Promise The
Holy TriniTy Greek orTHodox CHurCH WesTfield ^ neW Jersey
January 2011 ^ Volume 35, Issue 1
htgoc@westfieldnj.com
908-233-8533
holytrinitywestfield.org
Holy Theophany n
The ReveRend peTeR delvizis
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oly Theophany or Epiphany is one of the Twelve Great Feast Days of the Church. On this day, our Lord, God and Saviour, Jesus Christ came to the Jordan River to be baptized by his cousin, St. John the Baptist. Christ did not need to be baptized by John but through this great event He showed how we are to be saved. The purifying waters of baptism bring salvation to us just as the waters brought salvation to the Israelites as they fled Egypt and crossed through the Red Sea. Holy Theophany is also the day in which the Holy Trinity was revealed to the entire world. Rising out of the waters, the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, descended upon Christ and with a splendid voice God the Father spoke of His beloved Son. Christ is full of love and on the day of His baptism He begins His ministry of love and salvation.
What is inside of you? With Christ dwelling inside our hearts we are filled with love. This is one of the essential questions of life. What are you made of? When you squeeze an orange, orange juice comes out. Whatever is inside or pressed its components come out. Whatever is inside us at the time we are under pressure or hard pressed comes out. If it’s anger, if it’s bitterness, if it’s hatred, it will spill out when we are squeezed. When Jesus was squeezed on the Cross by His enemies what was inside of Him came out: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” So it is with us. When life squeezes us, what is inside spills out. Most of us can be pretty nice when things are going well; it is when you are squeezed that the real you comes out. If Jesus lives inside you, His love will spill out every time someone jostles you. If the Holy Spirit abides in you, the fruits of the Spirit will
spill out when life squeezes you: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” [Galatians 5:22-23] ^
Church Fathers Speak:
Why did Christ refer to the grace of the Spirit under the name water? Because through water all vegetables and animals live. Because the water of rain comes down from heaven, and though rain comes down in one form its effects take many forms. Yea, one spring watered all of paradise, and the same rain falls on the whole world, yet it becomes white in the lily, red in the rose, purple in the violet. – St. Cyril of Jerusalem
Wait for the promise of the Father
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Dates in the Life of Our Church January
SUN
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Sunday before Theophany
SUN
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8:15 AM Orthros 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy & Religious Ed classes
WED
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6
Paramoni of Holy Theophany
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8:00 AM Orthros & Royal Hours
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Holy Theophany
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8:30 AM Orthros
SAT
9:30 AM Volleyball practice
SUN
8:15 AM Orthros 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
TUE
4:00 PM Greek School
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THUR
13 SAT
7:30 PM Choir practice 7:30 PM Greek dance practice Metropolis Religious Ed Seminar 8:15 AM Orthros
MON
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 6:30 PM Sr. Basketball practice
TUE
St. Gregory the Theologian 8:30 AM Orthros 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
7:00 PM Jr. Basketball practice
4:00 PM Greek school THUR
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10:00 AM TOTS
SAT
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4:00 PM Greek School 7:30 PM Choir practice
4:00 PM Greek school 10:00 AM Baptism 6:00 PM Greek School PTO dance at Snuffy’s Three Hierarchs
SUN
30
7:30 PM Greek dance practice
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4:00 PM Greek school
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7:30 PM Philoptochos Board
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11:00 AM Trinity Circle
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7:30 PM Parish Council WED
7:00 PM Jr. Basketball practice
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11:00 AM Baptism
Vasilopita Luncheon
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8:30 AM Orthros
6:30 PM Sr. Basketball practice
4:00 PM Greek School
THUR
St. John the Baptist
MON
TUE
WED
11:00 AM Baptism SUN
6:30 PM Sr. Basketball practice
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9:30 AM Divine Liturgy SAT
MON
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9:30 AM Divine Liturgy with Great Blessing of the Waters FRI
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 12:30 PM Baptism
10:00 AM Divine Liturgy with Blessing of the Waters THUR
8:15 AM Orthros
8:15 AM Orthros
9:30 AM Volleyball practice
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
1:00 PM Baptism
Letters Day Program 4:00 PM Greek at St. Athanasios, Paramus, NJ
Parish News
New Members of the Church Arthur & Thespina Bernard 96 Rippling Brook Way Bernardsville, NJ 07924
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George & Maya Djurasovic 7 Thornley Dr. Chatham, NJ 07928
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey
Andrea Yeager 20 Mountain Stream Ct. Barnegat, NJ 08005
Season of Renewal n
The Rev. alexandeR G. leondis
T
his is the season of renewal. Christmas begins the story of our salvation. The New Year is a time to contemplate the past and to improve ourselves in the future. Epiphany is the day when our Lord begins his public ministry and by his teaching, opens the Kingdom to us. It’s a time for wiping the slate clean and beginning anew. Itís a time for reflection and resolution. We focus on the direction of our life and weigh it against our priorities. We resolve to make an effort to reach our priorities. As Christians, we ask ourselves, how far have we strayed from innocence, how far have we strayed from Christ? Innocence, in Scripture, is the state of being that which God intends his children to be. Innocence is doing and being in God’s will. Innocence is the essence of our true, full humanity. Dare we presume that the right way to relate to our neighbor is in the spirit of innocence? The power of Jesus, which scandalized the religious leaders of his time, was the fact that he fully loved people in spite of their imperfections. Some may consider Jesus “naive,” “unrealistic” or “idealistic.” Many of us feel that we must keep up our guard lest someone take advantage of us. Jesus’ strength lay in what society saw as his greatest weakness-love.
Jesus did not come at Christmas to change a part of man, but the whole of man, beginning with the inner man. He came to teach us how to reform ourselves. He came to tell us that the world can be made better only by making ourselves better. The world may tell us how to make the road smoother. Jesus tells us to turn completely around, to take a different road, to renounce what may seem good and pleasing, to crucify our lower baser self, to purge our hearts from all impurity, to dislike hatred, to love our persecutors, to transfer our attention from self to other, to transform our souls from self-centeredness to othercenteredness.
I would like to share poem about love.
Christ, in other words, tells us to become like him, he tells us to return to innocence, to place God’s way above the world’s. Christ taught us to believe in love. Love is eternal. “God is love.” Only in the spirit of love and innocence, can we sincerely resolve to completely turn around and take a different road through the coming year. The world offers us the road of conformity and pleasure, but the Lord offers us the narrow road of obedience to him and love which leads to the eternal Kingdom. We should resolve to love others as Jesus loves us. In this way, we can begin to understand the way of God’s love and innocence.
“I said to love, ‘Your law is much too hard.’ “I cannot follow you.” “Love stretched forth mighty arms and said: “Come, child, I’ll carry you.” I will now read the same poem and this time substitute the name Jesus wherever the word love appears, so that we may better understand his love for us. “I said to Jesus, ‘Your law is much too hard.’ “I cannot follow you.” “Jesus stretched forth mighty arms and said: “Come, child, I’ll carry you.”
Sacraments & Rites
ChURChinGs Sun., November 14 Dante Thomas Son of Tara & Triston Glynos Sun, November 21 Alexandra Katherine Daughter of Lesley & Brian Stratton
I wish you a blessed, healthy and joyous New Year filled with Jesus’ love. ^
Sun, November 28 Constandinos [Dean] Moran Son of Susan & Peter Pangis
BapTisMs Sat., Nov. 13 Marina Amalia & Zachary Demetrios Twins of Demetrios N. & Christine Skalkotos
Sun, December 5 Alexander Peter Son of Melissa & Peter Nikolakopoulos
FUneRals Tue., November 30 - ^ Helen Fotos Thurs., December 2 - ^ George Sidorakis The Promise ^ January 2011 ^ Volume 35, Issue 1
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Parish Council Stewardship
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peTeR aRBes
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tewardship is not an easy subject to discuss. In the New Year, you are asked by the Church to reflect upon the many resources and gifts that we have received from the Lord and how much we will give back to His Church. I know that many of you might already have an idea of what financial support you will offer to our Church this coming year in terms of your Stewardship pledge and that many of us believe we are adequately supporting the Church to the best of our ability and consistent with our means. Furthermore, I am not suggesting that financial support alone is Stewardship. But rather Stewardship is supporting our Church with our time, talents and treasures. Being a member of Holy Trinity for the past 20 years, I know this parish to be blessed and filled with many Stewards who give their time and talent willingly, lovingly and unsparingly. I recently read an article in the Orthodox Observer written by Father Mark Sietsema entitled “Stewardship: no magic pills.” While reading the article it struck me that what Father Mark was describing, our habitual urge towards the most immediate and easiest route to travel. The path of least resistance is the one most often chosen. Father Mark says in the article, Stewardship is hard. But, this raises another question: that of defining Stewardship. It is, in just a word, our salvation. What I am concerned with discussing with you today is the means to our salvation. Who should support the costs associated with our spiritual development, the costs associated with having our church and all the programs that exist for our benefit? Should we
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support the church or perhaps leave it to some non-orthodox with a taste for souvlaki and baklava? And as Father Mark goes on to say, there is no magic pill to replace this stewardship, only dedicated, regular sacrificial giving of your treasures proportionate to your blessings. Let’s face it. Life is expensive and the financial demands on all of us are great. We have just emerged from
what many are referring to as the “Great Recession” and the economy is not yet back on solid footing. We have a responsibility to support our family, to provide the financial resources to feed, clothe, educate and provide for recreation. Furthermore, the cost of providing all of these things is getting more expensive all the time. We provide this financial support with the objective of making our families stronger, healthier and, in the case of our children, we hope, financially self-reliant. The church is also our family and our church has financial needs as well. We have a responsibility to make sure the church remains strong and healthy so it can continue to provide us with the greatest gift of all, our Orthodox Christian Faith and Holy Tradition. The church should not be the second or
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey
third priority but rather the first when it comes to giving. Let’s get specific. Let’s look at our annual budget. For the year 2011, the Parish Council is proposing a budget of $860,000. This amount represents an increase of $10,000 or just 1% over last year’s budget of $850,000. The budget provides the funds to support the daily operation of the church. Finally, I would like to address the line item for the Archdiocese National Ministries Commitment in our Budget. Many parishioners have asked what that represents and where the money goes. I think it is important that each of us understands the funding for our Archdiocese. The National Ministries Commitment is an annual allocation from the Archdiocese that each parish is asked to contribute to the Archdiocese to partially support its ministries. I say partially because the Archdiocese has slightly more than a $21 million annual budget; however, only approximately 65% or between $16 and $17 million is contributed by the parishes to support the Archdiocese annual expenses. This is the money available to support all the ministries of the National Church and the Metropolises. It is important to note that of the money collected from the parishes 25%, or over $4 million, is sent back to the Metropolises to support their expenses and ministries. Many of you may be wondering “What are the National ministries and how do they impact each of us?” I will highlight just a few for you: We have a Communications Ministry, which is responsible for preparing and mailing the Orthodox Observer that we each receive every month. We have an Internet Ministry pag. 10
Philoptochos n avi KiRiaKaTis, pResidenT
To aid the poor, the aged, the hungry, the needy, and the sick through charitable works performed with discretion, courtesy, and kindness. The Ladies Philoptochos Society looks forward to a great New Year in 2011 as we support our Church, seek to treat ill children, aid the fragile elderly, assist students, offer friendship to the lonely and forgotten, support our men and women in uniform overseas and provide kindness to many more. The faithful members of Philoptochos express their love and dedication by practicing the beautiful lessons of our Lord. In thanksgiving, being mindful of God’s many blessings, the women of our great Society wholeheartedly resolve with deeper promise and renewed spirit to aid and embrace those in need utilizing their collective resources. Let us embrace the gift of life and multiply our efforts to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ. May you and your families receive the blessings of the Lord, as He guides us to live our lives appropriately and to assume responsibility on behalf of those in need.
As always, we would like to encourage all women in our Holy Trinity Parish to become members of Philoptochos at our Vasilopita Luncheon/Membership Drive on Sunday, January 9, 2011 – Please sign up. The work we do in Christ’s name goes to support the many charitable organizations, needy families, and various research foundations in addition to the many requests we receive throughout the year. Last year through our various fund raisers we were able to distribute approximately $40,000, and this year we hope to surpass that amount.
would like to thank Father Peter and Father Alexander for their spiritual guidance, all parishioners for the support offered in 2010 and our Holy Trinity Parish. Have a Happy and Healthy New Year. ^
May there be peace within today. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us. Worry looks around, Sorry looks back, Faith looks up, Have faith!
January 11, 2011, Tuesday – Board Meeting – 7:00 pm – Room 101
On behalf of the Philoptochos Board and all the Philoptochos Members, we
Calendar of Events Please support Philoptochos with Upcoming Events: January 9, 2011, Sunday – Vasilopitta Luncheon to benefit St. Basil’s Academy - $15.00/Adults, $5/Children under 18.
February 5, 2011, Saturday – B.O.R.I.S Labs (Beauty Outside, Radiance Inside) “Women’s Issues and the Church’s Point of View” with Deaconess Sharon Rubis, followed by luncheon and Bobbi Brown makeover sessions. Preregistration $15.00 February 8, 2011, Tuesday – Board Meeting – 7:00 pm – Room 101 February 12, 2011, Saturday – Visitation to St. Michael’s Home April 2, 2011, Saturday – Babies Quiltathon – Bouras Center May 4, 2011, Wednesday – Annual Fashion Show at Shackamaxon Country Club
Parish News & Updates 2011 Holy Trinity Photo Directory
D
r. Kathleen T. Ruddy, founder, Breast Health and Healing Foundation at Clara Mass Hospital in Bellville, has acquired a relief sculpure by Vasiliki Birrell. The sculpture was part of the October invitational breast cancer exhibition at the 1978 Maplewood Arts Center Gallery. ^ The Promise ^ January 2011 ^ Volume 35, Issue 1
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Parish Life
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1. The many Christmas gifts fill the Church Hallway.
