December 2015

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ dwell within

us and always turn our hearts towards His love,

mercy and forgiveness.

MERRYCHRISTMAS!

+Fr. Nick

On Wednesday, December 4th, a cool and partially dry day, over eighty

parishioners plus the GOYAns manned five locations from noon to 8 p.m. to help the Salvation Army raise funds to help those in need Christmas season.

Our groups were joyful, smiling and friendly. Many danced and sang Christmas carols, which earned extra donations in the kettles. Many thanks to the following volunteers!

Nick & Helen Stamos, George Kokales, Nektarios Georgiadis. Martha Theros, Angela Stamoulis, Cynthia Kokkales, Joanne Cranford, Thelma & Gordon Steers, Helen Hadden, Helen Evangelides, James Carras, Matina Morris, Peter and Zorene Kussurelis, Stella & Angelo Theros, Sophia Radwanski, Eva Mikhail, Oleg & Emilie

Michajlenko, Holly Polopolos, Presvytera Eva Paul, Tom Roumanis, Christina Vlahopoulos, Elaine Karam, Costas & Ioanna Boutsikakis, Fr. Nick Kotsis and Harry Kotsis, Theanne Ballios, Vangie Kolokithas, Christine Kerry, Michael Kapetan, Laura Kokkales, Jack Fry, Clevie & Tony Daniels, Carolyn Bartle, John & Fofie Pappas, Antonis & Despina Eleftheriou, Petros & Silvana Papagerakis, Michael & Kelly Theros, Chris & Perry Katsikas, Alex, Carolyn and Evan Roopas, Michael Garris, Zachary Garris, Jacalen Garris, Dimitri & Pauline

Tzavaras and family, Steve Garris, Eric Cazepis, Avraam Piniatoglou, Costas Boutsikakis, Pam Petropoulos, Georgia Porikos, Elizabeth Bairactaris, Craig & Hongyun Theros, Jennifer, Chris, Zoe, Chrysanthe and Julianna Patselas, Vicky Masters, Katerina Roumanis, Nellie Guibert, Julie Skrettas, Demetra & David Mitropoulos-Rundus, Jim Prokos, Chris Bekiares, Stephan & Katie Kolokithas, Joy & Steve Melzian.

A Merry Christmas greeting earned one ringer a $20 bill. We did have a few pre-ringing problems

and a few on site, but overall it was a great, feel good day. Thanks to everyone who helping raise alms for those in need.

-- Helen Garris, Chairperson

A Message from the Parish Council President

As of our last parish council meeting (December 10, 2015), we are at 78% attainment of our 2015 Stewardship goal.

Work has been completed on installing name plates to our New Building Donor Board plaques. Next will be Iconography board.

Wolverine Door in Ann Arbor has received the drawings from their sub-contractor to start putting

together an official quote to have doors built. Once this has been finalized, we will be required to submit payment of 50%. At this writing we are estimating the project to cost between

$18,500~$20,000 (in which we have the funds earmarked for this project). The new doors will have tempered glass windows. Once we install the lighting for the Iconography, it will be nice to stop by our Church at night and look through the doors to see our Iconography.

Planning has started for the New Year’s Eve celebration. Net income raised from this event will go

toward the St. Nicholas Shrine in New York City.

(continued on next page….)

Parish Council presents a check signifying the last payment on the church mortgage!

Our mortgage has been paid off! OPA!

(…continued from previous page)

Planning has also started on the 10th anniversary of our Ya’ssoo Greek Festival. Within the last nine years, this wonderful committee along with our family of parishioners has worked to provide a net income of $670,000. Thank you to everyone on the Greek Festival committee and our family

members who helped launch and run this three day event. Dates for the festival is June 10-12, 2016.

During our last council meeting, parish council approved to have new door mechanisms installed on the large interior door. Both doors will have new mechanisms. Total cost to complete this work is

$1,077. When opening the door, it will no longer make that large annoying sound. In the coming year, we will be implementing a new Parishioner Directory. We have a couple of

companies in mind. More information will be forthcoming.

The Parish Council held a special meeting on Sunday, November 29 to have an open discussion on

Phase II of approving our Iconographer in Greece to start drawing. We did not approve this because

we are still short of the necessary capital ($49,000). We do believe the capital will be raised in the upcoming New Year. We are also in the beginning stages of incorporating our Church dome into this phase. There is necessary planning/studies that needs to be accomplished first. More information

will be forthcoming in the upcoming New Year.

