Ministry Handbook
Table of contents Church Page 4 Acolytes Page 5 Choir Page 5 Chanters Page 6 Pangari Greeters/Ushers Page 6 Flower Ministry Page 7 Bookstore Page 7 Office volunteer Page 8 Education Page 9 Sunday School Page 10 Greek School Page 11 Greek Dance Page 12 We Knead You Page 12 Adult Education: Bible Study Page 13 Adult Education: Ask Father Page 13 Adult Education: Blessed Darkness Page 14 Adult EducAtion: St. basil S StudEntS Page 15 Adult Education: Soho faith group Page 16 Adult EducAtion: MEn S Group Page 16 Fellowship Page 17 Joy Junior Orthodox Youth Page 18 GOYA-Greek Orthodox Youth of America Page 18 Athletics Page 19 CAMP Ministries Page 19 Orthodoxy on Tap Page 20 Holy Trinity Cheering Corner Page 20 Healthy body/healthy soul Page 20 2
Outreach Page 21 Philoptochos Page 22 Outreach Page 22 Leadership Parish council Page 23 Page 24 Mission of the Parish: To build through bountiful religious services, educational classes, fellowship opportunities and outreach. The pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving will feature prominently in the ministries of the Parish. Vision for the Parish: A Dynamic Church, equally strong at home as at the Parish, fortified by Ministries that bring the faithful closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, His Holy Mother, and all the Saints. 3
Church 4
Acolytes Age: 6-18 Chairpersons: Jordan Schultz, Christopher Margeas, Kosta Tsiobanos The Altar Boys (Acolytes) are encouraged to arrive by 9:45 a.m. on Sunday to be vested and ready to serve by the start of Liturgy. Because the Acolytes represent the army of angels serving the Altar in heaven, all boys are requested to dress in uniform and wear: White dress shirts Dark dress slacks Dark Shoes and Socks There is no age restriction on serving as an Acolyte. The young man must be able to pay attention, follow directions, and must be able to say the Creed. Please talk to Father if you are interested in your child serving. Church Choir Chairperson: Ray McAvoy Organist: Mary Bikakis Choir Practice: Following the Divine Liturgy Come, let us lend our voices in song to God! With glad voices let us give thanks and offer constant psalmody to Christ. Join the Choir! But Father, my voice is terrible! - Who cares?! St. Romanos, the patron saint of the choir had a tin ear and he is the Saint of Music. God can transform our simple efforts into the sweetest music. But Father, I can t read music! - Who cares?! Come to practice and learn the music by listening like the people of the early church did. These are the hymns you hear every Sunday. You can do it! But Father, I have stage fright! - You are not singing with master musicians and even if you were, you have one audience: God and His saints. Ignore anyone else and concentrate in singing to Him. ANYONE CAN JOIN THE CHOIR!!! 5
Chairperson: John Vahoulis Church Chanters Byzantine Music Practice: Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. Intermediate Level Beginner Level Come learn the melodies of the Angelic Hosts. With patience and love you can join your voice to their ranks and chant the hymns of the Church If you are interested in learning Byzantine Music, please contact Father. Additionally, there is the Metropolis of Chicago Byzantine Music Webinar. Pangari Greeters/Ushers Chairpersons: Mary Sharp & Christine McAvoy You only get one chance to make a first impression. Generally, people know within 5 minutes whether they will come back to a church. This is because of the Greeters. The Ushers are in charge of making sure the beauty of the Liturgy is maintained while taking care of the Narthex. Do you have a good personality? Would you like to see the Church grow? Please volunteer and let your smile be the reason people come back! 6
Flower Ministry Chairpersons: Maria Rigas & Mary Baryo Koubouklion: Mary Demetroulis The services of the Church are made more magnificent by the offering of flowers to decorate the Icons of major feasts. Are you creative? Do you like collaborating? Then consider volunteering in this rewarding and beautiful ministry! Holy Trinity Bookstore Chairpersons: Kiki Karras & Dr. Fotene Karantinos Do you have a head for business and sales? Consider lending a hand in the bookstore! This wonderful ministry brings books, icons, incense, and many other ecclesiastical items to our people. Don t see something? Just ask and we will be more than happy to order for you! 7
Holy Trinity Office Volunteers Chairpersons: Mary Sharp We always need help! Between stuffing the monthly newsletter, printing flyers, arranging tables, etc. there is always a need for help. If you are free during the day and can volunteer, let us know! We will put you to work. The people behind the scenes are the ones who make all of the amazing events we put together appear seamless. Please help us as you can! 8
EDUCATION 9
Sunday School Sunday School is offered after Communion on Sunday. Each classroom is staffed with two teachers with diverse lesson plans to teach our Youth about the Church Teachers: Kindergarten Second Grade 1. Andreana Kjos 3 rd Grade 5 th Grade 1. Shanda Antonopoulos 2. Wendi Tsiobanos Middle School & High School 1. Leah Baryo 2. Mary Baryo 10
In 1922, the Hellenic School of our Community was formed with the purpose of teaching the Greek Language to the children of Hellenic descent. Currently, Greek is taught as a second language to students ages 6 to 12 years old and meets every Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m Greek School Directors Janet Antonopoulos & Fr. Dimitri Tobias Beginning Greek Teacher Assistant Teacher Angela Holevas Andrea Konidas 11