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2. The Ladies in charge of the Christmas gifts.
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3. Religious Education Christmas Program. 4. Agios Vasilios (Santa) with the children. 5. Greek School Christmas Program. 6. Poem about Christmas in Greek. 7. Greek School children all together. 6
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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey
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8. Cooking for the Shut-ins. 9. Ladies of Philoptochos singing Christmas Carols. 10. Philoptochos donating to the Battered Women’s Shelter.
11. Philoptochos Christmas Party Singing 12 Days of Christmas. 12. Trinity Circle Christmas Luncheon Fr. Alexander with Presvytera Mary. 13. Fr. Peter with Mary Vasilow.
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The Promise ^ January 2011 ^ Volume 35, Issue 1
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PARISH LIFE 14
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14. Bloomingdale’s Fashion Show - Connie Wygera, Marianne Savorgiannakis, Barbara Manos, Nina Anastasiou, Christina Colonias, Ellen Athenson.
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15. Board of Trinity Circle - Mary Vasilow, Athena Manos, Mary Papadeas, Ellen Kalousis.
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16. Joanne Paras showing Georgea Stellakis how to light a candle before entering Church.
17. Joanne Paras and Fr. Peter with the children of TOTs.
Youth Singer’s Christmas Workshop Clinicians: Kathryn Athanasoulas & E. Hope Demitry, St. George, Trenton
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outh singers are alive and well in New Jersey. The EFGOCM District of New Jersey held its second youth singer’s workshop November 20, 2010 hosted by St. George Greek Orthodox Church of Clifton, NJ. We thank all those who sponsored the lunch and supported this workshop. The “Youth Singer’s Christmas Workshop” featured only Christmas music. There were 32 youth singers ages 9 - 19 who arrived with rich, angelic voices and much enthusiasm. We had 4 changed voices (gentlemen that are
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moving toward tenor and bass), boys with changing voice and lovely soprano and alto voices. They sang in unison and in parts which is a treat. The day ended with a mini concert (music learned that day) featuring several soloists. As part of their music packet the youth were given green folders and red shirts which they wore during the concert. We look forward to the next Youth Singers Workshop. Keep watching and listening. ^
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey
Godparent/Godchild Sunday with communion BreakfaSt holy trinity Greek orthodoX church feBruary, 13,2011 Godchildren are encouraged to invite their Godparents to receive communion with them and to attend the Breakfast.
orthros 8:15 am; divine liturgy 9:30 am Breakfast in the Bouras center after Sunday School classes reservations during the fellowship hour on January 23rd, January 30th & february 6th.
B. O. R. I. S. Labs Beauty Outside, Radiance Inside
• Saturday, February 5, 2011 • 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. • Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 250 Gallows Hill Road, Westfield, NJ 07090 • BOuRaS CeNTeR. Purpose: An informational, educational and group discussion gathering regarding Orthodox Christian teachings and “Viewpoints” on contemporary female issues. The theological and ethical foundations of the Church’s teaching on these matters will be discussed. Topics include the following:
4 Self-esteem, Self-confidence and Vocation 4 Marriage and Female Sexuality 4 Mature Christian Womanhood/Later Life Years Mission: To inform women about the Orthodox Church’s teachings on contemporary female issues in the context of spiritual and physical beauty. Resources: Rev. Fr. John Breck’s landmark book “The Sacred Gift of Life” and his current co-authored book (with his wife, Lyn Breck, MSW), “Stages on Life’s Way”. In addition, various Orthodox Christian bioethics works and Traditional interpretations. Format: Open forum discussion with presentation on select topics lending understanding of feminine beauty, both physical and spiritual, and what defines the essence of beauty.
The afternoon portion of the seminar will focus on application procedures and beauty philosophies presented by make-up artists of Bobbie Brown Cosmetics, a division of Estee Lauder, Inc. An array of products will be presented addressing both skin and make-up needs of women at various ages to enhance the natural and individual beauty within. Products will be available for purchase at the end of the seminar. Designed for: Women 16-80 years of age! This is a day of both fellowship and sisterhood in Christ, exploring the issues and concerns that are uniquely feminine. Due to the nature of the material presented in academic discussions, we ask that young women 16-18 years of age be accompanied by their mothers, in order that a clear and mature understanding regarding these issues is obtained for later dialogue within the family/mother-daughter unit. The seminar spans several decades of female concerns. Our umbrella theme for the day will be: “From the Womb to the Tomb”. We are delighted to introduce this pilot initiative in conjuncture with a leader in the cosmetic beauty industry, for the first time at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox parish in Westfield, NJ.
• Cost: $20 per mother/daughter • $15 per individual
Cost includes the morning and afternoon sessions, seminar materials and lunch. PRe-ReGISTRaTION begins January 9, 2011: Please note you must be pre-registered for this event • Call the Parish office at 908-233-8533 Name/s:_____________________________________________Tel.#_____________________Amount:_____________Check#___________
Please join us for a unique day of beauty that is Divinely inspired! The Promise ^ January 2011 ^ Volume 35, Issue 1
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pag.4
- Parish Council / Stewardship
that supports the Archdiocese web page as well as the Patriarchal webpage by adding content that keeps all of us informed about our Archdiocese and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. We also have an Archdiocese Youth Ministry. This ministry is dealing with all the difficult issues that confront our children in today’s society, helping them but also helping us as parents. The publications, videos and other instructional materials that provide guidance and assistance to the clergy, youth advisors and parents cost money to produce. The Archdiocese also supports the camping activities, which includes providing financial support for Ionian Village. Last year, we had over 3000 youth attend one of the summer camps (including Ionian Village and the Metropolis camps.) The Department of Religious Education produces publications for use by our Sunday school teachers in their classrooms. While there are many other ministries, I would like to
close by highlighting just one more: the Marriage and Family Ministry. This ministry deals with such issues such as interfaith marriage, which, regardless of how you count them, constitute a large majority of the marriages in our Churches today. I could go on but I won’t. You can find out about these resources and others by going to www. goarch.org, the Archdiocese webpage. Now let’s do the math. We currently have 638 stewards. In addition, we are aware that we must supplement our Stewardship with our very successful Ways and Means programs which include our annual dinner dance, 50/50 raffle and the Festival. Therefore, we are budgeting only $707,000 from Stewardship. The average Stewardship pledge to meet our budget is approximately $ 1,108. Be mindful, this is the average and, of course, averages can be misleading. We have parishioners who are retired or not working and for whom meeting this average Stewardship amount
The Promise • Classifieds
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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey
may represent a very real hardship. Still we have other families where the household income easily supports much more than this average and therefore should contribute more than this stated average. That is the way stewardship is supposed to work. The point is that we should give according to our ability. In closing I would like to leave you with a quote that is often repeated at this time of year, but which has special relevance to this topic: “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.” [Luke 12:48] ^
Pinnacle Despina (Debbie) Martin REALTOR-ASSOCIATE速 318 Rt. 202-206, PO Box 45 Bedminster, NJ 07921 Of. (908) 306-9600 x 415 Fax: (908) 306-9666 Toll Free: (800) 854-3771 Cell. (908) 586-1594 www.dmartinsite.com dmartin.homes@verizon.net Each Office Independently Owned & Operated
The Promise ^ January 2011 ^ Volume 35, Issue 1
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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Office Staff
Contact Information Mailing Address 250 Gallows Hill Rd. Westfield, NJ 07090-1109 Phone 908-233-8533 Fax 908-233-0623 E-mail htgoc@westfieldnj.com Web site holytrinitywestfield.org Presiding Priest Rev. Peter Delvizis Priest Rev. Alexander G. Leondis
Administrative Assistant Irene Panagakos Accountant Diana R. Waltsak Caretaker Ocione Nunes
Worship Psaltis Pascalis Kuvalakis Choir Director Kathryn Athanasoulas Organist Phyllis Verenes Head Acolyte Chris Wolff
Schedule of Services Sundays
Weekdays
Orthros
8:15 AM
8:30 AM
Divine Liturgy
9:30 AM
9:30 AM
The Promise: Volume 35, Issue 1 10 issues published annually. No subscription fee. Article deadline - 10th of the preceding month
Ministries Parish Council Peter Arbes Philoptochos Avi Kiriakatis Religious Education Louis Martin Eleftheria Wolff Greek School Rita Fitanidis Trinity Circle Athena Manos TAG Andrea Blasi Youth (GOYA) Christina Philippou JOY / HOPE Kathy Maglaras Yiana Leichtling Sandy Boutsikaris TOTS Joanne Paras Bookstore Sandy Mouratoglou Cultural Barbara Manos Greek School PTO Irene Cohen