FESTIVAL 2005 – SEPTEMBER 16, 17, 18
NOW A MEMORY: ANOTHER MARK OF SUCCESS

It was a brisk Friday and a brisk Saturday. Perhaps this is why we were down, on those two days, from last year. Then came Sunday. The weather was beautiful and the crowds came. Just for comparison, the 2005 Festival Chairman for the St. Katherine Parish in Redondo Beach wrote, in his “Post Festival Thoughts and Ramblings,” which appeared in their newsletter, “The Wheel of Faith:” “With slower Friday and Saturday sales, no one expected that Sunday’s sales would do any better than last year. Not only was business on Sunday so good that it surpassed 2004 but it made up for the slower Friday and Saturday and brought us to within $2,000 of last year’s all time record breaking total.” These words could have easily come from the Cathedral’s Festival Chairman. Our experience was the same.

All in all, it was a wonderful festival. There were many plusses: we ran out of gyro on Saturday and improvised by producing a “souvlaki gyro.” It was a great hit. Then, the paidakia (lamb chops) and oktapodi (octopus) were so good, some people came three days in a row just for those items. Incidentally, this year’s lamb chops came through Kokkari Estiatorio, which trimmed and cut the lamb into chops, and seasoned them, as well. Then, how about the Souvenir Book, which just about doubled last year’s proceeds? We also had some new people volunteering. And, how about the children’s area, with a bounce house, a ferris wheel, a children’s booth and, of course, Sunshine the Clown? Or the joy in people upon hearing they won one of the raffle prizes—Pat Destein won the round trip ticket to Greece; Herb Ramos won the set of a man’s and a woman’s watch, donated by Steve Padis; Angeliki Galanis won the iPod; and Magdaline Panagiotopoulos won the $100 cash prize…People’s comments said it all. In “Tell Us What You Think,” comment after comment was: Food, Music, the Friendliness of the Volunteers. Also, Valet Parking, Souvlaki Gyro. One person simply wrote, “Wonderful as Ever” And, when asked for suggestions, some constructive comments included, “how about a food tasking menu, to go along with the wine tasting menu?”

Well, volunteers, you did it again, and made us all proud. In the process, you helped raise much-needed funds for the Cathedral and its ministries, as we secure our future and, especially, the future of our children. Congratulations! The revenue picture will be discussed at the Volunteers Get-Together in a few weeks, as well as at the Parish Assembly a few weeks later. Meanwhile, the Parish Council will hold an in-depth discussion, at its next meeting, about next year’s Festival, to be held during the parish’s yearlong 70th anniversary celebration, culminating on November 11, 206. Volunteers, please know that your outstanding efforts for this year’s festival, despite some glitches along the way, are very much appreciated.

	Festival 2005 Memories

PLANS UNDERWAY FOR OUR 70TH

We’ve shared some thoughts about our 70th in previous issues of the Herald. We’ve pointed out that, in 2006, it will be 70 years since we became “Annunciation.” (It will also be 85 years since we came into being as a parish, initially as “St. Sophia.” These alone are reasons to celebrate. And, so, we’ve selected Saturday, November 11, 2006 as the date for our celebration. But, how will we celebrate, and where? In our Center, or do we want to go to a hotel? Do we want to have a dinner-dance? Speeches? Perhaps a video?

By November 11, 2006 we will have paid off our mortgage—do we want to have a mortgage burning? At the same time, and certainly by then, we should know more about our building project—do we want to utilize the occasion to kick off our Building Fund Drive? Do we want to publish a commemorative book marking the occasion? All these things will be decided at meetings which will be held at the Cathedral and which will be held, beginning Wednesday, October 26.

Would you like to serve on the committee? Please let Father Stephen know. We look forward to your participation, as we mark this important anniversary in an appropriate way.

