Burkhard Ordination to the Holy Priesthood
Photo link from our recent Groundbreaking
Enjoy and download photos from the groundbreaking: https://andrewandbethanyphoto.pass.us/st-anna-groundbreaking/
Our gratitude to Andrew and Bethany Burrows for capturing so many of these blessed moments.
Remembering September 11, 2001
Today, we are invited to remember the truly tragic events of September 11, 2001. In preparation for the day, I was sharing with Constantine last evening that we were in Suites A1 & C1 at 114 North Sunrise as we had yet to move to our present site. Individuals quietly and reverently visited the office to watch the news on our little tv and or sat prayerfully in our chapel attempting to process and grieve the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, as well as the plane crash in Shanksville. There was little to share besides common disbelief, quiet tears or a warm embrace. Our human frailties were most evident which naturally and thankfully led many back to God and to their places of worship.
To paraphrase the Funeral Rite, death displaced everything on that September day. The loss of nearly 3,000 lives remains unfathomable. Death did not discriminate – innocent men, women, children as well as heroic rescue workers, firefighters, police officers…died. And, in the days that would follow, military families would experience endless deployments; some families received their loved ones with physical, emotional or spiritual injuries, while other families received their loved ones with honors for the sacrifices they made in the service of our country.
Although 18 years have passed, we must continue to remember. We remember by reflecting upon, and if we are able, visiting each of these sites which became hollowed ground, most notably Ground Zero. We remember by pausing and grieving as Americans and as Orthodox Christians for those lives that were lost on 9/11 as well as in the years that would follow, asking God to grant them rest where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sighing but life everlasting. We remember by pausing and humbly asking that the Holy Spirit embrace and comfort all those who lost family members or friends as well as those who were affected throughout our great land, knowing full well that Christ suffered, was buried and rose on the Third Day; He trampled upon death by His death! We remember, pausing and boldly beseeching God that such acts of violence and hatred be removed from the face of the earth; that His peace, His mercy and His love all of which are so freely given to each of us in the Person of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, instead reign forever. And, we remember, pausing and affirming that no matter what wars may continue to be fought upon the earth, our greatest battle is against the fallen principalities, which demands attentiveness, sobriety, discipline, humility and Grace.
Tonight, as a parish, we will remember, pausing and praying the Akathist to the Lord at 6pm. If you are unable to join us in these formal prayers, I would then ask that you please close your evening with prayer, remembering those who lives were taken on September 11, 2001.
May our Lord, through the intercessions of the Venerable Ephrosynos whose memory we keep today continue to grant us every good gift unto salvation.
Most Resp.,
+fr. Chirstopher
Groundbreaking Service
Annunciation Kenya Mission
Ordination to the Holy Diaconate
Construction to begin this Summer on Saint Anna Sanctuary
On the Sunday following Holy Pascha (May 5, 2019), the Sunday of Thomas, the Parish Assembly unanimously approved the construction of the Shrine Church of Saint Anna as well as Phase Two of our Capital Campaign! The motion was made and seconded (as well as affirmed) by the founders of our community who were present at the General Assembly. It was a moving testimony to the vision and determination of our founders as well as the love and dedication of all those who now call Saint Anna Parish their spiritual home.
The clergy and laity will gather on the construction site for the Shrine following Divine Services on Sunday, June 2 to ask God to bless the work that will commence, God-willing in July. The faithful will again gather in proximity to the construction site on the Feast of the Dormition of St. Anna (July 25) to again ask God’s blessings upon this endeavor to His glory. On September 7, clergy and laity will gather from near and far to celebrate the placement of the foundation stone by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. This foundation stone includes rocks from the Skete of St. Anna on Mount Athos (Greece) and also the Parish of St. Anna situated on Mount Kenya, a parish supported by our community.
Only God knows what Grace has been brought to Roseville and the region through the regular celebration of the Holy Eucharist, through the presence of Holy Relics of the Holy Ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, as well as a host of other Holy Relics acquired by our Parish, and also on account of the prayers of the faithful that have assuredly and will forever be lifted up here. May God continue to bless and keep our families and our region in His through the prayers of Saint Anna, our holy matron!
