a word from father rick -...

Regis try P.3

Par ish News P.4

Youth News P.6

Photos P.7

A Word from Father Rick

A good friend and fellow alumnus of Holy Cross

Seminary, Mr. John Panagiotou, recently sent me

a book review he wrote. It is timely and relevant to

the situation that our parish and many parishes,

both Orthodox and other, face today. Some of you

may remember that John visited and helped out at

our Greek Festival in 2011 (see photo below).

Book Review: The Unnecessary Pastor By John G. Panagiotou (Part 1 of 2)

In Marva Dawn and Eugene Peterson’s book

The Unnecessary Pastor, we are given an insight

into the plight of contemporary pastoral leader-

ship. Originally, the title of this book was taken

from a Regent College church leaders’ conference

which was led by the authors. The authors provide

us with the following stunning thesis: the clergy

and churches are in crisis today in large part due to

an identity crisis in how the culture, congregations,

and the clergy themselves view and regard their

respective call, role and function.

In the book, the focus is on the Pastoral Epistles

(I & II Timothy, Titus) of what pastoral ministry

ought to be through the lens of the larger frame-

work of the Letter to the Ephesians. Petersen rec-

reates for the reader the Greco-Roman world and

historical context of Paul, Timothy and Titus in a

vivid manner. It is within this context that we see

how truly counter-cultural the Gospel (Good

News) message was in the first century and is in

today’s world. It is a message that proclaims and

calls all people to belief in the literal Resurrection

of Jesus through a radical life change of repent-

ance and baptism. Thus, this new life in Christ was

a challenge and a threat in the Apostolic age to the

societal status quo and remains a challenge and a

threat to the societal status quo in our modern

times. Dawn and Peterson note that, “The Chris-

tian community is an alternative society.”

With this understanding, Petersen and Dawn

assert that what is needed in today’s Church, is to

rediscover and reclaim the ancient Apostolic per-

spective, form and practice of ministry as ex-

pressed in the New Testament. Petersen states em-

phatically that the inner communion of the Three

Persons of the Trinity should be the image for the

ministry model that the clergy should seek to emu-

late and not to conform to the standards set by the

worldly culture. The end result of the former is for

the pastor to become a faithful and effective Christ

-centered servant leader. Hence, the pastor be-

comes “unnecessary’ to the success of the local

church. Whereas, the end result of the latter is for

the pastor to fall into the secular worldly-based

model of ministry by becoming a manager, mar-

keter, entertainer and therapist. Thus, the pastor

becomes “necessary” to the success of the local

church by subscribing to a pastor-centric focus. It

is this goal of making clergy unnecessary to which

the book has as its primary aim. This is a move

which necessitates a transition from a form of cul-

turally-determined managerial professionalism to a

Biblically-determined pastoral leadership.

This problem is created by three components

which when succumbed to derail the primary focus

and function of the pastoral ministry. These are:

yielding to what the culture defines as important;

yielding to what the pastor defines as important;

and yielding to what the congregation defines as

important. When these criteria and their attending

mindset are present, a ‘corporate business model”

of the Church manifests itself. As the authors note,

“with hardly an exception they don’t want pastors

at all – they want managers of their religious com-

pany.’

This is problematic in many ways, but particular-

ly in light of the fact of the increasing acceptance

in the Church of the pastor as a sort of “CEO”.

This secular notion diminishes the pastor’s apos-

tolic calling. The ways of the world displace the

scriptural worldview. It flies in the face of sound

doctrine by making the pastor into a hireling who

can be dismissed at will based upon human per-

sonal whim and not with an understanding of the

pastor as the custodian of the truth of the Gospel.

This work provides a clarion call to renew, retrain,

and refocus the mindset of pastors to be the coun-

ter-cultural servant-leaders of Christ they were

intended to be.

Mrs. Ingrid Larson (nicknamed “Wiebke”) re-

posed in the Lord on February 6, 2017. She cele-

brated her 99th birthday on January 9th. She was

an extraordinary person. She and her husband

John converted to Greek Orthodox Christianity on

June 24, 1987 and soon endeared themselves to

the St. George community, especially the New Pio-

neers seniors group. They hosted several destina-

tion trips for this group to their home on the St. Croix River in Taylors

Falls, MN, the last one in 1999. They have practiced philoxenia

(hospitality) to hundreds, if not thousands, of people from all over the

world. The following article, written just months before her death, is

an excellent summary of Ingrid's long and rich life. May her memory

be eternal!

Fifty Years in the Valley, 99 on the Planet By Irene Bugge, Inter County Leader Northern Currents, Nov 30, 2016

Wiebke and I sit at the table in the dining room of her Taylors Falls

home. Although she and husband John Larson have lived in this house

since 1966, locals still refer to it as the Roos House.

Named after Oscar Roos and his descendants who lived here for over

100 years, their bright yellow multi-story Victorian was built in the

1850’s. The exquisite craftsmanship of that era shines through each

room. Original oil paintings by May Roos, (Oscar’s daughter) grace

the walls of the parlor.

Born January 9, 1918 in a small town near Hamburg, Germany,

Wiebke Sonnichsen (Larson) grew up in Kollund a village on the

changing border between Denmark and Germany. Eventually her

home town became part of Denmark. She shows me a water color of

the two-mile wide fjord that separates the two countries.

When Wiebke was 15, she swam the distance and back with two

girlfriends. “A Danish newspaper picked up our story, she says. “They

reported that the entire population of Kollund was cheering when we

completed the four-mile swim.” Wiebke laughs and adds, “There were

at most two people on shore when we got out of the water.”

This soon to be 99 year old dynamo swims twice each week at the

Dalles House and was engaged in her weekly yoga session with Julie

Karsky when I arrived. Wiebke has been practicing yoga the past five

years and says that yoga “sweeps away the cobwebs.”

I detect no cobwebs as she plays a Russian folk tune and two pieces

by J.S. Bach on her upright piano. She has no sheet music in front of

her and says, “The pieces are in my fingers.”