Our St. Nicholas Dance was a huge success. This event garnished a net income close to $13,000. How this was a success is that we all worked together (just like our festival). We asked all committee

members to take charge on their required deliverables. Each committee member took the charge and got things done. All of you deserve a big thank you. And thank you to the parishioner’s that supported this event.

Calendar year 2016 will be a new year in our long history of our Church (no more mortgage

payments). We still need to stay focused on our Stewardship cash flow. Stewardship pays the salaries, electrical and heat. If we keep the wheels in motion, our church will have a nice nest egg of

deposits in our Operating Budget (Stewardship, Greek Festival net revenue, etc.).

This will be my last article written as President of our beloved St. Nicholas Church. I would like to provide a thank you to a special person, Mrs. Michos. I think it is absolutely amazing of how she and her wonderful family work to make the Pastitsio every year for our Festival. She and her family

still carried on making it two years ago when Mr. Michos passed way. Amazing! And, she has been a wonderful person/supporter of helping me through difficult times.

Lastly, I would like to thank Father Nicolaos, Demetra and all council members for their hard work

this year. On January 3, Parish Council will elect a new President. We also welcome back Mrs.

Christine Kerry to the 2016 St. Nicholas Parish Council.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all of you and your families!

Christopher Bilakos 2015 Parish Council President

71

52

29

52

60

17

18

17

57

68

37

45

53

1816 17

65

69

39

49

53

17

24

11

22%

16%

9%16%

19%

5%6% 5%

18% 22%

12% 14%17%

6% 5%5%

20% 21%

12% 15%

16%

5%7%

3%0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

$1 - $250

$251 - $500

$501 - $750

$751 - $1000

$1001 - $1,500

$1,501 - $2,000

$2001 -$3000

more than$3,000

Pledge Distribution 2015, 2014 and 2013

2015 2014 2013

Stewardship Report

December 2015

Your commitment to the Stewardship Program of this parish is critical to our continued operation and ministries.

For those who need to complete a 2015 pledge, please do so as soon as possible. You may find information and forms on Stewardship at www.stnickaa.org

Budget Actual

Budget

Variance

Percent of

Actual to

Budget

REVENUE

Stewardship 406,954 184,627 222,327 45.37%

Pangare and Trays 51,000 31,901 19,099 62.55%

Other 43,950 14,364 29,586 32.68%

Total Revenue 501,904 230,892 271,012 46.00%

EXPENSES

Salaries and Fringe Benefits 164,734 98,978 65,756 60.08%

Office Costs 20,300 12,394 7,906 61.05%

Church Related Costs 9,600 8,111 1,489 84.49%

Youth and Education Expenses 12,600 8,187 4,413 64.98%

Repairs and Maintenance Costs 68,320 13,783 54,537 20.17%

Utilities 44,000 30,373 13,627 69.03%

Archdiocese Related Costs

Archdiocese Fair Share 46,000 28,000 18,000 60.87%

Clergy Benefits 31,000 22,739 8,261 73.35%

Mortgage 76,500 15,908 60,592 20.80%

Insurance 11,000 5,972 5,029 54.29%

Other Outlays 5,000 2,983 2,017 59.66%

Miscellaneous 12,850 5,693 7,157 44.30%

Total Expenses 501,904 253,120 248,784 50.43%

Operational Surplus (Deficit) for 2014 as of 8/10/2014 (22,228)

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of Ann Arbor

2014 Operating Fund

Budget versus Actual Revenue and Expense

as of 8/10/2014 (preliminary 60.82%)

NOTE - THIS IS CURRENT YEAR OPERATIONS ONLY - IT DOES NOT REFLECT PRIOR YEARS ENDING

BALANCES

GOYA

Please place your order for Easter Bread by April 6.

The price is $10 per one pound loaf and it is plain, without the red egg.

The order forms are in the hallway near the church office.

Pickup date is April 13.

For questions, please call Perry at (734) 995-4766. Thank you!

Our GOYA enjoyed participating in the Holiday Hoops Basketball Tournament in November.

December has been a busy and productive month with Salvation Army Bell Ringing, cutting and decorating our GOYA Christmas tree, caroling at Saline Evangelical, American House and Huron

Woods facilities, volunteering at St. Andrew's Breakfast Program and enjoying a night at a UofM basketball game.

2016 will begin with our Annual GOYA Brunch on Sunday, January 10th. We hope you all can join us for a delicious meal!

