Our new school year begins Sunday, September 26th, the week after our Food Festival. It is our hope many more people and youth of our parish can volunteer to help with the food festival, without the added commitment of Sunday School.

We, as parents, are the primary teachers of our children. They learn from our words, but mostly through our actions. We are responsible for instructing them about Orthodoxy and what it means to be an Orthodox Christian.

The goal of the Sunday School is to be a partner in this journey towards becoming an Orthodox adult. It must be working because we are on our third generation of Annunciation Sunday School students.

Today, we are teaching the children and grandchildren of our former students. And interesting enough when asked, these former students remember having fun, and many of them remain friends today, but most important they have returned to raise their own children in the faith they learned.

At Annunciation, we follow the prescribed curriculum of the Archdiocese. From Pre-school to 4th grade our students focus on the "How" of things. How to make the Sign of the Cross, How to say the Lord’s Prayer and the Nicene Creed, and How to take Communion are among the many items learned. Starting in 5th grade, the students begin to understand the "why". Why do we sing hymns, why we must read the Bible and go to Liturgy, why we must embrace the truth of Orthodoxy to be saved. We team with you as parents, to make this happen for yet another generation of students.

Faith, fun and friendship won’t happen unless your child comes to class on a regular basis. Faith and friendship must be seeded and then nourished over time. Regular attendance gives us a chance to do just that.

Please take the opportunity this year to use the handouts the children bring home as an opportunity for family discussion.

We are excited about the new school year and look forward to your continued support. Many new and exciting things are planned this year to continue building on the foundation we have laid.Please escort your child (ages 3 – 17) upstairs and meet their teacher in the classroom on Sunday, September 26th at 10:30 am. Classes are held from 10:30 – 11:30 am each Sunday and the children receive communion after their lesson.

We have a new class being offered this year, High School, taught by Caroline Pappajohn. We are very excited about this new curriculum, Father Stephen sat on this committee in the Archdiocese and says it will be very engaging. All High School students will begin classes October 3rd.

We are still in need of 3 assistant teachers to help at different grade levels. Please contact Denise Yeilding dyeilding@yahoo.com or contact Father Stephen @ 415-864-8000 or dean@annunciation.org if you can help or can suggest who we should approach to help in the classroom.

See you on September 26th in your Sunday Best!

JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE FATHER STEPHEN’S BIRTHDAY AT OUR DANCE GROUP GLENDI - OCTOBER 16

The Annunciation dance groups will be hosting a Glendi, entitled "Year of the Dancers" on Saturday, October 16, at the Annunciation Korinthias Hall. "Year of the Dancers" promises to be gala event with an evening of fun and dancing with live music by Greek Compania. The fun will begin at 6:00 p.m. with cocktails and appetizers with dinner to follow. The cost of the Glendi is $35.00 per person, $15.00 for teens and $10.00 for children under 10 years of age. For further information or to make a reservation contact Tula Kallas-Chase at 510 432-0194 or Athena Stavrakaras at 650 219-4168 or complete the cutoff portion of the flyer, available at the Pangari, and mail it to: Cathedral Glendi, c/o Kathie Garibaldi, 251 Palm Avenue, Millbrae, CA 94030 by October 9.

If you attend, you can join in singing “Happy Birthday” to our own Father Stephen!

OUR KIDS ARE GRADUATING--LOTS OF THEM

We have lots of graduates, from all kinds of schools. We congratulate each and every one of them, as they go on, either to the next grade, or another school, or on to a career.

CATHEDRAL ATHLETIC AWARDS DINNER

On Wednesday, June 23, the Annunciation Cathedral held its annual athletic awards dinner. Attended by over 100 youth, parents, coaches, and parish members, it was a most heart warming and auspicious occasion.

Father Stephan began the evening by honoring the late Father Anthony Kosturos, Commissioner of the OYAA, for his hard work and relentless dedication to the OYAA (Orthodox Youth Athletic Association). He will be greatly missed by all.

The evening commenced with a delicious assorment of pizzas, salads, sodas, and desserts. Following the meal, Father Stephen acknowledged that the importance of athletics is not whether one wins or loses, but rather the comraderie it provides the players, parents and parishes. Furthermore, he noted, that the awards the children were about to receive, were not for winning, but rather to acknowledge their dedication and participation.

Master of Ceremonies Tom Nuris then proceeded to introduce the various teams together with their coaches. Special recognition was given to coaches: Herb Ramos, Danilo Ramos, Tom Nuris, Nick Kontonis, Ari Stratakis, Daryl Chase, Athletic Commissioner Chris Kallas and Mike Canellos, who planned the dinner from start to finish. (Mike serves the Annunciation Cathedral primarily as its Youth Director; he has also served, for many years as basketball coach, particularly of his Angels team; he is also events/catering manager for the Annunciation.)

As each coach was invited to introduce his respective team, one could not only see, but also feel, the love and devotion between player and coach. As the closing prayer was offered, the smiles on our youth said it all.

A WISH COMES TRUE

Desiderius Erasmus (who is this guy?)

Due to the overwhelming response to our June article, “The Final Chapter,” the staff of the Annunciation Cathedral Herald will be regularly profiling one of our youth. We believe it would be appropriate that our inaugural article feature the heroine and inspiration of the “Final Chapter,” captain of the 2004 champion “Angels,” Wintana Yemane!

On June 7, 1986 a child was born to Adiam and Aklilu Yemane in the small village of Asmara, Eritrea. As a testament to their love, Adiam and Aklilu chose the name Wintana, whose English translation is “wish.” As they noted, the name was most symbolic: the two “wishes” of their life was the independence of their homeland, Eritrea, and the safety of their baby, Wintana. Aklilu, a decorated freedom fighter, was torn between remaining in Eritrea to continue the quest for independence, or to come to America for the safety of his family. At last, succumbing to the “wish” of Adiam, the Yemanes arrived in America in 1998.

Turning to their Orthodox roots for guidance and inspiration, the Yemanes were soon to be blessed with a son, Edle, and another daughter, Faeda.

One day after church services, Wintana, now 12 years of age, wandered into the Korinthias Hall, where she gazed upon a group of older girls practicing basketball. From the corner of his eye, coach Mike Canellos spotted the young girl and slowly approached her. Inquiring whether she was familiar with basketball, she shyly responded that her goal was to play professional basketball and that she was starting to learn the game at Ben Franklin Middle School. Mike was immediately captivated by her beautiful, warm smile and confident demeanor. As he invited her to join the practice, he noticed that she was immediately accepted by the older girls. That day, a special bond seemed to form between coach Mike’s daughter Mary and the younger Wintana.

The following season, Wintana led the Annunciation Junior Varsity Girls Basketball Team (personally averaging 30 points per game) to both the league and tournament championships. Coach Mike promptly elevated her to his championship “Angels” team. Pairing her in the back court with his daughter Mary, the two made quite an imposing pair. Mary standing 4’11” and Wintana an even 5 feet! Fondly referred to as Mike’s two daughters, “Salt and Pepper,” the dynamic duo helped to guide the “Angels” to three more undefeated seasons.

With the graduation of seven seniors in 2003, Wintana became the “Angels” team captain. Again, the “Angels” posted an undefeated season, culminating in yet another tournament championship.

During this time, it is important to note that Wintana was also starting in basketball at Galileo High School in San Francisco. While averaging 20 points per game, she caught the attention of many college basketball recruiters. In addition, she was maintaining a 3.0 grade point average, and was constantly assisting in basketball clinics for underprivileged children. This summer was a most auspicious one for Wintana. She was invited to both attend and participate in athletic scholarship camps at UCLA, USC, Long Beach State, Fresno State, and Oregon!

As we had noted in our article, “The Final Chapter,” the 2004 girls high school team was a young and relatively inexperienced one. Deter-mined to lead them, Wintana in essence became a second coach, constantly encouraging the younger girls to strive harder. When in the championship game it appeared that the “Angels” had finally been defeated, she reached deep within herself to grant her team one last wish...a championship!

At the Athletic Awards Dinner, we not only celebrated the achievements of our basketball teams, but in essence the final tribute to a young lady who brought so many wonderful memories to us all. Wintana, thank you for sharing the past six years with us. May our Lord continue to bless you and make all your wishes come true.

CATHEDRAL TO OFFER CLASSES IN BYZANTINE CHANT

In its ongoing service to the parish but also to all the parishes, as Cathedral of the Metropolis, the Annunciation will be the setting for a Beginning Byzantine Chant class as well as an Intermediate Byzantine Chant class, to begin in January. The beginning class, which is designed for individuals who have never encountered Byzantine notation, is open to all who wish to learn the fundamentals of church music and serve their respective parishes in the Bay Area by learning the various hymns from Vespers and Orthros (the evening and morning prayer services of the Orthodox Church.)

The intermediate class, which is designed for individuals who have some ability reading Byzantine notation and some exposure to Byzantine chant, is open to all who wish to master the hymnology of the Church and serve their respective parishes in the Bay Area by assisting or, in some cases, assuming the chanter position. Some of our parishes are without chanters and, therefore, these vital prayer services are either omitted or are simply read.

In the next issue of the Herald, and by letter to each of the Bay Area parishes, there will be additional information about the dates of the classes, the times, and the costs for both instruction and materials. The classes will be taught by John Boyer, who is well known to us as Assistant Chanter. John, a student at the University of California, at Berkeley, began learning hymnology at the Holy Trinity, Portland parish, at the age of 4. John has received training in Byzantine Music by the well-known choirmaster and chanter, Lycourgos Angelopoulos, in Greece. In addition, John sings with Capella Romana, an internationally acclaimed choir, which has been recording not only contemporary, but also early Byzantine chant.

In any case, holding the classes at the Cathedral makes sense. We have the facilities, we are centrally located, accessible to all freeways, and have ample parking.

ANNUNCIATION’S 5th ANNUAL FAMILY CAMPING TRIP

This year’s Summer Camp, along the Russian River, was in many ways even more successful than the previous four. Although the sun did not always shine, children and their families, some 60 in all, enjoyed the relaxation and activities offered by the family atmosphere at the Cassini Ranch.

Next year, we are planning to add one more day, and expanding its size to about 75 (maximum) and scope (to include paraclesis and a celebration of the Divine Liturgy).

Thanks, Ari Stratakis, for another great year!

MEANWHILE, DOWN AT THE RANCH: SENIOR CAMP

St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center invites seniors to attend its Senior Camp, a wonderful opportunity for seniors to gather for food, fellowship, and relaxation in the foothills of the Sequoias. Camp this year will take place September 20-24. For additional information, please call the Ranch at 559 338-2103 or log onto its web site, http://www.stnicholasranch.org.

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September 2004 Herald
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral