The Voice of Saint George

Transcript

1 September/October 2011 Volume 9 Issue 5 A publication of the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George The Voice of Saint George The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the LORD. (Matt.3:3) «Φωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήµῳ, Ἑτοιµάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου» A Message From Our Pastor Μήνυμα του Ιερατικώς Προϊσταμένου In This Issue Our Parish Church Dance Info 9 th Annual Greek Night General Assembly Walk for the Cure: Team St. George Message from Metropolis In Every Issue Pastor s Message President s Message Church Calendar PTO News Sunday School News G.O.Y.A. News Philoptochos News Voice of St. George Submission Dates Dear Faithful, We have entered once again, as we always do every September 1 st, a new Ecclesiastical year. With every new Ecclesiastical year comes a continuous maintenance of all of the St. George facilities, a regrouping of all of our church s organizations, and an intense effort to enhance, expand and even introduce new programs that will help our church and parish prepare and grow for the future. In order to accomplish this, St. George must have its faithful, young and old, become an activist congregation rather than one which is passive. By this I mean that all the members of our parish must take an active role in the matters concerning our Church. Our fathers and grandfathers, who came to the new world, and specifically to Piscataway (New Brunswick), came to better themselves and their families. They made difficult decisions to leave their homeland and come here without the ability of language or education, and in many instances without a trade. One thing that they all had in common was Faith. They trusted in God who, with His infinite mercy and compassion, would take care of them no matter what they did and where they were. Despite their difficulties, and yes, persecution, our forefathers bonded together to give thanks to God. The first of the Orthodox Churches were often started in stores, lofts, or the former churches of other denominations. This indomitable spirit, this faith in God permitted them, with their hard labor, to prosper. Continued on page 4 Αγαπητοί Ενορίτες, Όπως κάθε χρόνο κάθε 1η Σεπτεμβρίου, εισερχόμαστε για άλλη μια φορά, σ ένα νέο εκκλησιαστικό έτος. Με κάθε νέο εκκλησιαστικό έτος έρχεται και μία συνεχής συντήρηση όλων των εγκαταστάσεων της Εκκλησίας μας, η συνένωσης όλων των οργανισμών και μια έντονη προσπάθεια εις την ενίσχυση, επέκταση και εισαγωγή των νέων προγραμμάτων όπου θα βοηθήσουν την εκκλησία μας να προετοιμαστεί και να αναπτυχθεί για το μέλλον. Όμως για να επιτευχθεί αυτό, η εκκλησία μας πρέπει να έχει όλα τα μέλη της, μικρούς και μεγάλους, να γίνουν ενεργά μέλη με ενθουσιασμό και αφοσίωση και όχι μέλη παθητικά. Με αυτό εννοώ ότι όλα τα μέλη της ενορίας μας πρέπει να πάρουν ενεργό ρόλο σ όλα τα θέματα που αφορούν την Εκκλησία μας. Οι γονείς μας και οι παππούδες μας, ήρθαν σ αυτήν την νέα χώρα και συγκεκριμένα εδώ στο Piscataway και τις γύρω περιοχές, για να καλυτερεύσουν την δική τους ζωή και την ζωή της οικογένειας τους. Έκαναν δύσκολες αποφάσεις για να φύγουν, να εγκαταλείψουν την πατρίδα τους, χωρίς γνώσεις γλώσσας, εκπαίδευσης, και σε πολλές περιπτώσεις χωρίς τέχνες. Ένα πράγμα που όλοι είχαν κοινό ήταν η «Πίστη». Ήλθαν γιατί εμπιστεύτηκαν πρώτα τον Θεό, ο οποίος, με την άπειρη αγάπη και ευσπλαχνία Του, τους φρόντιζε ασχέτως που πήγαιναν ή τι έκαναν. Ναι και παρά τις δυσκολίες αυτές, οι πρόγονοί μας ήταν μαζί ενωμένοι, οργανωμένοι και πρόσφεραν ευχαριστίες στον Θεό για να τους καθοδηγήσει σε καλή ευημερία. Συνέχεια στη σελίδα 4

2 September/October 2011 Page 2 GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAINT GEORGE Parish Ministries Reverend Father Nicholas Pastrikos, Pastor Parish Council President Vassilis Keramidas Vice President / Administration John Lyssikatos Vice President / Operations George Athanasopoulos James Exarchakis, Secretary Katherine Catanzaro, Treasurer Katerina Leftheris, Comptroller Members Lampros Bourodimos Tom Kouridakis Nick Manikopoulos Peter Manikopoulos Emanuel Manioudakis Perry Petsanas George Rodoussakis Peter Sirimis George Zalokostas Special Thanks to the Voice of St. George Volunteers Rev. Fr. Nicholas Pastrikos Board of Trustees Arete Bouhlas Eftihia Karayiannidis Presbytera Pastrikos Georgia Peterson Polly Ploussiou Evellyn Tsiadis, Editor Church Organizations Philoptochos Society - St. Barbara Effie Bouziotis, President Cantors and Choir Yorgos Bilalis, Director Sunday School Lemonia Malahias Miko, Paul Stevens, Maggie Stavrianidis Greek School Panos Georgopoulos, Superintendent Toula Karamarkos, Principal Sofia Amaxopoulos, Katerina Kourti, Angeliki Papasavas, Chrisoula Plias, Iro Mavrianos, Teachers Parent Teacher Organization Eftychia Mattas, President Helen Sirimis, Vice President Aliki Doninger, Secretary Kathy Catanzaro, Treasurer GOYA Yanni Frangos, President Advisors John DeLaurentis, George Demos, Sophia Exarchakis, Evie Georgopoulos, Fotini Mangafas, Rita Polos, Roseanne Rexines, Nellie Tsipoura, Mike Sirimis, Annie Sullivan JOY/HOPE Helen Sirimis Love & Faith Dimitra Kambitsis Senior Citizens Anna Stevens, President Church Committees GET INVOLVED We need your help! Sign Up, Make a Difference, Have Fun! Call the Church Office (732) Bookmobile Annual St. George Dinner Dance Capital Improvements Elections Events/Fund Raising Greek Festival Greek Independence Day Parade Greek School Historic Committee House & Grounds Insurance Library Memorial Fund Parking Rutgers New Parking Lot Public Steward Relations Religious Artifacts Technology Services Voice of St. George Help Also Needed Join an Organizations Choir Ladies Philoptochos Society PTO - Sunday School FOCUS Group GOYA JOY/HOPE Love & Faith To Our St. George Parishioners The above ministries are the lifeblood of our parish and perform many activities to promote the growth of our church. Your participation in these organizations makes our community more

