Stewardship 2024 as of September 5, 2024:

Goal: $491,000 (Approved 2024 Budget with tentative stretch goal of $500,000)
Pledged: $403,722
Pledges Paid: $322,694
Average Pledge: $1,231
Outstanding unpaid commitments: $71,028
Number of Stewards Pledging: 328

Stewardship 2023 on September 5, 2023 for comparison purposes:

Goal: $500,000 ($3000 per Stewardship Family, as an average)
Pledged: $427,724
Pledges Paid: $352,235
Average Pledge: $1,284
Outstanding unpaid commitments: $75,499
Number of Stewards Pledging: 331

Please continue to keep our Saint Nicholas Church in your thoughts and prayers throughout 2024. 

Dedicate yourself to Christ and His mission here at Saint Nicholas.  Look for opportunities to volunteer your time and talents, and pay toward your 2024 commitment pledge. 

Not a Steward of Saint Nicholas?  Please prayerfully consider becoming a Steward by completing the 2024 Stewardship Commitment Card.  You may also submit your commitment either online or by mailing it to the Church Office.

To give by mail: Stewardship 

                        St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
                        986 Chapman Street
                        San Jose, CA 95126

To make a committment electronically, please visit our online stewardship link:  https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/80/responses/new

Donation link: https://saintnicholas.org/donate

Company Matching Donations: many companies offer some type of philanthropic program in which a company may financially match donations that their employees make to nonprofit organizations. When an employee makes a donation, they will request the matching gift from their employer to the specific nonprofit organization. If you are interested to learn more about Company Matching Donations at work, please inquire with your Company's Human Resources Department if it offers a similar program. Please note that Saint Nicholas Church would be identified in a Company Matching Program as "Greek Orthodox Community of Santa Clara County". 

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is a 501©3 Corporation and our tax ID is 94-1578745. 

In our Light A Candle program, vigil candle(s) are lit along with an opportunity to submit names to be prayed for at the Prothesis (Preparation) for forty days. Only Orthodox Christian first names (baptismal names) should be submitted.  It is important to separate the names of the living and the reposed.  When lit, the vigil candles last for one week.  Please see the online form on our website or use the link below.  

Donate online here: https://saintnicholas.org/virtual-chapel/light-a-candle 

If you would prefer to mail in your request, please write the name(s) for whom the candle(s) will be lit and send to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Attention: Light a Candle, 986 Chapman Street, San Jose, CA 9126.  For more information, please call the church office.

We are a registered non-profit on Facebook and you can donate any time (without any fees for the church) by pressing the donate button in this link:  https://www.facebook.com/SaintNicholasOrg/

In honor of the Elevation of the Holy Cross, St. Anna Philoptochos will have a tray available at dismissal this Sunday, September 15, 2024 with all proceeds going to Holy Cross/Hellenic College.  Please make checks payable to St. Anna's Philoptochos, and put in the memo HCHC.  Thank you.

The first day of Sunday School is quickly approaching on September 15th! Please register your child(ren) before this date so we can be fully prepared to provide our students with a meaningful and spiritual experience. If you have registered, thank you. 

Registration deadline: Please ensure your child is registered by September 15th.  Register your children here: Sunday School—Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

We look forward to a beautiful year of growth, learning, and community.  If you have any questions, please contact Vicki Ryan at [email protected]. 

Anyone interested in learning more about their faith is invited to join Fr. Nebojsa Pantic on Monday nights from 6:15-7:00pm.  

This semester will include a Patristic Survey of the commentaries on the Lord’s Prayer.  You can join us in-person at the Conference Room in the Office, or online via Zoom:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7084362224 

We will begin on Monday, September 23rd at 6:15 pm (following the 5pm Paraklisis Service). 

Anyone interested in learning the fundamentals of Byzantine Music is invited to join Fr. Nebojsa on Monday nights at 7:00 pm, beginning September 23rd.  

We will be learning the fundamentals of theory as well as Byzantine Notation itself.  For further information please contact [email protected] 

With the new California State law on mandated reporting for all youth staff workers/volunteers, Saint Nicholas is required to comply with background checks, training (annually) and fingerprinting.   We are happy that many of our youth staff workers/volunteers have already complied with the mandate.

However, for those who have not yet completed the process, Saint Nicholas is graciously offering another free fingerprinting service on Sunday, September 29th from 11:30am - 3:00 pm.   Important: only those that have fulfilled the Archdiocese online account set up, Code of Conduct, background check, and training module will be allowed to get fingerprinted.  

We encourage all youth staff workers/volunteers, who have not already done so, to sign up to comply with these legal requirements. 

To reserve a spot or if you need any assistance, please contact Angie Markolefas at 408-891-4314 or email at [email protected].

Any altar servers ages 7 and up are welcome to register for our 2024-2025 ecclesiastical year of service:

https://www.saintnicholas.org/altar-servers

Please note that there are a few new expectations and requirements for altar servers this year.  We will be having trainings in October to go over the rules and expectations, but in the meantime you can contact Fr. Nebojsa for more information if interested.  For scheduling questions or concerns please contact Penny Pagonis.  

