Calendar at a Glance (non-liturgical)

Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 1st

Greek Dancing Lessons, Mondays, November 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th at 6 PM, details on page 11

Paraklesis to the Mother of God, Tuesdays, November 3rd and 17th, at 6 PM

General Assembly, Sunday, November 8th after Liturgy, See page 10 for details

Feast of Saint Nektarios, Monday, November 9th; Paraklesis to Saint Nektarios at 7 PM

Veterans Day, November 11th

Greek Festival Planning Committee Meeting, Thursday, November 12th, at 7:30 PM

Feast of Saint John Chrysostom (wine permitted), Friday, November 13th

Fall Dance, Saturday, November 14th, see insert

Nativity/Advent Fast begins, Sunday, November 15th

The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, November 21st

Feast of Saint Katherine (wine permitted), Wednesday, November 25th

Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26th

Deadline for Community Christmas Card, November 15th, see page 4 for details

Christmas Bazaar & Pastry Sale, Saturday, December 5th, see page 9 for details

Ladies & Gents Luncheon, Friday, December 11th At Papagallos on a Friday, see page 9 for details

Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 70 West Street, P.O. Box 392, Keene, NH 03431-0392

Church phone: 603-352-6424

Website: www.stgeorgekeene.nh.goarch.org

Email address: StGeorge.Keene@ne.rr.com

November 2015 Newsletter

Services Every Sunday / Kυρική

Matins (Oρθρος) 9:00 -10:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy (Θεία Λειτουργία)

10:00-11:45 a.m.

Worship Services in November Sunday, November 1st - 5th Sunday of Luke

Epistle: St. Paul's 1st Epistle to the Corinthians 12:27-31; 13:1-8 Gospel: Luke 16:19-31 Don’t forget to turn your clocks back!

Sunday, November 8th - 7th Sunday of Luke; Synaxis of the Archangels

Epistle: St. Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews 2:2-10 Gospel Reading: Luke 8:41-56

Sunday, November 15th - 8th Sunday of Luke Epistle: St. Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians 2:14-22 Gospel: Luke 10:25-37 Nativity Fast Begins

Sunday, November 22nd - 9th Sunday of Luke; Feast of Saint Philemon

Epistle: St. Paul's Letter to Philemon 1:1-25 Gospel: Luke 12:16-21

Sunday, November 29th - 13th Sunday of Luke Epistle: St. Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians 5:8-19 Gospel: Luke 18:18-27

Prosforo (Πρόσφορο) Bakers

November 8: Maria Glimenakis

November 22: Mary and Julia Booras

In This Issue Prosforo (πρόσφορο) Bakers ....................................... 1 Calendar at a Glance (non-liturgical) ............................ 1 Worship Services .......................................................... 1 Calling all Martyrs ......................................................... 2 Wedding Announcement .............................................. 3 Bible Study Group ........................................................ 3 Newsletter Editorial Staff .............................................. 3 Community Prayer List ................................................. 3 St. George 2015 Community Christmas Card ............... 4 The Nativity/Advent Fast .............................................. 5 Weekday Parking Announcement ................................ 5 Stewardship Update ...................................................... 6 Saint George Greek Cultural Festival ............................ 7 Landscaping Project Update ......................................... 7 Clergy Laity Assembly .................................................. 8 Annual Christmas Bazaar and Pastry Sale .................. 9 Ladies and Gents Christmas Luncheon ...................... 9 General Assembly ...................................................... 10 Newsletter Sponsorship .............................................. 10 Thinking of Others at Thanksgiving ............................ 10 Hosts Needed for Fellowship Hour .............................. 10 Thank you / Eυχαριστώ .............................................. 11 Fall Greek Dance ........................................................ 11 Greek Dancing Lessons ............................................ 11 Paraklesis Services .................................................... 11 General Assembly ...................................................... 12 In Memory of Perry Anastas Kiritsy ............................. 12

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Calling all Martyrs By Cornelius Szuster

Byzantine warrior saints are a big part of the Orthodox tradition. It is tempting to

assume that the Byzantine Empire was surrounded by enemies, so military culture

must have been held in high regard. While true, by only looking at material factors

this explanation is inadequate. The depiction of warrior saints on icons changed

rather abruptly in the thirteenth century. Saints, such as George and Demetrios,

began to appear in bust form, as non-threatening, almost cherubic youths, and were

no longer shown as mighty warriors on horseback, vanquishing their enemies. Icons

are books without words and the message of the new depiction is that our fight is a

not a physical battle,

but a spiritual one.

Christ said to love our enemies. (Luke 6:35)

While not always easy, the trick is to remember

that our enemy is not an individual person, or

even a group of people, but a perspective that

causes something evil to appear as good.

Someone under the influence of a false

assumption will make rational decisions based

on an error. That person is suffering from a

passion, in exactly the same way that someone

suffers from a disease. And they should be

treated in the same way as well—with love,

care, respect, and prayer—because it is

possible to hate the disease without hating the

one who is afflicted by it.

We can learn what not to do by looking at modern

politics. When there is a disagreement between people, they don’t just feel that their opponents are wrong, but

that they are positively evil and a threat to their way of life. Yet if people would remember that their opponents are

operating under a false assumption, then they would be likely to feel sympathy, rather than hate and contempt.

In today’s world, our spiritual struggle is against materialism. Materialism is a perspective that over-emphasizes

physical reality—things that can be measured and perceived through the five senses—and does not put enough

emphasis on intangible things. It goes way deeper than simply the quantity of our possessions or the frequency

of our shopping, and its influence is difficult to avoid, even for the pious and spiritually-inclined. By limiting our

concern to physical things, our very existence is altered. A strictly materialistic view is a denial of the soul, seeing

a man or a woman as nothing more than a physical body. Someone who holds such a view can only relate to

reality through impulse and appetite.

However, for most of history, people believed that the soul was more important than the body. The Holy Martyrs

died for this idea! Today, we may not face the imminent threat of death for our faith in Jesus Christ, but we can

still be martyrs. Each day, by the choices that we make, we either crucify Christ or join the ranks of His martyrs.

We must value things that cannot be seen, touched, or tasted, and make decisions based on what is good for the

soul. The soul’s health is at least as important as the health of the body. The Orthodox Church has been a

spiritual hospital for two-thousand years and the treatment procedure is not complicated. It includes loving God,

loving your enemies, fasting, daily prayer, and going to church.

Saint Paul told us how to vanquish the demon of materialism. He said, “And there now abideth faith, hope, and

love, these three things; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13) Hope is to believe in something

despite the lack of concrete evidence (in salvation), faith is the object of our hope (Jesus Christ), and love is the

product of our faith. By making these three things a priority in our lives, on par with our desire for physical comfort

and security, we will be victorious in this spiritual fight. We can then wear crowns of glory and stand alongside

Saints George and Demetrios.

These two icons are from Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos. They

were written by Manuel Panselinos of Macedonia in the late thirteenth

century (one of the great iconographers, after St. Luke the Evangelist).

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Newsletter Editorial Staff

Executive Director: Susan Karalekas, Editor-in-Chief

Desktop Publishing: Susan Karalekas

Contributing Writers: Avye Andonellis, Nick Lupinin, and Cornelius Szuster

Copy Editors: Irene Cheek and Elaine Ellis

Managing Editor and Council Liaison: Cornelius Szuster

Distribution: Margaret Ioannou and Nick Lupinin

Newsletter submissions and questions can be sent to church, attention: Susan Karalekas; e-mailed to susan@bridgesinn.net; or call Susan at (603) 358-6958

Sponsorship submissions and questions can also be sent to Susan.

Community Prayer List

Please use this list to pray for members of our community who are sick or in need of God’s care.