3 The Voice of St. George Page 3 ECCLESIASTICAL SCHEDULE OF SERVICES Winter Hours Begin Sunday, September 11 th Orthros 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:15 a.m. Weekday Services 9 a.m. SEPTEMBER Thursday 1: Beginning of the New Ecclesiastical Year Sunday 4: 12 th Sunday of Matthew Epistle: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Gospel: Matthew 19:16-26 Thursday 8: Nativity of the Theotokos Sunday 11: Sunday before the Holy Cross Epistle: Galatians 6:11-18; Gospel John 3:13-17 Wednesday 14: Exaltation of the Holy Cross (one day strict fast) Procession of the Holy Cross Sunday 18: Sunday after Holy Cross No Liturgy in our Parish Common Divine Liturgy by all parishes of NJ Paramount Theater Asbury Park, NJ Sunday 25: 1 st Sunday of Luke Epistle: 2 Corinthians 4:6-15 Gospel: Luke 5:1-11 OCTOBER Sunday 2: 2nd Sunday of Luke Epistle: II Corinthians 1:1-10; Gospel: Luke 6:31-36 Sunday 9: 3rd Sunday of Luke Epistle: 1 Corinthians 4:9-16; Gospel: Luke 7:11-16 Sunday 16: 4 Sunday of Luke Epistle: Titus 3:8-15; Gospel: Luke 8:5-15 Tuesday 18: Evangelist Luke Wednesday 19: Great Vespers: St. Gerasimos of Cephalonia 7:00 p.m. Thursday 20: St. Gerasimos Sunday 24: 6 th Sunday of Luke Epistle: Galatians 6:11-18; Gospel: Luke 8:26-39 Wednesday 26: Great Martyr Demetrios Friday 28: Holy Protection of the Theotokos Great Doxology for OXI Day Sunday 30: 5 th Sunday of Luke Epistle: Galatians 1:11-19; Gospel Luke 16:19-31 ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣΤΙΚΟ ΕΟΡΤΟΛΟΓΙΟ Οι Χειμερινές ώρες αρχίζουν την Κυριακή 11 Σεπτεμβρίου Όρθρος 9 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:15 π.μ. Καθημερινές 9 π.μ. ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ Πέμπτη 1 Αρχή Ινδίκτου Κυριακή 4 ΙΒ Κυριακή Ματθαίου Απόστ. Α Κορ. 15:1-11; Ευαγγέλιο Ματθ. 19:16-26 Πέμπτη 8 Το Γενέσιον της Θεοτόκου Κυριακή 11 Κυριακή προ Ύψώσεως του Τιμίου Σταυρού Απόστ. Γαλ. 6:11-18; Ευαγγέλιο Ιωάν. 3:13-17 Τετάρτη 14 Ύψωσις του Τιμίου Σταυρού Κυριακή 18 Κυριακή μετά από την Ύψωση του Τιμίου Σταυρού. Δεν θα γίνει Θεία Λειτουργία στην Εκκλησία μας λόγω της Πανηγυρικής Λειτουργίας στο Asbury Park με συμμετοχή όλων των Ενοριών της Νέας Ιερσέης Κυριακή 25 Α Κυριακή Λουκά Απόστ. Β Κορ. 4:6-15 Ευαγγέλιο Λουκά 5:1-11 ΟΚΤΩΒΡΙΟΣ Κυριακή 2 Β Κυριακή Λουκά Απόστ. ΙΙ Κορ. 1:1-10; Ευαγγέλιο Λουκά 6:31-36 Κυριακή 9 Γ Κυριακή Λουκά Απόστ. Ι Κορ. 4 :9-16; Ευαγγέλιο Λουκά 7:11-15 Κυριακή 16 Δ Κυριακή Λουκά Απόστ. Τίτου 3:8-16; Ευαγγέλιο Λουκά 8:5-15 Τρίτη 18 Αποστόλου Λουκά Τετάρτη 19 Μέγας Εσπερινός Αγ. Γερασίμου Κεφαλληνίας 7 μ.μ Πέμπτη 20 Αγίου Γερασίμου Κεφαλληνίας Κυριακή 24 Ζ Κυριακή Λουκά Απόστ. Γαλ. 6:11-18; Ευαγγέλιο Ιωάν.8:26-39 Τετάρτη 26 Μεγαλομάρτυρος Αγίου Δημητρίου του Μυροβλύτου Παρασκευή 28 Αγίας Σκέπης Εθνική Εορτή Όχι Κυριακή 30 Ε Κυριακή Λουκά Απόστ. Γαλ. 1:11-19; Ευαγγέλιο Λουκά 16:19-31

