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CHURCH SERVICES:
Sunday Orthros (Matins) 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Sunday School after Holy Communion
Weekday Holy Days:
Orthros and Divine Liturgy 8:00am
COUNCIL OFFICERS:
Kiki Tarasidis, President: 288-2921
Maher Hanna,Vice-President: 547-0058
Carl Colozzi; Treasurer 644-0615
Theodora Vaporis; Secretary 584-6020
Board Members:
Stephen Anton, Hamp Culler, Dimitrios Efstathiou,
Eleni Harrison, Eddie Merrell, Matthew Pappas
COMMITTEES: Ahepa: Dimitrios Efstathiou
Bylaws: Theodora Vaporis
Choir: Kevin Lawrence
Daughters of Penelope: Helen Peterson
Education, Culture & Youth: Fr. Dionysios
Fellowship: Kiki Tarasidis
Finance: Carl Colozzi
Foundation: Matthew Pappas, Scott Graham & Theodora Vaporis
GOYA Advisors: Basil Agapion and Craig & Amanda Corey
GOYA Presidents: Paul Mott & Chris Corey
Greek Festival: Stephen Anton, Eddie Merrell & Matthew Pappas
Greek School: Kiki Tarasidis
Hall Rental: Matthew Pappas
JOY: Ginah Sophia
Maintenance: Stephen Anton
Philanthropy, Charity & Community: Eddie Merrell, Kiki Tarasidis & Fr. Dionysios
Philoptochos: Georgette Galloway
Sick and Visitation: Titsa Dermatas
Stewardship: Maher Hanna & Hamp Culler
Sunday School: Polly Anton
Philanthropy, Charity & Community: Eddie Merrell, Kiki Tarasidis & Fr. Dionysios
Volunteer Coordinator: Maher Hanna
Welcoming: Theodora Vaporis & Dimitrios Efstathiou
September 28, 2007
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (I Thessalonians 1:3)
Dearly Beloved,
With these words of St. Paul, I would like to convey to the parish of the Dormition of the Theotokos the heartfelt appreciation for your recent donation of $517.30 to the Greek Fire Relief Fund. Your magnanimous generosity makes it possible for the Church to respond to the urgent need of so many people who were adversely impacted by this catastrophe. Thousands of people who lost their homes and possessions will need assistance for many years to recover from this disaster. No doubt, your thoughtful benefaction which we know is a work of faith and a labor of love will greatly help alleviate their suffering and set them on the road to recovery. Please be assured that we remember you and all your loved ones in our prayers and trust that you will always enjoy the bountiful blessings of Almighty God. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. With paternal love in Christ, + DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America
Philoptochos 10th Annual Craft Show
& Bake Sale
Please support Philoptochos by attending our
Craft show on Saturday,
December 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be hundreds of unique items made by local, professional crafters that would make excellent gifts. This should be our largest craft show ever as we have three large rooms full of vendors. Items available for sale will include Christmas decorations, men's gifts, jewelry, soaps, doll furniture, glass items, teachers' gifts, pet-related gifts, and more.
In addition there will be Greek pastries such as galactboureko, kourambiedes, baklava, and spanakopita available. Ladies Philoptochos Society
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
Our Annual Membership Drive is held through the month of November. The Ladies Philoptochos Society is currently the largest Christian women's philanthropic organization in the United States. Our fund raising projects enable our chapter to support numerous worthy causes such as, Habitat, Mobile Meals, Urban Ministries, Salvation Army, Duke Power/Share the Warmth, Empty Stocking Fund, Orthodox Mission Priests, Hurricane Relief Funds, Saint Basil's Academy, Duke Pediatric CardiacCare, Diakonia Center Infirmary, St. Stephen's Camp, UNICEF, Durham's St. Barbara's Medical Ministry, Christmas for needy families, Scholarships within our parish, special parish needs, and various other emergency and philanthropic needs.
