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.
Philoptochos Meeting Sunday January 20, 2008
In attendance: Fr. Peter, Jennifer,
Andrea, Adrienne, Lucia, Stella, Michele, Carol
Opening Prayer: Father Peter gave the blessing and
Stella led us in the Philoptochos Prayer and the New Year prayer.
Opening Comments: Father Peter said that he is very glad to see
work going on and commented on the amazing work of Dr. Martin Luther King
Spiritual
Enrichment: Do
something beautiful for God; Beauty will save the world; Broken to be more
beautiful – read by Carol
President’s Report: Jennifer gave her report and said
that we are going to try and organize what we are going to do for the rest of
the year and set tentative dates.
Treasurer’s Report: Carol gave her report and gave everyone a copy of it. We are sitting at
$2700 but will have to pay for someone to go to Clergy Laity Conference. We
made $1300 on the bake sale and $400 on the Christmas card. We are ahead of
last year’s proceeds from coffee hour. We still have $55 in gift cards that we
are going to start an AGAPE fund for those in need. Andrea motioned to accept
the report; Lucia seconded the motion and it was unanimously voted that the
minutes be accepted as read. Dues are $25.
Correspondence: Stella gave her report and sent
around the Correspondence Report for everyone to see. Highlights were discussed
including over $5 million that was dispersed worldwide to different
Philoptochos charities over the past 4 years. ($1.4 million this past year) We
talked about adjusting the concept of the Parish Nurse and making sure that we
are directing people in the right direction that need help or special services.
We also talked about participating in the Linus Project and making blankets for
the children. Adrienne suggested that we get together and have a blanket-making
get-together. Each Metropolis will be given $10,000 to use for seniors in the
Metropolis that are in need. Fr. Peter talked about some families in our church
that are in need. He and Stella will look into the parameters and logistics of
this fund. Fr. Peter asked us to befriend the new comers to our church, as they
are greater in numbers and welcome them to our family and include them in our
activities. We spoke about projects and charities that we already donated to
(such as the Social Service of the Philoptochos). The other charities will be
discussed at a board meeting or by e-mail to get feedback and recommendations.
We also received a correspondence from Campus Ministries and other
organizations. February 1 will be Go Red Day for AHA and we will wear red on
Sunday February 3 and collect money for AHA that day.
Secretary Report: December’s
meeting was the Gift Exchange and therefore there was no business and no
report. Michele read the meeting notes from November. Lucia motioned to accept;
Carol seconded the motion and it was voted unanimously to accept the minutes as
read.
New Business: We spoke
about an Agape Fund and there was much discussion about how to handle the idea
of funds or help for those in need. We need to have guidelines and figure out
the logistics of the project which will be called the AGAPE OUTREACH which will
be used for those in crisis within the church. Andrea and Stella will be on the
Agape Outreach Committee.
Jennifer mentioned a retreat that will be framed under the Family Grant
that will be held in Gainesville
and will be led by Fr. Sotiris. We do not have the details yet.
We also talked about our Sister Philoptochos which is the group from Jacksonville. Jennifer
will contact the president in Jacksonville
and share ideas between them and us.
Easter Card: Carol motioned to accept and Andrea seconded and it was
passed that we will send out Pascha cards and include the schedule of services
for Holy Week.
Old Business: Coffee Hour
is still in need of help. Fr. Peter will help address this to the parish so
that we can get more volunteers. We have moved the sign-up sheet to the
Philoptochos Corner so that it is more visible and we will rotate to help share
the responsibility of setting up and cleaning up.
Garage Sale was also discussed and we talked about holding one in August
and having it at Carol’s house so it will be tabled for a future meeting.
St. Francis House luncheon will possibly be done Saturday March 8.
Adopt-A-Student was discussed and Michele will chair the student side and
Andrea will chair the family side so that we can be ready for the students in
the fall.
Study Packs for students during finals week will be done by Adrienne for
the Spring semester.
Other Business: Clergy Laity Conference this year
is National and will be in Washington
D.C. and will be held July 13-17.
The
poinsettias inside the church need to come out so we will give them away next
week.
Scholarships
are available for St. Stephen’s Summer Camp.
Adrienne suggested that we remember to take care of ourselves by
attending retreats.
We discussed holding meetings at other locations so that more people
could be included.
Closing Prayer: Fr. Peter said the closing prayer
and the meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
