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930 Ormsby Lane Louisville, Kentucky 40242
Phone: (502) 425-7775 www.assumption.ky.goarch.org
Church Email: [email protected]
Χριστὸς ἀνέστη! Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη!
Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!
Хрїстóсъ воскрéсе! Воистину воскресе!
Hristos a înviat! Cu adevărat a înviat!
Krestos a uprisin! Seen, him a uprisin fe tru! Krisztus feltámadt! Valóban feltámadt
Ua ala aʻe nei ̒ o Kristo! Ua ala ̒ i̒ o nō ̒ o Ia! Kristo Amefufukka! Kweli Amefufukka!
ハリストス復活!実に復活! !¡Cristo ha resucitado! ¡En verdad ha resucitado!
!قام حقا !قام المسيح !קם באמת !קם המשיח
ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
“Attract, Serve, Illuminate”
THE BEACON May 2015
Assumption Calendar of EventsSunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday
3 Sunday of the Paralytic Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Sunday School Coffee Hour Athenian Dance Practice
4
Orthodoxy 101 6:30pm-7:45pm
5
Metropolis of Detroit Clergy Syndesmos Meeting in Troy,
Michigan
10 Sunday of the Samaritan Woman Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour Athenian Dance Practice
11
Orthodoxy 101 6:30pm-7:45pm
12
17
Sunday of the Blind Man Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Awards Coffee Hour Philoptochos Meeting and Elections Athenian Dance Practice
18
Orthodoxy 101 6:30pm-7:45pm
19
Parish Council Meeting 6:30pm
24 Sunday of the Fathers of the 1st Ec. Council Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Family Worship Coffee Hour Athenian Dance Practice
25
Memorial Day
No Orthodoxy 101
26
31 Sunday of the Great Feast of Holy Pentecost Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Family Worship Coffee Hour GOYA Meeting Athenian Dance Practice
The Athenian dancers are in full swing practicing. Practices
are every Sunday after church and are mandatory. The festival
is June 12-14 and we are learning new dances and need 100%
involvement. Please make a commitment and attend.
Any questions please contact Steffi Taylor at 412
May 2015 Assumption Calendar of Events Saturday Wednesday Thursday Friday
2 Athenian Dance Kefi Dance No Great Vespers
5
6
No Greek School
Bible Study 6:30pm-7:45pm
7
Bible Study 10:00am-11:15am
Lyndon Ec. Fellowship “Traditions of Easter”
6:30pm
1
8
16
Athenian Dance Practice 10:00am-10:40am
Kefi Dance Practice 10:45am-12:15am
Great Vespers 5:00pm
12
13
No Greek School
Bible Study 6:30pm-7:45pm
14
Bible Study 10:00am-11:15am
15
23
Athenian Dance Practice 10:00am-10:40am
Kefi Dance Practice 10:45am-12:15am
Great Vespers 5:00pm
19
20
No Greek School
Bible Study 6:30pm-7:45pm
21 Great Feast of the Holy Ascension Orthros 9:00am
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
No Bible Study
22
30 Saturday of the Souls
Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Athenian Dance Practice 10:00am-10:40am
Kefi Dance Practice 10:45am-12:15am
No Great Vespers
26
27
No Greek School
No Bible Study
28
No Bible Study
29
Fasting Symbols
Strict Fast
Wine and Oil
Allowed
Fish Allowed
Fast Free
Holy Confession is
done by appointment
and may be scheduled
by calling Fr. Jon at
the Church Office:
(502) 425-7775
9
Athenian Dance Kefi Dance
Great Vespers 5:00pm
The Athenian dancers are in full swing practicing. Practices
are every Sunday after church and are mandatory. The festival
14 and we are learning new dances and need 100%
involvement. Please make a commitment and attend.
Any questions please contact Steffi Taylor at 412-2904.
Great and Holy Feast of Pascha Great and Holy Feast of Pascha 2015
Great Feast of Pascha 2015
Dear Parishioners of our Beloved Assumption,
Χριστός Ανέστη!!! Christ is Risen!!!
Together we celebrate our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s victory over
death! His crucifixion and resurrection have freed us from the
consequences of our fallen human nature and He is among us now as
we approach the Blessed Great and Holy Feast of Pentecost!
Going forward in life we must realize that the greatest of all debts has
been lifted from our shoulders - the generational debt that could not be
repaid except through Christ’s victory over death. He has loosened us
from our bonds; He has given us true pursuit of eternal happiness; He
has given us life and hope!
Let these Holy days not be routine. Let us not accept the status quo.
Each of us must examine our life in the context of what He has given
us, and in return offer back to him the appropriate gifts of thanksgiving
and love—which is nothing less than our whole life!
May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God the Father
and the Communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all!!!
