Christmas Reflection by Our Metropolitan

Transcript

1 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Norwich The Trinity Tribune January 2017 Christmas Reflection by Our Metropolitan We live in a world of constant turmoil, of financial crisis, of poverty and unemployment, of disillusionment and uncertainty, of confusion and unrest, of pain and suffering. War rages in that part of the world where Christianity flourished for centuries but now is inhabited by only a handful of faithful. Thousands of refugees continue to flee their homelands for far-away countries that are not always welcoming. On a daily basis, we are inundated with news of one crisis after another, of one suicide bomber after another. It is to such a world that the newborn Savior comes this Christmas to bring Peace on Earth and goodwill among men. Christ comes into the world to reconcile man with his Creator, to lead us up to heaven and grant us his Kingdom which is to come (Prayer of the Anaphora). He comes in an age of unbridled consumerism --- in an age of plenty --- where poor and abandoned brethren suffer and die of hunger and thirst, victimized by our indifference. He comes this Christmas to free those enslaved by tyrants. He comes to console those exploited and stripped of their dignity. He comes to heal the wounds of victims of racial and religious hatred and those victimized by all forms of intolerance and discrimination. It is to such a world that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords comes. The Son of God lowers himself He stoops down to our limitations, to our weak and sinful states. St. Paul writes, though he was in the form of God he did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant being born in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:6-7.) He lays in a manger so that we may understand that the power of God appears in our midst without any of the trappings of what we define as power and might. The infant Savior comes this Christmas to re-ignite our souls. To instill in our hearts the same joy and hope felt by the Magi and the Shepherds that Silent and Holy Night in Bethlehem. He invites us to cultivate the virtues of humility and simplicity, of self-sacrifice and love. He comes to encourage us to be more aware of, and sensitive to, our neighbors. Not just those who live in our neighborhoods. Not just Christians of Orthodox faith, but men and women of ALL faiths. Not just those whom we know, but especially those whom we know as NONES. Brethren, The feast of the Nativity of the Lord who emptied Himself taking the form of a servant is an opportunity for us to be more humble. To be more sensitive to the needs of the poor and of the sick, of orphans and of strangers, of the homeless and hungry. The Son of Almighty God chose humility to reveal to us who He is. He was born in humility. He lived in humility. He humbled Himself even unto death. It is only in humility that we can comprehend the meaning of His Birth. I pray that our hearts be transfigured into mangers of humility worthy to become the birthplace of the Incarnate Lord. May His presence radiate in our lives every day of the New Year Metropolitan Methodios of Boston December

