The Raising of our Crosses in Roseville (Monday, January 23 at 730 AM)

On September 14, the Orthodox Christian Church commemorates the Elevation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross on which our Lord was crucified.  This feast is a double commemoration of sorts; we celebrate the finding of the true Cross in 326 by Saint Helen and its lifting up on high for all the people to see, and we celebrate the recovery of the Holy Cross in 614 from the Persians who had taken it as a prize of war.  Realizing the significance of the Holy Cross for the life of the world, we so fervently chant:

O most glorious wonder! The most holy Cross, the life-giving Tree, is lifted up on high today and shown to the world. All the ends of the earth give glory, all the devils are affrighted. How great a gift is here bestowed on mortal men! Through Thy Cross save our souls, O Christ, Thou who alone art full of compassion.  

The Orthodox Christian community of Roseville will also celebrate a raising of the Holy Cross on January 23, for on this day at approximately 7:30 AM, we will raise and install our gold-gilded Crosses on the bell tower and dome of our new Holy Sanctuary! As the crane is getting set, we will offer a brief prayer, asking the Lord to bless the Crosses that our own parishioners fabricated. They will then be raised up and placed four and five stories up on our construction for all to see.  You are encouraged to join us in person or view the raising of the Crosses on our lifestream of construction at www.saintanna.org  

May the Holy Cross be the strength, hope, and glory of Orthodox Christians. May the Holy Cross - visible for all to see on East Roseville Parkway - our Lord Who was crucified in the flesh for our salvation, and our Orthodox Christian Faith also be sacred gifts to our beloved community of Roseville.

Support a Medical Mission to India

Dr. Aaron Lech has been facilitating intercultural exchanges and medical work for teams of healthcare workers and other volunteers in the villages of South India since early 2003. When he began his eye care practice in Roseville circa 2004 - next to our first church location at 114 N. Sunrise - it was a core piece of his business plan and mission and has remained so til this day. His passion for sharing God's love by meeting the eye care and medical needs of people in Telengana and Andhra Pradesh has resulted in 12 different trips to the villages there. In a few short weeks, he and a team will return for the first time in 4 years as travel restrictions, and government requirements have been reset. A short video, narrated by Dr. Lech, is embedded in the message below.

As he continues to care for many of us and our families in the Roseville region, I invite you to join me in supporting his work and offering a prayer for Aaron, his family, those who travel with him, and those who will be impacted by their care - an estimated 8,000 people!  A bit more information about the upcoming medical mission is found below. 


Liturgical Schedule for Holy Theophany and House Blessings

Our liturgical schedule for the week is as follows:

Wednesday, 4 January
Akathist, 6 PM

Thursday, 5 January (Eve of the Feast of Holy Theophany)
Royal Hours, Vesperal Liturgy, Blessing of the Waters, 9 AM

Friday, 6 January (Feast of Holy Theophany)
Orthros, Divine Liturgy, Blessing of the Waters, 9 AM

Saturday, 7 January (Feast of St. John the Baptist)
Orthros and Liturgy, 9 AM
Great Vespers, 5 PM

Additionally, Fr. Seraphim and Fr. Christopher will begin blessing homes this next week.  Please identify days and times (preferably between 9-5 on account of our schedules) that may work for your household. Provide your full address, telephone number, and gate code if applicable via email to office@saintanna.org.  Have ready on your table or in your icon corner, a bowl, sweet basil, a lit candle, and an icon.  They will confirm the visit to your home prior to our arrival.

Fall General Assembly Documents (December 4, following Divine Services)

Proposed Agenda

Sunday, December 5, 2022

The following is the proposed agenda for the next General Assembly meeting. Join us on Sunday, November 5 immediately following Divine Services in the Church for our Assembly and Parish Potluck. All active stewards* of the Church of Saint Anna are encouraged to participate.

 

1.     Prayer & Call to Order

2.     Selection of General Assembly Chair

3.     Approval of Minutes of previous GA

4.     Clergy Report, Fr. Christopher Flesoras, Fr. Seraphim Ivey, and Dn. Joseph Ruocco Brown

5.     President’s Report, Emil Sicoe

6.     Treasurer’s Report, Penny Changaris

7.     Old Business

a.     Construction Update, Jason Jurrens, Paul Stamas, and Joe Fancher

b.     Sanctuary Beautification and Capital Campaign, John Sobchak and Sia Efstathiu

c.     Amendment to Parish Bylaws

8.     New Business

a.     Proposed 2023 Budget, Emil Sicoe

9.     For the Good of the Parish

a.     Parish Council Elections, December 18

b.     Open Comments

10.   Closing Prayer

11.  Adjournment

Saint Anna Greek Orthodox Church

General Assembly Minutes

Sunday, May 15, 2022

Minutes: Timothy Burkhard, Secretary Present:

