Dearest Parishioners & Friends:

If you are comfortable joining us in person, I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday, Aug. 8. In addition to Orthros and Divine Liturgy, we will also remember our beloved Fr. Michael Bird (7 years) and Wendy Kastrenos (1 year) in a Memorial Service. May their memory be eternal! Services will also be streamed via Face Book and You Tube. Of course, all are welcome to join us for Fellowshp Hour immediately following services. 

Backing up a bit, as I write this note, we are just about to celebrate the Transfiguration of the Lord on Aug. 6. This is a truly powerful feast of our Church. As Christ is transfigured on Mount Tabor, His divinity is revealed to Peter, James and John. He's radiant, different--if you ever have an opportunity to see the icon of the event, you'll notice that his disciples are overhwelmed by the glory of the moment. They are on their bellies. Moses, representing the ancient patriarchs, and Elijah, representing the prophets, are also present. Of course, the voice of the Father is heard as well: "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him."

The implication of the moment is substantial--it is revealed that Christ is not only human but fully divine. Thus the rescue mission of the world is embarked upon by the Lord Himself. In the end, it would take God Himself, incarnate, to show us the way and, ultimately, face the mystery of the Cross for our salvation. 

People often will ask me why we bless grapes at the end of Transfiguration services. This is because the event likely took place at a time of year when the Jewish people were camping outside to look after their grape harvest. We are also reminded of the connection between the grape and Holy Communion--and blessing the grapes each is a way to somehow participate in this event, spiritually. It's almost like we are there, deep in our hearts, also hearing and seeing these awesome, life-saving things. 

I hope to see you soon, and I missed you while I was away. Stay close to your Saint Gregory Family, and let's all keep the recent news on COVID health risks close to our hearts. Let's ask the Lord to be with those who suffer, and let's do everything we can to help those who need us in the days to come. 

Yours in Christ, 

Fr. Alex

MEMORIALS: Father Michael Bird, 7 years. Wendy Kastrenos, 1 year. May their memory be eternal!

EPISTLE READER: Our youth are especially encouraged to contact Fr. Alex to read on a coming Sunday, in person or remotely. Parents, please let Father know if your daughter or son might like to read.

ALTAR SERVERS: All servers welcome throughout the summer. Contact Fr. Alex or Tom Moustakis if your son is interested in Altar service--we'd love to grow this ministry.

ANTIDORON SERVER: Servers are welcome to participate in this ministry throughout the summer. To get involved, contact Kyri Stavros: kyri910@icloud.com 

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Hosted by Cathy Cooper and the Vinton Family. Please join us in the hall following Divine Liturgy for friendship and refreshments--all are welcome to join us. Fellowship Hour sponsorships are open to the entire parish family. Please contact the Church Office to schedule your special day, in memory of a loved one, in honor of a special occasion or just to enable wonderful fellowship at Saint Gregory.

WORSHIPPING FROM HOME: STREAMING AND INTERNET MINISTRY
ACCESS SERVICES VIA FACEBOOK:
St. Gregory the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church | Facebook

ACCESS SERVICES VIA YOU TUBE:
St. Gregory The Theologian Live - YouTube

STREAMING MINISTRY DETAILS/SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS
Access Services via You Tube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgvnXFV6xK1Nhm8ID84jFNg
Access Services and join our community on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/saintgregorythetheologian
Join our community on Instagram
@saintgregorythetheologian • Instagram photos and videos

SERVICES FOR AUG 8, 7TH SUNDAY OF SAINT MATTHEW
We look forward to worshipping with you at Saint Gregory, whether in person or remotely. Orthros, 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am. While Youth Religious Education classes have concluded until fall, we hope as many of our beloved children as possible will keep attending services or worshipping online. Worship and community never "break" at Saint Gregory!

FELLOWSHIP HOUR & SPONSORSHIPS IN AUGUST
If you feel comfortable doing so, please join us in the hall for Fellowship Hour following Divine Liturgy after Sunday services. We are grateful for the opportunity to once again enjoy friendship and refreshments in our hall. In addition, all parishioners are invited to pick a special Sunday to sponsor Fellowship Hour this summer. Please sign up this Sunday during Fellowship Hour or simply contact the Church Office. 

PHILOPTOCHOS SCHOOL SUPPLIES DRIVE, THIS MONTH
Philoptochos will once again be collecting school supplies and monetary donations to support the Mansfield Public Schools. Please bring your donation physical donation (new backpacks, books, binders, pens, pencils, crayons, etc) to the drop off box in the Narthex. Online school supply shopping lists will soon be available for your convenience via Amazon and Target.com. Further, you can give a monetary donation through GivePlus(noting it is for the school drive) or directly to a board member. Monetary  donations will be used to purchase backpacks through a special promotion offered by Ocean State Job Lots. Last day to donate is Aug. 22. As always, thanks for your support! 