2 Χριστουγεννιάτικο Μήνυμα Ζούμε σε έναν κόσμο συνεχούς αναταραχής, οικονομικής κρίσεως, φτώχειας και ανεργίας, απογοήτευσης και ανασφάλειας, σύγχυσης και αταξίας, πόνου και αγωνίας. Εκεί που ο Χριστιανισμός άνθισε για αιώνες, ο πόλεμος άφησε μια χούφτα πιστών. Χιλιάδες προσφύγων εγκαταλείπουν τις πατρογονικές εστίες τους για μακρινές και ενίοτε αφιλόξενες χώρες. Καθημερινώς μας πλημμυρίζουν νέα μιας ακόμα αναταραχής, μιας ακόμα επίθεσης αυτοκτονίας. Σε έναν τέτοιον κόσμο έρχεται ο νεογέννητος Σωτήρας για να φέρει «ἐπὶ γῆς εἰρήνη, ἐν ἀνθρώποις εὐδοκία.» Έρχεται ο Χριστός στον κόσμο για να συμφιλιώσει τον άνθρωπο με τον Δημιουργό του, «ἕως ἡμᾶς εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν ἀνήγαγεν καὶ τὴν βασιλείαν Του ἐχαρίσω τὴν μέλλουσαν» (Ευχή της Αναφοράς). Έρχεται σε μία εποχή αχαλίνωτου καταναλωτισμού, μια εποχή πληθωριστική, όπου όμως οι φτωχοί και εγκαταλελειμμένοι αδελφοί μας, θύματα της αδιαφορίας μας, υποφέρουν και πεθαίνουν από την πείνα και την δίψα. Έρχεται τα φετινά Χριστούγεννα για να απελευθερώσει τους σκλάβους της τυραννίας. Έρχεται για να παρηγορήσει όσους η εκμετάλλευση άφησε δίχως αξιοπρέπεια. Έρχεται για να θεραπεύσει τις πληγές των θυμάτων του ρατσιστικού και θρησκευτικού μίσους και όσων έπεσαν θύματα κάθε μορφής αδιαλλαξίας και διακρίσεων. Σε έναν τέτοιον κόσμον έρχεται ο Βασιλεύς των Βασιλευόντων και Κύριος των Κυριευόντων. Ο Υιός του Θεού ταπεινώνει τον εαυτόν Του, συγκατανεύει στα δικά μας όρια, στην δική μας αδύναμη και αμαρτωλή φύση. Ο Απόστολος Παύλος γράφει: «ὃς ἐν μορφῇ Θεοῦ ὑπάρχων οὐχ ἁρπαγμὸν ἡγήσατο τὸ εἶναι ἴσα Θεῷ, ἀλλ' ἑαυτὸν ἐκένωσε μορφὴν δούλου λαβών, ἐν ὁμοιώματι ἀνθρώπων γενόμενος» (Φιλιππησίους, 2:6-7). Καταδέχεται να γεννηθεί σε μία φάτνη ώστε να συνειδητοποιήσουμε πως η δύναμη του Θεού δεν αποκαλύπτεται μέσα από εκείνα τα σημεία που εμείς αντιλαμβανόμαστε ως δύναμη και ισχύ. Τούτα τα Χριστούγεννα έρχεται ο Σωτήρας για να ξαναζεστάνει τις ψυχές μας, για να ζωντανέψει στις καρδιές μας την ίδια χαρά και ελπίδα που αισθάνθηκαν οι Μάγοι και οι Ποιμένες εκείνη τη σιωπηλή και αγία νύχτα στην Βηθλεέμ. Μας προσκαλεί να καλλιεργήσουμε τις αρετές της ταπείνωσης και της απλότητος, της αυτοθυσίας και της αγάπης. Μας παροτρύνει να δείξουμε μεγαλύτερη ευαισθησία και ευσυνειδησία στον πλησίον μας ὀχι μόνον στον γείτονά μας, όχι μόνον στους Ορθοδόξους αδελφούς μας, αλλά προς κάθε άνθρωπο ανεξαρτήτου πίστεως. Όχι μόνον προς όσους γνωρίζουμε, αλλά ιδιαιτέρως προς αυτούς που γνωρίζουμε ως θρησκευτικά αδιάφορους. Αδελφοί μου, Η εορτή της κατά Σάρκα γεννήσεως του Κυρίου μας ο οποίος «ἐκένωσε ἑαυτὸν μορφὴν δούλου λαβών,» είναι μια ευκαιρία για μας να ασκηθούμε στην ταπείνωση, να ευαισθητοποιηθούμε στις ανάγκες των πτωχών και των ασθενών, των ορφανών και των ξένων, των αστέγων και των πεινασμένων. Ο Υιός του παντοδύναμου Θεού επέλεξε την ταπείνωση προκειμένου να μας αποκαλύψει τον Εαυτόν Του. Η γέννησή Του ήταν ταπεινή. Η ζωή Του υπήρξε ταπεινή. «Ἐταπείνωσεν ἑαυτὸν μέχρι θανάτου» (Φιλιππησίους, 2:8). Μόνον μέσα από την ταπείνωση θα μπορέσουμε να κατανοήσουμε το νόημα της γέννησής Του. Εύχομαι οι καρδιές μας να μεταμορφωθούν σε ταπεινές φάτνες, άξιες να γίνουν ο τόπος που θα υποδεχθεί την γέννηση του Σαρκωθέντος Κυρίου. Είθε η παρουσία Του να λάμπει στις ζωές μας κάθε μέρα του Νέου Έτους Δεκέμβριος 2016 Ο Βοστώνης Μεθόδιος 2

3 Message from Father Demetri Christ is Born! Glorify Him! It is with great joy that I present my first message to you all in The last few months for our Holy Trinity Family have been filled with so many blessings! We have seen the blossoming of our Youth Ministries, so much so, that it was necessary to appoint a Y outh Ministries Director and Assistant to oversee all of the ministries we have and to continue to develop them. I thank Stacy Violette for accepting the Director position and Kristine Huber for accepting the Assistant Director position and for being willing to guide our youth in Christ. Our adult ministries are also growing. The Enquirers (introduction to Orthodoxy) Class has split into 2 separate class sections and can be joined simply by calling the office. We are also preparing for two separate Bible Studies to begin in January, 2017 (more information to follow). And, we also