Sunday morning, August 24th, Fr. Mike and Presvyterra Vastakis return to Columbus for this weekend’s Divine Liturgy (10th Sunday of Matthew) at 10am; Orthros 9am [ET]. Jessica “Katherine” Kitchens is the Epistle reader [I Cor. 4:9-16]. Please plan to stay 15-20 minutes after the coffee fellowship for singing practice.

We were sorry to learn the Kletos couldn’t come for the Kyriakou memorial service last weekend, I’ll let you know when it is rescheduled and pray Pete’s back problem/pain improves quickly - perastika!

The calendar for the rest of August [Eastern Time] is as follows:

Sun. Aug 24th - 9am Orthros; 10am Liturgy, Fr. Vastakis
Singing practice after coffee fellowship
Wed. Aug 27th - 5:30pm Bible Study
Sat. Aug 30th - 9:30am Orthros; 10:30am Liturgy, Fr. Stefero
Sun. Aug 31st - 10am Typika (Matins/Lay) Service.

I’ll get the September calendar to y’all as soon as I have it. Don’t forget the half hour EARLIER start times for Wednesday Bible Studies and half hour LATER start times for our Saturday Liturgies with Fr. John. Please also keep Fathers Stefero and Vastakis in your prayers for continued sound health and safe travels to us - we are indeed blessed to have these good shepherds in our spiritual lives.

In an effort to better organize a consistent Sunday School program for our children, Claudia Muse & Donna Hesterman are gathering a list of volunteers willing to join in a rotation for teaching. We can decide on a single curriculum, or we can keep our plan loose and flexible so teachers may more easily adjust to the age range of children present on any particular day. Lesson periods are short 15-20 minutes, and some of that is spent giving the little ones a snack after the Liturgy. Please email Donna [dhesterman@bellsouth.net] with feedback, volunteers, and students that are interested in continuing the program. Many thanks to those who’ve already signed up.

The prosphora rotation - it is as follows:

Aug. 2008 Jessica “Katherine” Kitchens
Sep. 2008 Claudia Muse
Oct. 2008 Barbara Vogus
Nov. 2008 Christine Johnson
Dec. 2008 Donna Hesterman
Jan. 2008 Tom Kubik.

Many thanks also to Presvyterra Vastakis who’s been bringing this blessed input to our Liturgies.

Thanks again to those who’ve donated generously to the Dome Repair and Benevolence Funds. Preliminary estimates for the dome repair place the material costs at approximately $700, thankfully some of our artisans have agreed to donate their carpentry and fiberglass repair skills. If contributions continue at the current rate, it looks like we’ll have the money required to begin before Fall. Those wanting to contribute for this purpose(s) please note on your checks/envelopes so that Peter may allocate it accordingly.

Don’t forget our Food Bank was well depleted by our local community as these tough times persist. If someone could take on the task of being at the church (it is one Saturday a month) to lessen some of the efforts by the Byrds who’ve done so these past years, it would be helpful. Thanks to all who continue to participate and donate to this blessed endeavour, please contact Peter/Maureen at pnmbyrd@charter.net if you can help.

Thanks also to Peter Byrd for the continued effort to keep the Church grounds along with his duties as treasurer and working the food bank with Maureen. I know Pete would be relieved to have someone replace the help Mike Pappafotis provided over these past many years.

Thanks again to Alex Mosjidis & Noah Stansbury for keeping our church website [www.ht-church.com] updated and managing inquiries about HT. Noah is leaving us to head to Geneva College in PA - God’s speed. I’m sure this fine young man will make us proud in all his future endeavours. Let us know if you’re willing to serve with Alex in Noah’s stead. This is an integral part of our future and many may be surprised on how often folks go to our site to find out about our little mission/church in Columbus.

Thanks to Judith “Eleni” Rothschild for cleaning the cover cloth and glass for the table in front of the Iconastacion - it was long overdue; to Tom Kubik, Kelly ‘Mark’ Jolley and others? for the eats and sweets after Saturday’s Liturgy. Thanks also to Stephen Muse for again serving us so well in the Altar along with our weekly Bible Study and Mike Kamar for ushering and dutifully tending to the candles.

Finally, a big “Evharisto Poli” to Stephen and Claudia Muse for the beautiful framed sketch of the Dormition of the Theotokos they donated to Holy Transfiguration.

As always, forgive all my errors and omissions - any suggestion(s) for improvement, edits and/or additions, corrections would be greatly appreciated so I may improve. Keep the Mann & Morris Families, Mike Pappafotis and George Saad in your prayers as well as Francine Brittingham who has had to deal with another death so soon after her Mother. Please also keep all those in our Armed Forces in your prayers - may they continue to serve us well and return home safely in God’s speed.

Your fellow servant of the Holy Spirit,

John Sophocleus.

Sunday morning, August 10th, Fr. Vastakis and Presvyterra return to Columbus to celebrate this weekend’s Divine Liturgy (8th Sunday of Matthew and our Name Day) with us at 10am; Orthros 9am [ET]. Presvyterra has asked me to make a special to plea to those who can make the Orthros - it is indeed beautiful preparation (informative of what the Day’s Venerations include) for the Liturgy, yet all too often poorly attended. Prof. Kelly ‘Mark’ Jolley is the Epistle reader [I Cor. 1:10-17].

Please stay for the Stancu Baptism at the close of the Liturgy and our traditional Name/Feast Day Celebration/Fish Fry Dinner in the Social Hall. There is no Typika this weekend as the Liturgy is Sunday morning - note when Annunciation gets their replacement priest in Montgomery, Fr. John will be serving us every other Sunday with Fr. Vastakis - i.e., we’ll no longer have Saturday Liturgies.

Remember our next ‘Second Saturday’ Food Bank distribution is this weekend, Aug. 9th. If someone could take on the task of being at the church (it is one Saturday a month) to lessen some of the efforts by the Byrds who’ve done so these past years, it would be helpful. Thanks to all who continue to participate and donate to this blessed endeavour increasingly called upon by local citizens as the economy remains in poor condition. Please contact Peter/Maureen at pnmbyrd@charter.net if you can help.

Please keep Fathers Stefero and Vastakis in your prayers for good health and safe travels to us - we are indeed blessed to have these two wonderful shepherds in our spiritual lives. Many thanks to all who came out and welcomed Fr. John and Denise to their first Liturgy at HT, it was truly beautiful — may God grant them many more with us. Fr. Michael and family made it to IL - I’ve included text from him below.

