Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 8306 NC HWY 751 Durham NC 27713 919-484-1600 fatherstavroforos2012@gmail.com www.stbarbarachurchnc.org News & Announcements September 3, 2017 13 th Sunday of Matthew Anthimus, Bishop of Nicomedea 9/3/2017 Holy Father Theoctistus and his fellow struggler Euthymius the Great 9/3/2017 Polydorus the Martyr of New Ephesus 9/3/2017 Translation of the relics of St. Nectarius the Wonderworker, Bishop of Pentopolis 9/3/2017 Chariton the Martyr 9/3/2017 Phoebe the Deaconess 9/3/2017 NEWCOMERS AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME Sunday Worship Schedule: Matins 9:00 am & Divine Liturgy 10:00 am To Our Visitors and Guests We welcome you to worship with us today, whether you are an Orthodox Christian or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us. Although Holy Communion and other Sacraments are offered only to baptized and chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians in good standing with the Church, all are invited to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The Antidoron is not a sacrament, but it is reminiscent of the agape feast that followed worship in the ancient Christian Church. After the Divine Liturgy this morning please join us in the Church Hall for fellowship and refreshments. Please complete a Visitor s Card before you leave today and drop it in the offering tray, or give it to one of the parishioners after the service, or mail it to the Church Office. 1
Today s Readings: Great is our Lord, and great is his power. Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good. The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 16:13-24 Brethren, be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Now, brethren, you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; I urge you to be subject to such men and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicos, because they have made up for your absence; for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men. The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. All the brethren send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If any one has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. Μέγας ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν, καὶ μεγάλη ἡ ἰσχὺς ἀὐτοῦ. Στίχ. Αἰνεῖτε τὸν Κύριον, ὅτι ἀγαθός. Πρὸς Κορινθίους τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα είναι απο α' 16:13-24 Ἀδελφοί, γρηγορεῖτε, στήκετε ἐν τῇ πίστει, ἀνδρίζεσθε, κραταιοῦσθε. Πάντα ὑμῶν ἐν ἀγάπῃ γινέσθω. Παρακαλῶ δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί - οἴδατε τὴν οἰκίαν Στεφανᾶ, ὅτι ἐστὶν ἀπαρχὴ τῆς Ἀχαΐας, καὶ εἰς διακονίαν τοῖς ἁγίοις ἔταξαν ἑαυτούς - ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς ὑποτάσσησθε τοῖς τοιούτοις, καὶ παντὶ τῷ συνεργοῦντι καὶ κοπιῶντι. Χαίρω δὲ ἐπὶ τῇ παρουσίᾳ Στεφανᾶ καὶ Φουρτουνάτου καὶ Ἀχαϊκοῦ, ὅτι τὸ ὑμῶν ὑστέρημα οὗτοι ἀνεπλήρωσαν. Ἀνέπαυσαν γὰρ τὸ ἐμὸν πνεῦμα καὶ τὸ ὑμῶν ἐπιγινώσκετε οὖν τοὺς τοιούτους. Ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς αἱ ἐκκλησίαι τῆς Ἀσίας ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς ἐν κυρίῳ πολλὰ Ἀκύλας καὶ Πρίσκιλλα, σὺν τῇ κατʼ οἶκον αὐτῶν ἐκκλησίᾳ. Ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς οἱ ἀδελφοὶ πάντες. Ἀσπάσασθε ἀλλήλους ἐν φιλήματι ἁγίῳ. Ὁ ἀσπασμὸς τῇ ἐμῇ χειρὶ Παύλου. Εἴ τις οὐ φιλεῖ τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, ἤτω ἀνάθεμα. Μαρὰν ἀθά. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μεθʼ ὑμῶν. Ἡ ἀγάπη μου μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Ἀμήν. The Gospel According to Matthew 21:33-42 The Lord said this parable, "There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did the same to them. Afterward he sent his son to them, saying 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.' And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons." Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in 2