have a volunteer for the bereavement circle group (Hope in the Resurrection) and plan to begin meeting the beginning of February, 2017 (more information to follow). It is also with excitement that I announce our Ladies Philoptochos Society (Lovers of the Poor) is growing. This ministry is one of my favorites, as it is solely about fellowship in giving to those in need. Please ask me if you are interested in participating in this ministry. Finally, we have a pair of ministries of great importance to the community. I have been in contact with the St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen in Norwich and an in the process of solidifying our role in assisting them this year. I am also pleased to announce the St. Basil the Great Hardship Fund. We have been given an amount of $400 that has been elected to begin a fund for our own stewards who are in need. Please see the bulletin for more information. The Holy Spirit is being poured on us always, and I am so grateful to see our progress in ensuring we are sharing the light with each other and the community. I pray the New Year is blessed for us all. The greatest prayer we can all say this year is, Your Will be done my Lord. When we allow His Will to be done, we will notice a calmness and peace within our lives even through struggles. And eventually, we will see a change within ourselves that can only be explained by the growth of faith by allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us. I ask you all to pray this prayer, Your Will be done my Lord, at every opportunity. Merry Christmas and prayers for a good start in 2017! With Love, Fr Demetri Panteloukas Message from our Parish Council President Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year. As we begin 2017, I pray that God blesses all our families. I will make my resolution this year to include more participation in my church. I asked Fr. Demetri what difference can I make in my community through my faith. His response was a wonderful list of all the new ministries that he is working to implement. Please consider partaking in these experiences. We also pray that we can all help our friends in need throughout our parish. I know I can not help everyone with what they need. But I know that the least I could do is pray for someone. I pray that 2017 is the year that we all come together to pray as one family. Xronia polla, Maria Χριστός γεννάται! Δοξάσατε! Με μεγάλη μου χαρά σας γράφω το πρώτο μου μήνυμα του Οι τελευταίοι μας μήνες στην οικογένεια της Αγίας Τριάδας, ήταν γεμάτοι ευλογίες! Το τμήμα νεολαίας μας είχε τόσο μεγάλη απήχηση που χρειαστηκε να διορίσουμε διευθυντή και βοηθό για να επιβλέπουν και να αναπτύσσουν τα διαφορά τμήματα. Θα ήθελα να ευχαριστήσω την Stacy Violette για την αποδοχή του ρόλου της διευθύντριας και την Christine Huber για την αποδοχή της θέσης του βοηθού και για την προθυμία και των 2 στο να καθοδηγήσουν την νεολαία μας προς τον δρόμο του Χριστού. Το τμήμα ενηλίκων επίσης μεγαλώνει. Η τάξη "Οι Ερευνητές" (Εισαγωγή στην Ορθοδοξία), έχει χωριστεί σε 2 ομάδες στις οποίες μπορείτε να συμμετάσχετε εφόσον καλέσετε το γραφείο για εγγραφή. Ετοιμάζουμε και 2 ομάδες Βιβλικών Μελετών που θα αρχίσουν τον Ιανουαρίο, Πληροφορίες προσεχώς. Έχουμε και έναν εθελοντή για την ομάδα αντιμετώπισης και συμπαράστασης πένθους (Ελπίδα προς Ανάσταση) και ελπίζουμε να αρχίσουμε τις συνεδρίες μας αρχές Φεβρουαρίου 2017, πληροφορίες προσεχώς. Με μεγάλη μας χαρά σας δηλώνουμε ότι μεγαλώνει και η ομάδα Φιλόπτωχου (Γυναικών). Αυτό το τμήμα είναι και το αγαπημένο μου γιατί εστιάζεται συγκεκριμένα στο να δίνουμε και στον έρανο προς αυτούς που το έχουν πραγματικά ανάγκη. Σας παρακαλώ πείτε μου αν θέλετε να δηλώσετε συμμετοχή.