“Your Own of Your Own”

Dear Beloved Parishioners,

We are reminded of the exclamation addressed to our Lord Jesus Christ in the Divine Liturgy, “Your own of Your own, we offer to You…!” which reminds us that our contributions to the Church are a gesture of gratitude for the blessings we have received.  By giving to His Church, we do more than meet obligations--we help realize the potential of our church community through our collective support.

In 2024, you, devoted parishioners, contributed your talents, time, and donations.  As a result, we have made numerous improvements within our campus and church.  We had successful events and fundraisers throughout the year, and we enjoyed the fellowship and collaboration of each other.  We give thanks to God for the spiritual growth experienced by our families and children in the Divine Liturgy and Youth Ministries.  In 2025, we will celebrate our Saint Nicholas Church’s 80^th anniversary--an exciting year: “Reflecting on Our Journey, Rejoicing in Our Future – United in Faith for 80 years”.

The Stewardship Ministry invites us to reflect on our priorities and values, express gratitude, give of ourselves, and grow in grace.  It is an opportunity to share in God’s work.  Giving is not a replacement for commitment but rather an expression of it, demonstrating our appreciation for the blessings in our lives. This year, we have set an ambitious goal of raising $605,000 to further our mission, and we are excited to see the positive change we can create together in 2025.

Please complete your Stewardship Commitment for 2025 to ensure the success of the programs addressing the spiritual needs of the families entrusted to our care.  Stewardship Sunday will take place on Sunday, February 9^th – bring your stewardship cards with you or feel free to send them in the mail or complete online.  

Your financial stewardship supports the foundation of our Parish Ministries and our mission to spread Christ’s Word and our Orthodox Faith.  We thank you for your dedication to our parish and your participation in the salvific work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Yours in Christ,
Rev. Father James Kumarelas, Proistamenos
Rev. Father Nebojsa Pantic, Assistant Priest
Nektarios Matheou, Parish Council President

Your employer could be offering Matching Gifts Programs as an easy and structured way for them to support good work in the community. Please ASK your employer if they 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. In order to assist our Saint Nicholas Community, we are kindly asking that you learn more about Company Matching Donations at work by inquiring 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. 

Stewardship 2025 as of January 23, 2025

Goal: $605,000 (Approved 2025 Budget)
Pledged: $43,436
Pledges Paid: $30,531
Average Pledge: $630
Outstanding unpaid commitments: $12,905
Number of Stewards Pledging: 69

Stewardship 2024 on January 25, 2024 for comparison purposes:

Goal: $491,000 (Approved 2024 Budget with tentative stretch goal of $500,000)
Pledged: $20,370
Pledges Paid: $14,575
Average Pledge: $370
Outstanding unpaid commitments: $5,795
Number of Stewards Pledging: 55

Please continue to keep our Saint Nicholas Church in your thoughts and prayers throughout 2025. 

Dedicate yourself to Christ and His mission here at Saint Nicholas.  Look for opportunities to volunteer your time and talents, and pay toward your 2025 commitment pledge. 

Not a Steward of Saint Nicholas?  Please prayerfully consider becoming a Steward by completing the 2025 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:  https://www.saintnicholas.org/donate#stewardship

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/

Any interested parishioner in good standing can submit an application to join the 2025 Parish Council.  We have three vacancies to fill, each for a term of one calendar year.  The deadline to apply is Sunday, February 9th.  You can turn in a completed application by email to [email protected], by U.S. mail to 986 Chapman St, San Jose, Ca 95126, in person (please call the office first - 408-246-2770), or you can place it in the church office mailbox. 

To have an 2025 Parish Council Application sent to you, please call the church office at 408-246-2770.

On Sunday, January 26th, during the Divine Liturgy and before Holy Communion, there will be a reading about the Three Hierarchs from the students of the Center of Hellenic Education and Sunday School.  

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 fingerprinting service on Sunday, January 26th from 11:30am - 12:30pm in the church office conference room - enter by the side door.   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 comply with these legal requirements. 

