The Messenger 2023-07 by St. Thomas Antiochian Orthodox Church

The Messenger July/August 2023 St. Thomas Orthodox Church PO Box 1042 1100 Jones St. Sioux City, Iowa 51102 +1(712)258-7166 info@stthomassiouxcity.org https://stthomassiouxcity.org

If your birthday is in July or August but is not listed here, please let Fr. Peter so know we can update our records.

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Mission Growing in compassion, mercy, and love with a foundation in Christ Weekly Schedule Sundays Orthros & Divine Liturgy 09:00 Wednesdays Daily Vespers 18:00 Saturdays Great Vespers 18:00 July Birthdays 4 Becky Jacobs 19 Barbara Lammers 10 Judy Stevens 30 Elisa Stickney August Birthdays 13 George Jacobs 24 Brooklyn Schatz 14 George Stickney, Jr. 24 Kayleigh Stickney 15 Sam Lammers 26 Nick Corey 18 James Muhe 29 Barb Brienzo 22 Karen Yanney

Our

This Medicine Tastes Horrible

The Grass Is Always Greener: Luke 1:5–25

All too often we discover that the real answer to our longings is right under our noses. Some of my life’s most surprising revelations have come when I awoke to what I already possessed.

Our Gospel reading today features Zacharias, the father of St. John the Baptist, He was visited by the angel Gabriel, who told Zacharias that he and his barren wife were to have a son who would prepare the way for the Messiah. Zacharias didn’t believe the answer was right in front of him, so the angel announced a period of silence in his life.

This mute period of time wasn’t meant as a punishment but an invitation for Zacharias to embrace spiritual healing through silence.

God works in amazing ways to wake us up from the lethargy of our own self-sufficiency. He does what is unexpected. He uses what is close to us to invite us to enter into His life and His peace. He offers us a way through, not a way out, so that even difficult times won’t destroy us. The unexpected is only unexpected if we are blind to God’s goodness to us.

When we dare to believe, that He truly is everywhere present and filling all things, we discover right under our noses the absolute joy of His provision for every aspect of our lives. Not even the devil’s best shot can withstand His power to turn every moment into a revelation of His love. Thanks be to God.

TODAY: Where does your life feel barren and lifeless? Look more closely. Pray and immerse yourself in the life of the Church, and you might find that God in His eternal love for you uncovers a pa:th right in the middle of the challenges you are facing. Let’s trade our spiritual blindness for His loving presence. Let’s see Him and Him alone so that with His help, we can see all things.

Powell, Barnabas. (2016). A Faith Encouraged: A Devotional Guide to Being Orthodox on Purpose. Ancient Faith.

St. Thomas on the Internet

Check out our Web site at https://stthomassiouxcity.org as well as our other pages:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/St.ThomasOrthodoxChurchSC/

Siouxland Orthodox Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/689850188457371/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sathorch/

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/sathorch

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sathorch

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sathorch

In Memoriam

Remembering those who reposed in the month of July:

Moses Abdouch, Charles Abdouch, Darrah Abdouch, Abe Saunto, Salin (Sam) Samore, Lula M. Abdouch, Millie Jaksich, Fr. Michael Yanney, George E. Headid, Carl Love, Boutrous P. Boutrous, George Williams, Rosa Lee Groepper, Geraldine Melham, Betty L. Weeks, Hazel Ferris, Donna R. Ferris, Bernice Murad, Philip H. Stevens, Michael J. Davenport, Vitali Zhylka, Ayette J. Kivlighn, Viktar Pauliushchyk

Remembering those who reposed in the month of August:

Anna Skaff, George Edward Haddad, Mary Yanney, Andrew Abdnor, Assaff N. Gosen, John E. Hanna, Sr., John R. Hamel, Samuel Ellis, Natalade Powell, Darlene Corey Williams, James T. Corey, George K. Ellis, Sr., Jillian Sue Corey, Sadie Headid, Mary Bashara, Marie Ann Yanney, Toy J. David, Delia B. Skaff, Edward G. Ness, Lester Ellis, Thomas Stevens, Cleopatra M. Kazos Manolis, Roy E. Headid, Michelle M Headid, Mae L Hanna, Philip H. Hanna

Ladies’ Club

The Ladies of St. Thomas will next meet at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 5 September, at the home of Frank & Barb Brienzo, 6852 Cypress Pt, 51106. God bless.

