T he world within which we live is coming unraveled. For the last few years we have seen society change in bizarre ways. These changes have been slowly coming for a long time and now have begun bearing fruit. The name of the fruit is progress and its nature is anarchy. Society has been so obsessed with “progress“ that it has not taken time to consider what we are progressing towards. We are slowly throwing out all the things that keep a society together and unified and are progressing towards a society-less existence. Common morality and laws are being exchanged for the notion that “what I believe” is moral and laws should be built around “my” morality. “I” will abandon social norms and will adhere to others who also refuse to comply with social norms. We will call this progress and destroy the “old” ways and set up a new and “progressive” society that will conform to “my” ideas. The problem with this line of thinking is that, even though, “we” all agree to change society “we” will never be able to agree on how it must be changed because “we” each have “our own” idea of how it should be changed. Therefore “we” will always seek to destroy that which is not “our own.” This creates a primitive, barbaric culture where the strongest rule and the rest are forced to conform to “their will.” A free society cannot exist unless all who are a part of it accept a common morality and

laws that apply to all equally. We cannot allow everyone to have their own laws based on their own sense of morality. We must have a common morality/authority to which we all agree to abide. All are allowed to express their freedom in their own way as long as these expressions do not infringe on the freedoms of others and are within the order of law. The common morality of a free society must come from a

Higher Power. A Power that can be trusted but cannot be challenged. Our very freedom comes from accepting these instructions. If we reject these instructions from the Higher Power then we revert back to the strong rule the weak. Historically many have attempted to claim the power from the Source and lord it over others. Monarchs declare themselves to be “God crowned.” Roman Popes claim infallibility as God’s only vicar on Earth. Western Christians have all become popes claiming their authority by their individual interpretation of Christian Scripture. Saint Paul teaches us (1 Cor. 12:27) that “we together”

in cooperation with the Holy Spirit are the body of Christ. “We together” have authority, not to lord it over others, but to teach the world His instructions and to bring all humanity to one body, one flock, one society. A society built on freedom for all, respect of others and love for each other. This is a society which emulated the coming society of our Lord’s Kingdom. We must learn here so that we can enter there.

Despite what many might say, the United States was founded upon Christian principles. The preamble of our constitution states “We the people.” Our constitution defines “we together” under the instructions of a Higher Power have the power and authority over our society, not any individual or even group of individuals, can take the

power away from the whole because the whole is conforming the instructions given by God. The unraveling chaos which we are experiencing in this world comes out of a rebellion against God. It is a disregard of His instructions. We see a continuous removal of His instructions from our society. From this we see a continuous degrading of our society. The constitution which is based on God’s laws is being trampled under by those who seek monarchical power over the masses. They want to destroy God’s laws and the constitution based upon them. They want anarchy so that the powerful

THE NEWS FROM ST. NEKTARIOS

Inside this Issue

World in Which We Live,

part 2 2

Focus on our

Community 2

Christ is Risen 3

New Parish Council

Members 3

Holy Week Reflections 4 - 5

Quarantine Celebrations 6-7

The Church at Home 7

Our Lenten Journey 8 - 9

Philoptochos 9

The Paschal Egg 10

While you were away 10

Financial Matters 11

Young Adult Ministry 12-13

Youth Ministries 14-15

Saints of Our Faith 16

WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE BY FR. STEVE DALBER

Volume 24, Issue 4-5

April - May 2020

“We cannot allow everyone to have their own laws based on their own sense of morality. We must have a common

morality/authority to which we all agree to abide. “

Continued on page 2

2

Focus on our comm unity

Celebrations, Milestones, Comfort & Support

In our prayers

John & Helene Antone Pat Baker KB Terry Balou Perry Beleu Christina Bonderer

Helen Bondurant Grant Braswell John Bugg Kathryn Colangelo Pam Copsis Bessie Demas

Sofia, Elenie & Evniki Dimou Johanna Dresser Edward Theona Gallis

Jennifer & Lisa Hambleton Salem & Silas Helms John Holevas Robin & Benny Hunt

Nikolitsa Kizinopoulos Effie Koinis Elestheria Koutroumani Mary Longshore Alison Maganares

Catherine Manthos Demitria, Autium, Destiny & Blake Mathys Jack McCullough Melton family

Tish Merrill Christina Nixon Chris Pakuris Athan & Roselyn Pappas Betty Pappas Phil Raníeri

Jimmy Rogers Rogers family Skeriotis family Glen Smithers Cheryl & Brian Sutherland

Paul Tuttle Pete & Effie Vellios Our First Responders and those on the front lines

FOR THOSE IN SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY Helene Carras Buddy Craft Jordan James Dunn Krassimire Ivanov Nicholas Kachulis

Michael Constantine Mentavlos Zack Millsaps Matthew Millsaps Amanda Moril

Danielle Zervakos Nickolopoulos Anton Savin

Congratulations and best wishes

To Ioanna Kosti and Alexandros Bakalexis on the birth & 40 day blessing of their son, Panagiotis Alexandros

To Mary and Ben Dresser on the birth of Evangeline & Thea’s brother, Stylianos Benjamin

To Suat Pamukci on having been a candidate for the

Charlotte Media Group 2019 Small Business Person of the Year!

To Penelope Hefner for being chosen as Sodoma Law Union Principal Super Lawyer for 2020

To Dee Drobonick for being honored as 1st quarter VIP at Allen Tate Realtors

To Stamie and Aris Despo on their move to New York

To George and Georgianne Douglas on the birth of their son, Panagioti

With Sympathy on the passing

of our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ

To the Lilley and Smith families on the passing of John’s father, Robert Clarence Lilley

To the Winter and Tatsis families on the passing of Kim’s father, Charles Winter

To the Sanders and Sneeder families on the passing of Diane’s father, William Sneeder

To the Pantazis and Butera families on the passing of Liza’s sister, Joanna

To the Olkhova and Tsyupal families on the passing of Kateryna’s daughter, Alexandra

To the John Antone family on the passing of his wife, Helen Antone

To the Holevas family on the passing of Sofia’s husband, John

Excerpt from

Prayer of Protection from the Coronavirus

O God Almighty, Lord of heaven and earth, and of all creation visible and invisible, in Your

ineffable goodness, look down upon Your people gathered in Your name. Be our helper and defender in this

day of affliction. You know our weakness. You hear our cry in repentance and contrition of heart. O Lord who

loves mankind deliver us from the impending threat of the coronavirus. Send Your Angel to watch over us

and protect us. Grant health and recovery to those suffering from this virus. Guide the hands of physicians,

and preserve those who are healthy that we may continue to serve You in peace and glorify Your most

honorable and majestic Name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to

the ages of ages. Amen.

In Appreciation

All photos used in this month’s newsletter by permission from:

Silva Awaimrin, Kendre Bennet, Pam Copsis, Deme Poulos, Presbytera Mary Wallace, Irene Colligan,

Nadine Rosekrans, Terry Key, John Shelton, Kholoud Alyateem, Presbytera Ilia Karantonis,

Christina Bonderer, Evelyn Klund, Fr. Robert Lawrence Houda Bracewell, Andrew Stefanick,

Ariadne Zitsos-Steel and Kim Braswell.

Thanks to Diane Gilbert and Copycat for printing the Church Bulletin and Newsletter.

kclewell@stnektarios.org

Continued from page 1

By Fr. Steve Dalber

can conquer, enslave and control the weak. I’m sure that we can all identify powerful, wealthy people that are behind this rebellion against God. In reality though, they are merely puppets dancing on the strings of the original rebel against God. They are being used (useful idiots) by the great deceiver, the father of all lies, the fallen angel and archenemy of our Lord. Those that support “progress” are supporting progress away from God and towards anarchy. In response to anarchy will come a cry for order, “a new world order.” The rebellious powers and principalities of this world will finally prevail against humanity. Humanity will be enslaved and destroyed. The remaining faithful during this time will be the target of persecution and death. The puppets will rejoice at the demise of the faithful. When the Enemy of our Lord, the Antichrist, finally perceives His victory as complete, our Lord will intercede and take the world and all the faithful to Himself. The enemy along with his powers and principalities will be taken away from the world and all faithful nations remaining will be ruled by the Son of God. He will be a gracious and merciful ruler, a true good shepherd, the Good Shepherd that gave up His life for the world. All human beings have been given freewill. Most of what we use our will for to this point has been of no real consequence. Now however, we must decide, are we truly of the faithful or are we part of the rebellion against God? Each of us must decide either to be obedient to God’s instructions or to rebel against them. We cannot control the coming worldly events. We cannot change or delay them. The rebellion is coming and even now is upon us. We can’t stop it. We can and must however choose which side we’re on. I pray that we all choose wisely. “Arise O God, judge the world. Take all nations as your inheritance.” (Hymn from Holy Saturday.)

3

For the forty days from the Resurrection Service on April 19 until the Vespers service on May 27, we proclaimed

CHRIST IS RISEN! Truly He is

Risen! in a sanctuary with only our clergy and those on duty. Our Brothers and

Sisters in Christ, would share this greeting from afar, virtually, and without embrace. Beginning with Vespers for the Feast of the Ascension on May 27

and until Pentecost, we may now proclaim

CHRIST IS Ascended! Truly He is ascended!

in time for the re-opening of our worship services on May 30.

From the Resurrection to

the Ascension

New Parish Council Members

T hank you to our outgoing Parish Council members, Jacob Saylor and John Paul Tsahakis for your service. Nadine Rosekrans and Doug Sistare will be completing their

terms of office.

2020 Parish Council

President: Charlie Hubbard

Vice President: Christina Bonderer

Treasurer: Despina Gallis

Assist. Treasurer: Aka Vashakidze

Secretary: Teddy Poulos

Assist. Secretary: George Bacogeorge

Members: Teresa Jacob, Peter Keretsis,

Nadia Francis, Nadine Rosekrans and Doug Sistare

4

HOLY WEEK REFLECTIONS ~ BY FR. STEVE DALBER

D uring this great and holy week we remembered our Lord’s passion. He suffered and died for us. His suffering and death were a witness to His unconditional love for us. One of the many trials which He endured was to be mocked as the King of the Jews. Those who mocked Him made a crown of thorns depicting His royalty. They didn’t understand that His royalty was not a royalty of this world. By being nailed to the cross they actualized His royalty and ruler-ship, not only of His heavenly kingdom, but also of this world. They nailed Him to a cross while nailing themselves out of the Kingdom. They thought that by killing him that they would separate Him from His followers. In reality, by his death to this world, He became forever united to His followers. This unity can never be broken if we follow Him. The world, however, continues its efforts to separate us from Him. It wants to claim us as its own. He came into the world to give humanity a second chance. A chance to reenter Paradise. A paradise which was rejected by Adam. Once again He gives us a choice. By accepting Him as our King and God we are given access to His kingdom. We are given

the opportunity to become His children once again. This is greatest gift ever given to us. This is the gift that we give thanks for by following His instructions. His instructions are not for those of this world, but for us, the children of His Kingdom. By accepting Him we no longer belong to this world. Even though we are still in this world our ruler is Jesus Christ. Our Lord taught that we cannot serve two masters. We must choose either to be of this world or of the Kingdom. The scriptures tell us how the Hierarchs and teachers of the Jews were so involved with the ways of the world that they forgot/ignored the ways of God. They loved being leaders making decisions of all and telling others what to do. They loved their self-importance. They loved the beautiful robes that they wore. They loved being a part of an elite class. Their importance became dependent on the approval of those who were of this world. Their role was to unite God to His people; what they were doing however, was separating the people from God. The ways of the world, the ways of our Lord’s enemy, are to separate humanity from God. When we see separation, we see the work of our Lord’s enemy. Where we see unity, we see the work of our Lord. Interestingly enough, the word “corona” is a Greek word which means “crown.” This crown, like a crown of thorns, has become the ruler of the entire world. It has been placed upon our Lord’s faithful in an effort once again to separate us from Him. It mocks our faith. For those who are faithless, or who have forgotten our Lord’s words, it is a time for panic and extreme measures. Disease and death have always been the ways of this world. We chose this way of life while we were still in Paradise. We choose to experience good and evil. We chose death over eternal life. We are now, as many generations before us, are seeing the results of our choice. This is the way of the world

that we chose. This is why our Lord gives

us a second chance. He allowed us to experience our choices and then gave us a second chance to choose. The world in its constant effort to keep us as its children, gives us the false idea that we are capable of curing all diseases and giving us eternal life. It is promising us exactly what God has promised us from the beginning. We think and believe that we are the source of technological advancements while it is merely God fulfilling His promise. God is the source of all technology. We are the users and abusers of it. We think that we discovered it, and therefore we can use it in any way we wish. The world has made technology its god. The world looks to technology to save it, rather than looking to its source for salvation. During these days of separation from the sacraments, remain united to our Lord. When we are united to our Lord we will be united to each other. Do not allow this new crown of mockery to distract you. Remain faithful to the end. Be patient and endure all things. Know that whatever happens, God is with us. This is the message of this week. This is the eternal and universal message of the Resurrection. This is why His Resurrection is proclaimed all over the world. This is why our enemies cannot defeat us by separating us. The world and death have no dominion over us. We are children of Paradise and will always overcome the ways of this world. And remain faithful even unto death. Our crown is a heavenly one not a worldly one. Do not fear what you are about to suffer… Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10

Lazarus Saturday Teaching Divine

Liturgy

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+2:10&version=RSV

5

~ HOLY WEEK REFLECTIONS ~

Clockwise: Palm Sunday Blessing of the Palms, Palm Sunday evening Bridegroom Service, Holy Saturday morning blessing of the food baskets, Agape service proclaiming the gospel in all languages (3 photos), Holy

Saturday morning Divine Liturgy service and Holy Friday Taking Down From the Cross service

Middle: Holy Sunday morning Resurrection service and Holy Friday evening Lamentations service with the Epitaphion icon adorned by a simple

bed of carnations

6

HOLY WEEK CELEBRATIONS IN QUARANTINE

On these two ages you will see faithful parishioners making palm crosses and

Lazarakia, showing us their home altars, Palm Sunday crosses, homemade

kouvouklions for Holy Friday and their Agape celebrations

7

All photos used in this month’s newsletter by permission from:

Silva Awaimrin, Kendre Bennet, Pam Copsis, Deme Poulos, Presbytera Mary Wallace, Irene Colligan, Nadine

Rosekrans, Terry Key, John Shelton, Kholoud Alyateem, Presbytera Ilia Karantonis,

Christina Bonderer, Evelyn Klund, Fr. Robert Lawrence, Houda Bracewell, Andrew Stefanick,

Ariadne Zitsos-Steel and myself, Kim Braswell.

A nd some thoughts about the Church at Home....

These days of staying at home and practicing our faith at home have in some respects given us an experience of the New Testament church. In the Acts of the Apostles and the letters of St. Paul, you will notice that “households” were baptized. See Acts of the Apostles 16:15, Acts of the Apostles 18:8, 1 Corinthians 1:16, and 1 Corinthians 16:15. For the first few centuries of Christianity, there were no parishes as we understand them. Christians would gather in homes to celebrate the Eucharist, to be baptized, to learn about their faith. When St. Paul describes the Eucharist in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, this celebration would have been conducted in a home, most likely over the course of a dinner. Baptisms could be conducted in local bodies of water, such as a riverbank, but could also be conducted in a home. One of the earliest examples of a home church that we know today is at Dura-Europos, a city in Syria. This church was a house converted for worship in the mid-third century, that is

around AD 240-250. A simple online search can lead you to photos of the church and information about Dura-Europos. If you should ever visit the Yale University Art Gallery (New Haven, CT), you can see a display of frescoes from the church. The baptistry in the house church contains the most ancient examples of Christian art. Among the frescoes are the following, which should be familiar to us as we study the lectionary for the Sundays after Easter: Three Mary’s go to the tomb of Christ (the Myrrh-bearers); the Paralytic carrying his bed; the Samaritan Woman at the well. These along with the others demonstrate what those first Christians wanted the candidates for baptism to consider as they

were baptized and became members of the Church. Of course, there are many differences between the experience of the church at home in antiquity and the church at home in our day. But, as we live out our faith at home these days, know that we are tapping into an experience from the New Testament Church. V. Rev. Anton C. Vrame, Ph.D., Director Department of Religious Education

SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THE CHURCH AT HOME By V. Rev. Anton C. Vrame

8

F or most of us, our Lenten Journey this year began at church in February, but continued at home quarantined under the threat

of the COVID-19 Coronavirus. This was not

something we had experienced in our lifetime.

While it was (and can still be) frightening, it has

given us a time to refocus, refuel, and decide

what is really important in our lives. It has been

an opportunity for families to spend real quality

time talking, fellowshipping and spending time in

prayer. My family joined Fr. Nektarios and other

parishioners each night at 8:00 p.m. for a

special time of prayer to pray against this virus.

Many people have said what a blessing it has

been to be able to join with him each night.

Early on our hospitals became concerned

because there were so many who were sick at

once. Hospitals petitioned the governor to put a

“stay-at-home” order in place to “flatten the

curve”. Flattening the curve meant that if more

stayed home, less would be sick at the same

time and the hospitals would be better equipped

to treat everyone and hopefully ensure the

survival of all. Our governor mandated that we

NOT have groups of more than 50 for our

services, which slowly became 10. Then our

Hierarchs restricted attendance to just a priest,

a chanter, and other personnel needed to

deliver the services. Most businesses were

closed during this time and we were required to

social distance from each other by at least a

minimum of 6 ft. We were told not to touch our

faces and to wash our hands for at least 20

seconds. This was, and still, is a scary time in

the history of our country and the world.

I, for one, was worried about my family

because some of us are immunocompromised.

At dinner each night, my girls and I would talk

about things that were concerning us and one

of my daughters asked what would happen if

all of the adults passed away. They started

naming all of the ways that I care for them.

This time was a blessing, a time for reflection,

and a time for planning as well. I increased the

limit of my life insurance policy as soon as I

heard about the virus, and stocked the

cupboards and freezer weeks before the

quarantine. I have always been one to prepare

in advance and to consider all possibilities.

On pages 6-9 you will see some of

parishioners’ activities at home during this

time. Our houses became little churches where

we worshipped together while sometimes

praying with others through social media. I saw

a drawing of Satan saying he had shut down

our churches and God replying, “No. I just

opened one in every home.” That is a profound

thought.

For those like myself who had birthdays

during this time, friends would drive by and

wave and sing Happy Birthday from the road.

Others would leave gifts on the doorstep or

take photos through the window. Personally

speaking, this was one of the best birthdays

I’ve ever had. More people called, sent cards,

dropped by and left messages on Facebook

than they ever have before. I think since

everyone was home, they were able to take

time they would not normally have had and

maybe they felt a little sorry for those of us

stuck at home on our birthdays. My girls baked

a cake for me (the first one they’ve ever made)

and it was delicious. That would

probably not have happened under

normal circumstances. Roland

Warren of Care Net suggested

calling it physical distancing and he

was right to call it that. We were

distancing physically but socially

we became closer. I feel like this

virus has caused people to slow

down and think

about what is

truly important in

life because there

is no guarantee

of tomorrow. If

you always live

with one foot in

the grave you will

have no regrets. I learned a long time ago

never to put off until tomorrow spending time

today. Live for now. Don’t dream about

“someday”. Make that day . . . TODAY. You

have today, but tomorrow may never come.

I’ve had a couple close calls in my life, one

being that I was hit by a drunk driver. God

protected me but I’ve never really been the

same person since that day, which could have

been my last. Other people’s lives were

changed by it as well. Even though it was a

painful experience, I would never take it back

because of the good that came from it that may

never have happened otherwise. I feel the

same way about this time of quarantine. I am

thankful for this time to slow down and think

about what is really important. I would not

trade it.

I started writing this article at the beginning of

the quarantine and continued in the middle. It’s

Our Lenten Journey in quarantine by Kim Sheree’ Braswell

9

been almost two months now and I

am starting to miss things I was

doing before, such as being able to

meet a friend for lunch or visit Mom

or drop by the store anytime. I’m

not bored, but I miss being out. I

miss my freedom. I miss my

friends, family and church. Still, I

would not trade this time. I don’t

miss everything I was doing before

but I do miss the fellowship. However, I

treasure this time above any other I’ve had in

a while.

If you are still feeling down about having

to be home, just think of this time as a kind of rebirth. A

time to refuel, renew and rest from all the activities of

this life will likely never come again. May God be with

all of us as we continue our journey and may He keep

us safe. May God bless all of you during this time and

in the years to come. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,

have mercy on all of us.

Philoptochos Luminaries

still lit Procession Path

on Holy Friday

T hank you to everyone who supported Philoptochos by submitting

names to light the path for

Holy Friday’s Lamentations

service. This year’s path was

on the solea of the church. Lit

candles bearing the names of

our departed loved ones

surrounded the Epitaphion

and Altar door steps.

10

T here is a beautiful tradition within the life of the Church for believers to have as their last meal before beginning the Great Lenten Fast, a hard boiled egg, white in color. This egg represents our sinful nature, and we eat this egg with the hope that the Lenten journey will bring us to repentance, and make us worthy to

receive the Risen Lord Jesus Christ.

The great and holy myrrh-bearer Mary Magdalene, equal of the apostles, during a dinner with the emperor Tiberius Caesar, was speaking about Christ’s resurrection. Caesar scoffed at her, saying that a man could rise from the dead no more than the egg in her hand could turn red. Immediately, the egg turned red. This is believed to be an explanation

for dyeing eggs red at Pascha.

At the end of Matins, during the Paschal service, the priest hands out a red egg, symbolizing the blood of Christ, to each worshiper. At the beginning of the Paschal feast, following the Midnight Liturgy,

believers break the Lenten Fast by

again eating an egg.

As we hit our red eggs together, while saying, “Christ is Risen”, we are symbolically proclaiming the truth that Christ, by his death and holy resurrection, broke the bonds and power of death. The breaking of the eggs represents the opening of the tomb, and the crashing of the doors of hell, with Christ destroying the power of darkness and death,

forever.

With love in Christ,

Abbot Tryphon

The Tradition of the Paschal Egg

ttps://blogs.ancientfaith.com/morningoffering/2020/04/the-paschal-egg/?unapproved=45034&moderation-hash=5652459e029d37cdf82eda6eca

e66c26#comment-45034

The Paschal Egg by Abbot Tryphon

While we were apart . . . “On camera 1, ready camera 2, pan, tilt, zoom, insert image”

D uring the last 2 months as attendance at church has been restricted due to COVID-19 safety measures, we have been busy around the church making improvements and repairs. One key initiative has been to install a new camera system to better live stream our services. The home video camera attached to the mezzanine balcony (with bungie cords) has been replaced, bringing us into a modern era. A robotic and a stationary camera now sit on the ledge of the mezzanine; a stationary camera was added in the altar ; and a robotic camera was installed on the left side of the solea.

A “control booth” for the cameras and the sound system took over the space in the back of the mezzanine just to the left of the pews. Multiple computer monitors, lap tops and a system rack with various components run everything from there.

The improvements also include a simultaneous multi-stream capability through our website, on our You Tube channel and on the church Facebook page. A new WiFi system was installed and the internet band width is being upgraded (waiting for equipment on backorder).

We thank everyone for their patience as we continue to tweak the system, learn all the features and navigate the controls.

Niki Kleto, who is overseeing this project, is pictured working with Brian Clonaris at the control booth. Thank you to Brian who brings his extensive professional skills and assistance to make this happen.

11

Stewardship of Treasure

To Everything There is a Season, and a Time for Every Purpose Under Heaven

Quick Notes Parish Assembly — Per our Metropolitan, we are still not allowed to have mass gatherings outside of the Divine Liturgy which includes Parish Assemblies. Paycheck Protection Program — We applied and were approved for a PPP loan. Our loan amount of $102,300 was within the Parish Council’s borrowing authority per our bylaws. These funds are offsetting some our cash flow losses during the first five months of the year.

Mortgage

Mortgage Balance: $695,844.52

Interest payments are made monthly

Next principal payment of $110,000 is due July 15,

Balance due in full January 15, 2021

Re-opening — We so look forward to seeing you back in church. Given our instructions for safe distancing and practices, it will be different. We are not allowed to pass offertories. So you may place your offerings in the candle basket. Our Giving Kiosk in the hall will be available.

Light a Candle — Have you had a chance to light a virtual candle through our website? There is also a donate button at the top of the frame. May this virtual candle offer you comfort during your devotional time away from church.

Making Your Offerings — Thank you to our e-givers. We did see an increase in e-giving during Lent and Holy Week. Now that we are re-opening to some degree, we still encourage electronic giving.

ELECTRONIC GIVING Four quick, easy, and secure options

Giving App Use your smartphone to make convenient one-time or recurring donations in 3 easy steps after you download the free app:

GIVE+ on the App Store and GivePlus on Google Play

Search for St. Nektarios and follow the prompts

Select among the funds and amount to give

Provide debit/credit card or checking/savings account information.

Bill Pay Use your bank’s on-line Bill Pay Service. Just list the church as one of your single or recurring payments. There is no charge to you or to the church.

Website Giving Visit our website at www.stnektarios.org Select the “Online Giving” tab Follow the prompts

As of May 26, 2020 So You Know . . . January to May 26, 2020 Operating Income and Expense Report

Stewardship Received $ 285,267

Other Income Received $ 45,947

Total Income $ 331,214

Total Expenses (paid and accrued) $ - 411,098

Net Income $ - 79,884

PPP loan — forgivable proceeds used $ 28,931

Adjusted Net Income $ - 50,953

$92,314 Average Monthly Expenses

12

Young Adult Ministry ~ Y. A. M.

Y oung Adult Ministry (Y.A.M.) recently wrapped up its second year of programming funded by a generous grant from the Telos Project,

funded by the Lilly Endowment. Based out of the

Office of Vocation & Ministry at Hellenic College

Holy Cross, the Telos Project is a five year project

that provides resources for our parish-team to

design ministry that engages young adults ages 23

-29. The dream of the Telos Project is to, “inspire a

new generation of clergy, lay leaders,

philanthropists, and volunteers who will serve in

the Orthodox Church well into the 21st century.”

The 2019-2020 grant year built on the

successes of 2018-2019. Fall 2019 Young Adult

programming included a Happy Hour to kick off the

grant year. In September we had an afternoon of

service as we prepared a taco bar and

served dinner for the guests of the

Hospitality House of Charlotte.

Afterward, we attended Vespers at St.

Nektarios.

Hospitality House provides the

comforts of home for families of seriously ill loved

ones by offering affordable accommodations in the

heart of Charlotte’s medical community. If you

would like to make a donation to support guests,

consider purchasing from the House wishlist at:

https://ww.hospitalityhouseofcharlotte.org/wish-list/

In October the Young Adult Ministry/Telos

Leadership Team spent the weekend at the coast

planning events, connecting with one another and

enjoying a beautiful fall weekend. On that Sunday

we were blessed to attend the Divine Liturgy at

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in

Wilmington, catching up with our friend Fr. Steven

Klund (originally from St. Nektarios) and family and

friends. That month we also made a trip to the

bowling alley for fellowship and fun.

In November we celebrated Thanksgiving

with a Friendsgiving Party that featured a

discussion with Fr. Nektarios on being thankful.

Above and right: Service project at

Hospitality House of Charlotte

Above and right: Leadership retreat in Wilmington and Divine

Liturgy at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

Below: Bowling Fun

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Our December Christmas party was loads of

fun. We decorated gingerbread houses, had a tacky

sweater contest, and surprised Fr. Nektarios with a

colorful birthday cake.

This year we read the inspiring book “Saint

Nektarios: The Saint of Our Century” and had many

wonderful discussions.

Our year ended with Spring Zoom sessions

that kept us connected during the COVID-19

Quarantine. This was an unusual time in our history

and we were thankful that we were still able to have

fellowship through our advances in technology.

Many thanks to those who have served on our

parish-level Telos Leadership Team and to all those

who have guided the team – from the time we applied

to be a pilot parish until today.

Follow Young Adult

Ministry on Facebook (St.

Nektarios Young Adult Ministry)

and Instagram (st.nektariosyam)

to stay informed of the latest

happenings. To be added to the

Y.A.M. email listserv, send your

contact information to

StNektariosYAM@gmail.com.

Young Adult Ministry ~ Y. A. M.

Above: Friendsgiving Party

Below: Christmas Party decorating

gingerbread houses and celebrating Fr.

Nektarios’ birthday

Left: Spring Zoom meetings during the

COVID-19 quarantine

14

15

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DIRECTORY

Church Office: 704-708-4669

Church Fax: 704-846-6094

Email: office@stnektarios.org

Website: www.stnektarios.org

5108 Kuykendall Rd. Charlotte, NC 28270

Father Steve Dalber, Protopresbyter

Home: 704-708-4638

Cell Phone: 704-451-6524

Email: frdalber@stnektarios.org

Father Nektarios Karantonis, Presbyter

Cell Phone: 980-829-5215

Email: frkarantonis@stnektarios.org

Father Paul Tsahakis, Presbyter

Deacon Stephanos Potter

2020 Parish Council

President: Charlie Hubbard

Vice President: Christina Bonderer

Treasurer: Despina Gallis

Assist. Treasurer: Aka Vashakidze

Secretary: Teddy Poulos

Assist. Secretary: George Bacogeorge

Members: Teresa Jacob, Peter Keretsis,

Nadia Francis, Nadine Rosekrans and Doug

Sistare

Parish Administrator

Evelyn Klund

Administration Staff

Silva Awaimrin, Kim Braswell,

Niki Kleto, and Sofia Nicolopoulos

Director of Youth Ministries

Helen Giles

Property Manager

Tim Shelton

Music Ministry Coordinator

Fr. Paul Tsahakis

Music Directors

Jeff Clewell, Dina Marinakos-Oara

Ministry Associate

Daniel Houlis

Philoptochos Board

President: Niki Kleto

Vice President: Charlotte Nickolopoulos

Recording Secretary: Sharon Koutroumpis

Corresponding Secretary: (Vacant)

Treasurer: Madalina Lowen

Ass’t. Treasurer: Evelyn Klund

Members: Michaelina Antahades, Helen

Bakos, Irina Hubbard, Thalia Fergione (Advisor)

SUNDAYS AT

SAINT NEKTARIOS

Worship

Matins 8:15 a.m. and

Divine Liturgy 9:15 a.m.