ANNUNCIATION RAISES OVER $10,000 FOR HURRICANE RELIEF

Together with your personal responses and a gift of $2,000 from our Ladies Philoptochos, $10,000 was sent by the Cathedral to help our brothers and sisters in the Gulf Coast States affected by Hurricane Katrina. Specifically, $2,500 was sent to each of the following: the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta, the Holy Trinity Cathedral in New Orleans, and I.O.C.C. (International Orthodox Christian Charities). Every penny collected by the Cathedral was sent. In addition, our youth have been, and are, involved with preparing kits to be sent through I.O.C.C. These kits contain personal toiletries for use by people who have been deprived even of these basic necessities. The preparation of the kits involves our young people, in a “hands on” way, in the process of offering assistance to those in need. Our parishioners are to be commended for their timely response to great and urgent need, which this natural catastrophe has created. Meanwhile, the people of the Galveston and Houston areas of Texas are also in our thoughts and prayers as Hurricane Rita has wreaked devastation upon their state. We are directing additional funds forwarded to us for Hurricane Relief to help our brothers and sisters in that part of the Gulf Coast, as well.

CATHEDRAL TO HOST NATIONAL ORATORICAL FESTIVAL

We’ve never even hosted a regional or a Metropolis Oratorical Festival; we’ve only held a parish Oratorical Festival. Yet, we’ve been asked to host the National Oratorical Festival, to be held June 24, 2006. And we are honored to do so. We’ll be doing it as part of our 70th anniversary celebration, which be a year-long celebration. Finalists from the various Metropolises will be coming to San Francisco to compete. We look forward to the challenge and to the opportunity to serve our National Church in this way.

STEWARDSHIP AND YOU

Some people ask, “How much should I be giving to my church?” Some ask, “How much do you give; I’ll give the same.” And some even ask, “How much can I get away with giving,” meaning, “How little can I give and still be a member.” And, with the rising cost of fuel, real estate, and other things affecting our life as Americans, and as San Franciscans, the concerns are real.

And, yet, we have the story of the “widow’s mite.” You recall, by giving her “measly” penny, she gave everything she had. A Christian is called upon to give everything we have, that is, to put at the disposal of doing God’s work everything, because God is the source of everything. And, so, what we should give to the work of the Annunciation Cathedral, should be a portion of everything we have, which we put at the disposal of doing God’s work, like taking care of our families, including feeding and housing our children and providing for their education. Including saving, including giving to hurricane relief. It all has to do with doing God’s work.

What does not have to do with God’s work is the disparity of our priorities, like buying ourselves a new car and giving $100 to the church and calling that ”our stewardship.” What is needed here is constant education, not about the need for giving, but about the joy of giving. What is needed is inspiration, so that we may see the intangibles of life, like faith building and community-building, as important components for the actualization of our humanity. In the end, they are things which remain. Think about these things, as you prepare your family’s budget for 2006. Think about the things you are able to do to make a difference in the lives of others, as well as in your own.

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

Understandably, our women are “recuperating” from their outstanding performance, not only in the preparation and sale of the various pastries, which were a great hit, once again, at our Food Festival, but also in the preparation of many of the food items, which were sold at the Food Festival. A heart-felt thank you to all who participated. By working together, we helped make this event a great success, both as a fund raising vehicle for our church, as well as a great social gathering celebrating our faith and our culture.

Meanwhile, we invite you to attend our Philoptochos meetings. We will hold General Meetings in the second floor conference room on the following dates: Thursday, October 13, Thursday, November 10 and Thursday, December 8, all at 1:00 p.m. On Sunday, November 13, Philoptochos will sponsor a Thanksgiving Luncheon, following the Divine Liturgy. And, on Friday, January 20, 2006, beginning at 6:00 p.m., Philoptochos will sponsor our Crab feed. Our events help underwrite the philanthropic work that we do. We invite you to become involved as we endeavor to better not only our own community, but the community at large.

