12
Wait for the promise of the Father 1 T he building of a church and the maintenance of faith is work that is not just good; it is exceed- ingly good. And thus, for over fifty years the priests, the presvyteres, the parishioners, and the friends of Holy Trinity have come together to build-up an exceptional parish. It is exceptional because we toil after the work that must be done in order to bring God’s word into this world. Each of us has worked to create and support an idea, an image, an expression of goodness as defined by our holy faith. The process of building a faith community, therefore, has made us stronger by encountering and overcoming various struggles and at the same time has made us better people by offering a fellow- ship of believers and by providing a pathway to salvation in our Lord. Therefore, each of us on October 2, 2016 will come together to celebrate our service to Christ and His Church. We will celebrate the good works that have been done throughout the fifty years of our parish’s existence, always being mindful that this sacred work is not finished. It must continue into the future in order to maintain the characteristics of ex- ceptionalism for which Holy Trinity is noted. No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor is the reward for what is given. On this note and on the Fiftieth Anniversary of Holy Trinity, we will honor the exceedingly good works of every person associated with Holy Trinity. Throughout the course of five decades, many people have stepped forward putting their faith into action. They have contributed and have sac- rificially given in order to raise up a temple dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity. For a brief moment in time this October, we will sit back to look at the collective steadfast works that have created a foundation that offers us overwhelming joy and fortitude. Simply stated, we will honor that which has been given and that for which we have labored. Inspiration comes to us from divine scrip- ture. For me, Ecclesiastes Chapter Six speaks about Stewardship and the resulting fruits that come from our labors over these past number of years, “Behold, I have seen good: It is a fine thing for a man to experience goodness in all his labor in which he toils all the days of his life that God has given him; for it is his portion.” Each of you has labored for the Lord, you have worked in His vineyard, you have writ- ten and spoken well of the Lord Jesus Christ; hence you are loyal sons and daughters of the Church. Let us come together and enjoy the fruits of our labor, for this is our portion, the portion for which we have worked. 2016 will be a remarkable year, as Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Westfield, NJ celebrates its fiftieth year The Bible knows nothing of a hierarchy of labor. No work is degrading. If it ought to be done, then it is good work. February 2016 ^ Volume 40, Issue 1 [email protected] 908-233-8533 holytrinitywestfield.org Promise The

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Page 1: v Wait foPromise WaiThe - holytrinitywestfield.orgholytrinitywestfield.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/... · a loathed tax-collector, was known as a Publican. (Luke 18:10-14) St. Luke

Wait for the promise of the Father 1

The building of a church and the maintenance of faith is work that is not just good; it is exceed-

ingly good. And thus, for over fifty years the priests, the presvyteres, the parishioners, and the friends of Holy Trinity have come together to build-up an exceptional parish. It is exceptional because we toil after the work that must be done in order to bring God’s word into this world. Each of us has worked to create and support an idea, an image, an expression of goodness as defined by our holy faith. The process of building a faith community, therefore, has made us stronger by encountering and overcoming various struggles and at the same time has made us better people by offering a fellow-ship of believers and by providing a pathway to salvation in our Lord.

Therefore, each of us on October 2, 2016

will come together to celebrate our service to Christ and His Church. We will celebrate the good works that have been done throughout the fifty years of our parish’s existence, always being mindful that this sacred work is not finished. It must continue into the future in order to maintain the characteristics of ex-ceptionalism for which Holy Trinity is noted.

No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor is the reward for what is given. On this note and on the Fiftieth Anniversary of Holy Trinity, we will honor the exceedingly good works of every person associated with Holy Trinity. Throughout the course of five decades, many people have stepped forward putting their faith into action. They have contributed and have sac-rificially given in order to raise up a temple dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity. For a brief moment in time this October, we will sit

back to look at the collective steadfast works that have created a foundation that offers us overwhelming joy and fortitude. Simply stated, we will honor that which has been given and that for which we have labored.

Inspiration comes to us from divine scrip-ture. For me, Ecclesiastes Chapter Six speaks about Stewardship and the resulting fruits that come from our labors over these past number of years, “Behold, I have seen good: It is a fine thing for a man to experience goodness in all his labor in which he toils all the days of his life that God has given him; for it is his portion.”

