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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, Dr. Mary Ann Contogiannis, Dimitrios Efstathiou, Eleni Harrison, Eddie Merrell, Doris Zaharias
Committees: Committee heads are denoted by an asterisk (*)
Stewardship - Maher Hanna*, Doris Zaharias, Eleni Harrison Maintenance - Doris Zaharias*, Stephen Anton, George Palamaris & Jimmy Sipsis Religious Education and Youth - Fr. Dionysios*, Kiki Tarasidis, Dimitrios Efstathiou, Dr. Mary Ann Contogiannis, Craig Corey Maria Pradetto, Minerva Ross, Sheila Touloupas, Barbara Vaughan & Vicki Vaughan By-Laws - Theodora Vaporis*, Kiki Tarasidis, Fr. Dionysios Foundation - Theodora Vaporis*, Scott Graham Fellowship & Community Events - Kiki Tarasidis*, Eleni Harrison & Eddie Merrell Welcoming, Transportation & Newcomers - Dimitrios Efstathiou* & Doris Zaharias Volunteer Coordinator - Maher Hanna*, Dr. Mary Ann Contogiannis & Eleni Harrison Philanthropy, Charity & Community - Kiki Tarasidis*, Doris Zaharias & Eddie Merrell Hall Rental - Matthew Pappas Festival - Stephen Anton*, Eddie Merrell* and Matthew Pappas* Choir - Kevin Lawrence
Liaisons for other groups in our church community: Ahepa/Daughters - Dimitrios Efstathiou Philoptochos - Dr. Mary Ann Contogiannis GOYA - Theodora Vaporis
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR CONTIBUTIONS:
Theodora Megremis gave flowers for the Salutations on April 4.
Maria Cropper, Minas & Soteria Dascalakis and Christa Graham cleaned the church on Thursday and Friday, April 10 & 11.
Toula Chininis gave the flowers for Palm Sunday & Resurrection Icons.
Tony & Thalia Bundros gave the flowers for Good Friday and the white drapery for the iconostasis and the white ribbon for the solea.
Anne Kazazes gave the flowers in the narthex for the Panagia in memory of James Kazazes.
Soteria Dascalakis gave the crown for the Holy Week Cross.
Betty Varsamis gave the wreath for the dome of the Epitaphio.
Evangelia Kalogiros gave the flowers for the Nymphios and candles for the Epitaphio.
Vasiliki Patterson, Nafsika Tsintzos, Evangelia Kalogiros & Betty Varsamis baked the prosfora for Great Lent and Pascha.
Titsa & Alexis Dermatas gave the eggs & tuile and ribbon for the Pascha Liturgy.
Thank you to everyone who helped cleanup for the Palm Sunday Luncheon & the basement.
Thank you to all the people who dyed and donated eggs and to everyone who has contributed all the other items big and small to help make a glorious Pascha. LENT, HOLY WEEK, EASTER FLOWER, EASTER LILIES, EPITATHPIO FLOWERS AND SPECIAL DONATIONS: Marina Alexia; Ted Andrew; Cecelia Antahades; Alex Anton; Bill & Mary Anton; Bob & Kathy Benson; Johnny & Peggy Bouras; Harvey & Nabila Brown; Carl & Maria Colozzi; Ellen, Elizabeth & Anthoula Contogiannis; Jimmy Contogiannis & family; Mary Ann Contogiannis, Ralph & Ivey Huey; Hamp & Lula Culler; Alex & Titsa Dermatas; Steve & Mary Dolianitis; Dimitrios & Dina Efstathiou; Aziz & Violet Hanna; Maher Hanna; Eleni Harrison; Ike Hatzisavvas; Helen Hudak; Mary Katsikas; Charles Kepreades; Cleo & Dena Kontoulas; Mary Kontoulas; David & Vasso Lundberg; Joanne Macropoulos; Lampros & Theodora Megremis; Eddie & Maria Merrell; Edna Pappas; Chris & Ardele Sakellaris; Fr. Paul & Patty Schellbach; Helen Peterson; Mike & Ginah Soufia; Kirk & Kiki Tarasidis; Matthew & Sotiria Tripp; Nafsika Tsintzos; Nick, Debra & Mark Tzouvelekas; Betty Varsamis; Kimmon & Gwen Varsamis; Terry Woods Daughters of Penelope, Ktimene Chapter #70, Donation of Votives:
The Daughters have donated 10 cases of votives, including shipping charges, to the church:
Daughters, 1 case plus remaining shipping charges, in memory of deceased
Daughters; Soteria Dascalakis, 1 case in memory of my parents; Barbara
Kazazes, 3 cases in memory of James Kazazes; Edna Pappas, 2 cases, in
memory of deceased family members; Helen Peterson, 1 case in memory of my
son, Peter; Doris Zaharias, 1 case in memory of Epaminondas Zaharias; and
Anne Kazazes, friend of the Daughters, 1 case in memory of James Kazazes.
