THE ORTHODOX POST. Pastor s Message by Fr. Nathan Preston. President s Message. The Orthodox Post Page 3 INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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1 Page 3 THE ORTHODOX POST November 2013 Volume IX, Issue 11 St. Nicholas Albanian Orthodox Church, Midland Parkway, Jamaica Estates, New York, NY Web site: fr.nathan@stnicholasalbanian.org Tel: (718) Pastor s Message by Fr. Nathan Preston By the time you read this, Fr. Nathan should be back safe and sound from Albania. You can expect some photos of his trip in next month's Orthodox Post, but for now we are pleased to have a special guest article from Fr. Adam Horstman, who was with us last year as an intern from St. Vladimir's. Please enjoy his update. Greetings to St. Nicholas Orthodox Church! INSIDE THIS ISSUE Pastor s Message & President s Message 1 Daughters Corner & Kendi Shqip 2 Parish Car Raffle, Flea Market & Bake Sale Pledge Program & Community News 5 Golf Outing & Church School 6-7 September s Major Feast Days 8 Merchant Ads 9-11 Major Events & Ushers Sunday Schedule 12 It seems like yesterday that I was at Church with you all. You spoiled me so much! I was able to learn, liturgically at least, how to be a deacon and then a priest, without the responsibilities of the real world. Although I might wish in some way to roll back time and go back to those days, I cannot, The Gospel encourages us to live in the present and strive towards the future. All this being said, the present has gone very well for me, Trish, Luke, Leah, and. A mystery baby on the way! I am an associate priest at a mission in Rock Hill, South Carolina. I am technically a part time pastor, but I work just short of full time and take care of Leah throughout the week. Luke is in Kindergarten. Trish is working fulltime (Monday through Friday) as a Social Worker in an agency whose mission is to eliminate homelessness among children living in Charlotte, North Carolina. How awesome is that! Continued on Page 7 President s Message by Jim Liolin A COMMUNITY UNITED WE NEED YOU! A community is defined as a group of people leading a common life according to a rule. We are a community at St. Nicholas and the rule is to care for what has been given to us with love. We all must share in the responsibilities for needs of our Church community. That being said, we will be starting our Pledge campaign in November through December. This is one way we show our caring materially. Our finances are such that we need everyone to do a little more this year in their pledge commitment As the goal is to reach $70,000. I m asking for everyone to add a minimum of 5% to their current pledge amount. This will bring us a little closer to that goal. There are new programs being discussed and others are in the planning stage that will occur at St. Nicholas in the near future, all of which will need the support of everyone to make them successful. It is our hope to make the Church an even larger community, healthier financially and spiritually stronger. St. Nicholas needs YOU!

2 Page 2 KENDI SHQIP (The Albanian Corner) DAUGHTERS CORNER by Linda Foundos Don t forget to support our annual Flea Market/Bake Sale on November 9 & 10 in the way of donating items and/or baked goods, pricing, selling and purchasing too! We have some great bargains! by A. Llupa Nentor, 2013 Këtë muaj po japim nje pjesën mbi Lutjen dhe dhe nje vjershe te Naimit Të lutesh nuk do të thotë thjesht të përsëritesh fjalët e lutjes.të thuash lutjen nuk është e njejta gjë si të lutesh.lutja duhet bërë fshehtazi, shkurtazi, rregullisht, pa shumë fjalë, me plot besim në Perëndinë dhe me dëshirën për të bërë çfarë Ajo na tregon për të bërë. Kisha Orthodokse ndjek praktikën e Dhiatës së Vjetër të lutjeve sipas orëve të ditës. Të krishterët nxiten të luten rregullisht në mëngjes, në mbrëmje dhe në kohën e ngrënjes. Gjithashtu, ka një lutje të shkurtër që mund të thuhet e të përsëritet gjatë tërë ditës dhe në çdo rrethanë.për këtë qëllim, shumë njerëz përdorin Lutjen e Jesuit: Zoti Jezu Krisht, Biri i Perëndisë, mëshiromë mua mëkatarin! Natyrisht, forma e lutjes është sekondare dhe mund të ndryshojë nga personi në person.por ajo që është esenciale, për të na çuar tek Perëndia dhe për të na fuqizuar që të bëjmë dëshirën e tij, është fuqia e lutjes. Meshe volunteers are needed. You can make one in memory of someone, to celebrate a special event, or anytime! Please contact Fr. Nathan or Christina Liolin with any questions. Periodically, the altar robes need attention in the way of cleaning & repairs. Our sincere thanks to Tina Korra who has done both for us! The sewing talents of Christina Liolin are very much appreciated. She is in the process of making new altar cloths in colors specific to church observances; the red so far has been completed. Thank you! Wisdom: A good life is when you assume nothing, do more, need less, smile often, dream big, laugh a lot, and realize how blessed you are. General Parish Meeting Sunday, November 3rd, after Liturgy Lutjet e një personi në shtëpi ndryshojnë nga ato të Kishës, meqënëse lutja personale nuk është e njëjte me lutjen e përbashkët të Kishës.Dy tipat e lutjes janë të ndryshme dhe nuk duhen ngatërruar me njera tjetrën.kur ne shkojmë në kishë për t u lutur, nuk e bëjmë për të thënë lutjet tona private. Lutjet tona private duhen bërë në shtëpi, fshehurazi dhe jo në kishë.kjo nuk do të thotë që nuk duhet t i sjellim në lutjen e kishës problemet, dëshirat, shqetësimet, pyetjet dhe gëzimet personale. Sigurisht, ne mund dhe i sjellim ato. Por ne i sjellim shqetësimet tona dhe veten tonë në Kishë për t i bashkuar ato me lutjet e Kishës, me lutjen e përjetshme të Krishtit, të Nënës së Perëndisë, të shenjtorëve dhe të vëllezërve dhe motrave tona. Në Kishë ne lutemi me të tjerët, prandaj duhet ta disiplinojmë vetveten për t u lutur së bashku, si një trup, një mendje, një zemër dhe një shpirt. Në Kishë çdonjeri duhet ta vendosë personin e tij dhe veçantinë personale të tij në lutjen e përbashkët të Krishtit me Trupin e Tij. Kjo e pasuron lutjen e Kishës dhe e bën atë të mrekullueshme dhe plot kuptim dhe mund të themi, të lehtë për ta kryer. Vështirësia në shërbesat e shumë kishave, është pikërisht sepse ato janë lutjet e individëve të izoluar nga njeri- tjetri, të cilët janë të bashkuar vetëm fizikisht dhe jo shpirtërisht. Come to our Meeting!!!!! Important business of the St. Nicholas Parish will be discussed: Sunday School, Albanian Class & Adult Education Natural Church Development Program Daughters of St. Nicholas Activities Fundraising Events and Social Activities Finances & 2014 Budget 2014 Pledge Program Other Important Business Continued on Page 7

3 Page 3 TO BUY YOUR RAFFLE TICKETS CONTACT TOMI BENO, JIM LIOLIN, LOU FOUNDOS, BILL PETERS OR ANY PARISH COUNCIL MEMBER

4 Page 4 FLEA MARKET & BAKE SALE Saturday, November 9 th, (10am t0 5pm) Sunday, November 10 th, (12noon to 4pm) YOUR FALL CLEANING CAN BE A WONDERFUL CONTRIBUTION TO OUR CHURCH!! Your unused, unwanted items in good, clean & saleable condition may be a treasure to someone else. Please check your closets, cabinets, attic, garage & basement for such items: electric appliances, blankets, linens, shoes, books, costume jewelry, vases, toys, lamps, artwork, clothing, crystal, pots & pans, luggage, tools, knick-knacks, handbags, etc. YOU MAY BEGIN TO BRING YOUR ITEMS TO CHURCH NOW. Please neatly pile them in the back corner of the expanded Fellowship Hall. Driving the Community--- Did you know that there are people who would like to attend Church but are having difficulty with transportation? Some of them may be your neighbors. In order to meet this need, we are hoping to begin a ride share program that will allow everyone who wishes to be in Church on Sunday to be there. As a first step, we are now looking for volunteers from the Ridgewood/Middle Village area of Queens and the Pelham Parkway/Riverdale areas of the Bronx who have room in their vehicles and are willing to help out. If this is you, please contact Jim Liolin to volunteer as a driver or lionadv@aol.com. Te ndihmojme me transport komunitetin tone--- A e dini se ka persona qe deshirojne te marrin pjese ne kishen tone por kane veshtirsi transporti? Disa prej tyre mund te jene komshinjte tuaj. Me qellim qe te ndihmojme keta persona ne shpresojme te fillojme nje program qe te ndihmoje keta persona qe deshirojne te vine ne kishe diten e Djele. Si fillim ne kerkojme vullnetare nga Ridgewood/Middle Village zona te Queens dhe Pelham Parkway/Riverdale zona te Bronx-it Neqoftese deshironi vullnetarisht te ndimoni ju lutem contaktoni : Jim Liolin ne kete numer telefoni ose lionadv@aol.com. Ju Falemderit