ORTHODOX MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER OCT. 28-30

Orthodox Marriage Encounter offers a weekend experience designed to give married couples the opportunity to learn a technique of loving communication that they can use for the rest of their lives. It’s a chance for couples to look deeply into their relationship with each other and with God. It’s a time for them to share their feelings, hopes and dreams with each other. The emphasis of the Marriage Encounter weekend is on the communication between husband and wife. The weekend provides an environment for couples to spend time together, away from the distractions and tensions of everyday life, while encouraging them to focus on each other and on their relationship.

It’s not a retreat, marriage clinic, group sensitivity, or a substitute for counseling. It’s a unique approach aimed at revitalizing marriage. The next weekend will take place at the St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center (at the foothills of the Sequoias, just outside Fresno). For further information please call Fr. John or Elaine Alexandres at 661 945-1212 or Father Jim or “Donna Pappas at 559 454-1243, or visit their website at www.orthodoxmarriageencounter.org.

METROPOLIS COUNCIL TO MEET AT CATHEDRAL

On Saturday, October 1 His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco will convene the Metropolis Council. The meeting will take place at the Annunciation Cathedral, which is the ecclesiastical seat of the Metropolitan. Ted Leventis and members of the Cathedral Philoptochos will prepare lunch for our Metropolitan and the Council members, who will begin their proceedings by taking their oath of office in the Cathedral’s chapel. We welcome His Eminence and the members of the Metropolis Council.

2006 DIRECTORY

Under separate cover, Cathedral parishioners received a letter from Father Stephen which says, “In an effort to better serve you, the Cathedral plans to publish a 2006 Directory of its Stewardship Members and Supporting Businesses, similar to the “blue book” directory of 1999. Needless to say, we would like it to be accurate and up to date with respect to your name, address, home and work phone numbers, as well as your E mail addresses.” Enclosed with the letter is the above information, as the Cathedral has it. Parishioners are asked to review the information and check one of the boxes, noting either that the information is correct or, if not, making the necessary corrections. Parishioners are asked to return this information, in the envelope provided, by October 31st. This will give the office ample opportunity to compile the directory which, it hopes, you will find useful, as other directories have been. The Cathedral thanks you for your assistance as we continue to better serve you, our parishioners.

CHURCH MUSICIANS SUNDAY

Sunday, October 2 has been designated National Church Musicians Sunday. This day of recognition of our church musicians occurs each year on the first Sunday after the Feast day of Saint Romanos the Melodist, which falls on October 1st.

On this Sunday, we recognize women and men who have heard and responded to the Lord’s invitation to be church musicians, that is, parish chanters and choir singers. As church musicians, they represent, and lead, the laity in the liturgical dialogue of our worship services. Their commitment to learning the hymns of our Orthodox faith, understanding the sequence of our liturgical worship, and actively offering their prayers in song, is done to enhance the beauty of our worship—in glory to God, the Holy Trinity.

We, at the Cathedral, want to make every effort to preserve, secure, and promote the hymnography of the Orthodox Church. Toward this end, the Parish Council is considering a proposal to establish a more than part-time music ministry. All this, of course, requires funding. In addition, the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians is seeking our parish’s gift to help them develop more liturgical music education materials, including an updated Holy Friday Retreat Handbook, a Handbook for Older Singers, and a compilation of the Ordinary and Festal Antiphonal Verses. Accordingly, the second collection on October 2 will go to support church music. Parishioners who are in a position to make a significant contribution may want to consider endowing a chair, at the Cathedral, to fund this vital area of our religious and spiritual life.

OUR 2005 CHRISTMAS CARD: WON’T YOU TAKE A MOMENT

Every year we invite our parishioners to participate in the Community Christmas Card. No less so this year. In fact, we are planning to print a full color card this year, to include as many of our parishioners as possible. During the next eight weeks, volunteers will approach you during the coffee hour and invite your participation. The donation is only $25. per line—a small token when one considers the postage alone for sending cards to even 10% of their fellow parishioners. If you prefer, you may call the Cathedral office, at 415 864-8000 or complete and return the form below. We thank you for helping make our 2005 Christmas Card a successful undertaking.