Each of you has labored for the Lord, you have worked in His vineyard, you have writ-ten and spoken well of the Lord Jesus Christ; hence you are loyal sons and daughters of the Church. Let us come together and enjoy the fruits of our labor, for this is our portion, the portion for which we have worked.

2016 will be a remarkable year, as Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Westfield, NJ celebrates its fiftieth year

The Bible knows nothing of a hierarchy of labor. No work is degrading. If it ought to be done, then it is good work.

v

February 2016 ^ Volume 40, Issue 1 [email protected] 908-233-8533 holytrinitywestfield.org

PromiseThePromiseThe

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February-March 2016

Dates in the Life of Our Church

FEBRUARY2 Presentation of our Lord

8:30 AM Orthros

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

4:00 PM Greek School

4 4:00 PM Greek School

7:30 PM Choir

7 8:15 AM Orthros

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

8 St. Theodore the General

8:30 AM Orthros

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

9 4:00 PM Greek School

7:00 PM Philoptochos Board Meeting

7:30 PM Parish Council

10 St. Haralambos

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

11 10:00 AM TOTS

4:00 PM Greek School

7:30 PM Choir

14 8:15 AM Orthros

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

16 11:00 AM Trinity Circle

7:30 PM GOYA State Meeting

18 7:30 PM Choir

20 6:30 PM Apokriatiko Glendi

21 Publican and Pharisee

8:15 AM Orthros

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

12:00 PM Trinity Circle Bake Sale

23 4:00 PM Greek School

25 10:00 AM TOTS

4:00 PM Greek School

7:30 PM Choir

27 10:30 AM Baptism

28 8:15 AM Orthros

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

11:45 AM Communion Breakfast

MARCH1 4:00 PM Greek School

3 4:00 PM Greek School

7:30 PM Choir

5 1st Saturday of Souls

9:00 AM Divine Liturgy

6 Meatfare

8:15 AM Orthros

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

8 4:00 PM Greek School

7:30 PM Parish Council

10 10:00 AM TOTS

4:00 PM Greek School

7:30 PM Choir

12 2nd Saturday of Souls

8:00 AM Sights & Sounds

13 Cheesefare – Daylight Savings Begins

8:15 AM Orthros

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

14 Great Lent Begins

5:00 PM Compline

15 11:00 AM Trinity Circle

4:00 PM Greek School

5:00 PM Vespers

7:30 PM GOYA State Meeting

16 7:00PM PresanctifiedLiturgy

8:30 PM Theosis

17 4:00 PM Greek School

7:30 PM Choir

18 7:00 PM Salutations to the Theotokos

19 3rd Saturday of Souls

9:00 AM Divine Liturgy

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey2

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The Promise ^ February 2016 ^ Volume 40, Issue 1 3

Sacraments & RitesSeptember–December 2015

FUNERALS9/14/15 +Panagiotis Andriopoulos10/7/15 +Martha Riginos10/30/15 +Nick Hantzios12/4/15 +Artemis Katsenos12/19/15 +Helen (Moutis) Tsairis12/31/15 +Alice Economou1/4/15 +Myrofora Polyviou

CHURCHINGS10/18/15 Katerina Teresa, daughter of Keather and Brad

Gallagher12/2/15 Demetrios and Evangelia (Scarlett), twins of

Naushad Isaak and Michele Abrahim

BAPTISMS10/10/15 Georgia Anthony, daughter of Jennifer

and Anthony Burrows, Godparent is Tonia Anniannis

11/21/15 Alexa Elena, daughter of Jennifer and Chad Wolf, Godparent is Tanya De Boer

1/9/16 Lillian Olympia Sittmann, daughter of Thomas and Stefanie Sittmann, Godparent is Presvytera Victoria

WEDDINGS9/26/15 Marika Paras and Daniel B. Ochs10/13/15 Andrea M. Verenes and Daniel J. Pulito 10/21/15 Aylin B. Gezgin and James P. Pefanis12/21/15 Maria Halkias and Eleftherios G. Sakellaris 12/28/15 Alyssa M. Gentile and Paul T. Salvesen

NEW MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH

SATURDAY OF THE SOULSΨΥΧΟΣΑΒΒΑΤΟΝ

March 5, 12, 19

For the Repose of the Servants of God:Υπερ Αναπαυσεως των Δουλων του Θεου:

The “Saturday of the Souls” are those days that the Holy Church has specifically pre-scribed to pray for those who have taken their repose in the Lord. Memorial Services will not be scheduled on the Sundays immediately follow-ing a Ψυχοσαββατον. This helps maintain the purpose of the Saturday of Souls Liturgies.