For more information about the Project, please visit, www.saintanna.org/about-the-project
2019 Greek Food and Wine Festival
OPA, IT’S OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY!
2019 ROSEVILLE GREEK FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
for more information, please visit http://festival.saintanna.org
Visit https://fox40.com/2019/05/20/2019-roseville-greek-food-wine-festival/ for an enjoyable piece from Fox40 with our own Kaylee Efstathiu
Food, Faith, Family & Festivities
Our mission is to share Greek culture with the surrounding community while bringing awareness of Orthodox Christianity and presenting a wonderful weekend event for friends and families.
A Smart Phone Contract for Children (text to copy and paste)
My Smart Phone Contract
______________________ _______________________ agrees to the following conditions:
[First Name] [Last Name]
1. The phone that you are using belongs to your parents. Your parents pay the monthly service. It is simply being loaned to you.
2. We will always know your passwords and passcodes to the phone, email and social media accounts. If you change them, you will inform us immediately. If you post something we disapprove of, you agree to delete it withoutargument.
3. You want to download something? Ask permission. You want to buy something? Pay up.
4. If it rings, answer it. It is a phone. Say hello, use your manners. Do not ever ignore a phone call if the screen reads “Mom” or “Dad” or one of your family members. Not ever.
5. Shut down the phone promptly at 9 pm every school night and every weekend by 10 pm.
· On Saturdays, the phone can be turned on after breakfast.
· On Sundays, the phone can be turned on when we leave for church. It will not be on during services!
There may be parent-approved exceptions to these times. We are always open to reasonable discussions, so feel free to ask.
6. Never take the phone into bed with you. Phones in bed aid phone addiction, hinders your sleep, and has other negative side effects. Social science says so. And, so does common sense.
7. It does not come out at school unless you have been asked to use it by a teacher or if you need to call mom or dad.
8. If it falls into the toilet, smashes on the ground, a friend breaks it or it vanishes into thin air, you are responsible for replacement costs or repairs.
9. Do not use this technology to lie, fool, or deceive another human being. Do not involve yourself in conversations that are hurtful to others. Be a good friend first or stay out of the crossfire. Remember, you are an Orthodox Christian.
10. Do not text, email, or say anything through this device you would not say in person or without your parent in the room. Censor yourself. Remember, you are an Orthodox Christian.
11. Search the web for information you would openly share with us. Do not search for inappropriate images or view pornography. If you have a question about anything, ask your parents, a grandparent, a godparent, a youth worker, our clergy. Remember, you are an Orthodox Christian.
12. Turn it off, silence it, put it away in public, especially at family functions, in a restaurant, at the movies, in church services and youth groups, or while speaking with another human being. And never ever bring it to the dinner table. You are not a rude person; do not allow the phone to change that.
13. Do not send or receive any inappropriate photos of yourself or others. Someday you may be tempted to do this. It is risky and could ruin your teenage/college/adult life. It is always a bad idea. Cyberspace is vast and powerful. It is hard to make anything of this magnitude disappear—including a bad reputation. Remember, you are an Orthodox Christian.
14. Don’t take a zillion pictures and videos. There is no need to document everything or post it to social media. If you don’t post it, it still happened. Live your experiences. Thanks be to God, these experiences will be stored in your memory for eternity.
15. Leave your phone home sometimes and feel safe and secure in that decision. It is not alive or an extension of you. Learn to live without it. Control it, don’t let it control you.
16. Download music that different than the millions of your peers that listen to the same exact stuff. Your generation has access to music like never before in history. Take advantage of that gift. Expand your horizons.
17. Always be aware of your surroundings. Keep your eyes up. See the world happening around you and be safe. Stare out a window. Listen to the birds. Take a walk. Talk to friends. Wonder without googling.
18. You will mess up. We will take away your phone. We will sit down and talk about it. We will start over again. You and us, we are always learning. We are on your team. We are in this together.
19. Download Apps that encourage your growth in Christ and that also make you a better human being.
20. Above all else, think and reflect on how you can glorify God in your cell phone use. From time to time ask, “How does/can this help me to love God?” and “How does/can this help me to love my neighbor?” These are the two greatest commandments.