τέλος, υπάρχουν άλλα δύο θέματα τα οποία έχουν μεγάλη σημασία για την κοινότητα μας. Πρώτον, έχω έρθει σε επαφή με το St. Vincent DePaul's συσσίτιο απόρων στο Norwich και έχουμε μπει στην διαδικασία να τους βοηθήσουμε αυτήν την χρονιά για να προσφέρουμε τρόφιμα και ύλες πρώτης ανάγκης. Δεύτερον, σας ανακοινώνω την έναρξη του Ταμειου Αντιμετώπισης Ταλαίπωρων του Αγ. Βασίλειου. Μας έχει ήδη δωθεί το ποσών των $ για τους δικούς μας οικονόμους που έχουν ανάγκη. Διαβάστε το δελτίο μας για περαιτέρω πληροφορίες. Το Άγιο Πνεύμα ειναι παντα μαζι μας και είμαι ευγνώμων που βλέπω την πρόοδο μας στο να μοιραζόμαστε το φως Του αναμεταξυ μας και στην κοινωνία μας. Προσεύχομαι το Νέο Έτος να ειναι ευλογημένο για ολους μας. Η καλύτερη προσευχή που μπορούμε να πούμε ειναι το "Ας γίνει το θέλημα Σου, Κύριε". Όταν επιτρέψουμε την θέληση Του να γίνει, θα διαπιστώσετε οτι έχουμε ηρεμία και ειρήνη στην ζωή μας ακόμα και στις δυσκολίες μας. Κάποια στιγμή θα προσέξουμε την διαφορά μέσα μας που μπορεί να εξηγηθεί μόνο απο την ανάπτυξη πίστης που μπορεί να μας φέρει το Άγιο Πνεύμα. Σας ζητάω να λέτε την προσευχή "Ας γίνει το θέλημα Σου, Κύριε", σε κάθε ευκαιρία. Καλα Χριστούγεννα και προσευχές για καλή αρχή του Με αγάπη, Πάτερ Δημήτριος. Αγαπητοί μου ενορίτες, Σας εύχομαι ευτυχισμένο και υγιείς να ειναι το Νέο Έτος. Όπως αρχίζει το 2017, εύχομαι ο Θεός να ευλογήσει όλες τις οικογένειες μας. Για φέτος, υπόσχομαι να συμμετάσχω στην εκκλησία μας πιο πολυ. Ρώτησα τον πάτερ Δημήτρη να μου πει πως μπορώ να βοηθήσω την ενορία μας μέσω της πίστης μου; η απάντηση του ήταν μια υπέροχη λίστα δημιουργιας τμημάτων που θα καθιερώσουμε στην εκκλησία μας. Σας παρακαλούμε να συμμετάσχετε σε αυτές τις προσπάθειες μας. Επίσης, προσευχόμαστε οτι θα μπορέσουμε να βοηθήσουμε ολους τους φίλους μας στην ενορία μας που έχουν ανάγκη. Ξέρω οτι δεν θα μπορέσω να βοηθήσω τους πάντες με όλες τις ανάγκες τους αλλα τουλάχιστον ξέρω οτι θα μπορέσω να προσευχηθώ για αυτούς. Εύχομαι το 2017 να ειναι το έτος που θα προσευχομεθα όλοι μαζι σαν μια οικογένεια. Χρόνια Πολλά, Μαρία Βαλκανος 3

4 Presiding Priest Fr. Demetrios Panteloukas (609) Parish Council President: Maria Valkanos (860) Vice President: Anna-Helene Grossomanides Secretary: George Grossomanides Treasurer: John Grossomanides (401) Peter Argiros Amy Constantinou Eleftherios Mastorakis Stacy Bellas Violette Kostas Zarboutis Hon. Assistant Treasurer Joe Hominski Church Office Volunteers: Managing Volunteer: Anna-Helene Grossomanides Priscilla Lamons Cantors Steve Patsouris John Mastorakis Costas Zarboutis Philoptochos President: Geri Grossomanides We are seeking members: Contact Fr. Demetri, Geri, or Maria Grecian Festival Committee Chair: Maria Valkanos Seeking Volunteers AHEPA Peter Argiros President Daughters of Penelope Anna-Helene Grossomanides President Stewardship Committee Chair: Peter Argiros Seeking Volunteers Outreach Committee: Priscilla Lamons Michael Lamons Youth Ministries Director: Stacy Violette Co-Director: Kristine Huber GOYA Advisors: Michael Lamons Christos Stravroravdis JOY Advisors: Virginia Argiros Seeking Volunteers Sunday School: Stacy Violette Kristine Huber Anna-Helene Grossomanides Niki Provatas Altar Group Advisors: Larry Wyland John Grossomanides Children s Choir Advisors: Taso Dionisopoulos Kostas Zarboutis As of January 1, 2017 the New Church will be: HTGOCNorwich@gmail.com A Special Thank You to those that donated the Poinsettias this year! Our News Τά νέα μας Congratulations to Emmanuel and Barbara Jade Thresher, who were married on December 3rd, 2016! Συγχαρητήρια στους Εμμανουήλ και Βαρβάρα Jade Thresher, οι οποίοι παντρεύτηκαν τῇ 3 Δεκεμβρίου 2016! Congratulations to Eleni and Eric Hall for the 40 day Churching of