Judy Stevens

INCOME General Fund In and Out Fund Building Fund TOTAL Operating Income $79.43 $79.43 2023 Pledges $64,972.22 $64,972.22 Benevolence Donations -$500.00 $500.00 $0.00 Miscellaneous $2,636.27 $2,636.27 Other Donations $6,367.64 $6,367.64 Archdiocesan Special Offering -$471.00 -$471.00 Cemetery $341.00 $341.00 Food for the Hungry $70.00 $70.00 Patriarch $50.00 $50.00 Priest $220.00 $220.00 Seminarians $279.00 $279.00 TOTAL INCOME $73,675.56 $869.00 $0.00 $74,544.56 EXPENSE General Fund In and Out Fund Building Fund TOTAL Maintenance -$2,332.13 -$2,332.13 Lawn and Snow -$133.75 -$133.75 Internet -$946.61 -$946.61 Trash Pick-up -$258.30 -$258.30 Insurance on Church Property -$3,605.00 -$3,605.00 Church Utilities -$6,903.26 -$6,903.26 General Expenses -$3,297.93 -$3,297.93 Office Expense -$2,002.73 -$2,002.73 Copier and Copy Expense -$1,398.72 -$1,398.72 Benevolence -$3,349.63 -$3,349.63 Transfer Between Accounts -$1,070.00 -$1,070.00 Travel and Conferences -$2,155.68 -$2,155.68 Priest Base Salary -$22,500.00 -$22,500.00 Priest Cell Phone -$600.00 -$600.00 Priest Health Insurance -$4,800.00 -$4,800.00 Priest Life Insurance -$945.00 -$945.00 Priest IRA -$1,600.00 -$1,600.00 Priest Auto -$2,400.00 -$2,400.00 Priest Auto Insurance -$300.00 -$300.00 Priest SS and Medicare -$1,500.00 -$1,500.00 Priest Housing -$6,300.00 -$6,300.00 In and Out Expenses $471.00 $471.00 Priest Donation -$120.00 -$100.00 -$220.00 Patriarch Tray -$50.00 -$50.00 Seminarians Tray $20.00 -$299.00 -$279.00 Food for the Hungry -$70.00 -$70.00 Building Fund Income $2,000.00 $6,700.00 $8,700.00 Building Fund $200.00 $200.00 Building Fund Expense -$8,151.00 -$8,151.00 TOTAL EXPENSE -$66,548.74 $2.00 -$1,251.00 -$67,797.74 NET POSITION $7,126.82 $871.00 -$1,251.00 $6,746.82

Income Statement Year-to-Date 2023-07-31

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

Wednesday August 9, 2023

The meeting was called to order at 6:45 PM. Father Peter gave the opening prayer.

Present were: Father Peter, Frank, Judy, George and Julie Judy moved to approve the previous minutes and all reports. George seconded. Passed.

Committee Reports:

1. Pastor’s Report – Fr. Peter Endowment held by Archdiocese for St. Thomas reviewed. Funds may be transferred in future (?)

New membership: 3 potential: Jason B, Alex L and Suzanne K Parishioner update: Vickie Carlson resides at Sunrise; Dean Lockwood resides at Holy Spirit. No further news from Nick and Carol Corey regarding funeral arrangements for Brian.

2. Treasurer Report: See July Reports

3. Maintenance Report: Frank is working on a MHRD Grant. Discovered there is not a record of EIN. Frank has applied for a new number; cert letter received and have to the end of August to submit.