2008 Stewardship Signed Pledges as of April 24, 2008
Akbary, Fred & Michelle;
Alexiou, Marina;
Andrews, Ted;
Antahades, Cecelia;
Anton, Stephen & Polly;
Asemrie, Fasika;
Athanas, Ann;
Bailey, Sarah;
Bishara, Essa & Najwah;
Bishara Jacob & Shannon;
Blavos, Sylvia;
Boukas, Nick & Athena;
Bouras, John & Peggy;
Brown, Harvey & Nabila;
Bundros, Tony & Thalia;
Chamis, Nick;
Chandler, Penny;
Chininis, Frank & Toula;
Colozzi, Carl & Maria;
Constantinou, Athena;
Contogiannis , Elizabeth;
Contogiannis, Ellen;
Contogiannis, James;
Contogiannis, Mary Ann;
Cooper Christine;
Corey, Craig & Amanda;
Cropper, James & Maria;
Culler, Hamp & Lula;
Dascalakis, Minas & Soteria;
Dermatas, Alexander & Titsa;
Efstathiou, Dimitrios & Konstantina;
Galloway, Ed & Georgette;
Ganim, Michael & Afaf;
Gradinaru, Adrian & Diana;
Graham, Erin;
Graham, Scott & Christa;
Hanna, Aziz & Violet;
Hanna, Maher;
Harrison, Eleni;
Hatzisavvas, Diogenes & Cindy;
Hedrick, Nina;
Katsikas, Mary;
Kattan, Nihad & Sana;
Kattan, Niveen;
Kazazes, Anne;
Kazazes, Barbara;
Kontoulas, Cleo & Dena;
Kontoulas, Dimitrios & Karen;
Kontoulas Mary;
Kotsikorou, Evangelia;
Kotsionis, Harry & Elly;
Lawrence, Kevin & Barbara;
Liinangi, Diana & Martin;
Listermann-Vierling,
Dionysios & Elena;
Lundberg, David & Vasso;
Mabe, Daren;
Macropoulos, Joanne;
Mandaleris, Catherine;
Mandaleris, Chris & Maria;
Marra, James & Margarite;
Matsakides, Vickie;
Megremis, Lampros & Theodora;
Merrell, Eddie & Maria;
Miller, Donald & Brenda;
Minolu, Kidist;
Moraru, Christian & Camelia;
Mott, James & Panayota;
Oncea, William & Jennie;
PalAmaris, George & Irene;
Pappas, Edna;
Pappas, Matthew & Stacy;
Patterson, John;
Patterson, Vasiliki;
Pasick, Michael & Nina;
Perrou, Dimitrios & Elena;
Poulos, Peter & Phyllis;
Pradetto, Tom & Maria;
Rodete, John & Sophie;
Ross, Larry & Minerva;
Sagos, Joanne & Larry Carrol;
Sakellaris, Chris & Ardele;
Schermerhorn, Tom & Theodora;
Seawell, Tracy & Evalin;
Silos, Estelle;
Sims, Roger & Celia;
Sipsis, George & Bessie;
Sipsis, James & Linda;
Sonntag, Frances;
Sonntag, Mark;
Soufia, Mikhail & Ginah;
Tarasidis, Kirk & Kiki;
Toompas, Arthur & June;
Touloupas, John & Kaki;
Touloupas, Zack & Sheila;
Triantis, Ted;
Tripp, Matthew & Sotiria;
Tsaros, Lula;
Tsintzos, Nafsika;
Tzouvelekas, Mark;
Tzouvelekas, Nick & Debra;
Vaporis, Mary;
Varitimidis, Ioannis & Effie;
Varsamis, Betty;
Varsamis, Kimmon & Gwen;
Vaughn, Edgar & Vicki;
Vavalides, Philip;
West, Victoria;
White, Ed & Liz;
Wile, Chuck & Ashley;
Woltz, Van & Margaret;
Woods, Mary;
Xixis, Othonas & Debbie;
Zaharias, Doris
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Father’s Challenge “And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow…But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen!” (Matthew 28:2-6) It is always a pleasure seeing the church filled with so many parishioners and visitors for the Anastasi Service on Easter Sunday. The service is held very late and lasts a long time. Afterwards many folks stay to break crimson dyed Easter eggs, have some soup and enjoy each other's company as we all celebrate an event that lies at the very heart of our religion: the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Around the Orthodox world, Easter services attract many people who otherwise rarely set foot in church the rest of the year. This is rather ironic if you think about it, since there were no people at all present for the event we celebrate at Pascha. By the time the Myrrh bearers arrived at the tomb, the resurrection had already happened. They had missed it!