their son Demetrios! Συγχαρητήρια εἰς την Ελένη και τον Eric Hall ἐπὶ τῇ εὐχῇ τῶν 40 ἡμερῶν του γιου τους Δημητρίου! The Ladies Philoptochos Society would like to Thank all those whose supported the Community Christmas Card. In addition we would like apologize for the omission of Mr. &Mrs. Demetrios Bisbikos and Family. If there is any news you would like shared with the parish family, please contact Fr. Demetri at (609) Αν υπάρχει κάποια είδηση που θα θέλατε να μοιράσετε μὲ την ενορία μας, παρακαλεῖσθε ὅπως επικοινωνήστε με τον Πατερα Δημήτρη στο (609)

5 New Ministry Opportunity Are you interested in helping a neighbor in need? Do you know someone who might need help with a simple task? Are you a person who might appreciate cooking a meal for someone and dropping it off for them? If you fit any of these descriptions, we are hoping to start The St. Nicholas Ministry. We are aware that St. Nicholas sought people in need to help and he chose to give freely. The goal of The Saint Nicholas Ministry is to help each other in a simple but impactful way by helping with a relatively simple task that may be difficult for someone in need. The Saint Nicholas Ministry is seeking volunteers to coordinate helping our elderly, sick, or pregnant families get a reprieve from some time consuming or tiring tasks such as: Cooking a meal and delivering it Shoveling Snow Mowing the lawn Pick up a small grocery order Vasilopita Cutting: Sunday, January 8, 2017 Please join us immediately after Liturgy for the cutting of the Vasilopita. GOYA Basketball Please come support our GOYA Boys Basketball Team on January 13, 2017 at Hellenic College As the participate in the His Eminence Methodios Invitation Tournament. Contact Fr. Demetri for more information. House Blessings 2017 House Blessings will begin again in January, of We will only do three weeks of blessings, so please contact Fr. Demetrios to schedule an appointment at (609) or frdemetriosp@gmail.com The Standard Schedule for House Blessings will be as follows: Norwich, Montville, Uncasville Area: Saturday, January 7; Thursday, January 12; Tuesday, January 17 Franklin, Plainfield, Windham, Willimantic Area: Friday, January 13; Saturday, January 21 Colchester, Bozrah, Salem, Marlboro Area: Tuesday, January 10; Thursday, January 19 Westerly, Groton, and Shore Points: Wednesday, January 11; Tuesday, January 24 Again, Please contact Fr. Demetri to set up a time on these days or to notify him of a need to set up an alternative. When Father Demetri does come please: Have an icon of Christ, basil or an evergreen leaf, and a small bowl for Holy Water. All radios, televisions, etc. should be turned off. All present in the house should come together for the prayer. Be available for a half hour to forty five minutes 5

6 Church Services 1 Ιανουαρίου, Κυριακή Πρωί 5 Ιανουρίου, Πέμτη Μεγαλές Ωρες/ Εσπέρινη Λειτοθργία/Aγιασμός 8πμ/9πμ/10:30πμ 6 Ιανουρίου, Παρασκευή Πρωί Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτοθργία/Ο Μέγας Αγιασμός 8:45/10 πμ 7 Ιανουρίου, Σάββατον Μέγας Εσπέρινος 6 μμ 8 Ιανουαρίου, Κυριακή Πρωί Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτοθργία/Βασιλόπιτα 8:45/10 πμ 15 Ιανουαρίου, Κυριακή Πρωί 17 Ιανουαρίου, Τρίτη Πρωί Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτοθργία 8:45/10 π 18 Ιανουαρίου, Τετάρτη Πρωί Θεία Λειτοθργία 8 πμ 21 Ιανουρίου, Σάββατον Βράδι Μέγας Εσπέρινος 6 μμ 22 Ιανουαρίου, Κυριακή Πρωί 25 Ιανουαρίου, Τετάρτη Πρωί Θεία Λειτοθργία 8 πμ 28 Ιανουρίου, Σάββατον Βράδι Μέγας Εσπέρινος 6 μμ 29 Ιανουαρίου, Κυριακή Πρωί 30 Ιανοθραρίου, Δευτέρα Πρωί January 1, Sunday Morning 8:45/10 am January 5, Thursday Great Hours/Vesperal Liturgy/ Blessing of the Waters 8 am/ 9 am/ 10:30 am January 6, Friday Morning /Great Blessing of the Waters 8:45/10 am January 7, Saturday 8:45/10 am Great Vespers 6 pm January 8, Sunday Morning /Cutting of the Vasilopita 8:45/10 am January 15, Sunday Morning 8:45/10 am January 17, Tuesday Morning 8:45/10 am January 18, Wednesday Morning 8 am January 21, Saturday Evening Great Vespers 6 pm January 22, Sunday Morning 8:45/10 am January 25, Wednesday Morning 8 am January 28, Saturday Evening Great Vespers 6 pm January 29, Sunday Morning 8:45/10 am January 30, Monday Morning 8:45/10 am 6

