2024 Vacation Church School Recap
Vacation Church School was this week and it was amazing! Spiritual Athletes, Youth Coaches, and Volunteers all worked, played, and sang together to make VCS a huge success! We all learned the memory verse, “So I run straight toward the goal in order to the win the prize which is God’s call through Christ Jesus to the life above” Phil. 3:14.
Our VCS Service Project has been collecting donations for Paws for Purple Hearts. The donation bin will be in the Hall this Sunday, July 21st if you would like to contribute dog toys or dog treats to Paws for Purple Hearts.
Save the date for next year’s Vacation Church School - July 14-18, 2025.
Lamb Shoulder Chops for Sale
There are uncooked, frozen lamb shoulder chops for sale from the festival - 20 lb. Case for $40, while supplies last. If you would like to buy some, please contact the Church Office at 619-297-4165. Please make cash or check payments to St. Spyridon Greek Festival.
Dance and Choral School
Whether you're sipping a frappe by the Aegean or enjoying the San Diego shores, we're sure there's some Greek music in your background. And where there's Greek music, there's Greek dance! In just a few short weeks we will begin our Fall Dance schedule on September 8th. Until then, we are looking for more dance instructors as the dance school has swelled in size since the Festival! If you or someone you know would be interested please reach out to Timmy Paraskevopoulos at [email protected] or call 714-931-2431.
Summer Stewardship Reminder
With summer upon us and the days seem and are lighter, longer, and warmer. The sounds of summer come through the windows, especially in the evening, as children play outside until sunset.
I am mindful of the many challenges we all personally face and the endless number of distractions we wrestle with every day, so many that I cannot remember them all. I am sure that you can each recount the countless ones – TV, sports, phones, emails, texts, social media.
Thus, through our communal Church life and its ministries, we find respite in the sanctuary and its calling to be a “good neighbor.” For me, it is the camaraderie of working with boys and teens in the holy altar; these boys give me hope for a brighter and better future, not only for our church but the larger society as well. This is just one ministry amongst many that deserve your support.
As chairperson of the Stewardship Committee, I ask you again today to be the “one,” the primary one, in assisting St. Spyridon parish, our church, and your church, to help “Build the Body of Christ” through your honorable and generous pledge toward the thirty-nine ministries of the church. Whether it is assisting altar servers, helping to bake (bread), or helping out in the narthex as a volunteer, all are worthy and important. We do this through the giving of our time, our talent, and our financial support.
We respectfully ask you to take a moment to refresh your commitment and to fulfill your honorable stewardship pledge to your beloved St. Spyridon parish. You may give online at www.stspyridon.org, pay through your bank, or call the office at 619-297-4165 for assistance.
Thank you and God bless you!
The Stewardship Committee:
John T. Kalas, Chairperson
Philoptochos Decorated Icons
Commemorate a Feast Day by offering a decorated icon to be displayed in the Narthex for veneration. The suggested donation is $85 to: Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society. Call 619-297-4165 to reserve.
Icons available for decoration:
7/25 - The Dormition of St. Anna
7/27 - St. Panteleimon the Great Martyr
8/6 - The Holy Transfiguration of Christ
8/15 - The Falling Asleep of the Holy Theotokos
8/27 - St. Phanourios the Great Martyr
8/29 - The Beheading of St. John the Baptist
Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday - July 28th
As the national prison ministry of the Orthodox Church, Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM) supports prisoners’ unique spiritual needs through long-term case management and provides resources and training to parishes and clergy, enabling them to offer local solutions and fulfill Christ’s command to visit Him in prison. As a result, families are reunited, marriages are
healed, and thousands of incarcerated men and women have a new sense of peace and restored order in their lives. To donate or learn more visit www.theocpm.org or call 347-868-6957.
Pan-Arcadian Federation—Tegea Chapter Scholarship Fund
The completed application and all required documents must be postmarked by Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements as listed in the scholarship Bylaws:
1. Be active members of the Tegea Chapter of the Pan-Arcadian Federation OR have at least one member of their families or guardians (Mother/Father/ Grandfather/Grandmother/Brother/Sister) who is an active member of the Tegea Chapter and has been a member for at least one year prior to the scholarship application date.
2. Plan to continue their education at a four-year institution of higher learning leading to a Bachelor’s Degree, or at a junior college or trade school.
3. Provide evidence of matriculation at a four-year college/university, junior college, or trade school. This includes student ID and proof of enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year.
4. Be graduating seniors in the current school year from a San Diego City/County high school, or continuing students at an institution of higher learning, junior college or trade school.
5. Submit the following documents (including those of #3 above)
a. A letter from a school official
b. A letter from any other source of the applicant’s choice
c. An official transcript of the current school of attendance
See the attached application in the Inserts & Flyers section below.
St. Sophia Annual Golf Tournament
Friday, September 13th at the California Country Club, 1509 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, CA.
Brunch will be at Noon and Tee off will be at 1:30pm
Contact Stephanie Lubian at [email protected] for more information.
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section below.
Construction Zone!
You may have noticed some things are changing around our church property. We kindly ask you to please watch your step and make sure that you and your children are safe while walking through the church campus. Thank you for your understanding.