A table will be set up in the Fellowship Hall beginning Sunday, November 11th for interested prospective members to ask questions and/or learn more about our many National, Metropolitan, and local projects. Current members may also pay their 2008 Membership dues ($25) during this period. Our Chapter will host a Pot Luck Dinner Meeting in our Fellowship Hall on Monday, November 12th at 6pm for all current, new, and prospective members. Please plan to attend and bring a friend and a favorite dish to share. The Ladies Philoptochos meet once a month, usually on the second Monday, at 6:45pm...Meetings last approximately one and a half hours. Refreshments, fellowship, a business agenda, and on special occasions a guest speaker are included. This is a wonderful opportunity for new friendships and fellowship, in addition to the personal satisfaction of helping those in need through our many service projects and fundraisers. Our members are warm and friendly, caring and giving, and most energetic! Whether you are a homemaker and mother, working part time or full time, retired, or a student, the talents you have will enhance our organization. You are neither too young nor too old to join Ladies Philoptochos. We extend a personal invitation to all the women in our church community 18 years and older to join our philanthropic sisterhood.
THE TREASURER'S NOTE Income $ 12,018.11
Expenses $ 24786.33
Difference $ - 12,768.22
" As we are getting close to the end of the year, please keep in mind that in order to be able to use your pledge/donation to the church as a tax write off for this year the check needs to be deposited in 2007. If a check is deposited after December 31st that check cannot be used as a tax write off for the year 2007, regardless of the date on the check. To ensure that this does not happen, please make your pledge/donation at least two weeks before the end of the year. Thank you."
2007 Stewards:
Amprazis, James & Mary;
Andrews, Ted & Marina
Anghelescu, Anton;
Antahades, Cecelia;
Anton, Bill & Mary;
Anton, Stephen & Polly
Bailey, Sarah;
Barteris, Eleni;
Benson, Bob & Kathy;
Bishara, Essa & Najwah;
Blavos, Sylvia;
Boukas, Nick & Athena;
Bouras, Johnny & Peggy;
Brown, Harvey & Nabila;
Bulugaris, Tony & Raegan;
Bundros, Tony & Thalia;
Chamis, Nick G.;
Chininis, Frank & Toula;
Clark, Penny Kappas;
Colozzi, Carl & Maria;
Constantinou, Athena;
Contogiannis, Elizabeth A.;
Contogiannis, Ellen;
Contogiannis, Mary Ann;
Cooper, Christine;
Corey, Craig, Amanda, Samantha, Victoria;
Crist, Alex & Pam;
Cropper, James & Maria;
Culler, Hamp & Lula;
Cvijanovich, Thea;
Dascalakis, Demetri & Voula
Dermatas, Alexis;
Doliantis, Mike;
Efstathiou, Dimitrios & Dena;
Fenger, Rasmus & Susie;
Freeman, Ron & Sondra;
Fox, Art & Cynthia;
Galloway, Ed & Georgette;
Gradinaru, Adrian;
Graham, Scott, Christa & Erin
Hanna, Aziz & Violet;
Hanna, Maher;
Harrison, Eleni;
Havraniak, Luba;
Hedrick, Nina;
Hudak, Marie;
Karas, Angelo;
Katsikas, Mary;
Kattan, Nihad & Sana;
Kattan, Niveen;
Kazazes, Anne;
Kazazes, Barbara;
Klenos, Vonnie
Kontoulas, Angelo N;
Kontoulas, Cleo & Dena;
Kontoulas, Dimitrios & Karen;
Kontoulas, Mary B;
Koronis, Bill & Ava;
Kotsikorou, Evangelia;
Kotsionis, Harry & Elly;
Lane, Ken & Stacey
Lawrence, Kevin & Barbara;
Listermann-Vierling, Fr. Dionysios & Pres. Elena;
Lunberg, David & Vasso;
Macropoulos, JoAnne;
Mandaleris, Chris & Maria;
Mandaleris, Catherine;
Matsakides, Vickie;
Megremis, Lampros & Theodora;
Merrell, Eddie & Maria;
Michaels, Michael & Carolyn;
Miller, Donald & Brenda;
Moraru, Christian & Camelia;
Oncea, William & Jennie;
Ofanedes, George & Susan;
Palamaris, George & Irene;
Pappas, Edna;
Pappas, Matthew & Stacy;
Pasick, Michael;
Patterson, Charles;
Patterson, Vasiliki;
Poulos, Karen;
Poulos, Peter & Phyllis;
Pradetto, Tom & Maria;
Rodete, John & Sophie;
Ross, Larry & Minerva;
Rueppell, Matina Kalcounis;
Sagos, JoAnne;
Sakellaris, Chris & Ardele;
Schermerhorn, Thomas & Theodora Vaporis, Sophia
Seawell, Evalin & Tracy;
Shepard, Bernedette
Silos, Estelle;
Sims, Roger & Celia;
Sipsis, George & Bessie;
Sipsis, James & Linda;
Sonntag, Frances;
Sonntag, Mark
