THE ASSUMPTION CONNECTION February 2016
MORNING BIBLE STUDY........................ Mondays 10:30 12:30pm PHILOPTOCHOS MEETINGS...................... Bi-Monthly Meetings GOYA MEETINGS......................... TBA RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.. K-7.................. Tuesdays 5:30 6:30pm RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PREK................. Sundays RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ADULT................ Tuesdays (once monthly) 7:00 8:00pm PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS................... 2nd Wednesday of the month 6:15 pm FISH FRY.................................. Fridays 3:00 8:00pm Volunteer @ Center for Hope.. 3rd Wednesday of the month 11:00 1:00pm GREEK DANCE PRACTICE TEENS............. TBD GREEK DANCE PRACTICE KIDS.............. TBD Sun Mo Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 FEBRUARY 2016 6: Glendi 6:00 pm? pm 7: Super Bowl Chilli Cookoff 6:00 pm 10: Parish Council Meeting 6:15 pm 14: Brunch for Mortgage Reduction 5 year Memorial for Sapho Siradakis 21: Triodion Begins February 14th: Mortgage Drive Lunch following the Divine Liturgy. All proceeds go to reducing our Mortgage Debt. MARCH 2016 Sun Mo Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 5: 1st Saturday of Souls Divine Liturgy 10:30 am DOP Mardi Gras 6: Meatfare Sunday 12: 2nd Saturday of Souls Divine Liturgy 10:30 am 13: Cheesefare Sunday 14: Clean Monday-LENT BEGINS 16: PreSanctified Liturgy @ Assumption 6 pm 18: Salutations 6 pm 19: 3rd Saturday of Souls Divine Liturgy 10:30 am Children make koleva 20: Sunday of Orthodoxy Sunday Brunch-Iconography 23: PreSanctified Liturgy @ Assumption 6 pm 25: Salutations 6 pm 27: Tentative Spring General Assembly 30: PreSanctified Liturgy @ Assumption 6 pm 2
Prosphoron Schedule February 7: Maroulla Photiou 14: Dr. George & Rita Politis 21: Dimitrios & Stergoula Potsos 28: Eleanor Poulos March 5: Poulos, Steve & Martha 6: Pyles, Tom 12: Richards, Ken & Kathy 13: Rivette, Matthew & Lori 16: Rogind, Sally 19: Roufos, Bill & Maria 20: Saites, Lambros & Kiki 23: Schultze, JoAnne 27: Shelton, Matthew & Vana 30: Sirakis, Kosta & Sofia April 3: Sirakis, Paraskevas 10: Stamatis, Tom & Sandra 17: Stavridis, Tom & Zoe 24: Steinhoff, Allen & Olga 25: Stergiopoulos, John & Zoi 26: Stergiopoulos, Mary 27: Stone, Paula & Family 28: Trifon, Nick 29: Tunis, John & Evelyn 30: Vaklalopoulos, Petros & Iordana Please make 4 loaves of Prosphora and bring them to church by 9:30 on the morning of the service. Be sure to include your lists of names to give to Father for the prayers: one list is for those who are living and the other for those who have died. If you choose not to make Prosphora, please send a check to the church for $20 made payable to Philoptochos with a note stating it is for Prosphora. Be sure to include your list of names. If you have questions, please contact Athena Kalatzis at 694-4295. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16 PLEASE PRAY FOR: Elizabeth Barrows; Marika Kalafatis; Nick Kondyles; John Kottalis; Afrodite Marks; Anna Chuleas-Williams and Irene Yiannatji HOLY CONFESSION Wednesdays 3 5 pm Fridays 3 5:30 pm OR BY APPOINTMENT To schedule an appointment, call Fr. Angelo at 810-471-0316 3
