FATHER'S CHALLENGE
A few months ago, a cousin of mine in France wrote and mentioned the violent riots and protests which had spread throughout that country. It was shocking, seeing cars set ablaze and stores ransacked. Many Muslim youth, whose parents had emigrated from former French colonies, were disillusioned with years of discrimination. They vented their anger in the streets through rioting. It revealed that French Society (and indeed European countries in general) had not been as inclusive and welcoming as they could have been of newcomers.
Our country has been no different. Our country, with its long history of slavery, has not been as inclusive of African-Americans as it should have been. One only needs to drive by Woolworth’s on Elm Street to see that this was also true in Greensboro. Today, many Hispanics, often illegal immigrants, are coming to the United States, where they encounter discrimination and abuse.
There have been churches that have encountered the same issue. Some communities of faith are unwelcoming of newcomers. I recall hearing the case of a priest at one of our Greek Orthodox Churches. It happened many years ago. He is alleged to have told the congregation, “Look up at the name on the front of the building. It says ‘Greek’ Orthodox Church. If you’re not Greek, leave!” Many Orthodox Christians of Arabic descent, deeply offended, did just that and established a nearby Antiochian Orthodox Church.
This was a tragedy, for it betrays the principal that the Orthodox Church is truly “Catholic” or “Universal.” Our Lord Himself had prayed that we “may be one, as We (God the Father) are one.” (John 17:11) It violates a new commandment of Christ, who said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35).
We are blessed that such a divisive spirit does not seem prevalent here at Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church. This parish, though founded by Greek immigrants, is very welcoming and embracing of people from all backgrounds. This is not a sentimental opinion. People themselves, in the recent surveys, mentioned this by name. “More open to outsiders,” “Tolerance to converts,” and “Our church is very accepting of non-Greek parishioners,” are some of the positive comments that reflect this welcoming and inclusive spirit. On the whole, roughly 60% of the respondents felt that our church was welcoming of newcomers. Bravo! Many of you are living up to the call of the Gospel!
We all too often blame or criticize ourselves for our short-comings. Sure, Stewardship could be better. More people could come to church services on time and on a more regular basis. But in the instance of welcoming newcomers, the parish is doing a remarkable job. Yet there is still room for improvement. A third of people felt we were not as accepting and friendly as we could be. One person wrote, “Some are very welcoming. I feel guilty of not greeting newcomers enough.”
This is our challenge. Let us use this Lenten time to reach out to all people in our congregation. Let’s start with the Fellowship Hour. Make a point of not sitting with your friends, but go over and sit and chat with someone you do not normally associate with. By talking to them, you may not only make them feel more comfortable in the church, but may make a new friend. For those of you who like to invite people over to the house for social get-togethers, consider inviting individuals in the congregation you have never invited before. The diversity of people in our community is a great blessing. It’s a reflection of the true nature of the Orthodox Church, which is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic.
I pray that you and your loved ones have a blessed Lent.
Fr. Dionysios
SICK AND VISITATION
The following parishioners would welcome your calls and/or visits. Please be sure to call before visiting.
Eleni Dermatas
Calliope Hatgelis (currently staying with granddaughter)
- James Toompas (Arbor Acres UM Retirement Comm.)
- Chris Orphanides (Wesley Long Nursing Center)
Vonnie Kleanos (Evergreen Nursing Home)
- Maria Vurnakes (Evergreen Nursing Home)
Margaret Spence (Wesley Long Nursing Center)
Van Woltz (please call first)
We would appreciate your sharing with us the names of any parishioners you know of who are ill, hospitalized, or home-bound sick so that we may pray for them, visit, phone or send a card. Donna at church office (292-8013), Brenda Miller (851-1415) or Joanne Macropoulos (288-6991).
THE TREASURER’S NOTE
By Carl Colozzi (644-0615)
JAN 1, 2006 – JAN 31, 2006
INCOME $15,043.11
EXPENSE $26,526.14
DEFICIT -$11,483.03
Please indicate in the memo portion of your check where payment should be applied: pledge, candles, tray, memorials, etc. If you are using a business check, please make sure that your name is printed somewhere on the check. The Budget is based on these incomes. Thank you.
You may try to keep your good habit of sending your pledged contributions in an orderly way. If you would like to sponsor a special project, please contact Carl Colozzi at 644-0615 or Scott Graham at 643-7099.
CONGRATULATIONS
To Jack and Shannon Bishara on the birth of their son, Rocky Jacob, who was born on February 6, 2006.
