Assumption. Greek Orthodox Church. Agape news

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1 Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Agape news March 2012

2 PARISH LIFE The icon of the Extreme Humility depicts Christ in the tomb with His head lowered and His eyes shut as though He is merely asleep, even though He has commended His spirit to His Father in Heaven. The icon is entitled Extreme Humility because Christ took the form of and lived as one of the creatures that was formed by His hands. He was placed on death row and was executed by His own creation. Although we know that this was all done for our salvation, His Extreme Humility truly shows the extent of His love for us. Let us ponder on the beautiful hymn which is chanted at Bridegroom services of Great and Holy Week: Behold the Bridegroom is coming in the middle of the night; and blessed is the servant, He shall find awake and watching; unworthy is the other, He shall find being lazy. So beware, O soul of mine, be not overcome by sleep so that you not be handed over to death and be shut out from the Kingdom. Come to your senses and cry aloud: Holy, holy, holy are You our God. Through the Theotokos have mercy on us.

3 PASTORAL MESSAGE Dear Parishioners of our Beloved Assumption, Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Each and every year as we approach Holy Lent we tell ourselves that this will be the year that we live the faith and not let this Holy Season pass by; and, often times, 3 weeks into Lent, we find ourselves having made no changes and saying to ourselves, maybe next year. How many next years do we have left? Are we willing to wager our spiritual health on the proverbial next year? Now I am not trying to create fear by saying tomorrow you may die, but I am trying to show that having a relationship with the Lord that has an urgency to worship, honor and praise him not only in words but in action is imperative. Let this be the Year that you...fast to the fullest extent of your ability!!!...attend all of the Church Services you are able to!!!...deepen your daily prayer rule!!!...cleanse your soul with Holy Confession!!!...encounter the Crucified Lord with tears of sorrow!!!...chant Χριστός Ανέστη (Christ is Risen) with joy in your heart coming from an unexplainable peace!!! Let this be the Year!!! Praying that you have a Blessed Lent, I remain, In Christ s Love, Rev. Father Jon Boukis PROISTAMENOS

4 SUNDAY SCHOOL All children with cumulative attendance of 80% or better have hit the mark and will be listed monthly in the Agape News. Congratulations to: Vasilia Boukis Anthony Gorman Naina Ninan Naveen Ninan Peter Stopoulos Tony Stopoulos Stephanie Theofilis Sunday of Orthodoxy Procession On Sunday, March 4 th, the children of our Sunday School will participate in a Procession of Holy Icons. Please bring an Icon from home to the DIVINE LITURGY for this Blessed Procession. ORTHODOX BIBLE STUDY The Orthodox Bible Study will meet on Monday Evenings in March from 6:00pm-6:45pm and on Thursday Mornings from 9:30am-11:00am to study the Book of Acts. We will also study the lives of the Apostles. Bible Study is an opportunity for us to apply the Scriptures to our everyday lives. The Bible is the Good News that enriches our faith and deepens our understanding of every issue that we face. This can only be done through obtaining the mind of the Holy Fathers. Let the scripture come alive in your life today!!!

5 GOYA PASTA LUNCHEON On the Sunday of the Adoration of the Holy Cross - March 18 th - the GOYA will be sponsoring a Pasta Lunch following the Divine Liturgy for the benefit of the ministries of our Beloved Assumption Parish. Come and support our children as they work to support our parish!!! $7 per Person MARCH BIRTHDAYS 1 st Orest Akulow 3 rd Georgia Anderson 3 rd Georgia Photiades 5 th Christy Kouris 5 th Dale Melchin 7 th Shebah Chirackal 7 th Marena Panousis 8 th Toula Fotos 9 th Christ Petaros 10 th Terry Kotrogiannis 10 th Dimitri Papageorgiou 10 th Artemis Vasiliou 11 th Marie Olvera-Sanchez 13 th Alejandra Olvera 14 th Sherry Kontos 14 th Jimmy Pliakos 17 th Helen Haney 17 th Alex Lubbers 17 th Brenda Ray 17 th Christopher Theofilis 20 th Steve Pyevich 21 st Stephanie Theofilis 24 th Bobby Nikolopoulos 26 th Celia Lubbers 29 th Dimitra Korovilas Just a few Saints (Namedays) commemorated in March th Alexios, Alexia 25 th Evangelos, Evangelia