In addition to regular piano practice from a young age, Wiebke be-

gan keeping a daily diary at the age of 14. “Fourteen year old girls

have very important thoughts,” she says, her blue eyes sparkling. “My

girlfriend and I would read our entries out loud to each other and hum

through the secret parts. There are some things that even a best friend

should not know about,” she adds with a chuckle.

Wiebke has kept all of her diaries. Sixty volumes span eight decades.

All are written in German. These volumes chronicle fifty years of liv-

ing in the St. Croix Valley plus a lifetime of experiences in Denmark

and Germany before and after World War II.

She regales me with stories and I am transported across time and

space. It is 1949 and Wiebke is working in a music store in Copenha-

gen. She meets a handsome, pipe-smoking Swedish-American student,

from St. Paul, Minnesota named John Larson. He is attending universi-

ty in Germany. After he completes his studies, he returns to the United

States, but a long distance courtship ensues.

Six years after their first meeting, the two marry. “We are pretty sure

that our marriage certificate is valid,” she says. “But neither one of us

understood the language that was spoken at the marriage ceremony.

John assumed the service conducted in Copenhagen was in Danish,

while I guessed it was in English.”

She shares another memory. It is 1955, shortly after their wedding.

Wiebke and John are living in Ramstein, Germany on an American

Airforce Base. John is teaching. Wiebke is experiencing culture shock.

“I am living in a Germany, where I had attended school and worked

before the war and it is 150% American,” she says. “The people on the

base have no contact with Germans living in the nearby village,” she

adds.

“I wanted the Americans to know that Germans are good people so I

helped establish the Inter-Community Service (ICS),” Wiebke says.

This organization promoted cultural exchanges between Germans and

Americans through social gatherings, tours of historic sites and educa-

tional programs. The ICS succeeded and lived on after Wiebke moved.

Wiebke shares another story from the early 1960’s. John is trans-

ferred to West Berlin. A wall separates the two halves of the city. John

goes to work on the base. Wiebke explores her new home and boards

the underground.

The next day, at an orientation for newcomers, she and John are told

that travel to East Berlin is strictly forbidden. The U.S. has no jurisdic-

tion on the east side of the wall and those who venture there are likely

never to return.

Wiebke realizes that she inadvertently traveled to East Berlin on the

underground the day before. She says, “I think what saved me is that I

did not dress like an American and of course I spoke German.”

She remembers her early days in Taylors Falls. It is 1966 and she

and John have moved to the Valley from Germany. John goes to work

for the Corp of Engineers in St. Paul. Wiebke goes to work managing

the restoration of every inch of the Roos House beginning with the

roof. Later she will operate a canoe rental business at Serrilles landing

on the St. Croix River.

Her first week in Taylors Falls a police officer knocks on her door

accusing her of removing evidence from a crime scene. The evidence

is a pile of horse manure that she shoveled up from in front of the Stop

and Shop Furniture Store in town.

Wiebke says, “I saw the manure and decided it was just what I need-

ed for my garden.” Smiling, she adds, “I offered to return the evidence,

but the officer just shook his head and left.”

While Wiebke did not endear herself to the Taylors Falls police de-

partment, she formed a lifelong friendship with the choir director of

the Evangelical Church. She saw an ad in the newspaper for Latin clas-

ses, signed up and learned that her teacher was also the choir director.

She had sung in choirs from a young age in Denmark and Germany.

“When I retired from the choir at 88, I had sung for 65 years,” she

says. “I loved every minute.”

Fluent in German, Danish and English plus having a working

knowledge of Latin and Greek, Wiebke began tutoring students

(primarily in German) soon after moving to Taylor’s Falls. Currently,

three students come to her home for individual lessons; one for the

past 30 years.

Over the half century that John and Wiebke have inhabited the Roos

House, their home has been a hub of activity. They have entertained

guests from all over the world and people in the neighborhood to this

day drop by to visit. While Wiebke’s journals contain a treasure trove

of stories from the past, what stands out the most is how fully engaged

in the present she is. For Wiebke, each day is a full-throttle adventure.

Church Staff and Office Hours

Church Office Hours

M-F 9:00 AM—3:00 PM

Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews, Presbyter

(651) 222-6220

Email: [email protected]

Julie Delton

Administrative Assistant

(651) 222-6220


Nathaniel Kostick

Youth Minister

(763) 221-7196


Jon Kennedy

Parish Council President

(651) 653-9756


Lani Hattling

Sunday School Director

(763) 551-4876


Stella Hofrenning

Greek School Director

(651) 917-2668


Reva Adkins

Philoptochos President

(651) 337-1118


Julie Delton

Editor, Glad Tidings Newsletter

Email: GladTidings @stgeorgegoc.org

George Mastrogiorgis

Loaves and Fishes Coordinator

FOCUS-MN Coordinator


Alexandra Drivas

Bookstore


Submissions for upcoming issues

are due by the 10th of the preceding

month.

page 3

St. Paul. MN

Please donate a Festal Icon (11" x 14") in memory of a loved one. The cost is $75.00 per icon.

The icons are displayed in the church nave and are put out for veneration on the Feast Day

of the Saint or event they represent. To donate an icon, fill out a form (found on the

revolving bulletin board in the social hall) and return it to the office.

Festal Icons Needed

Address Changes Mary Giavassis 1014 Bartelmy Lane North Saint Paul, MN 55119

Registry Baptisms

February 18 Eleanor Eliou

Memorials

January 29 Bill Pitsavas (3 years)

Funerals

February 16 Ingrid Larson

Saint Ephraim the Syrian March 7

Saint John Climacus March 30

Prophet Aaron March 12

This poem was composed by Ingrid Larson on her 99th birthday on January 9,

2017. It was discovered by her family after her death on February 6th.

für meinen 99 Geburtstag Bist Du es mein Gott? Kamst Du vom Himmel mich Heim zu holen? Nimm meine Hand und lasse sie nie mehr los.

for my 99th birthday is it you my God? Did you come from heaven to bring me home? Take my hand and never let it go.

