The Messenger October 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 October but is not listed here, please let Fr. Peter so know we can update our records.
Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be rememberèd; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers
William Shakespeare, Henry V.
On the cover: Sts. Crispin & Crispinian, martyred c. 286, patron saints of cobblers, leather workers, tanners, saddlers and glove, lace and shoe makers (among other professions).
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smartphone to access your own personalized church Web page!
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 October Birthdays 1 Dee Jones 10 Josh Stevens 2 Arianna Stevens 20 Kathy Jacobs 6 Linda Courey 21 Nitya Vrippil 10 Jeff Stevens 29 Patti Abdo
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The Kursk-Root Icon Comes to St. Thomas
On 24 September, St. Thomas, in conjunction with Holy Annunciation Mission (ROCOR Western-Rite), was privileged to host the Kursk-Root Icon of Our Lady of the Sign. Over two hundred people came from the Sioux City and Omaha areas to venerate and pray before the wonder-working icon.
Fr. Saša Petrović, rector of St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Omaha, led the gathered faithful in the Akathist Hymn assisted by Fr. Peter as well as Fr. Kevin Kirwin and Fr. Seraphim Kane of Holy Annunciation. Music was provided by a choir of ladies from St. Nicholas, Omaha, led by Protinica Marija Petrović.
The icon was first found on 8 September 1295 near the ruins of the city of Kursk. Over the centuries, it has been associated with many miracles; the first occurred when a spring immediately appeared at the site where the icon was discovered. During the Bolshevik Revolution, the icon was smuggled out of Russia by Tsarist forces and was housed in various sites in Europe until making its way to its new permanent home in New York City in 1951 at the Cathedral of the Mother of God of the Sign.
From Sioux City, the icon traveled the next day to Sioux Falls to continue its tour of the ROCOR Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America. All who came to see it were blessed by its presence among us.
Fr. Peter
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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 October:
Christos Nassif, Mary Corey, Joyce Murad, Anna Palmolea, Mercherd Headid, Kathryn David, Selma Yanney, Abraham S. Abdouch, Salom Rizk, Habooba Hanna, Mike O. Gebran, George Ellis, Alexander Shuminsky, Mary D. Ellis, Abraham Jacobs, Margaret G. Abdo, Clarence David, Eli L. Skaff, Thomas T. Corey, Charles Albert Risk, Mahlon H. Headid, Rose Murad Johnson, Mable Frangia Nimmer, Edwin F. Nassiff, Francis Hanna, Sarah J. Gosen, Pauline C. Kivlighn, Freda (Melham) Homsey, Arnold F. Larsen, Jennie Marie Mulneaux, Sophie Skaff, Selma M. Corey, George Kazos, Michael Skaff, Sr., Ronald L. Counter
Ladies’ Club
The next meeting will be November 7th at Glen Oaks clubhouse at 6:30 p.m.
Judy Stevens
29 October
St. Thomas Parish Hall
after Liturgy
Sign up in the Parish Hall to bring chili or sides
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PARISH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday October 4, 2023
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 PM. Father Peter gave the opening prayer.
Present were: Father Peter, Frank B, Judy S, George S Jr. and Julie K Others present: George Stickney Sr.
George Stickney Jr. moved to approve the previous minutes and all reports. Fr. Peter seconded. Motion passed.
Committee Reports:
1. Pastor’s Report – Fr. Peter
Parishioner update: Fr. Peter has not been able to reach Dorwin for health update
There was good attendance for the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God service. Icon was then taken to Nick and Carol Corey’s residence.
Fr. Peter will be traveling to Chicago next week to attend the Clergy Laity meeting
Fr. Peter has spoke to Fr. Sava and has offered to visit Holy Trinity Parishioners if hospitalized.
2. Maintenance Report: See September Report. Camera has been fixed. Refrigerator part has been ordered.
3. Treasurer Report: See September’s report
4. Ladies Club: No report.
New Discussions:
1. Next Meeting: November 8, 2023
2. Crop Walk: Will be held October 15 th .
3. Stewardship campaign: Frank has been looking through ChurchTrac and found 38 potential families have a history of pledging. Financial forecast indicates income will be $20,000 less than last year
4. Chili Cookoff on October 29th
5. 2024 Plan: Given the financial forecast of decreasing income for 2024, Motion was made by Judy Stevens for Fr. Peter to contact Archdiocese regarding our proposal and process to transition the jurisdiction of the parish from the Archdiocese to ROCOR. George Stickney Jr. seconded the motion. Motion passed; Fr. Peter abstained
8:00 PM Judy Stevens motioned to adjourn meeting. Fr. Peter seconds. Motions carried. Fr. Peter gives closing prayer.
