Agape News December 2010
PARISH LIFE Restored Icons Spanakopita Filling Preparation Lunch at Gus Koffee Break Chicken Dinner Chicken Dinner
PASTORAL MESSAGE Dear Parishioners, Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! In the Month of December there is much happening: the St. Nicholas Gifting, the Philoptochos Bake Sale, the Sunday School Christmas Pageant, the Metropolis Christmas Open-House, Breakfast with Santa and countless other Christmas events. Let us not forget that the root of all that happens in December is Christmas - the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As we celebrate this season through the giving of gifts and through Christian Fellowship, let us also take time - if necessary make time - to thank the Lord for His gift to us, His Only Begotten Son, through whom we can achieve salvation. Make sure that time is given to the Church Services not only each and every Sunday, but also for Christmas Day. It is especially difficult to leave the presents behind under the tree on Christmas Day and to wait for the big Christmas Breakfast, but this small sacrifice makes a huge statement to our families and all in the community that Christmas first and foremost is a Feastday of the Faithful. I pray that as we celebrate the Birth of our Lord together that each of us grows in our faith. Wishing you a Blessed Nativity, I remain, In Christ s Love, Rev. Father Jon Boukis Proistamenos
A LETTER FROM YOUR. LETTER FROM PRESIDENT CELIA As 2010 comes to a close I would like to thank my fellow council members for the privilege of serving as their president for the past 6 years. Those serving on our Assumption council are very dedicated. They work very hard to sustain our parish. I do not think that any of you fully appreciates how fortunate you are to have an Orthodox church minutes away from your home. For the last 91 years you have had a church to bless and baptize your babies, marry off your children, and bury your loved ones. You assume you will always have the Assumption parish here for you to worship in. You may not know that I grew up in West Virginia, 2 hours from a Greek Orthodox Parish. The priest would come to our town every 6 weeks, weather permitting, and we would have the Divine Liturgy in my parent s home. The Greek Orthodox population was 25 when I was young. I was the oldest of the 7 Greek children. The priest would bring the baptismal font in his trunk and we would have baptisms in homes. We borrowed the churches of other faiths for our weddings and held our Orthodox funerals at the funeral home. I was not able to attend Sunday school, GOYA, or Greek school and was never in a church Christmas play. We always drove to church when the Bishop visited. Each year our lent effectively began on Palm Sunday, when we would drive 2 hours to church. We would return home and then on Holy Wednesday my mom would drive us to church for Holy Unction and then back home for school on Thursday. After school on Good Friday we would head to yiayia and papou s house for the weekend. They lived 30 minutes from church. We attended church Friday night, Holy Saturday morning, the Resurrection service and the Agape Service. I remember getting 2
. OUTGOING PRESIDENT new dresses for Easter, a dark one for Good Friday and another for the Resurrection service. I was 18 before I was able to attend church every Sunday and that was during 5 years of college in Cincinnati, Ohio. My senior year of college was the first time I was able to attend each and every Holy Week service. I was overwhelmed the evening of Holy Thursday. My older daughter was born in Kansas and was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church as the nearest Orthodox church was 5 hours away. It was hard enough for me to grow up Orthodox so I felt it was best for Alex to have a church to attend each Sunday. I moved to the Quad Cities almost 20 years ago. I was 33 years old. I was thrilled when I found out there were not one but two Orthodox churches here. I had never attended the Divine Liturgy on Christmas or my name day (Jan 1) until I moved here. I have only missed 1 Christmas since then, the year we went to West Virginia for Christmas. Moving here also made it possible for me to raise my younger daughter in the Orthodox Church. The Divine Liturgy begins at 10 am. There are anywhere from 8 to 12 parishioners in attendance, 4 of which are up in the choir loft. The Epistle and Gospel readings are done in Greek and English but the majority of parishioners do not arrive until after they have been read. It is all very discouraging to me. When we drove 2 hours to attend church, we left early enough so we would be on time. We were usually one of the first families there. For at least the last 6 years our annual budget has had a negative balance. The 2011 budget is no different. With expenses of $200,000 it has a negative balance of $48,000. Our building is 28 years old and had been neglected. We have major building repairs that must be addressed in 2011 totaling over $65,000. There are additional repairs totaling $50,000 that will be needed in the near future. (continued on next page)
A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT (continued from prior page) To be able to celebrate a 100 th Anniversary of our newly consecrated Assumption parish, we all have to make our faith and parish a priority in our lives. The Orthodox parishioners of Assumption are the only ones responsible for the financial health of the parish. The financial needs of the parish must come from our stewards if you want the doors to remain open. Fundraisers are not the answer to sustaining our parish. The community is not responsible for keeping our Parish open - we are! Fundraisers can be used as a way to bring outsiders to our church and give us additional income to use for helping those less fortunate in our Quad Cities community. We as parishioners each need to step up and pledge enough so our parish can flourish. When you fill out your pledge card, think of what it would be like to drive 1 ½ hours to Peoria to be able to attend church each Sunday. Once you turn in your pledge card, check the list of stewards on the bulletin board and see if the names of your relatives and koumbari are listed. If someone you know is not listed, call them and see if they would like to car pool. I chose to give my free time to my Orthodox church because I am very grateful for the opportunity to do so. I stress Orthodox church, not Assumption. I have no ties to the Assumption parish but strong ties to the Orthodox church. I know exactly who else will be next to me also giving their time to our church. It s the same small group of people each time. If your ties are to the Assumption it is time for you to consider what it would be like to be without your childhood parish. My fellow parishioners are the only family I have in the Quad Cities. I hate to see us lose a parish so full of tradition and culture. Celia Lubbers Parish Council President
A FEW IMPORTANT FACTS A few facts regarding the finances of our Parish In 2010, we had 101 stewardship cards submitted for a pledged total of: $112,512 The average pledge for 2010 was: $1,113.98 Of the 101 stewards, 29 gave at least $100 per month The approved budget for 2011 is: $198,000 This 2011 budget has a deficit of: $48,890 In order to meet the budget, the average steward needs to give: $1960.00 per year $1,960 per year is $163.33 per month, or $37.69 per week, or $5.37 per day In 2010, the number of stewards who gave at least $1,960 was: 13 The Conclusion. Our Parish can no longer be sustained Unless something changes. Ask yourself, do you want the Assumption to stay open? Are you giving $5.37 a day?
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Christmas Pageant This Year s Sunday School Christmas Pageant will be held on Sunday, December 19 th, following the Divine Liturgy. Practices will be held on Sundays, December 5 th and 12 th. If you would like your child to participate, it is important that (s)he is present for the practices. It will not be possible for a child that does not attend practice to participate - as practice is necessary for a quality event. Religious Education and Spiritual Formation Announcing: Family Religious Education Retreats This year the Religious Education Program (Sunday School) of the Assumption Church will take the best of weekly classes and lunch and learning and will return to a more traditional approach of Sunday Classes following Holy Communion with a twist: a few times during the year there will be Sunday Retreats with Fr. Jon for Vasilia Boukis Shebah Chirackal Elianna Lovejoy Naina Biju Ninan Naveen Biju Ninan Peter Stopoulos Stephanie Theofilis Shannon Thodos Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912
CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS Mitten Tree This year the parish of the Assumption will be helping to keep warm those in need. Please bring mittens, gloves, hats, socks and scarves to hang on our Mitten Tree in the hallway of the Church. Offerings should be for Children ages 12 and under and for women. God Bless your generosity! St. Nicholas Gifting On Sunday, December 5 th, please bring a gift (cost $5-$10) for a child of your same sex and age. The gift should be wrapped and labeled accordingly. Following HOLY COMMUNION, the children will place their special gift on the Solea next to the Icon of Saint Nicholas. The gifts will be distributed to children in need in the Quad City area. Metropolis Open House Following the Parish Special General Assembly on December 12th, Fr. Jon will be going to the Metropolis for the Annual Christmas Open House to visit with His Eminence Metropolitan IAKOVOS. All are invited to come along so that we may show our love to our Spiritual Father by accepting his invitation and wishing him a Blessed Nativity.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST with Santa Claus Note from Fr. Jon: Santa Claus let me know that he is excited that the kids of the Assumption are bringing gifts in for kids in need. He is planning on being here on December 19 th to show you your gifts are very special to kids that may have nothing under their trees. Please come and meet Santa for breakfast, and just maybe he ll have a surprise for you. God Bless you all!!! Following the Divine Liturgy and Christmas Pageant on December 19, 2010 Donation: $5 for Adults (Age 13-100) $3 for Children (Age 3-12) Free for those under 3 and Over 100
PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Philoptochos Christmas Bake Sale Saturday, December 11, 2010 9:00 am - 12:00 noon Baking Schedule Dip Melomakarona December 6 Packaging December 7 Kourambiethes, Baklava, Spanakopites, Tiropites & Koulourakia Done!!! Next Philoptochos Meeting is Saturday, December 4 th at 11am at Litsa s Home Contact: Litsa Gregory (309)755-0164 ORTHODOX BIBLE STUDY The Orthodox Bible Study will meet on Monday Evenings from 6:00pm-7:30pm and on Thursday Mornings from 9:30am-11:00am to study St. Paul s Letter to the Romans. 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!!! Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912
SAINT NICHOLAS Commemorated December 6 This Saint lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, and reposed in 330, As a young man, he desired to espouse the solitary life. He made a pilgrimage to the holy city Jerusalem, where he found a place to withdraw to devote himself to prayer. It was made known to him, however, that this was not the will of God for him, but that he should return to his homeland to be a cause of salvation for many. He returned to Myra, and was ordained bishop. He became known for his abundant mercy, providing for the poor and needy, and delivering those who had been unjustly accused. No less was he known for his zeal for the truth. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council of the 318 Fathers at Nicaea in 325; upon hearing the blasphemies that Arius brazenly uttered against the Son of God, Saint Nicholas struck him on the face. Since the canons of the Church forbid the clergy to strike any man at all, his fellow bishops were in perplexity what disciplinary action was to be taken against this hierarch whom all revered. In the night our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos appeared to certain of the bishops, informing them that no action was to be taken against him, since he had acted not out of passion, but extreme love and piety. The Dismissal Hymn for holy hierarchs, The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock... was written originally for Saint Nicholas. He is the patron of all travelers, and of sea-farers in particular; he is one of the best known and best loved Saints of all time.
SAINT SPYDIRON. Commemorated December 12 Saint Spyridon, the God-bearing Father of the Church, the great defender of Corfu and the boast of all the Orthodox, had Cyprus as his homeland. He was simple in manner and humble of heart, and was a shepherd of sheep. When he was joined to a wife, he begat of her a daughter whom they named Irene. After his wife's departure from this life, he was appointed Bishop of Trimythus, and thus he became also a shepherd of rational sheep. When the First Ecumenical Council was assembled in Nicaea, he also was present, and by means of his most simple words stopped the mouths of the Arians who were wise in their own conceit. By the divine grace which dwelt in him, he wrought such great wonders that he received the surname 'Wonderworker." So it is that, having tended his flock piously and in a manner pleasing to God, he reposed in the Lord about the year 350, leaving to his country his sacred relics as a consolation and source of healing for the faithful. About the middle of the seventh century, because of the incursions made by the barbarians at that time, his sacred relics were taken to Constantinople, where they remained, being honoured by the emperors themselves. But before the fall of Constantinople, which took place on May 29, 1453, a certain priest named George Kalokhairetes, the parish priest of the church where the Saint's sacred relics, as well as those of Saint Theodora the Empress, were kept, took them away on account of the impending peril. Travelling by way of Serbia, he came as far as Arta in Epirus, a region in Western Greece opposite to the isle of Corfu. From there, while the misfortunes of the Christian people were increasing with every day, he passed over to Corfu about the year 1460. The relics of Saint Theodora were given to the people of Corfu; but those of Saint Spyridon remain to this day, according to the rights of inheritance, the most precious treasure of the priest's own descendants, and they continue to be a staff for the faithful in Orthodoxy, and a supernatural wonder for those that behold him; for even after the passage of 1,500 years, they have remained incorrupt, and even the flexibility of his flesh has been preserved.