Soufia, Michael & Ginah;
Tarasidis, Kirk & Kiki;
Thanos, Alex;
Thanos, Bobby & Carol;
Thevaos, Jim & Hedy;
Toompas, Arthur & June;
Touloupas, John & Kaki;
Touloupas, Mary Alyson;
Touloupas, Zack & Sheila;
Triantis, Ted;
Tripp, Matthew & Sotiria;
Tsaros, Lula;
Tsintzos, Nafsika;
Tzavaras, Aspasia;
Tzouvelekas, Nick & Debra;
Vandoros, George & Effie;
Varitimidis, Ioannis & Effie;
Varsamis, Betty;
Varsamis, Kimmon & Gwen;
Varsamis, Megan;
Vaughan, Bill & Barbara
Vaughn, Edger & Vicki;
Vavalides, Phillip & Teresa;
West, Victoria;
White, Ed & Liz;
Wile, Chuck & Ashley;
Woods, Terry;
Xixis, Eleftherios;
Xixis, Othonas & Debbie;
Zaharias, Doris
CONDOLENCES
To Christine Cooper and family on the passing away of her husband, Stanley Ray Cooper, on October 13, 2007.
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Father's Challenge
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
On November 22nd our country will celebrate Thanksgiving. It is perhaps one of the most Biblical holidays we celebrate here in America. On that Thursday our homes will be a hive of activity with a lot of cooking, baking and mixing. There will be a turkey baked golden brown. There will be mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, bread dressing, vegetables, biscuits, cranberries, pumpkin pies and many other different kinds of foods. When the Thanksgiving meal is ready and placed on the table, we will be invited to come and eat. When that call or invitation is given there will not be a single person who will refuse to come to the table and eat. If someone does, there is likely something very wrong with them. In this same way, God has provided for all mankind, something that is much better than any kind of food or Thanksgiving dinner. Not only has God provided it, but He also invites everyone to "Come." God says, "Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Isaiah 55:1 What has God provided for us? What does He invite us to come and receive? Is it something to eat? Yes, in a way it is. God offers us the Bread of Life. He offers Himself for us in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35 Yet, even though God invites all of us to come and receive what He has prepared, many people still refuse to accept His invitation to approach the Holy Gifts at Communion. When we partake of the body and blood of Christ, we are blessed with an intimate union with Jesus Christ, the Source of all holiness and the Giver of all graces. It is divine medicine for our bruised and sinful souls. To live a life of infrequent participation in the Eucharist means to live a life of spiritual sickness. We may hesitate to approach the Holy Gifts because we feel unworthy. Yet if we wait until we are worthy, we will never be able to approach the chalice. All that is required is that we approach in a spirit of humility and repentance. St. John Cassion wrote, "We must not avoid Communion because we deem ourselves to be sinful. We must approach it more often for the healing of the soul with much humility and faith considering ourselves unworthy. Otherwise it is impossible to receive communion once a year, as certain people do. Such people manifest more pride than humility for when they receive, they think of themselves as worthy." If we have serious sins, we must go to confession. Nothing should keep us from partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ. Every time when we attend the Divine Liturgy, it is a day of Thanksgiving. It is a moment when Christ Himself bides us to come forward. Let us heed this invitation, "Approach with the fear of God, with faith and with love." In Christ, Fr. Dionysios President's Message How wonderful it is to wake up early on Sunday and enjoy reading the paper and relaxing in the comfort and peace of our homes. We all enjoy moments like these. I enjoy Sunday morning and being able to be with my family and not feel rushed to get to school, not having to quiz the boys for the test of the day, not yelling at them not to forget their lunch, their jacket, their PE clothes, to brush their teeth, comb their hair and let's go we're going to be late! Ah mornings!
On Sunday mornings we have a rule at our house. We all wake up in a "good" mood and we take the morning slowly. We also plan our day around going to church. I know that we are all busy and we work all week and drive our children from activity to activity and by the end of the week we are exhausted. So, when Sunday comes around it is easy to want to stay home and not go to church. Georgio and Niko and I must say even Kirk will sometimes try to get out of going to church. "We are tired and just want to stay home" they say as they make their way to their rooms to get dressed, because on Sunday, we go to church. This is a "restart" for us. I know many of you feel this way.
By coming to church, we are able to take a week's worth of "weight" and just let it go. We light a candle and say a prayer and begin our journey of renewal as we enter the church. Being among our fellow parishioners should give each of us strength. We share so much and we become one as we recite the Lord's Prayer and the Creed. We receive communion from the same chalice and spoon and we fellowship together in our community hall.
How can all of this not make you want to come to church? I have noticed that on several Sundays our church is without YOU. Where are you? What can we all do to make you want to be a part of Sundays at church? If we are to bond, and to make our church grow and continue to prosper, we all need to be present and active.
God does not discriminate among any of us. We are all his special creations and he loves and expects us to give love back. It is imperative that we, all of us, make coming to church a priority. I look forward to seeing YOU at church!
Kiki Tarasidis
STEWARDSHIP KICK-OFF! 2008 STEWARDSHIP DRIVE HAS BEGUN!!! This year the Stewardship committee is kicking-off the 2008 Stewardship Campaign from now until the New Year! The theme for the 2008 Stewardship Campaign is: The Orthodox Way of Life; "Let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God." We would like to announce this change is not to rattle the community or to express dislike with the current system, but as a reminder that we as a Parish have to think ahead, to plan for the future. For years our budget has been based on Stewardship, Stewardship that has not yet been committed to by the Parishioners. How can we plan to spend, when we do not know the amount that we all have committed? Every year we hear from our trusted Treasurer, that the parish's expenses far exceed our income. I ask you, who runs their own personal finances, whether at home or at work, to spend more then they bring in? We all know what happens when you spend more than you make; you set yourself up for failure. As many of you know, our budget has been cut back for years; we are running basically at bare necessities. Even without new expenses, prices keep going up. Yet, our Stewardship has been stagnating at best. Stewardship is a Christ-centered lifestyle that nourishes spiritual growth and development in our Church, our homes and our workplaces. It is our personal commitment to Christ and His Church. Stewardship is the Orthodox way of Life. Now, take a moment to think about this Parish, and hundreds like it across America and the sacrifices OUR founders and benefactors made for their children and grandchildren. They arrived in America with not much more than faith and God's Love in their hearts. They worked hard, struggled and made tremendous sacrifices for us. God has blessed this community; let's give thanks to God. Today, all our churches are facing new challenges and opportunities. We are competing for the attention of our youth. Our spiritual foundation is tested everyday with the challenges of modern society. Are we serving the needs of the sick, the elderly and the forgotten? By the grace of God, the unparalleled material blessings of the Orthodox Christians in America provide us with the opportunity to meet these challenges. Every generation sacrifices for the next! What is to be our legacy? As Stewards we have to Believe, learn, focus and raise our expectations. Stewardship begins when we submit ourselves to God and truly believe in Him. We learn that our proper response to God's gifts to us is to worship Him and to give back to Him in proportion to our blessings. We must focus, make Christ and the Church the center of our lives, and become active participants in the daily life of His Church. Finally, the more we have been blessed, the more we are expected to return back to Him, "More is required for the person to whom more is given..." (Luke 12:48)
PARISH COUNCIL NEWS
The Parish Council met on October 22nd. The following was discussed:
1. A Stewardship Kickoff for the 2008 Stewardship Campaign;
2. Festival overview;
3. Possible upcoming retreat;
4. A coffee hour on December 2nd to welcome new members of our community;
5. A Good Samaritan Ministry keeping a list of the sick members of our community or those who need a ride to church;
6. The upcoming General Assembly;
7. Candidates for the upcoming Parish Council elections
8. Financial Report.
Submitted by Theodora Vaporis
PARISH NEWS AND NOTES
Dear Kiki and all Church Board Members, and everyone who worked Festival 2007, I want to congratulate each of you for presenting the "Best Ever" Festival! I am so proud to say that our festival was a "class act" - it has always been a fun-filled Festival but this year seemed to out shine all other ones! Our Festival rates way above every other I've attended - Columbia, SC, Charlotte, Winston-Salem and Birmingham, AL - they are all 3 or 4 times our size in number of members and space! We out shine all of them! Bravo!
I have always been so proud of our Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church. A proud member that is awed by the fact that we can accomplish so much with our small number of members - we come together and get the job done.
All of my friends think we are having so much fun working the Festival. This is true for me! I enjoy every minute of it even though it's exhausting, yet I hate to see it end every year! Here's to next year!
Again - I say Congratulations! on an Amazing Festival 2007! (Just think what we could have made if it had not rained on Friday.)
Love, Titsa
Sophia Schermerhorn will be performing
as one of the King's wives in The King
and I at Greensboro Day School the
weekend of November 9th.
Welcome
to all new members. On December 2nd,
The 2007 Parish Council and Ladies
Philoptochos will sponsor a special
coffee hour after Sunday Service to
honor our new members. Community Luncheon
Sunday, November 11, 2007
To celebrate 75th Birthday
& Nameday of
Minas Dascalakis
And give tribute to church choir
(Immediately following the
Divine Liturgy) AHEPA
Thank you so very much to all AHEPANs and Daughters of Penelope for all the hard work in making a so successful District #3 Workshop on Saturday October 20, 2007.
I would like to express my appreciation to all brothers for their contributions to the victims of wild fires in Greece. General Greene chapter #257 contributed $1,000.00 to AHEPA Charitable Foundation. The AHEPA family provided over $500,000 help to wild fires victims in Greece (in a form of care packages and financial donations).
On November 4th AHEPANs and Daughters of Penelope will have their annual fund raising event. The AHEPANs will host a 'Greek Chicken Dinner' and Greek Pastries will be sold separately by Daughters of Penelope. Proceeds to benefit AHEPA Scholarships and Daughters Charities. Please make very effort to attend this event and spread the word to the Greensboro community!
Finally, AHEPA's next regular meeting is Tuesday, November 13th at 7:00pm in our Church Fellowship Hall. Our chapter's secretary will send a letter to our AHEPA brothers with next meeting's agenda. Daughters of Penelope by Barbara Kazazes Ktimene Chapter #70 Daughters are pleased to have hosted along with the Brother Ahepans the Southern Regional Workshop on Saturday, October 20. The Daughters provided the continental breakfast and the Ahepans provided the lunch.