However not everyone missed the Resurrection. There were some beings there who were present. When the women who came to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus they saw a man in clothes that gleamed like lightning! Even today, with all our technology, we still don't have garments of brilliant light of the kind that these men were wearing. However, many people have seen beings with garments of light when they have had close encounters with death, or have spent a brief time with angels in the spiritual world. These garments that some angels wear are not bright from light that is shining on them; the clothing itself shines with light.
This light that shines from angels' clothes is not our earthly light. It is the light of a different perspective on life--the angels' perspective, which is a spiritual perspective. This perspective of the angels transforms our attitudes toward ordinary and not so ordinary things. It especially transforms our views of the ultimate questions of life and death.
The angels that the women saw at the tomb had a completely different perspective on the Lord's burial in the tomb than the women. To the women, death meant only death: it meant that Jesus, whom they loved, was gone forever. As part of Jewish custom, they had come to anoint his body with spices - to pay their last respects. Those of us who have had a loved one die can understand how those
women felt. We had been so used to having that person's presence in our lives, but when he or she is gone, we felt a cold void where once there was warmth. We felt lonely and abandoned. There was a pain in our chest - sort of a heart attack of the spirit.
Yet to the angels, physical death is not a sad event, but a happy one! As recorded by St. Luke, the angels at the tomb said, "Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!"
From a worldly perspective, death is the end of life. But from an angelic and spiritual perspective, death is just the beginning. For those of us who have a strong faith in our resurrection into the spiritual world, it may be hard to realize just how bleak the end of life would be without that promise of continuing life on the other side. It is hard enough to deal with our feelings about being separated from a loved one by death without having to feel that the separation is permanent.
For those of us whose faith wavers, or who are just starting out on the path of faith, the angels' perspective may seem like "idle nonsense." But when someone falls asleep in the Lord, it is a time to celebrate a life that has now gone on to higher usefulness and fuller joy. Most of us will never have so bright a perspective on death as long as we live in this world, but the angels of the resurrection do. They remind us of a more optimistic view of death and life.
Perhaps this is why so many people crowd into churches on Pascha. It’s not just because of tradition or a need for fellowship. There is a deeper, spiritual need. Many come to Easter services because we need to be reminded of Jesus' resurrection from death, and of its meaning for our own lives.
The human spirit withers and dies without faith and hope in a heavenly life to come, where we will be reunited with the loved ones we have lost. For those of us who have a difficult life, this faith and hope in a future life of happiness can serve as the life raft that keeps us from drowning in our struggles and disappointments. For those of us whose lives are happier, it gives us the joy of knowing that our happiness does not have to end, but can continue forever with those we love. And so we come to church on Easter Sunday to recharge our spiritual batteries and sustain our souls. To paraphrase the Prophet Isaiah, the Lord “…will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth…” (Isaiah 25:8)
CHRISTOS ANESTI!
CHRIST IS RISEN
Love in Christ, Fr. Dionysios
President’s Message
CHRISTOS ANESTI! Christ is Risen! Al Maseeh Qam! Kristus vstal zmrtvy’ch! Yasous Taustwal! Hristos a Inviat! Kristos Voskres! Hristos Vaskrese! I hope that everyone had a good Holy Week and Pascha. Together, we celebrated many beautiful services. We gave of our time to help clean the church and the grounds, sang in the choir, chanted, served as Altar boys, helped decorate the church and the Icons, made generous donations to our church, dyed eggs and we stood together as we received the light during the Resurrection service. I hope that we all feel renewed. Many of you have shared with me how much you enjoyed the beautiful and meaningful messages that Father Dionysios gave during Holy Week. They truly were wonderful, we thank you Father. I hope that this new month of May will bring happiness, health and love to each and every one of us. Kiki S. Tarasidis
THE TREASURER’S NOTE March 2008
Income - $12,474.23
Expenses - $10,942.07
It should be noted that the allocation to the Archdiocese is under appeal and hasn't been paid yet. The allocation in the past year was $2,138.00 per month. Fellow Parishioners, if writing a check to the church, please make sure that the memo line is filled out as to how you would like the money to be applied: i.e., Pledge, candles, tray, memorial, etc. I cannot stress the importance of this enough. It not only ensures that the money from you is applied correctly, but also helps in determining expected income for the next year’s budget. Thank you for your help. STEWARDSHIP CHRISTOS ANESTI!
CHRIST HAS RISEN!
It was wonderful to see our church family come together in worship for the services celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are family in the name of the Lord and visit His house for our spiritual needs and to acknowledge that our hopes and prayers are with Him.
We are the shepherd's of our Lord's house and through our time, talents and treasures show our support of maintaining the needs of the church. Especially, as we are coming into the summer holiday months, we must remember our obligations to the Lord's house.
Please remain a loyal steward.
Yours in Christ Stewardship Committee
PARISH NEWS AND NOTES CONDOLENCES to the family of Photios Photiades, who fell asleep in the Lord on April 29, 2008. He will be buried in Raleigh, NC.
Congratulations
James & Sarah Siamis, whose son, Alexander, was baptized on April 12, 2008. His Godfather is Blake Thompson.
Julie, daughter of Rueben & Sybil Abbott, was baptized on April 18, 2008, and given the name Katherine. Her Godmother is Toula Chininis.
Joshua, son of Michael & Nanette Henson, was baptized on April 19, 2008. He was given the name John. His Godparents are Michael & Nina Pasick.
Paul Mott, son of James and Panayota Mott and Darden Vaughan, son of Edgar and Vickie Vaughan for being inducted into the National Honor Society on Sunday April 27, 2008. The national Honor Society recognizes students who represent high academic achievement, service, character, leadership and scholarship. Paul and Darden are juniors at Page High School. Our entire church community is very proud of you both! We wish you continued success, health and happiness.
THANK YOU to Robert and Pauline Bess for their generous donation of $1000.00 for the purchase of our new office computer. We welcome them to our community and pray that God will keep them well.
THANK YOU to Cecelia Antahades, Ourania Hedrick & John and Kathleen Touloupas for donating money for Altar Boy Robes.
Dear Friends and Family,
On behalf of my mother, Helen Bartis, and our entire family, we would like to thank everyone for the many acts of kindness extended to us these past few months while my mother was hospitalized, in rehabilitation, and now recovering at home. We have been deeply touched and humbled by your outpouring of love, prayers, and support through this challenging time in our lives. Words seem inadequate to express our appreciation to all of you who give so freely of yourselves to our family.
We thank you with all our hearts. We ask that you continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers, and please keep calling and visiting us at home. Your friendship brings Son-shine to our lives, great joy, peace and hope.
In Christ, Barbara Vaughan and family
AHEPA By Matthew Pappas
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, May 14 in the church hall at 6:00pm. A steak dinner will be served during the meeting. We wish all in the parish Kalo Pascha!
DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE
The next meeting is on Monday, May 19, at Tex & Shirley’s at 5:30pm.
In the fall of 2007, under the leadership of Loretta Boll, the Daughters appropriated monies for the purchase of toiletries, Kleenex and other items. Members also donated lip moisturizers, washcloths, puzzles (word finds, SUDOKU, crosswords) to the High Point Regional Cancer Center. In late March of 2008, the Daughters donated toiletries, hand lotions and coffee to Clare House, the domestic violence center in Greensboro.
The Daughters are very pleased to announce that Nina Triantis Hedrick and Effie Dascalakis Varitimidis were initiated as members on Monday, April 14, 2008. We welcome these ladies into Ktimene Chapter. Due to a business commitment, Su Peterson will be initiated at a later date.