The first day of Altar Service is September 15th.  Groups will be sent individual messages in regards to their service dates and calendars.  PLEASE REGISTER so we can accurately put you in a group.  

Putting our Orthodox Faith into action! Join us at Second Harvest Food Bank the 4th Tuesday of every month, 6pm to 8pm, to prepare food for distribution in our Santa Clara County community.  One in five families in Santa Clara County faces food insecurity.  Help us serve our community while enjoying the fellowship of our Parishioners!  Advance registration is required; vaccination is suggested but not required; open to ages 12 and up. 

We invite you to sign up in advance for Tuesday, September 24, 2024 using the link:  

https://www.shfb.org/give-help/volunteer/volcalendar-general/?shift_id=a0vQo000009v57aIAA

St. Nicholas Church is on the move for missions! From August 10th until September 14th, we can make a difference in the world. The OCMC (Orthodox Christian Mission Center) has presented the opportunity to walk, run, hike, bike, or swim with the sponsorship of friends and relatives. Funds will be used to support international missionaries. We share their quest to reach the over 1 billion people who have not yet heard the good news of Jesus Christ.  Please sponsor the Saint Nicholas Team by visiting the link below:

https://secure.ocmc.org/site/TR/Trek4Missions/General?team_id=1581&pg=team&fr_id=1520

You could also send a check with “Trek4Missions” on the message line to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 986 Chapman St., San Jose, CA 95126.

Sunday, November 3rd! - Monastery Fundraiser Dinner

Gerontissa Markella and her Sisterhood joyfully, with hope and thanksgiving for your constant support and many years of commitment, invite you to join us again for a Benefit Dinner.  The Monastery of the Theotokos of the Life Giving Spring Fundraising Dinner will be on Sunday, November 3rd at the St. Nicholas Community Center at 5:00pm. 

Donation for tickets for adults $75, children 12 and under $35.  All proceeds go to Monastery for essential support to the operation of the Monastery facility.  

For details or to RSVP, please contact Evagelia at: (408)499-3939, email at [email protected].  Also please see flyer and ticket form in the Special Events section of this e-bulletin.

Senior Resort Camp is being held September 30th to October 3rd at the St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap California. If you are interested in attending and if you can drive please contact: Christine Kouvaris: 408-306-8007/[email protected] or Laurie Sahines: 408-823-0111/[email protected].  For more information, please see the flyer in the Special Events section of this e-bulletin.

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries will present a Young Adult Fall Retreat from Friday, October 4 – Sunday, October 6, 2024 at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA.

Join with other Orthodox young adults from throughout the west for a weekend of fellowship, prayer and inspiring presentations. The retreat theme for this year’s Young Adult Fall Retreat is “The Power of Forgiveness” and will feature Rev. Father Nebojsa Pantic as the guest speaker. Father Nebojsa currently serves as the Assistant Priest at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in San Jose, CA. As part of his presentation, Father Nebojsa will explore the depth and meaning of this verse from Psalm 23, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life . . .”

Open to all Orthodox College Students and Young Professionals, ages 18-30’s. Participants should plan to arrive at the Ranch after 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 4, with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m. The retreat program will begin that evening at 8:30 p.m. Saturday will offer a full day of presentations and activities, including a work project at the Monastery of the Theotokos the Life-Giving Spring. Our weekend will culminate with Divine Liturgy at the Monastery, followed by breakfast, with the retreat concluding around 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 6. There is a NEW optional addition to the retreat – Friday Excursion and Hike Adventure Package. Arrival will be on Thursday, October 3.

To register: https://gosfyouth.org/youngadults#/young-adult-fall-retreat   See the flyer in the Special Events section of this e-bulletin.

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Family Wellness Ministry and the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries invite all couples to participate in the upcoming "Eight Dates" marriage program. Presented for the fourth time, this powerful relationship series is based on the book Eight Dates by Drs. John and Julie Gottman.

Any couple wanting to improve their communication and connection can benefit from this lively and evidence-based program, where the Family Wellness Ministry team integrates the riches of our Orthodox Faith into each presentation. Couples will meet online every other Thursday and are encouraged to connect on their “8 Dates,” engaging in essential conversations during the following weeks.

Register by September 11th: www.familywellnessministry.org/eight-dates

Sessions begin: Thursday, September 19th at 6:30 p.m. (Pacific) via Zoom

Don't miss this opportunity to enrich your relationship!

Volleyball practices for our 19th Annual St Nicholas Volleyball Tournament begin Sunday, August 18th at 7pm in the Community Center.  Please join us!

Tuesday Nights
7:00 pm - Young Adult & Adult Practices

Thursday Nights
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm - Junior High
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm - High School 

Sunday Nights
7:00pm - Open Gym practices for High School, Young Adult and Adult

If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Chairman George Spilios (408) 806-1699 or Head Coach Elias Papas (408) 497-4522.

Come join the fun!  The Volleyball Tournament is scheduled for the weekend of October 18-20th.

Adult Open Gym Basketball is every Wednesday at 7:30pm in the Community Center.  All parishioners (including guests) must sign up first before participating; online sign up form is at the link below.  All communications will be handled through WhatsApp where there will be live updates on the day of the event; link down below to join.