Thank you! from Fr. Rick to everyone

for their prayerful support as he cele-

brated on January 22 the 22nd anniver-

sary of being ordained to the Holy Priest-

hood by the laying on of hands of Met-

ropolitan Iakovos of Chicago.

Many Years! to Steve Zeece Sr. on the

occasion of his 93rd birthday on January

23rd. And thanks for his many years of

dedicated service to our parish. God

grant you health and many more years!

Roselawn Cemetery Lots: are still

available for parishioners at a 15% dis-

count off list prices. 2017 discounted

prices are: Monument Lot (2 graves)

$5,865.00; Flat Lot A (2 graves)

$3,485.00; Flat Lot B (1 grave-limited

availability) $2,040.00. If interested in

learning more or to purchase a lot,

please contact the church office.

Sympathies & Condolences to: Di-

mitra Kaniamos, whose mother, Ekaterini

Papaconstantinou, fell asleep in the Lord

January 21st in Tithorea, Greece. Ekateri-

na is also the sister of Fr. John Angelis. She

was 93 years old.

And Maria Andrews, whose brother

Lefteris Vasakis, fell asleep in the Lord on

Jan. 4th in Heraklion, Crete.

And Mrs. Kik i Gore , whose husband,

Warren, fell asleep in the Lord on January

17th.

And Pres. Jane Andrews on the fall-

ing asleep in the Lord of her mother,

Annette Donovan on January 23rd.

May their memory be eternal!

Thank you! to everyone who ex-

pressed sympathies and condolences to

Presvytera Jane for the passing of her moth-

er. We appreciate the prayerful support

given during this difficult time of loss.

Lost & Found Items: Please check

the box near the coat rack, and the

kitchen counter near the microwaves,

for items that may belong to you. Items

not claimed by March 1 will be donat-

ed.

Greek Festival Update: this year’s

festival will be August 19-20. More vol-

unteers are always needed to serve on

committees; if you are interested,

please contact Jon Kennedy, Phyllis

Kapetanakis or Alexis Bighley.

All 2016 Chairs are invited to a brief

meeting Thursday, March 2 at 6pm , as

a kick-off to the 2017 Greek Festival

planning session. Dinner will be

served. Please RSVP to Julie.

Memory Eter-

nal: Mrs. Ingrid

Larson fell asleep

in the Lord on

February 6th. The

Orthodox Fu-

neral Service

was Feb.16th at

the United

Methodist

Church in Tay-

lor Falls, MN.

Our sympathies

and condolences

to her husband

John and their

adopted son,

Tobias.

Next Philoptochos Meeting: is

scheduled for Sunday, March 5, follow-

ing liturgy, in the conference room.

Lenten Meals: please see sign-up

sheet in social hall and consider volun-

teering individually or with a group to

host a meal in March or April.

Festival of Nations Planning Up-

date: Our annual tradition of partici-

pation at the Festival of Nations in St.

Paul continues: the Greek Café, several

dance troupes, and the bazaar. The Fes-

tival of Nations (FON) at the River

Center in St. Paul is May 4-7. Plans are

ramping up; please plan on supporting

this cultural celebration and benefit

which helps fund our many ministries

and programs. To volunteer in the

Greek Café, contact Tom Lampros or

visit the electronic volunteer sign up

board at www.SignUpGenius.com/

go/10C0D4CA5AD2BABFF2-festival1

Several dozen volunteers are needed

for the café to setup, prep and serve

food, cashier, clean and pack up. To

participate in a dance troupe, contact

Angela Mortari; to volunteer in the Bazaar,

contact Stella Hofrenning. You can also

visit the FON home page and like them

on Facebook: http://

www.festivalofnations.com

Save The Dates: Greek Independ-

ence Day and Palm Sunday Lunch-

es: St. George AHEPA will be sponsor-

ing the annual Greek Independence

Day lunch on Sunday March 26th, and

the Palm Sunday fish lunch on Sunday

April 9th. Tickets for both lunches will

be available at the door in the social

hall following Divine Liturgy. Please

save the dates and join the community

for two great annual events.

Stewardship 2017: Our theme is

You are the Voice of Christ in a Changing

World: As the Father Has Sent Me, So I

Send You (John 20:21). We have received

78 pledge cards for 2017 with a total of

$134,316 and an average of $1,722.

When pledging be sure to increase

your pledge, even if only a few dollars. This

reflects spiritual growth and overcomes

stagnation. We encourage everyone to

http://www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0D4CA5AD2BABFF2-festival1

http://www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0D4CA5AD2BABFF2-festival1

http://www.festivalofnations.com

http://www.festivalofnations.com

give a minimum of 2% pledge of gross

yearly income to become a self-sustaining

community. This is far less than the

biblical ideal of tithing, giving 10%.

Holy Land/Russia Pilgrimage:

Sept.27 – Oct.11 2017. Holy Land trip is

first 9 days and costs $1,300/ person.

Russian trip is afterwards for 6 days at

$1,550/person. Prices do not include

air, travel insurance and tips. Several

options available. Pilgrimage hosted

by Icon Art Studios under the leader-

ship of Tom Rudquist at

[email protected] and Deb Kor-

luka [email protected].

MEOCCA Choir will sing at each Pan-

Orthodox Lenten vespers service on

Sundays at 4pm. If you are interested in

joining them, contact Pres. Amy

Hodge at 651.955.9641.

Lenten Retreat: Fr. Barnabas Powell

will lead our 12th annual

Lenten Retreat on March

10-11. The theme will be

"Normal Orthodox--

Healthy Church: Know-

ing the True Faith in Order to Practice

it Truly." On Friday evening come and

hear how a former Protestant Pente-

costal pastor learned about and em-

braced the Orthodox Christian Faith.

On Saturday, learn from his insights

about how to help our parishes be-

come healthier and grow and mature.