6 PHILOPTOCHOS RUMMAGE SALE It s never too early to donate to the rummage sale. We have made space in the garage to store your clean, gently used treasures until August. Please bring them in a closed box so they can be stacked in the garage. You may bring them on Sundays. Leave them in your car and you can unload them into the garage during coffee hour. Do You know of anyone in our parish graduating from High School or College? Please let us know so that we may properly recognize our graduates. Next Philoptochos Meeting is Sunday, March 11 th following the Divine Liturgy. LOUKOUMADES SUNDAY They re Doughy and Delicious... They re Irresistible and Now They re Here!!! Loukoumades Sunday, March 4 th, following Divine Liturgy. $5 per dozen $3 for 6 Sponsored by the Golden Circle.

7 STEWARDSHIP 2012 Stewardship Pledges received as of February 28, 2012 Haline Akulow Orest Akulow Kulla Anggeloplos John Arvanitis Michael and Nancy Avgenackis Theodore and Karen Bagatelas Fr. Jon and Presbytera Doreece Boukis Ludmilla Cherevko Victor and Judy Cherevko Abraham and Molly Chirackal Ashor Chirackal Harry and Susan Coin Dennis and Pam Collier Dr. Costas and Yvonne Constantinou Pauline Georgiadis-Cuzmano Miltos and Cathy Diakogeorgiou Angie Dokolas Lee Dokolas George and Georgia Eleftheropoulos Nicholas Fotiadis Gus and Toula Fotos Paris Fotos Michael and Elizabeth Gorman Elizabeth Gregory Tom Gregory Pete and Arlene Gust John Haney Mike and Helen Haney Justin and Andromahi Harrison Jim Jannes Deno and Dr. Ann Kandis Francis Kandis Mike and Terri Kandis Dr. George and Sherry Kontos Georgiana and Patricia Kutrumanes Alex and Diane Lamacki Judy Larson Robert and Bessie Lemen Thomas Lingris Georgia and Roger Lovejoy Celia Lubbers Christ and Susan Mekus Demos Mekus Denny and Molly Mekus Dale and Erica Melchin Lambros and Lisa Mihalopoulos Matt Miller Bill and Linda Minas Michael and Roseann Monn Katherine Moraetes Don and Deana Olvera-Mundt Ilias and Stacy Nikolopoulos Biju and Sholly Ninan Angela Olvera Daphne Olvera Bill Panouses Chris Panouses Helen Panouses Katherine Panouses Spiros and Carol Pappaspiros Christ and Helen Petaros Jimmy Pliakos Louis and Toula Poulimas Steve Pyevich David L. Ray Colette Spurgetis Frank Spurgetis Soc Spurgetis Paraskevi Stamatoukos Anthony and Joan Stopoulos Jim and Kristel Stopoulos John and MaryBeth Stopoulos Bill and Tracey Theofilis Kostas Theofilis John and Tricia Thodos Frank Vretis 76 Stewardship Pledges received for a total of: $119,486 These 76 stewards pledged $97,961 in a $21,525 (18%) increase for these stewards alone - an average of $1,709 per family!!!

8 SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY Sunday of Orthodoxy Great Vespers Come and Celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy as the Orthodox Community of the Quad Cities Area Commemorates the Restoration of the Icons into the Church. The Parish of the Assumption will celebrate Great Vespers March 4 th, 2011, at 4:00pm with a reception immediately following.