GREEK DANCE Chairpersons: Leah Baryo & Andrea Konidas Youth Greek Dance Practice is every Wednesday 6:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. (TENTATIVE) Adult Greek Dance Practices TBA. Got Kefi?! Perhaps the most fun you will ever have is dancing with your friends and strangers at Greek Parties, Weddings, Baptisms, Festivals and more. Learn multiple dances! Perform at the Festival. Don t just learn about your Greek Heritage, participate in it. And to all our Philhellenes, you wouldn t be the first non-greek to be the best dancer in the line! This is more than ethnicity! This is the soul of our people! Join and be a part of it! If you would like more information on our Greek Dance Program please contact Leah Baryo. Chairpersons: Kiki Karras & Janet Antonopoulos Have you ever wanted to know how to make Prosforo? Greek Potatoes? Koliva? Pasticcio? Basilopita? Greek Lamb? Fanouropita? Fakes? And more? By request, this ministry will gather in the kitchen to teach anyone who wants to learn how to prepare Greek Dishes, Liturgical Food Items, and how to have fun in the Kitchen with friends. Please contact Fr. Dimitri if you have questions! 12
ADULT EDUCATION: BIBLE STUDY Bible Study Every Thursday from 8:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. (except on days with Liturgies) With instruction by Fr. Dimitri our Bible Study meets each week to read carefully through Holy Scripture. Class Format: After a morning prayer and the blessing of the food, Volunteers will read from the selected text and then pause as Fr. Dimitri explains the historical, sotirilogical, and theological points of the text. Questions and comments will ensue. It is not uncommon for these moments of discussion to take the remaining time of the class as they open new questions and insights, all based in the reading from the Holy Texts. September 2015: We will read Genesis and see its impact on our Salvation You do not need to register for the class or worry about missing a class. Come and learn about our Christ! Church, Theology, Customs, History, Etc. 13 ADULT EDUCATION: Ask Father Every Sunday, Father will answer two questions form the Ask Father Box located in the Narthex. Please drop off questions about the Examples that have been answered: Why do we cross ourselves differently than Catholics? Why is there a New and Old Calendar Why do we fast? What is the Memorial Service? Why does the Priest only say For thine is the kingdom after the Lord s Prayer? As the Ethiopian Eunuch said to Philip in Acts 8:26-40 Unless it is explained to me, how will I know?
ADULT EDUCATION: Blessed Darkness HOLY TRINITY Blessed Darkness meets Thursdays: 7:00 8:00 p.m. (Fall) Tuesdays: 6:30 7:30 p.m. (Spring) following the Paraklisis Service Please bring a meal for potluck! 2015-2016 Reintroduction to Orthodoxy: Catechism Blessed Darkness is a 6-week class that explores our Faith. The class uses a textbook and asks that the student complete reading assignments at home. Notes will be provided at the beginning of each class. Even if the student does not complete the reading, it is our hope that the class discussion will still prove edifying and beneficial. The term Blessed Darkness comes from St. Dionysios the Aereopagite s work Mystical Theology in which he described the darkness Moses experienced in the cleft of the rock as God s glory passed by in Exodus 33:22. Man cannot experience all of God s glory, so God shields us and through the darkness we can glimpse God and experience Him. Essentially this means we can never truly know God in His entirety, but we can still learn as much as we can out of love for Him. 14
Adult EducAtion: St. basil S StudEntS St. Thomas St. Basil s Students meets Tuesdays: 6:30 7:30 p.m. (Fall) Thursdays: 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. (Spring) Please bring a meal for potluck! 2015-2016 Together we lift high the Holy Cross The North American Saints St. Basil s Students is a 6-week class that explores our Faith. The class uses a textbook and asks that the student complete reading assignments at home. Notes will be provided at the beginning of each class. Even if the student does not complete the reading, it is our hope that the class discussion will still prove edifying and beneficial. The term St. Basil s Students comes from the fact that St. Basil was one of the principle Fathers of Education for the Church. There is a reason he is named the great! 15
ADULT EDUCATION: SoHo Faith group Meets Tuesdays: 12:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. Every Tuesday, Fr. Lucas Rice and Fr. Dimitri Tobias will meet at the Soho at 12:00 p.m. for an informal discussion with whomever joins them. This relaxed environment is for those who would like to learn about his or her faith by asking questions to the Clergy and enjoy fellowship. ADULT EDUCATION: St. Moses the black MEn S Group St. Moses the Black Men s Group Meets Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. A morning group for the men to discuss a little Scripture, learn about a saint, and enjoy fellowship. Please sign up to the email list to be informed of meetings Each week the group will meet at a different restaurant for Breakfast. 16
Fellowship 17