Lenten Lectures: Our 16th annual

Lenten Lectures series' themes will be

"Modern Heresies" on Wednesdays

and "The Torah-Pentateuch" on Fri-

days. Fr. Rick will speak on Weds.

about secularism, humanism, rational-

ism, pluralism and phyletism. On Fri-

days various presenters will speak

about the first five books of the Old

Testament, also known as the Law of

Moses and their relevance for modern

readers today.

St. Paul. MN

page 5

Fr. Marc Boulos

2017 Stewardship Pledges Received Thank you to the following faithful

servants who have submitted their

stewardship pledge cards for 2017

(as of February 21, 2017). Please

join them today!

Dr. Ronald & Reva Adkins

John & Carol Alexis

Diane Anastos

Fr. Rick & Pres. Jane Andrews

Maria Andrews

Lucy Angelis

John & Marina Antoniou

Stephen & Minda Arsenault

Bob & Anna Baffa

Philip & Judy Barbatsis

Scott & Michelle Berge

Alexis & John Bighley

Evelyn Boosalis

Tina & Jeff Bovis-Fuller

Drs. George & Shannon Canas

James Canelake

Eric Chadwick & Andrea Faches

Dino & Stephanie Contolatis

Dimitri & Becka Dokos

Georgia Ehrich

George & Gayra Eliou

Vesna Ellingson

Louis & Mary Ellis

Adam Fuller

Chris & Mary Georgantones

John Georgolopolos

Dca. Rhonda Gilliland

Richard & Sue Gnetz

Michael & Nanette Gomez

John & Mary Grant

Caroline & Aaron Hareid

Robert & Lani Hattling

Eleni Hoffhines

Petko Ivanov

Harold & Cecelia Johnson

Mark & Kalley Johnson

Lisa & Misael Jordan

George & Rita Kanavati

Stephen Kanavati

Dimitrios & Dimitra Kaniamos

Emilio & Phyllis Kapetanakis

Jon & Peggy Kennedy

Dina Kiprose

Thomas & Joan Knocke

Mathew & Ellene Kritikos

James Lake

John & Kara Lake

Thomas & Dawn Lampros

Georgia Lucas

Jon & Anastasia Maier

Mary Makredes

Michael & Margery Makredes

Georgia Mann

Joann Mann

Michael & Christina Manos

Dan & Jackie Matuska

Patricia McAdams

Linda & Thomas Moran

Katerina & Savvas Nikolaides

Chris Panayoton

Dr. Tasso & Carey Pappas

Soule & Vicky Paraschou

James & Sally Pathos

Nik & Karen Patronas

Mike & Jill Patrou

Theologia Pitsavas

Nikola & Rada Popov

John & Sue Poulos

Steve & Rallou Rice

Theodore Roungou

Daniel Simon

John Simon & Rafif Khabazeh

James Theros

Louis & Kathy Trigas

Kostas & Naomi Tsantir

Joanna Tzenis & Dean Natto

Mersina & Jason Van Cleave

Andrea Walkush

Lily Zahariades

Michael Lotti Dr. Eugenia Gavrilyuk

Fr. Ted Wojcik

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Pitsavas Scholar-

ship: congratula-

tions to Matthew

Simon, awarded the

John Pitsavas Me-

morial Scholarship

for the 2016-2017

school year. Thank

you to Mrs. Theolo-

gia Pitsavas for gener-

ously sponsoring

this scholarship.

Thank you! To American Legion Hellenic Post 129 who do-

nated $1,500 to St. George youth athletic programs. We ap-

preciate their consistent support of our youth over the years.

Basketball Tournament: Congratulations to all the partici-

pants and thanks to Milam Paraschou for coaching the boys

team and George Mastrogiorgis for coaching the JOY team

which won third place. Thanks to our sister parish of Holy

Anargyroi Church in Rochester, MN for hosting the tournament.

Congrats also to them on the recent construction of their

beautiful new social hall and classroom wing!

Letter from the Youth Director:

To our Beloved Community,

As we come closer to the Lenten and Paschal season, it

seems there is so much happening around St. George that it is

almost impossible to cover. Let me begin by saying what a

blast this year has begun with. It is such a JOY (get it?) to

work with our kids. We truly do have a wonderful group.

This month, our GOYA explored a new addition to the Mall

of America called SMAAASH, a virtual reality arcade with go

karts. We all had such a great time! The GOYA to bring an

idea of ministries to our group this month was Parry and Bil-

ly Paraschou. The boys spoke about their time contributing to

Loaves and Fishes, another ministry that serves to feed those

in the community.

Our JOY group went roller skating at the Roller Garden as

well. Though a bit nervous to skate on the slick floor, both of

the Simon girls took their time to practice and eventually

braved the skating rink. We all even met some new friends!

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Upcoming events in March include:

Mar. 4th - JOY Night

Mar. 10-12 - Lenten Retreat (Daylight Savings Time starts on

12th)

Mar. 18 - Be the Bee Retreat!

Thank you, Nathaniel Kostick

page 6

GOYA at Mall of America virtual reality arcade SMAASH on January 21, 2017.

Boys basketball team at Rochester

tournament.

JOY basketball team with His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mo-kissos in Rochester.

Godparents with their godchildren on Godparent Godchild Sunday, February 5, 2017.

St. Paul. MN

St George volunteers at Focus MN on Lake Street in Minneapolis. Pictured are Jimmy Theros, Jon Kennedy, Minda Arsenault, Ekaterina, Stella, Peter Hofren-

ning, Anastasia Mastrogiorgis, Bill Clemons and Lambros Petanitis.

His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos with clergy during Divine Liturgy at Holy Anargyroi in Rochester on February 12, 2017.

Kostas Tsantir celebrated “60 years in the US” with his family.

Mens basket-ball team at

Rochester tournament.

Note from the Stewardship Committee

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

Thank you for your commit-

ment and generosity in 2016.

St. George received the highest

stewardship contributions in its

history, all due to you !