The District #3 Lodge members in attendance were Daphne Hallas, District Governor from Potomac, MD; Christine Vassilakos, Lt. Governor from Smithfield, VA; Jackie Anas, District Treasurer from Portsmouth, VA; and Beba Gavrilis, District Maids Advisor from Richmond, VA. We were pleased to have had Elaine Sampanis, Grand Secretary-Liason from West Chester, OH in attendance as well. We were informed about the upcoming District and Supreme conventions in Annapolis, MD in May and Athens, Greece in July of 2008, the Olive Tree Relief Drive for Greece, general news and information about handling the various responsibilities as members and officers of the Daughters. The workshop was most informative and an opportunity to learn and share information with others.
Ktimene Chapter will have their annual Bake Sake and only fund-raiser during the year on Sunday, November 4 in conjunction with the Ahepans Greek chicken meal. We request that Daughters be available to work at various times during the day from 12 noon until closing.
We will not have a meeting in November. PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS - By Georgette Galloway
First of all, thanks to all members who have devoted their time, energy, and love to The Ladies Philoptochos Society. And to those who are not members, thank you for supporting our programs year after year. You are changing the world.
A special tray will be passed on November 4 honoring the Patron Saints of The Ladies Philoptochos Society, Saints Cosmas and Damianos. This tray benefits the Ecumenical Patriarchate and its programs and charities. Thank you for your donations.
Our Membership Drive will begin November 11 and will continue through the month of November. All ladies eighteen and over are encouraged and welcomed to join. Membership dues are $25.00 per year. A table will be set up in the hall to collect dues from new and current members of 2007. Even if you cannot give your time this year, we encourage you to join because your membership will be supporting our philanthropic works.
There will be a Board Meeting Sunday, November 11 immediately following the Divine Liturgy. On Monday, November 12, Our Membership Drive Pot Luck Dinner Meeting will be held in the Fellowship Hall at 6:00 pm. All members are asked to bring their favorite dish to share. Also, all members are asked to bring in a bag of non-perishable goods to help stock our Year Round Food Bank. Keep the bag of goods in your car so you won't forget to bring it with you at the meeting. If you can help Titsa Dermatas with set up and clean up, please let her know.
For our fourth year, our chapter has volunteered our services for Salvation Army Bell Ringing. We will be at the Friendly Center Macy's side entrance on Saturday, November 17, from 10 am to 8 pm. One hour shifts are available throughout the day. A sign up sheet is in the Fellowship Hall. If you have any questions, please contact Titsa Dermatas.
On Saturday, November 24, we will be serving Habitat Workers. Please contact Doris Zaharias if you would like to help.
For the sixth year we will be providing Christmas for two or three needy families with children. A wish list will be available soon. Please contact Georgette Galloway or Catherine Stuman if you would like to buy a gift or contribute to this project. The families are always most grateful. Also, Toula Chininis is working on "Project Lionas" where we will be making blankets to send to needy families in the area. Please contact Toula if you are interested. You don't have to know how to sew to help!
Our Craft Show/Bake Sale will take place on Saturday, December 1 in our Fellowship Hall. Volunteers are needed throughout the day. We will also be baking pastries for this event, so please check the bulletin for specific dates and times. All members are asked to donate $10 to help cover the costs of baking supplies. Minerva Ross will be decorating the hall for the Craft Show and for the Christmas Holiday. Please contact her if you can help with decorating.
Please continue to support our Year Round Food Bank. All parishioners are encouraged to bring in non-perishable food items. You can make a difference in someone's life.
We encourage you to sign up to host a Sunday Coffee Hour. Our coordinator this month is Titsa Dermatas. The sign up sheet is in the hall. Thank you so much for the donations you give during the coffee hour. The basket you see on the food table is there to help support our Mission Priest. Your dollars help spread the word of Orthodoxy throughout the world.
A sign up sheet is available in the hall if you would like to donate flowers for the altar.
Lastly, the Philoptochos ladies are available upon your request to assist with Trisagions, funerals, or memorials. Please let us know if you have any questions. 50+ Club will be going to the Village Tavern on Monday, November 5, at 1pm.
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