The calendar for the rest of August [Eastern Time] is as follows:

Sat. Aug 9th - ‘Second Saturday’ Food Bank Distribution
Sun. Aug 10th - 9am Orthros; 10am Liturgy, Fr. Vastakis
Stancu Baptism following the Liturgy
Church Name Day Celebration/Fish Fry Dinner
Sat. Aug 16th - 9:30am Orthros; 10:30am Liturgy, Fr. Stefero
Costas & Helen Kyriakou Memorial [1]
Sun. Aug 17th - 10am Typika (Matins/Lay) Service
Wed. Aug 20th - 5:30pm Bible Study Classes begin [2]
Sun. Aug 24th - 9am Orthros; 10am Liturgy, Fr. Vastakis
Singing practice after coffee fellowship [3]
Wed. Aug 27th - 5:30pm Bible Study
Sat. Aug 30th - 9:30am Orthros; 10:30am Liturgy, Fr. Stefero
Sun. Aug 31st - 10am Typika (Matins/Lay) Service.

Notes:
[1] Please welcome the Kletos back to HT as they’re coming to participate
in the Kyriakou memorial service.

[2] Note our Wednesday Bible Study classes resume from the Summer break
(following the Dormition of The Theotokos) with a NEW starting time of
5:30pm so more who want to attend may make it. Prof. Muse hopes this
will be a good way for folks to end their day after work and have a
spiritual boost/fellowship before going home to families early enough
for supper, etc. He always makes a sincere effort (and is usually
successful) to begin promptly and end on time at 6:30pm.

[3] Please also note on your calendars to stay approximately 20 mins.
after the coffee fellowship on August 24th. Jessica ‘Katherine’
Kitchens would like to get back into the practice of periodically
going over upcoming hymns to improve our congregational singing.

In an effort to better organize a consistent Sunday School program for our children, Claudia Muse & Donna Hesterman are gathering a list of volunteers willing to join in a rotation for teaching. We can decide on a single curriculum, or we can keep our plan loose and flexible. It may be best to keep our plans flexible so teachers can more easily adjust to the age range of children present on any particular day. Lesson periods are short (15-20 minutes, and some of that is spent giving the little ones a snack after the Liturgy). Text and some craft/presentation materials are already available. They are in the Sunday School room if you would like to take a look. Please email Donna [dhesterman@bellsouth.net] with feedback, volunteers, and students that are interested in continuing the program.

The prosphora rotation - it is as follows:

Aug. 2008 Jessica “Katherine” Kitchens
Sep. 2008 Claudia Muse
Oct. 2008 Barbara Vogus
Nov. 2008 Christine Johnson
Dec. 2008 Donna Hesterman
Jan. 2008 Tom Kubik.

Many thanks also to Presvyterra Vastakis who’s been bringing this blessed input to our Liturgies.

Thanks again to those who’ve already donated generously to the Dome Repair and Benevolence Funds. Preliminary estimates for the dome repair place the material costs at approximately $700, thankfully some of our artisans have agreed to donate their carpentry and fiberglass repair skills. If contributions continue at the current rate, it looks like we’ll have the money required to begin before Fall. Those wanting to contribute for this purpose(s) please note on your checks/envelopes so that Peter may allocate it accordingly.

As always, many thanks to Peter Byrd for the continued effort to keep the Church grounds along with his duties as treasurer and working the food bank with Maureen. I know Pete would be relieved to have someone replace the help Mike Pappafotis provided over these past many years.

Thanks to Alex Mosjidis & Noah Stansbury for keeping our church website [www.ht-church.com] updated and managing inquiries about HT. Noah soon will be leaving us for college - let me know if you’re willing to serve with Alex in Noah’s stead. This is an integral part of our future and many may be surprised on how often folks go to our site to find out about us.

Another thanks to Tom Kubik, Kelly “Mark” Jolley, Mike Kamar and others? for providing the eats and sweets after Saturday’s Liturgy. Thanks also once again to Claudia Muse for the clean-up effort. Thanks also to Stephen Muse for again serving us so well in the Altar and Mike Kamar for ushering and dutifully tending to the candles.

Take a moment to thank Jessica “Katherine” Kitchens (one of our Archangel Michael Award recipients this year) for the progress on the new Altar cloth, lectern cover and possibly another Altar boy robe from the material Fr. Michael donated. She has it sewn together, but is still trying to find a suitable trim for the edges to finish it - if you know of some other places for her to look (I think she was down to her last two thin hopes locally) you may want to tell her.

In closing, I sadly type that Richard Charo (Sophia Mann’s step-father) passed away Friday. Please keep her and the entire Mann Family in your prayers though this difficult time - may God’s love fill the void of their loss of one held so dear. Eonia imnemi.

As always, forgive all my errors and omissions - any suggestion(s) for improvement, edits and/or additions, corrections would be greatly appreciated so I may improve. Keep the Morris Family, Mike Pappafotis and George Saad in your prayers. Please also keep all those in our Armed Forces in your prayers - may they continue to serve us well and return home safely in God’s speed.

Wishing all at Holy Transfiguration a blessed Name Day celebration,

John Sophocleus.

PS: I thought I’d include some of the text [below] from Fr. Michael that includes his new address.
_________________________________________________________________________
Dear John,

Christ is in our midst! I have not been able to get to email, as it has been very hectic here, and the priest’s office is undergoing renovation. This past Saturday-Sunday, the Bishop was visiting, so I have “hit the ground running” so to speak, with his visit and the Lent of the Virgin Mary.

My new address is: 2009 Three Hierarchs Court, Champaign, IL 61820. It is a parsonage near the church. We will be moving in the week of August 18th. This will be our mailing address. The email will be champaignpriest@aim.com. I am working on getting a new cell phone number.

The community here is much like the one at Holy Transfiguration. The Epistle this past Sunday was read in five different languages. You would have loved it; and the congregation sings the entire liturgy as all of you do.

I pray Fr. John and Fr. Mike will be given strength from God to continue the ministry, nurturing and watering the seeds that have been planted there.

Stay strong and stay in Christ!

+Fr. Michael Condos

Saturday morning, August 2nd, Fr. John Stefero comes to Columbus to celebrate his first Divine Liturgy (Seventh Sunday of Matthew) with us at 10:30am; Orthros 9:30am [ET]. Please note the half hour later start times and make every effort to welcome Rev. Fr. John to Holy Transfiguration. Father and his wife Denise will be coming from the NW Atlanta area, so we may adjust the start time next week a little later if it will improve their travel. Noah Stansbury is the Epistle reader [Rom 15:1-7].

The Typika (Matins/Lay) Service is Sunday morning, 10am for those who can not make the Saturday Liturgy.

Please keep Fathers Stefero and Vastakis in your prayers for good health and safe travels to us - we are indeed blessed to have these two wonderful shepherds in our spiritual lives. I (as well as the Allens) have many fond memories of Fr. John when he served at Annunciation during his assignment as Chaplin at Maxwell AFB and delighted that he’ll be serving in Columbus. As Fr. Michael was happy to forecast, when a replacement priest is sent to Montgomery, we’ll be having all our Liturgies on Sunday mornings, alternating weeks between Fathers Stefero and Vastakis.

