The Parish Community Newsletter of  St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Little Falls, NJ Spring 2006

 

Parish Council Report  by Souhel Shehady

The Parish Council began the year with emphasis on “Positive Thinking” that would translate into new ways of how we deal with each other, with our priest, and with all parishioners. The council will work on streamlining how we run our business office:  We will establish new audit control for our financial transactions by conducting two audits per year to assure good checks and balances. Our Treasurer will work with our secretary to create a run book for our business office, to assure continuity, and avoid any disruption. We created new forms to record all weddings, baptisms, and funerals. < BR>All forms except for funerals must be filled out at the business office after Fr. Bitar has approved the date. The forms contain the suggested donations. The council will introduce new ways to increase revenue to our Church, some of the ideas we are investigating: The 300 Club, which was a very successful program many years ago Solicitation advertisements ( Business Introduction) to be printed initially with the Champion, and later with the weekly bulletin. This fund raising activity has been used in many Orthodox churches within our Archdiocese. Greater emphasis on Hall Rentals by encouraging our parishioners to participate whether by renting it, or soliciting their friends and relatives to rent it. The council is open to hear some suggestions to improve this facility if needed. The council working with the Stewardship committee has introduced new ways to reach parishioners who are not meeting their annual pledges, the following actions has taken places: A letter was sent to all parishioners that didn’t donate to the church, 24% has responded positively A letter was sent to parishioners that donated less than $200, 32% responded positively A letter will be sent to parishioners that did not meet the minimum We will continue to send the same letter to people who did respond to earlier letters. The council posted messages throughout the Church hall to encourage parishioners to donate their fair share. Every Parishioner is invited to attend our monthly meeting on the third Wednesday of each month, April’s meeting will be held on April 12th, because of Holy week. On behalf of the Council I want to wish each of you a Happy Easter and may the risen Lord gives us the strength to continue serving his Church.

 

Ladies Society Report  by Yola Shehady, President

The Ladies would like to extend their hearty congratulation for a blessed Easter full of wishes for a healthy season. Our Ladies actively doing their usual projects working in harmony and fellowship.   March is designated to be Ladies month in our Archdiocese, and our Ladies were truly visible from reading the Epistle, to ushering during Liturgy. The spinach pie sale was a big fund raiser; we will donate the proceeds to the Clergy retirement fund. We cooked for a very inspiring retreat where Sister Emiliane was an unbelievable speaker, and everyone enjoyed her knowledge, sincerity, and friendliness.   Last but not least is our Lenten dinner that sure to be a great success.   We invite any lady that is not a member of our society to join by contacting any member, or the Church’s secretary; we will welcome you with open arms.

 

PTA Report  by Rima Bandeli, President

The PTA is getting ready for the Pascha season. We will be hosting the annual Lazarus Saturday pancake break fast April 15 after the Liturgy. We hope all will be there. April 23 after the Pascha morning service, we will have a light breakfast and the egg hunt for the children. Bring the children to enjoy this event.   As the school year is drawing to an end, the PTA would like to ask parent to become more involved in the events hosted by the PTA. Next year we are hoping that if more of you are working with us, the events will be successful. Thanks to those who continuously lend a hand and volunteer without a question.   Remember everything we do is for our children. God Bless!

 

Fellowship of St. John Update  by Julie Aboud, President

Thank you to all for supporting yet another successful Beefsteak Dinner. Under the guidance of Brian Nafash, we were able to raise $7,400 towards the Camp Scholarship Fund. We truly thank all of you who donated their time and talents towards the success of this event. Our gratitude goes out to all of you who attended as well.   The Fellowship has just finished its first book series – the Orthodox perspective on “THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE”. We thank Fr. George and Fr. Elias on guiding us through an amazing journey. We are most thankful for the time we spent growing together as Orthodox Christians.   Everyone is invited to our next two events – our Second Annual Cinco de Mayo Party on Friday May 5 at Salim and Julie Abboud’s home at 7:30 pm, and our Fellowship and Families Picnic on Saturday May 20 at Garrett Mountain Park in West Paterson. Everyone in invited to pack their picnic baskets and bring your families for an afternoon of fun! For more info, cont act Julie Abboud or any member of the Fellowship. We look forward to seeing you at both events!

 

Teen SOYO Update by Jeffrey Nafash, President

Since the turn of the New Year, as always, the Teens have been very active. We have helped out at Special Olympic events, as well as continuing our support within the church at the International Coffee Hour and the Beefsteak. Lent started about 3 weeks ago, which marked the beginning of the busiest time for the Teens. We recently had our spring basket auction, and have our spring falafel sale, Palm Sunday bake sale, and Chocolate Easter Egg sale to look forward to during this time. Now, some might say that the teens are always doing events for money, and we never stop, although that might be true, there are reasons why we do all of these fundraising activities. None of the money we raise is used for ourselves, but is donated to needy families, Special Olympics, or other organization s that we vote on as a SOYO. Your continued support during this time will be greatly appreciated by all the Teens, because it is not us who you will be helping, but those that we provide for. In addition to our yearly activities, Father Elias is helping to promote our spiritual growth within the church. We are beginning to have monthly meetings with our parents so that not only individually, but also as a family, we will be able to grow in the Word of God. It is known that many of our teens are uncomfortable with personal confession, and that is where we are going to start. Father Elias hopes that by teaching the teens about communion and confession, and creating stronger spiritual bonds within the families, we will be more willing to go to church, and receive the body and blood of Christ. As with all our events, we hope that you will support us in this learning period, so we can learn how to better be involved and serve the church.    Visit our website at www.teensoyo.com

 

St. George Sunday School News by Mary Elizabeth Asencio

The Sunday School has been very busy in the first few months 2006. Here’s an update on our activities.   The 2006 Creative Festivals: We kicked off 2006 working in class on the Creative Festivals theme. This year’s theme is about the Holy Spirit, and is based on a verse from the Old Testament Book of Joel (Joel 2:28)- “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” A lesson on the theme focusing on the Feast of Pentecost and the Sacrament of Chrismation was presented to Grades 1-8 on February 19th and February 26th. All Sunday School Students in Grades 1-8 were invited to work on their entries in the Poetry, Writing and Art Festivals at the Creative Festivals Workshop on Saturday, March 4th and March 19th. Some students chose to work on their entries at home. Our 3 year old, 4 year old and Kindergarten classes worked in class on their entries at the end of March. We will be notified by June of any student entries receiving special recognition at the Awards Assembly at the Eastern Dioceses Parish Life Conference in Pittsburgh in July and will share that notification with families as soon as we know. Congratulations to all the students who participated- taking the time to learn about the Holy Spirit makes you a winner!    Returning to God: The Sacrament of Confession: We are very excited about this year’s new program for students in Grades 4-8: “Returning to God: The Sacrament of Holy Confession (Penance)”. Father George joined our classes on Sunday, February 26th. On March 5th and 12th, we again met to further discuss what Confession is and how to prepare for Confession. The Sacrament of Confession is often misunderstood o r not properly used by many Orthodox faithful. Our Sunday School program, although providing an opportunity for absolution as a group on a monthly basis, has not emphasized the proper practice of the individual Confession of sins in the presence of the priest. The “Returning to God” program is a first step in educating all of us of the importance of the Sacrament of Confession. In addition to our classroom lessons, we have asked that all students in Grades 4-8 schedule an individual Confession during Great Lent and Holy Week. A schedule with specific dates and times during the months of March and April was developed to ensure the availability of Father George and Father Elias. Times are available on certain Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays before and after services for an Individual Confession. Please contact Mary Elizabeth Asencio at 201-327-0667 or maryecross@optonline.net for the available dates and times and with any other questions. Our goal is to have all students in Grades 4-8 participate in an individual Confession during Great Lent and Holy Week. Parents- we need you to make this happen! Thank you in advance for your cooperation in helping to meet this goal.   Lazarus Saturday, April 15: The Sunday School will be preparing to participate in Lazarus Saturday in a special way. On April 9th, the Sunday School will be making Prosphora (Holy Bread) during class. At 9:30 a.m. on Lazarus Saturday, April 15th, student readers from Grades 4-6 will join Father Elias as he presents the Prothesis Service (the preparation of the gifts of bread and wine for Communion) using the Holy Bread that we made. The PTA sponsored Communion Breakfast will follow and at the breakfast all students are invited to help make our Holy Week Mural and learn about the journey we make with Christ to His empty tomb by detailing the events of Holy Week. Don’t miss t his special opportunity to learn about your faith! Volunteers Needed! If you would like to teach, substitute, or help the Sunday School in any way for the 2006-2007 school year, please contact Mary Elizabeth Asencio at 201-327-0667 or maryecross@optonline.net for more information. We are blessed with so many children and are always in need of support. Join us!   Upcoming Sunday School Dates: Please note the following dates: Sunday, April 2nd: Sunday School Communion Sunday, April 9th: PreK 3-Grade3 Making Holy Bread, Grades 4-6 Preparing for the Prothesis Service Saturday, April 15th: Prothesis Service at 9:30 a.m. with Lazarus Saturday Liturgy Following, PTA Sponsored Communion Breakfast with Holy Week Mural Sunday, April 16th: No Class, Palm Sunday Sunday, April 23rd: No Class, Pascha Sunday, April 30th and Sunday, May 7: Reviewing for End of Year Final Exams/Final Exam Sunday, May 14th: La st Day of Class Sunday, May 21st: Graduation