Junior Orthodox Youth Kindergarten 5th Grade Chairpersons: Dean & Amy Karras The JOY meet the first Wednesday each month at Holy Trinity for Youth night from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Vespers will be held from 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. After enjoying a family meal the children come to the Sanctuary to pray and then separate into age groups to go to Stations. Station 1: Faith the children in this station sit with Father in the church and have a discussion/lesson on the theme of the evening, Station 2: Craft the children in this station make a craft for the evening that is related to the theme. Station 3: Activity the children in this station play a game, work on a service project, or interact as a team for activity. We are always looking for volunteers! Goya 6th Grade 12th Grade Chairpersons: Dean & Amy Karras The GOYA meet on the 2nd Wednesday evening of each month for a discussion with Father. The GOYA also tries to meet each month to accomplish a service project and a fellowship outing. GOYA follows the 4 circles of healthy Youth Worship Attend Services Witness Learn about Jesus Christ and Orthodoxy Service Offer service to the community Fellowship Grow together in bonds of friendship We are always looking for volunteers! 18
Holy Trinity Athletics Chairperson: Athletic Director Dean Karras Each Year in February our young athletes compete in the Western Region Basketball Tournament, interacting with youth from the other parishes the children showcase excellence in sportsmanship, effort, and fun. We encourage all families with children to both participate and cheer for our team! Every year in May, the youth of the Metropolis gather in Palos Hills, Illinois to compete in the Junior Olympics. With individual sports of track/field, swimming, wrestling, mind games (chess, checkers, backgammon); and team sports of soccer, volleyball, bowling, softball, and basketball there is a lot to choose. Consider representing our Church to show that big things come out of Sioux City. If you are interested in coaching, volunteering, or have questions, please contact Dean Karras or Father. Camping Ministries Fanari Camp 6th 11th Grade Fanari is now seeing its third generation of campers, after having the grandparents and parents of current campers attend in the past. As we move through the first part of the new century, the Metropolis of Chicago Fanari Summer Camp continues to see strong interest in the camp program. The Camp Steering Committee is always planning for the future, to guarantee that this jewel of our Metropolis is around to provide the same experiences to current and future youth that it did for their parents and grandparents. 19 3rd Grade 12th Grade For over 50 years St. Mary's Camp has been a tradition in excellence This program offers all campers entering the grades 3rd-12th an opportunity to grow closer in the Orthodox faith by participating in a fun, safe camp atmosphere. This Pan-Orthodox program offers a unique opportunity to grow our spiritual community in prayer, worship and learning about the Orthodox church. If you are interested in sending your child to camp, please contact Father.
20 Orthodoxy on Tap Chairpersons: Shanda Antonopoulos & Wendi Tsiobanos Join our young parishioners for a monthly evening of good fellowship at a bar, tavern, restaurant, or wherever the group would like. Orthodoxy on Tap brings together individuals interested in sharing open dialogue and discussion about issues, challenges, and hot topics in our world and church today. Most importantly, Orthodoxy on Tap is a gathering of friends who come to share in the cup of growth and togetherness... Thirsty? Contact Shanda Antonopoulos if interested! Healthy Body/ Healthy Soul Chairpersons: Shanda Antonopoulos & Maria Schultz Do you want to get motivated? One of the primary spiritual disciplines is Self Control. One of the first elements for working out is discipline. The two go hand in hand! Sky Way Walks every Wednesday from 4:30 pm 5:00 pm & Thursday 9:30 am 10:00 am Please contact Maria Schultz if you have questions! Holy Trinity Cheering Corner Chairperson: Elisa Davenport Come Support our Kids! Sporting Events, Recitals, Plays, Etc. Let your children see how much they mean to their Church family as we support them! Please give your child s schedule to Elisa Davenport to put on the Church Calendar. Please contact Elisa for more info at mommadport@gmail.com or 301 6557
Outreach 21
Philoptochos The Greek Orthodox Ladies Society is the philanthropic heart of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Philoptochos literally means friends of the poor and its mission is: to promote charitable, benevolent and philanthropic outreach, to preserve the sanctity of life and family, to perpetuate and promote our Greek Orthodox Faith and traditions. Our Philoptochos Chapter, the Myrofores society is very involved in aiding the poor, the destitute, the hungry and is ever ready to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the church. Women of all ages are encouraged to join this important ministry of the church. The Myrofores Society was formed by the late Rev. Aristedes Palayenes on May 19, 1929, on the Sunday of the Myrrh Bearing Women, thus the name Myrofores. 2015-2016 Holy Trinity Philoptochos Officers President Dr. Fotene Karantinos Secretary Mary Sharp Vice President Presbytera Mary Tobias Treasurer Mary Baryo Outreach and Philanthropy Chairpersons: Liza Davenport & Rita Boucher Are you interested in helping fulfill the law of Christ? The Gospel according to Matthew 25: Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' 22
Leadership 23
Parish Council President: John Vlahoulis The Parish Council is elected by the parishioners and is responsible for executing the strategic plan of the church. Working hand-in-hand with the Clergy, Parish Council members are actively involved in a variety of responsibilities including the financial affairs of the church, ministry development, and establishing the overall vision and mission to make the church the center of family life. Please see Fr. Dimitri Tobias if you have an interest in learning more. 24