Presvytera Evelyn Bacopulos

Pat Blastos

Jennie Canwell

Donald & Jeremy Doubleday

Bill Ellis

Jim Jangarathis

Katherine Koutras

Hristianna Lanoue

Margaret Ioannou

John Nikiforakis

Eugenia Petrou-Karabakakis

Panos Pitsas

Diane Raheb

Mark Raheb

Jamie Whalen

We strive to keep this list current. If you feel a name should

be removed from the list or if you would like a new name

placed on the list, please contact Susan Karalekas (contact

information is on the left).

Wedding Announcement

On August 14, 2015, Felicia Truman and Andrew Clark were married at the Rawlings Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Baltimore. The ceremony was officiated by Andrew's uncle, Pastor Mike Ennis.

Felicia is a graduate of Plymouth State University where she received her B.A. in English. She also holds a Master’s in Elementary Education from Leslie University in Cambridge, MA. She works at the Hallsville Elementary School in Manchester and previously student taught through the Urban Teacher Center in Baltimore.

Andrew is a graduate of the University of Southern Indiana where he received his B.S. in English. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration degree online from the University of Roehampton in London. He works at Child and Family Services in Manchester.

The couple lives in Manchester.

Felicia is the daughter of Heather and Alan Riley and the niece of Joe Truman.

Congratulations and best wishes, Felicia and Andrew.

Bible Study Group

Would you like to participate in a weekly Bible study group?

There are many ways that this could be done in the absence of a full-time priest. The Orthodox Church has a wealth of material on Biblical commentary, such as Saint John Chrysostom, the Blessed Theophylact, Archbishop of Bulgaria, and the recently published Orthodox Study Bible. An Interlinear Bible is another valuable tool, showing how the texts appeared in the original Greek.

We could choose a Gospel text and, going chapter by chapter, discuss what we have read. Or we might want to discuss the Epistle and Gospel reading from the upcoming Sunday’s Liturgy.

If this is something that you are interested in, please talk with Cornelius Szuster (603-358-6958). God willing, we’ll find a day and time that works for everyone.

4

SStt.. GGeeoorrggee GGrreeeekk OOrrtthhooddooxx CChhuurrcchh

22001155 CCoommmmuunniittyy CChhrriissttmmaass CCaarrdd

It is time again for the annual Saint George “Community Christmas Card”, sponsored by the Parish Council. We ask each member of our parish to participate. If your name was on the card last year, and you are happy with your listing from last year, then simply submit your payment at your earliest

convenience. To change how your name appeared, or if this is your first year participating in the Christmas Card, please fill out the form below. This is a lovely way to join your Orthodox Family of

Saint George in the spirit of love and good will.

Your contribution of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) will assist in the general operation of our church.

DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 15, 2015

Please cut out the form below and mail it along with your check to:

MARYA KOSKORIS 20 TIMBER LANE

BRATTLEBORO, VT 05301

Any questions, please call Marya at (802) 257-3519

To have your name included in this year’s Christmas Card, Marya must receive your check by November 15, 2015.

Καλά Χριστούγεννα

St. George

Community Christmas Card YES! Please include me!

Note: to repeat last year’s listing, simply send a check with “Christmas Card” in the memo line.

Print name exactly as it is to appear on card:

__________________________________________________________________________

Address:

Phone: Email

Amount enclosed: (Suggested contribution is $25.00)

Make your check payable to Saint George Greek Orthodox Church

Remember to write “Christmas Card” in the memo line

Please bring completed form and check to church (Attn: Marya Koskoris) or mail it to:

Marya Koskoris 20 Timber Lane Brattleboro, VT 05301

5

Weekday Parking Announcement

On weekends and after 5:00 PM on weekdays, St. George parishioners and guests may use our own parking lot. We are also permitted to park, on nights and weekends, in two lots owned by the National Grange Mutual Insurance Company: in the lot next to our church (on the west-side where Oster & Wheeler is located) and in the lot behind our church (although these spaces are restricted at times; refer to the posted signs).