Please enter the full baptismal namesof your deceased loved ones.

(For example: "Nicholas" instead of "Nick" or "Nicko")

PLEASE RETURN FORM TO FR. PETER.

Stephanie John 29 Murphy Circle Florham Park, NJ 07932

Zarif Karwandyar 11 Avenue at Port Imperial, Apt. 718 West New York, NJ 07093

Dejan and Michelle Milentijevic 38 Tree Top Dr. Springfield, NJ 07081

Constantina Pantazopoulos 209 Southern Blvd. Chatham, NJ 07928

Eleftherios and Maria Sakellaris 40 Monterey Dr. Morganville, NJ 07751-1074

Thomas and Stefanie Sittmann 21 Elk Ridge Ln. Southern Pines, NC 28387-5173

Mike and Anna Spanomanolis 116 Winslow Pl. Garwood, NJ 07027

Nikolaos and Marisa Varvatsoulis 209 Southern Blvd. Chatham, NJ 07928

Marisa Wilhelm 311 Casino Ave. Cranford, NJ 07016

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The eighteenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke speaks to us about two people going to the

Temple of God to pray. One is a Phari-see who is a religious leader. The other, a loathed tax-collector, was known as a Publican. (Luke 18:10-14)

St. Luke contrasts the attitudes of each by how they approach prayer. The message we learn from this Biblical lesson is the necessity of authentic faith.

The position of the Pharisee and his out-ward religiosity keeps him in the forefront of Temple society. This particular man had a strong religious affiliation with the nobles and would meticulously adhere to the teachings of the Torah. Yet, his desire to know God is absent altogether. Seeing the higher calling to be obsessively follow-ing man-made rules, he gladly boasts of his accomplishments; “God, I thank You that I am not like other men – extortionist, un-just, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” Luke 18:11-12. These accom-plishments are all good and well,

but the Pharisee misses the most essential component – love for God. His boasts and rants of personal goodness sweep God away, leaving his heart empty.

The other person in this Gospel narrative approaches the Lord full of compunction. The Publican enters the Temple under-standing that his spirit is broken and in need of God’s healing. In his time of sorrow, he quietly enters the Temple with bowed head looking inwardly at all that has gone remiss in his life. His words are few but are expressive of the simple message of a sinner’s repentant heart; “God, be merciful to me a sinner.” By demonstrating humility, the Publican is showered with divine grace and comes to meet God through the wash-ing of his heart.

The parable of the Publican and the Pharisee reminds us that authenticity comes from the heart.

In the pre-Lenten preparations, we are called to connect our minds with our hearts. In other words, we are to identify with our own broken nature and in the spirit

of humility ask God to wash it anew. The state of all humans indicates that we are incomplete, dam-aged, fallen, sinful, and in need of rehabilitation. The Lord is the remedy of this.

Authentic faith is not found in those who boast but rather, it is found in those, who like the Publican, humbly recognize their inadequacies and call upon the Lord’s help. Hiding behind empty words and meaning-less actions, depletes faith.

Therefore, the Church sets before us the humility of the Publican so as to provide a moment for us to meet God in an authentic way. In so doing, she asks us to be more mindful of our relationship with God and the purpose of our affiliation with this sacred temple.

The Publican’s example of humility and authentic faith inspires us to commit ourselves and one another into a deeper and more genu-ine fellowship with God. Day after day, we are to make Christ the center of our life so that the broken spirit of humanity may be restored within us as it was in the tax collector. Let us cry out in similar fashion: “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” and have mercy upon us.”

