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St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Wilmington NC, May 2015 Monthly Newsletter
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608 SOUTH COLLEGE ROAD WILMINGTON NC 28403 (910) 392-4444 FAX (910) 392-4905
www.stnicholaswilmington.org
May 2015
Feast of Holy Pentecost
May 31
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church May 2015
2
Fr. Jon Emanuelson
Parish Priest
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 9AM – 2PM
Office Phone: 910-392-4444 Office Fax: 910-392-4905
Fr. Jon’s Mobile Number: 910-685-0080
Office Email: [email protected]
Fr. Jon’s Email: [email protected]
Church Website: www.stnicholaswilmington.org
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/StNicholasWilmington
2015 PARISH COUNCIL
CHURCH STAFF
Angelique Skandalakis, Parish Office Administrator
PARISH MINISTRY TEAM
Officers Members
Barbara Reynolds, President John Burgee Debra Rallis
Evangelos Fragos, Vice President Peter Manolukas Nick Saffo
Irene Sotiriou Vogiatzis, Secretary Peter Malahias Maria Stasios
Tina Bostic, Treasurer Emanuel Miliotis
Religious Education…Richard Reynolds, Ministry Chair Communications - Technology Ministries…
Adult Education…Richard Reynolds Alexandros Theodoropolos, Ministry Group Leader
Youth Catechism…Courtney Malahias, Director Webmaster… Alexandros Theodoropolos
Bookstore/Library…Mary Ann Wall Publications…Angelique Skandalakis, Stella McTaggart
Oratorical Festival…Courtney Malahias Technology… Alexandros Theodoropolos
Media/Community Relations…Beth Burgee, Debra
Hellenic Culture…Kitsa Wiersteiner, Ministry Chair Rallis, Alexandros Theodoropolos
Hellenic School…Anestis Logothetis, Acting Director
Romiosini Dance Group… Zaharoula Katsikis Parish Family Life…**Volunteer Needed**
Zoyra Dance Group… Zaharoula Katsikis Parish Family Night…**Volunteer Needed**
Choral…Dr. Michael Rallis Men’s Group…Richard Reynolds
Special Activities… Kitsa Wiersteiner Women’s Group…**Volunteer Needed**
Forever Young…Stella Vallianos
Youth Diakonia…Koula Katsikis, Ministry Chair LOVE…Stella McTaggart
GOYA…Mary Beth Miliotis, Tina Bostic, Dr. David
Snow, Irene Vogiatzis Outreach & Evangelism…Diane McGowan
HOPE/JOY… Joyce Patsalos, Renée Psilos, Sophia OCF…Fr. Jon, Alexandros Theodoropolos
Brewer, Connie Ronner, Jaime Saffo Hospitality…Ed and Kathleen Mayorga
Community Service…Christina Mount
Liturgical Life… Dr. Michael Rallis, Ministry Chair Parish Care…Pat Poulos, Tina Stamatakis
Liturgical Music… Dr. Michael Rallis
Acolytes…Doug Brown Philoptochos…Thalia Kefalas, Chapter President
Neokoros/Sexton…**Volunteer Needed**
Stewardship…Debra Rallis
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church May 2015
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From the Desk of Father Jon
Christ is risen! Χριστός Ανέντη!
These words should be on our lips constantly. When we answer the phone, when we greet each other,
when we gather at our family dinner table, let us all proclaim the resurrection of Christ. May we chant the
Paschal Troparion when rise in the morning, as a prayer before meals, before we go to bed in the evening for
all 40 days of the Resurrection, right up until Ascension!
The truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is what gives us so much to look forward to. Because Je-
sus is the resurrection and the life, He has conquered sin and death. It is just as He said in the gospel of John,
“In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. The
power of our Lord over sin and death gives us strength and hope for life eternal with God.
We many opportunities to share our Orthodox Faith with those around us. We can much testimony of
the difference that God makes in our lives. We have a multitude of witnesses that came before us – the Saints
– that speak well about the real life in Christ. Our Orthodox Church offers us so many blessings through the
worship, the Mysteries, the Icons, the Scriptures, the Fasts, the Feasts, the prayers!
Opportunity Realized!