 

St. George Charity Committee

Sharing Christ’s Gift of Love — The St. Nicholas Wonderworker’s Fund “I feel really indebted to St. George… for the immeasurable ways you all have helped and continue to help support my family and I. Words alone cannot nearly begin to express the gratitude my family and I feel in our hearts.” — A letter of thanks from a family helped by our parish through the Charity Committee. The St. George Charity Committee is pleased to announce our new pledging program to share Christ’s gift of love — the St. Nicholas Wonderworker’s Fund. St. Nicholas, who is known for his compassion and generosity for the poor and needy, is a model for the work of the Charity Committee. This pledging program will replace the Century Club Program. We ask contributors to pledge their support at a level of $25.00, $50.00 or $100.00 per month (or an amount of your choice) for one year, and to consider renewing this commitment each year. Meeting this monthly commitment is easy- payment can be made by check, cash, credit or debit card. With these pledges, we can make solid commitments throughout the year to financially assist our brothers and sisters in need.  Your assistance will continue to be administered through our Charity Committee in order to maintain strict confidentiality of the identity of those we serve. The St. Nicholas Wonderworker’s Fund is an effective and efficient way to make a charitable donation. Because the Charity Committee is comprised entirely of volunteers, every dollar you give goes directly to those we serve with priority given first to our parishioners and then to helping those in our surrounding, local community.   Be a Wonderworker — the greatest gift we can give is to help oth ers lift themselves up in a time of need! Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please do not hesitate to contact any Charity Committee member (Diane Barsa, Father Elias Bitar, Father George Kevorkian, John Asencio, Mary Elizabeth Asencio, Frank Czerwinski, Bob Maloof, Brian Nafash, Yola Shehady) for further information. Brochures and commitment cards with specific details about the St. Nicholas Wonderworker’s Fund are available from any Charity Committee member or by contacting the church office at 973-256-8961.

 

