported that our Operating Checking Balance was in a deficit of: ($4,296.23) This year I am proud to report that our Operating Checking Balance has a positive balance of $7, As next year s Stewardship reflects All Things are Possible to the One Who Believes in Christ! Recently I read an article on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website about St. Christopher, our church s patron saint. Having heard the story of St. Christopher numerous times, I never really connected his acts as acts of Stewardship. Below is an excerpt from the article: The story of St. Christopher is well known. It is about a Roman soldier who lived in the third century. This was a time of great unrest and persecution for those who believed in Jesus Christ. Christopher could not see the reason for persecuting these innocent people and spoke out against such cruelties by resigning from the Roman army. Inspired by the love and faith that motivated the Christian people; he enthusiastically accepted Christ and was baptized. There is a story about this saint that describes his method of offering Christian charity. It is said that he would carry travelers across a river on his back. One day, he happened to carry a young boy across the river. Halfway across, the weight of the child became overpowering and Christopher stated: "Had I borne the whole world on my back, I would not have outweighed you." To this the Child responded: "Marvel not for you have borne upon your back the world and Him Who created it!" This encounter with the Christ Child expresses the gift of love in which St. Christopher was determined to offer. For this reason, many icons depict the saint carrying our Lord on his shoulders. This is a powerful message of Christian Orthodox Stewardship. Imagine, placing upon our very own shoulders, the One who not only created the world, but also takes away the sins of the world! And yet, this is exactly what our participation in Christian Stewardship requires. We, too, are to become a Christopher a steward who "bears Christ" in the heart, the mind, and the soul! Let us all seek to be Christopher by sharing our love for Christ with others and strive to live by St. Christopher s example as a Christian Orthodox Steward. Your offerings of Time, Talent, and Treasures truly reflect your belief in your faith, your love of one another, and your commitment to our parish. Let s keep up the momentum and see where it takes us! Thank you! Faithfully, Julie Skouteris, Stewardship Chair Page 12

13 St. Christopher HOC Cordially Invites You to Join Us for Our OPERATION CHRISTMAS PREP December 2, 2018 Immediately Following Religious Ed It s Time to Deck Our Halls And Decorate Cookies!!! ALL PARISHIONERS ARE INVITED AND ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE As we prepare for the Nativity we look forward to coming together as a church to fill our spirits as we get into the Spirit! Festive Activities to Complete Our Operation Christmas Prep: Adorning our Tree with Ornaments Decorating Christmas Cookies o Some are to keep and some are to give to those in our community ~*Lunch will be provided*~ Page 13

14 PARISH PRIEST: Fr. George Tsahakis, Protopresbyter (770) PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS: Fr. George Tsahakis, Protopresbyter (770) Tammy Soulakos, President (404) Julie Skouteris, Vice President (770) Jeanie McGee, Secretary (404) George Psihountas, Treasurer (770) Stephen Sarantis, Assistant Treasurer (770) Stephen Butler (770) Maria Cahill (770) Tom Farmakis (404) Steve Theodorakis (404) MINISTRY LEADERS: Altar Boys and Myrrh Bearers: Fr. George Tsahakis (770) Building Committee Chairman: George Zavlanos (770) Building Fundraising Committee: Tom Farmakis (404) Chantors: George Skouteris (770) Choir: Jeanie Ellinas (770) Church Maintenance/Facilities: Stephen Sarantis (770) Church Supplies Ordering: Pat MacDougall (770) Education, Culture, & Youth Diakonia Committee: Tammy Soulakos (404) Facebook: Katie Wilson (404) Finance Committee: Steve Wilson (770) Greek Orthodox Youth of America (GOYA): Sheryl Vasiliadis (770) Greet and Close Teams: Claudia Sliwinski (678) Hellenic Dance: Katie Wilson (404) Hellenic Language: (No teacher available at this time) H.O.P.E./J.O.Y.: Katie Wilson (404) Emilia Moraitis (678) Inventory and Assets: Steve Theodorakis (404) Newsletter: Susan Kleto (678) Outreach Committee: Jeanie McGee (404) Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF): Helen Psihountas (770) Peachtree City GreekFest 2018: Tammy Soulakos (404) Julie Skouteris (770) Dina Tagalos Kearns (470) Helen Psihountas (770) Personnel: Tammy Soulakos (404) Philoptochos: Helen Psihountas (770) Prosfora/Kolyva/Artoklasia: Presbytera Marinda Tsahakis (770) Publicity Committee: Cynthia Cromartie (678) Real Estate Committee: Cynthia Cromartie (678) Religious Education Program: Katie Wilson (404) St. Christopher Bookstore: Becky Butler (770) and Emilia Moraitis (678) St. Christopher Library: Presbytera Marinda Tsahakis (770) Stewardship Committee: Julie Skouteris (770) Page 14