Our St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Festival is one the greatest opportunities to reach out to the
community and especially to those with no spiritual home. In just a few weeks, we will embark on our annual
event with new zeal! Let everyone wear the button that invites the people to join us for our Church tours. Let
everyone ask all those we see, “Have you been on a church tour yet?”
I believe there are so many souls in our community that have yet to hear the truth of the gospel in our
Orthodox Christian Church, that we could easily fill our church in the next few years with visitors, inquirers,
new members. So that those who show up late will have to stand because there are no seats left. The Lord
Himself commanded His servants in the parable of the wedding feast to go out to the highways and byways
and invite the people until His house is full! May His command find true life in us! How can we know the
joy of the resurrection and not share it?
Lastly, most of the time I do not have a favorable opinion about films that speak about our Christian
faith. I am truly happy to recommend one that I saw recently titled, “Do You Believe?” It is a wonderful
film, full of great lessons (and no foul language). It resonates the message of the gospel so strongly, you will
be moved to tears. I pray you will all have the opportunity to see this film. It is more than worth the price of
admission and you will feel uplifted after seeing it!
Truly He is risen!
Love, Fr. Jon
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church May 2015
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From the Parish Council President
Barbara Reynolds
Xristos Anesti, Christ is Risen!
It was wonderful to see our church filled for the beautiful Pascha services. I hope everyone felt as spiritually
uplifted as I did. It was so moving to hear the beautiful words and chanting of the services. The flowers on the
icons and the Kouvouklion were beautiful. It all came together as a truly meaningful and spiritual experience. I
would like to thank all the “servants” that made the services so beautiful and the Agape picnic so delicious and
fun. I would also like to thank Fr. Eugene and Deacon Tom and Alex Kamilaris who helped Fr. Jon with the
services and the retreat for the youth. It was such a blessing to have them with us all week. Looking forward I
hope to continue to see our church full of Orthodox worshipers.
The St. Nicholas Greek Festival is coming up on May 15 – 17. We need volunteers to help the week before and
the weekend of the Festival. If you are not sure where your help is needed please contact a member of the festi-
val committee or a parish council member. This is a chance for us to share our faith, our love, our culture and
our great Greek food with the community of Wilmington. See you all there.
In His service
June 7 - Graduation for Hellenic School and
Church School
June
SAVE THE DATE
July 12-18 - St. Stephen’s Summer Camp
July
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church May 2015
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Stewardship Debra Rallis
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE
SAY ABOUT STEWARDSHIP?
Give without show – “Let not your left hand know
what your right hand is doing.” (Matt. 6:3)
Give with regularity in proportion – “Upon the first
day of the week let everyone of you lay by him in
store, as God has prospered him.” (I Cor. 16:2)
Give liberally – “He who sows sparingly will also
reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also
reap bountifully.” (II Cor. 9:6)
Give cheerfully – “Let everyone give as his heart tells
him, neither grudgingly, nor under compulsion, for
God loves the man that gives cheerfully.” ((II Cor.
9:7)
Please complete your stewardship commitment card.
The stewardship card provides us the information we
need about the time, talent and treasures you are able
to offer St. Nicholas. The Parish Council can then
determine what we can offer from our various minis-
tries throughout this year. Thank you for taking the
time to complete one of these cards. They can be
found at the entrance to the church.
Stewardship Committee
Bookstore Mary Ann Wall
The bookstore/library will have an open house this
month after the Festival. No firm date has been set
but I hope all parishioner will COME SEE. Thank
you. In Christ’s Service, Mary Ann Wall.
2015 STEWARDSHIP 4/5/2015
Total Stewards 95
Total $ Pledged $186,763
2015 Budget (goal) $240,000
Avg $ pledge per steward $1,987
% Parish participation to date 47%
% of total goal 78%
Total Giving to date $69,690
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church May 2015
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Hellenic Culture and Greek School Kitsa Wiersteiner
The Hellenic Culture ministry would like to thank all
the people who contributed to the beautiful Greek In-
dependence Day program. Special thanks goes to our
speaker, Dr. Anesti Logothetis, our Hellenic school
director.
The teachers, parents, and the Hellenic Special Activi-
ties members Dr. Ron Demas, Dr. & Mrs. Emmanuel
Koklanaris, and Manny Lionikis assisted the children
with their poems. We are proud of our children who
worked so hard with their poems, singing, and danc-
ing. Zaharoula has done an outstanding job with Zoyra
and Romiosini dancers. Her enthusiasm is matched
with Nota Dukas's dedication in sewing the beautiful,
authentic Greek costumes. Many thanks to both of
them. A big thank you to the Hellenic school parents,
and especially to Kim Dandulakis for decorating the
Hellenic Center.
Moreover, many thanks to Chris's Restaurant for the
delicious fasting meal. Many thanks to Peter Malahias
and Vasili Vogiatzis for assisting Chris and his family
in the kitchen. We would also like to thank Alexan-
dros Theodoropoulos for his technical assistance and
for operating the sound system. Thank you to every-
one who brought desserts, fruits, and drinks. There are
too many to mention by name. Many thanks to Kathy
Dimopoulos for making the program and flyer. We
would also like to thank Barbara Harris for photo-
graphing this event and to Ben Harris for videotaping
it. Ben and Barbara also built the Κρυφο Σχολειο
"Secret School" scenery.
Most importantly, we want to thank our community
for being present and showing your support for the
efforts of our children.
We apologize if we forgot to acknowledge anyone
who helped with this celebration.
Please note, there will be no Greek School on May 15
because of the Festival. Graduation for Greek School
will be on Sunday, June 7 along with the Sunday
School graduation.
Youth Catechism Courtney Malahias
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish
but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Christos Anesti!
As our ecclesiastical year is coming to an end, I would
like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful,
dedicated teachers.
1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and
sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give
yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you
know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Stella McTaggart,Jack Poulos, Pam and Cameron Cal-
houn, Angelique Skandalakis, Alexandros The-
odoropoulos, Alexia Porzio, Renee Theophilas, Mary
Ann Vavalette, Eleni Papamihiel, Lucy Pekatos,
Melissa Kirkby, Koula Katsikis, Tina Gill, Presbytera
Barbara Emanuelson, Erica Yucius, Manny Miliotis,
Jimmie Stasios and Alex Pathenos…...THANK YOU!
You definitely put the U in CH RCH!!!!
It takes a special person to teach and each of you are
very special to our church.
Next time you see them, say thank you and give them
a hug!
Graduation Sunday is fast approaching! The date is
June7th! If you have a senior, please come see me.
We will be sending an email soon with what is needed
to honor your child’s accomplishment.
Thank you for all you do and for a fabulous year!
Grateful to be in His service,
Courtney Malahias
The Hellenic Culture
Special Activities Committee Kitsa Wiersteiner
On Saturday March 28th, 2015, the Hellenic Culture
Special Activities Committee presented a screening of
the documentary, “The Journey: The Greek American
Dream,” produced and directed by Maria Iliou.
This was a very successful event with approximately
forty people in attendance. The documentary, which
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church May 2015
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contains a wealth of previously unseen archival pho-
tographs and film footage from over fifty public and
private American collections, told the fascinating his-
tory of Greek immigrants in search of the American
dream.
GOYA
Koula Katsikis, Mary Beth Miliotis, Tina Bostic, David Snow,
Irene Vogiatzis
All Goyans needed to help during our Greek Festival.
Make sure to log in your hours daily with Ms Koula.
Help needed in the drive thru - just ask where help is
needed - we need YOU! Help is also needed to set
up the week before the festival. If you are dancing,
this counts as volunteer hours too. If you need letters
for volunteer hours worked for school, please see
Angelique Skandalakis in the Church Office. The
festival this year is May 15,16 and 17.
LOVE Stella McTaggart
Χριστοs Ανεστι!
For the month of May LOVE invites all of our fami-
lies to join us for Divine Liturgy on Thursday, May
21 followed by playtime at a local park afterwards.
Orthros begins at 8am and Liturgy begins after that
(approximately 9am). This will be the perfect event
as most preschools are out of school and this is before
the long Memorial Day weekend.