Can Spirituality Replace Religion Installment 3 4 An Orthodox Response This is the third of seven installment in response to the rise of spirituality. This month we will explore the third of seven claims of the difference between religion and spirituality. Below, as a reminder I am repeating all seven difference the author sites: 1. Religion Makes You Bow Spirituality Sets You Free 2. Religion Shows You Fear Spirituality Shows You How to Be Brave 3. Religion Tells You The Truth Spirituality Lets You Discover It 4. Religion Separates from Other Religions Spirituality Unites Them 5. Religion Makes You Dependent Spirituality Makes You Independent 6. Religion Applies Punishment Spirituality Applies Karma 7. Religion Makes You Follow Other Journey Spirituality Lets You Create Your Own While on the surface they sound plausible, it is important for us, as Christians, to be able to rationally understand the flaws and limitations in these statements and to show the potential dangers presented by a solely spiritual life unattached to a fundamental Truth. So, let's begin with the third claim by the author - DIIFERENCE 3 - Religion Tells You The Truth Spirituality Lets You Discover It Religion tells you what to believe and what is right. Spirituality lets you discover it by yourself and understand it in your own unique way. It lets you connect With Your Higher Self and see with your own mind what truth is because the truth as a whole is same for each one of us. It lets you believe in your own truth through your own perception of your heart. In the first sentence we hear " Religion tells you what to believe and what is right". So, the first question here is the question of What is Truth. Second only to "Who is God?", the question of Truth is one of the most spiritual as well as pragmatic questions that Mankind has wrestled with. In fact this is the very question that was asked of Christ. In John 18:38 Pontius Pilate asks our Lord this very question; "What is Truth?" the Gospels record that Christ kept silent. Christians have interpreted this silence as His reply that the "Truth" was standing before him - Christ is the "Truth." In this respect "Truth" for Christians is wholly ontological, that is to say that "Truth is being". Further, the source of all truth is God who gives existence to all beings. So returning to the original statement Religion tells you what to believe and what is right, the Orthodox Church would disagree with the first part and agree with the second part. Orthodoxy does not tell you what to believe since, again, this would be a violation of our free will, however the Church does make theological statements as to "what is right" or true through both through an ascending of the mind; knowledge, and empirical observation; experience. Through the actions of knowledge and experience the "object" of our faith becomes recognizable. A faith that is subject to the whims or construct of an individual is empty and unspecified. The end point of this unspecified faith without a reality, leads directly to the second sentence; "Spirituality lets you discover it [Truth] by yourself and understand it in your own unique way. It lets you connect With Your Higher Self and see with your own mind what truth. In the words of
Wilfred Smith, professor of Comparative Religions: "Religious truth resides in the quality of a person's faith, not in something 'out there'..personal, sincere truth entails recovering it, appropriating it, affirming it, and actualizing it." This is the definition of what today is called Religious Pluralism. Pluralism can be defined as acceptance of the concept that two or more religions with mutually exclusive truth claims are equally valid. Mr Smith's statement regarding Truth demotes Truth to an object of possession which once possessed can be molded to fit whatever personal moral, ethical, and salvific system best suits an individual. God is no longer God, but is reduced to an icon created in the image of the person constructing their belief system. Christ is no longer the God-Man who enters into the history of Mankind to provide the return of immortality to His creation through His voluntary sacrifice, death, and resurrection. He becomes a possession chained to the belief system of the person. This certainly then become a God who is powerless to affect an impact on our lives. This reduction of the real and pragmatic "WHO" of God and Christ allows for the further elevation of Man which is seen in the third sentence; " It lets you connect With Your Higher Self and see with your own mind what truth is because the truth as a whole is same for each one of us". We, as created beings, now become God (Higher Self). And faith becomes a faith in a Truth that has been reduced to that empty and unspecified quantity which in a diluted and generic state can now become a truth for all. In Christianity "faith" is an act of trust and loyalty. In order for people to have trust and loyalty they first need to comprehend specifically what is the object of their trust and loyalty, and second, something they can experience. In the words of a modern day Orthodox theologian, Christos Yiannaris; A person increases in faith through a belief and experience with a person's reputation, his work, and personal and direct relationship with him. This is why both the Old Testament and New Testament are so vital to our Orthodox understanding of Christianity since this is where we find direct evidence and experience with God's reputation (care and love for His creation), His work (His covenants with His creation), and a personal and direct relationship (the person of Christ, who walked among His creation). For us as Orthodox this is not some connection with our higher self, but a real account given to us from the Creator of all who wishes that we experience a Truth that is not our own possession or making but a Living Truth that has existed before time. However, for Orthodox there is a fusion between the Truth claim of Christianity and a mandate for tolerance. Under pluralism, tolerance and Truth have been mistakenly become one idea, to which the Orthodox Church would be opposed seeing these two terms, tolerance and truth as radically different. Damaskinos Papandreou, in his paper entitled "Truth and Tolerance in Orthodoxy" articulates this point when he says; "Truth makes reference to the idea of being [fully human] and implies a certain relationship of religious faith with truth in every concrete manifestation in the world, whether national, political or sociological." Christ Himself gives us the answer to the question "What is Truth?" when He says (John 14:16) "I am the way, the Truth, and the life." Next month we will explore the 3rd statement: Religion Tells You The Truth Spirituality Lets You Discover It 5
RELIGIOUS ED Religious Education started off 2016 with the children participating in the Epiphany Vespers on January 5th. Both the Pre-K and K-5 classes are back in full swing and the children love being back in their routines. Our Hope, Joy, and GOYA groups are joining together in their philanthropic endeavors. They will continue to do a bake sale every Friday at the Fish Fry. All proceeds of the bake sales and other fundraisers will go towards the charitable works that these groups will be doing going forward. They started their 2016 charitable works off by making a donation to the Greater Flint Orthodox Endowment Fund and plan for this to be a yearly contribution. They are also working towards being able to help with some needed repairs/maintenance around the church. We look forward to seeing the growth of this new joint venture as our youth learn the importance of giving back to those in and outside of our community. Upcoming Events: Sunday, Feb 21st Parish Level Oratorical Festival - GOYA Division Saturday, Feb 27th Family Fun Night Sincerely, Religious Education Committee Lori Photiou, Camelia Greenberg, Vivian Federick, Ageliki Carpenter 6
Saturday, February 6, 2016 7