"You Talkin To Me ?!?" by Adib Roumie

This conversation may have started between two very good friends, members of a Christian Orthodox parish in the non-descript social hall of the church.   Stuart: Hey Chip, what are you doing this afternoon? Chip: After liturgy, I plan to go home and watch some football on TV. Why do you ask? Stuart : Well, I am a little upset and would like to sit with you and talk… Chip: What’s wrong buddy? Is Ann, your wife, ok? Anything wrong with the children? I see you are all by yourself today Stuart: No, nothing is wrong with the family….it’s…. Chip: say… something happened between you and this overbearing boss of yours? Stuart: No… No… nothing of that, it is a personal problem I need to discuss with you. Chip: would you like to talk here or should we go somewhere with a little more privacy Stuart: Here is fine, or better, what do you say if we drive to the Starbuck’s shop for a cup of coffee? It’s my treat. May be we can sit in a corner, sip some latte and hope nobody interrupts. With that, the two buddies drove to the Starbuck’s store. Stuart: I do not know how to start! Chip: Listen Stuart, don’t worry, you just tell me what’s on your mind… Stuart: Well, you know I received a letter from the church office telling me that my contributions to the church last year were not enough and I wonder what makes them send me such letter. Chip: Now I know what is on your mind, and to be honest with you, Stuart, I thought you knew better your obligations towards your church. Stuart: I sure do and I pay as much as I can afford, do I have to live up to a certain level of giving, for them to be happy with me. Chip: No…No…Stuart. I know that the church office sent these letters to some members as a reminder and to explain the hard financial situation of the church. It clarifies the need for every member to carry his or her fair share of the burden. It is our obligation. Stuart: What makes you think it is our obligation? It is my obligation to put a roof over my family, it is my obligation to provide shelter, food and clothes for my family, it is my obligation to send my kids to good schools and look after their education etc., etc., how is it my obligation to pay for the church? Chip: Well Stuart, I think it is going to be a very long discussion, I might as well forget about watching football this afternoon. Listen, may we start from the beginning. Who, do you think, owns this church? Stuart: I don’t know, maybe the Archdiocese, or the priest or a couple of rich families. I know Mr. Smith and Mrs. Jones are always happy to contribute, they are rich and they can afford it. Chip: Stuart you have it all wrong. This church belongs to our family: your family and my family and to all the families who are members of the parish. Think about it this way: we are all children of God, right?  We are member of the Christian family right? In this church, we share together all the good times and the bad times, right? Remember when your mother died, God rest her soul, who came to the funeral home for the wake besides your family, your cousins and the priest? Stuart: That was unforgettable; almost all members of this church came to share in our grief and present their heartfelt condolences. Chip: And what happened when you and Ann brought your son Chris to church for the first time? Stuart: True, they all congratulated Ann and I and I felt very close to them, they were truly pleased and happy for us. Chip: I can list many more occasions, but the fact is: in this church we are all one family, we all approach the same Lord’s table for communion together and partake in His Eucharist (which means Thanksgiving). Stuart: So what that has to do with my contribution to the church? Chip: That is the crucial question. If we all share the use of this church for our celebration and our pain and suffering, and if we are all in communion, then we are all one family… and if we are all one family then we are all required to fulfill our obligation towards its financial needs. Let me ask you: Would you consider skipping a payment on your mortgage? Stuart: Are you out of your mind? You want to see me out on the street? Mortgage payment is sacred even more so than food and cloth. Chip: Well I have news for you, your obligation towards the church ranks up there next to your mortgage commitment and without you and others paying their fair share we will all be out on the street without church, spiritually homeless. Our church contribution is our way to show God our gratitude and our thanks for his kindness and grace. He gave you good health and a well paying job; He gave you a wonderful wife and two beautiful and healthy children. Was that all because you deserve it? or because you worked hard for it? You know very well that others may even be more deserving than you are. Stuart: You’re right, I often wondered why is God so kind to me? Chip: Let me remind you of your last promotion, did you not tell me that it was a complete surprise and that you  thought others were better qualified? God has plans for our lives and we have to accept his plans. No matter what we receive, we should show appreciation and gratitude for his gifts to us. Stuart: I have to agree with you, but I do pay $5 every time I come to church, others may be paying less. Chip: You know times have changed, what do you think $5 or $ 10 can add up to in our church budget? Here is a live example; you’re treating me for a cup of coffee. A cup of coffee from Starbucks is $3.50 or $4 and you probably will tip the waiter; before we leave this place I am sure you will be paying at least $10 and for what: two cups of coffee? Now think about what you get from the church. You come every week and find the church spotless, your kids go to Sunday school and are taught for 30 or 45 minutes, your mother was buried by the church, you and the family receive communion and confession, your kids were baptized here, God willing, they will be married here. It is your second home, it is your family home and how much do you think is adequate payment to keep that second home open and functional. Do you think that $5 or $10 a week is enough for all these services? The church has many obligations: electric, water, heating in winter and air conditioning in summer,  salaries, maintenance and upkeep of the buildings and