Read over this contract every few months or post it somewhere visible in your room to remind yourself of these things. We reserve the right to add additional rules whenever we deem it necessary. If you violate the terms of this contract, we will immediately confiscate the phone and determine a course of action that may or may not include you earning it back.
You are loved by your family and by God. Therefore, use this technology wisely, honoring your family, your friends, your faith, and God.
_________________________ _________________________ _________________
Your Signature Parent’s Signature(s) Date
Modified from: “To My 13-Year-Old, An iPhone Contract From Your Mom, With Love” by Janell Burley Hofmann (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/janell-burley-hofmann/iphone-contract-from-your-mom_b_2372493.html)
Spring General Assembly Proposed Agenda & Reports for Review
A G E N D A
Sunday – May 5, 2019
The following is the proposed agenda for the next General Assembly meeting. Join us on Sunday, May 5, 2019 immediately following Divine Services in the Church. All active stewards* of the Church of the Saint Anna are encouraged to participate.
Prayer & Call to Order
Selection of General Assembly Chair
Approval of minutes of previous meeting
Clergy Report – Rev. Fr. Christopher, Fr. Seraphim & Dn. Joseph
President’s Report – Christy Moustris
Treasurer's Report – Larry Finney
Community Updates- reports will be posted on St. Anna website
Philoptochos
Religious Education
Archangel Gabriel Bookstore
Youth & Young Adult Ministries
Scrip
Stewardship
We thank all those who contribute their time and talent to our ministries
Old /New Business
Saint Anna Endowed Scholarships
Ordination of Christian Burkhard to the Holy Deaconate, September 8, 2019
The Sanctuary - Construction, Financing, and Groundbreaking
For the Good of the Parish – Open Remarks
Adjournment
*To be considered a member in good standing, the member must have fulfilled the previous year’s pledge and to have pledged for the current year, and made payment toward that pledge. A member whose name appears on the membership rolls, but who is in arrears in the payment of his or her stewardship obligations, may take part in the Parish Assembly by meeting such stewardship obligations by the meeting day. New members may exercise their vote at Parish Assemblies if they have been members in good standing for at least three months. Article VI Section 4 of the Bylaws of Saint Anna Church.
Philoptochos Report for the Spring Assembly
National Philoptochos Society Mission Statement
The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc., is the duly accredited women's philanthropic society of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The mission of the Society shall be:
To help the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, the victims of disasters, to undertake the burial of impoverished persons and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the Church through fund raising efforts; and
To promote the charitable, benevolent, and philanthropic purposes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, through instructional programs, presentations, lectures, seminars and other educational resources;
To preserve and perpetuate Orthodox Christian concepts and the Orthodox Christian Family, and through them, to promote the Greek Orthodox Faith and traditions, in accordance with its doctrines, canons, discipline, divine worship, usages and customs;
To promote participation in the activities of the Greek Orthodox community, with the cooperation of the Parish Priest and the Parish Council.
The charitable work of the Society shall be performed with discretion, courtesy, and kindness.
St. Anna Philoptochos continues strengthening our spiritual commitment and supporting our local outreach and National ministries. We continue making prayer shawls, preparing meals for our Sunshine Ministry, sharing food baskets with local families at Pascha, offering Hospitality, and support for the Tommy Apostoles annual fundraiser. We hosted a Feed the Hungry Luncheon and our annual Giving Tree this year too that supported families affected by the Paradise Fire
We are growing our ministries and reaching out to more people. Thank you for your generous donations, love, support, and prayers.
➢ Feed the Hungry Ministry: Provides a holiday meal for local families Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. 61 food baskets with 6 meals in each were distributed to families this past Easter. To all who give to this ministry, a huge thanks. We accept donations for the Feed the Hungry Ministry throughout the year. Coordinators: Debbie Stamas, Carmen Sicoe, and Pres. Renee Ivey. If you didn’t have a chance to give, please see one of the coordinators.
➢ St. Vincent de Paul (working the food kitchen/providing meals); 2ndTuesday of the month. Coordinator: Markella. If you’d like to sponsor the meal for the month, or part of the meal, see Markella.
➢Flower Ministry: Decorate icons, Kouvouklion, Iconostasis Coordinator: Markella
➢ Sunshine Ministry: Let us know if we need to provide meals for someone who is ill or in need. Contact Markella
➢ Prayer Shawl Ministry: Members knit or crochet prayer shawls weaving the loving prayer and intercession of our Most Holy Theotokos and Saints Joachim and Anna ever-seeking Christ’s comfort and healing for those in need. Coordinators: Vassie Kyritsis, Cathy Taylor, and Sandy Sacoolas.
➢ College and Seminarian Outreach: We mailed boxes in October to our Seminarians, our adoptee Seminarian, and to all our college students attending school away from home. Coordinator Pres Renee Ivey
➢Coat Drive: November & December Coordinator Jana Perry
➢ Giving Tree Ministry: The goal of the ministry is to identify a military family or families enduring a time of significant hardship that we can support through gifts and monetary donations during the Christmas season. This year our coordinator Lori Christiansen identified eight families that lost everything in the Paradise fires. See Lori for more information.
➢Tommy Apostoles: Members baked approximately 50 dozen cookies, cupcakes, and brownies for this year's event,
➢Coffee Hour: Make sure to sign-up. See Sign-up Genius. Coordinator: Kathy Craighead
➢Elections: May 7th 6;30 pm See Jana Perry
Annual Membership Drive: We invite you to join St. Anna Philoptochos and/or renew your annual membership, a $35 tax-deductible donation per member to St. Anna Philoptochos with “2019 Dues” in the memo. Men and women are welcomed to join Philoptochos. Please contact Carmen Sicoe at carmensicoe99@gmail.com for more details.
Any questions? Email Vassie: kyritv2@gmail.com
Adult Religious Education
submitted by Margaret Mueller
St. Anna Orthodox Church offers the community the opportunity to learn the history of Early Christianity and the Orthodox Church in a twelve week educational program, The Survey of Orthodoxy. Starting with the events of Pentecost, the course traces the development of the first century Christian community’s initiation into the community, the dogmatic precepts of the Early Church, how the early church approached Salvation, the development of sacred space and worship -- and how all of this is relevant to today’s Orthodox Church.
In 2019, the Spring class included a diverse gathering of a dozen people including unchurched, Protestant, former Roman Catholic, and some Orthodox persons who wanted to know more about the history of the Church. This summer, three additional persons will be meeting to learn more about the Orthodox Church.
For further information, or to join a class, please contact the Church office.
Archangel Gabriel Bookstore
Respectfully submitted by Cynthia Sheffer
The mission of the Bookstore is to provide anOrthodox Bookstore & Resource Center specializing in Eastern Orthodox reading materials (including those for parish study classes), icons, ecclesiastical music, and items for the home chapel in the greater Placer County community and for visiting guests.
It is our goal is to give back to the parish and community through various methods, not limited to:
· Annual contribution to the Seminarian Scholarship Program
· Annual contribution to the St Basil Academy
· Sponsoring the annual Parish Calendars
· Support toward the annual Three Hierarchs Lecture
· Stocking free literature and pamphlets in the elevator lobby and at the festival
· Gifting visiting clergy, catechumens, betrothed, and guest speakers
· Miscellaneous carpet cleaning, purchasing support for parish needs
Current efforts involve that mentioned above as well as volunteer staffing for sales on Sundays, during Tuesday Bible Study and Wednesday Greek School, and as requested.
Our success comes through God’s blessings as each person remembers us for their gifting and personal needs. To date we have given back to our parish community approximately 25% of our annual sales.
Upcoming Events
· Mothers Day- Beautiful Gifts, “Good Reads”, and lovely jewelry are now available in the Bookstore.
· Graduations– Consider gifting the grad with prayer books, St Christopher or St Nicholas icons, prayer ropes or whatever else you think they may need to keep the peace while away from home.
