Our Philoptochos chapter
The Philoptochos Society of the Greek-Orthodox Church is a duly accredited international women's philanthropic organization, one of the largest philanthropic organizations in the world. The St. Elizabeth Philoptochos Society is a chapter of the National Philoptochos Society. In addtion to helping people in our own church and community, we participate in initiatives both at the national and southeastern regional levels. Some of the most recent initiatives include the Cancer Fund; the Children's Cardiac Fund; a bone marrow donor program; the St. Photios Shrine in St. Augustine; various social service programs; an initiative to provide blanket; baby clothes, and other necessities to the needy in Kosovo; and the Operation USO Care Package benefitting our soldiers in Iraq.
In Gainesville, our chapter participates in Volunteer Center programs such as Coats for Kids, Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Baskets, and the Pick-an-Angel program. We have recently adopted the North Florida Rehab & Specialty Care Center as a focus of our local philanthropic efforts and will provide needed items and visitation to the residents there. Your dollars spent here today will be used for these purposes.
MEMBERSHIP
We strongly urge all Greek-Orthodox faithful of our parish, 18 years of age and older, to join the Ladies Philoptochos Society and become members, whether active or supportive. The success of our local chapter will be greatly enhanced with the wide embrace of all members.
COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS
Philoptochos encourages members of our parish to volunteer for the
organization of the coffee hour following the Divine Liturgy on every
Sunday. If you have never done this before, Philoptochos will provide assistance and answer all of your questions. Use the volunteer signup form
to the right and choose one of the following dates to write it down in
the "Comments" section (feel free to add any other questions or
comments you may have).
If you have questions, please contact Stella Harbilas, sdharb@yahoo.com
SCHEDULE FOR MAKING PROSPHORO (ALTAR BREAD)
New plans have been made for volunteers making prosphoro. Nine
people were listed to make prosphoro, the first eight agreeing to make
it one Sunday every two months, and the ninth to make it in any month
that has a fifth Sunday. The schedule is as follows:
- 1st Sunday: Sena Arvanitis (even month), Annette Agrios (odd month)
- 2nd Sunday: Jennifer Kiousis (even month), Lucia Curta (odd month)
- 3rd Sunday: Voula Sarantos (even month), Vivynne Agrios (odd month)
- 4rh Sunday: Betty Issa (even month), Carol Tsekouras (odd month)
- any 5th Sunday: Adrienne Thieke
- Anca Sorin (alternate)
If you cannot be there that Sunday, you may switch with someone
else, or you can make the bread earlier in the week, wrap it and put it
in the freezer of the refrigerator in the parish house.
St.
Elizabeth Philoptochos Society
Panagia
Chapter
October
19, 2008 AGENDA
Attendance:
Fr.Constantine,
Jennifer Kiousis, Connie Caranasos, Michele Milinkovic, Andrea Milinkovic,
Betty Palios, Stella Harbilas, Trula Stone
Opening
Prayer/Spiritual Enrichment: Fr. Constantine gave the opening
prayer and suggested that there is a tray passed once a month for the
Philoptochos to support its endeavors.
President’s
Report: Jennifer wanted to thank everyone that came and helped at St.
Francis House yesterday. We need to check on our membership and get that in.
Treasurer’s
Report: There is about $500 in the account, not including the money
set aside for the playground and St. Stephen’s Summer Camp. Andrea mentioned
the My Cause promotion from Suntrust and will bring forms next Sunday to allow
people to set up accounts and designate the promo money to St. Elizabeth.
Minutes:
Michele
read the minutes from the previous meeting. Connie motioned to approve the
minutes and Stella seconded the motion. All voted to approve the minutes as
read.
Correspondence:
Stella
mentioned a request for Health Kits to go to the hurricane victims in
Galveston, Texas. The last time that we put kits together for Hurricane
Katrina, the postage to mail the packages was extremely expensive. We discussed
whether or not the items will be transported from our area to Texas. Stella
motioned that we pass a tray in church to support the Galveston Hurricane
victims and Connie seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. We
decided that we will do a tray next weekend in church for the hurricane victims
and Stella said that she will pass the information out to everyone so that they
can donate on their own as well. Trula and Betty drove people to church today
and Stella has organized a driving network so that people in need of rides can
contact Stella by Thursday and find a driver for them. Stella should be
contacted through the St. Elizabeth e-mail.
New
Business: SCRIPS-gift certificates to different merchants purchased at
face value and then we receive 11% of the certificate price. Checks for the
certificates are made out to Philoptochos.
The Bread of the Mighty Thanksgiving Food Drive-Jennifer is
chairing this event and we will pass out paper bags with flyers at church to be
returned with non-perishable items by. The bags will go out on November 2 and
should be returned the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
Old
Business: November Downtown Festival –November 8-9. We will be selling
Baklava (cost $.50), Spanakopita (cost $.78) and water at the booth. Elena will
decorate the booth. We will take donations to try and underwrite the cost of
the food. We will also sell trays of Baklava at church for people to buy for
the holidays. If anyone has a Greek costume, they are encouraged to wear it.
Adopt-A-Family update: Lucia is working on this and we have a
suggestion for a family.
Christmas Cards: Arlene is chairing this and we will begin in
early November
Snack Bags for Finals: Michele is chairing this event. Bring
in snacks on the 16th and we will assemble them after church before
the Philtoptochos meeting
Announcements:
A
big Thank You to Irene and John Malaty for organizing the St. Francis House
Outreach yesterday and to all of the people that volunteered their time to help
out.
Andrea asked if Father needs anything for the altar. He
stated that he needs altar covers and we will forward the information to the
Parish Council.
Closing
Prayer: Prayer requests were made by Andrea for her sister Monica who
was just diagnosed with lung cancer. Michele suggested that we pray for
everyone because we are all going through difficulties and we need to pray for
each other. Fr. Constantine gave the closing prayer and the meeting was
adjourned at 2:27 p.m.