We received $243,900 from 125 pledgers and

106 non-pledgers. which is just amazing!

Since 2012 our parish has increased our

stewardship dollars from $215,996 to $243,900.

What an accomplishment.

Thank you so much.

The Stewardship Committee

GOYA boys basketball team with His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos in Rochester.

ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

1111 Summit Avenue

St. Paul, Minnesota 55105

Phone 651.222.6220 Fax 651.225.9276

www.stgeorgegoc.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage PAID

Twin Cities, MN

Permit No. 177

Glad Tidings March 2017

REGULAR WEEKLY SERVICES

Holy Confession: By Appointment

Vespers: (Oct. - May) Saturday 5:00 pm

Orthros: Sunday 8:15 am

Sunday School: (Sept. - May)

following Communion

Divine Liturgy: Sunday 9:30 am

WEEKDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Please see our online calendar and bulletin for latest schedule updates: http://stgeorgegoc.org/calendar/

http://www.bulletinbuilder.org/stgeorgegoc-saintpaul/current Also visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stgeorgegoc.saintpaul.mn

Mondays, March 6,13,20,27

Compline 6:00 p.m.

Wednesdays, March 1,8,15,22,29 Ninth Hour 5:30 p.m.

Presanctified Liturgy 6:00 p.m.

Fridays, March 3,10,17,24,31 Salutations 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 4

Saturday of the Souls Liturgy 9:00 a.m.

http://stgeorgegoc.org/calendar/

http://www.bulletinbuilder.org/stgeorgegoc-saintpaul/current

https://www.facebook.com/stgeorgegoc.saintpaul.mn

March 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

COMING IN APRIL…

3 Loaves & Fishes at St. Matthew Catholic Church

8 LAZAROS SATURDAY- Liturgy & Youth Retreat

9 PALM SUNDAY – HOLY WEEK BEGINS

14 HOLY FRIDAY- Worship & Youth Retreat

16 ***GREAT & HOLY PASCHA***

17-22 BRIGHT-RENEWAL WEEK – No Fasting

23 ***ST. GEORGE – Parish Feast Day***

1 11:30a-4:30p FOCUS MN - Food Shelf

5:30pm NINTH HOUR

6pm PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY

7:30pm Lenten Meal & Lecture

2 10a-2:30p FOCUS MN - Work Day (odd jobs)

12pm OCF at UST

3 10:30a-2:30p FOCUS MN - Clothes Closet

6pm SALUTATIONS


4 +SATURDAY OF SOULS

9am LITURGY

5pm VESPERS

5 +1ST SUN. LENT - ORTHODOXY/ICONS

8:15am ORTHROS

9:30am LITURGY

11am Procession of Icons

12pm Philoptochos Meeting

12pm Youth Ministry Mtg.

4pm FOCUS MN - Serve a Meal

4pm LENTEN VESPERS & Reception (St Mary's Orthodox Cathedral)

6 6pm COMPLINE

7pm Catechism Class

7 8 11:30a-4:30p FOCUS MN - Food Shelf

5:30pm NINTH HOUR



9 +40 MARTYRS OF SEBASTE

10a-2:30p FOCUS MN - Work Day (odd jobs)

11am MEOCCA Mtg.

12pm OCF at UST

10 LENTEN RETREAT

10:30a-2:30p FOCUS MN - Clothes Closet

6pm SALUTATIONS

7:30pm Lenten Meal & Lecture w/ Fr. Barnabus Powell

11 LENTEN RETREAT

w/ Fr. Barnabas Powell

10am Discussion #1 w/ continental breakfast

12pm Lenten Potluck Lunch

1pm Discussion #2

3pm VESPERS

12 +2ND SUN. LENT - ST. GREGORY PALAMAS

8:15am ORTHROS

9:30am LITURGY

12pm Acolyte Training

12pm Greek School


4pm LENTEN VESPERS & Reception (St George Greek Orthodox Church)

13 6pm COMPLINE

7pm Catechism Class

14


5:30pm NINTH HOUR




12pm OCF at UST

7pm Ahepa Mtg


6pm SALUTATIONS


18 9:30a-5p Be the Bee Youth Retreat (St. Mary Greek Orthodox Church\, Mpls MN)

5pm VESPERS

7pm Pan-Orthodox Young Adults (Giordano's)

19 +3RD SUN. LENT - VENERATION OF CROSS

8:15am ORTHROS

9:30am LITURGY

11am Procession/ Veneration of Cross

12pm Greek School


4pm LENTEN VESPERS & Reception (Holy Trinity Church\)

4p-7p St. George Greek Hosts Meal at FOCUS

20 6pm COMPLINE

7pm Catechism Class

21 6:30pm Parish Council Mtg.


5:30pm NINTH HOUR




10am Glad Tidings mailing


6pm GREAT VESPERS of ANNUNCIATION


25 +ANNUNCIATION

GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

8am ORTHROS

9am LITURGY

5pm VESPERS

26 +4TH SUN. LENT - ST. JOHN CLIMACUS

8:15am ORTHROS

9:30am LITURGY

12p-1p Greek Independence Celebration


4pm LENTEN VESPERS & Reception (St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church)

27 6pm COMPLINE

7pm Catechism Class

28


5:30pm NINTH HOUR




12p-1p OCF at UST

31 +ST. INNOCENT- APOSTLE TO AMERICA

10:30a-2:30p FOCUS MN - Clothes Closet

6pm SALUTATIONS


St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1111 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55105 651-222-6220, www.stgeorgegoc.org

-Parish Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2017

I. Call Meeting to Order – 6:35 p.m.

II. Opening Prayers and Readings – 6:50 p.m. Heb. 13:17-21, Luke 6:17-23

III. Rochester Basketball Tournament – Letter read from Calli Kelly, Co-Chair of the basketball tournament. Fr. Rick - 6:38 p.m.

IV. Youth Program Update – Nathaniel Kostick, Youth Minister

Nathaniel outlined the work over the past 2 years and moving forward.