Goal for 2019
Through your support and God’s blessings, the Bookstore will be able to contribute financially to the new location in our sanctuary. Our hope is to consign a hand-painted icon of Archangel Gabriel near the door in the new area, as well as contribute to other areas of the construction.
Gratitude
We welcome Anna Tsu to the team! Come upstairs and say hello to Anna.
Continued appreciation goes out to Cathy Taylor, Chris Christensen, Michael Conklin Family, Symeon Jaituni, Mary Kaye Vangelos, and Renie Carr.
If you would like to be a part of the Bookstore Team and can work after Sunday liturgy, we welcome your involvement!
Follow us on Facebook under “Archangel Gabriel Bookstore”.
Youth Religious Education Program
Spring 2019 2018-2019 School Year Respectfully Submitted by: Michelle Hawe, Director
Overview: Our mission is to share the message of Christ’s love for all of us while equipping our children with tools to live their lives according to the gospel. This will help form our children into the leaders of today and tomorrow! We want our children to be equipped to share their faith in their actions, their words, and their deeds!
The religious education program offers many opportunities to meet these goals through developmentally appropriate activities for kids between the ages of 4-18. Sharing the message of the gospel with our students extends beyond Sunday morning with our family extension activities that are offered throughout the year to supplement the work of the program.
As our program prepares for summer hiatus we want to encourage our families continued participation in the life of the parish. Over the summer we will be blessed to celebrate the parish Feast Day, the feast of the Transfiguration, the fast for the Dormition of the Theotokos and more! We encourage our families to learn about these fasts and feasts as well as saints and church architecture. These things will help prepare our families for the fall!
Teaching: We extend our continued gratitude to our team of teachers who spend countless hours preparing lessons and activities for our children. We appreciate your time and prayers for our children and their families.
Preschool/Kindergarten: Mrs. Christine Akel and Ms. Michelle Hawe
1 st - 3 rd Grade: Mrs. Liza Jizwari and Mrs. Luda Kristoff
4 th -5 th Grade: Mr. Tim Burkhard
Middle School: Mr. Andrew Burrows and Mrs. Bethany Burrows
High School: Mr. Mike Lewis and Mr. Shaine Kennedy
Teachers are using a variety of methods and resources to share our faith with students. Resources for planning lessons include curriculum produced by different archdioceses, books, Pinterest, reliable websites, and each other. Lessons are done with a variety of methods including traditional lecture style, hands on experiences including crafts, and games that challenge students to think.
Spotlight Events/Activities:
Toddler Class: We express our gratitude to Mrs. Jenn Conklin for being willing to take on our newest class this year. It has been tough with space, but she has made it work! Each week the Mommy and Me Toddler class meets upstairs in the hallway. Kids listen to a story, sing, and play. The kids love it. We are excited to welcome 4 of the kids to the Preschool/Kindergarten class in the Fall. Thank you to everyone who has supported and been flexible in accommodating this new class!
Teachers Pay Teachers: Educators and Pinteresters alike LOVE Teachers Pay Teachers! This is a website where educators can share resources! Ms. Michelle has made a seller account and the best news is we can “sell” for FREE! Over the summer a variety of activities will be posted to the account. You can visit: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Michelle-Hawe.
Commencement and Promotion Activities: As the year concludes we look forward to honoring the academic success of all of our students. Promotion activities will tentatively be held on Sunday, June 2. Please share the names of students graduating from high school, college, and graduate school. Each student’s academic success is important in their development! We commend each of you on your efforts and offer our continued prayers of success and prosperity in your future! May God grant you every good gift!
Looking Ahead: Each year we take a look at our religious education program and reflect on what was successful, what we can work on, and things we can implement into the program. We remain open to suggestions and assistance in growing.
• Implementing/organizing service projects for each grade level to be part of. Progress has been made in this area. We would like to continue working on this.
• Having all of our middle school and high school students participate in writing an oratorical speech, however, it will not be mandatory for students to present their work. Progress has been made in this area. We will continue working on this. We will be posting more information about this in the weeks to come.
Ways to get involved:
• Pray for the program—your child’s teachers, the program.
● We NEED teachers! Come share your faith with the kids!
• Have an idea to add to the program, we want to hear about them!