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My Fellow Parishioners,
First of all I would like to wish everyone a good New Year. May this year be one that brings us all good health and happiness. But most importantly, may 2010 bring us all back to our church and Greek community. We have nothing if we don’t build from a strong faith base provided by our spiritual anchor our beloved Saint Spyridon Cathedral.
I would also like to thank you for pulling together and helping our church with your stewardship donations. Many offered their contributions and we thank you…and many more exceeded the category mandatory. Ultimately, we are hoping to transfer to pure Christian Stewardship whereby each and every one of us gives from their hearts and within their means, rather than be told what they should give. In the meantime, please look for the 2010 Stewardship package that will be arriving in your homes early in January and we ask that you budget your Stewardship as you budget your household expenses. “Come and See” what we can do when we all pull together and give from our hearts.
Our community has had joys in the birth of many children in our community and sadness with the passing of many of our Christian brethren. For the first time in our community, two of our Parish Council members have given birth to new babies. Congratulations to John and Erini Rallis for the birth of their twin girl and boy, and to Harris and Jessica Pitsillidis for the birth of their daughter.
We also had sadness in 2009. We lost our Parish Council member and devoted steward and very good friend Don Theoharides. We offer our condolences to his wife Lisa and the family…and he will be missed…especially during the Grecian Festival when he was a prominent figure working tirelessly to help make it a success. We also send our condolences to the families of many of our Christian brethren who also fell asleep, including George Spanakis who served as a former Grecian Festival Chairman and on the Parish Council. With that said, life is too short and one of my wishes in the New Year is to ask everyone to mend differences and hold hands in love again…and ask for forgiveness to allow the healing to occur and bring our community together once again.
I am so excited to relay that 2010 is our year for the Grecian Festival, which has been scheduled for June 4, 5, 6, 2010... I have volunteered to be the Chairman of the festival this year, but am unable to do it without EVERYONE’s help. Our meetings will be on Tuesday’s, and you can check with the office (or email if you have signed up for our newsletters) for the meeting dates…and most importantly, this festival cannot happen without the help of all of us. We are seeking volunteers in all areas, contact me or leave your name and contact information with the office if you can help.
As I reflect on 2009, I want to remind everyone that the operations of the church are transparent. What I mean by this is that all decisions that are made on the Parish Council level and the General Assembly are all documented in minutes and can be reviewed (once they have been approved) so that you are constantly updated. Including the financials and operating budget of the church…this means all bills, expenses, disbursements and salaries. You can ask to see a Treasurers report at anytime. In reference to how things are done at our Cathedral, it is a democratic method and you have a voice at all General Assemblies. Nothing is passed without a Motion andvote at the General Assembly. Therefore, if you have a complaint or wish for something to be done differently, you can follow the process to be heard at the General Assembly when it is scheduled.
I also want to reflect on yet another successful Golf Tournament which celebrated its 11th year at Mount Pleasant Country Club, the committee and Chair people including Stew Paskalis, and Tina Niedbala, Aris Felis, and the others did a fantastic job. Though Mother Nature threatened to put a damper on it we finally played and still netted in excess of $29,000.
I want to thank my fellow Parish Council members who served with me in 2009 for their hard work and devotion. We accomplished a lot and we should all be proud of serving together. I also want to say good bye to the 2009 members whose term finished and thank them for their years of devotion serving on the governing board of our church. We all have the good of the church in our heart when we offer our services as Parish Council. I look forward to welcoming the new team in 2010. I also want to thank our spiritual leaders Father Dean and Father Greg for their devotion, love and tireless efforts on our behalf. We all see them on Sundays and holiday services, but no one knows how hard they work behind the scenes visiting the sick, desolate, as well as visiting and offering their blessings in homes and businesses. We love you and are devoted to both of you Father Dean and Father Greg.
May God be with all of us.
Gus Giannakis
President
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