We thought it best this year not to begin Sunday School right after Labor Day, for just one Sunday, to be followed immediately by our Festival. We thought it best to wait until after the Festival. And, so, Sunday School began Sunday, September 26. We are especially excited this year to be adding a high school class, to be taught by Caroline Pappajohn, with the assistance of the Cathedral clergy.

For the lower grades, parents are invited to attend Sunday School with their children in order to meet the teachers. They will outline their goals and objectives for the Sunday School year. Parents are invited to participate in their children’s religious formation by following up at home with the lessons taught in Sunday School.

Please note the schedule for Semester I, which runs from September 26 through January 9. (The schedule for Semester II will appear in the December Herald.)

DANCE PROGRAM IN FULL SWING

The Cathedral’s folk dance program has resumed on Tuesday, September 28th, following a restful but eventful summer. The Cathedral currently has some eighty youngsters enrolled in the program.

There are four groups:

1) Angelakia (our youngest group). This group is open to children 4 to 7, and is taught by Michael Garibaldi and Leah Stavrakaras. It practices Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. (sharp) until 7:15 p.m.

2) Philadelfakia (our next youngest group). This group is open to children ages 8 to 13. It is taught by Elpida Stavrakaras, Michael Garibaldi and Leah Stavrakaras. It practices Tuesdays, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

3) Kymata (our intermediate group). This group is made up of young people 14 to 18 years of age. It is taught by Athena Stavrakaras, Irene Kyriacou and Lea Lyberopoulos. It practices Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

4) Arete (our senior group). This group is made up of young adult dancers, 19 and up. It is taught by Irene Kyriacou and Lea Lyberopoulos. It practices Sundays, following the Divine Liturgy.

All our groups are preparing to participate at the Folk Dance Festival, to be held at the Convention Center in Ontario, California February 17-20, 2005. Angelakia will be participating in an exhibition (non competitive) performance, while the other three groups will participate in competition. Forms for all groups must be filed by December 31. Accordingly, we have open enrollment for participating in the groups. The cutoff date for enrollment is October 31. We would urge those interested in joining the dance program to do so well in advance of the cutoff date of October 31. To register, show up and introduce yourself to the director on the days when practice is scheduled. A fee of $100 for each dancer shall be paid upon registration. In addition, a stewardship pledge at the Cathedral is required.

The fee goes to offset expenses in connection with the program, including materials and directors’ FDF expenses. It does not cover dancers’ participation at FDF, nor does it cover costs for costumes.
To help offset these costs, fund rasing events, such as the Glendi planned for October 16 are held.

Dancers and their families are expected to participate in these fund raising efforts. For further information, please call the Cathedral at 415 864-8000.

DANCE GROUP GLENDI OCTOBER 16

The Annunciation dance groups will be hosting a Glendi, honoring Father Stephen on the occasion of his birthday, on Saturday, October 16, at the Annunciation Korinthias Hall. The glendi promises to be an evening of fun and dancing with live music by Greek Compania. The evening will begin at 6:00 p.m., with cocktails and appetizers, followed by dinner. The cost of the Glendi is $35.00 per person, $15.00 for teens and $10.00 for children under 10 years of age. Dancers are guests. However, they will be performing for your pleasure and helping with setting up and clearing of tables. To make a reservation or, for further information, contact Tula Kallas-Chase or Athena Stavrakaras or complete the cutoff portion of the flyer, available at the Pangari, and mail it to: Cathedral Glendi, c/o Kathie Garibaldi by October 9.

TRICK-OR-TREAT FOR A CAUSE ON “SILENT NIGHT”

This Halloween, scare up used eyeglasses for people in need, as you trick or treat. Bring the glasses to Sunday School on Sunday, November 7th and we, in turn, will donate them to the Lions Club to be distributed to the needy.