INTRODUCING THE ORTHODOX CHURCH

This course, which has resulted in a number of adult baptisms/chrismations, taught by Father Paul Schroeder, Sunday mornings 9-10 a.m., will resumed Sunday, September 25, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. We invite those who wish to explore, or learn more about the Orthodox Faith to attend these engaging sessions.

LEARNING COMMUNITY

Our Thursday evening study, which this year focused on the Psalms, also taught by Father Paul Schroeder, resumed on Thursday, September 29. A Bible study, but not in the traditional sense, this gathering endeavors to foster learning of the Faith through shared praxis. This approach has, for example, given birth to Community Link, a program whereby parishioners, young and old alike, interact with home-bound, often elderly parishioners, as well as homeless individuals, addicts, and those living with life-threatening diseases. We invite you to be a part of this very engaging class, which convenes in the second floor conference room at 7:00 p.m.

Our theme for this semester’s study will be "Building the New City." We will be focusing on the Ten Commandments ("You shall have no other gods before me…" Exodus 20:1-12) and the Beatitudes ("Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…" Matthew 5:1-12), reflecting on how these important texts from the Old and New Testaments might help us to envision and create a new world, a "new heaven and a new earth, where justice abides" (II Peter 3:13). We will also be reading a book together: The Ladder of the Beatitudes by Jim Forest.

SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY

Our Sunday Bible Study, which this year focused on the relationship of mind/soul/body in connection with salvation and the afterlife, taught by Marina Taylor, also resumed on Sunday, September 25, following the Divine Liturgy. Since this study is held primarily in Greek, we invite those who wish to learn about our Faith in their native language, to attend this wonderful gathering of our faithful. The topic will be the Book of Revelation (Revisited).

RECENT SERVICES

BAPTISMS
Demetris, son of Nicholas Demetrios Botaitis and Diana Jeane Weibel, was baptized August 12. His sponsor is Kostas Botaitis.

Helina, daughter of Abadi Asefaha Hawki and Almaz Mesho, was baptized August 20. Her sponsor is Mariam F. Nayizghi.

Na Mas Zisoun! (Long Life!)

MARRIAGES
The marriage of Christopher Lee Smith and Pauline Zakis was blessed August 20. Their sponsor is Christopher Katsigianis.

The marriage of Musie Temelso and Azieb Afework was blessed August 27. Their sponsor is Aklelu Kalemu.

The marriage of Joseph Michael Perez and Elena Miranda Matos was blessed at the Cathedral on August 27. Their sponsor was Nicholas Nicolas.

The marriage of Justin Constantine Kyriacou and Afroditi Denise Masouras was blessed at the Cathedral on Septmeber 4. Their sponsor was Constantine Tsagaris.

The marriage of George Michael Kouremetis, Jr. and Dena Anastasia Mentis was blessed at the Cathedral on September 10. Their sponsor was Poppie G. Kouremetis.

The marriage of William Milton Kromydas and Georgene Denise Poulakidas was blessed at the Cathedral on September 24. Their sponsor was Dino Parakevopoulos.

Na Mas Zisoun! (Long Life!)

FUNERALS
Basil Illarion Mishtowt, who fell asleep in the Lord August 8, was buried August August 11. He is survived by a brother, Dr. George Mishtowt, his sister-in-law Georgia Vlachos and several nieces and nephews in San Francisco.

Doris Chapralis, who fell asleep in the Lord on August 26, was buried August 30. She is survived by her daughters, Christy Chapralis, Julie Carlson, and Denise Citrino and their families.

Pearl Coreris Vlachou, who fell asleep in the Lord on September 14, was buried September 22. She is survived by her daughters, Alicia Noda and Tammy Attard,and their families.

Aionia afton I mnimi (May their memory be eternal)!

DATES TO REMEMBER

October 2005 Herald
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral.