A Ministry Led by Mary Kanalakis

September typically begins a new Stewardship Campaign for the coming year. However, before we can do that we need to be assured this year’s Stewardship is on course, and that our whole year income is on course.

Currently, our pledges fall behind our budgeted Stewardship by $10,000. Therefore, our projected church income gap is roughly $34,000. We need to raise this amount over the next 2 months.

How are we to respond? In gratitude and prayerfully.

• We each need to significantly increase our current stewardship pledge. A step-up in our commitment is needed.
• We support our church fundraisers between now and the end of the year. We do so by serving and inviting the multitudes to come and see.
  
• We purchase tickets for the Greek Lunch Fundraiser on Saturday, November 23 at the annual Arts and Crafts Fair that will be hosted by All Saints Church. All proceeds go towards closing the gap!

Living the Gospel

The candidate for the Parish Council ministry should meet the following requirements and deadline dates:

1. Must be in good standing for at least one year immediately preceding the date of the election and must live his or her life in accordance with the Faith and canons of the Church. This is to be determined by the priest.
   
2. Fulfilled their 2023 stewardship pledge.
3. Current in their 2024 stewardship commitment.
4. Completed a 2025 Application for Candidacy for Election to the Parish Council form and turned it to Father Ion no later than Friday, November 15^th. Emailing of the scanned formed is acceptable.
   
5. Undergo a background check and be registered for the Youth Safety Protection Training prior to Sunday, December 1.
6. Attend the mandatory Parish Council Seminar scheduled on Monday, December 2, from 8pm via Zoom.

Voter requirements and deadline dates:

1. A parishioner in good standing and pledged steward of our community.
2. Must have met his or her current stewardship pledge prior to voting.
3. A new parishioner must have been a member in good standing by September 17, 2024 (three months prior to elections).
4. Must be present to vote in-person at the elections on Sunday, December 17.
   

Leadership

The weeekend of November 23 will be very busy for our community, with many events that need you praticipation:

The traditional Philoptochos Thanksgiving Bake Sale will take place as before. Delicious baked goods will be available to purchase as follows:

• Star Market in Salinas - Saturday and Sunday, 9am-3pm. SIGNUP TO SERVE here.
  

At the same time two Community Fundraisers are being planned towards closing the end of the year Gap.

• Saint John's Bake Sale @ Carmel Women's Club - Saturday, 9am-3pm. SIGNUP TO SERVE here.
  
• Saint John's GREEK LUNCH @ Carmel Arts and Crafts Fair (ASC) - Saturday, 9am-3pm. SIGNUP TO SERVE here.
  

Living the Gospel + Community 

The Greek Lunch at the Arts and Crafts Fair is a fundraiser of our community to address the Gap. Many hands will be needed to work. Invite your friends and neighbors!

In order to coordinate our resources optimally, we need all volunteers to signup online, to make sure that we have all sites covered at all times.

Please signup below:

A Ministry Lead by Father Ion

We will begin a new series of the Faith and Fellowship small groups gatherings to run during the Advent season. We will meet 5 times on Wednesdays, after the evening service. The topic that will drive our meetings is a character from the Old testament: Joshua.

Sign up HERE!

Spiritual Life, Community, Relationships

A Ministry led by Father Ion

The new cycle of catechism/ adult education will continue on Sunday, November 24. The classes are open to all and they will take place after lunch in the chapel of Saint Nektarios.

 Living the Gospel

Ministries led by Despina Hatton

FOOD BANK: Tuesday, DECEMBER 10, 9:00 -10:30am @St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Seaside.

LADIES I-HELP:  Tuesday, DECEMBER 3. Cooking - 4-5pm, Dinner with the ladies - 5-6pm. Plan to stay for prayers in the chapel after dinner.

Community

A Ministry led by Father Ion

The Church University brings to light the beautiful, yet complex sides of Orthodoxy through prayer and the study of Scriptures, hymnography of the Church, lives of the saints and the writings of the Holy Fathers.

We continue to study the book of Exodus.

On week days without morning liturgies, 9am via Zoom.

Worship, Education, Community

A Ministry led by Kathy Shaw

We will continue meeting on Wednesday at 10:00am.

 Education, Community

A Ministry led by Kathy Shaw

The new book that we start in December will be discussed on two days of the week: Mondays and Wednesdays. We are adding the Monday evening time in order to make it available to those who work during the day. The same reading will be covered in both sessions every week - no need to attend both! The new expanded hours are:

• Mondays, from 7pm
• Wednesdays, from 10:00am

We will read Beginning to Pray, by Archbishop Anthony Bloom. It is a short, yet powerful text. We have a few copies at the bookstore. You may check it out online here. 

 Education, Community

 Ministry led by Angelina Taylor 

Thank you for your effort and participation in bringing a dish to share for our Agape Meal. If you cannot participate when it is your turn, kindly let Angelina know in advance so she can make other arrangements.     

Sunday, November17  
   Parish Council: Dr. Michael Bachik
   Greeter: Marissa Castanada
   Agape Meal: GOLD TEAM – Thank you to Ita, Christine T, Presbytera Ana, Miriam, and Angelina 

Sunday, November 24 
   Parish Council: Mary Kanalakis
   Greeter: Rania Zavitsanos
   Agape Meal: PINK TEAM - Thank you to Nadia, Maria, Rania, Irene, and Christine D

Community

Have you been receiving communication from the church via text? If not, it is becasue you have not signed up yet. It is brief, fast and simple. Simply text #yes# to 22300.

Note: You must be already enrolled for phone calls from the church in order to extend to text messaging. Let Father Ion know if you would like to sign up for both services.