Our calendar of events can be accessed on our Shutterfly site. Parents and GOYANs can request

access by creating a Shutterfly account and then sending a request via the site. You may always email any questions or suggestions to stnickaagoya@gmail.com or speak with one of the officers or

advisors for assistance.

Philoptochos

Please place your order for Easter Bread by April 6.

The price is $10 per one pound loaf and it is plain, without the red egg.

The order forms are in the hallway near the church office.

Pickup date is April 13.

For questions, please call Perry at (734) 995-4766. Thank you!

Thank you everyone for all of your help with our numerous projects throughout this past year.

As we look ahead to 2016, please remember these dates:

January 10—Vasilopita Cutting

January 13—Monthly Philoptochos meeting at 11 am at church

The Ladies Philoptochos wishes all of our parishioners a very Blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Ya’ssoo Festival Update

Please place your order for Easter Bread by April 6.

The price is $10 per one pound loaf and it is plain, without the red egg.

The order forms are in the hallway near the church office.

Pickup date is April 13.

For questions, please call Perry at (734) 995-4766. Thank you!

Mark your calendar for our 10th festival on June 10, 11, 12, 2016!

In an effort to make this our best festival ever, we welcome your input in

planning yet another successful event. As always, we value your ideas so please submit your suggestions in the “Ya’ssoo 2016 Suggestion Box”

located on the table in the hallway. Names are optional.

Our Festival Committee wishes everyone a Blessed Christmas and

Healthy, Happy New Year!

Directors: Katherine Phan and Photios G. Ioannou http://churchschool.stnickaa.org

We would like to remind Church School Families that have not yet registered their children to please do

so. The forms and instructions are available at the Church School website (see above). To register for Church School each family needs three things: (1) one Registration Form for the entire family, (2) a

separate Emergancy Card for each child and (3) a Registration Fee of $20 for each child.

The Thanksgiving Food Drive to assist SOS Community Services of Ypsilanti concluded on November

15, 2015. Thank you to all our Church School students and their families for their donations of nonperishable food donations. We also thank our teachers for their assistance in the collection of the food

items.

This year’s Christmas Pageant will take place on Sunday, December 20, 2015 following the Divine Liturgy. This year’s Christmas Pageant is titled “The Unknown Wiseman”. Students have been assigned

their roles. There will be two mandatory rehearsals, Saturday, November 21st at 12:00 noon and

Saturday, December 19th at 10:00 am.

Our Church School’s annual fundraiser, Coin Collection for St. Basil, begins on Sunday, December 6, 2015 and concludes on Sunday, January 10, 2016, with the traditional cutting of the Vasilopita. The coin

drive assists our Philoptochos to raise money for St. Basil’s Academy, which is the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Home serving children in need. Our Church School students will assist with this fundraiser

by collecting coins and putting them in the designated coin box in their classrooms.

As is our annual tradition, on Sunday January 10, 2016, each Church School class will have its own

cutting of the Vasilopita since the Church School students are not in church during the cutting of the

Vasilopita for our entire parish. We ask Church School families to please consider volunteering to bake the Vasilopites for the Church School Classes. Volunteers are asked to contact the Church School

Director, Katherine Phan at kapsule@sbcglobal.net or 734-971-0813.

The topics for the 2015 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival have been announced by the

Archdiocese. Our parish St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival will take place on Sunday, March 13, 2016. The topics and details about the Oratorical Festival are available on the Church School website: (see

above). Dr. Vicki Kiningham (vakiningham@gmail.com) is chairing the Oratorical Festival. She is available to assist students with any questions they have in preparing for the Oratorical festival.

Participation in our parish Oratorical Festival is a requirement of all Church School students. Preschool thru 5th Grade are given age appropriate assignments by their teachers. Students in 6th thru 9th Grade

write an essay on one of the Junior Division topics and students in 10th thru 12th Grades write an essay

on one of the Senior Division topics. Students in 6th thru 12th Grades are encouraged to present their

speeches before a panel of judges on Sunday, March 13, 2016.

All Oratorical Festival assignments and essays are reviewed and commented on by Fr. Nick. Our Church

School Library is located in the bookcase next to the door leading from the Church Office to the Conference Room. It contains books and resources relating to the topics of the Oratorical Festival.

Resources are also available on the Archdiocese website: http://www.goarch.org

The Church School directors and teaching staff wishes our St. Nicholas Parish

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Church School

Please place your order for Easter Bread by April 6.

The price is $10 per one pound loaf and it is plain, without the red egg.

The order forms are in the hallway near the church office.

Pickup date is April 13.

For questions, please call Perry at (734) 995-4766. Thank you!

Iconography

ICONS

A presentation by Tony Daniels to the Parish, after Liturgy Service on October 25, 2015

My name is Tony Daniels, and I am a parishioner. I don’t belong to any boards, committees, Church

groups, or ethnic organizations. I’m just a parishioner, like all of you. I have asked Father Nick to let me

speak to you about our Icon program.

We have completed Phase I. Look at what we have done together! It has increased the beauty and

spiritual blessings of our Church.

The Icon committee has a table in the Social Hall where you can see all the icons in Phase II and our

progress. For month, after month, after month, I have seen no change. The project is stagnant.

There are 39 icons in Phase II. 13 have not been sponsored in full. Some of these are partially sponsored.

The Community Icon is the largest and the most expensive. It will be located in the choir area. It is as

large as the angels and Theotokos. The idea was that everyone, children, teenagers, young adults,

families, Church groups, ethnic organizations, and businesses would be able to participate in sponsoring

this icon. Any amount could be pledged. How many of you know about the Community Icon? It is not

surprising that it is less than 10% funded. This particular icon can be included in any of the phases.

The remaining 12 icons need sponsors and pledges.

Mark, one of the 4 Gospel writers who provided the cornerstones of Christian belief, is not sponsored.

He goes there. Like Matthew and John up front—a pillar of the Church.

Next are the 4 apostles across the back, like the 4 in front. They will be the same size and style as Paul.

Phillip, one of the twelve is still not sponsored. Then there is Barnabas, one of the seventy. This icon is

partially sponsored. Barnabas was from Cyprus. Perhaps some of you wish to honor your ties to Cyprus

by sponsoring this icon.

There are 4 large panels of the life of the Theotokos, showing her major feast days. One is fully sponsored;

2 are partially sponsored; one has not been sponsored at all. I find this surprising. The Theotokos is

central to our Orthodox faith. We celebrate her feast days. We light candles to her, and ask that she

intercede with her Son for us.

The Old Testament prophet, Jonah with the Big Fish goes in that corner. I remember when I was a child

in Greece. My Yiayia would point out that icon to me in Agias Fotinis and tell me the story. I have told

the story to my children and grandchildren. There are important life and spiritual lessons in the story of

Jonah.

The icon of Christ healing the daughter of a woman from Canaan is not sponsored. Perhaps some of our

medical professionals would be interested in sponsoring this icon.

In the nursery all 4 icons need sponsors or partial sponsors. During my Air Force years we lived in many

places. I would have loved to have had icons that would have appealed to my children, such as Noah’s

Ark or the Creation.

When we were younger and had small children, money was tight. Now that we are older, okay, old--we

do have more money available to give. Perhaps we grandparents and Godparents should be sponsoring

the nursery icons. The future of our Church is in the nursery.

(continued on next page….)

(continued from previous page….)

I know that you are thinking, Tony this is not the time to be asking for money. We have the AHEPA

lamb dinner, the spaghetti dinner, the St. Nicholas Dinner-Dance, the St. Nicholas Shrine, Thanksgiving,

Christmas. I am not asking you to pull out your checkbook and write a check. I know that the Icon

Committee would not mind, but that is not why I am here. I want you to discuss the icons in the Church

with your children, your spouse, your family, your relatives, your Church groups, ethnic groups, business

associates, and most of all with fellow parishioners who are not here today.

Money! The good news is this: we have enough sponsors and pledges today to have the icons written.

Nothing is stopping us. The bad news is that we do not have the money to get the icons up on the walls

after they are written.

If we tell our icon writer to begin today, it will take about 6 months before they will be ready. So, if we

can get sponsors and pledges for the remaining 12 icons now, the money does not have to be paid

immediately. We can finish paying for the icons after the first of the year.

Please, get the word out that we are so close. We need everyone’s help to start this phase moving again.

Thank you for your time and support. -- Tony Daniels

ICONOGRAPHY

A presentation by Angeliki Evangelinos to the Parish, after Liturgy Service on November 1, 2015

I stand before you this morning grateful to each of you for embracing me so warmly when I came to St.

Nick’s a few years ago. You gave me a gift I truly cherish, the opportunity to become a member of your

parish and to participate in the life of this vibrant community. I stand here acutely aware that I owe a debt

of gratitude to you and those who came before you whose hard work, commitment, and sacrifice have

built this beautiful building.

But much work remains to complete this building, to transform it into a true traditional Orthodox church.

And that is the reason why I was asked to speak. As Orthodox Christians we are blessed with a rich

tradition of worship that has been passed down intact from ancient times, and we are all aware of the great

treasure we possess in our liturgical inheritance. Our liturgy elevates our thoughts from this world to the

heavenly realm through every one of our senses. As we enter the church, fragrance of incense awakens

our sense of smell. We hear the word of God through the scriptures, the magnificent language of our

petitions, the haunting sound of Byzantine hymns. We are touched by the Lord himself as we partake of

Holy Communion. And we see so much: candles, vestments, liturgical objects, especially holy icons that

communicate in silence what scriptures and hymns communicate by sound. I invite you to join me in

focusing on the walls above and behind me. Take a minute—allow your eyes to feast upon this

magnificent iconography. Imagine the possibility of such magnificence, of such inspiring splendor, on

every wall of this glorious space. Visualize the impact. Imagine—imagine. . .

My fellow parishioners, we are well on the path toward converting into reality what we have just imagined

together. We are on our way to transforming this building into a traditional Orthodox church. Now, by

contributing to the iconography fund, we each have an opportunity to participate in something with true

purpose and meaning, an opportunity to be part of something greater than ourselves, a unique chance to

leave a lasting, precious legacy. And so, on this first day of November 2015, with prayerful devotion,

loving spirit, and generous heart, let us resolve to demonstrate our passion for and commitment to holy

tradition. Today, let us resolve to reach the goal of total funding for west iconography before the end of

this year. By doing so, our parish will begin the New Year having taken a major step forward, a necessary

step toward transforming this beautiful building into a traditional, consecrated Orthodox church.

May God light and bless our path. -- Angeliki Evangelinos

Milestones

Please place your order for Easter Bread by April 6.

The price is $10 per one pound loaf and it is plain, without the red egg.

The order forms are in the hallway near the church office.

Pickup date is April 13.

For questions, please call Perry at (734) 995-4766. Thank you!

This changing of seasons brings with it recognition of the works and achievements of our parishioner’s personal events and those of our Church. Several events have taken place this fall and many hours of

work was done by the various ministries.

Last month’s October 12, 2015 issue of “THE MICHIGAN DAILY” featured an article about our

fellow parishioner Mary Stewart, having been honored with a Scholarship Fund named in her honor. “THE MARY STEWART SCHOLARSHIP FUND” will help students in need for many years to

come. This honor was proclaimed during a gathering at the Michigan Union on the occasion of the official launching of the scholarship, which is directed to help Black Students attending the university.

The scholarship is part of the Alumni Association’s LEAD SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM to increase student body diversity. Mary is a University of Michigan retiree and former event services coordinator for the Michigan Union. Congratulations for a job well done!

On November 15th, parishioner and choir member Diane Hall came to church wearing a beautiful

DAR honor ribbon on a blazing red jacket. She proudly proclaimed “I am a DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) member “. Diane submitted to me pages of proven patriots as direct ancestors

which begins with sixth generations past grandfathers Nash Glidewell (1721-1795) who served in the 14th and 10th Virginia Regiments, and James J Standiford (1715-1807) a revolutionary whose service of offering the Continental Troop Guard, wagons of fodder and corn and food rations. He was

recognized as a great aid and service to the fight for freedom. A list of direct descendants followed and it made me proud to just read it.

Another Parishioner, Jeffery Stokes, gave me an account of his forebears, and again I was taken

aback. This article, from the book “PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY” on pages 539-543, gives a detailed history of the establishment of the County of Washtenaw and the City of Ypsilanti, of whom Jeffery Stokes’ ancestor was a principal active founder. This article is very dear

to me for Jeffery’s roots are traced back to the founding of the City of Ypsilanti, my home town. Col. Gabriel Godfroy, described in the article as ”a man of means”, is a 5th generation great grandfather

through Jeffery’s father’s father. His paternal grandfather, with the last name of Broderick, was born in Detroit. Col. Godfroy succeeded Judge Augustus Woodward (who was responsible for the naming

of the City of Ypsilanti) as Colonel of the 1st Michigan Regiment. In 1813 Col. Godfroy’s house, in which American prisoners were bring confined and was burned by the Huron Indians tribe “may have been the first house in Ypsilanti”. The article also describes Col. Godfroy’s role in the founding the

County of Washtenaw. Today at the corner of Pearl and Huron streets there is a plaque on the former Detroit Edison Building which marks the site of the aforementioned home.

Samantha Stokes, daughter of Jeffery (choir member) and Teresa Stokes (assistant choir director) was sworn into the ROTC, Navy’s Officer Candidate School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Congratulations and AXIOS TO ALL!

Yours in Christ,

Nicholas S. Stamos

The Story of the Vasilopita

The Greek word Vasilopita is directly translated as “Sweet Bread of

Basil”. When the Vasilopita is prepared, a coin is baked into the ingredients. Sweet flavoring is added to the bread which symbolize the sweetness and joy

of life everlasting. It also symbolizes the hope that the New Year will be filled with the sweetness of life, liberty, health, and happiness for all who

participate in the Vasilopita Observance.

When the observance begins, usually on New Years Day, the bread is traditionally cut by the senior

member of the family, and the individual who receives the portion of the Pita which contains the coin is considered Blessed for the New Year.

Each portion of the Vasilopita are distributed as follows: The first portion is cut in remembrance of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The second is for the Holy Mother of our Lord, The Virgin Mary. The

third is for St. Basil the Great, the other portions are cut for the members of the family beginning with the eldest. Portions may also be cut for the Church, the house, the traveler, the visitor and the poor.

Our next meeting is scheduled for January 10, 2016 from 12:30-2:00pm.

The last two meetings the children have been learning about parables. In November Father spoke to the

children about the Prodigal Son. He explained that God is always waiting for us to come back to Him, no

matter what. If we stray we just have to turn back to Him in heartfelt repentance, and He will embrace us as our loving Father. The children made a project with the swine reminding us that God will always take

us back even when we are in the slop of the pigs. In December, Father taught the children about the

parable of the hidden treasure and of the hidden pearl. He taught them that a treasure is something that is special and valuable to a specific person. Our treasure may be an object, but it may be a family member

or friend. Our Orthodox Faith, the Church, is our treasure here on earth. We need to hold true to it and cherish It as the greatest treasure that we have, always. The children made a treasure box filled with

chocolates and also in the spirit of giving, made Christmas cards for the forget-me-nots of our church.

Next meeting the children will be learning about the parable of the sower. Have a wonderful Christmas and blessed New Year!

For more information, please contact our HOPE and JOY advisors: Sophia Grias-Radwanski -sgrias@mhsi.us Margarita Bekiares – pappas@med.umich.edu

Vasilia Tsilimingras - vtsilimingras@yahoo.com Eva Mikhail - evamikhail@yahoo.com

H.O.P.E (Hellenic Orthodox Primary Education) J.O.Y. (Junior Orthodox Youth)

Births

4-22-15 Magdalena, daughter of Robert and Andrea Ashley 8-10-15 Atlas Paulus, son of Yannis & Penelope Paulus 9-25-15 Konstantinos, son of Tony & Cleo Mihalopoulos 11-20-15 Arjun Chengia, son of Benjamin and Maya Curtis

Baptisms 1-3-15 Steven, son of Jana Staron - Nona: Kerri Dixon 1-24-15 Vera, daughter of Steven & Alysia Dendrinos – Nono: Michael Dendrinos 3-22-15 Alexander, son of Nektarios & Heather Georgiadis – Nono: Serafim Georgiadis 3-22-15 Matthias, son of Nektarios & Heather Georgiadis – Nono: Serafim Georgiadis 4-25-15 Stella, daughter of Athanasios & Amber Bardis – Nona: Christina Pagalos 4-25-15 Luca, son of Cristian & Andreea Dersidan – Nonoi: Rada and Mihai Burzo 8-15-15 Imad Chmeissani – Sponsor: Ronnie Allen 8-15-15 Shadin Atiyeh – Sponsor: Ronnie Allen 8-16-15 Ev, daughter of Imad Chmeissani & Shadin Atiyeh – Nono: Ronnie Allen 8-22-15 Emma, daughter of Grant & Lauren Toth – Nonoi: Ted & Mary Beth Chianakas 8-22-15 Magdalena, daughter of Rob and Andrea Ashley-Nona: Cleopatra Mihalopoulos 8-22-15 Robin Bruno – Sponsor: Irina Bruno

Chrismations 1-4-15 Jeffrey Stokes – Sponsor: Peter Petropoulos 3-29-15 Kaitlyn Collins-Theodore: Teresa Stokes 5-31-15 Thomas Buxton- Sponsor: Eva Mikhail

Weddings 5-2-15 Costa Poyiadji and Elizabeth Hancock – Koumbaro: Neo Poyiadji 6-19-15 Nicholas Vlisides and Julia Easson – Koumbara: Marilyn Corsianos 9-19-15 Peter Vlachos and Colleen Dreher – Koumbaro: Andrew Vlachos 10-3-15 James Kales and Monica Patino – Koumbara: Kelly O’Brien

Fallen Asleep in the Lord 1-1-15 Steven Nestor (Funeral: 1-6-15: Fairview Cemetery, Brighton) 2-2-15 Anne Hulce (Funeral: 2-6-15: Bethlehem Cemetery) 2-14-15 Amira Sabbagh (Funeral: 2-19-15: Dormition of the Mother of God cemetery, Rives Junction, MI) 2-22-15 Esther Rupas (Funeral: 2-26-15: Bethlehem Cemetery) 2-25-15 Christina Giouroukos (Funeral: 3-3-15: Bethlehem Cemetery) 6-16-15 Harry Tselios (Funeral: 6-19-15: Bethlehem Cemetery) 7-30-15 Angelica Stageman (Funeral: 07-31-15: Bethlehem Cemetery) 8-19-15 Vera Politis (Funeral: 08-24-15: Forest Hill Cemetery) 9-16-17 George Marketos (Funeral: 9-21-15: North Hamburg Cemetery, Hamburg, MI) 11-11-15 Termachos (Terry) Patzias (Funeral: 11-14-15: Bethlehem Cemetery)

(If there are any mistakes or omissions, we apologize. Please contact the office so that we may correct it. Thank you.)

Church Registry 2015

GOYA Annual Brunch 2016

Sunday January 10

St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

Adults - $11 Children under 10 - $6

Children under 2 – free!

ADVERTISING IN THE COMPASS

If you would like to advertise in The Compass,

please contact Demetra Mitropoulous-Rundus

at the church office at 734-332-8200

or send an email to secretary@stnickaa.org

RATES:

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Parish Ministries

PARISH COUNCIL

President Chris Bilakos Vice-President Chris Webber Secretary Dr. Michael Kasotakis Controller Patricia Douglas Treasurer Christos Kitromelides Asst. Treasurer Elizabeth Mitropoulos Corresponding Secretary Christina Vlahopoulos Members: Robert J. Ashley Jr., Christopher A. Bekiares, George Kokales, Lambrini Lagos, George Michos, Eva Mikahil, Lana Panagoulia, Nicholas Stamos

PSALTES: Zannis Res (Protopsaltis) ALTAR BOYS: Dani Nadra MUSIC MINISTRY: Dr. Jon Wardner, Teresa Stokes PHILOPTOCHOS: Vangie Kolokithas ST. NICHOLAS SENIORS: Diane Geczi CHURCH SCHOOL: Katherine Phan, Dr. Photios Ioannou GOYA: Niko Hayes OUTREACH & EVANGELISM:

Robert J. Ashley Jr.

JOY: Eva Mikhail HOPE: Dr. Sophia Grias-Radwanski GREEK SCHOOL: Ioanna Ioannou, Principal/Teacher AHEPA: Costas Boutsikakis DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE: Perry Katsikas OCF (UM Campus Ministry): Ian Savas HSA (UM Hellenic Student Association): Maria Pliakas YOUTH ENRICHMENT COMMITTEE: Sam Roumains, Dr. Anthony Kales BOOKSTORE: Aggeliki Evangelinos, Dr. Artemis Leontis, Joy Melzian, Dr. Sophia Roumanis COMPASS EDITOR: Panagiota Stamoulis Kloumasis COMPASS COMMUNICATION: TheCompassAnnArbor@gmail.com CHURCH SECRETARY: Demetra Mitropoulos-Rundus Email: secretary@stnickaa.org PARISH PRIEST FR. NICOLAOS KOTSIS Email: frnick@stnickaa.org For emergencies: (734) 604-3214 If you would like to contribute to the content of The Compass please forward all communication to our email at: TheCompassAnnArbor@gmail.com by the 17th of each month. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church reserves the right to edit, change or omit content as deemed appropriate.

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St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

3109 Scio Church Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 (734) 332 – 8200 www.stnickaa.org