Fr. Michael has prepared us well. I’m excited to have Fr. John as a part of the next chapter in our future as we continue to grow and move forward in our mission/church in Columbus. Please keep Fr. Michael and his family in your prayers as they settle into their new lives in Champagne/Urbana.

The calendar for August [Eastern Time] is as follows:

Sun. Aug 2nd - 10:30am Liturgy; 9:30am Orthros, Fr. Stefero
Sun. Aug 3rd - 10am Typika (Matins/Lay) Service
Sat. Aug 9th - ‘Second Saturday’ Food Bank Distribution
Sun. Aug 10th - 10am Liturgy; 9am Orthros, Fr. Vastakis
Stancu Baptism following the Liturgy
Church Name Day Celebration/Fish Fry Dinner
Sat. Aug 16th - Liturgy/Orthros TBA, Fr. Stefero
Sun. Aug 17th - 10am Typika (Matins/Lay) Service
Wed. Aug 20th - 5:30pm Bible Study Classes begin
Sun. Aug 24th - 10am Liturgy; 9am Orthros, Fr. Vastakis
Wed. Aug 27th - 5:30pm Bible Study
Sat. Aug 30th - Liturgy/Orthros TBA, Fr. Stefero
Sun. Aug 31st - 10am Typika (Matins/Lay) Service.

Note our Wednesday Bible Study classes resume from the Summer break (following the Dormition of The Theotokos) with a NEW starting time of 5:30pm so more who want to attend may make it. Prof. Muse hopes this will be a good way for folks to end their day after work and have a spiritual boost/fellowship before going home to families early enough for supper, etc. He always makes a sincere effort (and is usually successful) to begin promptly and end on time at 6:30pm.

The prosphora rotation - it is as follows:

Aug. 2008 Jessica “Katherine” Kitchens
Sep. 2008 Claudia Muse
Oct. 2008 Barbara Vogus
Nov. 2008 Christine Johnson
Dec. 2008 Donna Hesterman
Jan. 2008 Tom Kubik.

Many thanks also to Presvyterra Vastakis who’s been bringing this blessed input to our Liturgies.

Many thanks to those who’ve already donated generously to the Dome Repair and Benevolence Funds. Preliminary estimates for the dome repair place the material costs at approximately $700, thankfully some of our artisans have agreed to donate their carpentry and fiberglass repair skills. If contributions continue at the current rate, it looks like we’ll have the money required to begin before Fall. Those wanting to contribute for this purpose(s) please note on your checks/envelopes so that Peter may allocate it accordingly.

As always, many thanks to Peter Byrd for the continued effort to keep the Church grounds along with his duties as treasurer and working the food bank with Maureen. I know Pete would be relieved to have someone replace the help Mike Pappafotis provided over these past many years. It was indeed a wonderful sight to witness local folks from the neighborhood chipping in on the yard work last weekend w/o being asked. What nicer, blessed way to say thanks by those who appreciate our efforts to help the Bealwood community.

Thanks to Alex Mosjidis & Noah Stansbury’s for keeping our church website [www.ht-church.com] updated and managing inquiries about HT. It is my understanding Noah soon will be leaving us for college - let me know if you’re willing to serve with Alex in Noah’s stead. This is an integral part of our future and many may be surprised on how often folks go to our site to find out about us.

Another thanks to Tom Kubik & Presvyterra Vastakis(the little grapes were great!), Kelly “Mark” Jolley, and others? for providing the eats and sweets after Sunday’s Liturgy - esp. Claudia Muse for the clean-up effort. Thanks also to Mike Kamar for ushering and dutifully tending to the candles.

A special thanks to Chris Frangedakis for serving us so well in the Altar as he was visiting is son at Fr. Benning - congrats on his expected granddaughter. May God grant his daughter-in-law a safe and healthy delivery and grant them all many blessed years together.

Thanks also to Jessica “Katherine” Kitchens (one of our Archangel Michael Award recipients this year) for the progress on the new Altar cloth from the material Fr. Michael donated. She has it sewn together, but is still trying to find a suitable trim for the edges to finish it. Although some of the cloth had bolt holes in it, there was plenty for a lectern cover. While she is tooled up and sewing for us she may also be able to do another Altar boy robe for us.

In closing, a reminder our Food Bank distribution is next weekend and I’ll once again ask if someone may take on the task of being at the church (it is one Saturday a month) to lessen some of the efforts by the Byrds who’ve done so these past years. Thanks to all who continue to participate/donate to our “Second Saturday” food bank distributions. If you can help in the future effort, please contact Peter/Maureen at [pnmbyrd@charter.net].

As always, forgive all my errors and omissions - any suggestion(s) for improvement, edits and/or additions, corrections would be greatly appreciated so I may improve. Please keep the Morris Family, Richard Charo, Mike Pappafotis and George Saad in your prayers. Please also keep all those in our Armed forces in your prayers - may they continue to serve us well and return home safely in God’s speed.

Your fellow servant of the Holy Spirit,

John Sophocleus.

PS: I thought I’d include some of the text [below] from Fr. Michael (that Tom Kubik read in church Sunday) for those who were not there.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Subject: Priest and schedule for August
Date: Friday, July 25, 2008 12:44 PM
From: “montgomerycleric@aim.com”
To: tkubik@wcbradley.com, sophocls@yahoo.com, chancellor@atlmetropolis.org

Dear Tom,

Christ is in our midst! I give you some good news that our chancellor, along with His Eminence, has appointed a priest to serve at Holy Transfiguration Columbus.

He is Rev. Fr. John Stefero, a USAF Chaplin retired and relocated to the Atlanta area. He will be filling in at Annunciation Montgomery until a permanent pastor is assigned which should be relatively soon (this Fall).

In the meantime, the Chancellor has assured me that he wants to leave the current schedule in place with respect to Fr. Michael Vastakis. Once a permanent priest is assigned to Montgomery, Fr. Stefero and Fr. Vastakis will serve on alternating Sunday mornings. (I am so happy that you will have regular Sunday morning services)

Until that time, His Eminence has requested that at least for August, to please allow Fr. Stefero to serve on Saturday mornings, so that he can simply drive from Columbus to Montgomery. I have given Fr. Stefero the address of the Church and the phone number.

Presvytera and I want to thank you for the beautiful dinner and book you presented this past Sunday. Praying for the continued blessing of the Lord for the parish family of Holy Transfiguration, I remain prayerfully yours in Christ,

+Fr. Michael Condos

Sunday morning, July 27th, Fr. Mike Vastakis returns to Columbus for our ‘Sixth Sunday of Matthew’ Divine Liturgy celebration at 10am; Orthros 9am [ET]. Tom Kubik is the Epistle reader [II Tim 2:1-10]. There is no Typika (Matins/ Lay) Service since this weekend’s Liturgy falls at the traditional time.