JOY NEWS The JOY is probably going Sledding!!! Probably, because we are waiting for 1 important thing - SNOW!!! The date is flexible, but if it snows, be ready to go!!! December 18th is the day and 11:30 am is the time (if there s snow). Don t miss it!!! Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912 YOUTH NEWS Kalahari Trip The GOYA is currently fundraising for this exciting fellowship trip (check it out at www.kalahariresorts.com) - but, it s not just for the GOYA!!! All families are invited to participate!!! The trip will be for 2 nights - Sunday, December 26, and Monday, December 27. If you are interested, please call Fr. Jon at the Church (792-2912). Rooms will soon be reserved when interest is shown. Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912
SERVICE SCHEDULE December 5 Sunday 10th Sunday of Luke 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy December 6 Monday Feast of St. Nicholas 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy December 12 Sunday 11th Sunday of Luke 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy December 19 Sunday Sunday Before the Nativity of the Lord 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy December 25 Saturday The Nativity of the Lord 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy December 26 Sunday Sunday Following the Nativity of the Lord 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy December 31 Friday Eve of the Feast of St. Basil 6:00 p.m. Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil
D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 0 CHURCH. Sunday Monday Tuesday Fasting Symbols Strict Fast Wine and Oil Allowed Fish Allowed Fast Free 10th Sunday of Luke Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am St. Nicholas Gift Giving Coffee Hour Stewardship Sunday Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour Special Parish Assembly Parish Council Elections 5 12 19 Sunday Before the Nativity Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Christmas Pageant Breakfast with Santa Sunday After the Nativity Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Family Worship Coffee Hour 26 6 Feast of St. Nicholas Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Melomakarona Dipping No Bible Study 13 6:00pm-7:30pm Orthodox Bible Study 20 6:00pm-7:30pm Orthodox Bible Study 27 No Bible Study Youth/Family Kalahari Trip Prayer Service 9:00am at the East Moline Correctional 11:00am Bake Sale Packaging Prayer Service 9:00am at the East Moline Correctional Center 7 14 21 28
CALENDAR Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study 3 4 Philoptochos Meeting Litsa Gregory s Home At 11:00am 8 9 9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study 10 Philoptochos Bake Sale 11 15 16 9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study 17 18 Youth Sledding 11:30am 6:30pm - Parish Council Meeting 22 No Bible Study 23 24 25 The Great Feast of the Holy Nativity of the Lord Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am 29 30 No Bible Study 31 Feast of St. Basil the Great Vesperal Divine Liturgy 6:00pm New Year s Eve Dinner
ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ 5 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Ι του Λουκά 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 6 Δεκεμβρίου Δευτέρα Νικόλαος ο Θαυματουργός 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 12 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή ΙΑ του Λουκά 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 19 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Προ της Γεννήσεως Χριστού 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 25 Δεκεμβρίου Σάββατο Γέννησις του Ιησού Χριστού 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 26 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Μετά της Γεννήσεως Χριστού 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 31 Δεκεμβρίου Παρασκευή Προεορτή του Μεγάς Βασίλειος 6:00 μ.μ. Εσπερηνό Θεία Λειτουργία
Prosforo Schedule DIAKONIA December 5 Litsa Gregory December 12 Sophia Mihalopoulos December 19 Maria Kotrogiannis December 25 Ludmilla Cherevko December 26 Kathy Panouses Coffee Hour December 5 Not Yet Requested December 12 Sophia Mihalopoulos December 19 Breakfast with Santa December 26 Not Yet Requested Sunday Gospel and Epistle Readings December 7 Gospel Luke 8:41-56 Epistle Ephesians 2:14-22 December 14 Gospel Luke 10:25-37 Epistle I Corinthians 4:9-16 December 21 Gospel Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28 Epistle Hebrews 9:1-7 December 28 Gospel Luke 18:18-27 Epistle Ephesians 6:10-17 Parish Council Ushering Teams & Schedule St. Matthew St. Mark St. Luke St. John 9:15 Celia Lubbers Cathy Diakogeorgiou Biju Ninan Bill Theofilis 9:40 Nick Passini Michael Haney John Thodos Deno Kandis 9:55 Diane Lamacki Abraham Chirackal John Stopoulos Georgia Lovejoy December 5 St. Matthew December 12 St. Mark December 19 St. Luke December 26 St. John
ΑΓΙΟΣ ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟΣ Άγιος Νικόλαος 6 Δεκεμβρίου Ο Κύριος, στην επί του Όρους ομιλία του, είπε: "Γίνεσθε οικτίρμονες, καθώς και ο πατήρ υμών οικτίρμων εστί". Να γίνεσθε, δηλαδή, σπλαγχνικοί προς τον πλησίον και συμπονετικοί στις δυστυχίες του και τις ανάγκες του, καθώς και ο ουράνιος Πατέρας σας είναι ευσπλαγχνικός προς όλους. Μιά τέτοια προσωποποίηση της χριστιανικής ευσπλαγνίας υπήρξε και ο Άγιος Νικόλαος. Γεννήθηκε τον 3ο αιώνα μ.χ. στα Πάταρα της Λυκίας, από γονείς ευσεβείς και πλουσίους. Όμως, σε νεαρή ηλικία έμεινε ορφανός και κληρονόμος μιάς μεγάλης περιουσίας. Αλλά ο Νικόλαος, εμπνευόμενος από φιλάνθρωπα συναισθήματα, διέθετε την περιουσία του για να ανακουφίζει άπορα ορφανά, φτωχούς, χήρες, στενοχωρημένους οικογενειάρχες. Ένας, μάλιστα, θα διέφθειρε τις τρείς κόρες του, προκειμένου να εξασφαλίσει χρήματα. Όταν το έμαθε αυτό ο Νικόλαος, μυστικά σε τρείς νύκτες εξασφάλισε την προίκα τριών κοριτσιών, αφήνοντας 100 χρυσά φλουριά στην κάθε μία. Έτσι, οι τρείς κόρες αποκατατσάθηκαν και γλύτωσαν από βέβαιη διαφθορά. Έπειτα ο Νικόλαος, μετά από ένα ταξίδι του στην Ιερουσαλήμ, χειροτονήθηκε ιερέας στα Πάταρα. Και όταν απεβίωσε ο τότε Αρχιεπέσκοπος Μύρων της Λυκίας, οι επίσκοποι, δια θεϊκής αποκαλύψεως, έκαναν Αρχιεπίσκοπο το Νικόλαο. Από τη νέα του θέση ο Νικόλαος επεξέτεινε τους αγώνες του για την προστασία τών φτωχών και τών απόρων. Έκανε πολλά θαύματα και ήταν σημαντική η συμμετοχή του στην Α Οικουμενική Σύνοδο. Πέθανε ειρηνικά το έτος 330 μ.χ.
ΑΓΙΟΣ ΣΠΥΡΙΔΩΝ Άγιος Σπυρίδων 12 Δεκεμβρίου Γεννήθηκε από οικογένεια βοσκών, που ήταν κάπως εύπορη, το 270 μ.χ. Άν και μορφώθηκε αρκετά στην πατρίδα του Κύπρο, όμως δεν άλλαξε επάγγελμα. Συνέχισε και αυτός να είναι βοσκός. Ήταν χαρακτήρας απλός, αγαθός, γεμάτος αγάπη για τον πλησίον του. Τις Κυριακές και τις γιορτές, συχνά έπαιρνε τους βοσκούς και τους οδηγούσε στους ιερούς ναούς, και κατόπιν τους εξηγούσε την ευαγγελική ή την αποστολική περικοπή. Ο Θεός τον ευλόγησε να γίνεται συχνά προστάτης χηρών και ορφανών. Νυμφεύθηκε σύζυγο και απέκτησε παιδιά. Γρήγορα, όμως, η σύζυγός του πέθανε. Για να επουλώσει το τραύμα του ο Σπυρίδων αφοσιώθηκε ακόμα περισσότερο στη διδαχή του θείου λόγου. Μετά από πολλές πιέσεις, χειροτονήθηκε ιερέας. Και πράγματι, υπήρξε αληθινός ιερέας του Ευαγγελίου, έτσι όπως τον θέλει ο θείος Παύλος: "Ανεπίληπτον, νηφάλιον, σώφρονα, κόσμιον, φιλόξενον, διδακτικόν, τέκνα έχοντα εν υποταγή μετά πάσης σεμνότητος". Δηλαδή ακατηγόρητο, προσεκτικό, εγκρατή, σεμνό, φιλόξενο, διδακτικό, και να έχει παιδιά που να υποτάσσονται με κάθε σεμνότητα. Έτσι και ο Σπυρίδων, τόσο σωστός υπήρξε σαν ιερέας, ώστε όταν χήρεψε η επισκοπή Τριμυθούντος στην Κύπρο, δια βοής λαός και κλήρος τον εξέλεξαν επίσκοπο. Από τη θέση αυτή ο Σπυρίδων προχώρησε τόσο πολύ στην αρετή, ώστε τον αξίωσε ο Θεός να κάνει πολλά θαύματα. Στις 12 Δεκεμβρίου το 350 μ.χ. απεβίωσε. Το λείψανό του πήγε στην Κωνσταντινούπολη και μετά στην Κέρκυρα όπου βρίσκεται μέχρι σήμερα.