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2023-09 Income Statement
Maintenance Update 10.4.2023
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INCOME General Fund In and Out Fund Building Fund TOTAL 2023 Pledges $4,631.42 $4,631.42 Memorial $150.00 $150.00 Other Donations $311.10 $311.10 TOTAL INCOME $5,092.52 $0.00 $0.00 $5,092.52 EXPENSE General Fund In and Out Fund Building Fund TOTAL Maintenance -$938.80 -$938.80 Internet -$135.23 -$135.23 Insurance on Church Property -$1,655.00 -$1,655.00 Church Utilities -$1,371.27 -$1,371.27 General Expenses -$57.85 -$57.85 Office Expense -$29.65 -$29.65 Copier and Copy Expense -$91.66 -$91.66 Benevolence -$1,013.00 -$1,013.00 Priest Base Salary -$5,100.00 -$5,100.00 Priest Life Insurance -$135.00 -$135.00 Priest IRA -$400.00 -$400.00 Priest SS and Medicare -$750.00 -$750.00 DOWAMA -$500.00 -$500.00 TOTAL EXPENSE -$12,177.46 $0.00 $0.00 -$12,177.46 NET POSITION -$7,084.94 $0.00 $0.00 -$7,084.94
Current Projects: Project Original Estimate Actual Cost to Building Fund Retaining wall $14781 MHRD Grant submitted Resurface parking lots $11215 MHRD Grant submitted Replace circulation pump $5472 On order Replace ventilator filters $100 $120 Repair chiller $? $716 Repair sprinkler heads $100 $101 Refrigerator does not cool $500 Modem and extender replaced $0 $0 Camera will not operate $? Tree removal on parking $0 City expense
2023-09 Year-to-Date Income Statement
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INCOME General Fund In and Out Fund Building Fund TOTAL Operating Income $79.43 $79.43 2023 Pledges $87,812.04 $87,812.04 Benevolence Donations -$500.00 $500.00 $0.00 Memorial $150.00 $150.00 Miscellaneous $2,636.27 $2,636.27 Other Donations $7,099.20 $7,099.20 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 $97,396.94 $869.00 $0.00 $98,265.94 EXPENSE General Fund In and Out Fund Building Fund TOTAL Maintenance -$3,270.93 -$3,270.93 Lawn and Snow -$133.75 -$133.75 Internet -$1,217.07 -$1,217.07 Trash Pick-up -$258.30 -$258.30 Insurance on Church Property -$5,550.00 -$5,550.00 Church Utilities -$9,340.40 -$9,340.40 General Expenses -$3,604.13 -$3,604.13 Office Expense -$2,062.03 -$2,062.03 Copier and Copy Expense -$1,582.04 -$1,582.04 Benevolence -$4,362.63 -$4,362.63 Transfer Between Accounts -$1,070.00 -$1,070.00 Travel and Conferences -$4,157.80 -$4,157.80 Priest Base Salary -$32,700.00 -$32,700.00 Priest Cell Phone -$600.00 -$600.00 Priest Health Insurance -$4,800.00 -$4,800.00 Priest Life Insurance -$1,215.00 -$1,215.00 Priest IRA -$2,400.00 -$2,400.00 Priest Auto -$2,400.00 -$2,400.00 Priest Auto Insurance -$300.00 -$300.00 Priest SS and Medicare -$2,250.00 -$2,250.00 Priest Housing -$6,300.00 -$6,300.00 DOWAMA -$500.00 -$500.00 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 -$88,224.08 $2.00 -$1,251.00 -$89,473.08 NET POSITION $9,172.86 $871.00 -$1,251.00 $8,792.86
8 ARCHDIOCESAN SUNDAY FOR AHOS (Antiochian House of Studies) With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan SABA Archdiocesan Sunday for AHOS will take place every year on the Sunday of the Parable of the Sower. The purpose of Archdiocesan Sunday for AHOS (Antiochian House of Studies) is to raise awareness to support the future clergy & lay leaders of our archdiocesan. We kindly ask you to bring an offering on this day. Sunday, October 15, 2023 ? How can I donate Visit www.ahos.edu or scan the QR code. You can also donate by check sending directly to: AHOS 1020 Baseline Rd La Verne CA 91750 AHOS is a 501(c)(3). All donations are tax-deductible