Clergy: Rev. Dr. Christopher Flesoras, Rev. Fr. Seraphim Ivey, Dcn Joseph Ruocco-Brown. Officers:Emil Sicoe, President; Hannah Lorenz, Vice-President;, Treasurer; Timothy Burkhard, Secretary.
Parish Council Members Present: Hannah Lorenz, Elaine Pappas, Ava Romero, Peter Knoblich, Richard Kopp, Penny Changaris, Leo Pantoja, Anna Tzu, Jerry Mathew, Kent Joris. Stewards Present: Angela Matsen, Glemm Matsen, Marci Pelka, Lynda Stoll, Angeliki Rosenburg, Linda Friedrich, Michael Magliola, Markella Magliola, Brittany Erdmann, Matthew Erdmann, Marina Kopp, Cloud Contos, Mark Allen, Anna Ruocco Brown, Stephanie Brown, Tony Brown, Paul Stamas, Renie Carr, Sandra Samis, Peter Efstathiu, Sia Efstathiu, Bethany Burrows, Miriam Sabbagh, Jacqueline Dermitzakis, Dean Flesoras, Natali Avelino, John Sobchak, Susie Sobchak, Anna Erdmann, Tom Erdmann, Susan Skarakis, Lynne Iseminger, Nicholas Iseminger, Sandy Alexiou, Susan Awabdy, George Kardous, Androniki, Carmen Sicoe, Alexandra Taverna, Jason Jurrens, Kathey West, Bobby Gallagher, Lily Gallagher, Marcela Martei, Niveen Farr Harb, Herman Jacobs, Sara Jurrens.

Prayer and Call to Order

Selection of General Assembly Chair
Peter Efstathiu was nominated and selected to be the general assembly chair.

Approval of Previous Minutes
Marci Pelka moves to approve, Richard Kopp seconds, the motion passes.

Clergy Report

● Fr Chris:

  • ○  Weekly akathist prayers continue.

  • ○  Studies and fellowships continue

  • ○  Father shared a history of our community for everyone’s benefit, but especially

    for those who are new to the community. Reflected on the heritage of the

    community and the example of the founders.

  • ○  No pilgrimage to the Holy Land this fall in anticipation of the end of the building

    program.

    ● Fr Seraphim:

  • ○  Thursday Bible study on Genesis will continue over the summer.

  • ○  Please contact the priests if you need visitations.

    ● Dcn Joseph:

○ Bible studies are continuing but will pause for the summer.

President’s Report

  • ○  Thank God that our Parish has returned to the normal schedule of services and activities after the pandemic.

  • ○  Construction continues, slower than anticipated originally.

  • ○  Philoptochos continues their ministries.

    Treasurer’s Report

○ Presented by Emil.

Philoptochos

  • ○  Presented by Kathy Craighead.

  • ○  Meetings are in person.

  • ○  Accepting donations online.

  • ○  Summarized the ministries of Philoptochos.

    Religious Education

  • ○  Presented by Anna Tzu.

  • ○  Fr Chris commented on the success and wide reach of the Grab Bags that Anna

    has prepared.
    Archangel Gabriel Bookstore

  • ○  Presented by Fr Chris.

  • ○  Cynthia is stepping down.

  • ○  New space for the bookstore, located in the new church, is being designed.

    Youth and Young Adult Ministries

  • ○  Presented by Fr Seraphim.

  • ○  Nick Pasco is running the youth and young adult ministries. Stewardship

  • ○  Presented by Marci Pelka.

  • ○  Budget for the year is $450,000.

  • ○  Brought in $59,000 in April.

  • ○  Currently $38,000 ahead of budget.

  • ○  266 steward families.

Sanctuary Construction

  • ○  Presented by Jason Jurrens.

  • ○  Financial update provided by John Sobchak.

  • ○  We have raised and collected ~$4.6 million.

  • ○  Anticipated loan is ~$4.4 million.

  • ○  Working to lock in the interest rates now.

  • ○  Going to install a more expensive type of plaster finish to the interior surface to

    accept the mosaic icons. Will do fundraising, hoping to raise $300,000 by September.

    Amendment to Parish Bylaws

○ Proposed new language to the Parish By-Laws:
“Any real property or interest in real property donated to a parish in lieu of cash with the intent of the donor that the parish will sell the property can be accepted and sold by a majority vote of the Parish Council without the need of a General Assembly vote provided that the parish is not encumbered by ot responsible for any transaction or escrow fees, commissions, property taxes or other expenses pursuant to the transaction. The parish will be held harmless from any liability. The donation shall be accompanied by a letter signed by the donor that this is a donation in lieu of cash with the intent that the parish will sell it.”

○ Motion to forward this verbiage to the Metropolis by Paul Stamas, and seconded by Sia Efstathiu.

For the Good of the Parish Adjournment