Iconography Fund: As you know, we have begun collecting funds for our Iconography Project. Thanks to the generous donors listed, as of December 31, 2015, we have collected $9,514.54 (including interest on the account). We have started 2016 with more generous donations. Thank you for your generosity. Memorial of Giorgio Mirtsopoulos Memorial of Evgenia Routsis Memorial of Theodora Stevens Memorial of Kostas Zaravelis Iconography Donors: DOP Mother s Day Coffee Hour Coffee Hour Donations Fish Fry 2nd Tray John & Linda Chinonis Bill & Lesley Stickley 8
Lenten/Paschal Items Needed Items listed are needed for the celebration of the special services during Great Lent, Holy Week, and Pascha. Contributions should be called in to the Church Office as soon as possible. We suggest that families share the cost of an item with one or more other families so that those wishing to contribute, may be able to. Service: Cost: Donator: 1st Salutation Theotokos Icon Flowers $45.00 2nd Salutation Theotokos Icon Flowers $45.00 3rd Salutation Annunciation Icon Flowers $45.00 3rd Sun. of Lent (Veneration of the Cross) Daffodils $75.00 4th Salutation Theotokos Icon Flowers $45.00 Annunciation Icon Flowers $45.00 Akathish Hymn Theotokos Icon Flowers $45.00 Palms for Palm Sunday $155.00 Nymphios Icon Flowers (2 Sets) $45.00 Oil for Holy Unction Service $10.00 Cotton for Holy Unction Service $ 5.00 Pascha Red Eggs (35 dozen) $35.00 Rose Petals Holy Friday $10.00 Rose Water Holy Friday $10.00 Flowers for Cross on Sepulcher (Kouvouklion) $50.00 Resurrection Icon Flowers (1st) $45.00 Resurrection Icon Flowers (2nd) $45.00 Resurrection Banner $80.00 Large Resurrection Candle for Father $45.00 Oil for Altar Candles $45.00 Cross Wreath for Holy Thursday $80.00 Vase Set for Palm Sunday $45.00 Vase Set for Easter Sunday $45.00 Palm Sunday Icon $45.00 Large Icon Screen (4 total) $110.00 Bay Leaves $220.00 Lilies (6 total) $25.00 ea. Gardenias (12 total) $90.00 Votive Candles (25 total) for Kouvouklion $ 5.00 ea. 9
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JUST A REMINDER! Both Meijer and Kroger are committed to helping our community schools, churches and other nonprofit organizations earn millions of dollars through their Community Rewards program. We at Assumption have been participating in these programs for about 7 years from which we have received close to $5000 directly into our church funds. This is the EASIEST fund-raising ever...all you have to do is when you shop at either Kroger or Meijer just swipe your Kroger Plus Card or Meijer 1 card. Not only will you continue to receive rewards for yourself, but Kroger and Meijer will contribute to send contributions to our church. This year the checks to the church from these programs has severely decreased which we believe is due to our parishioners not enrolling the Assumption Church on their card as one of the charitable organizations. Most of us shop at one or both of these stores and we ask that you take the time to enroll in this program to continue to provide support our church. If you already enrolled please note that you must re-enroll the Assumption Church each year for us to continue to receive reward checks. If you need help in the enrollment process please stop by the church during office hours and we ll get you set up! 11
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Join Us Sunday, February 7th Super Bowl Sunday Party And Chili Cook-Off! 6:00 pm $10 per person proceeds go towards mortgage reduction Free to the entrants of a pot of chili (not their family) 13
PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY Thank you to the 21 brave souls who ventured out on the freezing, snowy day to attend the Philoptochos after Christmas Luncheon at the Liberty Family Restaurant in Flushing on January 12 th. All who attended thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you to John and Spiridoula Panos for again taking care of us in royal style. Remember, our next regular meeting will be held the second Tuesday in March, the ninth, at 1:00 pm at the church. Philoptochos provided baklava for the January 28th Dormition Monastery Dinner. ONLY the Philoptochos Board will meet February 9 at 1:00 pm at the church. Don't forget to give Olga Steinhoff your 2016 dues. May your families be blessed in 2016. We wish you all the best throughout the year. With love and admiration, DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE Iris Chapter We baked cakes for the Dormition Monastery dinner, otherwise January was a fairly quiet month for the Daughters of Penelope. But, beginning with our meeting on Sunday, February 7th we will be finalizing our plans for the March 5th MARDI GRAS Festival. So, SAVE THE DATE and stay tuned for more details for this FUN, FUN, FUN event. Remember, Easter Great Lent begins March 14th, so MARDI GRAS will be one of the last church associated events where meat is served as part of the dinner. March 6th is Meatfare Sunday. Reminder: Pay your 2016 dues ($35) to Treasurer Olga Steinhoff by March 1. Cathy Yeotis President Ann T Lowe Philoptochos President Post Script: The Philoptochos board and members want to thank Ann Lowe for her gracious generosity throughout the year. We also want to thank you Ann for your never ceasing energy and hard work for our Assumption church and community. We truly appreciate the beautiful ornaments and delicious cookies you gave to those of us who attended the luncheon. God Bless you. 14 Saturday, March 5th
FISH FRY FRIDAY 3 8 PM Come and see why our Fish Fry was voted one of the best in Genesee County. We use only Icelandic Cod. Watching your cholesterol intake? We also offer BAKED FISH AND BAKED POTATO. Our varied menu also offers these delicious choices: Plaki * Pastitsio * Shrimp Basket * Clam Strips * Fish Sandwich Gyros * Flint-Style Coneys * Baked Chicken * Chicken Strips Mac and Cheese * Greek Salad * Rice Pudding We welcome volunteers. Call the church if you would like to volunteer to help on a Friday night. Teens: This is a great opportunity to earn your Volunteer Service Points for school. Fish Fry total sales for December 2015 were $5,109.25 15
NEW PROCEDURE FOR RECEIPTS Due to the rising cost of mailing receipts for every donation received by the church, the Parish Council has established the following procedure for receipts: When you mail in a donation to the church, or drop it off in the office, a receipt will not be mailed or given to parishioners of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church. Your cancelled check can be used as proof of your payment, as well as the contribution statement you receive from the church at the end of the year. This includes donations for stewardship, mortgage reduction, iconography, festival, cash raffle, golf outing, memorials, miscellaneous, etc. If you require a receipt, please contact the church office during normal business hours (Tuesday Friday 10:00 AM 3:00 PM) or see a Parish Council member on Sunday s. Receipts will continue to be mailed to nonparishioners. 16 FRIENDS OF THE METROPOLIS 2015 CONTRIBUTIONS Assumption Parish Assumption Philoptochos Daughters of Penelope, Iris Chapter #242 Allard, Clyde & Georgia Bakris, Dr. Chris Chinonis, Dennis E. and Debra Chinonis, John & Linda Chinonis, Sandra Hountalas, Dimitri Hountalas, John & Tasia Hountalas, Yanni Kalatzis, Athena Kallis, Agape Kaloydis, John and Karen Karabinas, Pavlos and Ruth Katsoulos, John Komodromos, Tessie Lowe, Ted & Ann Maggos, Fr. Angelo & Presvy. Teri Photiou, Carol Politis, Dr. George & Rita Potsos, Emmanouil Schultze, JoAnne Steinhoff, G. Olga Yeotis, Catherine Yeotis, Hon. Thomas & Megdalene Yiannatji, Helen