4 September/October 2011 Page 4 As they prospered more and more churches were organized and today, each of us should thank God for the many successes that He showered upon our ancestors. As for us, we must not be complacent now that we have many beautiful schools and community centers. We must continue to be activists in the finest sense of the word. We must volunteer and serve our Church willingly and without any hesitation. We must not be complacent or leave to them to take care of all things that we hold dear. The vineyards of the Lord are great and many toilers are required to keep them growing and productive. Again, we must be activists, especially in our church-going and attendance. It is simply not enough to go to church once or twice a year, or even once a month, and believe that we are good Christians, believe in God, and make periodic financial donations to our Church. We must participate regularly in the Divine Liturgy, and listen carefully to the reading of the epistle and the gospel. We must also bring our children to church and Sunday School, join our Bible class and become familiar with our faith. Let us not make excuses for not coming to church and let us NOT accept any excuses from our children either. In closing, I would like to bring to your attention one of the parables that our Lord mentioned during His ministry on earth. It concerns an activist The Good Samaritan. We are all familiar with this particular parable. We all know that it would have been easier for him to continue about his business, making believe that he had not seen the injured person who needed help. Instead, he stopped and rendered assistance. If we are good Orthodox Christians and faithful to our Church of St. George, we should take the example of the Good Samaritan and not ignore the needs of our church and parish. No, indeed, we must stop and assist. In this way, the works of our Lord will be done and each of us will actively meet our responsibilities as is required by all of us. May the Lord continue to bless each and every family and member of our St. George parish. And may the new Ecclesiastical year bring to us spiritual edification and prosperity. Rev. Fr. Nicholas Pastrikos Οι πρώτες Ορθόδοξες Εκκλησίες, σ αυτή την ξένη χώρα, άρχισαν συχνά σε καταστήματα, σε σοφίτες, ή ακόμη σε πρώην κτίρια από παλιές εκκλησίες άλλων δογμάτων. Αυτό το αδάμαστο πνεύμα, αγαπητοί μου, αυτή η πίστη, αφοσίωση στον Θεό και η σκληρή εργασία τους επέτρεψε, να ευημερήσουν. Με την ευημερία αυτή οργανώθηκαν και άκμασαν όλο και περισσότερες εκκλησίες και σήμερα, ο καθένας μας θα πρέπει να δοξάζει τον Θεό για τις πολλές επιτυχίες που Εκείνος ευλόγησε και χάρισε εις στους προγόνους μας. Όσο για εμάς, δεν πρέπει να είμαστε αυτάρεσκοι τώρα που έχουμε πολλά όμορφα σχολεία και κοινοτικά κέντρα. Πρέπει να συνεχίσουμε να είμαστε ενεργά στελέχη της κοινότητάς μας και εθελοντικά να προσφέρουμε και να εξυπηρετούμε την Εκκλησία μας πρόθυμα και χωρίς κανένα δισταγμό. Δεν πρέπει να είμαστε ικανοποιημένοι ή να αφήσουμε "στους άλλους" να φροντίσουν για όλα τα πράγματα που εμείς κρατούμε στοργικά. Οι αμπελώνες του Κυρίου είναι μεγάλοι και είναι πολλοί οι εργάτες που απαιτούνται για να κρατήσουν την καλή καλλιέργεια και την παραγωγή τους. Και πάλι, αγαπητοί μου συνεργάτες πρέπει να γίνετε ενεργά στελέχη της εκκλησίας μας, ιδιαιτέρως με την συμμετοχή σας στην Θεία Λειτουργία. Δεν είναι απλά αρκετό να έρχεται κανείς στην εκκλησία μία ή δύο φορές το χρόνο, ή ακόμα και μία φορά το μήνα, και πιστεύω ότι είμαστε καλοί Χριστιανοί, πιστοί στο Θεό, και να κάνουμε οικονομικές δωρεές προς την Εκκλησία μας. Πρέπει να συμμετέχουμε τακτικά στη Θεία Λειτουργία, στην Θεία Κοινωνία και να ακούμε προσεκτικά τον Απόστολο και το Ευαγγέλιο της Κυριακές. Επίσης θα πρέπει να φέρνουμε τα παιδιά μας τακτικά στην εκκλησία και στο Κατηχητικό Σχολείο, και να εξοικειωθούμε με την θρησκεία μας. Ας μην κάνουμε δικαιολογίες το γιατί απουσιάζουμε και ακόμη πιο σοβαρά να μην αφήνουμε τα παιδιά μας να κάνουν ή να δίνουν κάποια δικαιολογία για την απουσία τους από την Εκκλησία. Κλείνοντας, θα επιθυμούσα να φέρω την προσοχή σας σε μία από τις παραβολές του Κυρίου που αφορά την ιστορία του του Καλού Σαμαρείτη. Για τον Σαμαρείτη, νομίζω εγώ κατά την γνώμη μου, πως για εκείνον θα ήταν πιο εύκολο να συνεχίσει την πορεία του κάνοντας ότι δεν είχε δει τον τραυματισμένο που χρειαζόταν βοήθεια. Όμως αντί αυτού, σταμάτησε και έδωσε ότι βοήθεια μπορούσε. Όσον αφορά εμάς, αν είμαστε καλοί Χριστιανοί Ορθόδοξοι και πιστοί στην Εκκλησία μας, καλό θα ήταν να πάρουμε κι εμείς το παράδειγμα του Καλού Σαμαρείτη και να μην αγνοούμε τις ανάγκες της εκκλησίας και κοινότητάς μας. Διότι ο καλός Χριστιανός πάντοτε εκπληρώνει τις υποχρεώσεις του έναντι της εκκλησίας ώστε η εκκλησία να αντιμετωπίσει τις ευθύνες της και της υποχρεώσεις της χωρίς καμία δυσκολία και πρόβλημα. Είθε ο Κύριος να εξακολουθεί να ευλογεί την κάθε οικογένεια και το κάθε μέλος της κοινότητας μας του Αγίου Γεωργίου. Και το καινούργιο Εκκλησιαστικό Έτος να φέρει σε μας πλήρη πνευματική καθοδήγηση και την ευημερία. Πρωτ. Νικόλαος Παστρικός Ιερατικώς Προϊστάμενος

5 The Voice of St. George Page 5 President s Message Dear Parishioners, I hope all of you enjoyed your summer in spite of the heat! I would like to start this month s report with an update of your Board s ongoing efforts in improving our Church s infrastructure and appearance, and then end with a few thoughts and suggestions. There are a lot of changes going on in and about the Church, and I would like to bring all of you, the frequent and not so frequent Churchgoers, up to date with the substantial improvements we are making. The lighting throughout the Church buildings has been upgraded with more efficient light bulbs. In addition, sensors were installed in the rooms, which automatically turn off the lights when they are not in use. Both changes should considerably reduce our future electric bills. A substantial part of the cost for these renovations was covered by an outside energy efficiency program for which we qualified. New Air Conditioning units have been installed for the Memorial Room and the upgraded basement, currently under renovation. The Focus Group has undertaken an ambitious program for the total renovation of our basement, which up to now has been neglected and used very inefficiently. When completed, the new space will provide a place for our youth and other Church related activities, as well as archival and other storage space. New gutters have been installed on the Church, which not only provide excellent drainage but also considerably beautify the building s appearance. The new Portico is nearing completion. This new addition drastically enhances the appearance of our Church, while providing long-overdue protection for the wooden doors of the main entrance. In the next phase of this project, we are planning to add three mosaic icons under the Portico arches. In the very near future, lighting will be installed in our parking lot. For all these improvements, we owe heartfelt gratitude to our outstanding Grounds Committee under the leadership of Manny Manioudakis and Vice President George Athanasopoulos. Looking forward, summer will soon be over, everyone will be back, and we will be starting a new academic and ecclesiastic year. This should provide us with an opportunity to take stock and plan wisely in an effort to balance our professional, social and spiritual activities. Let us all move our religious commitment and our service to our Church and Community higher up the priority ladder. When you take the time and commit to nurture your spiritual needs, you will find that it reinforces your abilities to face the other challenges. When you attend Church, you enjoy the spiritual uplifting, the fellowship with your fellow worshipers. Add another dimension to the experience. Get involved. I have been urging you all to participate in what we do and plan to do. Your Board cannot do it alone. Involvement and participation provide a unique sense of gratification. We welcome all back from their travels and vacations come and be part of the St. George Family! Vassilis G. Keramidas President

6 September/October 2011 Page 6

7 The Voice of St. George Page 7 Sunday School Dear Parents and Members of our St. George Community, We hope that everyone had a pleasant and relaxing summer with time for reflection on all the gifts God is providing us. On behalf of Father Nicholas, the teachers and staff, we welcome all the children and their families back to our Religious Education program on the 11 th of September for the ecclesiastical year. We have an exciting program scheduled for this year that will provide a solid foundation of our Greek Orthodox faith and of leading a true Christian life. As always, our goal is to improve upon the past; details of upcoming changes, which include curricula updates, will be communicated to the parents of our students by early-september. We encourage all parents to please bring their children to us each Sunday. Each lesson of a given week builds on that of the previous week, and thus the importance of your children s presence must be noted. The set curriculum, the hymnology, the participation in the Divine Liturgy and the many projects carried out throughout the year, under the leadership and spiritual guidance of Father Nicholas, provide a complete picture of our Religious Education Program. Our Religious Education Program is entirely a volunteer organization; we appreciate all the support you provide us. If you are interested in volunteering your time or talents, you may me at lmalahias@yahoo.com, or you may complete the form below and place it in the Sunday School mailbox that is located in the Main Office. As of 1 August 2011, we have the following open positions. Please note that any amount of time that you can give us is most appreciated. If you prefer to be in church on Sunday mornings, you can help us with the many programs being conducted throughout the year. Teachers: Our goal is to have 2 teachers per classroom to allow for the necessary flexibility. We realize that teachers cannot be present every Sunday morning, and thus having two teachers allows proper classroom coverage. Kindergarten: 1 teacher 1 st Grade: 1 teacher 3 rd Grade: 1 teacher 7 th Grade: 1 teacher for part of the year Teacher Aides (typically high school students of Grades 10, 11 and 12) We have five open positions at various grade levels _ Name: Telephone Number: I am interested in volunteering for We are very proud of our religious education program and of our commitment to your children. We pray that we see you on the 11 th of September. For any questions or concerns, please contact me at lmalahias@yahoo.com. May God Bless, St. George Religious Education Staff

8 September/October 2011 Page 8 Ladies Philoptochos Society St. Barbara We hope that everyone in our St. George community had an enjoyable summer and that we re all ready to begin our new ecclesiastical year. With that in mind, we invite all the ladies of our community who are not yet members of our Ladies Philoptochos Society St. Barbara to join us. We look forward to a busy and exciting year. The following listing summarizes our schedule of activities for the remainder of 2011: Cooking for the Homeless and Warming of America throughout the year Baby blankets will be sewn in October Visitation to the shut-ins throughout the year and, in particular, prior to the holidays Preparation (Nov. 15) and sale (Nov. 19 & 20) of Baklava and Kourambiedes in November Community Christmas Card preparation, assembling and mailing beginning in October Celebrating our patron saint, St. Barbara s holiday with a liturgy and Artoklasia, December 4, 2011 St. Barbara s Luncheon, December 4, 2011 Sale of Christmas Bread and Vasilopites on December 17 and 18 Fulfilling all of our National and Metropolis Philoptochos obligations Our meetings are scheduled to take place at 11:00 am on the fourth Saturday of the month unless noted differently because of a holiday, another scheduled event, or because of football parking when we do not have access to our parking lot. Football parking has made it necessary that our September meeting must take place on Wednesday, September 21 instead of Saturday the 24th; also, our October meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 19 because the church dance will be on Saturday, October 22. We encourage all of our members to attend all of our meetings! Our dear and beloved member Lillian Georgalas passed away on July 4, She will be greatly missed. May her memory be eternal. It s that time of the year when corporate management will be asking their employees to participate in the 2011/2012 United Way program. Consequently, since our parishioners are participants in that program, we ask that they and their many friends consider our St. George Needy Cases Fund be earmarked for their contribution. In the past several years the St. George Needy Cases Fund has benefited dramatically and this has allowed the Philoptochos to assist those in need. The Ladies Philoptochos Society extends its appreciation and thanks to our many St. George parishioners who have taken the initiative to arrange for their United Way deductions to be sent to the St. George Needy Cases Fund. We are most grateful to all for their continued support. Once again, we are reminding all our parishioners who are asked to contribute to the United Way Fund at their place of employment to direct their donation to our Philoptochos St. George Needy Cases Fund. Our United Way Reference Number is ! *************************** B A K L A V A S A L E The Ladies Philoptochos Society will be selling baklava and Kourambiedes for the holidays. All baklava must be pre-ordered by November 14, 2011 It will be sold November 19 and November 20, 2011 Baklava = $30.00; Kourambiedes = $8.00. Place your order early! Call Niky Gerondelis, , Koula Athanasopoulos, , Pegi Zajac, *************************** >>>>Christmas Bread and Vasilopites will be sold December 17 and 18<<<<

9 The September Voice of 2008 St. George Page 9 The Ladies Philoptochos Society Invites you to attend ST. BARBARA S LUNCHEON Sunday, December 4, 2011 COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD Dear St. George Parishioners: We are rapidly approaching that time of year when the Philoptochos will prepare the St. George Community Christmas Card which will be mailed to every member of our parish and which will carry our holiday greetings to all of our parishioners. This Community Christmas Card becomes possible through your donations. However, not only does your donation extend holiday greetings to all but, more importantly, it is used for the much needed assistance to the needy of our community. Your contribution truly represents the Christian spirit of helping those in need. And so we ask you, once again, to give your donation to the Needy Cases Fund. In so doing you will be helping those in need and you will be assuring that your name will be included on the Community Christmas Card. You may give your donation by filling in the form below and bringing it to the church or by mailing it to PHILOPTOCHOS, c/o St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1101 River Road, Piscataway, NJ Please make checks payable to the ST. GEORGE NEEDY CASES FUND. To assure that your name is included on the Christmas Card, your contribution must be received no later that November 20, The names of contributors received after November 20 will be listed in the January church bulletin. In addition, if you are employed by a company that participates in a Gift Matching Program, please bring the necessary forms so we may benefit from this program. Obtain a gift matching form from your personnel office, complete the employee s section and bring the form to us. We ll do the rest. God Bless you always, NEEDY FUND COMMITTEE Detach and return the form below with your donation no later than Sunday, November 20, ========================================================================== I would like to participate in the ST. GEORGE NEEDY CASES FUND. Enclosed you will find my donation for $. Please list my name on the Christmas Card as follows: Name: Address: Telephone Number:

