OUR SEPTEMBER 2017 FAITH FAMILY FELLOWSHIP Saint Nicholas Ranch a time of Faith, Fun, Fellowship and Reflection SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
Dearly beloved in the Lord, S eptember is the time where schools and families resume their busy and often times hectic yearly schedules. As our children return to school, I ask you the following question, are you relieved that summer vacation is over? A while back, the Television Program Good Morning America ran an advertisement of a woman dancing to the song Celebration (by Kool & the Gang) as her children returned back to school. The woman, so relieved her children were returning to school, not only danced in the streets (which humiliated her children), but also partook of a glass of wine as the school bus drove away. During the interview, the panel of journalists laughed at this woman s creativity and expressed their own personal joy that summer break had finally concluded. In her excellent book Children in the Church Today Sister Magdalen makes mention that it is sad when children have the feeling that their parents are glad to have them out of the way again at school (pg. 44). Having said this, I as a parent of four school aged children admit to the many challenges of raising children and how quickly impatience or even anger can overwhelm the best of us. However we must be mindful that our children are one of, if not the greatest blessings gifted to a married couple by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Childbearing is often times very difficult, or simply not granted to very deserving families. Yet many of us, including television and social media personalities take our children for granted. Treasure your children. Soon enough they will be off to college and your home, a once noisy and lively place will soon be all too quiet. So, in the mean time, talk with your children. Reinstate and reemphasize the importance of praying and sharing meals together, breakfast too! Make sure your children s sporting or social activities do not force you to choose whether or not to attend the Divine Liturgy on Sunday mornings. If they do, please be mindful of the example you re setting and how this will affect their love for the church and its priority in their lives. As you see the school bus driving away, instead of enjoying a glass of wine, say a prayer that God protect your children, allow His Holy Angels to protect their minds and keep them pure. And above all, ask our Lord to return your children safely to your home so that you, as a family may give thanks for the many blessings you enjoy. In Christ s love, Fr. Prevas 1 www.st-nicholas.info SEPTEMBER 2017
Dearly beloved in the Lord, To be a St. Nicholas Church altar boy, it means you have to be able to dance to whatever music comes through the baseball stadium s loud speakers, it means never meeting a food vendor you don t like, and collectively catching at least two baseballs per game. While all these things were on full display during St. Nicholas Church s altar boy baseball outing on Friday August 25th, in reality the privilege of being an altar boy of course means something much greater. It means one faithfully attends church services and works as a team to help contribute to the dignity of those serves as a personal expression of gratitude, faith and love towards God. On the surface, the baseball outing is a token of our appreciation for our altar boys year-around dedication and service to the church. However, we cannot help but look at these young men with hopeful hearts and be encouraged that this generation will pass on to greater leadership roles in our parish, as so many altar boys before them have done, and join the ranks of so many men and women, who faithfully offer their energy and talents to our home team, St. Nicholas Church. A team everyone can get behind and root for.. In Christ s love, Fr. State SEPTEMBER 2017 www.st-nicholas.info 2
Hey YAL, that was 3 www.st-nicholas.info SEPTEMBER 2017
a fun BBQ! What a way to kick off the start of a new year! The Young Adult League (YAL) came together to enjoy a fun, summer night at the Prevas residence. Presvetera made some excellent salads and appetizers, while father sweated bullets at the BBQ. The burgers were very good, and if the priest thing doesn t work out, Father can open up his very own burger stand. Most of us took the opportunity to catch up on each other s news of summer travels and new jobs. We were also very excited to welcome some new faces into our young adult community. We had a strong turnout of enthusiastic members and we anticipate our numbers to grow since this is such an important ministry for our age group. We are looking forward to this years fall calendar, which will be filled with many social and charitable events. For a young adult, this stage of our life comes with many new challenges and opportunities. With the support of our peers in this community, we are destined to succeed. I m excited to see this group in action because the potential impact that YAL can have on our community and the world is limitless. -Tess Kokiousis SEPTEMBER 2017 www.st-nicholas.info 4
Education Our Academic Summer Program and Summer Camp was enjoyed by all. Throughout our six week summer program, preschool through eighth grade students embraced an interactive, engaging and challenging curriculum, differentiated for each grade level. Throughout the summer, students enjoyed building on their past experiences and knowledge base while enthusiastically exploring new areas of study through group work, hands-on experiences, and field trips. Grateful to have completed another successful summer program, we now turn our attention and excitement to the start of the 2017-2018 school year. We welcome our students and their families back to St. Nicholas School with unbridled anticipation for the personal and academic success this new academic year is sure to bring. 5 www.st-nicholas.info SEPTEMBER 2017 Melissa Damato Principal
SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH GIVING BACK to the FUTURE OF OUR FAITH Ican easily say St. Nicholas Ranch is my favorite place in the world. Almost every summer since I was seven years old I have been coming to the Metropolis of San Francisco Summer Camp because the staff, counselors, and campers help strengthen my relationship with Christ and remind me what being a Christian means. At camp, the counselors and campers are reminded to drop their cool card, allowing us all to take off the makeup, stop worrying about what others think about us, and simply be ourselves. Now as a counselor, witnessing campers become comfortable with who they are and loving each other for that, all while learning about their faith, is absolutely beautiful. His Eminence, Metropolitan Gerasimos often takes the time to remind us that, the youth are the future of the church. Summer camp is a ministry that makes sure the future of the Orthodox church grows together in fellowship and strengthens the knowledge of their faith. Camp is a time when staff and counselors selflessly commit themselves to the youth of our Metropolis and model what it means to be a Christian, so that the campers in return can have one of the best weeks of their lives and carry the lessons experienced at camp with them throughout the year. Looking back over the years, I can confidently say that St. Nicholas Ranch strengthened my faith growing up and helped guide me on a path towards Christ, that I will continue to follow throughout my life. Lily Spirtos SEPTEMBER 2017 www.st-nicholas.info 6
JOIN US FOR AN EVENING OF LAUGHTER SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14 th, 2017 6:30 pm in the Grande Ballroom Saint Nicholas Church in Northridge BASILE The Comedian Dinner, Dessert, Coffee Complimentary Bottle of Wine at Each Table No Host Bar $70.00 per person Please return reservation with your payment to Saint Nicholas Church Attention Maria Janios 9501 Balboa Blvd, Northridge, CA 91325 For Further Information call: 818-886-4040 Checks are payable to Saint Nicholas Philoptochos Name: Name: Name: Name: Name: Name: Telephone Number: Total Attending: Amount Enclosed: Credit Card #: Exp: CVV:
Abrahms, Adam & Tiffany Abulseme, Veronica M.D. Adams, Nicole Alex, James & Cindy Alex, George & Thresa Alexandrakis, Dr. George & Dr. Bessie Gavrilis Amash, Michael & Taliny Andrews, Peter & Debbie Bacoyanis, Gus Barbinis, Elias & Renee Bariamis, Ioannis & Janice Boulgarides, Maureen Vickie Boyias, Nicholas & Stella Brown, William & Penelope Chrysiliou, Christos & Nikki Daglas, Dina Duschinsky, Bob & Evie Fekaris, Dino Fergadis, Kostas & Amerissa George, Gene & Vikki George, Louis & Niki Gourgouris, James & Tessie 2017 Stewardship Pledges over $2,080 Thank you to everyone who has generously given the required pledge amount, and to those who have pledged above and beyond. 8 www.st-nicholas.info SEPTEMBER 2017 Greanias, George & Irene Greanias, Steve & Annie Jacquet, Anthony & Nicole Kappas, Ernie Katsiotis, Alex & Wendy Kezios, V. Rev. Spencer T. Kioussis, Nicholas & Elizabeth Kirollos, Michael & Adriana Kokiousis, Chris & Connie Kontos, James & Genie Koulakis, Mihail & Katina Langermann, Mark & Patricia Livitsanos, Apostolos & Edith Lyons, Mary Manios, Steve & Linda Manios, Steven & Sylvia Markis, Steve & Alexis Mavrakis, George & Penny McCarty, Peter & Charlotte Milonas, Vasilios Mitsopoulos, George & Sophia Morgan, Larry & Lori Nahmoulis, Zak & Elizabeth Naltsas, Stavros & Catherine Naltsas, Dr. Steve & Mari Newton, Scott & Lea Nicolacakis, Nicholas & Maria Niizawa, Sean Nikolopoulos, Jim & Arpi Onks, Mark & Connie Pappas, Evangeline Phillips, Michael & Dara Prevas, Rev. Michael & Presv. Matia Randall, David & Pandora Sapon, Phillip & Lisa Smith, Matthew & Athena State, Rev. Michael & Presv. Sophie Swift, Andy & Eleni Tassopulos, Venetta Theodosiou, Kostas & Nagwa Thomas, George & Cassandra Thomas, Michael & Cressie Thomas, Paul & Gail Valas, Michael & Dena Volianitis, Gus & Soula Youlios, Stephen & Laura Zampas, Tom & Susie
Orthodox Calendar September 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Orthros 8:45am Liturgy 10:00am 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Orthros 8:45am Liturgy 10:00am Elevation of the Holy Cross Orthros 8:00am Liturgy 9:00am 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Feast Day of St. Sophia Orthros 8:45am Liturgy 10:00am Ministry Expo in Ballroom following Liturgy 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Orthros 8:45am Liturgy 10:00am 9 www.st-nicholas.info SEPTEMBER 2017
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