Please keep Father and Presvyterra Vastakis in your prayers for continued good health and safe travels to us from Milledgeville - indeed an inspiring example of sacrifice to perform God’s work for us all to witness. Please also keep all of the Condos family in your prayers as they deal with the stress and trepidation of moving back to the Chicago area at the end of this month.

Father Michael’s farewell supper was truly delightful, however bittersweet it is to see him go. Illinois gain is indeed our loss - thank God good men like Fathers Condos and Vastakis answered to call to serve Him as our spiritual shepherds. Please keep Bishop Alexious in your prayers as he makes difficult decisions with respect to allocation of the scarce and precious resource of our priests. Indeed we’ve been very blessed to have Fathers Condos and Vastakis these almost two years after hearing the church Fr. Michael will be serving has been without for over a year. I know the Metropolitan, Chancellor & Vicar are concerned and working on how we’ll proceed. I’ll have the details/calendar to y’all as soon as Pres. Kubik gets the details from Atlanta and passes them on to me.

I’m very pleased to report that Francine Brittingham has agreed to return to the PC for the remainder of the Mike Pappafotis term. Francine is a veteran who’s spiritual compass has been true for us through rough and clear seas - I’m sure I speak for all in typing how glad we are to welcome her back to the Council.

Our Wednesday Bible Study classes will resume from the Summer break following the Dormition of The Theotokos. Please mark your calendars on 8/20 with the NEW starting time of 5:30pm in hopes that some more who want to attend may make it. Prof. Muse hopes this will be a good way for folks to end work and have a spiritual boost and fellowship before going home to families early enough for supper, etc. and he always makes a sincere effort (and is usually successful) to begin promptly and end on time at 6:30pm.

Please also mark Sunday, August 10th on your calendars for when we’ll celebrate the Name/Feast Day of the Holy Transfiguration and the Stancu Baptism with our usual fish fry to follow.

The prosphora rotation - it is as follows:

Aug. 2008 Jessica “Katherine” Kitchens
Sep. 2008 Claudia Muse
Oct. 2008 Barbara Vogus
Nov. 2008 Christine Johnson
Dec. 2008 Donna Hesterman
Jan. 2008 Tom Kubik.

Many thanks also to Presvyterra Vastakis who’s been bringing this blessed input to our Liturgies these past months - i.e., we have plenty “in reserve.”

It was wonderful to have our new Chalice in time for Fr. Michael to bless for the first use in our Sunday evening Liturgy. Thanks again to Francine Brittingham and Gus Vogas donating the complete amount for our replacement Chalice in loving memory of their Mother, Kay Headrick. Please join me in thanking Francine and Gus next time you see them as well the folks in Montgomery for loaning one to us these past many months. I know some others (incl. Fr. Michael, Sophia Mann, et al) pledged/donated for this purchase. Please let Peter Byrd know if you’d like your donation returned, redirected to the dome repair, benevolence fund or put into the general fund. Thanks also to Tom Kubik for all his time and efforts in getting it to us so promptly.

While on the subject of funds, many thanks also to those who’ve already donated generously to the Dome Repair and Benevolence Funds. Preliminary estimates for the dome repair place the material costs at approximately $700, thankfully some of our artisans have agreed to donate their carpentry and fiberglass repair skills. Special thanks to BOTH Fathers Condos & Vastakis who’ve given above the call to the endeavour - if contributions continue at the current rate, it looks like we will have the money required to begin before Fall. Those wanting to contribute for this purpose(s) please note on your checks/envelopes so that Peter may allocate it accordingly.

As always, many thanks to Peter Byrd for the continued effort to keep the Church grounds - I hope you’ve taken time to notice how things bloomed and greened up with the recent rains. I know Pete would be relieved to have someone replace the help Mike Pappafotis provided over these past many years. Sorry, I still don’t know if he’d decided to reside with family in NC or GA for those who’ve asked.

Thanks to Alex Mosjidis & Noah Stansbury’s for keeping our church website [www.ht-church.com] updated and managing inquiries about HT. It is my understanding Noah soon will be leaving us for college - let me know if you’re willing to serve with Alex in Noah’s stead.

A HUGE thanks to Francine Brittingham & Tom Kubik, Kelly “Mark” Jolley, the Allens, Byrds, Kitchens, Muses, Christine Johnson, Sophia Mann, Johana Ramsey (and others?) for providing the excellent meal, drink and sweets for Fr. Michael’s farewell supper. It was a warm, loving send-off and nice to wish him well as he returns to the Chicago area. A special thanks to Stephen Muse for the wonderful gift idea, I hope everyone had a chance to sign the book.

Thanks to Joshua Mann and Dylan Brittingham for serving us so well in the Altar during Fr. Michael’s last Liturgy with us. Seeing so many young people Sunday evening was one of the many things Father noted as an integral part of the bright future for our young mission/church in Columbus.

Congrats to our St. Michael Award Recipients; the young Jessica “Katherine” Kitchens and elder John Sophocleus. Jessica has all too often been one of the ‘unsung heroines’ of Holy Transfiguration with too many offices and accomplishments to enumerate, including many years with the Philoptochos and on our PC. Her many abilities include making the new Altar Cover with the material Fr. Michael donated to us.

BTW, thanks to the Hestermans for new, BIG, sturdy trash cans. They sure came in handy not having to smash all the trash we generate during events like Father’s farewell supper into the few smaller ones we had.

I’ll end on a more somber note thanking Peter Byrd for repairing the damage from the attempted break-in to our storage building. This was time that we’d plan to devote to some preliminary work on Dome and more painting & caulking. It is not difficult to see in all the text above that Peter is a big part of our efforts at HT. So, as I remind and thank all who continue to participate in the blessed endeavour of our “Second Saturday” food bank distributions, I’ll ask for someone to agree to take on the task of being at the church (it is one Saturday a month) to take some of the task off of the Byrds who’ve done so these past years. If you can help in the future effort, please contact Peter/Maureen at [pnmbyrd@charter.net].

As always, forgive all my errors and omissions - any suggestion(s) for improvement, edits and/or additions, corrections would be greatly appreciated so I may improve.

In closing, please keep the Morris Family, Richard Charo, Mike Pappafotis, Jerri Earnest and George Saad in your prayers. Please also keep all those in our Armed forces in your prayers - may they continue to serve us well and return home safely in God’s speed.

Your fellow servant of the Holy Spirit,

John Sophocleus.