NEW YEAR S EVE Invite your friends and neighbors and come and join us for an evening of dining and fellowship at the Assumption Fellowship Hall. Souzoukakia With Rice Pilaf and a Greek Salad! What more could you ask for? December 31, 2010 Following the Vesperal Divine Liturgy (approx. 7:30 p.m.) Adults $10 Children under 12 $7 There is not yet a sponsor for his event. Please call Fr. Jon if you are interested. RUMMAGE SALE 2011 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. 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 next August. Please bring them in
PARISH CHRISTMAS CARD ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CARD With the change of the color of the trees and the drop in temperature, there is no doubt that Christmas is on its way. Save time, energy and postage while supporting our GOYA Kids. Wish a Blessed Christmas to the entire Parish of the Assumption by filling out the form below or by visiting the GOYA table at the Coffee Hour after the Divine Liturgy. Your investment is only $20 to send your greetings to 200 families!!! The Deadline is December 5th. ASSUMPTION CHURCH CHRISTMAS CARD APPLICATION Please include my name (family) on the Christmas Card as follows: (Please Print) Twenty Dollars ($20) must accompany this form. Please make Checks payable to: Assumption GOYA Send to: 4900 Kennedy Drive, East Moline, Illinois 61244 Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912
DONATIONS Thank you to our Assumption Cooks, Deno and Dr. Ann Kandis and Frances Kandis for hosting the Assumption Monthly Dinner, Greek Chicken. SACRAMENTS The servant of God, Peter Stopoulos, was given an Orthodox Burial from the Parish of the Assumption on November 6, 2010. May his memory be eternal.. NEW 2010 STEWARDSHIP CARDS RECEIVED George Lingris Peter Lingris John Stopoulos MAY GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU!!! AS OF NOVEMBER 17 TH, 101 PLEDGE CARDS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FOR A TOTAL PLEDGED AMOUNT OF $112,514. HOSPITAL VISITATION Hospital Visitation is a ministry that we as Orthodox take very seriously, because it is at times when our fallen humanity is failing that we often times also experience spiritual weakness. Just a reminder, hospital visitations and visitation to our homebound parishioners are of utmost importance, but will only occur when the request comes from the family directly. Please respect this policy and also the Church and the Clergy. With pastoral love, Rev. Father Jon S. Boukis PROISTAMENOS Fr. Jon s Contact Numbers Church: (309)792-2912 Home: (309)796-3734
DONATIONS Please call Fr. Jon if you would like to donate a Poinsettia ($20), which will adorn our Church for Christmas. Donations for Poinsettias should be offered in one of the following formats: Offered for the Health of Offered in Memory of MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!!! HOME BLESSINGS Following Epiphany Fr. Jon will be blessing the homes and businesses of the Parishioners who so request. If you would like your home or business blessed, please call the church prior to January 1, 2011, and be put on the list. A schedule will be created after all requests have been received.
SPECIAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY NOTICE OF SPECIAL PARISH ASSEMBLY TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 12, 2010 An assembly of all the stewards of the parish will occur on Sunday, December 12, following the DIVINE LITURGY. The agenda will be as follows: 1. Opening Prayer / Attendance 2. Election of Assembly Chairperson 3. Needed Property Renovation (fellowship hall roof, Church ceiling, front overhang, doors) and its funding (mortgage) 4. Adoption of a quorum* requirement for General Assemblies and the definition of a parishioner** in good financial standing for 2011 5. Future of Greek Cultural Festival 6. Adjournment / Closing Prayer *Quorum The presence of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the Parishioners in good standing shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business. The Parishioners at a regular or special Parish Assembly meeting at which a quorum was present when initially convened may continue until adjournment to validly and properly transact all appropriate business and take any proper actions notwithstanding the fact that such attendance at such meeting may subsequently drop below twenty-five percent (25%) of the Parishioners in good standing; provided that for any action which requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote at a first called meeting there must be at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the Parishioners in good standing present to approve such action. If a quorum cannot be achieved, no vote can be taken. Within twenty-one (21) days, a Parish Assembly shall be called a second time. At such time, decisions may be taken by the number of parishioners in good standing present, with the exception of matters pertaining to the purchase, sale or encumbering of Parish property which shall require a quorum. **Parishioners Any person, eighteen years of age or over, who was baptized according to the rites of the Church, or was received into the Church through Chrismation, who lives according to the Faith and canons of the Church, abides by the Uniform Parish Regulations and these appended by laws, and fulfills his or her financial obligation to the Parish, and cooperates in every way towards the well being of the Parish is a member in good standing of the Parish. The definition of fulfilling one s financial obligation to the Parish is by necessity a flexible one. Generally, for purposes of participating in Parish
SPECIAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY Assemblies and elections, one must offer his or her primary stewardship to the parish and is considered to have fulfilled his or her stewardship and financial obligations to the Parish if he or she has pledged and paid an amount certain for the year prior to the current year and has no outstanding pledge balances for any year prior. However, in the event an individual refuses or neglects to pledge a specific amount for the prior year, but he or she has committed himself spiritually, morally and financially (at a minimum of 50% of the parish s prior year average pledge) to the Greek Orthodox Faith and the parish and the records of the parish so reflect the financial commitment, he or she will be considered to have fulfilled his or her financial obligation and be eligible to vote. (Stewardship is recommended to be ten percent (10%) of one s annual income as stated in Holy Scripture to help meet the financial obligations of the Parish, the Metropolis and the Archdiocese.) In instances of financial hardship for a parishioner, the Parish Priest or Parish Council President may waive or modify provisions of this paragraph. It is expected that adults over the age of eighteen (18) be stewards of the Church, with exceptions for dependent college students, active duty armed forces personnel and instances of temporary hardship. There is not a category family membership. PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS Parish Council Elections will take place on Sunday, December 12, 2010, following the Divine Liturgy and will remain open for 30 minutes. As defined by the UPR and the Parish Bylaws, the Parish Council consists of the Priest, as the head of the Parish, and 12 elected lay members. Each year 6 members will be elected to serve a two year term. Nominated for the 2010-2011 term at the Parish General Assembly held on November 14, 2010, were the following candidates: Cathy Diakogeorgiou Elizabeth Gorman Michael Haney Roger Lovejoy Lambros Mihalopoulos Biju Ninan
INTERNET SERVICES Have you visited the Assumption Parish Website yet - www.assumptionem.org? Check it out!!! We have had 4485 visits to our website from 50 countries including Australia, Bahamas, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, China, Cote d Ivoire, Cyprus, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates United Kingdom and Uruguay!!! Have you visited the Festival Website at www.qcgreekfest.com? Are you a Friend of the Parish or the Festival on Facebook?
Agape News SPONSORSHIP Agape News Did you enjoy the Agape News? It s time to renew your sponsorship for the 2010/11 Ecclesiastical Year!!! To keep this ministry alive, renew your sponsorship; or if you are not yet a sponsor, join the other 50 families and become a supporter. Your name will be listed each month for the entire Ecclesiastical Year (until September 1, 2011) on a special sponsors page. Enclosed is my sponsorship of $25. Please list the sponsor line as follows:
Agape News SPONSORS The Agape News is made possible by the generous support of the following parishioners: Fr. Jon, Presbytera Doreece and Vasilia Boukis Fr. Basil Papanikolaou Anonymous Michael and Nancy Avgenackis George Bagatelas Family Theodore and Karen Bagatelas Kleo Caras The Constantinou Family George and Georgia Eleftheropoulos The Fotiadis George s Classic Cleaners George and Maria Georgiadis Mary Giovanis The Gorman Family Litsa Gregory Tom P. Gregory Pete and Arlene Gust Mike and Helen Haney James Jannes Frank, Ellen and Christa Kaldis Deno and Dr. Ann Kandis Family Mike and Terri Kandis George and Helen Kontos George, Sherry, Lexi and Nick Kontos Joyce Coughlin and JoAnn Kontos Alex, Diane and Jim Lamacki Tom Lingris and Judy Larson Sue and Pete Lingris Roger, Celia, Alex and Kristin Ninan Family Spiro and Carol Pappaspiros Christ and Helen Petaros Marina Pikis and Chris Pikis Ann Polillo George and Nancy Polios Steve and Nancy Pyevich David L. Ray Christina Reed St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Congregation In Memory of Nickolaus, Halina, Andrei and Nickolaus Jim and Kristel Stopoulos Tony and Joan Stopoulos Bill and Tracey Theofilis and Family John Thodos Family John and Mary Velon In Memory of George and Grace Vretis For an annual donation of $25, your name could appear as a supporter of this invaluable ministry. Support is offered for the Ecclesiastical Year (beginning and ending September 1st).
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Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 4900 Kennedy Drive East Moline, Illinois 61244 Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID E. Moline, IL. Permit No. 153