We are very grateful to the Grange for allowing us to use their parking lots outside of business hours.

Unfortunately, when a weekday event is held at church during normal business hours (8:00AM-5:00PM Monday through Friday), we cannot park:

in our St. George parking lot

in the Grange parking lot between the rear of the church and Gilbo Avenue

in the Grange spaces adjacent to our property, where Oster & Wheeler is located

St. George has a contract with The Keene Sentinel to provide weekday parking for their employees. Our prime downtown parking lot is a good source of rental income for us during times that we rarely need parking and is appreciated by Sentinel employees.

Weekday parking in the Grange lots may result in your car being ticketed and/or towed away. During business hours, the Grange lots are reserved for employees only. They have kindly asked for our help, because the last thing that they want is to tow someone’s car away while they’re at a funeral.

St. George parishioners and guests need to find alternative parking on weekdays during business hours, even for a funeral.

Metered parking spaces are available behind St. James church, next to Lindy’s Diner, on Gilbo Ave., and behind the Colonial Theater.

Thank you for your cooperation!

The Nativity/Advent Fast

"Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They, have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." (Matthew 6:16-18; with reference to Isaiah 58:5)

For many Orthodox Christians, fasting is almost a daily part of our lives. In addition to most Wednes-days and Fridays throughout the year, the Church calendar and practice also has four fasting periods: the forty days of Great Lent and Holy Week, before Pascha; the Nativity Fast, from November 15 to December 24; the Apostles Fast, starting the Monday after the Sunday of All Saints until June 28; and the Dormition Fast from August 1 to 14.

Each fasting period is unique. The Nativity Fast is slightly more upbeat than the others, because we cannot help but to feel a certain amount of joy in anticipation of the birth of the Savior of the world. For this reason, Orthodox Christians might attend a Christmas party during the Nativity Fast, whereas during Great Lent, we try to refrain from even such simple pleasures as listening to music or watching a movie.

Throughout the forty days of the Nativity Fast, we avoid animal products (meat and dairy). Fish, oil, and wine are only prohibited on Wednesdays and Fridays. However, fish, wine, and oil are allowed on a few feast days. Then, starting on the night of December 20th, the Forefeast of the Nativity, we enter into the strictest period of the fast, abstaining from animal products, fish, oil, and wine. We break the fast on the night of Christmas Eve, and then we are fast-free (not even on Wednesdays or Fridays!) until January 4th.

Thanksgiving Day always falls during this fast and can be troublesome for Orthodox Christians. In the past, Orthodox bishops have given their blessing for the faithful to relax the fast on this day. Divine Liturgy would be celebrated on Thanksgiving morning, giving thanks to God, after which the faithful would be released from the fast for the rest of the day. This practice developed because the Orthodox Church is greater than an immigrant group. It exists for the salvation of the world. Our churches fly both the Greek and American flags, we pray for the president, and we are encouraged to be part of the local community. Ask your priest or spiritual father if fasting on Thanksgiving is right for you.

6

Stewardship Update

By Nick Lupinin, Stewardship Chairman

2015 Stewards of St. George Greek Orthodox Church as of October 22, 2015

THANK YOU (ευχαριστώ) for your stewardship!