To George and Irene Palamaris on the birth of their daughter, Sophia, who was born on February 8, 2006.
YOUTH MINISTER MEETING
There will be a Youth Minister meeting on Saturday, March 4, at noon in the Fellowship Hall.
AHEPA
By Zack Touloupas (584-1213)
Our last meeting was held at Mykonos Grill. About 14 brothers gathered for a great meal and some great fellowship. Those who skipped the meeting also missed a fun time. During the short business session, we discussed our involvement with the “Friends of Greek Art” and the AHEPANs contribution towards the redecorating of the Fellowship Hall foyer.
Our next meeting will be held at Anton’s Restaurant on Battleground at 7 pm on March 14. Please call me (584-1213) before March 10 so I can call for a reservation. As always, call a long lost brother and invite him to the dinner for “KALI PAREA”
GOYA
By Christina Mandaleris (288-4785)
GOYA would like to thank everyone who participated in the blood drive. We hope to make this an annual event so your support was greatly appreciated. In lieu of our March meeting we will be attending the Lenten Retreat on March 17th-19th at the Diakonia Center in Salem, South Carolina. If you have not filled out your forms for the retreat, please do so as soon as possible!!
PARISH COUNCIL
By Theodora Vaporis (584-6020)
The Board met on January 16th for the first full meeting with all the new members. Some of the issues discussed were as follows:
1.The Board is reviewing the Church’s
incorporation and insurance status;
2. A Stewardship update;
3. Financial Update; Committee
assignments and responsibilities;
4. The philanthropy of the Parish;
5. The beautification of the Hall entry;
6. Other administrative matters.
A subcommittee is meeting regularly to draft revised local By-Laws for our Parish in accordance with the new By-Laws approved by the Archdiocese in 2005. They will eventually be brought before the General Assembly for approval. The Stewardship subcommittee continues their efforts to educate the Parish members on the importance of completing a Stewardship Card and in participating in whatever way that member can.
PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS
By Sheila Touloupas (584-1213)
A special thank you to all parishioners who have contributed items or monetary donations to our Support Our Troops Project. Additional items will continue to be accepted through the end of February. If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Ciulei.The Philoptochos Board will sponsor the coffee hour on March 5 to honor the choir members who recently won 1st place at competition. Board members are asked to bring an appetizer or dessert item. Members who have not already paid their dues for 2006 are asked to do so as soon as possible. If you have a question about your membership status, please contact Celia Sims. Recipes are still needed for our cookbook. If you have any questions, please contact Toula Chininis. Please continue to support our Year Round Food Bank. Items such as canned fruits, vegetables, and meats are always needed and greatly appreciated.
Our next General Meeting will be March 13 in the church hall. Refreshments will be served at 6:45 and the meeting will begin promptly at 7pm.
Our annual Spring Luncheon will be held April 27. Volunteers will be needed throughout the day. More information will be available in next month’s newsletter. Baking has already begun. Please be sure to check the
Sunday bulletins for specific dates and times. The Scholarship Luncheon is scheduled for May 21. Our list of 2006 graduates include the following: High School-Zack Benson, Erin Anton, Anthony Harrison, Eleni Hatzisavvos, Kristen Talantis, Edward Stikeleather, and Chris Shepherd; College-Catherine Mandaleris, Eleftherios Xixis, and Basil Agapion. If you know of a graduate that is not listed, please contact Catherine
Stuman as soon as possible. Also, scholarship application forms are now available. Please contact Gwen Varsamis if you would like to apply.
Open dates for March and April are available for hosting the coffee hour and for donating flowers for the altar. Sign-up sheets are posted in the church hall.
The Philoptochos Society is pleased to announce the continuation of our two scholarship programs. The scholarships are for dependant children of Dormition of the Theotokos parishioners who are in good standing.
The Philoptochos Society Scholarship is based on academic achievement and is awarded to a high school senior who will graduate in May/June 2006 and who has been accepted into a university/college, junior college, or vocational/trade school for fall 2006. The Pete Harris Scholarship is a financial scholarship that is awarded based on need to a high school graduate who will be a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior at a university/college, junior college, or vocational/trade school next fall. Students may apply for both scholarships, however, if the student is a finalist for both, the student may accept only one of the two scholarships. These scholarships will be awarded at The Philoptochos Scholarship Luncheon, honoring all of our graduating seniors, scheduled for Sunday, May 21, 2006.