4. Ladies Club: Next meeting is September 5 th at 6:30 pm Frank will be hosting meeting at his residence.

New Discussions:

1. One Priest Proposal: Frank submitted proposed agenda for ST. Thomas and Holy Trinity joint meeting.

2. Next Meeting Date: September 6, 2023

7:25 PM Judy moved to adjourn. Fr. Peter seconded. Passed.

Father Peter gave the closing prayer.

Maintenance Update 8.9.2023

Current Projects:

Project Original Estimate Actual Cost to Building Fund Retaining wall $14781 Applying for MHRD Grant Resurface parking lots $11215 Applying for MHRD Grant Replace Circulation Pump $5472 On order Get sprinklers working One day labor and materials $1504.43 Sprinkler Repair Broken Head $88.86 Repair Cooling System Various Parts and Labor $579.61

Income Statement

2023-06

INCOME General Fund In and Out Fund Building Fund TOTAL Operating Income $79.43 $79.43 2023 Pledges $8,738.15 $8,738.15 Miscellaneous $131.00 $131.00 Other Donations $118.23 $118.23 TOTAL INCOME $9,066.81 $0.00 $0.00 $9,066.81 EXPENSE General Fund In and Out Fund Building Fund TOTAL Internet -$135.23 -$135.23 Church Utilities -$558.33 -$558.33 General Expenses -$90.83 -$90.83 Office Expense -$1,506.72 -$1,506.72 Copier and Copy Expense -$470.21 -$470.21 Priest Base Salary -$2,900.00 -$2,900.00 Priest Cell Phone -$100.00 -$100.00 Priest Health Insurance -$800.00 -$800.00 Priest Life Insurance -$135.00 -$135.00 Priest IRA -$200.00 -$200.00 Priest Auto Insurance -$50.00 -$50.00 Priest SS and Medicare -$750.00 -$750.00 Priest Housing -$1,050.00 -$1,050.00 Priest Donation -$100.00 -$100.00 Building Fund Income $850.00 $850.00 Building Fund Expense -$7,951.00 -$7,951.00 TOTAL EXPENSE -$9,146.32 -$100.00 -$7,101.00 -$16,347.32 NET POSITION -$79.51 -$100.00 -$7,101.00 -$7,280.51 Income Statement 2023-07 INCOME General Fund In and Out Fund Building Fund TOTAL 2023 Pledges $7,065.27 $7,065.27 Other Donations $1,875.00 $1,875.00 TOTAL INCOME $8,940.27 $0.00 $0.00 $8,940.27 EXPENSE General Fund In and Out Fund Building Fund TOTAL Maintenance -$2,172.90 -$2,172.90 Internet -$135.23 -$135.23 Church Utilities -$1,096.77 -$1,096.77 General Expenses -$500.00 -$500.00 Office Expense -$68.99 -$68.99 Copier and Copy Expense -$470.21 -$470.21 Benevolence -$1,149.63 -$1,149.63 Priest Base Salary -$5,100.00 -$5,100.00 Priest Life Insurance -$135.00 -$135.00 Priest IRA -$400.00 -$400.00 TOTAL EXPENSE -$11,228.73 $0.00 $0.00 -$11,228.73 NET POSITION -$2,288.46 $0.00 $0.00 -$2,288.46

Meeting of Holy Trinity and St Thomas Parish Councils

Monday August 14, 2023

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. Father Luke gave the opening prayer.

Present were: Fr Peter, Frank B, Judy S, George S Jr, Julie K, Fr. Luke, Andrea K, Mary B, Maria S, and Mary S.

 Frank B handed out the Proposed Agenda for review.

 Fr. Luke gave summary of proposed One Priest plan.

 Frank verbalizes benefits to unify our Orthodox Churches: Choir, Chanters, Sunday School, Financial: paying one Priest. Volunteer Pool, Cemetary

 Andrea K expressed concern and confusion about this meeting due to Holy Trinity’s Parish Council June meeting. Holy Trinity’s Council felt it is not in the best interest to share one Priest. To them, financially, it does not make sense. Their council voted no.

Meeting adjourned: 7:30 pm Fr. Luke closed with prayer