9 GREAT AND HOLY LENT The Liturgical services of the Church are filled with beautiful hymns whose imagery can truly move you. This is especially true during the services of Great and Holy Lent! Don t let another year pass by without experiencing the Great Compline on the Mondays of Lent; the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on the Wednesdays of Lent and the Salutations to the Theotokos on the Fridays of Great Lent. Make this the year that you attend all the services as you fast and pray in preparation for the Crucifixion and Resurrection of the Lord!!! Fasting without Prayer is like driving a car without gasoline Fasting allows each of us to create within us a controlled need for the Lord...it is preparing the ground for planting. We must sow into our fasting the seeds of prayer. During Great Lent, pray the Prayer of St. Ephrem...then reflect on its meaning. Allow this powerful prayer of the Lenten Season to reside in your heart, which fasting has softened! Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian O Lord and Master of my life! Take from me the spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. Yea, Lord and King! Grant me to see my own errors and not to judge my brother, for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.

10 THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS Celebrated March 25 Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most high overshadowed her allblameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38). Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55)

11 SERVICE SCHEDULE March 2 Friday 1 st Salutations to the Theotokos (7:00 p.m.) March 3 Saturday 3rd Saturday of the Souls 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy March 4 Sunday Sunday of Orthodoxy 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. All-English Divine Liturgy 4:00 p.m. Great Vespers of the Sunday of Orthodoxy March 5 Monday Great Compline (7:00 p.m.) March 7 Wednesday Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (7:00 p.m.) March 9 Friday 2 nd Salutations to the Theotokos (7:00 p.m.) March 11 Sunday Sunday of Saint Gregory Palamas 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy March 12 Monday Great Compline (7:00 p.m.) March 14 Wednesday Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (7:00 p.m.) March 16 Friday 3 rd Salutations to the Theotokos (7:00 p.m.) March 18 Sunday Sunday of the Holy Cross 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. All-English Divine Liturgy March 19 Monday Great Compline (7:00 p.m.) March 21 Wednesday Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (7:00 p.m.) March 23 Friday 4 th Salutations to the Theotokos (7:00 p.m.) March 25 Sunday ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy March 26 Monday Great Compline (7:00 p.m.) March 28 Wednesday Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (7:00 p.m.) March 30 Friday Akathist Hymn (7:00 p.m.)

12 CHURCH. M A Sunday Monday Tuesday Fasting Symbols Strict Fast Wine and Oil Allowed Fish Allowed Dairy Allowed R C H Sunday of Orthodoxy Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Family Worship Children s Icon Procession Loukoumades Sunday 4:00pm - Great Vespers All-English Sunday Sunday of Saint Gregory Palamas Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Philoptochos Meeting Coffee Hour Orthodox Bible Study 6:00pm-6:45pm Great Compline 7:00pm 12 Orthodox Bible Study 6:00pm-6:45pm Great Compline 7:00pm Sunday of the Holy Cross Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Family Worship Pasta Luncheon All-English Sunday Annunciation Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour Spring General Assembly Orthodox Bible Study 6:00pm-6:45pm Great Compline 7:00pm 26 Orthodox Bible Study 6:00pm-6:45pm Great Compline 7:00pm 20 27

13 . CALENDAR Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Orthodox Bible Study 9:30am-11:00am 2 3 Saturday of the Souls Divine Liturgy 10:00am 7 Koulourakia Baking 9:00am 8 Orthodox Bible Study 9:30am-11:00am 1st Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00pm 9 10 Presanctified Liturgy 7:00pm 14 Presanctified Liturgy 7:00pm 21 Chocolate Dipped Paximathia Baking 9:00am Presanctified Liturgy 7:00pm 28 Pastry Packaging 9:00am 15 Orthodox Bible Study 9:30am-11:00am 6:30pm - Parish Council Meeting 22 Orthodox Bible Study 9:30am-11:00am 29 Orthodox Bible Study 9:30am-11:00am 2nd Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00pm 16 3rd Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00pm 23 4th Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00pm GOYA Lunch Set-up (Holy Confession to be offered to children) 1:30pm Easter Bake Sale 9:00am-Noon Presanctified Liturgy 7:00pm Akathist Hymn 7:00pm