PS: Those interested in purchasing things for future weddings & baptisms - may consider reading the text from Ms Nikolatos below:

We have opened the very first store in Atlanta for Greek Orthodox
weddings and baptisms and would like to see if we can place the
following announcement in your bulletin or newsletter:

“We are pleased to announce the opening of the very first store
in Atlanta for Greek Orthodox Weddings & Baptisms. “Yianna’s at
Northlake” offers everything you may need for your special
occasions such as stefana ( wedding crowns), candles,favors,
martirika, baptism clothes, gold crosses, etc. We are
conveniently located off of I-285/LaVista at 2007-B Montreal Rd,
Tucker, GA 30084. You may reach us at 770 621-3610 or 770 262-2866.
You may also email us at yianna@yianna.com.”

Thank you,
Soula Nikolatos
678/360-4046

It is with heavy hands I type Sunday evening, July 20th, Fr. Michael comes to Columbus for his last Divine Liturgy celebration with us at Holy Transfiguration; 6:30pm [EST]. Tom Kubik is the Epistle reader [James 5:10-20]. Our Typika (Matins/Lay) Service is Sunday morning, 10am for those who can not make this weekend’s evening Liturgy.

We’ve indeed been blessed to have Father Michael through some tough and wonderful times. Please plan to stay after the Liturgy for a brief supper where we’ll bid Father farewell to his next assignment. Just at it was hard to see Fr. Vasili leave us for Augusta, but very clear His Eminence wisely sent him to where he could best use his talents to serve the Church, keep Bishop Alexious in your prayers as he makes these difficult decisions with respect to allocation of the scarce and precious resource of our priests. Fr. Michael has prepared us well to carry on and shepherd us toward Christ’s path as we try to become Holy representatives of God in this world.

Next weekend’s Liturgy falls on the traditional time, Sunday July 27th; 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy with Fr. Vastakis. I should have the August calendar in my next e-mail as Pres. Kubik gets the details from Atlanta. Note our Bible Study classes will not resume from the Summer break until August, following the Dormition of The Theotokos (8/15). Please also mark Sunday, August 10th on your calendars as when we Celebrate the Name/Feast Day of the Holy Transfiguration and the Stancu Baptism with our usual fish fry to follow.

Please keep Fathers Condos and Vastakis in your prayers for continued good health and safe travels…. especially the entire Condos family as they deal with the stress and trepidation of moving at the end of this month.

It has been a while since I’ve included the prosphora rotation - it is as follows:

Aug. 2008 Jessica “Catherine” Kitchens
Sep. 2008 Claudia Muse
Oct. 2008 Barbara Vogus
Nov. 2008 Christine Johnson
Dec. 2008 Donna Hesterman
Jan. 2008 Tom Kubik.

Many thanks also to Presvyterra Vastakis who’s been bringing this blessed input to our Liturgies these past months - i.e., we have plenty “in reserve.”

Our ‘Second Saturday’ Food Bank Distribution this month was again well received. Many thanks to all who continue to participate in this blessed endeavour as demand for our assistance increases during these difficult times. With Maureen out of town Peter did it ’solo’ - please take a moment to thank him — if you can help in the future effort, contact Peter/Maureen at [pnmbyrd@charter.net].

Father will be returning the Chalice we’ve had on loan from Annunciation in Montgomery when he leaves Sunday night. Thanks again to Francine Brittingham and Gus Vogas donating the complete amount for our replacement Chalice in loving memory of their Mother, Kay Headrick. The new one should be here in time for next week’s Liturgy. Please join me in thanking Francine and Gus next time you see them. I know some others (including Fr. Michael, Sophia Mann, et al) pledged/donated for this purchase. Please let Peter Byrd know if you’d like your donation returned, redirected to the dome repair, benevolence fund or put into the general fund.

While on the subject of funds, many thanks also to those who’ve already donated generously to the Dome Repair and Benevolence Funds. Preliminary estimates for the dome repair place the material costs at approximately $700, thankfully some of our artisans have agreed to donate their carpentry and fiberglass repair skills. Special thanks to BOTH Fathers Condos & Vastakis who’ve given above the call to the endeavour - if contributions continue at the current rate, it looks like we will have the money required to begin before Fall. Those wanting to contribute for this purpose(s) please note on your checks/envelopes so that Peter may allocate it accordingly. Fr. Michael also suggested an Altar fund as materials and supplies have dwindled - let Tom Kubik or any other PC member your thoughts on that as well.

As always, many thanks to Peter Byrd for the continued effort to keep the Church grounds - I hope you’ve taken time to notice how things bloomed and greened up with the recent rains. I know Pete would be relieved to have someone replace the help Mike Pappafotis provided over these past many years. The PC unanimously came up with a name for Mike’s replacement - sorry I don’t yet know to pass on if (s)he consented.

Thanks to Alex Mosjidis & Noah Stansbury’s for keeping our church website [www.ht-church.com] updated and managing inquiries about HT. It is my understanding Noah soon will be leaving us for college - let me know if you’re willing to serve with Alex in Noah’s stead. Thanks also to Nick and Barbara Vogas, Kelly “Mark” Jolley, the Allens, Presvyterra (and others?) for providing the eats after Sunday’s Liturgy. A final DOUBLE thanks to Stephen Muse for again serving us so well in the Altar AND chanting Sunday.

As always, please forgive all my errors and omissions - any suggestion(s) for improvement, edits and/or additions, corrections would be greatly appreciated so I may improve.

In closing, please keep the Morris Family, Richard Charo, Mike Pappafotis, Jerri Earnest and George Saad in your prayers. Please also keep all those in our Armed forces in your prayers - may they continue to serve us well and return home safely in God’s speed.

Your fellow servant of the Holy Spirit,

John Sophocleus.

PS: I’m trying to make some contacts/inquiries to see if HT may be able to bulk purchase food for our ‘Second Saturday’ distributions. It is clear that the economy is not going to improve anytime soon and that want for our help will be increasing. Any person, company or organisation you think I should contact - please let me know. Thanks for all the help.

Sunday morning, July 13th Fr. Vastakis returns to Columbus for this weekend’s 10am [EST] Divine Liturgy celebration; Orthros 9am. Kelly ‘Mark’ Jolley is the Epistle reader [Titus 3:8-15] since I read (however poorly) in his place last weekend. Tom Kubik will be out of town, so many thanks in advance to Stephen Muse for coming in early for set-up and chanting in Tom’s stead.

Our ‘Second Saturday’ Food Bank Distribution is July 12th. Many thanks to all who continue to participate in this blessed endeavour as demand for our assistance increases during these difficult times. Maureen will be out of town this weekend, so please come at 10-10:15am to help Peter Byrd [pnmbyrd@charter.net] with the effort.

I’m delighted to type there will be no Typika this weekend as our Liturgy falls at the traditional time.