MORTGAGE DRIVE 2015 The following individuals and organizations have contributed this year to the Mortgage Drive: 1. Clyde & Georgia Allard 2. Dr. Chris Bakris 3. Lucille Chiavaras 4. Dennis & Debra Chinonis 5. John & Linda Chinonis 6. Katie Chinonis 7. Frank & Vania Haralambous 8. Dimitri Hountalas 9. John & Tasia Hountalas 10. Yanni Hountalas 11. Athena Kalatzis 12. Agape Kallis 13. Lou & Susan Kallis 14. George & Margot Levas 15. John & Pauline Mandelaris 16. George & Kathryn Menoutes 17. John & Cheri Petcou 18. Dimitios & Stergoula Potsos 19. Mike Potsos 20. Steve & Martha Poulos 21. Ken & Kathy Richards 22. JoAnne Schultze 23. Amanda Steinhoff 24. Catherine Yeotis 25. Hon. Tom & Meg Yeotis 26. Daughters of Penelope 27. Hope & Joy 28. Ladies Philoptochos Society 29. VIP s 30. Fish Fry 31. Pastitsio Fundraiser 32. Sunday Brunch 33. In Memory of Bruce Allard 34. In Memory of Helen Bachakes 35. In Memory of Elaine Bakris 36. In Memory of Christine Caris 37. In Memory of Argyri Charalambous 38. In Memory of Irene (Jimos) Christophil 39. In Memory of James & Chrissy Daros 40. In Memory of Angeliki Douros 41. In Memory of Diana Georgopoulos 42. In Memory of Lloyd Kaake 43. In Memory of Bill Kallis 44. In Memory of Bill Kapellas 45. In Memory of Panagiota Kolokythas 46. In Memory of T. & N. Mersinas 47. In Memory of Giorgio Mirtsopoulos 48. In Memory of Stan Ocenasek 49. In Memory of Aristoteles Panos 50. In Memory of Deno Preketes 51. In Memory of Polyxeni Stephenopoulos 52. In Memory of Theodora Stevens Mortgage Drive: In 5 years, our mortgage balance has gone from $735,000 to $507.000 due in part to the generosity of you, our parishioners, through donations / mortgage drive brunches & Jimmy s Pastitsio fundraiser / memorial contributions ($75,000) and the Greater Flint Orthodox Endowment Fund ($50,000), in addition to our regular monthly payment. Every donation made is applied directly to reduce the principal balance. Thank you all for your continued support in reducing our debt. With our regular monthly payments and your continued support, we are on track to pay off our mortgage in 5 to 6 years. John Hountalas, Parish Council Vice President 17
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STEWARDSHIP LIST: Your name will only appear on the Stewardship List if a filled out and signed stewardship card and a payment has been received. Alexandrou, Alex Allard, Clyde & Georgia Batsios, Eftyhia Batsios, Evangelos Bograkos, Tim & Sandra Bograkos, Vera Chinonis, Dennis & Debra Chinonis, John & Linda Chiros, Theoni Christopher, James & Liz Chuleas-Williams, Anna Costa, John & Laura Federick, Curt & Vivian Ferich, Andrew & Voula Foraker, Walt & Diane Iakovidis, Tony & Vicki Kallis, Susan Karabinas, Nikolaos & Family Karabinas, Pavlos & Ruth Kokkinakos, Peter & Tula Kondyles, Nick & Chryssoula Kontorousis, Dimitre & Jacqueline Kossaras, Dean Kottalis, Mary Lowe, Ted & Ann Mandelaris, John & Pauline Panos, Spiridoula Pappadakis, Nikki Pavlis, John & Pat Poulos, Steve & Martha Richards, Ken & Kathy Schultze, JoAnne Sirakis, Koatas & Sofia Stamatis, Thomas & Sandra Stergiopoulos, Mary Vergos, Gus & Nitsa Vitinaros, Nick & Effie Yeotis, Catherine Yeotis, Dean & Lynda Yeotis, Tom & Meg Alexandrou, Alex Allard, Clyde & Georgia Anagnostopoulos, Nick & Anna Asa, Darwin & Barbara +Bachakes, Helen Bachakes, Katheryn Bakris, Dr. Chris Bakris, Dr. Nicholas Batsios, Eftyhia & Batsios, Evangelos Birtsas, Sandra Bistolaridis, Tony & Maria Bograkos, Tim & Sandy Bograkos, Vera Brown Jr., Andy Buterakos, Jim & Roxanne Carpenter, Rob & Ageliki Chiatalas, Andrew & Kelly Chiavaras, Lucille Chinonis, Dennis & Dr. Debra Chinonis, John & Linda Chinonis, Katie Chinonis, Sandi Chiros, Theoni Christakis, Zach Christopher, James & Liz Chuleas-Williams, Anna Clinton, Mike & Kathy Costa, Dino & Stephanie Costa, John & Laura Costa, Kyriacos & Vasilia Daros, Christine Dau, Bill & Joanne Davlantes, Alex & Alexis Delbridge, Ray & Carol Demps, Crystal Douros, Evangelos & Douros, Nick Douros, Naso & Valencia Drolet, Mark & Penelopi 19 Fahoome, Calliope (Pepe) Federick, Curt & Vivian Ferich, Andrew & Voula Foraker, Walter & Diane Garceau, Greg & Sia Georgiou, Jr., George Gerasimidis, John & Evangelia Giannouris, George & Anna Gintsis, Nick & Dorothy Gravanis, Effie Greenberg, Robert & Camelia Guiling, Christopher & Maria Hagler, Gary & Marian Haralambous, Frank & Vania Haralambous, M. (Harry) & Lilliana Harrington, Rebecca Hatzigeorgiou, Kathy Helton, Voula Hountalas, Dimitri Hountalas, John & Tasia Hountalas, Yanni Iakovidis, Tony & Vicki Iordanou, Bill & Lisa Jimos, John & Jimos, Anita Joseph, Patti Joynt, Elaine & Duffy, David Kalatzis, Athena Kallis, Agape Kallis, +Louis & Susan Kallis, Penny Kaloydis, John & Karen Kapellas, Katina Karabinas, Nikolaos Karabinas, Pavlos & Ruth Kitsonas, William Kokkinakos, Peter & Tula Komodromos, Tessie Kondyles, Nick & Chryssoula Kontorousis, Dimitre & Jacqueline Kosmanopolulos, Christos & Kelly
Kossaras, Dean & Joyce Kossaras, Deanna Kottalis, Lambros Kottalis, Lemonia Kottalis, Mary T. Koutrouvidas, John & Nina Kraemer, Mark & Sandy Kuzmanovsky, Kosta & Shaochi Cheng Lauster, Jeff & Nancy Leighton, Matt & Koulou, Argyro Livaditis, Argie & Angela Lowe, Ted & Ann Maggos, Fr. Angelo & Presvy. Teri Maggos, Stavro & Mary Mandelaris, John & Pauline Manutes, Demi Manutes, Nicholas & Maria Margaris, Paul & Maria Margaritis, George & Sofia Marks, Achilles & Afrodite Martorelli, Matt & Jill Martorelli, Michael Martorelli, Sophia Mavrikos, Ioannis & Aspasia Menoutes, George & Kathryn Mersinas, Chrysafis Mersinas, Dina Mersinas, George & Laura Michaelou, Sevesti Naum, Gus & Susie Neofotistos, John & Julie Nikolakeas, John & Polin Nitsos, Emma O Bee, Matthew & Marialena O Keefe, Derek & Michelle Pagonis, Taso & Mitra Pagonis, Voula Palmer, Diane Panos, +Aristoteles & Spiridoula Panos, John & Irene Pappadakis, Nikki Pappas, Dean & Elaine Paraschos, Tim & April Pavlis, John & Pat Petcou, John & Cheri Petropoulos, Diana Photiou, Carol Photiou, Lucas & Lori Photiou, Maroulla Politis, Dr. George & Rita Potsos, Dimitrios & Stergoula Potsos, Emmanouil Poulos, Eleanor Poulos, Steve & Martha Pyles, Tom Richards, Ken & Kathy Rivette, Matthew & Lori Rogind, Sally Roufos, Bill & Maria Saites, Lambros & Kiki Schultze, JoAnne Shelton, Matthew &Vanessa Sirakis, Kosta & Sofia Sirakis, Paraskevas Stamatis, Tom & Sandra Stavridis, Tom, Zoe & Angelo Steinhoff, Allen & Olga Steinhoff, Amanda Steinhoff, Dr. Stephanie Stewardship Payments can be made by Credit Card during regular office hours in the Office, or contact a Parish Council member for other arrangements. If you have online Bill Payment through your financial institution, you can set up automatic payments to be sent directly to the church. 20 Stergiopoulos, John & Zoi Stergiopoulos, Mary Stone, Paula & Family Trifon, Nick Tunis, John & Evelyn Vakalopoulos, Petros & Iordana Vergos, Gus & Nitsa Vergos, Dr. Peter & Susie Vitinaros, Nick & Effie Vomvolakis, Maria Wilson, Robert & Micheline Wright, Jeff & Kay Yeotis, Art & Susan Yeotis, Catherine Yeotis, Hon. Tom & Meg Yiannatji, Frank Yiannatji, Helen Yiannatji, Irene Zaravelis, Fani Zaravelis, George & Genie Jimmie s Pastitsio* or Moussaka Half Tray $25.00 Serves 9 To order, call John Hountalas 810-701-5164 ALLOW 1 WEEK NOTICE *All proceeds go toward reducing the church mortgage.
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MEMORIAL SERVICES Scheduling of Memorial Services COFFEE HOUR Each week, the Parish Council provides refreshments for Coffee Hour, and the women of the VIPs help with set up, serving and clean up afterwards as they have been doing for many years. However, anyone (family, individual, group) can sponsor a coffee hour, be it for a birthday, anniversary, memorial, or just because. If you are interested in sponsoring a coffee hour, please contact a parish council member, or let the church secretary know during regular office hours. If you have a collection tray for a coffee hour that you sponsor, please let a parish council member know what the funds should be used for (church general fund, memorial donation in memory of a love one, iconography fund, children s playscape, etc.). Those sponsoring a coffee hour are responsible for set-up, providing the food items, and for clean-up. Coffee, water, milk and/or juice will be provided by the Parish Council. If you would like the assistance of the VIPs in setting up, serving and clean up, please let Voula Pagonis know IN ADVANCE. All Memorial Services must be scheduled through the church secretary so that they may be placed on the church calendar. Refreshments Philoptochos no longer provides the refreshments. However, any family having a Memorial may sponsor the Coffee Hour and bring food. If the family is providing food, Philoptochos will assist in set up and clean up. However, the family must contact the Philoptochos President, Ann Lowe, at least 2 weeks prior to the time the Memorial is scheduled with the church. Koliva If anyone is in need of Koliva, please contact Ann Lowe (of Philoptochos) for the names of those available to make it. The standard rate is $150. It is the responsibility of the family to arrange for Koliva. 22
RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION AND ANTIDORON With the fear of God, faith and love draw near Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is a solemn matter, and a time to approach the Cup of Christ with reverence, awe and respect. In order to provide respect for the solemnity of the Eucharist, we have established the following order for the receipt of Holy Communion: Newly Baptized or Chrismated Choir Members Far Left Side Pew Main Body of church released by the Parish Council members by row, starting at the BACK of the church. Children will receive Communion with their parents. Please remain standing in your pew until a Parish Council member releases your row to receive Holy Communion. After Liturgy is completed, ushers will release you by row to receive Antidoron. Please go up the center aisle and exit down the side aisles, as it is inappropriate to turn your back when the Body and Blood of Christ is present at the Altar. MEMORIAL DONATIONS Donations made at an Orthodox Funeral service in memory of the departed are typically collected by the church, which then presents the names and final donation amount to the designated surviving family member. At that time the family has the opportunity to decide on distribution of those funds and can determine if they would like to use memorial funds to purchase an item for the church in memory of the departed from a published list of approved items. (This list will be posted in the church office). We ask that should the family desire to purchase an item they indicate this to the priest and Parish Council by the time of the 40 day memorial, otherwise those funds will be released to the operating fund of our church. Any memorial donation checks not marked Assumption Church will be distributed for the purpose indicated on the check. ASSUMPTION GOC MEMBER POLICY The current approved policy for Parishioner Status of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (AGOC) of Flint, Michigan is as follows: Parishioner - Person Baptized and Chrismated according the rites of the Orthodox Church. and attending the AGOC. Parishioner - Member in Good Standing: Person in compliance with Section 1 and 2 of Article 18 of the Uniform Parish Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Person with an AGOC pledge card on file and current in pledges for active and preceding year. In-Active Parishioner - Person not in compliance with requirements for Parishioner or Member in Good Standing as defined above. Parishioners and In-Active Parishioners can receive all sacraments at AGOC but are required to pay church usage fee as per Page 19. Any deviations from this policy must be approved by the Parish Priest and Parish Council President and must be presented to them at least one month prior to the proposed sacrament date. 23
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Rev. Fr. Angelo Maggos Orthros: Divine Liturgy: Office Hours 9:30 am 10:00 am Weekdays and Feast Days: See Calendar Tuesday through Friday 10 am 3 pm Telephone: 810-771-4611 Fax: 810-771-4586 Secretary: Laura Mersinas 2016 Parish Council Cathy Yeotis President John Hountalas V. President Debra Chinonis Treasurer JoAnne Schultze Secretary Andy Brown, Jr. Zach Christakis John Costa Susan Kallis Sophia Martorelli John Panos Tom Stamatis E-Mail chsecagoc@gmail.com Website www.flintorthodox.com ORGANIZATIONS RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COMMITTEE ACOLYTES: JOHN KALOYDIS/MIKE POTSOS CHOIR: NANCY CHINONIS CHANT: BILL ROUFOS/CRYSTAL DEMPS PHILOPTOCHOS: ANN LOWE GOYA: JOHN COSTA VIPS: VOULA PAGONIS AHEPA: DR. GEORGE POLITIS DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE: CATHY YEOTIS NISIOTES: KATHY CLINTON JR. NISIOTES: VIVIAN SIRAKIS 27
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 2245 E Baldwin Road Grand Blanc, MI 48439 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage Paid Grand Blanc, Michigan Permit #42 Place mailing label here THE HALL IS AVAILABLE TO RENT. CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE FOR DETAILS @ 810-771-4611 28