Harry & Angeline Ackerman

David & Georgia Anderson

Panayiotis & Avye Andonellis

Peter Antonopoulos & Ellen Spielberg

Charalampos & Vasilissa Balkanikos

Aspasia Ballas

James Bardis

Edward & Tina Beloyianis

Carolyn Blastos

Chris Booras

Julia Booras

Mary Booras

Peter & Maria Bradshaw

Sarah Bradshaw

Thomas & Ellen Cakouras

Wayne & Jennie Canwell

Don & Irene Cheek

Christos and Angeliki Christakis

Ernie & Rachel Conides

Dean Eliopolous

Bill & Elaine Ellis

Peter Espiefs

Louis & Lisa Giannakakos

Andreas Glimenakis

Anthony & Maria Glimenakis

Charles Glimenakis

Christopher & Fotini Glimenakis

Sue Glimenakis

Maria Goodman

Michael & Stephanie Guitard

Peter Gundelfinger & Suzanne Smiley

Janet Harrison

Despina (Evelyn) Hubal

George & Maria Ioannou

Margaret Ioannou

George & Sigrid Karabakakis

Stella Kiritsy

Alexandra Kolivas

Anastasia Kolivas

Louis & Sue-Ellan Kolivas

Nicholas Kolivas

Marya Koskoris

Paul Koutroubas

Odysseous & Kathy Kyrousis

Isaac (Christian) Lampart

Mark & Apostolia Lanoue

Dimitri Leristis

Evangelia Leristis

Stavroula Leristis

Christene Libbares

Giota Livanis

Nickolas Lupinin & Susan Karalekas

Sophia MacKinnon

Justin Marcinkewicz

David Maydwell

Susan Maydwell

Peter & Estelle Merzi

Mary Michaelides

George & Vasiliki Moore

Peter Mutiga

Bill & Flo Nestor

Ryan Nestor & Rebecca Rideout

George & Cindy Nikiforakis

Paul & Kathleen Nikiforakis

Georgia Panagiotidis

Angelo & Tasia Pananas

Alexandra Papadimitriou

Lena Pappas

Maria Pappas

Michael & Eunice Pappas

Stephen & Joan Pappas

Eugenia Petrou-Karabakakis

Roger & Connie Phelps

Panos & Merope Pitsas

Diane Raheb

Alan & Heather Riley

Fr. Leo & Pres. Candace Schefe

Karen Schwindt

Arthur & Rachel Skipitaris

George & Youla Skipitaris

Cornelius (David) Szuster

Chris Tasoulas

Georgia Tasoulas

Beth Truman

Joe Truman

Elias & Lambrini Tsitsonis

George & Sheila Tsitsonis

Douglas Walker & Andrea Polizos

Kevin & Lisa Warren

George & Elleni Xanthopoulos

Lazaros Xanthopoulos

As of October 22, 2015

Total Pledged: $ 41,613

Total Pledges Paid: $ 35,466

91 Pledges

Summary of 2014 Stewardship

Total Pledges Paid: $48,870

94 Pledges

7

Landscaping Project Update

Over three days in October, from the 16th to 18th,

extensive work was done in the front yard of our

church. The new gardens are beautiful. It is much

more open now and the church is more visible. Many

people need to be acknowledged and thanked,

because without their help, this project would never

have been possible!

Mark Lanoue was the driving force behind the effort,

which was more than year in the making. He has

devoted numerous hours to it and made a significant

financial contribution. He also provided all the heavy

equipment that we used to do the work, except for a

rototiller that George Leristis generously loaned us.

In addition to Mark, many people volunteered their

time and labor. Thank you to Theo Anagnostaras,

Peter Bradshaw, Ernie Conides, Peter Gundelfinger,

George and Sigrid Karabakakis, Tommy Leristis,

Connie and Roger Phelps, Karen Schwindt, Cornelius

Szuster, and Joe Truman and his children. Please

forgive us if we missed your name!

We hired landscape architect Laura Campbell of

Peterborough (www.lcampbelldesign.com) to design

the new garden. Her design is excellent. She used

plants that are not commonly seen in gardens and a

mixture of species that will provide color throughout

the growing season. She was on-site for most of the

day on Saturday to help us with plant placement.

Thank you, Laura!

Thank you also to everyone who made financial

contributions to this project! It is due to your

generosity that our new garden became a reality.

The remaining task for the autumn phase of this

project is to build the patio. It will be made of large,

flat stones, with granite around the edge and a path

connecting it to the central walkway. A granite bench

(donated by Susan Karalekas) will be in the middle of

the patio. The centerpiece is a ten-foot wide arbor

trellis, which local craftsman Tim Stockton is building

for us out of cedar.

The St. George Greek Cultural Festival

Many people have been active in planning our Greek

Festival and we thank them. The meetings have

been a lot of fun! Our vision for the festival is

becoming clear and we hope to communicate this at

November’s General Assembly. This summer,

members of the Planning Committee visited several

Greek festivals in New England. Besides the good

food and good times, we have many new ideas and

made several contacts with other festival planners.

We have selected the date of Saturday, September

24th, 2016, for our festival and have already arranged

for an iconographer, a two to three person Greek

band, and a Greek dance troupe to be present. We

have found that people are willing to work with our

budget, because they want this festival to be a

success so that it continues for many years.

However, despite the generosity of many individuals,

it is becoming increasingly apparent that this festival

will require a substantial initial investment, of both

time and money, by our parish. As it has been two

decades since our last festival, our start-up costs are

high for the first year. Once the initial investment has

been made, it will be less expensive to host future

festivals, and it will be easier to plan as we fine-tune

our festival each year once it gets established.

At this time, the name we are leaning towards is,

“OPA! A Keene Greek Festival”. The name can still

change, but we’ll have to commit to one soon, so that

we can begin to advertise and create festival

materials. We are still seeking a simple festival logo

that expresses our focus on Greek culture. If you are

artistically inclined, please share your skills with us!

Finally, our first festival has its first sponsor, Sears in

Swanzey. Michael Habiby, store manager, gave us a

great deal on a slightly dented, new 18-cubic foot

chest freezer. Thank you, Mike! And thank you

Cornelius, for purchasing and donating this freezer.

Freezer and refrigerator space is going to be an issue

for us as we get closer to the date of the festival, and

we are working to solve this problem now.

Please consider attending our next meeting on

Thursday, November 12th, at 7:30 PM.

of God!

8

Clergy Laity Assembly

By Nick Lupinin

The biennial Clergy-Laity Assembly of our Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston was held on October 3, 2015. It was hosted by the St. Demetrios Parish in Weston, Mass. The attendance was excellent, indicating that parishes in our diocese are committed to participating in the discussion and decision-making processes that impact all of our members.

Our parish was represented by Maria Bradshaw, Avye Andonellis, Panayiotis Andonellis, Cornelius Szuster, and Nick Lupinin.

The format of the conference, worked out over many years, was straightforward. In the first half, there were three keynote presentations, each of which was followed by a question and answer session. Dr. Anton Vrame opened the proceedings on the topic of “Does the Future Have a Church?” The primary thrust of the address was on the hard reality of dwindling numbers in all organized religions, with clear emphasis on Orthodoxy. Sadly, the “nones”, those identifying themselves as having no religious affiliation, is currently one of the fastest growing groups. There was also a glimmer of optimism as Dr. Vrame acknowledged some possible steps that could be taken to counteract this trend.

He was followed by Rev. Fr. Robert Archon of Saint Nicholas GOC in Portsmouth, NH. He spoke on stewardship. Titled “Not Your Parent’s Offering Plate,” the emphasis was on “discipleship,” not “membership.” This was suggested as the necessary model for stewardship. The clear intent was to stress his view that the primacy of spiritual commitment was always the first goal of stewardship. The material benefits of stewardship would follow after this commitment was more secure.

The third and final keynote presentation was by Theo Nikolaos, the Director of Information Technologies of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. His address, “Technology Roadmap for Ministry,” summarized new and revolutionary technologies in a lively and highly-professional fashion. The major initiative of the Archdiocese, called the Alexander Project, will help to pivot the Greek Church towards the most sophisticated use of digital communication technology. The Archdiocese also announced the purchase of new domain names ending in .bible, which will soon be one of the world’s premier online Bible sites. The address was highly acclaimed.