The calendar of our future dates is as follows:

Sat. July 12 - ‘Second Saturday’ Food Distribution
Sun. July 13 - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy; Fr Vastakis
Sun. July 20 - 6:30pm Evening Liturgy; Fr Michael
Sun. July 27 - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy; Fr Vastakis.

Note our Bible Study classes will not resume from the Summer break until August, following the Dormition of The Theotokos.

As always, please pray for Fathers Condos and Vastakis (w/ Presbyterra) continued good health and safe travels to us each weekend. We are so very blessed to have such good shepherds in our spiritual lives.

Many thanks to those who’ve already donated generously to the Dome Repair and Benevolence Funds. Preliminary estimates for the dome repair place the material costs at approximately $700, thankfully some of our artisans have agreed to donate their carpentry and fiberglass repair skills. Special thanks again to BOTH Fathers Condos & Vastakis who’ve given above the call to the endeavour - if contributions continue at the current rate, it looks like we will have the money required to begin before Fall. Those wanting to contribute for this purpose(s) please note on your checks/envelopes so that Peter may allocate it accordingly.

Thanks again to Francine Brittingham and Gus Vogas donating the complete amount for our replacement Chalice in loving memory of their Mother, Kay Headrick. The mechanics of the purchase were put into place at our last PC meeting and it will be here next week. As many of you know, we’ve been using the one on loan from Annunciation in Montgomery for over a year. Please join me in thanking Francine and Gus next time you see them. I know some others (including Fr. Michael, Sophia Mann, et al) pledged/donated for this purchase. Please let Peter Byrd know if you’d like your donation returned, redirected to the dome repair, benevolence fund or put into the general fund.

As always, many thanks to Peter Byrd for the continued effort to keep the Church grounds - I know Pete would be relieved to have someone replace the help Mike Pappafotis provided over these past many years. It is quite an effort to keep it looking so well with another dry Summer upon us. The PC unanimously came up with a name for Mike’s replacement - who Tom will contact. If (s)he agrees, I’ll let y’all know.

Thanks to Alex Mosjidis & Noah Stansbury’s for keeping our church website [www.ht-church.com] updated and managing inquiries about HT. It is my understanding Noah soon will be leaving us for college - let me know if you’re willing to serve with Alex in his stead. Thanks also to Tom Kubik (and others?) for providing the eats after Saturday’s Liturgy. A final thanks to Stephen Muse for again serving us so well in the Altar during last Saturday’s liturgy.

As always, please forgive all my errors and omissions - any suggestion(s) for improvement, edits and/or additions, corrections would be greatly appreciated so I may improve.

In closing, please keep the Morris Family, Richard Charo, Mike Pappafotis, Jerri Earnest and George Saad in your prayers. Please also keep all those in our Armed forces in your prayers - may they continue to serve us well and return home safely in God’s speed.

Your fellow servant of the Holy Spirit,

John Sophocleus.

PS: I’m trying to make some contacts/inquiries to see if HT may be able to bulk purchase food for our ‘Second Saturday’ distributions. It is clear that the economy is not going to improve anytime soon and that want for our help will be increasing. Any person, company or organisation you think I should contact - please let me know. Thanks for all the help.

Saturday morning, July 5th Fr. Michael comes to Columbus 10am [ET] for this weekend’s Divine Liturgy celebration, Orthros 9:30am. Please send any special prayers and/or remembrances to Father via montgomerycleric@aim.com or (334)202-6646 by phone. Kelly ‘Mark’ Jolley is the Epistle reader [Rom 5:1-11].

Our next Parish Council meeting follows the Saturday morning Liturgy. The Typika (Matins/Lay) Service will be Sunday (7/6) at 10am for those who can not make the Saturday Liturgy.

The calendar of our future dates is as follows:

Sat. July 5 - 9:30am Orthros/10am Liturgy; Fr Michael
PC meeting after the Liturgy
Sat. July 12 - ‘Second Saturday’ Food Distribution
Sun. July 13 - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy; Fr Vastakis
Sun. July 20 - 6:30pm Evening Liturgy; Fr Michael
Sun. July 27 - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy; Fr Vastakis.

Bible Study classes will not resume from the Summer break until August, please forgive my incorrectly putting them in July calendar in my last e-mail. Many thanks to Stephen for serving in the Altar immediately upon his return from Greece - I hope he wasn’t too ‘jet lagged.’ We also pray Fr. Condos and his family had a restful and blessed vacation travel to Florida and return to us along with Fr. Vastakis & Presvyterra’s continued good health and safe travels to us from Milledgeville.

Our ‘Second Saturday’ Food Bank Distribution is July 12th. Thanks to all those who continue to participate in this blessed endeavour as demand for our help increases during these difficult times. Please contact Maureen or Peter Byrd at pnmbyrd@charter.net if you can help with the effort.

Many thanks to those who’ve already donated generously to the Dome Repair and Benevolence Funds. Preliminary estimates for the dome repair place the material costs at approximately $700, thankfully some of our artisans have agreed to donate their carpentry and fiberglass repair skills. Special thanks again to BOTH Fathers Condos & Vastakis who’ve given above the call to the endeavour - it looks like we will have the money required to begin before Fall. Those wanting to contribute for this purpose(s) please note on your checks/envelopes so that Peter may allocate it accordingly.

Thanks again to Francine Brittingham and Gus Vogas donating the complete amount for our replacement Chalice in loving memory of their Mother, Kay Headrick. As many of you know we’ve been using the one on loan from Annunciation in Montgomery for over a year. Please join me in thanking Francine and Gus next time you see them. I know some others (including Fr. Michael) pledged/donated for this purchase. Please let Peter Byrd know if you’d like your donation returned, redirected to the dome repair, benevolence fund or put into the general fund.

As always, many thanks to Peter Byrd for the continued effort to keep the Church grounds - I’m sure Pete would be delighted to have someone replace the help Mike Pappafotis provided over these past many years. It is quite an effort to keep it looking so well with another dry Summer upon us.

Thanks to Alex Mosjidis & Noah Stansbury’s for keeping our church website [www.ht-church.com] updated and managing inquiries about HT. A special thanks to Tom Kubik and Presnyterra for providing the eats after our Sunday Liturgy.

As always, please forgive all my errors and omissions - even more profound I’m sure given my absence last weekend. Any suggestion(s) for improvement, edits and/or additions, corrections would be greatly appreciated so I may improve.

In closing, please keep the Morris Family, Richard Charo, Mike Pappafotis, Jerri Earnest and George Saad in your prayers. Please also keep all those in our Armed forces in your prayers - may they continue to serve us well and return home safely in God’s speed. A thankful prayer in remembrance of Jefferson’s July 2nd Declaration approved and read to the Continental Army two days later to give these brave men further resolve to fight for a future that may enjoy blessings of Liberty may be most appropriate this 4th of July.

Wishing you a blessed 232nd Independence Day Celebration,

John Sophocleus.

PS: I thought I’d share the text below from Norma Harakas:

— On Sat, 6/28/08, john english wrote:

Hi John!

Thanks as always for your detailed e-mails. Please send our regards to Mike as he prepares to leave Columbus. I know he will be greatly missed at HT!! Please send our love to everyone at church!!

Norma

Our next Parish Council meeting follows the Saturday morning Liturgy. The Typika (Matins/Lay) Service will be Sunday (7/6) at 10am for those who can not make the Saturday Liturgy.

The calendar of our future dates is as follows:

Sat. July 5 - 9:30am Orthros/10am Liturgy; Fr Michael
PC meeting after the Liturgy
Sat. July 12 - ‘Second Saturday’ Food Distribution
Sun. July 13 - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy; Fr Vastakis
Sun. July 20 - 6:30pm Evening Liturgy; Fr Michael
Sun. July 27 - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy; Fr Vastakis.

Bible Study classes will not resume from the Summer break until August, please forgive my incorrectly putting them in July calendar in my last e-mail. Many thanks to Stephen for serving in the Altar immediately upon his return from Greece - I hope he wasn’t too ‘jet lagged.’ We also pray Fr. Condos and his family had a restful and blessed vacation travel to Florida and return to us along with Fr. Vastakis & Presvyterra’s continued good health and safe travels to us from Milledgeville.

Our ‘Second Saturday’ Food Bank Distribution is July 12th. Thanks to all those who continue to participate in this blessed endeavour as demand for our help increases during these difficult times. Please contact Maureen or Peter Byrd at pnmbyrd@charter.net if you can help with the effort.

Many thanks to those who’ve already donated generously to the Dome Repair and Benevolence Funds. Preliminary estimates for the dome repair place the material costs at approximately $700, thankfully some of our artisans have agreed to donate their carpentry and fiberglass repair skills. Special thanks again to BOTH Fathers Condos & Vastakis who’ve given above the call to the endeavour - it looks like we will have the money required to begin before Fall. Those wanting to contribute for this purpose(s) please note on your checks/envelopes so that Peter may allocate it accordingly.

Thanks again to Francine Brittingham and Gus Vogas donating the complete amount for our replacement Chalice in loving memory of their Mother, Kay Headrick. As many of you know we’ve been using the one on loan from Annunciation in Montgomery for over a year. Please join me in thanking Francine and Gus next time you see them. I know some others (including Fr. Michael) pledged/donated for this purchase. Please let Peter Byrd know if you’d like your donation returned, redirected to the dome repair, benevolence fund or put into the general fund.

As always, many thanks to Peter Byrd for the continued effort to keep the Church grounds - I’m sure Pete would be delighted to have someone replace the help Mike Pappafotis provided over these past many years. It is quite an effort to keep it looking so well with another dry Summer upon us.

Thanks to Alex Mosjidis & Noah Stansbury’s for keeping our church website [www.ht-church.com] updated and managing inquiries about HT. A special thanks to Tom Kubik and Presnyterra for providing the eats after our Sunday Liturgy.

As always, please forgive all my errors and omissions - even more profound I’m sure given my absence last weekend. Any suggestion(s) for improvement, edits and/or additions, corrections would be greatly appreciated so I may improve.

In closing, please keep the Morris Family, Richard Charo, Mike Pappafotis, Jerri Earnest and George Saad in your prayers. Please also keep all those in our Armed forces in your prayers - may they continue to serve us well and return home safely in God’s speed. A thankful prayer in remembrance of Jefferson’s July 2nd Declaration approved and read to the Continental Army two days later to give these brave men further resolve to fight for a future that may enjoy blessings of Liberty may be most appropriate this 4th of July.

Sunday morning, June 29th Fr. Vatakis returns to Columbus for this weekend’s 10am [ET] Divine Liturgy, Orthros 9am. Noah Stansbury is the Epistle reader [II Cor 11:21-33; 12:1-9].

The calendar of our future dates is as follows:

Sun. June 29 - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy; Fr Vastakis
Sat. July 5 - 9:30am Orthros/10am Liturgy; Fr Michael
PC meeting after the Liturgy
Wed. July 9 - 6:30pm Bible Study
Sat. July 12 - ‘Second Saturday’ Food Distribution
Sun. July 13 - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy; Fr Vastakis
Wed. July 16 - 6:30pm Bible Study
Sun. July 20 - 6:30pm Evening Liturgy; Fr Michael
Wed. July 23 - 6:30pm Bible Study
Sun. July 27 - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy; Fr Vastakis
Wed. July 30 - 6:30pm Bible Study.

Remember no Bible Study classes this June as the Muses take a long deserved break including a trip to Greece - please keep Claudia and Stephen in your prayers for a safe and blessed journey. Many thanks to Loxley ‘James’ Compton and Dylan Brittingham for serving us so well in the Altar during Stephen’s absence. Please also keep Fr. Condos and his family in your prayers for a restful and blessed vacation travel to Florida along with Fr. Vastakis & Presvyterra’s continued good health and safe travels to us from Milledgeville.

Our ‘Second Saturday’ Food Bank Distribution is July 12th. Thanks to all those who continue to participate in this blessed endeavour. Please contact Maureen or Peter Byrd at pnmbyrd@charter.net if you can help with the effort.

Many thanks to those who’ve already donated generously to the Dome Repair and Benevolence Funds. Preliminary estimates for the dome repair place the material costs at approximately $700, thankfully some of our artisans have agreed to donate their carpentry and fiberglass repair skills. Special thanks again to BOTH Fathers Condos & Vastakis who’ve given above the call to the endeavour - it looks like we will have the money required to begin before Fall. Those wanting to contribute for this purpose(s) please note on your checks/envelopes so that Peter may allocate it accordingly.

Thanks also to those who re-urethaned the front doors of the church, the late afternoon Sun really does take it’s toll on them. Also on the subject of repair - anyone wanting to take a crack at once again fixing the ice machine would be welcomed. The last repair lasted a couple years… it may simply be time to replace it.

I’m delighted to type that Francine Brittingham and Gus Vogas have donated the complete amount for our replacement Chalice in loving memory of their Mother Kay Headrick. As many of you know we’ve been using the one on loan from Annunciation in Montgomery for over a year. Please join me in thanking Francine and Gus next time you see them. I know of several folks (including Fr. Michael) who have pledged/donated for this purchase. Please let Peter Byrd know if you’d like your donation returned, redirected to the dome repair, benevolence fund or put into the general fund.

As always, many thanks to Peter Byrd for the continued effort to keep the Church grounds - I’m sure Pete would be delighted to have someone replace the help Mike Pappafotis provided over these past many years. It is quite an effort to keep it looking so well with another dry Summer upon us.