BY FATHER PETER

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey4

Authentic Faith

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During the reign of the Egyptian Emperor Ptolemy Philadel-phus, Symeon was chosen as

one of the prominent Seventy scholars to whom was entrusted the task of translat-ing the Bible from the Hebrew language into the Greek language [The Septuagint]. Symeon was performing his task conscien-tiously but when he was translating the book of the Prophet Isaiah and came upon the prophecy: "Behold, a virgin shall con-ceive, and will give birth to a son" (Isaiah

7:14), he became confused and took a knife to remove the word "virgin" and to replace it with the words, "young woman," and as such to translate it into Greek. At that mo-ment, however, an angel of God appeared to Symeon and restrained him from his inten-tion, explaining to him that the prophecy is true and the words correct. The messenger of God also said that Symeon would be convinced of it personally for, according to the Will of God, he will not die until he sees the Messiah born of the Virgin.

The righteous Symeon rejoiced to hear such a voice from heaven, left the prophecy unchanged and thanked God Who is mak-ing him worthy to live and to see the Prom-ised One. When the young Child Jesus was

presented in the Temple in Jerusalem by the Virgin Mary (February 2), the Spirit of God appeared to Symeon who was very old and as “white as a swan.” Symeon quickly entered the Temple and there recognized both the Virgin and the young Child by the light that shone around their heads as a aureole. The joyful Symeon took Christ into his hands and prayed to God to release him from this life: "Now, Master, You may let Your servant go in peace, according to Your word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation" (St. Luke 2: 29-30).

St. Symeon died shortly after holding Jesus, knowing that He was his salvation. This righteous Elder Symeon is considered to be the Protector of young children.

Symeon’S Pr ayer

St. Symeon met Jesus! So can we! Faith is not only something we inherit from our family, more importantly it comes from a personal meeting or encounter with

Jesus. We can meet H i m i n prayer each day. We meet Him in the Bible. We meet Him at ev-ery Liturgy. We meet H i m i n the face of every needy person. Symeon held Je-sus in his arms. We can picture Jesus hold ing children in His arms, but here is something to-tally different:

Symeon holds Jesus in his arms! Are we not invited to do the same? Don’t we hold Jesus in our mind when we read His pre-cious words in the Gospel and when we pray to Him? Don’t we hold Him in our hearts when we receive His precious Body and Blood in Holy Communion? When this happens, we too can say with Symeon, “Lord, now I’ve seen everything! Now I can live and die contented! For I have seen the Saviour!”

What iS life?What is life? Some, like the existential-

ists say it is a plague. Jesus says, “I Am the Light of the world; he who follows me shall

not walk in darkness but shall have the Light of life.” – John 8:12

Those who deny God say life is nausea. Jesus says, “I Am the Bread of life; he who come to Me shall never hunger; and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” – John 6:35

Life is dread, the pessimists proclaim. Jesus says, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

But, you ask, how can you say there is meaning in life when there is so much evil and suffering? So much distress and an-guish? To answer these questions, we must look at the Cross again. It was willed by wicked men, but God wove it into the salva-tion of the world. The greatest good came from the greatest evil. So too, the thorns of life can become our crowns of glory if we surrender everything to Christ. “With them that love Him, God cooperates in all things for good,” says St. Paul. And he goes on: “For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” – 2 Cor. 4:17

SaintSYMEON

February 3

SayingS of the fatherS

Malice will never drive out malice. But if someone does an evil act to you, you should do good to him in return, so that by your good work you may destroy his malice.

– A Desert Father

The Promise ^ February 2016 ^ Volume 40, Issue 1 5

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Religious EducationUpdate

Philoptochos ReportPhiloptochos Stewardship

The Philoptochos membership drive for 2016 began in January with its kickoff at the annual

Vasilopita and Philoptochos Stewardship Sunday Luncheon on January 31.

Our History: The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philop-

tochos Society, established in 1931, is the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America that has offered over 84 years of philanthropy through a multitude of programs that make a differ-ence in the lives of people in the United States and throughout the world. Today Philoptochos has 26,000 members and more than 400 active chapters nationwide.