14 Πρόγραμμα Ιερών Ακολουθίων 2 Μαρτίου Παρασκευή Α Χαιρετισμοί 7:00 μ.μ. 3 Μαρτίου Σάββατο Γ Ψυχοσάββατο 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 4 Μαρτίου Κυριακή Κυριακή της Ορθοδοξίας 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 4:00 μ.μ. Μέγας Εσπερινός 5 Μαρτίου Δευτέρα Μέγα Απόδειπινο 7:00 μ.μ. 7 Μαρτίου Τετάρτη Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 7:00 μ.μ. 9 Μαρτίου Παρασκευή Β Χαιρετισμοί 7:00 μ.μ. 11 Μαρτίου Κυριακή Β Κυριακή των Νηστειών 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 12 Μαρτίου Δευτέρα Μέγα Απόδειπινο 7:00 μ.μ. 14 Μαρτίου Τετάρτη Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 7:00 μ.μ. 16 Μαρτίου Παρασκευή Γ Χαιρετισμοί 7:00 μ.μ. 18 Μαρτίου Κυριακή Κυριακή της Σταυροπροσκυνήσεως 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 19 Μαρτίου Δευτέρα Μέγα Απόδειπινο 7:00 μ.μ. 21 Μαρτίου Τετάρτη Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 7:00 μ.μ. 23 Μαρτίου Παρασκευή Δ Χαιρετισμοί 7:00 μ.μ. 25 Μαρτίου Κυριακή ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 26 Μαρτίου Δευτέρα Μέγα Απόδειπινο 7:00 μ.μ. 28 Μαρτίου Τετάρτη Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 7:00 μ.μ. 30 Μαρτίου Παρασκευή Ακάθιστος Ύμνος 7:00 μ.μ.

15 DIAKONIA Prosforo Schedule March 4 From Saturday of the Souls March 11 Cathy Diakogeorgiou March 18 Kulla Anggeloplos March 25 Katherine Moraetes Coffee Hour March 4 Loukoumades (Golden Circle) March 11 Angela Olvera and Family March 18 Pasta Luncheon (GOYA) March 25 Helen Haney and Celia Lubbers Sunday Gospel and Epistle Readings March 4 Gospel John 1:43-51 Epistle Hebrews 11:24-26, March 11 Gospel Mark 2:1-12 Epistle Hebrews 1:10-2:3 March 18 Gospel Mark 8:34-91 Epistle Hebrews 4:14-5:6 March 25 Gospel Luke 1:24-38 Epistle Hebrews 2:11-18 Parish Council Ushering Teams & Schedule St. Matthew St. Mark St. Luke St. John 9:00 Celia Lubbers Cathy Diakogeorgiou Biju Ninan Deno Kandis 9:25 Nick Passini Michael Haney John Thodos Lambros Mihalopoulos 9:50 Orest Akulow Sherry Kontos Elizabeth Gorman Roger Lovejoy March 4 St. Mark March 11 St. Luke March 18 St. John March 25 St. Matthew

16 Η Κυριακή της Ορθοδοξίας 4 Μαρτίου Διάφοροι λόγοι και προπάντων η απομάκρυνση απο το πνεύμα της Ορθόδοξης Παράδοσης υποκίνησαν το κακό της Εικονομαχίας, που διάρκεσε απο το 726 μέχρι το 843 και ταλαιπώρησε τόσο πολύ την Εκκλησία. Κατάληξε όμως στο θρίαμβο της Ορθοδοξίας, που γιορτάζουμε την Κυριακή αυτή. Ο αυτοκράτορας του Βυζαντίου Λέων Γ ο Ίσαυρος, δέκα χρόνια μετά την άνοδό του στο θρόνο, σ ένα δημόσιο λόγο του, διακήρυξε οτι η τιμή στις άγιες εικόνες ήταν ειδωλολατρία. Απο τότε άρχισε ένα άγριο και αιματηρό κυνηγητό, ενάντια στις άγιες εικόνες και σ αυτούς που τις υποστήριζαν. Η κατάσταση αυτή συνεχίστηκε με τον γιό του Κωνσταντίνο τον Ε ( ) και ο διωγμός ξεθύμανε αρκετά με τον βασιλιά Λέοντα τον Δ ( ) και αργότερα με τη σύζυγό του Ειρήνη, η οποία συγκάλεσε την Ζ Οικουμενική Σύνοδο (787) που άρχισε στη Νίκαια και τελείωσε στην Κωνσταντινούπολη (Πατριάρχης τότε ήταν ο γραμματέας της Ειρήνης Ταράσιος). Στη Σύνοδο αυτή καταδικάστηκε η Εικονομαχία και έχουμε τον πρώτο θρίαμβο της Ορθοδοξίας. Όμως, νέα περίοδος άρχισε αργότερα με τον αυτοκράτορα Λέοντα Ε τον Αρμένιο ( ), την συνέχισε ο Μιχαήλ Β ο Τραυλός ( ) και τελευταίος εικονομάχος αυτοκράτορας ήταν ο γιός του Θεόφιλος ( ), που αποδείχτηκε πολύ φανατικός και μισούσε την Ορθοδοξία. Αλλά μετά τον θάνατό του, η ευσεβής σύζυγός του Θεοδώρα, στερέωσε και πάλι την Ορθοδοξία (843), με συμπαραστάτη τον Πατριάρχη Μεθόδιο. Έτσι την Κυριακή αυτή, με λιτανεία που έκανε η ίδια η Θεοδώρα με τον γιό της Μιχαήλ τον αυτοκράτορα, καθώς και μ όλο τον κλήρο και τον λαό, αναστήλωσαν τις άγιες εικόνες και στόλισαν πάλι μ αυτές την Εκκλησία του Χριστού. Αυτού του γεγονότος την ανάμνηση γιορτάζουμε λοιπόν αυτή την Κυριακή, όλοι οι Ορθόδοξοι χριστιανοί με χαρά.

17 Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου 25 Μαρτίου Είναι το χαρμόσυνο μήνυμα της θείας ενσάρκωσης, που με τόσο σαφή τρόπο μας το παρουσιάζει ο ευαγγελιστής Λουκάς στο Ευαγγέλιό του (κεφ. Α στίχ ). Την ημέρα αυτή, ο θεόσταλος αρχάγγελος Γαβριήλ παρουσιάζεται και λέει στην Παρθένο Μαρία οτι θα γεννήσει υιό, που θα είναι ο Σωτήρ του κόσμου. Αξίζει, όμως, να δούμε πως οι εμπνευσμένοι υμνωδοί της Εκκλησίας μας έψαλαν το κοσμοσωτήριο άγγελμα: "Σήμερον χαράς Ευαγγέλια, παρθενική πανήγυρις, τα κάτω τοις άνω συνάπτεται, ο Αδάμ καινουργείται, η Εύα της πρώτης λύπης ελευθερούται και η σκηνή της καθ ημάς ουσίας τη θεώσει του προσληφθέντος φυράματος ναός Θεού κεχρημάτικεν. Ώ μυστήριον! Ο τρόπος της κενώσεως άγνωστος, ο τρόπος της συλλήψεως άφραστος. Άγγελος λειτουργεί τω θαύματι, παρθενική γαστήρ τον Υιόν υποδέχεται, Πνεύμα άγιον καταπέμπεται, Πατήρ άνωθεν ευδοκεί, και το συνάλλαγμα κατά κοινήν πραγματεύεται βούλησιν, εν ώ και δι ού σωθέντες, συνωδά τω Γαβριήλ, προς την Παρθένον βοήσωμεν, χαίρε, κεχαριτωμένη, ο Κύριος μετά σου, εξ ής η σωτηρία, Χριστός ο Θεός ημών, την καθ ημάς προσλαβόμενος φύσιν προς εαυτόν επανήγαγεν".

18 PASCHA DONATIONS NEEDED Icon Wreaths ($50 each) 1st Salutations 2nd Salutations 3rd Salutations 4th Salutations Akathist Hymn Saturday of Lazarus Palm Sunday Palm Sunday Bridegroom Holy Monday Bridegroom Holy Tuesday Bridegroom Holy Wednesday Last Supper Wreath for Holy Cross Holy Friday Apocathelosis Holy Friday Crucifixion Holy Saturday Resurrection Resurrection (Round) Daffodils (Holy Cross Sunday) ($50) Palms for Palm Sunday (Donated) Holy Unction Supplies (Donated) Epitaphion Flowers (Donated) Gardenias for Epitaphion ($40) Bay Leaves (Donated) Easter Lilies (30 x $10) Pascha Eggs ($50) Ribbon and Tulle for Eggs (Donated) Pascha Resurrection Meal ($200) Resurrection Priest Candle (Donated) Candy and Plastic Eggs ($100) Rose Petals for Flower Girls ($50) Charcoal (2 x $25 each) More will be listed as we further determine what else may be needed for the proper expression of worship in our beloved parish. Please call Fr. Jon and make an offering today! Donations will be offered in the following 2 formats: For the health of and In Memory of DONATIONS Thank you to all of our parishioners who donated baskets to the Church for the silent auction that was held for the benefit of the Assumption at the Mardi Gras Celebration at St. George in Rock Island. Your donations helped to raise over $1500 for the building fund of our beloved parish. Thank you to all who have donated to the printing of a service book for our parish. We are greatly in need of a new service book, which we should see in the month of March. A full list of donors will be listed after it is printed.

19 EASTER BAKE SALE

20 PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES Parish Council Meeting Minutes January 19, 2012 Affirmation of Office for those absent January 8 th (Celia, Sherry, Nick, and Lambros) Call to Order at 6:51pm by President Celia Lubbers with opening prayer from Fr. Jon. Roll Call Present: Deno Kandis, Roger Lovejoy, Orest Akulow, Biju Ninan, Liz Gorman, John Thodos, Lambros Mihalopoulos, Celia Lubbers, Sherry Kontos, Nick Passini Excused: Mike Haney, Cathy Diakogeorgiou Minutes: Corrections: Celia was not present at the last meeting. Changes made to the contact list. Change the meeting date in the 8 Jan minutes to say 19 January rather than 18 January. Treasurer s Report: Celia explained the annual budget report and check register. Fr. Jon covered the 2011 financials and the current status of stewardship. Celia stated general fund checking balance is $9,000. President s Report: Celia read the Christmas and Thank You cards. Nick read organ repair letter re: the increase in charge for transportation ($15 to $150). Nick read a letter from Church Mutual re: the $400 we still owe them based on their recent audit. Priest s Report: Review of standing committees. Sherry - chairman of the Fellowship committee. Roof overhang still needs to be fixed (West giving bid, Lambros to get another bid). Antenna on roof needs to be removed. Baptismal font still doesn t drain (John Thodos to call plumber). Trees need to get trimmed (Celia to talk to Victor about taking care of this). Trophy case. Celia will talk to Georgia Lovejoy and John Stopoulos about sorting trophies.

21 PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES March 18 th the GOYA is sponsoring a pasta luncheon. This year is the 30 th anniversary of the church possibly a dinner in the fall to celebrate combine with the Name Day celebration plan it for August. New copier doesn t do everything they said it would been negotiating with supplier for an exchange/credit/etc. other saving exist for printing books Fr. Jon proposes we take $2,000 out of memorial fund to get the new printer that does everything we need. Motion to accept the plan by John Thodos; 2 nd by Nick Passini Motion carried. $3,000 short of the godparents money to pay for the consecration fund. Fr. Jon proposes we take the shortfall from the memorial fund and get the CD and close the consecration fund. John Thodos motions to accept the plan, Nick 2nds, motion carried. Collection jar for efforts going on in Kenya and India. Celia to put together. Old Business: Mid American assessment has been scheduled by John. Fire system work Celia to talk to Philoptochos about funding part of it and then will schedule it. Need to send thank you s to the folks that volunteered their time and efforts for the New Year s party. Will be sent out by Sherry. Mardi Gras is Feb. 18 th at St. George we will have our own silent auction table we need to encourage our people to attend. Property value no update yet. Church computer/network we have no backup today Biju needs $250. Nick motions, John 2nds, motion carried. Greek Cultural Festival -- We have ZERO plans for the festival need to develop other regular fundraising activities. John Thodos motions to cancel festival, Deno Kandis 2 nd, motion carried. Celia will talk to Philoptochos about ideas for fundraising. Create committee to start an open dialogue with St. George. John Thodos, Deno Kandis, Sherry Kontos and Fr. Jon will represent Assumption. Nick motioned to accept plan, Roger 2 nd. Motion carried. New Business: Fr. Jon: we have $8,000 in the memorial fund donated for a patio/courtyard, do we want to build a patio. He will get a bid for $8,000 and $16,000. Motion to adjourn by: Nick, 2 nd by: John Meeting adjourned at: 8:32pm with a closing prayer from Fr. Jon.

