ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS VISITS CATHEDRAL, CELEBRATES THE DIVINE LITURGY AND PRESIDES OVER VESPERS; SPEAKS AT IOCC DINNER

November 23rd will go down in the annals of the Annunciation Cathedral as an historic and memorable day. Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of America, celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the first time as Archbishop at the Annunciation Cathedral and presided over pan-Orthodox Vespers. On both occasions, the chapel, resounding with the magnificent music offered by the Cathedral Choir, was packed to overflowing. While four clergy--with Metropolitan Anthony and Bishop Anthimos in attendance--concelebrated the Divine Liturgy in the morning, more than thirty attended the Vespers. What a wonderful sight it was, clergy and faithful from all the jurisdictions, a testimony to the unity of Orthodoxy.

In the evening, His Eminence astounded the audience at the dinner for IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities), with his insights and anecdotes. One could hear a pin drop as a record crowd of just under 500 (more than at any IOCC dinner in the 11 year history of the organization) listened to the Archbishop invite our engagement with God and with our fellow man in the midst of an otherwise precarious world, marked by unpredictability, self-interest, and ideological bankruptcy. The audience was entertained by award-winning pianist, Eleni Dafeka, with a flawless rendering of Liszt, a Balalaika ensemble, Annunciation’s Fila-delfakia and Kymata and the dance troupe from St. John’s Church in Orinda, which performed a medley of Greek and Arabic dances, respectively. All proceeds go to providing people in war-torn areas of the world, as well as those experiencing drought and other crises, with food, clothing, and medicine.

Since its inception eleven years ago, IOCC has distributed more than $140 million in aid to people in over thirty countries.

NINE RUN FOR PARISH COUNCIL

There are nine candidates for Parish Council. On Sunday, December 14, Parishioners in Good Standing, ecclesiastically and with respect to their stewardship, will have the opportunity to vote for up to eight of them to a two year term, beginning January 1, 2004.

Following ratification of the elections by Metropolitan Anthony, the eight who receive the top votes will take their oath of office at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, December 28. Then, they will meet with the seven members who were elected to a two year term last year and elect their officers for 2004.

The candidates, all members in good standing of the Cathedral, and qualified to serve, are:

1. Michael Bagatelos
2. Philip Chiappari
3. Dina Koutoulas
4. Thomas Nuris
5. Nikolas Stathopoulos
6. Nicholas Svetcoff
7. George Vlahos
8. James D. Vorrises
9. Gus Vouchilas

STEWARDSHIP AND YOU

The Parish Council, in concert with the Stewardship Committee, has decided to handle Stewardship 2004 a little differently. You recall how, year after year, we send out Stewardship Pledge Cards and wait for months on end for you to complete and return those pledge cards. It’s sometimes June and we’re still printing lists of stewards for the Herald. 500 to 600 names in all. By July, we’re all exhausted. People go on vacation. Then, we come back in September and get into the swing of the Food Festival. After we recuperate from the Festival, we begin thinking about stewardship for the following year. And so it goes.

Beginning January 1, 2004, you will not need to fill out a new pledge card to renew your membership, if you are currently pledged members of the Cathedral. We will simply duplicate your 2003 pledge for 2004. Unless, of course, you choose to change your pledge. A letter is about to go out explaining all of that. The letter gives us the opportunity to add just $10 a month to our pledge. If everyone does this, we could generate an additional $84,000 for the year. Yes, this is not a misprint. The letter explains how. (The old adage holds true here, Fasouli, fasouli, gemizi to sakouli. Translated: one bean at a time; before you know it, the sack is full.)

Another letter will go out to those who are not currently pledged members of the Cathedral. This letter will be accompanied by a pledge card, a return envelope, and a brochure explaining the Cathedral’s stewardship program. Our Stewardship Committee will pay special attention to this group of parishioners--those who love the Lord and the Church but who, for one reason or another, just overlook their stewardship. Our goal is to enroll everyone as stewards. There are many advantages to being a steward. Foremost is the satisfaction one has from contributing to the work of the church.

Annunciation is the great parish that it is, doing the great things that it does, because of you and because of your support. By being a steward, you also receive priority in booking the hall for your events--baptisms, weddings, anniversaries or other receptions. In addition, you get things that others booking the hall do not get--the waiving of certain fees, extra linens and the like. Finally, you’re not faced with fees--you know, so much for documents (baptismal or wedding transcripts and the like, likely to be $25 each), or for baptisms and funerals (likely to be $500), or for weddings (likely to be $1000).

Soon, we will be facing the challenges of building for the future. This will all come about, in due time. With your participation and commitment, and the strength that comes from all of us being united in a common cause, the cause of Jesus Christ and his Church.

PARISH ASSEMBLY HEARS REPORTS, RECEIVES NOMINATIONS,
REVAMPS BOARD OF ELECTIONS

At our second Parish Assembly for 2003, held Wednesday, November 19, a number of reports were offered on the state of the Cathedral. Among them were the Treasurer’s Report, which presented a complete financial report for 2002, noting that total salaries and utilities actually came in below budget, on the expenditures side and income from rental of the hall actually exceeded the budgeted amount, on the income side. However, we experienced an overall operating deficit of $25,870, total receipts for the year being $485,529, and total operating expenditures being $511,400. On the other hand, Building Fund receipts for the year came to $254,436. Mortgage interest for the year came to $78,444. The Board of Auditors, consisting of Robert Larson, Cathy Peterson and Maria Ossipoff, then confirmed the accuracy of the financial report, noting that they found every thing to be in good order. Afterwards, the Assembly received into nomination the slate presented by the Nominating Committee, consisting of Anne Mountanos, Pat Destein, Helen Markanton, Maria Georgiou and Annette Chiappari and augmented the Board of Elections, which will prepare the ballots and oversee the December 14 elections. This committee is comprised of Andrew Vellis, TedLeventis, Helen Markanton and Louise Vorrises.

PRE-LENTEN SPIRITUAL RETREAT AT THE CATHEDRAL

Save the Dates: February 21 and 22, 2004. The Reverend Dr. John Chryssagis will be guest speaker at the Cathedral, both for Saturday the 21st, when he will address the topic of Forgiveness as well as for the Divine Liturgy on Godparents Sunday, February 22nd, at which time he will deliver the sermon.
A renown speaker, author, and lecturer, Deacon John studied theology in Athens and at Oxford. He served as professor of theology at St. Andrew’s Theological College in Sydney as well as at Holy Cross School of Theology in Boston. His most recent publications include Soul Mending: The Art of Spiritual Direction (Holy Cross Press, 2000), In the Heart of the Desert: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers (World Wisdom Books, 2002), and Letters from the Desert: A selection from Barsanuphius and John (St. Vladimir’s Press, 2003). For more information, call: Annunciation Cathedral, at 415 864-8000 or Eleni Tsagaris, Retreat Coordinator.

FATHER STEPHEN TO ATTEND SAE CONFERENCE

Upon the recommendation of His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony, Archbishop Demetrios has asked Father Stephen to serve as a delegate to this year’s SAE (Council of Hellenes Abroad) Conference. The conference will take place in Thessalonike, Greece. Father Gregory will celebrate the Divine Liturgy during Father Stephen’s absence, on Sunday, December 7, and on Sunday, December 14.
Father Stephen will return on Monday, December 15.

The Cathedral Ladies Philoptochos Society wishes to apprise the community of the following events sponsored by the Philoptochos, and invites your
participation:

RECENT SERVICES AT THE CATHEDRAL

BAPTISMS

Alexandra Beatrice, daughter of Steven Gregory Dallas and Madeleine Helene Lubic, was baptized on October 24. Her Godparents are Clare and Nick Wittwer.
(Emergency baptism; chrismation was not administered.)

Christopher, son of David G. Hewitt and Elaine Demakas, was baptized on November 2.. His Godparent is Paula Kitses.

Kalliope Alexandra, daughter of Phillip James Maragoulas and Theresa Ann Silva, was baptized on November 22.. Her Godparents are Spiro and Kallie Makras.

Na Mas Zisoun (Long life!)

MARRIAGE

The marriage of Anthony Mathios and Patricia McNulty was blessed on November 29. Their sponsor is Alexis Pelosi.

Na Mas Zisoun!

FUNERAL

Gus Nicholas Calofonos, who fell asleep in the Lord on November 11, was buried November 18.
Next of kin are his brother, Dennis Calofonos, and daughters Angelica Calofonos and Katherine Creekmore.

Aionia aftou i mnimi! May his memory be eternal!

SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY
We are pleased to note that, each Sunday following the Divine Liturgy, Marina Taylor will conduct a Bible Study (for the most part, in Greek) in the second floor conference room. The Bible Study is open to all.

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD 2003: DECEMBER 7 IS THE LAST SUNDAY WE CAN TAKE NAMES

We are pleased to announce that this year’s Community Christmas Card effort is going rather well. Annette Chiappari and FoulaVasilogiorgis are leading the effort, gathering your names during the coffee hours on Sundays following the Divine Liturgy. You may prefer, instead, to send in your names.

Please do so by completing the form below and forwarding it to the Cathedral as shown together with your donation of $25. This donation will help defray the cost of printing and mailing the cards and will serve as your Christmas gift to the Cathedral. (Of course, if you prefer, you may contribute additional amounts when you receive your Christmas offering envelope and your 2004 Church calendar.}

We thank you for your support of the Community Christmas Card project. Just think: by sending a modest gift of $25 you will be extending Christmas greetings to all of your fellow-communicants (over 1600 of them!), without all the fuss of stuffing envelopes and writing greetings...we’ll do that for you.
Yes, please list me/us in the 2003 Community Christmas card.

December 7 is the last Sunday we can take names.
After this date, the list of names is compiled and sent to the printer.

22nd ANNUAL CRAB FEED

• Friday, January 23, 2004
• No-host Refreshments-6:00 pm
• Dinner - 7:30 pm
• Admission: $40.00
• Limited to 600 - First come, first served
• Valet Parking available
• Tickets must be paid for by January 9th
• For Reservations call: Anna Dricos or Ackie Argyres

December 2003 Herald
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral.