THIS SUNDAY!
Philoptochos will host an old fashioned Cook Out
Benefitting Camp Agape & Philoptochos Ministries
Master griller Anthony Z will be grilling hot dogs and corn on the cob to perfection!
Prizes and fun for the whole family await!
Luncheon $5 for children ~ $10 for adults
Donations welcomed, please give generously to this worthy cause and make your checks payable to Philoptochos.
Nick Fettis & his Vintage Convertible will be available for a spin around Scenic Drive
The mission of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos Kids ‘n’ Cancer/Camp Agape Ministry founded by our own Metropolis is dedicated to providing support for children afflicted with cancer and their families. This beloved ministry offers a compassionate and caring environment, exemplary of Christ’s unconditional love, along with an opportunity to shape meaningful friendships and create precious memories. Thank you for supporting Philoptochos doing the most good in the community.
PARISH ASSEMBLY MEETING
Our next Parish Assembly Meeting will be held on Sunday, July 16 following Divine Liturgy and Fellowship. We encourage all to attend. Important information will be presented on our current Parish status, budget, Stewardship, Ministries, and plans for our future. These meetings are always interesting and invite an opportunity for you to ask questions.
NEW: FAMILY EVENINGS
With great excitement, we are preparing for the first FAMILY EVENING. This is a new ministry centered around the need to bring families together for fellowship and spiritual growth and to enable us all to develop as members of Saint John's family.
This is a potluck dinner event that will take place on Friday, July 21 from 5:30 p.m. at the Community Center in La Mesa, Monterey. The time and the location are set to enable families with younger children to participate. Child care will be provided for the time of the adult time together. If you can, please bring a dish to share - Friday's are fasting days.
The schedule is as follows:
- 5:30 - 6:00pm - Family potluck dinner -we all eat together.
- 6:00 - 7:00pm - Short movie/ presentation, small group discussions and fellowship.
- 7:00 pm - More fellowship time...
This first gathering will begin "A Journey to Fullness" as seed for the group discussions.
A JOURNEY TO FULLNESS
This is the title of the newly released set of short presentations by Father Barnabas Powell. We will watch them together and discuss in small groups how we our journey takes us to the fullness of the original Christian Faith. Excellent material, professionally crafted and put on the screen with much love and enthusiasm. The first episode will be shown and discussed at the first FAMILY EVENINGS gathering on Friday, July 21.
NEW: VIGIL FOR SAINT PAISIOS
This year is the 5th celebration of Saint Paisios the Athonite. Please note the special schedule with the vigil on the evening of his feast, Tuesday, starting with Vespers and Orthros from 5:00pm. The Liturgy will begin around 6:30pm. To receive the Holy Gifts, please abstain from food and drink from at least 12 noon (children from 3pm).
NEW: AKATHIST TO SAINT JOHN MAXIMOVITCH
The Akathist to Saint John Maximovitch will be celebrated on Friday, July 14 at noon time, prior to our trip to SF. We are seeking his intercessions for the healing of those who suffer and for the strengthening of our community.
PILGRIMAGE TO SAINT JOHN MAXIMOVITCH
There is still time to sign up for the pilgrimage to San Francisco to venerate the holy relics of Saint John, to take a guided tour of the cell and churches where he worshiped, prayed and performed miracles. Special prayers will be offered at the holy sites. July 15, from 11am. Departure from Monterey Peninsula at 8am. We will be carpooling. Contact Father Ion ASAP.
NEW: CONNECT!
We now have three new Facebook Groups for you to consider:
- Families - for parents (and grandparents) to keep in touch and plan events.
- Newbies - for catechumens and new people in our community.
- Military - for families of the military in the area, both active and retired.
These are closed groups. Add your friends who might enjoy being part of them or, to join, please contact Julia Wheeler.
WEDNESDAY PARAKLESIS, POTLUCK AND WORKSHOP
This coming Wednesday we will continue the Wednesday evenings small group discussions inspired by delicious potluck dinners. We will partake of some Desert Wisdom and we will discuss about applying it to our lives in the modern age.
6:00pm – Paraklesis
6:45pm – Lenten Potluck dinner and discussion: "Desert Wisdom"
SERVING THESE SUNDAYS
The teams on duty these coming Sundays are:
July 9
Welcoming: Mimi Makkar
Parish Council Member: Christina Pressas
Fellowship: Philoptochos – BBQ Cookout to benefit Camp Agape
July 16
Welcoming: Mary Kanalakis
Parish Council Member: Corkey Balcom
Fellowship: Team 3 (Orange) - always 3rd Sunday of the month.
NEW: BASICS OF ORTHODOXY
We will be starting the BASICS OF ORTHODOXY class after one more delay on Sunday, July 23. This because we will be having a Parish Assembly meeting on the 16th, which we encourage all to attend.
The Basics of Orthodoxy class is structured as a set of lectures covering topics such as: Church History, Spirituality, The Liturgy, the Holy Trinity, the Theotokos, the Icons, the Holy Mysteries and the Holy Tradition. We will meet in the church after the coffee hour. Father Ion will be presenting using slides. Great material for catechumens, for those exploring the faith and, especially for all the Orthodox of our church. The first class is BASICS OF SPIRITUALITY Part 1.
GREEK FESTIVAL PREPARATIONS
We will be having a Festival Meeting on Monday July 17 at 6:30pm, at the church hall in Salinas. This meeting is open to all in our community who wish to help with the festival. We will address some of the menu changes, and pricing for this year. Also, we will cover the ordering of products and supplies for each booth as well as our switch to electronic cash registers. Needless to mention, we will discuss the new mission of the Festival: reaching out to bring in, taking to the world what God entrusted to us - His Church. All your input about the Festival is appreciated, and encouraged.
Upcoming Cooking Schedule - all cooking to take place in Salinas, unless otherwise noted.
Tue. July 11, 12:00pm – 4:00 pm - Green Beans and Lamb
Thu. July 13, 9:00am - 4:00pm - Green Beans and Lamb
Questions about the above mentioned events? Call Sandy Sanders 831.229.1937
Mon. July 10 9:00am – 4:00 pm - Kourabiethes
Question about this event? Call Voula Saites at 831.384.3983
Bring with you a sack lunch and your apron. More dates will be announced for other items soon.
SUNDAY SCHOOL SUMMER BREAK
The Sunday School will enjoy the summer break until September. See you in church!
IT'S A GIRL! SHE IS HERE!
Congratulations to Father Milutin (Prophet Elias in Santa Cruz), Presbytera Josefina and big brother Novak. Baby Linnea Emilia Janjic was born July 3, 2017 at 8:04am. She is named after St. Emilia. She weighed 7lbs., 3 oz. and is 21 inches long. Mother and baby are doing well. We wish them joy.
PROPHET ELIAS FEAST DAY
You are invited to join Prophet Elias in Santa Cruz for their feast day celebration.
Wednesday, July 19 - 6:00 pm Vespers and Reception
Thursday, July 20 – 9:00 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy, Reception to follow
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos and Father Ion will be present. Located at 223 Church Street, Santa Cruz. Let us show our love and support for our sister parish, as they so often share with us.