V. Education and Enrichment Session Ideas on Short, medium, and long-term church goals. Fr. Rick This is a continuation of discussion.

VI. Submission of past Parish Council Meeting Minutes – Stephen Arsenault – 7:20 p.m.

Motion: To accept the Parish Council Minutes of December 12, 2016 and January 8, 2017. Motion passed unanimously

VII. Treasurer’s Report and Update on Investments – Jon Simon, Bill Clemens, Dan Simon 7:25 p.m.

Financials as of 31 Dec 2016

_________________________________________________________________________________________ General FON G. Festival 75th Total Income Total Expense Total Net

_________________________________________________________________________________________ INCOME 293,990 21,717 74,081 32,016 421,804

EXPENSES 384,684 8,835 52,253 21,145 446,917

NET (90,694) 12,882 21,828 10,871 (45,113)

John Simon spoke of the plan of transition of the Treasure’s work. Dan Simon reviewed tonight the figures for year-end 2016: revenue, expenses, and transfers from reserves. Budget/Actuals

Motion: To accept the Treasurer’s Report. Moved: Nanette; Seconded: Andrea: Passed unanimously.

VIII. Committee Reports –

A. Stewardship Report – Father, - 7:29 p.m. Fr. went over the Stewardship figures as of December 31, 2016. We received $2,000 more

from pledgers over their 2016 pledge budget. Total revenue so far for 2016, $242,000 from 226 contributors.

B. Scholarship Committee –Lily & Andrea- 7:44 p.m.

Pitsavas Scholarship Fund – We received 3 applications. Seven judges awarded Mathew Simon the $1,000 scholarship.

C. Landscaping/Grounds Report – Nanette - 8:45 p.m. Nanette spoke of the snow plowing being done and extra fees,

D. Website Projects Report – Andrea - 8:11 p.m. The Committee is developing regular meetings to organized the activity of the committee.

E. Missions and Benevolence (M & B) Report – George Mastrogiorgis – 7:46 p.m.

1. Next FOCUS is on Sunday for our church. We need at least 10 people.

2. 2016 List of funds has been approved. Lyn Olsen Fund is added.

3. $14,000 total funds allocated for 2016.

4. F. Capital Project Status and Discussion – Jon Kennedy, Jim Theros - 7:52 p.m. No additions.

G. Iconography Project Update – Stephen Arsenault – 8:45 p.m. Completion in January 2017. Icons are nearly completed.

H. 75th Anniversary Projects Update – Fr. Rick – 8:00 p.m. Working on the layout

I. Welcome and Outreach – Jon Kennedy and Alexis Bighley – 8:01 p.m. The light lunch at Fr. Rick’s was successful.

J. Greek Festival- Dan Simon, Jon Kennedy – 8:05 p.m. No additional information

K. Investment Committee – Jim, George, Jon – 8:14 p.m.

Since January 2016 the account is up 8.25%. They have a 1% fee to manage the fund. The committee met to review the investment

performance and discussed investment alternatives, given the increase in interest rates.

The committee recommends that they church continue with the present fund managers for 2017.

Motion: That we increase our risk tolerance on the scale of investments from 3 to 4 and continue with Morgan Stanley until Dec 2017. Moved: George; Seconded: Bill. Motion carried 7 yes, and 5 no.

This increase in risk tolerance will not exceed 60% of equity in the overall portfolio. L. Roselawn Cemetery 2017 Pricing Update – Tom Lampros, Steve Lambros, Jon Kennedy Motion: to accept the Roselawn lot pricing

for cemetery lots. Proceeds of the cemetery lots sales are to be directed to the seniors of the church.

IX. On-Going – Other Old and New Business A. Prothesis Table: Contract is being written. Fr. 8:11 p.m.-Start up for the cabinet maker is March 2017.

B. New Building Key Project Status and Usage Distribution – Fr. Rick, Jon Kennedy-.Building is rekeyed, and keys distributed.

C. New Candle Ventilation Project Update – Jim Theros – 8:32 p.m.

D. New Conference Chairs, internal Painting – Denise Smith, Fr. Rick-.Painting: After discussion.

Motion: that the church contract with Pro Touch Painting to paint the church as specified in the bid consisting of the Narthex Ceiling,

walls below the choir loft (feast day icons), quiet room ceiling and block wall, stairwell ceiling, conference room ceiling and soffit for a

total of $1,850. Also, that the church contract with Faircon Service Company for the candles vent system for $3,700. Total approved for

both projects is of $5,550. The Council will make the best effort to raise the funds from donations from the church community. Motion

passed unanimously

E. St. George Church Marketing – George Mastrogiorgis - 9:33 p.m.-Funding for marketing budgeting discussed. X. New Business.

A. Proposal for Additional Sidewalk and parking Lot Cleaning Discussed. – Nanette.

B. Advertising for the Metropolis Basketball Tournament – George Mastrogiorgis 8:35 p.m.

Motion: to approve a one page ad in the program at the basketball tournament in Rochester. Cost: $165.00 -Passed unanimously

C. Other New Candles: Lily (see enclosure) 9:39 p.m.-Exploring a new supplier for the candles in the church, as what we now use.

Motion: We accept St. Patrick’s Guild as the supplier for our candles, with Fr.’s blessing on the quality of the candles.. Passed unanimously XI . Adjournment and Closing Prayer – 10:13 p.m. Motion: To Adjourn. Respectfully submitted: Stephen Arsenault PC Secretary

Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 12th Annual

St. Gregory Palamas,

an articulate defender of

Orthodoxy and true prayer in the

14th century, is commemorated

the second Sunday of Great Lent each year.

He is the inspiration for this weekend

festival featuring lectures, worship

and fellowship.

For directions to Saint George Greek Orthodox Church

visit our website at

stgeorgegoc.org or call

651-222-6220 1111 Summit Ave.

St Paul, MN 55105

Friday, March 10

6:00PM Akathistos/Salutations Service 7:30PM Lenten Meal

8:00PM Why Orthodoxy? Knowing why a former Pentecostal pastor would become an Orthodox Christian will help you understand why so many spiritually hungry people are looking for and finding the Orthodox Church. And it just may help you understand why your Orthodox Faith is so valuable and worth sharing. Come listen to Fr. Barnabas share his personal faith journey into Orthodoxy.

Saturday, March 11

10:00AM Coffee and Fellowship

10:30AM Why Normal Orthodox Works What is normal Orthodox Christianity? What is abnormal? Understanding the central message of Orthodoxy helps you understand just why Orthodoxy does the Faith the way we do. From liturgical worship services to the calendar of fasts and feasts to the spiritual disciplines; all of it is meant to undo what keeps us

disconnected from the Life of God.

12:00PM Lenten Potluck Luncheon

1:00PM Why a Normal, Healthy Orthodox Church Grows The Church is called "The Body of Christ." All through the New Testament St. Paul describes the Church as a body. So how do we know we are a healthy body? What are the signs that a church is healthy? And how do we keep our church healthy by being spiritually healthy and mature ourselves? All of this will show that a healthy parish is a growing parish. When a parish isn't growing, it is necessary to diagnose why, so we can get healthy again.

3:00PM Great Vespers Service

Sunday, March 12

8:15AM Orthros Service 9:30AM Divine Liturgy

4:00PM Pan Orthodox Lenten Vespers

Normal Orthodox—Healthy Church Knowing the True Faith in Order to Practice it Truly

Guest Speaker: Fr. Barnabas Powell

Fr. Barnabas Powell, M.Div. is the priest of Saints Raphael, Nicholas & Irene Greek Orthodox Church in Cummings Georgia. He graduated from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (Masters of Divinity) and was ordained to the priesthood by Metropolitan Alexios in 2010. He at-tended Toccoa Falls College in Georgia. Before this he was in Law Enforcement in Metro Atlanta from 1981–1992 and served the State of Georgia as a probation officer. In the early 1990’s Fr. Barnabas planted the Church of the First Born in Woodstock, GA, and worked in radio and televi-sion with some of the largest Evangelical Protestant Media ministries in the country. Fr. Barnabas, along with 20 families of the church he pastored, converted to Orthodoxy in November 2001. Fr. Barnabas is the founder of Faith Encouraged Ministries, dedicated to using media to share the Orthodox Faith (FaithEncouraged.com). Fr. Barnabas is married to Connie (Demas), and they have two daughters, Alexandra and Katerina.

FaithEncouraged.com

St. Gregory Palamas,

an articulate defender of

Orthodoxy and true prayer in the

14th century, is commemorated

the second Sunday of Great Lent each year.

He is the inspiration for this weekend

festival featuring lectures, worship and fellowship.

For directions to Saint George Greek Orthodox Church

visit our website at

stgeorgegoc.org or call

651-222-6220 1111 Summit Ave.

St Paul, MN 55105

Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 12th Annual

BIOGRAPHY

Fr. Barnabas Powell, M.Div.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies, Toccoa Falls College (1988) Masters of Theology, Holy Cross Seminary (2010)

Background

Fr. Barnabas was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. His journey to Orthodoxy came as a result of many years searching for a “lifestyle” that would be truly Christian. After years in Evangelical Protestant ministry and serving in Christian media, both radio and television, he launched Faith Encouraged Ministries to use what he learned in sharing faith through media for the Orthodox Faith. Fr. Barnabas is an author, pastor, podcast-er, and teacher committed to offering a credible witness of the timeless Orthodox faith for this culture. His daily devotional, Faith Encouraged Daily, reaches over 5000 people a week. His weekly homilies, Faith En-couraged, have been watched over 150,000 times on You Tube. And his twice a month live call-in show, Faith Encouraged LIVE, is one of the most popular shows on Ancient Faith Radio.

Podcasts, Blog, and Social Media

Faith Encouraged - Weekly Homilies, both Video and Audio—AncientFaith.com

Faith Encouraged Daily - Daily Devotionals from the daily Scripture readings - FaithEncouraged.org

Faith Encouraged LIVE - 90 minute Live radio show on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month - AncientFaith.com

Faith Encouraged LIVE Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/faithencouragedlive

Orthodox On Purpose Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/OrthodoxOnPurpose

A Journey to Fullness - web page about the 16 part video series - http://journeytofullness.com/

Some of Fr. Barnabas’ Topics & Presentations

Being Orthodox On Purpose: The Key to Orthodox Joy

Using Media And Welcoming Guests - 1st National Evangelism Conference, Portland OR. Overcoming Despondency

Training Your Welcome Ministry Team How to Speak “Evangelicaleze” to Share the Orthodox Faith

Keeping Our Youth Connected to Faith - When Basketball, Dances, and YiaYia’s Baklava aren’t Enough

Books and Training Videos

A Faith Encouraged - Ancient Faith Publishing

A Journey to Fullness - 16 part video outreach tool and workbook designed to introduce the Faith to average people

Other notables about Fr. Barnabas:

His work in Christian Media has informed and inspired him to use modern communication tools to share the Orthodox Faith with the many spiritual seekers in our society. Faith Encouraged Ministries, his non-profit media production ministry, has produced a 16 part video series called A Journey to Fullness (JourneytoFullness.org) to assist parishes in outreach and inreach in their local communities. His speaking engagements around the country continue to grow and influence the increasing demand for quality media and training materials for our Orthodox Faith.

For more about of Fr. Barnabas: www.faithencouraged.org

http://www.ancientfaith.com/

FaithEncouraged.com

http://www.ancientfaith.com/

http://www.facebook.com/faithencouragedlive

https://www.facebook.com/OrthodoxOnPurpose

http://journeytofullness.com/

JourneytoFullness.org

http://www.faithencouraged.org

1

WEDNESDAYS

THEME: Modern Heresies

DATE TOPIC SPEAKER: +Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews March 1 Secularism- separation between faith & life; separation of church & state. March 8 Humanism- humans more important than God; role of evolutionary theory. March 15 Rationalism- primary source of knowledge is intellect; role of science. March 22 Pluralism- acceptance of all religious paths as equally valid. April 29 Phyletism- churches centered on ethnic, national or linguistic cultural expressions. FRIDAYS

THEME: The Torah, aka the Pentateuch

DATE TOPIC SPEAKER March 3 Genesis Michael Lotti March 10 Lenten Retreat- Why Orthodoxy? Fr. Barnabas Powell March 17 Exodus Fr. Thaddeus Wojcik March 24 Leviticus & Numbers Dr. Eugenia Gavrilyuk March 31 Deuteronomy Fr. Marc Boulos

SCHEDULE 6:00PM Lenten Service; 7:30PM Lenten Community Meal; 8:00PM Lecture; 8:30PM Q&A; 8:45PM Conclude. Wednesday’s Theme: Modern Heresies Heresy means false belief or teaching and is a very important concern for Christians. The Church teaches that

incorrect belief leads to inappropriate and sinful behavior. This is why many Church Fathers and Saints

throughout history fought fiercely to maintain the true Faith in Christ. This Lent we will examine several

modern heresies to understand what they are and how they influence us. Then we will discuss ways to

overcome them so we may be guided on the right path towards salvation in Jesus Christ.

Friday’s Theme: The Torah; aka the Pentateuch The Torah is also known as “The Law” in the history of Judaism. It is the first five books of the Old Testament, also called “The Pentateuch.” Do these books have any importance for us today? What is contained in the them, what role did they serve 3,000 years ago, and what role do they serve now? Join us on a five-part series as we delve into the mystery of these texts and try to master their meaning. Meal Hosting- Any individual, family, ministry, committee, or group is encouraged to sponsor a Lenten Meal.

2

“The Torah or Pentateuch” - Biographies of Speakers Michael Lotti is a professional writer and educator living in the Twin Cities, where he and his family attend Holy Trinity Orthodox Church (OCA) in St. Paul. He earned a M.Phil. (1992) and Ph.D. (2000) in Philosophy from the University of Wales, Swansea, where he focused on the writings of Kierkegaard, Wittgenstein, and Plato. He runs his own writing business and teaches occasionally at the University of St. Thomas. His book St. George and the Dragon, a middle-grade novel, was published in 2014.

Fr. Barnabas Powell, MDiv. is the priest of Saints Raphael, Nicholas & Irene Greek Orthodox Church in Cummings, Georgia. He graduated from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (Masters of Divinity) and was ordained to the priesthood by Metropolitan Alexios in 2010. Prior to his graduate work, he attended Toccoa Falls College in Georgia, was in law enforcement in Metro Atlanta from 1981 – 1992, and served the State of Georgia as a Probation officer. In the early ‘90’s, Fr. Barnabas planted the Church of the First Born in Woodstock, GA and worked in radio and television with some of the largest Evangelical Protestant Media ministries in the country. Fr. Barnabas, along with 20 families of the church he pastored. converted to Orthodoxy in November 2001 Fr. Barnabas is the founder of Faith Encouraged Ministries, dedicated to using media to share the Orthodox Faith (faithencouraged.org). Fr. Barnabas is married to Connie (Demas), and they have two daughters,

Alexandra and Katerina. Fr. Thaddeus Wojcik is a retired priest attached to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Saint Paul. He is Dean Emeritus of the Minneapolis Deanery in the Midwest Diocese of the Orthodox Church of America. Currently, an Adjunct Professor of Theology at the University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, MN (since 2005) where he teaches an introduction class on Christian Theology (The Christian Theological Tradition) and a class on the development of Christian liturgy beginning with the Old Testament. He is a graduate of University of Minnesota (BA, 1964) and St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary (M.Div. 1968).

Fr. Marc Boulos is pastor of St. Elizabeth Orthodox Mission, in Eagan, Minnesota. He and Dr. Richard Benton co-host The Bible as Literature podcast, a weekly discussion of the biblical narrative and its implications for everyday life (ephesusschool.org). Fr. Marc has presented numerous exegetical talks and retreats dealing with the letters of St. Paul. In his new book, Torah to the Gentiles: St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, he examines the interplay between Genesis and Galatians and its implications for our understanding of Paul's letter. Fr. Marc has already begun work on his second book, a commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians. He holds a Master of Divinity from St. Vladimir's Theological Seminary in Crestwood, New York. In addition to his priestly ministry, Fr. Marc is employed in the private sector, where he has received professional recognition for his work as a Manager in Information Technology.

Dr. Eugenia Gavrilyuk was born in Moscow (Russia). She graduated from the Moscow Institute for Physics and Technology with Masters in Physics 1990 (Cum Laude). She did doctoral studies at Perkins School of Theology and at Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX) and graduated Magna cum Laude. Since 2006, she has taught Theology ("The Christian Theological Traditions") and the Old Testament at the University of St. Thomas. She is a member of the Holy Trinity OCA, St. Paul, teaching the Bible at the Sunday school. Once a year she teaches the Introductory course in Christian Theology at UST designed for the students from countries not exposed to Christianity (like Saudi Arabia, for ex.). She is married to Deacon Paul Gavrilyuk, PhD, who also teaches at UST.

Fr. Richard Andrews is pastor/priest of St. George Greek Orthodox Christian Church in St. Paul, MN (since 1999), a volunteer chaplain with the St. Paul Police Department (since 2006), a critical incident chaplain with IOCC Frontline (since 2013), and the chaplain/supervisor for Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry of Minnesota. He is a graduate of University of Minnesota (Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration & Marketing 1988) Minneapolis, MN and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (Masters of Divinity 1994) Boston, MA. He is Doctoral candidate (Marriage & Family Therapy) at Argosy University. Fr. Rick previously served Holy Apostles GOC in Chicago, IL (1995-97) and Dormition GOC in Racine, WI (1997-99).

a word from father rick -...

Documents