10 September/October 2011 Page 10 Greek Orthodox Youth Association: G. O. Y. A. On Sunday, September 11, 2011, we are starting our year off with our first GOYA meeting after church services, Artoklasia and the installation of our new Officers. We want to welcome returning and new GOYA members, and we are looking forward to a great new year. At our first meeting we will have registration and sign-ups for our annual Kick-Off dance and the Mr. and Miss Goya Pageant. We will also be discussing practice schedules for junior/senior boys basketball, girls volleyball, and Goya dance practices. On September 18 th, we will be celebrating Holy Cross day at Asbury Park. Every year, four Goyans from each church, dive for the cross after church services. Dean Rexines, Katherine Robles, George Exarchakis and Joanna Kantilierakis will be representing St. George. We wish all four of our Goyans good luck! This year the Kick-Off dance be hosted by the Goya of St. John The Theologian Cathedral in Tenafly on September 23 rd. Last year, we hosted this dance and it was a great success. We are looking forward to this year s Kick-Off dance as it is a great way for new Goyans from all churches to get together and meet one another. September 25 th will be our first Gyro sale. Our Goyans will be helping with cooking, preparing, and selling Gyros as a fundraiser for our events. This not only helps with our funds, but also getting to know and work with one another. We would like to thank everyone at St. George for always supporting us by buying our Gyros! On Sunday, October 2, 2011, we will be having our second Goya meeting. This is also the date for the Walk for the Cure at Six Flags. For the past few years our church has been represented by a big group of adults, Goyans, and younger children showing their support in the fight against breast cancer. On October 8 th the Mr. and Miss Goya Pageant s interviews will be held at Holmdel church, while the actual pageant will take place October 9 th at the Pines Manor. Katina Kontos and Andreas Savva will represent St. George Piscataway. The money collected at this event goes to the Goya Scholarship Fund that Goyans are awarded at the end of every year. Good Luck to all contestants! Practices are beginning soon. Every week each team meets up and gets into shape for their games! Every athlete comes together to show their potential in each sport, and the coaches help them enhance their individual talents. Our first home game will be on October 23rd. Something to look forward to: our 9 th Annual Taverna Night will be held Saturday, December 3 rd. All proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit The Lakeview School Cerebral Palsy Association of Middlesex County. We have a very busy schedule this year and we all look forward to the next few months. Respectfully submitted, Ekaterini Robles GOYA Historian

11 The Voice of St. George Page 11 ALTAR BOYS NEEDED Father Nicholas is extending an invitation to the young men in our Parish, who have reached the age of 10 to come and serve God by serving as an Altar boy. Parents, if your child is interested in serving in the Altar this year, please contact Father Nicholas and let him know. Thank You Volunteers! Thank you to all of the volunteers who stayed after church on Sunday, August 14th to help decorate the epitafio for Panagias. Your time and efforts are greatly appreciated! There will be an Altar boy meeting on Saturday, October 1 st at the church at 10:30 am for all Altar Boys (current and new). WELCOME BACK GOYANS!!! WE welcome back our St. George GOYANS from their summer vacation. WE can tell you for a fact that St. George missed you tremendously. Church was not the same without you. Now that you are ALL back, we would like to inform you that the First Official meeting for GOYA in September will be on Sunday, September 11 th, in the Memorial Room. It is very important the ALL current members be there to welcome our new members coming into the organization. For those young people who have reached the age of 13 or who have enrolled in the 7 th grade, all are welcome to come to this first meeting and become members. At this meeting there will be New Policies that will be discussed for this year and for the future; it is important that we all are aware of them. SEE YOU ALL THERE!!! ATTENTION COLLEGE STUDENTS: If you send your name and address to the Church Office, we will put you on the church s mailing list, so that you can receive the Bulletin. This is a great way to keep abreast of our parish news and the Church of your youth. SUNDAY SCHOOL BEGINS SEPTEMBER 11, 2011 Our Sunday School Year will begin on Sunday September 11 th. All parents are urged to enroll their children for the upcoming year. All GOYANS, with NO exceptions, are also urged and required to register for Sunday School. The Sunday School staff along with Father Nicholas are planning for yet another exciting and very eventful program.

12 September/October 2011 Page 12 Parent Teach Organization P. T. O. The PTO Executive Board welcomes everybody back from summer vacation and we welcome all new families to the St. George Community. Below is a calendar of PTO events and fundraisers for the year. PTO events are sponsored through your membership and fundraisers are vital in order to continue and promote our Greek and religious heritage. PTO Upcoming Events: Coffee hour Served by PTO - Month of September Sept 11 th Coffee hour sponsored by the PTO September 11 th Artoklasia with GOYA This years PTO Board Includes: Eftychia Mattas, President Helen Sirimis, Vice President Aliki Doninger, Secretary Kathy Catanzaro, Treasurer Both PTO membership and Friend Finder forms will be distributed to students of the Greek and Religious Educational (Sunday) Schools. For your convenience, the forms will also be posted on the church s PTO bulletin board. The membership/donation is only $20.00 per family and includes a free copy of the St. George Friend Finder directory which lists the teachers and students contact information. Research has shown that parent involvement in the community helps all children do better on a wide variety of measures, both socially and academically. Part of being involved in the community includes coming to PTO meetings, volunteering for events and fundraisers, as well as attending the family events coordinated by the community and PTO. We are requesting that all parents of 6 th grade Greek school students become PTO members as the contribution is dedicated toward graduation and the yearbooks. St George is a great community and the involvement of parents like you helps make it even better. If you have any questions, concerns or would like more information on the PTO or PTO sponsored events and fundraisers, please us at: stgpto@optonline.net Thank You!! St. George PTO General Assembly Meeting Sunday, October 16, 2011 We ask that everyone attend this very important meeting. Many important issues will be discussed concerning the progress of our community. In addition, nominations for the Parish Council will be taken. First Call: October 9, 2011 Please join Team St. George Piscataway! Together we will walk as a family on Sunday, October 2, 2011, in this beautiful event to help find a cure. This will be the sixth year our team is participating!!!! If you are not able to walk with us on October 2nd, please consider sponsoring a walker or making a donation on behalf of the team. The deadline to register with the team is September 19th. After that, you can still walk with the team but you will need to register as an individual. For more details visit: am_id=14423&pg=team&fr_id=1090 Thank you! Co-Captains, Joanna Kantilierakis & George Exarchakis

13 The Voice of St. George Page 13 Our Parish: Her Life & People Baptisms & Chrismations January 8 th Eleni daughter of Elias & Eftychia Mattas Godparents Anthony and Eleni Loizides Andrea - daughter of George & Panagiota Georgiou Godparent - Gregory Georgiou January 15 th Evelyn daughter of Andrew & Andrea Lagermasini Godparents Sanda & Bogdan Donose, Ioana Donose February 12 th Anastasia daughter of Ioannis & Kyriaki Kalogridis Godparents Nicolette Garth & Alexandra Garth March 5 th Elias son of Miguel & Nikolitsa Araujo Godparent Georgios Koukourdelis March 6 th Georgia daughter of Apostolos & Sophia Voudouris Godparent Angela Lykos April 30 th Irene daughter of Athanasios & Foteini Bizekis Godparent Alex Antimisiaris Evangelos - son of Athanasios & Foteini Bizekis Godparent - Minas Hiras May 7 th Despina - daughter of Gregory & Roseanne Kaldes Godparent - Christopher Avgiris Sofia - daughter of Hany & Eleni Wahba Godparent - Kaliopi Sinanis May 26 th Zoe - daughter of David & Dorothy Shearin Godparent Nancy Dougherty June 4 th John - son of John & Victoria Horvath Godparents Steven & Stacy Remantas June 5 th Maria - daughter of Matthew & Kalotina Roussos Godparent Spiro Kasabian June 18 th Chariklia - daughter of Robert & Myrianthe Marton Godparent - Christopher Malekkides Konstantinos son of Demetrius & Dimitra Kambitsis Godparent - Peter Sirimis Eleni daughter of Demetrius & Dimitra Kambitsis Godparent Maria Sirimis Andreas son of Douglas & Haroula Schneider Godparent Antonis Kalogridis June 25 th Nicholas son of Craig & Maria Comiskey Godparent Alexandra Syndetos Fotini daughter of Salvatore & Nicoletta Urciuoli Godparent Maria Comiskey Angelina daughter of Stephen & Macy Remolina Godparent Victoria Schwier June 26 th Evangelia daughter of George & Frangitsa Papadakis Godparent Maria Xanthos Weddings February 5 th Panagis Hionis and Lynn Speronza Koumbaro Gerasimos Hionis May 22 nd Elias Asimoglou and Olga Nikitina Koumbaro Andrea Asimoglou Funerals May Their Memory Be Eternal December 31 st - James Moskonas January 1 st - Steve Troulis Sr. January 15 th - George Parianos January 25 th - Demetra Panedes February 13 th - Nicolas Kallias February 18 th - Eleanor Hadzimihalis February 19 th - George Marakis March 17 th - Dorothy Patente April 3 rd - Athanasia Kambitsis May 26 th - Dr. Frances Karagiozis Ruff June 1 st - Georgia Tsambis

14 September/October 2011 Page 14 WHILE IN CHURCH Church for us Orthodox Christians is the holiest of all places. It is the place where we come face-to-face with our Lord, thereby, demanding the utmost respect and good conduct. While in church WE DO NOT chew gum or candy; WE DO NOT cross our legs, or move around and carry on a conversation, especially in the Narthex of our church. These activities tend to distract those around us and lead our soul away from the mystical experiences of the Divine Liturgy. Our movements about the church, at their appointed times, should be done with the utmost respect for the place in which the Lord dwells. As we are entering God s Home, we must always keep in mind that WE MUST NOT ENTER THE NAVE of our church, or WE MUST NOT COME TO THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH AND PLACE A VOTIVE CANDLE during the following times: 1. During the Small Entrance (when the procession with the Gospel takes place). 2. During the EPISTLE Reading 3. During the GOSPEL Reading 4. When the priest is censing and is facing the Congregation 5. During the GREAT ENTRANCE (when the procession of the Holy Gifts takes place) 6. When the priest is blessing the Congregation 7. During the recitation of the Nicene Creed 8. During the Consecration of the Holy Gifts 9. During the recitation of the Lord s Prayer By following this, we will NOT be disturbing the worship service or our fellow parishioner who is trying very hard to meditate during the Devine Liturgy ΠΩΣ ΠΡΕΠΕΙ ΝΑ ΣΥΜΠΕΡΙΦΕΡΟΜΑΣΤΕ ΜΕΣΑ ΣΤΗΝ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ Η εκκλησία είναι ο ιερότερος χώρος. Μέσα στην εκκλησία ερχόμαστε πρόσωπο με πρόσωπο με τον Κύριο και γι αυτό οφείλουμε σεβασμό και την καλύτερη συμπεριφορά. Μέσα στην εκκλησία δεν μασάμε τσίχλα, καραμέλα ή οτιδήποτε άλλο. Δεν σταυρώνουμε τα πόδια, δεν κουνιόμαστε, ούτε μιλάμε, ούτε ακόμη όταν είμαστε στον Νάρθηκα της εκκλησίας. Όλα τα πιο πάνω διαταράσσουν την ησυχία και ενοχλούν τους άλλους πιστούς γύρω μας και οδηγούν τη ψυχή και την σκέψη τους μακρυά από την Μυστική εμπειρία της Θείας Λειτουργίας. Αν χρειαστεί να γίνει με πολύ λεπτό και αθόρυβο τρόπο. Όταν εισερχόμαστε στην εκκλησία πρέπει να συνειδητοποιήσουμε ότι μπαίνουμε στον οίκο του Θεού. Δεν εισερχόμαστε στην εκκλησία και ΔΕΝ ανάβουμε λαμπάδα μπροστά στο σολέα κατά τις εξής περιπτώσεις: 1. Κατά την Μικρή Είσοδο (όταν ο ιερέας εξέρχεται με το Ευαγγέλιο) 2. Κατά την ανάγνωση του Αποστόλου 3. Κατά την ανάγνωση του Ευαγγελίου 4. Όταν ο ιερέας λιβανίζει το εκκλησίασμα 5. Κατά την Μεγάλη Είσοδο (όταν ο ιερέας εξέρχεται με τα Τίμια Δώρα) 6. Ενώ ο ιερέας ευλογεί το εκκλησίασμα 7. Ενώ απαγγέλλεται το Σύμβολον της Πίστεως και η Κυριακή Προσευχή 8. Όταν ο ιερέας ευλογεί τα Τίμια Δώρα (Σε υμνούμε)