ALL YOUTH HALLOWEEN PARTY

Children of all ages are invited to join our 5th annual Halloween Party. The party will take place at the Cathedral, following the Divine Liturgy, on Sunday, October 31, until 2:30 p.m. Costumes may be brought to church but may be put on only after the Divine Liturgy, that is, after you have received your antidhoron. The party will feature our famous haunted maze, arts n’ crafts, play games, many surprises, as well as food. We welcome the assistance of parents and older youth, of GOYA or YAL age. To volunteer to help, please call Denise Yeilding.

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT/LUNCHEON

Our Sunday School students invite you to share with them as they tell us, in their own way, about the birth of Christ. A play or pageant will be presented, composed of a number of parts. Students accepting parts in the play should attend Sunday School regularly in order to familiarize themselves with the parts and enhance their performance. A complimentary lenten (i.e. meatless) luncheon, sponsored by the Sunday School, will follow. Who knows? Santa may just appear. In any case, there will be a variety of activities for the children, in a festive atmosphere. Every year, this becomes a wonderful family event. Needless to say, many volunteers are needed to pull this off. Please call Denise Yeilding and offer to assist.

JV BASKETBALL PRACTICE BEGINS OCTOBER 14

Junior Varsity Basketball practice for the 2004-2005 season will begin in the Cathedral’s Korinthias Center on Thursday, October 14, at 6:30 p.m. All boys and girls who are of the Orthodox faith and who are registered for Sunday School are welcome to participate. This coming season promises to be a most enjoyable and successful one; let’s get ready to play ball!

FOOD DRIVE

Each year Sunday School participates in the San Francisco Food Bank Drive for the needy. Food is distributed to the homebound, to seniors, and homeless individuals. There is a wonderful lesson to be learned here, which has to do with God’s love, tolerance, and the gift of giving.
We thank you in advance for your generous participation in the Food Drive.

GREEK SCHOOL BEGINS OCTOBER 6

Wednesday, October 6 is the start date of the 2004-2005 Greek School year. We are all set to go. Teachers and materials are in place. And we are looking forward to seeing all of our young people, first graders and up, who wish to learn the language of their ancestors. Greek School takes place every Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The tuition is $200 per student for the entire year. Following the children’s beginners and intermediate Greek class is a class for adults who wish to learn the language. Father Stephen, Fiori, Ismene and Demetra look forward to welcoming you.

YOUNG ADULTS TO GATHER IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Renew friendships and create new ones with young adults from all over the country! All events are open to individuals 18 and older! Join us for a memorable event over Veteran's Day Weekend in November! Meet the author of "A Guide To Greek Traditions And Customs In America."

The Hotel is the Marriott at Metro Center. Make your reservations today! Call the Marriott at 202 737-2200. Ask for the "YOUNG ADULT LEAGUE" rate.. ONLY $99 each night! (Make sure you book by October 29th to get the $99 rate!)

You may also want to check the internet for good rates as well!

NEWS FROM ST. NICHOLAS RANCH

Fall Family Camp 2004: Plant a Tree! – October 22-24
Space is filling fast for Family Camp 2004! Join us for a weekend of family fun that will include apple cidering, canoeing, campfires, hay rides, and much more. This year, each family will also be planting a tree at on the Ranch grounds. Year after year, you will be able to watch your “family tree” grow and remember the good times you had at family camp.

Orthodox Peace Fellowship 2004 Conference – October 29-31
“Salt of the Earth, Light of the World: Living the Similitudes in our Communities”—this is the theme of the 2004 Orthodox Peace Fellowship Conference, which will focus on finding ways of living out our Orthodox faith in our local neighborhoods and communities. Workshops will be led by leaders from a variety of outreach ministries. Featured speakers will include author Jim Forest, Greg and Margaret Yova of Project Mexico, and Fr. John Chryssavgis. The conference is open to both members and non-members of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship. For more information, visit the OPF website at: www.incommunion.org. For more information or to sign up for either of these events, call the Ranch at (559) 338-2103, or visit their website at: www.stnicholasranch.org.