Brief reports were given, characterized as “Metropolis Ministry Reports.” Among the topics were “Youth and Young Adult Ministries,” “Administration and Finance,” The Metropolis of Boston Camp,” and others.

Lunch followed, at which we feasted on Greek salad and pastitsio. Then the workshops (“breakout sessions”) commenced. Each of our representatives attended a different workshop so we could get the broadest sense of the problems, needs, concerns, and benefits for parishes. Among the nine workshops were: a) Sunday School Teacher; b) Finance-Parish Council Procedures and Administrative Practices; c) Philoptochos Ministries; d) Youth Ministries, and five other worthwhile sessions. Cornelius was pleased to attend an introduction to Byzantine musical notation, presented by Dr. Grammenos Karanos, professor of chanting at Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, Mass.

The conference concluded at 3:30

PM. Fellow parishioners, do

consider attending the next one in

two years. The conference is well

organized, instructive, interesting,

and seriously committed to

enhancing our parish lives. The

principal addresses, as well as the

breakout sessions, give us not only

moral sustenance but pragmatic

guidance. Our links to our Orthodox

brothers and sisters are

strengthened by the bonding and

closeness that this event affords.

9

Annual Christmas Bazaar and Pastry Sale

Saturday, December 5th 9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.

Hellenic Hall

It’s fun, festive, and our church’s largest annual fund raising activity!

We need everyone’s help to make this a success.

Baked goods for our pastry table

Food donations for our luncheon

Volunteers to carry tables up and down stairs

Volunteers to set up, work on the day of the bazaar, and clean up

Donations of saleable items for Yiayia’s Attic Treasures (no clothes, please)

Whether you can help or not, please attend the bazaar and enjoy the festivities!

If you can help in any way, please contact

Sue at (603) 357-8951 Maria at (603) 357-2143 Elaine at (603) 903-0409

Ladies and Gents Christmas Luncheon Friday, December 11th, 2015, at 1:00 p.m.

(Note that the luncheon is on a Friday, not Thursday, this time)

Papagallos Restaurant

We are again requesting donations to the Head Start Program that services six towns in Cheshire County. Geared for children ages 3 through 5 years old, we welcome the following:

Sneakers -- size toddler’s 8 to kid 3

Clothing -- size 3T to 8

Please wrap your gift and label it designating whether it is for a boy or girl and also the size. If you cannot attend our luncheon and would like to donate a gift, it would be greatly appreciated.

If you plan to attend the luncheon, please call Merope (Popey) Pitsas at (603) 827-3775 by December 4th.

10

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015

After church services.

Loukoumades will be served.

Your voice is important in helping to manage the parish’s resources and in guiding the Council’s

decisions for the future of our church community.

Please make every effort to join us. We hope to see you there. Thank you!

AGENDA

1. Opening Prayer and Comments

2. Election of a Moderator

3. President’s Report

4. Secretary’s Report

5. Treasurer’s Report

A. Financial Report

B. Endowment/Investment Update

6. Stewardship Update

7. Activities and Fundraising Report

8. Greek Cultural Festival Report

9. Church School Report

10. Greek School Report

11. Facility

A. Maintenance

B. Landscaping Project

C. Parking/Grange Lot

12. Nominations for Parish Council

13. Other

Hosts Needed for Fellowship Hour

Many parishioners enjoy socializing after the liturgy each Sunday. The opportunity to chat with friends and meet new people is an important part of attending church. And most of us enjoy the food, too. To keep this tradition going, we need:

Volunteers to host fellowship hour

Volunteers to clean up afterwards

Donations of food, paper goods/supplies

The food doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive. If you don’t want to sponsor it yourself, join up with another family or couple and co-host a fellowship hour together.

Please sign up on the sign-up sheet near the kitchen in Hellenic Hall. For more information, see Maria at church or call her at 603-357-2143.

Newsletter Sponsorship

We need a sponsor for the December 2015 newsletter and for many months in 2016.

Sponsorship helps offset the costs of printing and mailing the newsletter.

In the past, people have used sponsorship:

In memory of loved ones

To honor a family member

To commemorate an event or milestone

To acknowledge or celebrate a church event or holiday

To publicize one’s business

Suggested donation:

½ page: $130.00 (large box)

small box: $75.00 (2" x 3¼")

See back page of newsletter for examples

For more information, please contact Susan at (603) 358-6958 or susan@bridgesinn.net

Thinking of Others at Thanksgiving

During this season of Thanksgiving, please remember those lining up for evening meals at the Community Kitchen. The kitchen is in genuine need of food donations to be distributed to those in need. You can drop off non-perishable food items in the designated collection areas in Hellenic Hall. Thank you.

General Assembly

11

The St. George community is grateful to everyone who supports the church in many ways, generously giving their time, treasures, and talents. We would like to take this opportunity to thank a few people.

Eυχαριστώ to Avye Andonellis for coordinating and teaching the Greek School program. Her dedication and talents are truly a gift to the St. George community.

Thank you to the anonymous parishioner who has hired a landscaping company to mow the lawn and maintain the St. George grounds, week after week.

Eυχαριστώ to Tommy Leristis for teaching the Adult Beginner Greek Class, which is from 6:15 to 7:15 PM every Thursday.

Thank you to the anonymous parishioners who have donated a new censer, Communion utensils (spoon and lance), and Bible cover for the altar.

Eυχαριστώ to Roula Leristis for teaching Greek dancing lessons every Monday evening and for donating all proceeds to the church.

Eυχαριστώ to everyone who has donated food and/or hosted fellowship hour. And to those who make coffee, help in the kitchen, and clean up afterwards.

Thank you to the prosforo bakers: Vasilissa Balkanikos, Julia Booras, Maria Booras, Fotini Glimenakis, Maria Glimenakis, Maria Ioannou, Cornelius Szuster, and Lambrini Tsitsonis; and to Marya Koskoris for coordinating the prosfora baking schedule.

Eυχαριστώ, to our Church School teachers, Tasia Pananas, Litsa Lanoue, and Ekaterini Leristis.

Thank you to Ernie Conides for cleaning the church.

Eυχαριστώ/thank you to everyone who gives in many ways, some more tangible than others, to keep our loving St. George parish thriving. May God bless you all.

Greek Dancing Lessons

Every Monday from 6:00 - 7:00 PM

November 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th

In Hellenic Hall

$5.00 per lesson

Roula Leristis – teacher

Just in time for the next Greek Dance on

November 14th

Fall Greek Dance

In Hellenic Hall

Saturday, November 14th

DJ Music by Salonika Boys

7:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Bring the family Bring your friends Please bring a dish to share

Adults: $15.00 Students: $10.00

Children 5 and under: Free

Cash Bar

Paraklesis Services

Participation has been great. We hope to hold this prayer service each week. It is parishioner-

led and chanted in the traditional Byzantine melody. We’d love for you to join us!

Paraklesis to the Mother of God, 6:00 PM

Tuesday, November 3rd Tuesday, November 17th

Paraklesis to Saint Nektarios; 7:00 PM Monday, November 9th

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Saint George Greek Orthodox Church

70 West Street, PO Box 392

Keene, NH 03431-0392

Return Service Requested

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage

Paid

Keene, NH 03431

Permit No. 149

General Assembly

Sunday, November 8th

Your voice is important.

Please join us for this semiannual meeting

in Hellenic Hall after church services.

November 2015 Newsletter – St. George Greek Orthodox Church

In Loving Memory of

Perry Anastas Kiritsy

Stella C. Kiritsy Stephen and Dawn Kiritsy

Michael Kiritsy James Kiritsy

May His Memory Be Eternal