15 The Voice of St. George Page 15 My dear faithful: PRIORITIES AND CHOICES As we all know, September is the beginning of school and many other activities for our children. As parents, we encourage and push our children to be involved in extra-curricular activities because we think it will look good and help when they apply for college. Of course, we also feel it is good for them to experience a variety of things for their intellectual, physical, and emotional growth. We all agree that being active in sports, different programs and activities, and having a job is good for our children. The problem arises, when their sports activities and jobs become more important than family, church and God. Our children, not knowing better, sometimes are faced (and as parents so are we) to choose a sports program, an activity and even a job over Church attendance or church function (Sunday School etc ) OFTEN THE CHOICE IS NOT GOD OR CHURCH. THIS SENDS A WRONG MESSAGE TO OUR CHILDREN. As Orthodox parents, we must guide and teach our child, what should be a priority in his/her life. Yes, they have to go to school, yes they have to study and do their homework, yes, they have to make their practices (sports or instrument or whatever activity), yes they have to (if they are old enough) go to work. Now I ask you, do they have to go to church? Do they have to say their prayers before meals and bedtime? Do they have to go to Sunday School? Do they have to see pappou and yiayia? Sometimes, sports, activities and jobs do get in the way of the more important things: being with family, coming to church, receiving the sacrament of Holy Communion, in general being with our Orthodox brothers and sisters. Parents, please look for opportunities to show your children that God and family are first above everything else. Do it with words and actions. Father Nicholas QUESTION ΕΡΩΤΗΣΗ Should an Orthodox Christian receive communion in a Catholic Church or become a sponsor in a Non-Orthodox church? The answer is NO. It is important to understand why the answer is NO. The sacrament of communion and every Orthodox sacrament is the primary way that we as Orthodox Christians experience and manifest our unity and our purity within the Church. In the canon law practice of the Church, Christians are prohibited from receiving communion until they show signs of repentance over a period of time, when they have committed a serious sin. Also, those who break communion with the Church by marrying outside the Orthodox Church (that is in a civil ceremony or another Church) are not permitted to receive communion or any of the Orthodox sacraments until their marriage is blessed in the Orthodox Church. Receiving communion is a sign and expression of a person s membership in the Church. To receive communion in another Church, or to become a sponsor in another Church is essentially to try to declare oneself a member of two different kinds of Churches each with a different faith, worship, leadership, canon, moral principles etc. As you can see, it is a contradiction which creates confusion and in fact, is impossible to do with full Επιτρέπεται σ ένα Ορθόδοξο Χριστιανό να κοινωνήσει σε Καθολική ή άλλη εκκλησία, ή να γίνει ανάδοχος σε μη Ορθόδοξο εκκλησία; Η απάντηση είναι «ΟΧΙ». Είναι σημαντικό να αντιληφθούμε γιατί η απάντηση είναι αρνητική. Το μυστήριο της Θείας Κοινωνίας και όλα τα άλλα ορθόδοξα μυστήρια είναι αυτά που πρωτίστως συμβάλλουν στην διατήρηση της ενότητας και της αγνότητας της Εκκλησίας μας. Οι κανόνες της Εκκλησίας απαγορεύουν στους χριστιανούς να λάβουν την θεία κοινωνία για ένα ορισμένο χρονικό διάστημα, μέχρις ότου δείξουν σημεία μετανοίας, εάν έχουν διαπράξει ένα σοβαρό αμάρτημα. Επίσης, σ εκείνους που συνάπτουν πολιτικό γάμο, ή γάμο σε μη Ορθόδοξο εκκλησία, δεν επιτρέπεται να κοινωνήσουν ή να λάβουν μέρος σε κανένα μυστήριο, μέχρις ότου ο γάμος των ευλογηθεί από την Ορθόδοξο Εκκλησία. Το να λάβει κανείς Θεία Κοινωνία είναι μια έκφραση της πίστης του προς την Ορθόδοξο Εκκλησία. Εάν, όμως, κοινωνήσει σε άλλη εκκλησία, ή αν γίνει ανάδοχος σε μη Ορθόδοξη εκκλησία, γίνεται αυτομάτως μέλος δύο διαφορετικών Εκκλησιών η κάθε μια με διαφορετικό δόγμα, λατρεία, κανόνες, ηθικούς νόμους, αξίες κλπ. Όπως βλέπετε, είναι μια αντίφαση η οποία δημιουργεί σύγχυση και είναι αδύνατο να γίνει με πλήρη ειλικρίνεια.

16 September/October 2011 Page 16

17 October 2011 Coffee will be served by the Cephalonian Organization Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Sr. Citizen Mtg. 12pm M/R Altar Boy Mtg. 11 a.m. GOYA Mtg. M/R 2 Jr. Basketball 6:30pm EFGOC 7pm M/R 3 4 Girls Volleyball 7-9pm 5 6 S/S Staff Mtg. 6:30pm GOYA Dance 7pm GOYA Charity Night 7 8 Rutgers Home Game (No Activities) 9 GENERAL ASSEMBLY MTG. 1st CALL Mr. & Miss Jr. GOYA 10 Jr. Basketball 6:30pm EFGOC 7pm M/R 11 Girls Volleyball 7-9pm 12 Philoptochos Board Mtg.10:30am M/R GOYA Advisors 7pm Sr. Basketball 7-9pm 13 GOYA Dance 7pm Rutgers Home Game (No Activities) 16 GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING AHEPA HALL 17 Jr. Basketball 6:30pm EFGOC 7pm M/R 18 Girls Volleyball 7-9pm Philoptochos Mtg.. 11am M/R Sr. Basketball 7-pm St. Gerasimos 9am GOYA Charity Night GOYA Dance 7pm 21 Set-Up Church Dance 22 CHURCH DANCE GOYA Game 24 Jr. Basketball 6:30pm EFGOC 7pm M/R 25 Girls Volleyball 7-9pm 26 St. Demetrios 9am AHEPA Mtg. 7pm A/H DOP Mtg. 7pm M/R 27 GOYA Dance 7pm 28 Agia Skepi 9:00 am Lock-In Retreat 29 Rutgers Home Game (No Activities) Lock-In Retreat 30 OXI Day Artoklasia & Luncheon Macedonians 31 Greek School Closed EFGOC 7pm M/R