50+Club: On Wednesday, May 7, meet at church at 12:15pm to go to Western Steak House in Burlington.
GOYA NEWS
1st Annual GOYA Dance Party featuring El Greco as DJ Saturday, May 3rd 7-11pm.
Tickets $10 (must be reserved in advance). Don’t miss this opportunity to meet and mingle with your fellow GOYANS. Drinks and finger food provided.
Pan Hellenic Scholarship Foundation will give away$10,000 grants to deserving Greek-American. For more information visit www.panhellenicscholarships.org.
FESTIVAL DANCERS
We want to sign up all the youngsters who want to be included in our Festival Dancing. There will be a sign-up sheet posted in the Fellowship Hall.
Grade Categories: High School (9-12), Middle (6-8), Elementary (3-5) & Youth (Pre-K –2).
Choir Pilgrimage to Greece
On August 15, 2005, at the end of the Dormition liturgy, Metropolitan Alexios told the congregation that our choir should start fundraising, because he wanted to go with us on a pilgrimage to Greece. This vision will become a reality at the beginning of June. Sixteen members of the Dormition Choir will be joined by choir directors from Wilmington, NC and Clearwater, FL, two board members of the Southestern Federation of Greek Orthodox Musicians and nine members of the Tampa Bay Orthodox Youth Choir to sing the Divine Liturgy with His Eminence presiding, at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Patras (June 8) and the Cathedral of St. Panteleimon in Athens (June 15). During the week between these two Sundays, the group will have the chance to sing a few concerts of folk music, and to see some major landmarks. Our fundraising for this trip will continue over the coming weeks with the sale of Easter breads baked by choir members. Thank you to all our parishioners who have supported this project!
PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS By Georgette Galloway
Our next General Meeting will be Monday, May 12, 2008. Refreshments will be served at 6:45 p.m. and the meeting will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. The Board will meet at 6:00 p.m. The Spring Luncheon and Bake Sale will be held Thursday, May 1, 2008. 11am-6:30pm. Lots of volunteers are needed throughout the day. If you can help out, even for a short time, please contact Titsa Dermatas.
Festival Baking: Monday & Tuesday May 12 & 13, Galactobouriko (date change)
Ladies Philoptochos will host the Scholarship Luncheon on Sunday, May 18, immediately following the Liturgy. All 2008 High School and College graduates will be honored. The Ladies Philoptochos Scholarship, Pete Harris Scholarship, and AHEPA Scholarship will also be presented.
On Saturday, May 24, 2008, we will be serving Habitat workers. Please contact Doris Zaharias or Titsa Dermatas if you are interested in helping.
Please continue to support our Year Round Food Bank. Donations of canned food items are always needed. Please consider hosting the Sunday coffee hour or donating flowers for the altar. The sign-up sheet is located in the church hall.
End of Year Dinner Meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 2, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. – Location will be determined at a later date.
SUNDAY SCHOOL: To all Sunday School Parents & Teachers:
Christos Anesti! Our last two days of Sunday School will be Sunday, May 4 & May 11 (Mother’s Day). Please plan to send your children & make these classes count! This year, the smaller number of students in each class have allowed us as teachers to get to know them better as individuals. They are so bright, & filled with questions about our faith.
I wish for our program a successful spiritual journey & growth in the future. Next year, I will no longer be the Sunday School Director. Please, if you feel a calling to serve our children through the Sunday school program, answer it!! Anyone interested in teaching or directing, please speak to Kiki Tarasidis or to Fr. Dionysios, so they can bring your interest to the Parish Council.
Thank you for the privilege over the past five years as the Director, to teach your children and to love them! I look forward to continuing as a Sunday School teacher next year. God Bless you all. Sincerely, Polly Anton
YMCA SENIOR MEMBERSHIPS: You can join the Y free if you are with PARTNERS /BCBS HMO or HUMANA…No monthly fees. The only commitment is you have to go to the Y four times a month to use the Y. Take driver’s license & insurance card.
Education, Culture & Youth News: Greek School News
On Sunday March 23rd we held our Greek Independence Day Parade and Greek School program. Greek School teachers and parents are so proud of Greek School students. Great job to all students! Thank you to AHEPA for providing the Lenten meal.
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