7 1 Free Sunday Services: January Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 Free 3 Free 4 Free Strict 6 Free 7 Feast of Circumcision of Christ 8 Sunday after Holy Epiphany Vasilopita Cutting 9 10 All Classes Cancelled 11:30AM Enquirers 6PM Enquirers 11:30AM GOYA Meeting 5PM 11 Wine and Oil Allowed Enquirers 11:30AM Great Hours/ Vesperal Liturgy/ Blessing of the Waters 8AM/9AM 10:30AM 7PM 12 7PM / Great Blessing the Waters Holy Epiphany 13 Strict Divine Liturgy Synaxis of St John the Forerunner Great Vespers 6 PM 14 GOYA Basketball Invitational Tournament Wine and Oil Allowed Wine and Oil Allowed 21 12th Sunday of Luke 22 15th Sunday of Luke St Anthony the Great 11:30AM Enquirers 6PM 11:30AM Enquirers 6PM AHEPA Meeting 7PM 31 8AM St Athanasius and Cyril of Alexandria Enquirers 11:30AM GOYA meeting 5PM 25 Wine and Oil Allowed 8AM St Gregory the Theologian Enquirers 11:30AM 7PM 26 7PM 27 Wine and Oil Allowed Great Vespers 6 PM 28 Great Vespers 6 PM Sunday of the Caananite The Three Hierarchs 11:30AM Enquirers 6PM 7

8 St. Basil the Great Hardship Fund. Thanks to a generous contribution of $400, we now have this fund to help any member who needs assistance with smaller expenses that are difficult to handle. Examples include: Heat Oil Gas Car insurance Groceries To apply, please contact Fr. Demetrios. To donate to it and to keep helping our brothers and sisters in need(as this will have its own standing balance that can be increased with donations) please specify on the form of payment and contact either Fr. Demetri, Amy Constantinou, or Peter Argiros. **Please note: This fund will not be given in cash. Every attempt will be to pay directly to the source of the bill, then appropriately distributed from there** Sunday Sermon Update: After evaluating the positive feedback from the teaching sermons of a few weeks ago, two (2) Sunday Sermons a month in 2017 will be dedicated to teaching about our liturgical life in some way. Going forward, if you have any questions about our faith you would like answered, please write them down, put it in an envelope, and you can give it to the volunteers at the candle stand in the Narthex who will give it to Fr D or Fr. Demetri at frdemetriosp@gmail.com Coming Soon: St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival BIBLE STUDY Beginning Thursday, January 5th, We will be Expanding Classes When: Thursdays at 7pm Tuesdays at 10AM Where: Library Bring: Your bible and a smile 8

9 Jan 2017 A Special Message from our New Director of Youth Ministries CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM! Xronia Polla! Kali Xronia! It has been an exciting few months at Holy Trinity as we prepare to welcome 2017! Our youth ministries are undergoing a rebirth in this joyous season, and we would like to reach out to ALL of our families with children, grandchildren and godchildren to invite them to join our Church School, JOY, and GOYA families. Our Church School once again began weekly classes in November for children in preschool through high school. Classes meet in the Fellowship Hall following Holy Communion each Sunday. Learning has been focused on the meaning of The Creed as well