18 September 2011 Coffee will be served by the Parent Teachers Organization Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Beginning of the New Ecclesiastical Year Fast Day 2 3 Rutgers Home Game (No Activities) 4 5 Labor Day Nativity of Theotokos Winter Hours Begin Sunday School Begins GOYA Artoklasia, Officer Installation & Mtg. PTO Artoklasia and Welcome Back Coffee Holy Cross Celebration Asbury Park Greek School Begins Jr. Basketball 6:30pm EFGOC 7pm M/R 19 Jr. Basketball 6:30pm EFGOC 7pm M/R 26 EFGOC 7pm M/R 13 Girls Volleyball 7-9pm 20 Girls Volleyball 7-9pm GOYA Adv. Mtg.7pm Holy Cross 14 Philoptochos Board Mtg. 11:30am M/ R 21 Regent Classes Begin Philoptochos Mtg. 11am Sr. Basketball 7-9pm Knitting Group 11am S/S Staff mtg. 7pm 15 GOYA Dance 7pm GOYA Charity Night 22 GOYA Dance 7pm Seniors Mtg. 12pm M/R Rutgers Home Game (No Activities) Philoptochos Artoklasia & Officers Installation Jr. Basketball 6:30pm AHEPA Mtg. 7pm A/H GOYA Dance 7pm

19 a The St. George Piscataway Youth Group proudly invites you to our 9 th annual Greek Night Saturday, December 3, :30 pm - 12:00 am St. George AHEPA Hall Community Center Mezedakia & Full Buffet Dinner - BYO Wine & Beer Music and Dancing Reservations: Sophie Exarchakis Maria Kantilierakis Adults $35 GOYA & College students with ID $25 Children under 12 - $10 All proceeds will benefit The Lakeview School Cerebral Palsy Associa on of Middlesex County

20 St. George Greek Orthodox Church 95th Annual Community Church Dance Saturday, October 22, 2011 (AHEPA Hall, Piscataway, NJ) Name ***This year we will be honoring Mrs. Anna Kalogridis*** Ad Journal Contract Address Phone No. Please specify the page you wish to purchase: Gold Page $200 Silver Page $150 Full Page $100 Half Page $50 Quarter Page $25 Total Amount Check # Please place your message in the space provided and attach your picture or business card, or you may your message along with your business card (as a pdf file) or your picture (as a jpg file) to Mrs. Eleni Banis at magaritsidis@comcast.net. Please note the deadline for Ads is October 10, 2011 All donations are Tax Deductible- Tax ID# Make checks payable to: St. George Greek Orthodox Church Mail to: 1101 River Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854

21 St. George Greek Orthodox Church 95 th Annual Community Dinner Dance Journey to the Caldera of Santorini Saturday, October 22, :30 pm to 12:00 am in the AHEPA Hall of St. George, Piscataway Honoring Anna Kalogridis Donation is $50 for adults, $20 for children 18 & under, and children under 5 are free. Reservations must be made and paid in advance. Seating will be limited The evening will consist of mezedakia, a full prime rib dinner with 2 complimentary carafes of wine per table, dessert and coffee, cash bar, fabulous door prizes, a raffle and Music by George Manioudakis Please consider placing a family photo in the Ad Journal as an addition to our community s history Reservations- Yvonne Lyssikatos ( ) Ad Journal- Eleni Banis ( ) RAFFLE (Books contain 6 tickets for $ th ticket free to Seller) Call the Church Office ( ) for additional books. Make checks payable to: St. George Greek Orthodox Church 1101 River Road Piscataway, NJ 08854

22 Advertisements TRACK SIDE LIMO & TAXI Serving all of Somerset & Middlesex Counties, NJ Low Rates - 24 hr Service Van Service for Large Groups Special Rates for Airports We Go Anywhere GEORGE ATHANASOPOULOS AND ANDREAS ATHANASOPOULOS Call: Toll Free

23 ADVERTISE WITH THE VOICE OF ST. GEORGE FAX PRICE LIST 2011 BUSINESS CARD: $ MONTH CONTRACT: $ MONTH CONTRACT: $ /4 OF A PAGE: $ MONTH CONTRACT: $ MONTH CONTRACT: $ /2 OF A PAGE: $ MONTH CONTRACT: $ MONTH CONTRACT: $ FULL PAGE: $ MONTH CONTRACT: $ MONTH CONTRACT: $1, OUR NEWSLETTER REACHES OVER 1000 FAMILIES OF OUR ST. GEORGE COMMUNITY For more information you can call the church office at: or send in your signed contract and check to: St. George Greek Orthodox Church 1101 River Road Piscataway, NJ Attention: Voice of St. George Name: Tel.# Address: Please print message or attach business card: Advertisements will only be printed upon submission of signed contract and monies Signature: Date:

24 SAINT GEORGE GREEK Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE Paid New Brunswick, N.J. Permit No River Road Piscataway, NJ ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Phone: WE RE ON THE WEB! STGEORGEPISCATAWAY.ORG IMPORTANT NOTICE Future issues of the Voice of St. George will be printed on a bi-monthly basis. We are asking all organizations wishing to place articles in the Voice to please submit their articles to voicestgeorge@optonline.net by the following deadlines. If you would like to submit an image with your article, it must be a jpg file. Articles/images will not be accepted after deadline dates. There will be no exceptions. Thank you. BI-MONTHLY ISSUE SUBMISSION DEADLINE DATES September/October August 1 November/December October 1 January/February December 1 March/April February 1 May/June April 1 July/August (Calendar) June 1