If you are interested in applying for one or both of these scholarships or would like more information, please contact Thalia Bundros (294-1592), Athena Constantinou (292-0368), Helen Peterson (632-1816), Effie Varitimidis (299-4093), or Gwen Varsamis (852-5655). The Scholarship Committee MUST receive completed applications along with all the required supplemental letters and transcripts on or before NOON, SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2006. NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE DEADLINE… NO EXCEPTIONS.
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
By Polly Anton (854-5065)
On Sunday, March 5, students will participate in the Parish level Oratorical Festival. Speeches will be held in the Church following the Divine Liturgy. Anyone interested in judging this event should please contact Kiki Tarasidis (kikitarasidis@yahoo.com), or Polly Anton (antons@triad.rr.com).
We miss seeing so many of our wonderful children each Sunday! Please come back soon.
Our teachers are working hard to prepare both the students and themselves for the approaching Lenten season.
Easter Egg Hunt:
If you are interested in helping, please contact Debbie Xixis (644-6732).
CHURCH WOMEN UNITED
By Helen Peterson (632-1816)
Church Women United (CWU) will meet at our church on Friday, March 3, 2006. Registration and Breakfast is at 10:30 a.m. Bible Study at 11:00 a.m. and the meeting will be in the sanctuary at 11:30 a.m. Please plan to attend.
2006 Pledges
Currently, we have 81 stewards who have pledged a total of $62,865.00 for the year 2006:
Alexiou, Marina; Alimpich, Nadejda; Andrews, Ted; Anton, Bill & Mary; Bundros, Tony & Thalia; Chamis, Nick; Chininis, Frank & Toula; Colozzi, Carl & Maria; Constantinou, Athena; Contogiannis, Ellen; Cropper, James & Maria; Culler, Hamp & Lula; Dermatas, Alexis; Dermatas, Alex & Titsa; Dolianitis, Mike; Efstathiou, Dimitrios & Konstantia; Eustathiou, Evangelia; Freeman, Ron & Sondra; Galloway, Ed & Georgette; Gay, Brier & Elaine; Graham, Erin; Graham, Scott & Christa; Hanna, Aziz & Violet; Hanna, Maher; Harrison, Eleni; Hatzisavvas, Diogenes & Cindy; Hattle, George & Jean Elizabeth; Katsikas, Mary; Kazazes, Anne; Kazazes, Barbara; Kontoulas, Cleo & Dena; Kontoulas, Dimitrios & Karen; Kontoulas, Mary; Koronis, Bill & Ava; Kotsionis, Harry & Elly; Listermann-Vierling, Fr. Dionysios & Presbytera Elena; Lundberg, David & Vasso; Macropoulos, Joanne; Mandaleris, Chris & Maria; Matsakides, Vickie; Megremis, Lampros & Theodora; Merrell; Eddie & Maria; Miller, Don & Brenda; Moye, William & Kelly; Oncea, William & Jennie; Pappas, Edna; Patterson, Vasiliki; Poulos, Peter; Raxter, Donna; Rodete, John & Sophie; Sagos, Joanne & Larry Carroll; Sakellaris, Chris & Ardele; Schermerhorn, Tom & Theodora Vaporis; Seawell, Evalin & Tracy; Silos, Mrs. Evangelos; Sims, Leighanne; Sims, Roger & Celia; Sipsis, James & Linda; Soare, Nicolae & Sien Lian; Soufia. Mikhail & Ginah; Stuman, Jim & Catherine; Thevaos, Jim & Hedy; Thompson, Tom & Rhonda; Toompas, Art & June; Touloupas, Katie; Touloupas, Mary Alyson; Touloupas, Zack & Sheila; Triantis, Theodore; Tsintzos, Nafsika; Tzavaras, Apasia; Tzouvelekas, Mark; Tzouvelekas, Nick & Debra; Varitimidis, Ionnis & Effie; Varsamis, Kimmon & Gwen; Varsamis, Megan; Vaughan, Edgar & Vicki; Vavalides, Philip & Teresa; West, Victoria; White, Ed & Elizabeth; Woods, Terry; Xixis, Othonas & Debbie; Zaharias, Epaminondas & Doris.
MONTHLY GET TOGETHER
Our first gathering on Saturday, February 18, was a great success. Our next gathering will be on Saturday, March 18, at Anton’s Restaurant at 6:00 p.m. We hope everyone comes down for an evening of fellowship and fine food. If you have any questions, please contact Presbytera Elena (638-4105).
Events
Father participated in a Clergy Retreat