If you need any assistance, please contact Angie Markolefas at 408-891-4314 or email at [email protected].

We invite any parishioners who would like to have their house blessed for the Epiphany season to contact the office (408-246-2770) to schedule with one of our priests. Please schedule after January 6th until February 2nd.

Prayers continue for the people of Southern California who have been devastated by the ongoing fires.  Please read the statement from Metropolitan Gerasimos on the Southern California fires:

https://www.sanfran.goarch.org/news/statement-from-metropolitan-gerasimos-on-the-southern-california-fires

Disaster Relief Donations: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=greekorth&id=50

You are all invited to the Missions Ministry Vasilopita Fellowship on Saturday, January 25th at 2:00pm in the Small Hall.  

With us this year will be the Joneses, Michael and Meghan and their lovely kids, active missionaries in Tonga.  The Jones family was drawn into missionary service quite unexpectedly, when they learned about the apostolic ministry of the Holy Metropolis of New Zealand in Fiji, Tonga and Samoa and felt a strong calling to participate. The Joneses are serving as needed throughout the Metropolis: coordinating building projects, teaching the liturgical arts, conducting catechism, building community, and supporting the indigenous people of the South Pacific islands who have embraced Holy Orthodoxy. 

Refreshments and appetizers will be provided.  Free will offering to benefit the Jones Family. 

Come and learn about OCMC's missionary efforts around the world. Hear the latest news and happenings from the mission field and how you can answer Christ's call to "go and make disciples of all nations."

Event is open to all.  Please invite your friends!  For questions, please contact Maria Aji at: (408)425-6967 | [email protected].

The Saint Nicholas Dance Ministry presents our FDF Preview on Saturday, January 25th at 5:30pm in the Community Center.

Please bring family and friends to enjoy a preview of our dance groups' FDF performances.   

Performances will begin at 6:00pm followed by a Greek buffet dinner.  Music and dancing to follow!

Tickets: $50 adults; Dancers and children under 12 are free.  No host bar.  To purchase tickets please go to: 

https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/78/responses/new

All proceeds benefit the St. Nicholas Dance Ministry.

St. Anna Philoptochos will be holding a members meeting to approve the 2025 Philoptochos Budget on Sunday, January 26th at 11:30am in the Senior Room of the Small Hall.  All Philoptochos members, please attend this important meeting.  For any questions, please email Laurie Sahines at laurie.sahines @gmail.com or phone 408-823-0111.  

**50% of all available seats have already been sold!**

Friday, January 31, 2025

Tickets available to purchase at the following site:  https://CretanCrabFeed.eventbrite.com

Discounted Full Table Purchase $800 (10 Seats) (Available Now!)

Single Adult Purchase $85 (Available in January); Single Children Under 12 $50 (Available in January)

All Inclusive (Beer, Wine, Greek Liquor and Sodas)

Your generosity and support of the Cretan Crab Feed has enabled the Cretan Club to donate over $400,000 back to the community and other charities!

For questions, please contact Ted Cocoles at [email protected] or cell 408-569-5434 or Pete Panos at [email protected] or 408-835-9092

Please join us for the annual Golden Years Seniors Valentine’s Day Luncheon on Sunday, February 2, 2025 in the Small Hall immediately following the Divine Liturgy.

Menu: Chicken, Salad, Rice, Vegetables, and Dessert

Price: Adults $35.00;  Children 12 and under $20.00   Tickets will be sold at coffee hour!

Response needed by January 26, 2025.  Checks can be made payable to: Golden Years Seniors and sent to Antonia Komianos, 4070 Valerie Drive, Campbell, Ca 95008; 408-374-7774.

Please mark your calendars for the 2025 Saint Nicholas San Jose College Ministry event dates!

Compline at 6:00pm, followed by food and fellowship in Room 2 of the Educational Building.

Wed. Feb.26, 2025

Wed. March 12, 2025

Wed. April 9, 2025

Wed. May 14, 2025

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Fr. Nebojsa or [email protected] 

Practices for the Youth Basketball spring season have started.  If you are interested and not already registered for the 2024-2025 season, it is imperative that you register soon so we can organize the teams and register our rosters with the league.  We need to have the minimum number of players registered by the end of January to register a team.  Registrants after January are welcome, but only if we’ve determined there are enough for that age group by end of January.  Teams are Girls 3^rd-5^th grades (Elementary) and 6^th-9^th grades (Middle School+) and Boys 3^rd-5^th grades (Elementary), 6^th-8^th grades (MS), and 9^th-12^thgrades (HS).  Weekly practice days are:

Boys Elementary: Mondays 6-7:15 (note: there will be practice on MLK Jr Day 1/20 for those who can make it)

Boys Middle School: Tuesdays 6:45-8:15

Girls elementary and Middle School+ Wednesdays 6-7:30

Boys HS will begin practice in February, but be sure to register NOW so we can roster a team.

The OYAA is a recreational league of Bay Area Orthodox Churches.  Games are typically Sunday afternoons running from the beginning of March to mid-May.  We welcome all skill levels, but for the Spring Season we encourage consistent practice participation.  There is a nominal fee to participate and the liability/waiver form common with all ministries is required.

Register your player here ASAP so we can organize teams, coaches, and provide updated communication, https://www.saintnicholas.org/basketball.  If you have any questions, please contact the Program Director John Cocoles at [email protected] or [email protected].

**Second Harvest is in the process of relocating and reformatting some of their processes.  For that reason, they have discontinued evening “Food Sorting”.  Only weekends and day shifts remain**

https://www.shfb.org/give-help/volunteer/

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.

January 2025
26 - Sunday School / Greek Letters Day / Sunday School In Service (Teacher and Aide Training)

February
2 - Sunday School
9 - Sunday School
16 - No Sunday School / FDF Weekend
23 - Sunday School / God Parents Day Celebration

March
2 - Sunday School
9 - Sunday School / Sunday of Orthodoxy
16 - Sunday School
23 - Sunday School
30 - Family Divine Liturgy

April
6 - Sunday School
13 - Sunday School
20 - No Sunday School Holy Pascha
27 - Family Divine Liturgy

May
4 - Sunday School
11 - Sunday School
18 - Last day Sunday School / High School Graduation Celebration

CrossRoad is a ten-day academic summer institute that prepares high school juniors and seniors to make big life decisions and invites them to connect with the Orthodox Christian theological and spiritual tradition in a deep and meaningful way. There are four CrossRoad sessions to choose from. Apply early to secure your preferred location – Boston, New York, or Southern California. Session details: today at www.CrossRoadInstitute.org.  

Please see the flyer for more information and links to the 2024-2025 Panhellenic Scholarship application in the Special Events section of this electronic bulletin.  Applications due January 31, 2025.

 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

**St. Nicholas is trying to get a group together to attend Session 3**

This July, the Metropolis invites youth ages 8-18 to join us for the Metropolis Summer Camp at St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA. This exciting experience offers a chance to make new friends, reconnect with old ones, and deepen your faith. Online camper registration opens on February 1, and spots will fill up quickly!

METROPOLIS SUMMER CAMP WEBSITE: https://gosfyouth.org/summer-camp

2025 SUMMER CAMP DATES

Session 1: July 6 - 12

Session 2: July 13 - 19

Session 3: July 20 - 26

CAMPER REGISTRATION

$725 Early Registration (February 1 – February 8)

$750 Regular Registration (February 9 – March 31)

$775 Late Registration (April 1 or later)

*A $100 non-refundable deposit is required to register. Payment plans are available.

CAMPER AGES

The youngest campers will be 8 years old (or entering 3rd grade in Fall 2025) and the oldest will be 18 years old (or will be graduating High School in Spring 2025).

SESSION 1 - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BUS

If you are from Southern California and attending during Session 1, there is a bus that will be making three stops at parishes along the way to St. Nicholas Ranch. More information: CLICK HERE

SUMMER CAMP STAFF

The Metropolis is seeking passionate, faithful, and dedicated young adults (19+) to join the camp staff. Additionally, they are looking for medical and lifeguard personnel. If you know someone who would be a great fit for the Metropolis Staff, please encourage them to apply! Applications are open until March 1 on our website. CLICK HERE

MEDICAL STAFF

The Metropolis is in need of summer camp medical staff. If you are a licensed medical professional or know someone who is, please encourage them to apply on the camp website CLICK HERE. We especially love having MD's, NP's, and RN's!

AMAZON WISH LIST

Help us keep the cost of camp down and make a donation from our Amazon Wish List HERE.

CAMPER SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THOSE IN NEED

With the generous support of both the Archbishop Elpidophoros Summer Camp Scholarship Fund and Leadership 100, the Metropolis will be able to offer camp scholarships to assist families experiencing financial challenges. Before you apply for a scholarship, we ask that you first ask your parish if they have any summer camp scholarships available. As you wait to hear about parish camp scholarships or hear back from the Archdiocese, we highly suggest registering now by paying the $100 deposit to secure a spot as we will quickly fill up! CLICK HERE

The Pilgrimage of Discovery annual program is a 7-day, all-expense paid, religious and cultural annual summer journey to Constantinople awarded to Orthodox Christian young adults across America, connecting them with their ancestral religious roots. Participants deepen their Orthodox faith through a curated, guided experience, exploring holy sites, having a private audience with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and much more. This immersive journey creates a lasting impact on identity, faith, family, community and culture and helps secure the continuity of the Orthodox church from a grassroots level.

This transformational program is dedicated to sending Orthodox Christian young adults to Constantinople each year to learn about Orthodoxy, our Patriarchate, the history of the Church, the challenges facing the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the experience of the remaining Orthodox people living in Asia Minor and other important priorities. This rewarding experience helps participants better connect to their religious tradition and understand the relevance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as they prepare to lead the Orthodox Church in the future. This immersive journey creates a lasting impact on identity, faith, family, community and culture and helps secure the continuity of the Orthodox Church from a grassroots level.

The Pilgrimage of Discovery is a religious-educational journey that includes an audience with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and visits to historic sites around Constantinople. It is the opportunity of a lifetime for up to sixteen young adult leaders, women and men, from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to be awarded the gift of a transformative and immersive experience in Constantinople, the Queen of Cities.

For more information, please visit: https://www.pilgrimageofdiscovery.org/. 

APPLY TODAY   

https://www.sanfran.goarch.org/news/pilgrimage-of-discovery-accepting-applications-through-january-31

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

https://indd.adobe.com/view/1c267818-b9e6-4421-9999-2af361e9e485

Adult Open Gym Basketball is every Wednesday at 7:30pm and some Saturday mornings from 10am to 12 noon 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

The Choir is actively recruiting new members!  If you are interested please contact Anthony Pappas at (408) 832-4271 for practice times.  On Sundays, the Choir performs at the Divine Liturgy.  Join the fun!

We are embarking on a new ministry opportunity for families living along the 101 corridor, south of San Jose! 

Any families or individuals who would like to join us for a once a month ministry opportunity for fellowship and faith based lessons for the whole family, can contact Fr. Nebojsa for more information at [email protected].  

To RSVP and receive a location address please contact Fr. Nebojsa due to limited space for this first gathering.  We hope to provide new locations and ministry activities every month. 

Our Greek Village is returning in June 2025. We are seeking those who have a passion for Hellenic culture and Orthodox faith, a commitment to youth ministry, and a desire to make a lasting impact. Available positions include: Program Director, Greek Language Instructors, Counselors, Program Staff and Lifeguards. Information and applications online at: www.ourgreekvillage.com/careers

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!

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