Worshipping His 3rd Day Blessed Resurrection,
I remain,
In His Service,
Rev. Father Jon Boukis
Proistamenos
“Attract, Serve, Illuminate”
Pastoral Message
Sunday School
All children with attendance of 80% or better
have “hit the mark” and will be listed monthly in
THE BEACON as
with 3 absences or less for the entire year will be
recognized to acknowledge their dedication to Religious Education.
Congratulations to:
Vasilia Boukis
George Digenis
Mariam Dodd
Ulla Dodd
Luke Digenis
Ally Harris
Andrew Harris
Matthew Harris
Stephen Harris
Eleni Lentsch
David Schenk
Lea Schenk
Andrew Taylor
Steffi Taylor
Thank you to all the teachers for another great year! The last day of classes
will be May 17. Please make every effort to attend these last few weeks of
classes and please give your teachers a big hug! Thank you Helen Digenis,
Ryan Leathers, Tia Reyna, Kristen Kyriacou, Becky Racevice, Elyse
Allemang, and Portia Dodd for being such willing and active volunteers!
We all appreciate your efforts to work with our children.
GOYA Please help the Goya on their current
service project to collect your gently used or
new shoes and donate to WaterStep. This
valuable and useful charity takes our shoes
and raises money to fund clean water projects and clean water education
around the world. Please clean out your closets and help us make this a
great event. A collection box is in the social hall until May 10!!!
Also the Goya is busy cleaning up the garden to help
prepare it for the Eastern Area ministries collaborative
vegetable garden this summer. Goyans please contact
Nick Kyriacou with times you are available to help.
Philoptochos Thanks to the community for continuing to donate
individual food items for our Chenoweth Backpack
program. Please continue until the end of the school year.
The bin is located in the back of the church.
On May 17th after Divine Liturgy, we will hold our
election meeting. All members are asked to come
and vote for the 7 member Board of Directors.
After this board is affirmed, the members will meet
to decide on officers for the next two years. Please let
Alice know if you are willing to serve on the board.
While the results are being tallied we will discuss
our summer outing to Smith-Berry Winery. Make
plans to attend.
Community Thank You Dear Friends and Family,
Thank you so much for donating to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation for Childhood Cancer. I am pleased to announce that I surpassed my goal of 1,000 dollars and hit a new career high of 1,700 dollars. Due to your generous donations, I was able to come in sixth place for total donations in the event competition. It makes me extremely happy to know that through our efforts, we are truly making a difference in the fight against cancer. When I first set out to do St. Baldrick’s in the second grade, I never would have imagined the astronomical amounts of generosity and support that I have gotten from so many of my church family members. It is because of everyone who donated, that gave me the overwhelming confidence that I could keep doing this event year after year. In nine short years, St. Baldrick’s has come to mean so much more to me than the ‘cool’ haircut that it was in the second grade. It has come to be a symbol of honor that I proudly have worn every year, regardless of how it looks. The support shown each year shows how much you care to fight cancer, and I, speaking for the whole organization, will always be appreciative of that. Through your support each year, you have shown what truly amazing people you are, and for that, I thank you wholeheartedly.
Sincerely, Andrew Taylor
Stewardship Pledges 2015
Sam and Thelma Adams
Michael and Vickie Agamemnonos
Jason and Elyse Allemang
Larry and Nancy Anas
Anna Angelo *
Chris and Connie Anggelis *
Thomais Arvaniti
Alena Balakos *
Mike and Lori Balakos *
Areti and Jack Masero-Baldwin
Janice Bellville *
Mary Bennett
Charles and Patricia Blackford
Julia Burden
Tom and Joanna Caneris *
Joanne Caridis
Susan Christoff and Louie Falconburg *
Gus and Alice Collis *
Ricky and Anne Collis
Stanley and Maria Collis *
Stephanie Cox and John Hile *
Dan and Sarah Cupkovic *
Nadine Dalton *
Alex Digenis
George and Helen Digenis
David and Jeanne Doukas *
Ron and Melanie Fadel
Peter and Angelica Fotos
Milton and Kelly Galanos *
Johanna Geftos
Marcus and Nancy Geromes
Thomas Gianacakes *
Dimitrios and Margie Gregoriades
John and Julie Harris
Michael and Deborah Harris *
Helen Hellen
Elizabeth Johnson
John Johnson
John and Jean Kallis *
Steve and Carol Kapsalis
Alexis Karageorge and Rick Buono
Rhonda Karageorge *
Tom Karageorge *
Chris and Karla Katakis *
Elias and Marianthe Kikareas
Chris and Anita Kounnas
Nick Kounnas
Stephanos and Kristen Kyriacou
Phillip and Cheryl Leathers *
Ryan and Laura Leathers *
Mary Makris
Mark and Pamela Mann
Penny Masterson *
Joanna Mikos
Ramsey and Souha Nassar
Jennifer Paulk *
Georgia Panaretos *
Nicholas and Ashley Panaretos
Dennis and Chrisoula Peppas *
Larry and Becky Racevice
Demetra Raptis *
Emily Digenis and Hunter Sattich
Cosmin and Dana Schenk *
Constantine and Julia Scordalakes *
James and Marsha Serdenis
Mary Sharish
Chuck Schuff *
Jim and Christine Simatacolos *
Tom Smith
George Soteriou
Robert Taylor and Linda Shapiro *
Daniel and Cristina Tone *
Evanthia Speliotis and Peter Vedder *
Chris and Lisa Stavens
Melina Digenis and Steve Taylor
Richard and Suzanne Travis *
Themis and Frances Tsaoussis
Lou and Jan Tsioropoulos *
Penny VonAllmen
Madelon Zady
William Zhunga
“From God every family in heaven & earth is named.”
St. John Chrysostom
An Orthodox Christian Steward eligible for voting in General Assemblies must be a Baptized or Chrismated Orthodox Christian and have a signed pledge card on file for the current year.
* denotes increase in stewardship pledge
As of April 30th, the Parish has received 81 pledge cards!!!
Greek Festival SAVE THE DATES--GREEK FESTIVAL JUNE 12-14
The dates and times for this year’s Festival are:
Friday, June 12: 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Saturday, June 13: 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Sunday, June 14: Noon to 6:00 pm
Load-In and Set-Up is Thursday, June 11 from 8:00 am to finished.
Load-Out is Monday, June 15 from 8:00 a.m. to finished.
As always, our Festival depends on everyone’s participation to make it a
success. Please call Elizabeth Johnson at 502-776-3703 to let her know of
your availability to participate. (Otherwise, she might call you.) You can
also drop a line to Steve Taylor at [email protected].
Help is always needed with operating the food; gyro; salad; and pastry
booths as well as with the load-in and set-up of stuff the day before, and
with the load-out the day after. If you have a truck, trailer, or van that
can be used to help transport equipment to/from the church on Thursday
and Monday, well let’s just say a special place in heaven awaits.
Everyone’s help in publicizing the Festival this year is desperately
needed. As you may be aware, this year the Festival is moving to a new
location--Festival Plaza at Waterfront Park. While expanded efforts will
be made to promote the festival via mass media this year, word of mouth
always travels a long way. Please do everything you can to sell, advertise,
and spread the word about this year’s festival to all of your friends,
enemies, acquaintances, family, neighbors, workmates, and
classmates. Shout our message from the mountaintops and the valleys,
but more importantly via your social media outlets such as Facebook.
It’s through these events working hand-in-hand and side by side that
helps forge the bonds that unites our parish and makes us one big happy
family—that is until the next GA.
Thanks in advance.
Steve & Hunter
Bible Study Bible Study is an opportunity for us to
apply the Scriptures to our everyday
lives. The Bible is the “Good News” that
enriches our faith and deepens our
understanding of every issue that we
face. This can only be done through
obtaining the mind of the Holy Fathers.
Let the scripture come alive in your life
today!!!
The Orthodox Bible Study will meet on Wednesday Evenings
from 6:30pm-7:45pm and on Thursday Mornings from
10:00am-11:15am to study the Book of Acts of the Apostles.
Make a commitment to learning His Word!
Orthodoxy 101
Is this going on in your head? It sounds like Orthodoxy 101 is for you!!!
I have so many questions
about the faith!
Continuing on Mondays
Greek School The last class
for the Spring
Greek School
Session was
Wednesday,
April 2 7 th.
But there is still
opportunity to learn the
Greek Language during the
Summer. On the 1 st
Sunday of each month,
the Greek School will
continue to meet
following the Divine
Liturgy. For those who
would like to join our
summer meetings please
contact George Soteriou.
Ecumenical Fellowship
Truly He is Risen!
The Traditions of Easter Sponsored by the Lyndon Ecumenical Fellowship
Thursday, May 7, 2015 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
At the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption
Come to enjoy an evening of sharing the variety of our
congregations’ traditions of our common belief in the
Resurrection of Jesus.
An assortment of deserts will be served.