as on our LORD's Nativity. Our Annual Christmas Pageant was held on December 18th following Liturgy and brought great joy to our community. The children did a wonderful job and their enthusiasm was contagious! We would like to thank our special visitor, Saint Nicholas (a.k.a. Peter Argiros), who enlightened everyone present about his amazing faith and great works. Our JOY group (children ages 7-12) had its first meeting the week before CHRISTmas. Children enjoyed doing CHRISTmas crafts, playing games, watching a CHRISTmas movie, practicing CHRISTmas Carols, and enjoying dinner and each other's company before attending Vespers together. We look forward to meeting again early in January. Currently we are looking for an advisor for the JOY group as well as more members. Please contact Father Demetri if you are interested! Perhaps our busiest youth group has been our reestablished GOYA (teens ages 13-18) group! Our teens held their first meeting in November, helping package and distribute care packages for our local homeless community. They have had three additional meetings where they have assisted in wrapping CHRISTmas presents for the young children of Seminarians in Brookline, MA, selected board members and advisors, and discussed ideas for upcoming service projects in our community. Most recently, the teens met for pizza and fellowship at a local bowling alley. Upcoming, our GOYANS will be taking part in a Basketball Tournament at the Metropolis in Boston. GOYA Advisors are Christos Stravoravdis and Michael Lamons. GOYAN Board Members are: Jesse Huber, President, Noah Violette, Vice President, Iakovos Violette, Secretary, and Joshua Huber, Treasurer. GOYA us currently looking for more teens to help make a difference in our Church community and our community-at-large! Please contact Father Demetri if you are interested! Please, encourage your children of all ages to become involved. Matthew 19:14 "...Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."..." We invite you all to help us make a difference, not only in Church School, JOY, and GOYA, but each and every Sunday in. We often think of the New Year as a time for new hope and new beginnings, a time for renewal.. Come, begin, or renew your relationship with your LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST! Now is the time! Stacy Violette Enquirers Class Are you interested in learning more about your faith? Ever wonder what certain things mean or why we do them? Would you like to grow closer to God? Come and See Then maybe coming to the Enquirers class is just what you were looking for. The Enquirers class will equip you with all the tools you need to feel confident in your faith. We will go over our history, Tradition and teachings and explain them in a way that everyone can understand using a basic text and dialogue. Please join us on: Tuesdays at 6PM or Wednesdays at 11:30 AM In the Library 9

10 Advertise Here For $10.00 a month you could advertise in The Monthly Bulletin Get Your Message Seen! The Monthly Bulletin is sent to over 150 families and is also posted online. All Proceeds From Advertisements will be used to offset the cost of mailing and Printing! For More Information: Please contact Fr. Demetri at (609) Things to know: $10 a month is based on a 1 time, yearly payment of $ We will also do a monthly plan of $15.00 per individual month. The size of the Ad space will be 1/6th of a page. All proceeds from advertising will be used to offset our printing and other communication costs. This will allow us to reach out more effectively. If you are also interested in Advertising in the weekly bulletin, please contact Fr. Demetri or a Parish Council Member for more details. 10