PHILOPTOCHOS COLLEGE STUDENT HEALTH CARE SEMINAR, AUG 15
Join Atty and parishioner Nicole Riley for a timely Health Care Document Seminar right after Divine Liturgy.  She will explain to our 18+ parishioners what each document is used for and why it is important for them to have all three forms (parents are welcome to sit in on the seminar). She will provide Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxies and HIPPA Release Forms and will assist the students in filling out and notarize before they leave. As a fundraiser for Philoptochos and a helpful service to our faithful, she will offer this service to our young for a donation of $25 or more (most firms will charge $150 or more for this service). Students do not need to be attending college to participate in this event. It is open to anyone over the age of 18 who does not already have these documents executed. To sign up for the seminar,  or if you have any questions, please contact Nicole: nmresq412@gmail.com

STEWARDSHIP IN 2021--AN IDEAL TIME TO COMMIT AND ENACT GIVING
Many thanks to all of our Saint Gregory parishioners who have already committed for 2021. If you haven't had an opportunity to do so yet, with the "lean" nature of summer giving, now is an ideal time not only to commit for the year but also enact the financial aspect of your Stewardship. 2021 Commitment Cards can be completed online, and we can also give online via our website Stewardship Page: ​www.saintgregorythetheologian.org/stewardship/. GivePlus is another great option for parish giving: Home | St Gregory The Theologian Church (myvanco.com)

GARDEN CLUB MINISTRY THIS SUMMER AND FALL
Calling at Saint Gregory parish green thumbs! In addition to our regular professional landscaping efforts, we would love to form a ministry effort around beautifying and nurturing our expansive campus. Everything from weeding to flower planting is a possibility, and this will be a fantastic way to do something hands-on at our parish. Please contact Lou Zagami for details: Lzagami@iocc.org

MEMORIAL GARDEN EFFORT
If you would like to add a memorial brick to our outdoor walkway this spring/summer, please fill out the form in our Narthex and Church Office. With the funds we raise, we would like to refurbish and install the iron fencing from our previous iconostation to frame the walkway, as well as add some outdoor icons and landscape features to update this wonderful area. Contact Cathy Cooper for further details and with questions: ccooper126@verizon.net. 

ANTIDORON SERVERS MINISTRY
In addition to reading the Epistle, this ministry is a great way for the girls and young women of our parish to actively engage our worship services. Please contact Kyri Stavros to learn more and/or confirm service dates. 

CONGREGATIONAL SINGING LEADERS
Singing leaders are needed to help our parish get familiar with our new hymnal, as well as lead congregational singing of the Divine Liturgy this summer and fall. Please contact Fr. Alex to learn more about coming practices and how you can be a part of this vital ministry of Saint Gregory. 

SAINT GREGORY PARISH BOOKSTORE
Parishioners are invited to visit our bookstore by appointment or otherwise receive assistance by contacting the Church Office. Cathy or Fr. Alex would be happy to help you find that encouraging book or meaningful gift for a loved one. In addition, we expect our bookstore to open up with wonderful updated stock--and smiling faces--in September. We look forward to this wonderful renewal of this important ministry. 

WHAT'S NEW ON OUR WEBSITE?
Within our Youth Ministry pages, you'll now see two new resources under "Youth and Family Resources": "Saintly Lives" and "For Your Home." Both can be a resources for parents as they strive to bring the life of the Church into their homes. New entries for May will soon be available. 

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Fr. Alex: Tue. (9 am – 1 pm), Wed. (11 am – 3 pm) & Thur (9 am – 1 pm); or by appointment when convenient for our faithful. Please note that on occasion, Fr. Alex may be seeing to a pastoral situation, visitingn with another parishioner, attending a Metropolis event or otherwise engaged in Church life during office hours. Cathy Cooper: by Appointment. 

Our faithful are invited to submit the names of the living to be lifted up in prayer by Fr. Alex and our entire parish family. Please contact the Church Office or Father to add or remove names. 

Please pray for the servants of God: 

Nicole; Alexa; Tony; Amanda; Nicholas; Lea; Irene; Diana; Jeanne; Sam; Michael; Teddy; Annette; Johanna; Joyce; Elaine; Joseph; David; George; Elaine; Gia; Michelle; Kay; Maria; Andreas; Nicholas; Barbara; Timothy; Mark; Bonnie; Andrea; Marissa; Helen; Bessie; Peter; Gina; Christopher; Ginny; Stella; Dorothy; Jack; Dorothy; Ethel; Greg; Vesallie; Helen; Benjamin; Andonea; Diana