Paschal Season Donations ICON WREATHS Permanent Wreath for the Icon of the Theotokos for the Akathist - Offered by
Peter Kambelos for the Health of his brother, Stratos Saturday of Lazarus - Offered by Sam Adams for the Health of Thelma Adams Palm Sunday - Offered by Evanthia Speliotis in Memory of Dionysios Speliotis Palm Sunday Bridegroom - Anonymously offered in Memory of Beth Pointer
and Haykouhi Samadarish Holy Monday Bridegroom - Anonymously offered for the Health of Kara, Jason
and Ben Holy Tuesday Bridegroom - Anonymously offered for the Health of Kara, Jason
and Ben Holy Wednesday Bridegroom - Offered by Pat and Charlie Blackford for the
Health of the Blackford Kuris Family Holy Wednesday Last Supper - Offered by Mike Agamemnonos for the Health
of the Agamemnonos family Holy Cross Wreath - Offered by Alice Collis for the Health of Koula Ponticos Holy Friday Apocathelosis - Offered by Dr. Ron Fadel in Memory of his parents,
Fadel and Betty Fadel Holy Friday Crucifixion - Offered by Janice Bellville in Honor of Fr. Jon and
Presbytera Doreece Holy Saturday - Offered by Georgia Panaretos in Memory of her father, John
Raptis Resurrection - Offered by Georgia Panaretos in Honor of her Daughter,
Alexandra (Anastasia) Brown
EPITAPHION FLOWERS (Offered by the Parish Council) Offered by Michael and Lori Balakos for the Health of their family Offered by The Caneris Family for the Health of Fr. Jon Boukis & The
Assumption Parish Council and their families Offered by Emily Digenis, Hunter Sattich, Phillip & Eleni in Honor of Helen &
George Digenis, Nan & Buddy Sattich Offered by Milton and Kelly Galanos for the Health of their family Offered by John and Julie Harris John and Julie Harris in Memory of Jim and
Amanda Stamas Offered by Ryan and Laura LeathersIn Memory of Archdeacon Andrew Kallil Offered by Ramsey and Souha Nassar for the Health of their family Offered by Cosmin and Dana Schenk for the Health of Thomais Offered by Jim and Christine Simatacolos in Memory of John Simatacolos and in
Honor of Ann Simatacolos
OTHER PASCHAL NEEDS Daffodils (Holy Cross) - Offered by John Dobson for the Health of Thomais Palms for Palm Sunday - Offered by Dennis Peppas for the Health of the
Assumption Community
Paschal Season Donations Holy Unction Supplies - Offered by Penelope Masterson in Memory of Spero
Masterson Sheet for Apocathelosis - Offered Anonymously for the Health of the Parish Holy Friday Flowers around the Kouvouklion - Offered by Niki Gray in
Memory of Sonny Gardenias for Epitaphion - Offered by Dennis Peppas in Memory of Sotirios
and Metaxia Peppas and Dimitrios Koskinas Rose Petals for Flower Girls - Offered by Dennis Peppas in Memory of Sotirios
and Metaxia Peppas and Dimitrios Koskinas Bay Leaves - Offered by Allen and Portia Dodd in Memory of Rev. Fr.
Alexander Atty Priest’s Candle - Offered by Maria Collis in Memory of her mother, Constantina
PASCHAL LILIES Offered by Larry Anas in Memory of Peter Anas Offered by Larry Anas in Memory of Jean Anas Offered by Nancy Anas in Memory of Wallace Butler Offered by Nancy Anas in Memory of Adaline Butler Offered by Anonymous in Honor of Fr. Jon, Presbytera Doreece and Vasilia Offered by Pat and Charlie Blackford for Health of Blackford-Kuris Family (3) Offered by Julia Burden in Memory of Glenn Burden and Stephanie Menexi (2) Offered by Helen Digenis for the Health of George Digenis (4) Offered by Helen Digenis in Memory of Christina and Mairoula Offered by John Dobson for the Health of Thomais (5) Offered by Mike and Deborah Harris for the Health of Mike Ford Offered by Mike and Deborah Harris in Memory of our parents Offered by John and Maria Klein for the Health of their family (5) Offered by Philip and Cheryl Leathers in Memory of Archdeacon Andrew Kallil Offered by Philip and Cheryl Leathers in Memory of Dr. Noel Leathers Offered by Penelope Masterson in Memory of Spero Masterson Offered by Aster Mehari in Honor of Mahari Niatta (2) Offered by Dennis Peppas in Memory of Sotirios and Metaxia Peppas and
Dimitrios Koskinas (6) Offered by Jim and Marsha Serdenis in Memory of John Serdenis Offered by Jim and Marsha Serdenis in Memory of Ruth Dean Offered by Mary Sharish in Memory of her departed loved ones (8) Offered by Katherine Speliotis for the Health of her family (3) Offered by Richard and Suzanne Travis for the Health of the Travis and
Sobczyk Family Offered by Penny VonAllmen for the Health of her family (3) Offered by Madelon Zady for the Health of Nancy and Marcus Geromes Offered by Madelon Zady for the Health of Elizabeth Johnson
St. John the Theologian Celebrated May 8
This Apostle was from Bethsaida of
Galilee, and was the son of Zebedee
and Salome, and the brother of
James the elder. First a fisherman by
trade, he became an Apostle and the
beloved Disciple of Christ. Only he
of all the Disciples followed Him
even to the Cross, and was entrusted
with the care of our Saviour's
Mother, as it were another son to her, and a brother of Christ
the Teacher. After this, he preached throughout Asia Minor,
especially in Ephesus. When the second persecution against
the Christians began in the year 96 during the reign of
Domitian, he was taken in bonds to Rome, and there was cast
into a vat filled to the brim with boiling oil. Coming forth
therefrom unharmed, he was exiled to the island of Patmos,
where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Returning again to
Ephesus after the death of the tyrant, he wrote his Gospel
(after the other Evangelists had already written theirs) and his
three Catholic Epistles. In all, he lived ninety-five years and fell
asleep in the Lord during the reign of Trajan in the year 100.
He was called Theologian because he loftily expounded in his
Gospel the theology of the inexpressible and eternal birth of
the Son and Word of God the Father. It is for this cause that
an eagle-a symbol of the Holy Spirit, as Saint Irenaeus says-is
depicted in his icon, for this was one of the four symbolic
living creatures that the Prophet Ezekiel saw (Ezek. 1:10).
Ss. Constantine and Helen Celebrated May 21
This great and renowned sovereign of the Christians was the son of Constantius Chlorus (the ruler of the westernmost parts of the Roman empire), and of the blessed Helen. He was born in 272, in Naissus of Dardania, a city on the Hellespont. In 306, when his father died, he was proclaimed successor to his throne. In 312, on learning that Maxentius and Maximinus had joined forces against him, he marched into Italy, where, while at the head of his troops, he saw in the sky after midday, beneath the sun, a radiant pillar in the form of a cross with the words: "By this shalt thou conquer." The following night, our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him in a dream and declared to him the power of the Cross and its significance.
When he arose in the morning, he immediately ordered that a labarum be made (which is a banner or standard of victory over the enemy) in the form of a cross, and he inscribed on it the Name of Jesus Christ. On the 28th Of October, he attacked and mightily conquered Maxentius, who drowned in the Tiber River while fleeing. The following day, Constantine entered Rome in triumph and was proclaimed Emperor of the West by the Senate, while Licinius, his brother-in-law, ruled in the East. But out of malice, Licinius later persecuted the Christians. Constantine fought him once and again, and utterly destroyed him in 324, and in this manner he became monarch over the West and the East. Under him and because of him all the persecutions against the Church ceased. Christianity triumphed and idolatry was overthrown. In 325 he gathered the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, which he himself personally addressed. In 324, in the ancient city of Byzantium, he laid the foundations of the new capital of his realm, and solemnly inaugurated it on May 11, 330, naming it after himself, Constantinople. Since the throne of the imperial rule was transferred thither from Rome, it was named New Rome, the inhabitants of its domain were called Romans, and it was considered the continuation of the Roman Empire. Falling ill near Nicomedia, he requested to receive divine Baptism, according to Eusebius , and also according to Socrates and Sozomen; and when he had been deemed worthy of the Holy Mysteries, he reposed in 337, on May 21 or 22, the day of Pentecost, having lived sixty-five years, of which he ruled for thirty-one years. His remains were transferred to Constantinople and were deposed in the Church of the Holy Apostles, which had been built by him .
As for his holy mother Helen, after her son had made the Faith of Christ triumphant throughout the Roman Empire, she undertook a journey to Jerusalem and found the Holy Cross on which our Lord was crucified (see Sept. 13 and 14). After this, Saint Helen, in her zeal to glorify Christ, erected churches in Jerusalem at the sites of the Crucifixion and Resurrection, in Bethlehem at the cave where our Saviour was born, another on the Mount of Olives whence He ascended into Heaven, and many others throughout the Holy Land, Cyprus, and elsewhere. She was proclaimed Augusta, her image was stamped upon golden coins, and two cities were named Helenopolis after her in Bithynia and in Palestine. Having been thus glorified for her piety, she departed to the Lord being about eighty years of age.
Community Announcements
Congratulations to Ismene
Vedder on winning second
place in the District level of
the St. John Oratorical
festival on April 25, 2015 in
Cincinnati, Ohio. What a
wonderful and impressive
way to represent our Church!!
Great job!
Alexandra Caneris was honored at the
2015 Bellarmine University Sports
Awards ceremony on Monday, April
20th for her participation in the
Inaugural Woman's Swimming
program. Alex not only received her
letter, but was also honored as the
recipient of the coveted Coach's Award!
Do you have news that would be edifying in a Community Announcement, if
so, call the Church office or email [email protected].
The Lyndon Ecumenical Fellowship will
be adopting the Garden that the GOYA
has planted for the benefit of EACM and
those who may be less fortunate.
All are invited to help in the planting,
maintenance and harvesting of our food
offerings. Special thank you to Helen
Digenis and Nick Kyriakou who have graciously accepted to aid in the
facilitation and management of the Garden.
Community Announcements
This Summer, Christina has been
given the honor of studying
finance at the London School of
Economics. Not only is this a
wonderful blessing to further her
education, but a great opportunity
to experience another culture
through true immersion.
Safe Travels!!!
On Saturday, April 26th, Alexandra
and Andrew Caneris ran the Derby
Festival Marathon. It was Alex's
third marathon and Andrew's
second. Alex had set a goal to finish
in 4 hours and was able to achieve her
goal --- even with the rain coming
down! Andrew finished 5th in his age
group of 16 to 19.
On Friday, April 25th, Anthony Caneris
was inducted into the Beta Gamma
Sigma International Honor Society
Chapter of the Farmer Business
School at Miami University. Anthony
was invited into the society for placing
at the top 7% of the sophomore class of
an AACSB international accredited
university. At the time of this
publication, the group photo of all the inductees was not available,
only Anthony and a fellow inductee and friend Taryn are pictured.
Spring GA Minutes On Sunday, April 19th the Parish Council held the Spring General
Assembly. The minutes from the meeting are outlined below. The council
presented an informative meeting outlining the parish activities for the past
year as well as future initiatives and reports on the financial status of the
church. The information was well received by the community which
seemed generally pleased with the progress. The council did express concern
that there was a large disparity between the stewardship pledges and the
actual donations received from the parish and urged everyone to
make certain that they kept up with their stewardship obligations. The new
PDS system currently being implemented will assist with timely statements
and allow everyone to know where they stand. There is lots to look forward
to for the remainder of 2015 including the Assumption 90th anniversary
celebration and Father Jon's 10th year
celebration in the priesthood. Please
feel free to reach out to any council
member should you have questions or
concerns about the recent General
Assembly!
In Christ,
Joanna Caneris
Parish Council President
Minutes of General Assembly
April 19, 2015 1. Call to order/Opening Prayer and reflection offered by Father Jon Boukis
at 11:50 a.m.
2. Determination of Quorum – 31 stewards signed in, making a quorum
3. Adoption of Agenda – Hunter made a motion to adopt the agenda,
Seconded by Emily Digenis
4. Election of Assembly Chairperson – Hunter Sattich volunteered
5. Election of Secretary – Kristen Kyriacou volunteered
6. Amendment/Approval of Fall 2014 General Assembly Minutes - John
Harris motioned to adopt the minutes, seconded by Lori Balakos
7. Reports
2015 Parish Council Joanna Caneris - President
John Harris - Vice President
Ryan Leathers - Secretary
Cosmin Schenk - Treasurer
Michael Balakos - Assistant Treasurer
Emily Digenis - Assistant Treasurer
Milton Galanos
Ramsey Nassar
Jim Simatacolos
Spring GA Minutes a. Priest – Father Jon spoke about the Lyndon Ecumenical Fellowship and
the activities which are being planned. He also shared that a health fair
will be held in the fall of 2015 with the 3 communities.
b. President – see overhead slides. Several events/developments have
taken place this year: Blessing of the Waters, Treasury team has been
formed which has addressed finances of the church, new software is
now in place for Stewardship. Unfortunately our administrative
assistance has left due to illness, and Presbytera Doreece has taken her
responsibilities on a temporary basis, Kroger cards are a good source of
income to us, and all are encouraged to use these, a Coptic group is
using our church hall on Saturday evenings at no charge. A capital
campaign is being developed to continue with further property
developments.
i. Glendi 2015 was a huge success - 301 people (last year was 276), with
over $19000 in proceeds
ii. Milton Galanos, parish council member, continues to serve by
addressing all the needs of the church for Grounds and Maintenance
iii. Greek Festival in new location on 6/12, 13 & 14, 2015. Shakespeare
Players will perform “The Birds” every day at our Festival. Nancy
Geromes asked the reason for the move, and also asked for
clarification about the admission charge. Emily Digenis pointed out
that we need better visibility due to the intense nature of competition
with other events. Mary Makris asked about the security of the
money room. We will have an actual office inside a building. Alice
Collis asked if we can allow customers free admission on the
subsequent days if they attend on Friday. Joanna encouraged all to
volunteer their time to help with the festival. Pat Blackford asked
about the advertising for the festival. Emily said we will divert our
newspaper advertising to radio spots, yard signs, Facebook blasts,
and television coverage from the site. Press kits are always delivered
to the radio and TV stations. They may offer coverage, but it doesn’t
always turn out based on other events. Shakespeare group is also
advertising for us. They have suggested that we join them on NPR
when they advertise. Pat Blackford suggested that we ask if we can
place lawn signs at different business (such as dry cleaners, etc.).
Nancy suggested magnetic signs to put on the side of cars. Emily
will look into this.
Spring GA Minutes iv. Assumption’s 90th Anniversary Celebration and Father Jon’s 10th
anniversary as a Priest will be celebrated in the fall. More details
TBA.
c. Stewardship - we have almost reached our stewardship goal for 2015.
Joanna reminded all parishioners to fulfill their stewardship
commitments, as the budget depends on this. We have 6 new pledgers
this year.
d. Treasurer – Mike Balakos gave a summary (see handout).
i. Income - 2014 was a difficult year financially due to lower
Stewardship collection, and lower revenue from festivals and
fundraisers. This resulted in a deficit for 2014, which has now been
covered by our reserves and bank line of credit. Stewardship
pledges were higher for 2014, but actual payments were
substantially below the pledge amounts.
ii. Expenses – We had some expenses related to the change in priests.
Archdiocese dues continues to increase every year.
iii. Other financials – we are consolidating our banks. We have always
used Old National and Chase Bank, and we are moving all to the
Old National Bank because our mortgage is here. Stephanos asked if
we have any backup mechanisms to react to deficits that may occur
in the future. Mike said the first half of the year brought in good
revenue, but the latter part of the year was not so good. The Parish
Council has established a cushion fund of $30,000 to be used as
needed, and expenses are modified if possible. However, there is
not a great deal of “wiggle room” on most of our expenses. The
stewardship shortfall is one of the major reasons we fall short on our
budget. There has been consideration to do an automatic
withdrawal. Joanna said there is a small cost, but it would be well
worth it. Nancy suggested some type of coupon book to help people
to make regular stewardship payments. Father Jon has used some
type of system in the past. Another suggestion was to take credit
cards withdrawals on-line, because many people do not carry cash.
Beautification fund – iconostasis was completed, and the large
veneration stand. Architect fee was lower than expected. Bank
account balances at year end were much lower than 2013, resulting
in a need to use the line-of-credit.
Spring GA Minutes New financial system (Parish Data System aka PDS) will incorporate
all parish record keeping. This is the system recommended by the
Archdiocese. In the past we had several different data bases to keep
our financial records. Quick Books will also be used in alignment
with PDS to write checks. Many thanks for Cosmin Schenk,
treasurer, Emily Digenis, Mary Makris, Pres. Doreece, Charles
Blackford, and Joanna Caneris.
e. Audit Committee: Mary Makris, Chair; Stephanos Kyriacou, and Mike
Agamemnonos – Mary reported that the audit committee cannot
perform the audit at this time, pending more information from the
treasurer. The audit will be completed within 90 days.
9. Proposal of 2015 Parish Budget- Inadvertently included in agenda and
thereby struck from agenda as this was done in Fall 2014.
10. Organizational Reports (see individual handouts)
a. Philoptochos – in addition to the written report, it was announced that
Philoptochos accepts “Associate Members”, and spouses can join for
$35 ($6 for Metropolis, $15 to National Philoptochos, and the remainder
goes to charitable works).
b. Sunday School
c. Greek School
d. Youth Ministries
e. Choir
10. New Business
- the Bishop’s chair is in the process of being carved by Igor. Father Jon
reported that Metropolitan Nicholas will be invited to attend our 90th
Anniversary celebration in the fall.
11. Adjournment/Closing Prayer – meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m. Father Jon
offered a closing prayer.
Minutes prepared by Kristen Kyriacou.
Friends of the Metropolis Dear Friends of the Metropolis:
God has called us to do mighty deeds for the glory of His name and for the
love of His people.
You are called upon to join in this reality of “faith working through love”
as we continue to manifest the love of God for His Church and His people.
When you support the Friends of the Metropolis Campaign, you are part
of a greater outreach that proclaims with one universal voice that God is
truly our hope and our rock of salvation.
Because of your devotion and help to the Friends program, ministries and
programs are implemented on a Metropolis-wide basis which strengthen
and enhance our faith and our joint ministry of service.
If you have not yet become part of the Metropolis-wide effort, I would like
to invite you to join forces with the faithful throughout the Metropolis in
support of the ministries which are part of the Office of the Metropolitan.
Thanking you for your kind and generous response, I remain, with
paternal blessings and prayers,
+NICHOLAS
Metropolitan of Detroit
I am pleased to support the work of Metropolitan Nicholas and the Metropolis
through the Annual Metropolis Stewardship “Friends” Program
Please send to: Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit, 2560 Crooks Rd, Troy, MI 48084
Friends of the Metropolis WHAT DOES FRIENDS OF THE METROPOLIS SUPPORT?
GENERAL
Fully fund the expenses of the Metropolis office, program and travels.
EDUCATION
Enhance scholarships and adult education programs, as well as support
the Metropolis students at Hellenic College/Holy Cross.
SUPPORT
Develop and provide educational and instructional seminars and services
to clergy and parishes.
YOUTH
Maintain and support the youth office and activities of a full-time Youth
and Young Adult Ministries director.
OUTREACH/MISSIONS
Create opportunities to introduce our faith to society, participate in inter-
Christian and inter-faith activities as well as provide quick responses to
national disasters.
HELLENISM
Develop programs for Hellenic Cultural Outreach, including language,
including language, history and arts.
LEADERSHIP
Organize Metropolis Clergy-Laity Conferences, Oratorical Festivals,
Christmas Pageants, and Adult Education Programs.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Website development, hospitality to visiting dignitaries and guests,
Charity and Philanthropy
Do donate to the “Friends of the Metropolis” online, go to: www.detroit.goarch.org and click here
Philanthropic Opportunities
Are you already Kroger shopper?
Your current shopping could be benefitting the Assumption!
Kroger Community Rewards® makes fund-raising easy...all you have
to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Plus Card!
TO USE THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM:
Go to krogercommunityrewards.com and register your Kroger Plus
Card (if you are already registered, click “Sign In” instead of
“Create an Account.”)
Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code,
clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating
a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions
You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on
the link within the body of the email.
Click on My Account and use your email address and password to
proceed to the next step.
Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input
your Kroger Plus card number. If you use your phone number at
the register instead of a card, call 800-576-4377, select option 4 to get
your Kroger Plus card number.
Update or confirm your information.
Enter “Assumption” or our NPO number of 10779 and select us
from the list and click on confirm.
If enrollment is complete, you will see Assumption’s name on the
right side of your information page.
That’s it!!! Use your registered Kroger Plus card or phone number at
the register and our parish benefits!!!
By registering online, coupons can be electronically attached to your
Plus Card. Not only do you help the Church, but you save money.
Talk to everyone you know about registering to benefit our parish!!!
Philanthropic Opportunities
Backpack Buddies Because Hunger Doesn’t Take the Weekend Off
Helpfeed10elementaryagekidsovertheweekend!Makeitahabitto
bringinanitemeachweekforthosechildrenwhowithouthelpmaygo
hungry.Offeringscollectedinacontainerinthebackofthechurch!
Please bring foods that are:
Non-perishableShelf-stableSingle-servingNutritious
Online Calendar Did you know that the
Parish Calendar is
available online?
Did you know that you
could sync it to your
Smart Phone?
Check it out today - click
Calendar at our website:
www.assumption.ky.go
arch.org
Take a few minutes and
check out what else is
available at our site!!!
Taken from “The Prologue from Ochrid” (May 8th) A monk complained to St. Arsenius that while reading Holy Scripture he does
not feel, neither the power of the words read nor gentleness in his heart. To
that the great saint will reply to him: "My child, just read! I heard that the
sorcerers of serpents, when they cast a spell upon the serpents, the sorcerers
are uttering the words, which they themselves do not understand, but the
serpents hearing the spoken words sense their power and become tamed. An
so, with us, when we continually hold in our mouths the words of Holy
Scripture, but even though we do not feel the power of the words, evil spirits
tremble and flee for they are unable to endure the words of the Holy Spirit."
My child, just read! The Holy Spirit Who, through inspired men, wrote these
divine words, will hear, will understand and will hasten to your assistance;
and the demons will understand will sense and will flee from you. That is: He
Whom you invoke for assistance will understand, and those whom you wish
to drive away from yourself will understand. And both goals will be achieved.
Taken from “The Prologue from Ochrid” (May 21st) We see that vice is something shameful and sinful in that it always hides and
always takes upon itself the appearance of good works. St. John Chrysostom
beautifully says: "Vice does not have its own particular face, but borrows the
face of good works." This is why the Savior said: "they come to you in sheep's
clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (St. Matthew 7:15). Call a
liar, a liar; a thief, a thief; a murderer, a murderer; an adulterer, an adulterer; a
slanderer, a slanderer and you will infuriate them. However, call a man
whatever you want: honest, honorable, unselfish, truthful, just, conscientious
and you will make him light up with joy and please him. Again, according to
Chrysostom, I quote: "good works are something natural in man while vice is
something unnatural and false." If a man is even caught in a vice, he quickly
justifies his vice by some good works; he clothes it in the garments of good
works. Indeed, vice does not posses its own particular face. The same is true of
the devil, the father of vices!
The Prologue from Ochrid contains short accounts of the lives of major saints
for each day, as well as homily, something "for consideration", and points to
ponder from Old Testament readings. It is a most valuable addition to any
Orthodox library. The contents of these volumes are online at http://
www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/prolog.htm or can be purchased in hardback
from any good Orthodox bookseller.
Just Read & Fight Vices
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Sponsors of THE BEACON
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The new online registration system for the St. Nicholas Summer Camp is now
active. The Summer Camp will take place from Sunday, July 5th, through
Saturday, July 11th. If you are interested as applying as staff or going as a
camper, please contact Fr. Jon ASAP.