the grounds. God has been very generous to you; you should be as generous towards him and his church. He only depends on you and me to care for his church and if we do not who will? Stuart: But I do thank Him always and in every… Chip: Stuart, you are a practical man; remember the old saying “put your money where your mouth is”. Your thanks to him should not stop at words but should be followed by deeds. Your giving should be proportional to the gifts you received from Him. What do you think your health, your family’s health, your well being, your job and your wife’s job and your kids are worth? If all we got on this earth is a gift from above, should we be less generous with the Giver of Life? You know Stuart, St. Luke’s in his gospel has a sentence that I always remember when I am about to give to the church: “for the measure you give will be the measure you get back”. So if God has given you generously, why are you not showing the same generosity towards his house? You are a generous man with your family and friends, but giving to the Lord is even more important, and a little different, whatever you give, you give in secret, not recognized by people but only God knows and he will accept your giving to his church. Stuart: One thing upsets me though, why would the priest send me such a letter? Chip: Correction, I think he sent it to few others on the insistence of the parish council… Stuart: Wait a minute, you mean to tell me that the parish Council also knows about me and the letter. Chip: No, no, absolutely not, the parish council only knows that some members (without any names) are not paying their fair share, Stuart please do not be upset with Father, it is his job, he is obliged to tell you what you do not know about our Christian faith. Do you think that he likes it? No more than you like being reminded of your obligations. Let me ask you another question: if you attended a church where the priest does not explain to the parishioners their spiritual obligations such as communion, confession and fasting and where he neglects to explain the gospel every service would you like such church? Stuart: No way, for sure he will not be doing his job. Chip: Exactly and explaining the issue of financial giving to the church is one of his obligations towards his parishioners that he, reluctantly, is required to bring to their attention. Do you know that in the bible, the word “God” is the word most often repeated; and the word “money” comes in second? Do you also know that almost half of Jesus’ parables spoke on the subject of money? So when the priest talks to us about giving, he is only doing his job. Let me ask you: do you know how much you should give to the church? Stuart: I know that Jesus did not specify any amount like in the Old Testament Chip: Sorry my friend, you might not like to hear what Jesus had to say about the subject of giving. In the gospel of Mark, he spoke about the poor widow who gave the equivalent of “two cents” only, but Jesus said that “this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury” Stuart: Chip…you confusing me; you think that $5 is not enough and now you telling me about two cents. Is this a riddle? Chip: Do not get impatient, Jesus continued by saying, “all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in every thing she had, all she had to live on”. No one is asking you to contribute all you have to live on, but let your giving be proportional to your income. Stuart: Proportional! What does that means? Could you be more specific? Chip: It means very simply you check how much you make every week or every month and decide on your own, without coercion or pressure, to pay a certain portion of that income as an offering to God for the upkeep and the functioning of the home of the family of God. So whether you earn $100 a week or $100 a day or $100 an hour you give a certain percentage of your earnings. Obviously, because the three do not earn equal amounts, the one that earns $100 an hour practically earns 40 times more than the one that is making $100 a week and the first should be giving 40 times more than the second. Stuart: So what do you think is a good percentage to give? Chip: That is left to you and you r generosity. In the Old Testament, God required ten percent to be given on every thing you own or earn. Stuart: Ten percent is too much! Chip: No Stuart that is not too much, you may start at a lower level such as 3 or 5% and gradually increase your giving according to your means to reach 10%. No one is asking you to give all to the church and leave your kids hungry but also you should not live in luxury and ignore your church struggle for funds to pay salaries and bills and make ends meet. Two things should guide you: first you and your wife must decide what to give the church every week or every month from your joint income. This commitment is between you two and God, but then you should also inform the church office about your commitment (pledge), and second you do that with a willing spirit and a joyful and thankful heart because as you know: “God loves a cheerful giver.” Stuart: I have another question Chip: Why don’ t we leave it for next time, this way people will say that Stuart-Chip are a good team! Stuart: Is this an intended pun? Chip: You bet it is!

 

Community News

Confession  Confession is required once a month before taking Communion by all faithful. Confession is given on Sunday's, between 9:00 AM and 9:45 AM.    Planning for Festival 2006 We are planning to update our festival, which has basically remained unchanged over the past several years. First off, the date is set and we are back to holding it on the weekend of Father's Day - June 16, 27,19, 2006. Mark the date   This year's chair people are Fadia Juzdan, Jane Tadros and Julie Abood.   We are looking for new ideas. If you have a new idea for the festival, or would like to help in any way, please see one of the above chair people.   We're Voiceless without you Do you have a voice or know and like music, then think about being in the choir on Sunday. Is coming to church weekly to sing in praising God too much for God to ask? Please think about the people that have climbed those steps for almost 50 years. God has been calling on you, please don't wait until too late to answer the call. Don't put God on hold.