15 Community Calendar November 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 6:30 pm Choir Practice 2 Orders for Fall Pastry/Appetizer Sale Due TODAY 3 9:00 am Prep and Baking of Kourambiedes/ Koulourakia/ Melomakarona for Fall Pastry Sale Strict Fast Daylight Savings Time Ends, turn clocks BACK at bedtime 4 5 rd Sunday of St. Luke :00 am Daylight Savings Time Ends, 7:45 am Orthros 9:00 am Divine Liturgy/40 Day Memorial - Irene Christodoulou 10:30 am Blessing of Five Loaves & Nov. Commemorations 11:00 am Rel. Ed. Classes 12:00 pm Parish Council Mtg. 12:00 pm Fall Pastry Sale Baking (if needed) 1:45 pm Outreach Ministry Mtg. 5:00 pm Prep and Baking of Baklava for Fall Pastry Sale 5:00 pm Prep and Baking of Baklava for Fall Pastry Sale (if needed) Strict Fast 6:30 pm Choir Practice Strict Fast 7:00 pm Archangel Michael Feast and Honors Banquet at Annunciation Cathedral, Atlanta 11 8 th Sunday of St. Luke No Services in PTC Archangel Michael Feast and Honors Weekend at Annunciation Cathedral, Atlanta 8:00 am Orthros 9:30 am Hierarchical Divine Liturgy 12 5:00 pm December Newsletter Article Submission Deadline 5:00 pm Boxing of Baked Goods for Fall Pastry Sale 13 5:00 pm Boxing of Baked Goods for Fall Pastry Sale (if needed) 14 Fr. George will offer Orthros and Divine Liturgy at Archangel Michael Chapel, Metropolis of Atlanta 8:00 am Orthros 9:00 am Divine Liturgy 15 Begins 6:30 pm Choir Practice Fish/Wine/Oil Allowed 16 Fr. George will offer the Divine Liturgy at Archangel Michael Chapel, Metropolis of Atlanta 9:00 am Divine Liturgy 3:00-6:00 pm Fall Pastry Sale Pickup at Church Wine/Oil Allowed 17 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Fall Pastry Sale Pick-up at Church 9:30-11:00 am Religious Education Collaboration Meeting Fish/Wine/Oil Allowed 18 9 th Sunday of St. Luke 7:45 am Orthros 9:00 am Divine Liturgy 10:30 am General Parish Assembly 12:00 pm Philoptochos Mtg./Service Project/Angel Tree (No Religious Ed. Classes} Fish/Wine/Oil Allowed 19 Nativity Fast Fish/Wine/ Oil Allowed 20 Eve of Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos 5:00 pm Great Vespers 5:45 pm Divine Liturgy 7:00 pm Community Dinner (Fish/ Wine/Oil Allowed) 21 Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos (celebrated on the Eve of the Feast, 11/20) Fish/Wine/Oil Allowed 22 Thanksgiving Day Fr. George will offer the Divine Liturgy at Archangel Michael Chapel, Metropolis of Atlanta 9:00 am Divine Liturgy 23 Strict Fast 24 Fish/Wine/Oil Allowed th Sunday of St. Luke 7:45 am Orthros 9:00 am Divine Liturgy 10:15 am Coffee Fellowship 10:45 am Religious Education Classes 12:00 pm Let s Eat, Broadway Diner, Fayetteville (See p.7) Fish/Wine/Oil Allowed 26 Nativity Fast Fish/Wine/ Oil Allowed 27 Fish/Wine/Oil Allowed 28 Strict Fast 29 Feast of St. Andrew, the First Called 5:00 pm Great Vespers 5:45 pm Divine Liturgy 7:00 pm Community Dinner (Fish/Wine/Oil Allowed) 30 Wine/Oil Allowed Page 15