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The Orthodox Post Page 3 THE ORTHODOX October 2014 Volume X, Issue 9 POST 2009 St. Nicholas Albanian Orthodox Church, 181-14 Midland Parkway, Jamaica Estates, New York, NY 11432 Volume V, Issue 6 Web site: www.stnicholasalbanian.org E-mail: [email protected] Tel: (718) 380-5684 Pastor’s Message INSIDE THIS ISSUE by Fr. Nathan Preston Pastor’s Message & President’s Message 1 There were, when I worked at the shelter, certain Daughters’ Corner & Flea Mkt/Bake Sale 2 maxims—ideas needing to be remembered—to help one throughout Golf Outing 3 the day and throughout the job. And the longer I worked there, after Community News & General Meeting 4 the sheen of novelty had long worn from my tasks, and as more 2015 Pledge Program 5 responsibility was handed over to me, particularly that responsibility to help and direct and inspire others in our jobs, the return to these September Feast Days 6 fundamental ideas, these maxims, became a necessity. One of these Merchant Ads 7-9 of which I needed routinely to be reminded and to remind was quite Major Events & Ushers’ Sunday Schedule 10 simple: “To walk through those doors is an act of bravery,” those My life now as your priest is differently frenzied than it was doors being the front doors of our building off a side street in before. The fights I have to break up are not physical; the food and downtown Newark. And though the bravery referred to might be welfare to be expended not always so immediate; the case planning, thought to be that of the staff, who so often endured thankless though, is sometimes quite similar. There are not so many abuse and long hours and minimal tangible reward, the real unexpected knocks on the doors of our Church, not so many people commendation of this phrase was for that bravery of the young walking in for the first time. Most of us are, one way or another, people who were our clients. It took guts to walk through those regulars. But what I yet must remind myself still is that entry here, doors. It was an act of bravery to come for the first time into the too, is a brave act. At least, it should be because for us to come to crisis shelter because to do so meant that one was seeking help, Church and to appear in this place is not only a commitment of our needed it. This admission of need was an act of courage and of time, a commitment often of our resources and finances, it must be faith. For us who staffed the place, it was a sacred trust, a a commitment also of our need. Church is a place for us to be commitment that such nakedness and vulnerability must be met by denuded of what we think are our virtues and strengths as we try to discipline’s hard-fought change, yes, but never apart from charity meet with God, He Who is the source of all true virtue and strength. and compassion and, when we could muster it, that gentleness needed to greet the broken. Continued on Page 4 If we come to Church in any other state of mind or seeking any other President’swelfare to be expended Message not always so immediate; the case planning, support. We would like your pledge cards returned by role than supplicant or patient or penitent or beggar, we had best to bythough, Jim Liolin is sometimes quite similar. There are not so many November 30th. All pledges will be blessed on Sunday Dec. have gone elsewhere. Our roster of members contains only unexpected knocks on the doors of our Church, not so many people 7th when Archbishop Nikon will be with us to celebrate St. FORwalking THE i nCHU for RCHthe firstTO HAVEtime. MostA FUTURE of us WEare, NEEDone way YOU or NOW! another, those who are being saved, i.e., those who have not yet Nicholas. regulars. But what I yet must remind myself still is that entry here, made it and are ready to be helped. Our ranks are the SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING Thetoo, isSunday a brave School act. At registrationleast, it should began be because on September for us to come 21 andto roll call of the needy. On October 19th we will hold our semi-annual meeting. 28Church and andclasses to appear will begin in this Oct place 5th is, withnot only a new a commitmen format. Theret of our is a It’s hard for us sometimes to understand We urge you to attend so you can hear what has been differenttime, a commitment schedule oftenfor theof our classes. resources If yoandu finances,haven’t itregistered must be worship: what we do in Church and what we should be a commitment also of our need. Church is a place for us to be done the past months and we need your participation in your child contact Fr. Nathan to learn about the new doing in our lives of prayer and faith outside of Church. denuded of what we think are our virtues and strengths as we try to the discussions. Some issues that we will review are the schedules. I’m sure they will enjoy their time. This is important It’s hard for a number of reasons. We know well that meet with God, He Who is the source of all true virtue and strength. Diocese activity, our financial status, how we can for them. our parish needs us and needs things from us: finances, If we come to Church in any other state of mind or seeking any encourage and increase attendance, the new Sunday PLEDGEother role than supplicant or patient or penitent or beggar, we had attention, the work of our volunteering, and, most School program, the localized in-home social and Asbest we to headhave gonetoward elsewhere. 2015 weOur willroster begin of members our Pledge contains Drive only in elusive of all, our precious time. These are real religious discussions, and more. earlythose October.who are being The lettersaved, requestingi.e., those wh youro have gift not to yet the made church it and will obligations for a real flesh and blood community. But Don’t forget the FLEA MARKET will be held on beare arrivingready to bethis helped. month. Our We ranks did are have the rollsome call majorof the needy.unexpected what we cannot afford to do is to slip into thinking that, November 1st and 2nd. For more information see Linda expenses It’s (broken hard for water us sometimes main) this to understand year and worship:it is reasons what welike because we are needed, we are somehow removed from do in Church and what we should be doing in our lives of prayer and Foundos at church. More information will be sent. this we need your continued support. We would like your our most basic place—needing. Three different faith outside of Church. It’s hard for a number of reasons. We know statements in three of the different Gospels proclaim well that our parish needs us and needs things from us: finances, It is important that we join together as a but one message: Christ did not come for the righteous attention, the work of our volunteering, and, most elusive of all, our community/family and work and pray together. For the pledge cards returned by November 30th. All pledges will be or the good, not for the upright or helpful, not for the Page 2 The Orthodox Post Daughters’ Corner By Linda Foundos A Daughters meeting was held on September 14th; we discussed some of the church needs and began organizing for our annual Flea Market/Bake Sale scheduled to take place on November 1st & 2nd. After your fall clean-up at your own homes, you may begin to bring your items for sale in clean, good condition th on Sunday, October 19 . In the next couple weeks, we will be asking for volunteers to help with pricing and working the sale Our Church School is changing in some exciting weekend. Please see Joanne Heiser or Linda Foundos ways. Parents, please be sure to take a look at the to offer your time. Tina Peters is in charge of the Bake information below so that you children can take part. Sale; she will be asking for your help to donate baked goods for sale, etc. This is a major fund raising effort *Church School will meet on the first Sunday of for the Daughters; we ask that you please help us each month and start at 10am. All children from make this a success. It is said that “one man’s junk is Kindergarten to 5th Grade are invited. another man’s treasure.” Our regular customers *Nursery School will meet on the second and fourth especially look forward to our event. There are always Sundays of each month and start at 10:30am. All wonderful bargains to be had! Please see Christina Liolin if you would like to children four years old and under are invited to participate in our Coffee Hostess rotation, or host a attend. special Sunday. You may also see Christina if you *Plea se be on time so that your kids don’t miss out! would like to make a meshe for services periodically or a special Sunday. A heartfelt thank you to all of you For more information, please get in touch with Fr. that already participate. It certainly contributes in a Nathan or take a look at the bulletin board halfway very nice way to life at St.