22 Agape News SPONSORS The Agape News is made possible by the generous support of the following parishioners: Fr. Jon, Presbytera Doreece and Vasilia Boukis Michael and Nancy Avgenackis George Bagatelas Paul and Christine Bagatelas Family Theodore and Karen Bagatelas In Memory of Jimmy Boukis Steve, Vaso and Lynn Boukis Kleo Caras Victor and Judy Cherevko Marcus and Barbara Paraskevi Georgiadis Couch Miltos and Cathy Diakogeorgiou The Fotiadis George and Maria Georgiadis The Gorman Family Litsa Gregory Pete and Arlene Gust Mike and Helen Haney James Jannes Deno and Dr. Ann Kandis Family Frances Kandis Mike and Terri Kandis Michael Evangelos Karfaridis In Memory of Sophia Kollias George and Helen Kontos Sherry, George, Lexi and Nick Kontos Joyce Coughlin and JoAnn Kontos Tom Lingris and Judy Larson Bob and Bessie Lemen Peter and Sue Lingris Roger, Georgia and Elianna Lovejoy Roger, Celia, Alex and Kristin Nick and Charlotte Maroudas Michael and Roseanne Monn Ninan Family Spiro and Carol Pappaspiros Christ and Helen Petaros Ann Polillo Steve and Nancy Pyevich In Memory of Nickolaus, Halina, Andrei and Nickolaus Anthony and Joan Stopoulos Jim and Kristel Stopoulos Bill and Tracey Theofilis and Family Rick and Maria Krakos Thompson In Memory of George and Grace Vretis Sponsors offer $20 for the Ecclesiastical Year (beginning and ending Sept. 1 st ) Do you enjoy the Agape News? Then become a supporter!!! Here is my support of $25 $20. Please list my sponsorship as follows:

23 The Windmill FAMILY RESTAURANT Reserve our banquet room today for your next celebration. Let us help create a special memory for you with our award-winning dishes. ADVERTISEMENTS Avenue of the Cities East Moline, IL (309) COME SEE US AT OUR NEW LOCATION Miltos Diakogeorgiou, Parishioner Jose Zepeda, Chef Owners Owned by Parishioners Chris and Kathy Panouses 3629 Avenue of the Cities Moline, IL Gulliver's Travel Southpark Mall Northpark Mall Duck Creek Plaza Todd Bagatelas, President Olympic Gyros Open 7 Days a Week 207 W. 53rd St. Davenport, IA Advantage Pest Control Servicing Assumption for 4 years Call Steve Today! LCV Company Now selling retail to the public For wonderful Greek Foods including Feta, Olives, Extra Virgin Olive Oil & much more Lambros Mihalopoulos See Your Ad Here FULL COLOR ADVERTISEMENTS 2.5 x 3 $400 $ x 1.5 $250 $ x 1.5 $150 $100 Ecclesiastical Year Sept. 1 to Aug. 31 Orthodox Study Bible! 1st & 2nd Shipments SOLD OUT List w/shipping $60 Your Price $40!!!

24 Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 4900 Kennedy Drive East Moline, Illinois Return Service Requested Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID E. Moline, IL. Permit No. 153