February 2010 Stewardship Report

Cathedral Family Members:

As the holiday song says, “let it snow, let it snow, let it snow”. And, boy did it ever. Beginning in December, we had a huge snowfall the weekend before Christmas, then, at the end of January, a second, and a third the first week of February. What are the odds that it would snow three times on a WEEKEND?!

Nevertheless, the snowfalls, while beautiful, have a really ugly side as well. Church attendance, as you can well imagine, suffered, and along with that we saw a tremendous drop in Stewardship giving. To keep the church open and safe to enter, snow removal was necessary. The Sunday collection did not even cover the cost of clearing the parking lot. I know we all get tired of the “financial” discussion, with every little thing being put into dollars and cents. However, the reality of the situation is that we are in a financial quandary already in 2010. High maintenance expenses coupled with low Stewardship numbers mean we are now behind our budget targets and we need to start closing this gap sooner than later.

For month ending January 2010, we ended slightly ahead of last year’s income by about $400. Total collections were $29,777.00 compared to $29,378.00 in 2009. Again, the snow impacted the last Sunday of the month and, had it not snowed, we would have likely set a record for contributions in January. For month to date in February, however, we are lagging behind the 2009. We have collected $13,683.00 month to date. As was the case on Sunday, February 14, 2010, our collection was impressive as many of you heeded the call to “dig deep” and not use the missed Sunday’s as a windfall or opportunity to spend your Stewardship contributions on other items. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and heartfelt.

"Let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ Our Lord"

Our mission is clear and simple. We must all do our part to fill the Stewardship gap. I have tremendous confidence and faith that our community will come through again with a strong commitment to meet the $494,475 Stewardship goal for the year. 2009 was an economically challenging year and, unfortunately, affected our Stewardship giving. 2010 will be equally as challenging and we all must rise to the occasion and support our Cathedral, our ministries, and programs. We need to continue driving Stewardship giving towards our ultimate goal of 100% “Full Stewardship” coverage. Together, we can achieve this milestone.

I personally thank each of you for your generous support of our Cathedral and its ministries.

With Christ’s blessings,

Mike Pantele – 2010 Stewardship Chairman

Cathedral to Host Two Oratorical Festivals

This year our Cathedral family will host the St. John Chrysostom Parish and District oratorical festivals.

The Parish Oratorical Festival, which is open to our local teenagers in grades 7 -12, will take place at 6:30 p.m. after the Presanctified liturgy on Wednesday, March 3rd. Teens from grades 7 through 9 will participate at the junior level. Teens from grades 10 through 12 will take part at the senior level. Refreshments will be served in the Andre Room after the speeches. Students whose speeches are deemed the best by the judges will participate in the District Oratorical Festival.

On Saturday, March 20th, the District Oratorical will include youth from Greek Orthodox churches in Virginia. We expect about two dozen teens will participate.

The schedule for the District festival is as follows:

  • At 9:30, registration begins and refreshments are served in the Dombalis Fellowship Hall.
  • At 10 a.m., participants and guests will go to the Andre Room to listen to the speakers.
  • At noon, the judges will convene, and a free, Lenten buffet lunch will be served in the Dombalis Fellowship Hall.
  • At 1 p.m., the judges will announce which teens will advance to the Metropolis Oratorical Festival in May. Winners at the Metropolis level will participate in the Archdiocese Oratorical Festival scheduled for June. The annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival was established in 1984 to give teenagers an opportunity to learn, write and speak about their Orthodox faith. It is designed to help strengthen the teens’ understanding and appreciation of their Greek Orthodox identity and to cultivate their spiritual growth and maturity. It is called a “festival” so as to minimize the competitive spirit and emphasize a joyful learning experience.

    All parishioners are invited to the festivals. If you would like to help offset the expenses, please send a check made out to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral with “District Oratorical Festival” in the subject line. Send your check to JoAnn at the church office. Contributors will be listed in the program as sponsors.



    • Philoptochos Corner

    “More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim… True Theotokos, we magnify Thee.” –from the Akathist Hymn

    This article was composed on the first day of Great Lent. Amazing thoughts spring to mind such as how swiftly the crisp air and unexpected white snows of Richmond will turn to the spring blooms that include glorious Easter lilies. Easter is beginning its approach. Following the traditions of the Greek Orthodox Church, the women of our Cathedral will meet early on Great Friday morning to decorate the Epitaphio station, or the Bier of Christ. Hundreds of flowers adorn the Bier. Sisters, if you wish to participate in this special ministry on April 2nd, please contact President Sasa Howard at 754-1603.

    This month’s calendar is full:
    March 2nd—Torch Club
    March 9th—Leisure Group
    March 14th—Coffee Hour
    March 25th—Philoptochos Meeting

    Sasa Howard also is requesting that all Philoptochos sisters who have email access send their e-addresses so that she has the most current information and can communicate expediently with you, using email. Please respond to Sasa’s request by emailing her at sasahoward@aol.com. For those sisters who do not use email, the telephone committee and the “Philoptochos Corner” are there for you.

    Philoptochos joined the church community’s effort to put together kits for the Haiti relief effort. Thank you to all who contributed hand towels.
    -Kathryn Helen Geranios

    Greek School News

    Dear Greek School Parents,

    Please join us Sunday, March 21st, for our annual “Greek Independence Day Celebration” and Pancake Brunch following the liturgy. We also will be announcing our “Winners” of the Ionian Village Scholarship.

    Save the date!!! Our new date for the APOKREATIKO GLENDI will be SATURDAY, APRIL 17th, 2010. Greek School PTA with the help of Alexandra Hall & Vassili Bletsos will honor our Ionian Village Scholarship “WINNERS” that evening. The proceeds will be going towards the Ionian Village Scholarship! (Please contact Greek School PTA Board Members Doula Stathis & Treasa Avgeros for tickets)

    Thank you for your continued support towards our Greek School program and we look forward to seeing everyone there!
    Upcoming Events:
    Greek Independence Day & Pancake Brunch – Sunday, March 21st
    No Greek School – Monday, April 5th
    APOKREATIKO GLENDI Family Dinner Dance – Saturday, April 17th

    - Stacy Kovanes

    Palm Sunday Luncheon

    The Greek Folk Dancers of our Cathedral are sponsoring a luncheon on Palm Sunday (March 28th) after the Divine Liturgy.

    The menu includes salmon or spaghetti for those who don't eat fish, rice, vegetable and dessert.

    The price is $12 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under. All proceeds will go to the church.

    Please buy your tickets early or make reservations so we can prepare accordingly.

    Thank you, Peggy Christofakis, 741-7194 or Christofakis@comcast.net

    Great Tips for Smart Nutrition

    With the Lenten season in full swing we’ve all become more conscious of what we eat. And we all know that’s something we should be paying more attention to year-round. Join us on Thursday, March 18 at 7 p.m.in the Andre Room for a special community-wide presentation by Tina Shiver, a noted registered dietician in our area. Tina has worked with individuals, businesses, and health-care institutions, focusing on using nutrition to improve the overall health and quality of life for the whole person. She holds a Masters of Science and Nutrition from James Madison University and has been in private practice here for many years.

    After her talk, she’ll be glad to answer your questions. Light (and healthy!) refreshments will be provided. This program is sponsored by the AHEPA and Daughters of Penelope as a service to our community, and is free and open to all. Be sure to come out and hear the latest information on this important topic.
    - Tom Kapsidelis

    Round Robin Tennis

    April 17th 9 AM - 12PM
    James River High School
  • Men and Women are Welcome (ages 18-older)
  • Snacks and Drinks are provided
  • Round Robin Doubles Format
  • Registration cost $20 per person
  • All profit to benefit "God and Us Childrens"

    To register constact Maria Tarasidis at 379-9649 or 937-9649. Registration Deadline is April 1st.

    • Sunday Morning Parking

    With increased church attendance during lent, we realize the difficulty in finding places to park. We have always maintained a good relationship with our next door Church, but have again been infringing on their parking lot. They have been kind enough to allow us use of the spaces on only the row closest to Antrim facing the street and not along the alley. Let us not abuse that privilege, and please do not park in any other area of their lot. Please make use of street parking on Malvern, Antrim, and Kingcrest Parkway. And remember: walking is good for your health and if you get to church on time, parking is available in our own lot.

    Greek Independence Day Celebration

    You are Invited! Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek School will host a special Greek Independence Day Program presented by the Greek School children following the Divine Liturgy on March 21st. A Sunday Brunch will follow the program. For tickets ($5.00) contact the Greek School P.T.A. Please r.s.v.p. by Monday, March 15th.

    Peanut Butter Gratitude

    Thank God for peanut butter! It spreads the burden of fasting so much easier. As we all know, Orthodox Lent seeks to bring the faithful to their knees, and if the wise recommendations of the ancient fathers are followed, then prayer is the result. Prayer is the product of willing self-humiliation, but what the good fathers did not anticipate was the great blessing of spreadable protein. For where our knees meet the floor in prayer, a jar of peanut butter has been opened and scraped clean of its nutrients. Without such caramel colored goo, Lent would be almost impossible. But peanut butter provides the protein we need to get by. It is inexpensive, nutritious, ubiquitous, and delicious. It becomes our body’s life-line during the fast.

    For us, peanut butter represents our ability to cope with greater challenges…It represents how we find our way through life. For life is, itself, a kind of extended Lent, a “forty day” journey through the wilderness. We face difficulties at every mile post along the way, at every age of our development, brambles, detours, flattened tires, a journey that tests us with every bump on the road, but still we press on….We press on because we have a kind of “peanut butter,” a protein that keeps us alive and vigorous. During the course of our lives, we are not people who are bereft of hope. For we constantly have the Lord available to us, if only we will receive with a willing and sincere heart. I am referring, of course, to the Holy Sacrament, the Eucharist, which has always been offered to us since the evening of the Last Supper. We receive in remembrance of Him, but we also receive because, as Christians, we draw strength from the Lord, from His Body and Blood. We have been sustained by it, even in times of utter devastation, because He is all that we need.

    In the midst of all that we may experience or suffer, we must never forget this one thing: the Lord is all we need. If only, we will receive Him. “With the fear of God, with love and with faith, draw near….”
    Fr. John

    Upcoming Christian Education and Youth Events

    Christian Education…

    Orthodox Fundamentals: Father John will meet with the teens (8th to 12th graders) once per month during regular religious education time to go over basic Orthodox Christian knowledge…Essentially, the fundamentals of our faith….This will include church history, theology, and the sacramental and liturgical life. Dates for these sessions are: Sunday, February 28th, Sunday, March 14th, and Sunday, April 18th.

    Parish Oratorical Festival: Wednesday, March 3rd, 6:30 pm, following the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy. Please come out to hear our young people speak on matters of faith.

    Virginia Regional Oratorical Festival, Saturday, March 20th, 9:00 – 2:00 p.m. This event will feature speakers from around the state. Please come and support them.

    Religious Education Workshop: Saturday, March 13th…Mr. Tom Papademtriou, a professor and Greek Orthodox theologian at Stockton State College in New Jersey, will talk on the theme of church history and its relevance to us today. Please come for this engaging presentation.

    Confessions: Please schedule a time from now….Don’t wait until Holy Week. Feel free to contact either priest. Children’s Confessions: If you are unable to schedule yourselves and your children during Lent, time will be available after the Divine Liturgy on the Saturday of Lazarus.

    Many Thanks!...To our Christian Education Directors for hosting the Pre-Lenten seminar last month. They did a wonderful job, and it was an inspiration to see that many of you came to hear Fr. John Moses speak about keeping an Orthodox balance in an imbalanced world.

    Thanks, as well, to the PAIDEIA Group, that sponsored the historic visit of Metropolitan Kallistos Ware to our community. It was memorable!

    HOPE… Ministry to the five to seven year olds will meet on Sunday, March 14th 12:00 p.m. for lunch, lesson, and activity.

    JOY… Ministry to the eight to twelve year olds is not scheduled this month. Nevertheless, children and their families are encouraged to attend the Wednesday evening Pre-Sanctified Liturgies.

    GOYA…

    Many Thanks to the coaches for providing their time and dedication for the teenagers this year. They are a great blessing!

    “Cultural Nite”… Goyans entertained and educated over 300+ students from local schools on Feb. 23rd. This annual event not only raises funds, but also awareness of our Orthodox faith and Hellenic heritage.

    Oratorical Readers: Wednesday, March 3rd, 5:30. Teens will read the psalms for the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy.

    Youth Sunday and GOYA Meeting: Sunday, March 7th, 5:00 p.m.

    Regional Lenten Retreat: at the Annunciation Church in Norfolk, from 7:00 pm. Friday, March 13th to 1:00 pm., Saturday, March 14th.

    YAL… Church Cleaning: Tuesday, March 9th, 6:00 pm. Young Adults will scrub and clean the church. Dress to mess.

    OCF… VCU OCF…Every Wednesday Nite at 7:30 p.m.

    “Real Break” Missions Trips: Many thanks to all of the parishioners who generously supported the missions trips of Laura Papoulakos, Sarah Manuel, and Thomas Manuel. A slide show presentation of their travels and contributions will be made upon their return.

     
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