Youth Catechism:

Following Divine Liturgy

Fellowship Coffee:

Following the Divine Liturgy

Prosfora Please contact the church office or Christie

Asimos at 704-756-1512 if you would like to

provide or sponsor Prosfora.

Coffee Hour Please contact the church office if you would

like to host or co-host a Coffee Hour on

Sunday. Your Stewardship pays for the

coffee hour refreshments provided by the

Hospitality Ministry Team.

Flowers You may donate flowers in honor of a family

member’s feast day, in memory

of a loved one or friend, on the occasion

of a holiday, or simply as a gift to the

community of St. Nektarios. To donate

flower arrangements to be placed at the

Iconostasis, St. Nektarios Shrine or in the

Narthex for Sunday Services, please contact

the church office to reserve a Sunday.

Sacramental Wine & Pure Olive Oil

You may make a financial gift to help defray

the cost of the sacramental wine that is used

for Holy Communion. Please note on the

memo line of your check or on the envelope

“Communion Wine”. You may also donate a

bottle or can of pure olive oil which is then

blessed at the Shrine of St. Nektarios and is

offered in the anointing kits. Please feel free

to bring this with you to any of our services

and give to an usher on duty. For additional

information contact the church office.

UPCOMING DEADLINE

Newsletter & Bulletin Due Dates:

Information Due: June 16, 2020

Published: June 23, 2020

THE SUNDAY OF ALL SAINTS June 26

H onouring the friends of God with much reverence, the Prophet-King David says, "But to me, exceedingly honourable are Thy friends, O Lord" (Ps. 138:16). And the divine Apostle, recounting the achievements of the Saints, and setting forth their memorial as an example that we might turn away from earthly things and from sin, and emulate their patience and courage in the struggles for virtue, says, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every burden, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1). This commemoration began as the Sunday (Synaxis) of All Martyrs; to them were added all the ranks of Saints who bore witness (the meaning of "Martyr" in Greek) to Christ in manifold ways, even if occasion did not require the shedding of their blood. Therefore, guided by the teaching of the Divine Scriptures and Apostolic Tradition, we the pious honour all the Saints, the friends of God, for they are keepers of God's commandments, shining examples of virtue, and benefactors of mankind. Of course, we honour the known Saints especially on their own day of the year, as is evident in the Menologion. But since many Saints are unknown, and their number has increased with time, and will continue to increase until the end of time, the Church has appointed that once a year a common commemoration be made of all the Saints. This is the feast that we celebrate today. It is the harvest of the coming of the Holy Spirit into the world; it is the "much fruit" brought forth by that "Grain of wheat that fell into the earth and died" (John 12:24); it is the glorification of the Saints as "the foundation of the Church, the perfection of the Gospel, they who fulfilled in deed the sayings of the Saviour" (Sunday of All Saints, Doxasticon of Vespers). In this celebration, then, we reverently honour and call blessed all the Righteous, the Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Shepherds, Teachers, and Holy Monastics, both men and women alike, known and unknown, who have been added to the choirs of the Saints and shall be added, from the time of Adam until the end of the world, who have been perfected in piety and have glorified God by their holy lives. All these, as well as the orders of the Angels, and especially our most holy Lady and Queen, the Ever-virgin Theotokos Mary, do we honour today, setting their life before us as an example of virtue, and entreating them to intercede in our behalf with God, Whose grace and boundless mercy be with us all. Amen.

http//www.goarch.org "Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. All rights reserved."

OUR MISSION:

St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church is dedicated to the continuation of our Lord and Savior Jesus

Christ’s ministry of salvation through the proclamation and teaching of the Gospel;

through Baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;

and through loving service to God and to mankind.

OUR VISION:

The community will provide a loving, caring and welcoming environment where all belong and grow in the faith through worship, service, witness, and

fellowship.