5 Page Pledge Program2014 Begins In October Every year, St. Nicholas Church asks each Parishioner to make a financial Pledge for the next year in order to support the Church. The Pledges provide the money that enables the Church to serve the Community, to perform its day-to-day operations, and to be there when each of us needs the Church. The Pledge Program campaign runs from October into the Winter. It begins with letters and Pledge Cards going to Parishioners asking for an individual Pledge. It is important to the life of the Church that everyone participates in the Annual Pledge Program. You will be getting your Pledge Letter soon! Please think about how important St. Nicholas Church is to you and your family. Then make as generous a Pledge as possible for Fill in the information about you and your family and mail the Card or bring it to Church. Submit Your Pledge Soon!!! Community News by Linda Foundos One of our long-term, dedicated parishioners, George Kelapire, fell asleep in the Lord on October 10th. George is survived by his wife Betty Kelapire; children - Barbara Filis, Michael Kelapire, John Kelapire and Lisa Feimer; and 10 beautiful grandchildren! George was a pleasant, cheerful, loving man who treasured his family, the St. Nicholas community and life. He brought joy into the room as he entered. He was loved & will be missed by many. May his memory be eternal. Our wishes for a quick & complete recovery go out to Marion Adams after her recent accident. Her daughter, Jana Foundos, has been a real Florence Nightingale looking after her father, Nick Adams, recovering from his recent accident and now her mother as well! Son-in-law, Phil, and grandsons, Andrew & Nicholas, have been very supportive as well. We look forward to seeing them both back on their feet & enjoying life. Linda & Lou Foundos were thrilled to have their son, Mark, his wife, Amy, and sons James (6) & Evan (4) from San Diego, CA here for a visit. James approaches everything with great enthusiasm. Evan was concerned that our government was shut down! The boys were very excited to spend time with their Teta Lauren, Xhaxhi Steve & all their cousins too! A shout out of well wishes to Agatha Nache whom we have not seen in a long while. Well wishes to Ellen Gradt, Lenora Peter and Helen Phillips. Best wishes to Alma Vesho in her new home. We wish her much happiness. Our sincere wishes for a speedy recovery to Ruth Malasko after her recent surgery. We hope to see her up and around soon. Ruth was the late Joan Foundos' sister-in-law. Ruth and her family have been long time friends & supporters of St. Nicholas. Please contact Linda Foundos with any news to share ggsutter@aol.com!!!

6 Page 6 16 th Annual Golf Outing a Success!!! Once again, a grand group of golfers and diners made our 16th Annual Golf Outing a great success. The day started at 10:30 am with the working crew doing set-up and getting ready for the golfers. As the golfers kept checking in, they received the goodies : golf balls, cigars and some sustenance candy, and water. The call to get on the golf carts came at Noon and shortly thereafter, the carts started rolling out to their designated holes. After playing, the golfers returned to the beautiful clubhouse for drinks and dinner. Several of our Church members joined us for dinner. After drinks and dinner, we announced the Golfing prize winners. Then we followed with a grand raffle with many prizes. The Golf Outing turned out to be a great success with fellowship galore as well as being a major fundraiser. THANKS TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE, WHOSE HARD WORK MADE IT POSSIBLE!!!

7 KENDI SHQIP continued from Page 2 Zemëra Page 7 Sunday School & Albanian Class Classes have Started Fuqi e Perëndisë Duketë tek kudo, Se shpirti i gjithësisë Po është ajo. E shohëmë në qiej, Në shi e në re, Ndë hën e nëpër diej Ësht edhe në dhe. BRING YOUR CHILDREN!!!! Ajo është gjithë ç janë, Është në çdo vent E duket me çdo anë, Një trup e në ment. Më tepër zemrën tënë Atë ka për fron, Nuk ja dëgjon zënë, Zemrën s e dëgjon? Pastor s Message Continued from Page 1 I split pastoral responsibilities with Fr. Paul, the priest in charge and my mentor/boss here at St. Anthony s. We have a very good relationship. It is difficult not to get along with Fr. Paul. We currently struggle in the choir department so Fr. Paul has been acting as a choir director on most Sundays so that the faithful can learn to sing, while I serve in the altar. Because Fr. Paul has fulltime secular work and is in his mid 50 s, he is pushing to have me move into his position in a couple of years, otherwise, the Church will likely move me somewhere else because it isn t typical for such a small parish to have two priests. I live in Fort Mill, SC which is 15 minutes away from my Church in Rock Hill and 15 minutes away from Charlotte. It was turned out to be an ideal place to live since I work in Rock Hill and Trish works in Charlotte. Yet the reason we moved to this city is because they have very good schools for Lukey. The rent is a little on the steep side, but it is worth it. Right now we are a really young Church. We have only been in existence for 2.5 years! Although it is a mission, it is ethnically diverse, which I really like. The people who attend are either Greek, Russian, Carpatho Russian, or some version of American. Outside of Great Vespers on Saturday and Sunday Liturgy, we have inaugurated feast day liturgies and I host a weekly gathering at my home on Thursday nights which consists of a Moleben, Bible Study, and a Meal. I am also trying to reach out to a nearby campus called Winthrop University. When I go there, I wear my cassock and cross which, either weirds people out or makes them really curious. Regardless, it has allowed me to have some really good conversations with students. Sometime at the end of this year Luke will be getting an Autism therapy dog. It will be able to track him down in case he runs away and calm him when he gets overly anxious. These type of dogs also intervene when Autistic persons engage in what is called stemming behavior; the flapping of hands, twirling around, and in some cases the head banging, etc. I am grateful that Luke has never engaged in this self destructive type of stemming. Although it was an extremely difficult decision, I decided to resign my commission in the Army Reserve. I was a 1 st Lieutenant and a Chaplain Candidate and was scheduled to become a Chaplain. I came to realize that my heart is in parish ministry more than it is in Army ministry and that Army deployments would be very difficult for Trish to weather without me. When I first pursued the Chaplaincy, we didn t know that Luke had Autism. It was such a joy for me and my family to be a part of your parish while I was at seminary. I hope you consider taking a few more seminarians under your wing. Fr. Nathan was in particular a great blessing to me. He was a fantastic priest and mentor! If the Lord wills, I will see you again. With love in Christ, Fr. Adam

8 Page 8 The Entry of the Most Holy Mother of God in the Temple - Commemorated on November 21 st According to Holy Tradition, the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple took place in the following manner. The parents of the Virgin Mary, Sts Joachim and Anna, praying for an end to their childlessness, vowed that if a child were born to them, they would dedicate it to the service of God. When the Most Holy Virgin reached the age of three, the holy parents decided to fulfill their vow. They gathered together their relatives and acquaintances, and dressed the All-Pure Virgin in Her finest clothes. Singing sacred songs and with lighted candles in their hands, virgins escorted Her to the Temple. There the High Priest and several priests met the handmaiden of God. In the Temple, fifteen high steps led to the sanctuary, which only the priests and High Priest could enter. The child Mary, so it seemed, could not make it up this stairway. But just as they placed Her on the first step, make it up this stairway. But just as they placed Her on the first step, strengthened by the power of God, She quickly went up the remaining steps and ascended to the highest one. Then the High Priest, through inspiration from above, led the Most Holy Virgin into the Holy of Holies, where only the High Priest entered once a year to offer a purifying sacrifice of blood. Therefore, all those present in the Temple were astonished at this most unusual occurrence. After entrusting their child to the Heavenly Father, Joachim and Anna returned home. The All-Holy Virgin remained in the quarters for virgins near the Temple. The earthly life of the Most Holy Theotokos from Her infancy until She was taken up to Heaven is shrouded in deep mystery. Her life at the Jerusalem Temple was also a secret. "If anyone were to ask me," said St Jerome, "how the Most Holy Virgin spent the time of Her youth, I would answer that that is known to God Himself and the Archangel nswer that that is known to God Himself and the Archangel Gabriel, Her constant guardian." But there are accounts in Church Tradition, that during the All-Pure Virgin's stay at the Temple, She grew up in a community of pious virgins, diligently read the Holy Scripture, occupied Herself with handicrafts, prayed constantly, and grew in love for God. From ancient times, the Church has celebrated the Feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple. Indications that the Feast was observed in the first centuries of Christianity are found in the traditions of Palestinian Christians, which say that the holy Empress Helen built a church in honor of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple. St Gregory of Nyssa, in the fourth century, also mentions this Feast. In the eighth century Sts Germanus and Tarasius, Patriarchs of Constantinople, delivered sermons on the Feast of the Entry. The Feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple foretells God's blessing for the human race, the preaching of salvation, the promise of the coming of Christ. MAJOR FEAST DAYS IN NOVEMBER Sts. Cosmas & Archangel St. John St. Philip St. Matthew the Greatmartyr Damian the Healers Michael Chrysostom Evangelist Catherine Nov 01 Nov 08 Nov 13 Nov 14 Nov 16 Nov 24

9 Page 9 Ads from Merchants Who Support the Church Please look at the Ads and support these Merchants by buying goods and services from them, whenever possible. Tell the Merchant that you are from St, Nicholas Church and saw their Ad in the Church s Monthly Newsletter!!! For New Ads Please Contact - Tomi Beno at (917) TH Avenue New York, NY (212) SABITA J. BALL00, ATP Income Tax Services ANTON ARMSTRONG SALES & LEASING SPECIALIST Jamaica Avenue Tel: Richmond Hill, NY Fax: sabitaballo@aol.com Cell: (516) Fax: (516) aa1nissan@aol.com Referrals - $250 Finders Fee

10 Page 10 Regency Hotel - Korca Tel: /8/9 hregencyko@hotmail.com

11 Page 11 Bruni Electric Frank Meta th Street, Long Island City, NY Office: Cell: Proprietor: Frank Meta ROLANDO MECHANICAL CORP PIPING & HEATING REPAIR LICENCED MASTER PLUMBER Cell: (917) ROLAND HYSENAS Tel: (718) / th Avenue Fax: (718) Astoria, NY BENO GROUP, LLC Real Estate Investments Phone: (917) Fax: (516) Litras Funeral Home Bernard F. Dowd and Tracy B. Dowd Parsons Boulevard Jamaica, New York

12 Page 12 Major Church Activities and Events Vespers every Saturday at 5:00 p.m. November 2, 9, and 30 Sun, Nov 03: Liturgy, 10:00 a.m.; General Meeting in Fellowship Hall after Liturgy Mon, Nov 04: Parish Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m. Sat Sun Nov 9-10: Flea Market/Bake Sale Sun, Nov 10: Liturgy, 10:00 a.m. Fri, Nov 15: Prayers, 6:00 p.m.; Start of Nativity fast Sun, Nov 17: Liturgy, 10:00 a.m. Wed, Nov 20: Vesperal Liturgy, 7:00 p.m. Entrance of The Theotokos Ushers Schedule for Sunday Services Lista e sherbimit te dielave ne kishe Nov 03: Nov 10: Nov 17: Robert KORRA / Lou FOUNDOS Roland LLUPA / Edi SERA Ilia LUKA / Bill PETERS Nov 24: Stefan BALTADORI / Izzy TSAMBLAKOS DEC 01: Nasi PAVLLO / Ardian MILE We re on the Web! Visit us at: Thurs, Nov 21: Prayers, 11:00 a.m. Entrance of The Theotokos Thurs, Nov 23: Thanksgiving Prayers, 10:00 a.m. Sun, Nov 24: Liturgy, 10:00 a.m. St. Nicholas Albanian Orthodox Church Midland Parkway Jamaica Estates, New York Customer Name Street Address City, State Zip Code