LOVE tries to meet at least once per month with both
the child(ren) and at least one adult participating in
the event. Caretakers could be moms, dads, grand-
parents, aunts, uncles, and nannies, really anyone
who wants to come to the events. So please join us
this month!! If you have any questions, please don’t
hesitate to contact any member of LOVE for more
information.
Community News
GREEK FESTIVAL
Our Greek Festival will be May 15th - 17th
Please come out and help the week before and during
the festival. We need help everywhere: from the food
line, to the drive thru, the gates, to pastries and sal-
ads. Food Handling Volunteers: Please remember to
bring and wear a hat!!
We need people to do cooking demonstrations -
Please sign up!
Monetary donations towards festival expenses are
greatly appreciated. Please be aware, we use food dis-
tributors to order food and paper products; however,
if you would like to designate a certain item for your
donation such as tomatoes, onions, tzatziki sauce,
dolmathes, rice, potatoes, napkins, silverware, etc.
please let us know how much money you would like
to donate so we can order these items directly from
the distributors. For any donation, please contact the
office at 910-392-4444 or Fr. Jon.
This is our festival to benefit our church - we need all
hands on deck to make 2015 a success!
Thank you in advance for all your help.
From the Festival Committee
HELLENIC CENTER BEAUTIFICATION
We have started a Hellenic Center Beautification
Fund Drive to update our Hellenic Center. You will
notice that the Hellenic Center and the hallways have
been painted. Our other wish list items are listed be-
low. Donations of any amount will be greatly appreci-
ated. Please note “Hellenic Center” on your check. If
you want your donation to go to a specific item
please note it on your check. Otherwise once we col-
lect enough our next big project will be to replace the
floor and carpet.
WISH LIST
Flooring (approx cost $16,000)
New Banquet Chairs (approx cost $6,000)
New Ceiling Tile
New Bar Cabinetry
Granite Countertop For Bar Area
Plantation Shutters for Four Windows - DONATED
STOP HUNGER NOW
We were notified by the STOP HUNGER NOW or-
ganization that the meals from our Parish's December
meal-packaging event have been shipped in a con-
tainer with 218,120 meals from SHN's Eastern North
Carolina warehouse. The meals will be received by
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church May 2015
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SHN's in-country partner, Convoy of Hope, in Haiti.
Thank you for your financial contributions and volun-
teer support during our Parish's SHN meal-packaging
event that helped make this shipment possible!
Irene Sotiriou Vogiatzis
Jimmie Stasios
Congratulations
For all the people celebrating their birthday, anniver-
sary, and name day in the month of May, may you
have many happy years! Many Happy Years!
On April 19 we held a 40 day blessing for Zoe
Mayorga, daughter of Sia Mayorga. Na sas zisi!
Congratulations to Maia Porzio who won 1st place in
the state of North Carolina PTA Reflections contest
for photography. The theme this year was "the world
would be a better place if"... And Maia's response was
"if we looked up". She will be moving on to the na-
tional competition next. See her entry above.
Sympathies and Memorials
It was with great sadness that we were informed that
Mr. Gus Stefanadis, age of 84, Fell Asleep in the Lord
in Clearwater FL, in the evening of Thursday, March
19th, 2015. He was surrounded by his devoted wife
of 55 plus years, Sonja (Sophia), and family. We
would like to extent our deepest condolences to his
family...
As many of you know, Gus Stefanadis grew-up in
Wilmington and attended St. Nicholas when this was
located down at the intersection of 2nd & Orange
Streets. He was a very dedicated and long-time mem-
ber of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Clear-
water FL, and served his beloved parish tirelessly in
many capacities. Gus was also much admired, respect-
ed, and loved as a family man, loyal AHEPAN, and
committed Pan-Icarian. Please find Mr. Stefanadis's
full obituary at http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/
obituary.aspx?n=Gus-
Stefanadis&lc=9854&pid=174445092&uuid=9ebcbe37-
6167-440e-a917-d8083783f008 .
Please keep his wife Sonja (Sofia) and the rest of his
immediate and extended family in your thoughts and
prayers during this difficult period ...ΑΙΩΝΙΑ ΤΟΥ Η
ΜΝΗΜΗ - Everlasting be his memory!
ΖΩΗ ΣΕ ΜΑΣ - ZOEE' SEH MAS .....
IC
NI KA
XC
We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of
Gregory Dandulakis on the passing of his father,
Stavros, in Athens on March 23. May his memory
be eternal!
We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of
Katina Greeves. Katina passed away on Saturday,
March 28, 2015. God rest her soul and may her
memory be eternal!
On March 29 we held a 2-year memorial for Ange-
line B. Saffo, mother of Kay Skandalakis and Peter
Saffo. May her memory be eternal!
On April 19 we held a 6-month Trisagion prayer
for Despina “Bebe” Pamfelis Saffo. May her
memory be eternal!
With the Saints, give rest to the souls of Your servants, where there is no pain, sorrow, or suffering, but life
eternal.
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church May 2015
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Angeledes, Angelo & Evelyn
Andrews, Chris
Batis, John & Emily
Batounis, John & Nancy
Berrehamn, Meleshaw & Gebremskal
Bostic, Michael & Tina
Brilakis, Antony & Shirley
Brown, Doug & Argie
Calhoun, Cameron & Pam
Cranidiotis, Chris & Joy Faulk
Dandulakis, Gregory & Kimberly
Demas, Ronald & Sharon
Dentiste, Angela
Diakogiannis, Ifigenia
Diakogiannis, Yianni
Dimopoulos, Pete & Katherine
Dimopoulos, George
Dimopoulos, Maria
Dimopoulos, Vasilios
Dodge, Nicholas & Khristina
Dukas, Nota
Emanuelson, Fr. Jon & Presbytera Barbara
Flowers, Larry & Helen
Fokakis, George
Fragakis, John & Sophia
Franck, John Argie
Frankos, Dr. Mary
Gerry, Despina
Habash, Nick & Elizabeth
Haralambous, Irene
Harrell, Stephanie
Jefferies, Phil & Irene
Kaprantzas, Christos & Eleni
Karonis, Yianni & Evyenia
Katris, Gus
Kefalas, Thalia
King, Lee & Doris
Kirkby, Matthew & Melissa
Koklanaris, Emmanuel & Lambra
Kratsa, Perry Caleb & Anita Nagy
Kruczko, Serge Mark & Ashlee
Lazaridis, Nick & Nena
Lionikis, Emmanuel & Athanasia
Logothetis, Anestis & Constance
Maggio, Evelyn
Malahais, Peter & Courtney
Manolukas, John
Manolukas, Dr. Peter & Joan
Markatos, Aristea
Marmaras, Mary
Maroudis, Xenophon
Mayorga, Ed & Kathleen
Mayorga, Sia
McGowan, Calvin & Diane
McTaggart, Micaiah & Stella
Miliotis, Emanuel & Mary Beth
Nashed, Neemat
Papakidis, Maria
Papanicolaou, Lambros & Niki
Papanikolau, Efstratios & Sandra
Patsalos, Nick & Joyce
Pekatos, Spero & Lucy
Pinkston, Anne
Pittman, Brian & Benjalee
Rallis, Michael & Debra Bakalis Rallis
Reynolds, Rick & Barbara
Ronner, Tom & Connie
Saffo, Doky & Despina
Saffo, Marian & Marika
Saffo, Nick & Tia
Saffo, Peter & Kimberly
Saffo, Tony & Jamie
Schaefer, Robert & Rena
Skandalakis, Angelique
Skandalakis, Kay
Skinner-Darby, Patricia
Sljaka, Sophia
Snow, David & Daphne
Souflas, Thomas & Linda
Spyropoulos, Maria
Stasios, James & Maria
Theophilos, Plato & Renee
Triantafillopoulas, Konstantinos & Debbie
Tsingelis, Chris & Angie
Tsingelis, Konstandinos
Vallianos, Stella
Vogiatzis, Ioannis & Barbara
Vogiatzis, Vasilios & Sotirou, Irene
Voneiff, George & Irene
Wall, Mary Ann
Whitley, John & Helen
Wickersham, Donald Ross
Wiersteiner, Sam & Kyriaki
Zezefellis, Effie
Zondos, Angela
Stewards who have completed a 2015 Stewardship Pledge Card
Holy Week
Photographs
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alendar, p
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