Thanks to Christine Johnson for donating paper towels and soft drinks - we were about down to our last sheet. Those who came to the Sunday morning Typika had the treat of home made baklava from Charles Dean - thanks for the delightful surprise!

Thanks to Alex Mosjidis & Noah Stansbury’s for keeping our church website [www.ht-church.com] updated and managing inquiries about HT. A special thanks to Tom Kubik for providing the koliva and Francine Brittingham for the wonderful meal after our Sunday evening Liturgy. The Memorial Service for Kay Hedrick (Francine’s Mom) was truly beautiful - accentuated by how many came for her 40 Days — Eonia Imnemi.

As always, please forgive all my errors and omissions - any suggestion(s) for improvement, edits and/or additions, corrections would be greatly appreciated so I may improve.

In closing, please keep the Morris Family, Richard Charo, Mike Pappafotis, Jerri Earnest and George Saad in your prayers. Please also keep all those in our Armed forces in your prayers - may they continue to serve us well and return home safely in God’s speed.

Your fellow servant of the Holy Spirit,

John Sophocleus.

PS: Forgive my absence this Sunday as I’m again up in MD helping my folks with things around their house as Pop continues to recover… thanks to all who kept him in prayer.

Sunday evening, June 22nd Fr. Michael returns to Columbus 6:30pm [ET] for this weekend’s Divine Liturgy celebration. Please send any special prayers
and/or remembrances to Father via e-mail using montgomerycleric@aim.com or (334)202-6646 by phone. Donna Hesterman is the Epistle reader [Heb. 11:33-40; 12:1-2] as I read in her stead last Sunday. This weekend will be the 40 days Memorial for Kay Headrick (Francine Brittingham’s Mother) at the close of our Liturgy - Eonia imnemi.

The Typika (Matins/Lay) Service is 10am Sunday morning for those who can not make the evening service.

It is with deep sadness I type Mike Pappafotis is leaving Columbus - his doctor has advised him to no longer live alone/keep up with his usual activities. He will be living with family either in Burlington, NC or in the Atlanta area - it was not yet decided when I spoke with him before the Liturgy Sunday morning. He really was not even supposed to try to come to church that morning and clearly was not feeling well enough to stay and bid us all farewell.

As a poor word smith I’ll depend on simple familiar words to describe Mike as was one who kept his duty to God and Country well. He was a WWII tail gunner (mostly in B-17 Flying Fortresses and a few missions in B-24 Liberators) in the European Theater. He was one of HT’s founders, a long serving PC member and one of our most dependable servants of the church - his last words were to convey his regrets to Peter for not keeping up w/ weed eating the church yard. Indeed the harvest is great and the workers few… we are losing one of our dutiful labourers. May we be blessed with many more in his stead. Mike will be dearly missed.

Tom Kubik convey it well when he typed, “We had a beautiful weekend beginning with the Saturday of Souls which was fairly well attended as well as the Food Bank. On Sunday there was the Churching of little Carmen Stancu followed by the Liturgy, Holy Pentecost Vespers, and a special Father’s Day Prayer,” about last weekend. Tom also bid Fr. Michael a blessed Father’s Day with his family from all of us at HT.

On Saturday, the material from Fr. Michael was given to Jessica ‘Katherine’ Kitchens. Tom gave her the dimensions for the Altar Cover as well as the covers from the lectern and table. There is some discussion with Fr. Michael on how to proceed - I will let you know if there is anything more required of us - many thanks again to Jessica for all her efforts in this endeavour.

Thanks again to all those who participated in our food bank efforts - we’re clearly making a difference as evidenced by all those who came for help. Special thanks to Irina Markova and others who helped in Maureen’s absence last Saturday. Please contact Maureen or Peter Byrd at pnmbyrd@charter.net if you can help with the effort.

The calendar of our future dates is as follows:

Sun. June 22 - Typika (Matins/Lay) Service 10am
6:30pm Evening Liturgy; Fr Michael
Sun. June 29 - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy; Fr Vastakis
Sat. July 5 - 9:30am Orthros/10am Liturgy; Fr Michael
PC meeting after the Liturgy
Wed. July 9 - 6:30pm Bible Study
Sun. July 13 - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy; Fr Vastakis
Wed. July 16 - 6:30pm Bible Study
Sun. July 20 - 6:30pm Evening Liturgy; Fr Michael
Wed. July 23 - 6:30pm Bible Study
Sun. July 27 - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy; Fr Vastakis
Wed. July 30 - 6:30pm Bible Study.

Remember no Bible Study classes this June as the Muses take a long deserved break including a trip to Greece - please keep Claudia and Stephen in your prayers for a safe and blessed journey. Many thanks to Loxley ‘James’ Compton for serving us so well in the Altar during Stephen’s absence. Please also keep Fathers Condos and Vastakis in your prayers for continued good health and safe travels. We are indeed blessed to have such good shepherds in our spiritual lives.

Our thanks continue to those who’ve already donated generously to the dome repair & Benevolence funds. Preliminary estimates for the dome repair place the material costs at approximately $700, thankfully some of our artisans have agreed to donate their carpentry and fiberglass repair skills. Special thanks again to BOTH Fathers Condos & Vastakis who’ve given above the call to the endeavour - it looks like we will have the money required to begin before Fall. Those wanting to contribute for this purpose(s) please note on your checks/envelopes so that Peter may allocate it accordingly.

As always, many thanks to Peter Byrd for the continued effort to keep the Church grounds - I’m sure Pete would be delighted to have someone replace the help Mike Pappafotis provided. It is quite an effort to keep it looking so well with another dry Summer upon us.

Thanks to Alex Mosjidis & Noah Stansbury’s for keeping our church website [www.ht-church.com] updated and managing inquiries about HT. A final thanks to Tom Kubik, Nick & Barbara Vogas, Kelly ‘Mark’ Jolley and the Allens (others?) for bringing and setting out the food and drinks after weekend Liturgies.

As always, please forgive all my errors and omissions - any suggestion(s) for improvement, edits and/or additions, corrections would be greatly appreciated so I may improve.

In closing, please keep Francine Brittingham and the Headrick Family, the Morris Family, Richard Charo, Mike Pappafotis, Jerri Earnest (Luke & Felicity Allen’s daughter) undergoing foot surgery, and George Saad in your prayers. Please also keep all those in our Armed forces in your prayers - may they continue to serve us well and return home safely in God’s speed.

Your fellow servant of the Holy Spirit,

John Sophocleus.

PS: We are once again low on paper towels and soft drinks. It seems this is one of the many things that often gets donated w/o recognition - please let me know. Anyone wanting to take a crack at once again fixing the ice machine would be welcomed - it may be time to replace it, although I think the last repair lasted almost two years.