OUR MISSION:• To aid the poor, the destitute, the

hungry, the aged, the sick, the un-employed, the orphaned, the impris-oned, the widowed, the handicapped, the victims of disasters, to undertake the burial of impoverished persons and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the Church through fund raising efforts; and

• To promote the charitable, benevo-lent, and philanthropic purposes of

the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, through instructional programs, presentations, lectures, seminars and other educational resources;

• To preserve and perpetuate Or-thodox Christian concepts and the Orthodox Christian Family, and through them, to promote the Greek Orthodox Faith and traditions, in accordance with its doctrines, canons, discipline, divine worship, usages and customs;

• To promote participation in the ac-tivities of the Greek Orthodox com-munity, with the cooperation of the Parish Priest and the Parish Council.

HOLY TRINITY PHILOPTOCHOS:We are so proud that the Ladies Philop-

tochos Society of Holy Trinity executes on the mission through all the work that our chapter does, often serving as a model to others. This only happens through the commitment of our capable, generous and dedicated community of women who put their faith in action.

Averaging over 200 members a year, we are able to meet our commitments, sup-

port many worthy organizations, provide educational scholarships, support our church community, meet our National and Metropolis commitments and respond to individuals/families that are in great need who turn to the church for support.

This can only be done through the funds we are able to raise at our various events and membership offerings. We count on your generosity. We have incorporated many new avenues of communications to reach members and extended communities by utilizing email, Facebook and a presence on the Holy Trinity web site.

CALL TO ACTION:We urge all women over 18 years old

to join us. We must continue to build the strength and membership of our chapter, to infuse new ideas, to embrace new gen-erations of women to carry on this sacred mission.

Together with faith in the Lord, and a willingness from within each of us to offer our time, talent and treasures to lessen the pain, loss and suffering of others and sup-port our church community.

We can make a difference!

Congratulations to our K-5 stu-dents on another successful Christmas Program which took

place on December 13! It's always fun to hear the children sing and to welcome a visit from Santa as we begin to anticipate the joy of the season and the Birth of Christ. We would like to thank each of the following for their role in making this program possible: Sue Pangis and family, Andrea Cerini and family, Anna Decavalles, George Youlios, Julia Love, Ariana Tarhanidis, Steve Ladas, the teaching staff, the families who donated items, and lastly, Santa and his helpers.

We would also like to thank Despina

Apostolou for coordinating the Christmas Eve pageant for the Parish! The perfor-mance by the students was outstanding!! And finally to Maria Kanaras for organiz-ing the Angel & Mitten Tree which allows our parishioners to continue the outpouring of love and giving year after year!!

Looking ahead into 2016, we have several important events coming up:

• Sunday February 28 will be the Godparent/Godchild Communion Breakfast. We ask that all Godpar-ents and Godchildren attend with their families to worship, receive Holy Communion and join together

for Breakfast. Look for registration information in the Sunday Bulletin.

• March 20 is the Sunday of Ortho-doxy, when our K-6th grade students will process around the church with their icons (many of the icons have been constructed during class-time).

• Sunday, April 3 for the Oratorical Festival right after Fellowship Hour. Come listen to our middle and high school students speak on a variety of topics related to their faith and/or current events.

• Friday, April 30, 2016 for the Holy Fri-day retreat for children in Grades 1-6.

BY ELLEN MANOS-ATHENSON, MEMBERSHIP CO-CHAIR

BY IRIS LOVE AND CHRIS ECONOMIDES

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey6

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The Parish Council held its first meeting in 2016 that reflected on four topics in addition to our

normal agenda. The four topics included changes with the Parish Council Board members, election of Executive Officers, review of our top ten 2015 achievements, and looking forward to the top ten 2016 activities.

First, the Parish Council is grateful for the long standing service of retiring Par-ish Council members, Ted Demetriou and Robert LoAlbo, and look forward to their continued support as stewards. In the same spirit, the Parish Council welcomes three newly elected board members, Christopher Daifotis, George Koutsaftes, and Stephen Ladas. Please consider getting acquainted with our newest members during Sunday Fellowship Hour so they may get to know how to best serve your needs.