the scriptures: 'The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?'" 8307 Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα 21:33-42 Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην Αλλην παραβολὴν ἀκούσατε. ἄνθρωπός τις ἦν οἰκοδεσπότης, ὅστις ἐφύτευσεν ἀμπελῶνα καὶ φραγμὸν αὐτῷ περιέθηκε καὶ ὤρυξεν ἐν αὐτῷ ληνὸν καὶ ᾠκοδόμησε πύργον, καὶ ἐξέδοτο αὐτὸν γεωργοῖς καὶ ἀπεδήμησεν. ὅτε δὲ ἤγγισεν ὁ καιρὸς τῶν καρπῶν, ἀπέστειλε τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ πρὸς τοὺς γεωργοὺς λαβεῖν τοὺς καρποὺς αὐτοῦ. καὶ λαβόντες οἱ γεωργοὶ τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ ὃν μὲν ἔδειραν, ὃν δὲ ἀπέκτειναν, ὃν δὲ ἐλιθοβόλησαν. πάλιν ἀπέστειλεν ἄλλους δούλους πλείονας τῶν πρώτων, καὶ ἐποίησαν αὐτοῖς ὡσαύτως. ὕστερον δὲ ἀπέστειλε πρὸς αὐτοὺς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ λέγων ἐντραπήσονται τὸν υἱόν μου. οἱ δὲ γεωργοὶ ἰδόντες τὸν υἱὸν εἶπον ἐν ἑαυτοῖς οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ κληρονόμος δεῦτε ἀποκτείνωμεν αὐτὸν καὶ κατάσχωμεν τὴν κληρονομίαν αὐτοῦ. καὶ λαβόντες αὐτὸν ἐξέβαλον ἔξω τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος, καὶ ἀπέκτειναν. ὅταν οὖν ἔλθῃ ὁ κύριος τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος, τί ποιήσει τοῖς γεωργοῖς ἐκείνοις; λέγουσιν αὐτῷ κακοὺς κακῶς ἀπολέσει αὐτούς, καὶ τὸν ἀμπελῶνα ἐκδώσεται ἄλλοις γεωργοῖς, οἵτινες ἀποδώσουσιν αὐτῷ τοὺς καρποὺς ἐν τοῖς καιροῖς αὐτῶν. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ιησοῦς οὐδέποτε ἀνέγνωτε ἐν ταῖς γραφαῖς, λίθον ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας παρὰ Κυρίου ἐγένετο αὕτη, καὶ ἔστι θαυμαστὴ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν; ATTENTION SAINT BARBARA PARISH! Celebrate with your Church Family your next special occasion! Consider sponsoring a coffee hour in the social hall after Liturgy on Sundays to commemorate a birthday, graduation, nameday, anniversary, or even for the pleasure of just hosting for your Parish. Signing up is easy...just place your name on the 'signup coffee hour' sheet located on the table in the hallway nearest the social hall. For details or questions, contact Helen Paliouras at: 919942-4229 or elenipali@att.net VASILIKO NEEDED SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10 TH FOR SERVICES OF SEPTEMBER 14 THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS Helen Koutouzakis will be here on the 10 th to start the Tray Preparation 3
Attic Treasures Yard Sale Dear Fellow Parishioners, Friends and Neighbors, Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, is holding an Attic Treasures and Yard Sale on Saturday, September 9th, 2017. If you have any items you would be willing to donate to our sale, I would be happy to pick them up and deliver them to the church. I can also arrange for the pick-up of any large or bulky items, and ensure that you receive a receipt for income tax purposes. If you wish to drop off donations yourself at the church, we are located at 8306 NC Highway 751, about ½ mile south of I40 Exit 274. We would appreciate it if you would call the church office at (919) 484-1600 to confirm when you will be dropping off your items. The office is generally open Monday through Friday 10am-2pm. Collection of items began on June 1 st, 2017. We can use almost any kind of merchandise in good condition, but there are some items that we are unable to accept. Examples of acceptable and non-acceptable items appear in the table below. Acceptable Items Furniture, rugs, lamps, decorative art Books, CDs, DVDs, games Children s clothing, toys, décor Garden and recreation/sporting equipment Women s shoes, jewelry, accessories Kitchen, home, bath & holiday décor items Linens, crystal, china & collectibles Tools, hardware Electronics & small appliances Non-Acceptable Items No Women s and Men s clothing (women s shoes ok) No Mattresses No Personal hygiene items No Undergarments No Baby cribs, car seats, plush toys No Very large items (appliances, pianos, sofa beds) No Text books, encyclopedias No Old large and non-flat screen analog TV s If you have any questions, or you have items you d like to donate, please call: Evelyn Panos Maria Frangakis 73210 Burrington 90110 Hoey Chapel Hill, NC Chapel Hill, NC 919-960-2886 919-537-8149 mamapan@aol.com enarxis@aol.com We re accepting donations June 1 st through Friday, September 8 th. Consider joining us for some fun shopping on yard sale day, Saturday, September 9 th, from 8:00am until 1:00pm. 4
St. Barbara Attic Treasures and Yard Sale Timeline WE NEED YOUR HELP We need volunteers to adequately prepare for the sale and service our customers. Please mark your calendars. Sorting Mondays Monday, August 21st 10 am - 2 pm Monday, August 28th 10 am - 2 pm Setup and Sorting Week leading up to sale Sunday, September 3rd right after church Monday, September 4th 10 am - 5 pm Tuesday, September 5th 10 am - 5 pm Wednesday, September 6th 10 am - 8 pm Thursday, September 7th 10 am - 8 pm Friday, September 8th 10 am - 8 pm (We will have pizza delivered for dinner along with a brief pre-sale logistics / Q& A meeting at 7 pm) Set up and pricing need to be complete by 8 pm on Friday, September 8th (except for outside items which need to be moved out at 7am on Saturday morning). Yard Sale Day Saturday, September 9th Arrive by 7 am All workers: please park behind the storage area allowing our customers easy access to our sale. Sale opens 8 am (be prepared for early birds especially outside departments). Sale ends 1 pm. Remaining unsold items need to be bagged, boxed for 2 pm pickup. Thank You for your donations and for volunteering. Evelyn Panos 919-960-2886 mamapan@aol.com Maria Frangakis 919-537-8149 enarxis@aol.com 5
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September 2017 8 - Friday - Nativity of the Theotokos - 9:00 am 10 - Sunday before Holy Cross - 9 :00 am 14 - Thursday - Elevation of the Holy Cross - 9:00 am 17- Sunday after Holy Cross - 9:00 am 24-1st Sunday of Luke - 9:00 am Dear Strong, Husky Men of St. Barbara Needed today after Church! Our Parish's Yard Sale is next Sunday September 9 th. So we will need your help today to transfer the furniture presently stored in the back storage room. PLEASE help out your church and bring a change of clothes and plan to stay for an hour or so to help move the furniture. The more hands we have to help, the quicker we will finish. -Johnny Mariakakis Youth Registration today in the Hall after Church for: Sunday School, Youth Choir, Altar Boys, Goya, Joy, Hope, and Greek Language 7
Nativity of the Theotokos Friday Sept. 8 Orthros and Divine Liturgy starting at 9:00 am The record of the birth of Mary is not found in the Bible. The traditional account of the event is taken from the apocryphal writings which are not part of the New Testament scriptures. The traditional teaching which is celebrated in the hymns and verses of the festal liturgy is that Joachim and Anna were a pious Jewish couple who were among the small and faithful remnant the poor and the needy who were awaiting the promised messiah. The couple was old and childless. They prayed earnestly to the Lord for a child, since among the Jews barrenness was a sign of God s disfavor. In answer to their prayers, and as the reward of their unwavering fidelity to God, the elderly couple was blessed with the child who was destined, because of her own personal goodness and holiness, to become the Mother of the Messiah-Christ. Your nativity, O Virgin, has proclaimed joy to the whole universe. The Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, has shone from you, O Theotokos. By annulling the curse he bestowed a blessing. By destroying death he has granted us eternal life (Troparion). By your nativity, O most pure virgin, Joachim and Anna are freed from barrenness; Adam and Eve from the corruption of death. And we, your people, freed from the guilt of sin, celebrate and sing to you: The barren woman gives birth to the Theotokos, the Nourisher of our Life (Kontakion). The fact that there is no Biblical verification of the facts of Mary s birth is incidental to the meaning of the feast. Even if the actual background of the event as celebrated in the Church is questionable from an historical point of view, the divine meaning of it for us men and for our salvation is obvious. There had to be one born of human flesh and blood who would be spiritually capable of being the Mother of Christ, and she herself had to be born into the world of persons who were spiritually capable of being her parents. The feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, therefore, is a glorification of Mary s birth, of Mary herself and of her righteous parents. It is a celebration as well of the very first preparation of the salvation of the world. For the Vessel of Light, the Book of the Word of Life, the Door to the Orient, the Throne of Wisdom is being prepared on earth by God Himself in the birth of the holy girl-child Mary. The verses of the feast are filled with titles for Mary such as those in the quotations above. They are inspired by the message of the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments. The specific Biblical readings of the feast give indications of this. The Gospel reading of Matins is the one read at all feasts of the Theotokos, the famous Magnificat from Saint Luke in which Mary says: My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden, for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed (Lk 1.47). The epistle reading of the Divine Liturgy is the famous passage about the coming of the Son of God in the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of man (Phil 2.5 11) and the gospel reading is that which is always read for feasts of the Theotokos the woman in the crowd glorifies the Mother of Jesus, and the Lord himself responds that the same blessedness which his mother receives is for all who hear the word of God and keep it (Lk 11.27 28). Thus, on the feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, as on all liturgical celebrations of Christ s Mother, we proclaim and celebrate that through God s graciousness to mankind every Christian receives what the Theotokos receives, the great mercy which is given to human persons because of Christ s birth from the Virgin. 8
Το Γενέθλιον της Θεοτόκου - Θεομητορική εορτή, κατά την οποία η Χριστιανική Εκκλησία τιμά κάθε χρόνο στις 8 Σεπτεμβρίου (21 Σεπτεμβρίου για τους παλαιοημερολογίτες) «το γενέθλιον της υπεραγίας δεσποίνης ημών Θεοτόκου», τη γέννηση, δηλαδή, της Μαριάμ (Μαρίας), της μητέρας του Ιησού Χριστού. Την ημέρα αυτή γιορτάζουν ο Παναγιώτης, η Μαρία, ο Μαριανός, η Μαριανή, η Δέσποινα, ο Τσαμπίκος και η Τσαμπίκα. Πολλοί ναοί ανά την Ελλάδα είναι αφιερωμένοι στο Γενέθλιον της Θεοτόκου. Είναι γνωστό ότι τα τέσσερα Ευαγγέλια δεν παρέχουν πληροφορίες για την καταγωγή και τη γέννηση της Θεοτόκου. Τις σχετικές πληροφορίες τις αντλούμε από το απόκρυφο Πρωτευαγγέλιο του Ιακώβου (2ος αιώνας), σύμφωνα με το οποίο η Θεοτόκος γεννήθηκε στα Ιεροσόλυμα με θαυματουργικό τρόπο από μια ενάρετη γηραιά γυναίκα, ονόματι Άννα (εξελληνισμένος τύπος του εβραϊκού Χάνα = εύνοια, χάρη), μετά από επίμονες δεήσεις προς τον Θεό, αυτής και του συζύγου της Ιωακείμ. Η Άννα ήταν στείρα και συνεπώς άτεκνη, γεγονός που εθεωρείτο ντροπή στην ιουδαϊκή κοινωνία της εποχής της. Στους πρώτους χριστιανικούς χρόνους ήταν γνωστές παρόμοιες διηγήσεις για τη γέννηση της Παναγίας και από το απόκρυφο Ευαγγέλιο του Ψευδο-Ματθαίου. Μετά την καταδίκη από την 3η Οικουμενική Σύνοδο της Εφέσου (431) της αίρεσης του Νεστοριανισμού, η οποία απέρριπτε, μεταξύ άλλων, το όνομα και τη συμμετοχή της Θεοτόκου στο σωτηριώδες έργο του Χριστού, οι διηγήσεις αυτές άρχισαν να ενσωματώνονται στη λατρεία της Εκκλησίας με τη μορφή των θεομητορικών εορτών. Η γιορτή της γέννησης της Θεοτόκου καθιερώθηκε για πρώτη φορά στα τέλη του 5ου αιώνα ή στις αρχές του 6ου αιώνα στα Ιεροσόλυμα και από εκεί διαδόθηκε σε όλη τη χριστιανική Ανατολή. Η εισαγωγή της στη Ρώμη έγινε στα τέλη του 7ου αιώνα από Έλληνες μοναχούς που κατέφυγαν στην Ιταλία μετά τους διωγμούς των Αράβων. Πρώτος ο πάπας Σέργιος Α' (687-701) την καθιέρωσε ως επίσημη γιορτή και την περιέλαβε μαζί με άλλες θεομητορικές εορτές στο εορτολόγιο της Δυτικής Εκκλησίας. Τον 11ο αιώνα η γιορτή της γέννησης της Θεοτόκου είχε επικρατήσει σε ολόκληρη τη Χριστιανοσύνη. Η γιορτή κατέχει σημαντική θέση στην υμνογραφία της Ορθόδοξης Χριστιανικής Εκκλησίας. Εξέχοντες υμνογράφοι (Σέργιος και Στέφανος Αγιοπολίτες, Γερμανός Α' Κωνσταντινουπόλεως, Ρωμανός ο Μελωδός, Ιωσήφ Υμνογράφος) έχουν γράψει ιδιόμελα, κανόνες και κοντάκια, που ψάλλονται κατά την ημέρα της γιορτής. Παράλληλα, οι διηγήσεις για τη γέννηση της Θεοτόκου έχουν καταλάβει εξέχουσα θέση στην εκκλησιαστική ζωγραφική. Εικόνες εκλεκτής τέχνης βρίσκονται στο Άγιο Όρος, στον Μυστρά και την Κρήτη, ενώ αξιολογότατα μωσαϊκά υπάρχουν στη Μονή του Δαφνίου (Αθήνα) και στο τζαμί Καχριέ στην Κωνσταντινούπολη. Απολυτίκιο: Η γέννησίς σου, Θεοτόκε, χαράν εμήνυσε πάση τη οικουμένη εκ σου γαρ ανέτειλεν ο ήλιος της δικαιοσύνης, Χριστός ο Θεός ημών, και λύσας την κατάραν έδωκε την ευλογίαν και καταργήσας τον θάνατο εδωρήσατο ημίν ζωήν αιώνιον. 9
The Kavala Committee of Sister Cities of Durham Celebrating Durham s newest Sister City in Greece Invites You to a Benefit Reception Proceeds for Exchanges between Durham and Kavala A Greek Port City on the Aegean Hosted by Duke Homestead Tobacco Museum 2828 Duke Homestead Rd, Durham 6:00 8:00 pm, Thursday, September 14 Hors D oeuvres, Greek Wines & Beers, Sodas Sponsors: Parizade, Mariakakis, Captain John s Dockside Auction: Baskets of Greek food and beverages Cost: $20 pp, payable to Sister Cities of Durham Mail to PO Box 767; Durham, NC 27702, or Pay at the Door RSVP by Wed., Sept 6 to sistercities@durhamnc.gov Spanakopita Assembly Saturday September 30th @ 10am As autumn approaches, it's time to begin preparations for the annual Philoptochos Holiday Pastry Sale. We will be assembling spanakopitas on Saturday, September 30 th, starting at 10am at the church hall. The quantity required this year is still TBD, but as always, we could use all the help we can get. I know everyone s schedules are busy, and your time is valuable, but even if you can only spare an hour or two, please come by. If you can make it, please bring a bowl or sauce pan to hold melted butter, and a pastry brush. That will help ensure we have enough equipment for all the workers. Finally, if you can please let either Evelyn Panos (mamapan@aol.com), Theky Pappas (tedtheky@aol.com), or Cindy Paliouras (cindy.paliouras@gmail.com or cindy.paliouras@progress.com) know if you re able to come, so we ll have some idea of how many helpers to expect, that would be much appreciated. Or just drop in, we re flexible, and we ll definitely put you to work. Hope to see you on Saturday September 30 th! Many thanks, Cindy 10
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8308 HURRICANE HARVEY RELIEF 4 COLLECTION SUNDAYS 8309 Rescue boats fill a flooded street as flood victims are evacuated as floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey rise Monday, Aug. 28, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) NEW YORK In response to the unprecedented catastrophic Hurricane Harvey, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, speaking on behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod and the entire Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America said: In the wake of Hurricane Harvey that hit Texas and continues to ravage through neighbouring states causing unprecedented destruction, trauma and loss of life, we share in the pain of our brothers and sisters and express our solidarity, care and concern. As Orthodox Christians we are called to prayer and fervently pray that God gives strength to those so adversely affected by this natural disaster and delivers them safe through this continuing calamity. We are also praying for the eternal rest of those who lost their lives and for comfort and strength to be granted by the merciful God to their families and friends. Our prayers however, should be accompanied by tangible assistance to those who are now in dire need. We ask all faithful Orthodox Christians to contribute their donations directly to IOCC, the International Orthodox Christian Charities, which is an agency under the auspices of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), the official humanitarian agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, is closely monitoring the continuing flooding and aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Staff members remain in contact with partners, including members of national and local VOADs (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) and local ecumenical partners, to provide support as needed. Additionally, IOCC is activating the Frontliners a volunteer group of clergy and laity who are highly trained in emotional and spiritual care counseling and rapid needs assessment to deploy to Southern Texas on August 30. IOCC continues praying for the safety and well-being of those threatened by this storm. Gifts to the Hurricane Harvey Response Fund (iocc.org/harvey) will help IOCC to respond with flexibility and efficiency to conditions on the ground as they develop, as well as to help the people of Southern Texas and Louisiana as they recover and rebuild months and years after the storm subsides. The latest information is available by following IOCCRelief on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, emailing relief@iocc.org, or calling 410-243-9820. The organization also encourages those interested to visit www.iocc.org/where-we-work/united-states to learn more about opportunities to get involved by giving a financial gift or volunteering your time. In addition, IOCC also anticipates the need for many clean up buckets and hygiene kits, details for collecting these kits can be found here: iocc.org/kits..for more information about IOCC s life-giving work around the world, please visit www.iocc.org. 12