Adult Open Gym sign up form: https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/95/responses/new

Adult Open Gym guidelines: 

https://docs.google.com/file/d/1Pqh-9ytke7trggbRvI-t0IW4sHL22Re4/edit?usp=docslist_api&filetype=msword

Adult Open Gym WhatsApp group chat: https://chat.whatsapp.com/ExKTcpbEo7oBPOR3Ssfi1P

We are thrilled to welcome you and your children back to Sunday School.  Our first session will begin on September 15^th at 9:30 am.   Please ensure your child is registered by September 15th.  You can register your children here: Sunday School—Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.  We look forward to a beautiful year of growth, learning, and community.  Please see our calendar of events for the first half below.

September
15 - First day of Sunday School
22- Sunday School in Session
29 – Sunday School in Session (Spiritual Retreat for K – 3rd grade)

October
6 – Sunday School in Session (Spiritual Retreat 4th – 12th grades)
13 – Sunday School in Session
20 – Sunday School in Session
27 – Family Divine Liturgy

November
3 – Sunday School in Session
10 – Sunday School in Session
17 – Family Divine Liturgy
24 – Sunday School in Session (Christmas Pageant Rehearsal)

December
1 – No Sunday School – Thanksgiving Holiday
8 – Sunday School in Session (Christmas Pageant Rehearsal)
15 – Sunday School in Session (Christmas Pageant Rehearsal)
21 – Saturday Christmas Pageant
22 – Family Divine Liturgy
29 – Christmas Holiday – No Sunday School

 We are pleased to announce that Greek School registration for adults is now active!

The registration link is located at:
https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/98/responses/new

Initial meetings for each Adult Education course have been scheduled on the following dates:
** Modern Greek Beginner Level 1: Wednesday, September 4-2024, 7:00 pm.
** Modern Greek Beginner Level 2: Tuesday, September 3-2024, 7:00 pm.
** Modern Greek Level 3, Intermediate/Advanced: Saturday, September 7-2024, 9:00 am.
** New Testament Greek Beginner Level 1: Monday, September 2-2024, 7:00 pm.
** Ancient Greek Beginner Level 1: Friday, September 6-2024, 7:00 pm.

For further information, please contact Dr. Peter Nanopoulos by email ([email protected]) or by phone (408-646-7308).

Programs Offered:

We offer a wide range of programs to suit various interests and educational needs, including:

School Age Greek Language Classes (3-18 years old)

1. In-person classes: Offered on Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:00 pm - 6:45 pm & Saturdays 10:00 am - 11:45 am.

2. On-Line classes: These classes are time flex and are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays.

Adult Greek Language Classes (18 years and older)

New Testament Greek: Tuesdays 6:30 - 9:00 pm

Intermediate Conversational Greek: Thursdays 6:30 - 9:00 pm

Beginner Conversational Greek: Saturdays 10:00 am - 12:30 pm

For more up-to-date information in regards to the adult Greek classes kindly contact: Dr. Peter Nanopoulos at [email protected] 

Community Activities (All students & families):

In addition to the classes, several assemblies occur annually to celebrate the following national holidays: October 28th (OXI Day), March 25th (Greek Independence Day), Christmas, and the Graduation/End-of-the-school-year party. Parents and other family members attend or participate in the gathering, while the students recite poems, skits, songs, and dances.

How to Register:

1. Complete the Online Registration Form: https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/98/responses/new

Important Dates:

• Classes Begin: Monday, August 26, 2024

We look forward to welcoming you to a vibrant and engaging academic year!

New from the Department of Religious Education of our Archdiocese!  Take a look:  https://www.goarch.org/departments/religioused/didyouknow

If you have lost an item and suspect you have left it on church grounds, please check the spot you may have left it the next time you are at church.  You can also call the Church Office at 408-246-2770 to see if it was turned in.  Lost items will be released to the person claiming to be the owner that has provided details to identify the item.  Items brought to the Church Office will be kept for 60 calendar days and then discarded or donated if not claimed.  Thank you!

Please read the Canon of Faith for September 2024 using the online link viewing:    

https://indd.adobe.com/view/e4771349-653e-4851-89f5-b77d4dd0aad1

We are collecting unwanted paper icons, wooden icons, and palms that require disposing, please drop off in the baby room in the Church.  There is a plastic bin located underneath the pew.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Julie via email: [email protected].

Please contact the church office at 408-246-2770 if you plan to leave items outside the office or Community Center.

If you wish to order kollyva, artoklasia, prosphora, paximadia, koulourakia, melomakarona, kourambiedes, or other Greek pastries, please see the bakers listed below with their phone numbers to call.  Payment is arranged with the bakers and not the church.

For kollyva:   Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124  

For paximadia, koulourakia, melomakarona, kourambiedes, and other Greek pastries:   Maria Tsaboukos  408-723-5175      Antonia Komianos  408-472-3888     Marcella Fotis  408-723-4124.

For artoklasia:  Antonia Komianos 408-472-3888   Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124   

For prosphora:  Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124