Second, congratulations to the Parish Council members who were elected officers: Anthony Bosco, Vice President; Ted Exharhatos, Treasurer ; James C. Fountas, Assistant Treasurer; and Panayiota Mavrides Sales, Secretary.

Third, I would like to share with you a highlight of the good works completed by the Parish Council dur-ing 2015. Our strategy is to strengthen our stewardship foundation, achieve our ministry operations, vest in our ministries and enable pathways to extraordinary stewardship. Our top ten achievements include:

1. Successfully re-cre-ated the experience of each of our 11 min-istries with a 42% participation rate

2. Launched a Fellow-ship committee to be led by stewards

3. Launched a new Young Adult Min-istry being led by stewards

4. Formed an Endowment Fund and gained approval of our amended bylaws

5. Adjusted Greek School tuition re-ducing budget exposure

6. Identified our top ranked projects ($1.2M) to set a near future capital fund

7. Facilitated Philoptochos and GOA to coordinate outreach and chari-table donations efforts

8. Led successful Festivals and Golf Outings

9. Expanded the Boards charitable giving to include local, metropolis, archdiocese and distant ministries

10. Both the Parish and Philoptochos met the St. Nicholas Shrine com-mitment

I would like to pause for a moment for all of us to consider: How did we as a Parish accomplish so much?

By expressing gratitude to God for one’s blessings allows one to focus on the true nature of what really matters!

The Parish Council must be transpar-ent in its operations it strives to maintain a culture of respect, peace, love, and unity in the Parish. Yet, we accomplish this through our most cherished behavior - gratitude. This sense guides the Parish Council to focus and achieve the things that matter all the more real.

Fourth, If you are wondering what the top ten 2016 activities here, well here they are!

1. Host adult retreat during Great Lent 2. Raise Parishioner participation rate

from 42% to 50% of stewards3. Move Annual Stewardship Pledge

from 60% - 80% of the fund-ed budget 4. Launch Planned Giving5. Launch Endowment In-vestment Fund6. Deliver the 50th An-niversary Ministry events, Journal Ad book, Luncheon and Gala 7. Assess our Insurance Policy to reduce liabilities and risks8. Develop new Pa r ish Council Board members9. Seed a capital building improvement fund 10. Ident i f y one mission that fosters religious freedom

The Parish Council is grateful to serve this Parish and be surrounded by ex-traordinary men and women within the church.

Thank you all for your service to the church and wishing you a Happy Val-entine’s Day!

Parish CouncilWhat is our most cherished behavior–Gratitude!

BY PETER TARHANIDIS, PARISH COUNCIL PRESIDENT

The Promise ^ February 2016 ^ Volume 40, Issue 1 7

Godparent/Godchild Sunday with Communion Breakfast

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

February 28, 2016

Sponsored by Holy Trinity Religious Education

Godchildren are encouraged to invite their Godparents to receive Communion with them and to attend the Breakfast.

♥ Orthros 8:15 AM; Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM

Breakfast in the Bouras Center after Sunday School classes ♥

Reservations during Fellowship Hour on February 7th, 14th and 21st

$12.00 for adults

$6.00 for children under 12 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NAME: _________________________________________

Number of adults: ____ Number of children (12 & under): ____

Total: $_______ Cash � / Check #_______ Please volunteer to help by calling the chairperson, Andrea Cerini, (908) 889-5961 or emailing at [email protected].

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Scenes from Christmastime

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey8

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As 2015 came to a close, Holy Trinity GOYA finished with several activi-ties that our members participated in.

Approximately 35 Goyans gathered together on December 18th during our outreach activity of Christmas caroling to some of our local parishio-ners and traveling to several local nursing homes – The Westfield Senior Center and The Chelsea in Scotch Plains - to spread some Christmas cheer and send our best wishes for a happy and healthy 2016. It was a wonderful experience to see the smiles on each resident’s face as we sang for them. It was especially nice to hear the residents join our singing as well. After caroling, the Goyans headed back to Holy Trinity where we ate pizza, made ice cream sundaes, and played Survivor team-building activities. The night culminated with our Lock-In and everyone had a great time. Thank you to our advisors as well as Mrs. Anthe Angelides who chaperoned this event. A wonderful time was had by all who attended and we look forward to continuing this combined event again next year.

On December 27th, our GOYA hosted its annual Alumni Games. Everyone who attended had a terrific time competing in volleyball and basketball games. The alumni won volleyball and our Goyans won basketball.

Our Goyans also traveled with members of the Union Goya to Tenafly on December 28th for the annual Christmas Dance. All who attended had a great time at the dance with other Goyans from across New Jersey.

January marked the beginning of a new year and it could not have started out with more excitement! Our athletic season came to a thrilling close with

the playoffs held on January 10th in Toms River, and January 11th in Asbury Park. Our girls’ volleyball team successfully advanced to the third place game and faced a very tough opponent, Piscataway. Our girls worked hard and were successful in capturing third place! Awesome job! Our se-nior boys’ basketball team was also successful advancing to the cham-pionship game. They also faced a tough battle against Holmdel. With much hard work, deter-mination, and pure grit, our boys were victorious once again capturing first place in an electrifying game that was decided in overtime! Well done boys! Congratulations to both our teams!

Our Goyans from both teams would not have been so successful without the dedication of our valuable coaches. Thank you to Mrs. Ellen Conti, Mr. Zenon Christodoulou, and Mr. Greg Panagos for their support and dedication coaching our vol-leyball team. Thank you also to Mr. Peter Boutsi-karis and Mr. John Apostolos for your guidance, support, and hard work with our senior basketball team. Our achievements this past weekend would not have been possible without each of you. Thank

you! The junior basketball team did a wonderful job at the January 30 playoffs. Coaches, Mr. Jimmy Angelides and Mr. Leon Carayannopoulos are thanked!

GOYA BY CHRISTOPHER BOUTSIKARIS, GOYA PRESIDENT

The Promise ^ February 2016 ^ Volume 40, Issue 1 9

UPCOMING GOYA EVENTSFEB MAR

12 12Valentine’s Dance in Holmdel, New Jersey

SIGHTS & SOUNDS FESTIVALWe are beginning to prepare for this annual event where our Goyans compete in literature, singing, dancing, and art. Please be sure to sign up on line as we go for first place once again!

For additional information on the Goya Youth Program at Holy Trinity please email:[email protected] for more information or stop by the Goya table during fellowship hour after church.

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5FINGERS FITTING5KEYSPHYLLIS A. VERENES

PIANO INSTRUCTOR & WEDDING ORGANIST

9 SAND HILL ROAD, MORRISTOWN, NJ 07960TEL: 973.538.2236 • CELL: 973.214.9222

Contact the Church Office if you would liketo advertise in the next issue of The Promise!

holy trinity greek orthodox ChurCh

ClaSSifiedS

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey10

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The Promise ^ February 2016 ^ Volume 40, Issue 1 11

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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

Non Profit Org.US postage

PAIDRahway, NJ

Permit No. 654

12

Metropolis ofNew Jersey

The Promise: Volume 40, Issue 1

10 issues published annually. No subscription fee.Article deadline - 10th of the preceding month

Schedule of Services

Sundays Weekdays

Orthros 8:15 AM 8:30 AM

Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM 9:30 AM

Ministries

Parish Council Peter TarhanidisPhiloptochos Penny Pefanis

Religious Education Chris EconomidesGreek School Rita Fitanidis

Youth (GOYA) Chris BoutsikarisJOY / HOPE Iris Love

TOTS Joanne Paras & Jenny Stellakis

Bookstore Sandy MouratoglouCultural Barbara Manos

Greek School PTO Jenny StellakisTrinity Circle Hellen Kiriakatis

Worship

Lead Psaltis Pascalis KuvalakisChoir Director Kathryn Athanasoulas

Organist Phyllis VerenesHead Acolyte John Katsingris

Office Staff

Office Manager Diana R. WaltsakAdmin. Assistant E. Joy Daniledes

Caretaker Ocione Nunes

Contact Information

Mailing Address 250 Gallows Hill Rd.Westfield, NJ 07090-1109

Phone 908-233-8533

Fax 908-233-0623

E-mail [email protected]

Web site holytrinitywestfield.org

Presiding Priest Rev. Peter Delvizis

E-mail [email protected]