Annunciation

Greek Orthodox Church

8210 Cypress Lake Drive

Fort Myers, Florida 33919

Metropolis

of Atlanta

TO:

Current Resident or

VOICE THE

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

February 2014

PRESENTATION OF THE LORD

February 2nd

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 8210 Cypress Lake Drive ~ Fort Myers, Florida 33919-5116

Ch. Phone: (239) 481-2099 Fax: (239)-481-0504 email: officeagoc@gmail.com Fr. Dean’s cell: (239) 322-7553 email: revfrdean@gmail.com

www.annunciation.fl.goarch.org Office Hours: Monday-Friday ~ 9:30 am-3 pm

Administrative Assistant: Kelsie Gregware

MINISTRIES

GOYA Heidi Kubiak

Dance Troupe Bridget Stilian Dr. Doug Stilian

Sunday School Jen-Hope Belis

Circle of Friends Joan Simon

Ladies Philoptochos Ginny Amend, President

Bookstore Virginia Headley Dr. Theodor Bonstedt _____________

Organizations: Hellenic American Social Club of S.W. FL Barbara Dionysopoulos, President

VISIT US ON

FACEBOOK

Annunciation GOC Fort Myers

February VOICE 2014

PARISH COUNCIL

Rev. Fr. Dean Nastos, Proistamenos

Fr. Deacon John Howard _________________________

Executive Officers:

Nick Karras President

Maria Mourgis Vice-President

Virginia Headley Treasurer

Michael Peceri Assistant Treasurer

Heidi Kubiak Secretary

Board Members: Angelo Constan Tom Haley Les Haynes Marilyn Necak John Simon Doug Stilian Peter Wouralis

Council Committees:

Stewardship Michael Peceri

Construction/Maintenance John Simon

Welcome/Ushering Effie Kapetan All Council Members

Festival Jen-Hope Belis

Car Raffle Nick Karras Stella Karras _____________________________

VOICE Editor Fr. Dean Nastos

Altar Don Headley

Choir Adam Krotov, Director Heidi Kubiak, Organist

Cantor Theo Palis

Prosphoro Polly Margaritis:(239)634-6460

From the Desk of Our Proistamenos...

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Some years ago Walt Disney Productions reissued the 1940 animated movie Pinocchio.

Beautifully restored to its original color brilliance, the movie was being seen by a new

generation of young people. They learned about the story of Gepetto, the woodcarver who

creates a puppet in the place of a son he never had; Pinocchio, the puppet with a chance to

become human; and Jiminy Cricket. As I remember the story from seeing it years ago,

Jiminy Cricket is its real hero. He acts as Pinocchio’s conscience and tries to keep him on the

path of honor. As something of a morality play, the movie reminds us that we cannot be

human without a sense of internal compunction and restraint.

One of the scariest things about life today is the lack of conscience exhibited by people in a

variety of situations. Most of us have seen on TV the hatred, violence, and murders that

have engulfed our country. We have seen images and have heard reports from around the

world how savage human behavior can be. Where are the restraints of conscience when one

human being can inflict such harm on another?

And what of the language that our society has come to tolerate? Or the immoral lifestyles

being lived and preached as the standard norm? There are X-rated CDs for our children to

buy, music that not only uses profane terms but describes perverse and brutal behavior.

Television shows and movies which teach it’s OK to do drugs; to be violent. They show it’s

OK to cheat, lie or steal. This has led people to have no scruples or conscience and to believe

that there is no difference between right or wrong; just do it if it feels good.

The little voice of conscience can be ignored until it has been silenced. When that

happens, one loses his or her humanity and spiritual direction towards God. If your

conscience is speaking to you, you would be wise to listen to it and learn from it.

In Christ’s Service,

Fr. Dean

A Message from the President , Nick Karras

Dear Friends and Parishioners,

As we move forward with God's blessings into our New Year, let us be thankful. Many new

events, projects and new fund raisers are forth coming in our church. As our parish grows

under the great leadership of our Father Dean, we are moving forward at a quick pace with a

positive outlook.

Our Annual formal dinner dance is approaching on February 8. It would be awesome to see

each and everyone of you show your support. It will be an event full of great food, music,

lots of fun, laughter and great people all in one room. So, if you have not purchased your

tickets yet, please contact our church office and reserve your seats or tables today. Don't be

left out!

The Greek Fest, which is the largest fundraiser of our church, is just around the corner along

with the Car Raffle being the second largest. We need all of you to please step forward to

help and support both fund raisers. With all of your love, hard work, support and a positive

attitude, both fund raisers will be a huge success again this year! Also, please help advertise

our festival to all your friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members. Word of mouth

is the best marketing tool.

We are all an Annunciation family who have been blessed with a wonderful spiritual leader,

Father Dean and his lovely Presvetera Carolyn. Both of them have great personalities,

positive attitudes which will help us and guide us to all move forward in the right direction.

God willing, hope to see all of you in church every Sunday.

Your Faithful Servant,

Nick Karras Parish Council President

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information about our qualifications and experience.

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DELIVERY

CLASSROOM CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

“No work….which lacks pain or effort ever produces fruit.”

--Saint Gregory of Sinai

At our fall Parish Assembly the Parishioners approved a bank loan for $600,000 to partially fund the construction of the new Classroom/Office/Meeting space for our Parish. A number of questions re the Capital Campaign have been raised and I hope I can provide answers to them. Question: Why is this new building necessary?

The question can be best answered by a couple of other questions. “Why was it necessary to build the Church?” Why was it necessary to build the Rev. Father Arthur K. Kontinos Meeting Hall and kitchen?” Why was it necessary to purchase the vacant land next to the Church?” The simple answer to all of the questions is that the Parishioners before us recognized important needs: a Church, a meeting hall and kitchen, and vacant land for future use and expansion of the Parish. Over the past years each time a need presented itself or future needs needed to be addressed the Parishioners took on debt to meet these important obligations. Because of their foresight and efforts our Church is now debt free. Question: Why do we need new classrooms?

Bottom line the present classrooms, installed years ago are no longer suitable for our young children. They are old, inefficient and do not present a suitable environment to educate our children in the Orthodox Faith. Our present classrooms are insufficient to hold children from P-K to 12th grade. New classrooms would provide audio-visual capabilities, space for our younger children to fully express their creativities. Our children represent the future of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and one day they will provide the leadership and Parishioners of our Church. Children are our most valuable resource and we need to provide the environment to nurture them and to provide them with the tools to assume the responsibilities of providing for the Ministries of our Church. Question: Why do we need more office space and meeting space? Why can’t we just build classrooms?

The need for additional space it is clear as our Parish grows and the organizations representing the Ministries of our Parish will also continue to grow and become more active. Our current hall is too large to be reserved for a small group and so conflicting meeting schedules are constantly a problem. Cooling or heating our current hall for small meeting groups is an expensive waste of energy. The new building will have a smaller hall for meetings and during the week when the classrooms are empty they can be used as meeting space for a number of small groups. This will make it possible for more than one group to meet at the same time. Additionally the new building is designed to cool or heat only the spaces in use. The size of the current Administrative Assistant’s office when it is busy is just not large enough. It is even more hectic when the various Ministries need office space to complete their necessary work. The office for the Priest will be moved to the new building adjacent to the administrative office. Once the current office space is vacated it can be converted into “a cry room”, and a dressing area for bridal parties or other appropriate uses. Storage space is an absolutely critical need which the present buildings do not provide. Important records of the Church are stored in the attic of the hall, in storage sheds on the property and in the current hall’s closets. The new building will provide safe, centralized storage space for all Church records and free up storage space for other Ministries both in the current and new building.

Continued on Next Page

The bookstore will be relocated to the present Administrative office. Its relocation will free up valuable space for fellowship and more seating. The result is that income from social events is limited by the space available. Question: I understand the construction of the new building will cost $800,000. How will we pay for it?

Your Parish Council has negotiated a $600,000 loan on excellent terms from Edison National Bank. We need to raise additional funds through cash, stock or pledge contributions. The responsibility for raising these additional funds has been assigned to the Classroom Capital Campaign Committee. Other funds will come from monies contributed to the Building Fund, the car raffle and from various Parish building fund raising projects hosted by the various Ministries of the Church.. Question: Where will the additional funds come from to pay off this loan?

There is currently $173,000 in Trust Funds held by the Church. $132,000 has been contributed by the Rogers family to the Dr. Rogers Classroom Building Fund. A Classroom Capital Campaign will shortly begin to raise additional amounts that will reduce the $600,000 loan from the bank. The goal of the Classroom Capital Campaign Committee is to raise enough funds to leave the Church with a mortgage of $300,000 on the building. Question: While I support this project I don’t think I am able to contribute a large amount to the Building Fund.

The Committee recognizes that in some instances that may be the case. Hopefully, every Parishioner will support this important project to the best of their ability. Small regular gifts can provide each Parishioner with the ability to make a sizeable contribution over the year. For example if you made a Building Fund contribution of $10 each week it will total $520 at the end of each year. We will all be called upon to make sacrifices to ensure this import project becomes a reality. Question: I would like to make a substantial contribution to the success of the Classroom Capital Campaign but I cannot do it all at once. Is it possible to make payments over a period of time?

Yes, it is possible to make a substantial contribution to the Classroom Capital Campaign in installments. Shortly every member of the Parish will receive a letter from the Committee including a pledge form that will provide for pledge payments over a 3 or 5 year period. You may select the payment plan most convenient to you. A few Sunday’s ago Father Dean in his sermon raised the importance of accomplishing our personal goals through “sinergasia.” In translation from the Greek it means “Work Together.” By “Working together” and with the help of our Lord, the new building’s financial goals will become a reality. Parishioners in the past have had the courage to accept the responsibility of burdening themselves as a Parish with debt to provide the facilities we enjoy today, which are now debt free. Surely we can meet and exceed the commitments and courage they have shown us. We need this new facility and we need to do what is necessary to achieve the goal outlined by the Classroom Capital Campaign Committee.

Michael B. Peceri Parish Council Classroom Capital Campaign Chair

14131 Metropolis Ave., Ste. 104

Fort Myers, FL 33912 Near Gulf Coast Hospital

Phone (239) 332-4099

Call today to reserve your spot by calling Stella Karras @ 239-470-4294

or church office @ 239-481-2099. These prices are for a ONE YEAR

contract!

*FULL PAGE: $350

*HALF PAGE: $200

*QUARTER PAGE $125

*BUSINESS CARD $95

$$ DOLLAR $$ CASH

RAFFLE TICKETS

are now ready for both purchase

and distribution.

$5 for 6 Tickets.

4 CASH PRIZES: $1000, $500,$250 & $250

Keep some in your purse, in your wallet and your

car---anywhere, anytime!! It's easy sale to your

neighbors, family, friends and business people you

support all year long. Please consider taking a

few tickets and helping out this year!

Contact Tina Kucera at 239-980-1520 or

John Troutman for more information.

ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

2014 STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM PLEDGES

This listing contains the names of those Stewards of the Church who have signed pledge cards for 2014. Pledge cards are available in the Church Narthex or Church office. If you feel your name has been omitted please contact: Kelsie Gregware, Administrative Assistant in the Church Office (481-2099) or Michael Peceri, Stewardship Committee Chairman.

Jimmy & Jennifer Achkar

Michael & Popi Ambazis

Rev. Albert & Ginny Amend

Dr. Paula Apostolou

Dr. Andrew & Jen-Hope Belis

Athena Belis

Angelo Bitsis

Golfo Bitsis

Joseph Boisvert

Dr. Theodor & Dorothy Bonstedt

Robert & Helen Boucher

George & Elaine Chakonas

Donald & Irene Cheek

Jodi Chupak & James Anderson

Mary Sue Chupak

Penny Churchman

Lois Colagrossi

Angelo & Anastasia Constan

Kristin Cooper

George & Georgia Copulos

Katherine Del Monico

Constantinos & Barbara Dionysopoulos

John & Caken Dopoulos

Dr. Thomas & Frances Drakos

Jurijus & Rita Dukinas

Niki Fagerline

Robert & Aileen Fenton

Helen & Tom Gallian

Joyce Gladis

Maria Gorrell

John & Elaine Green

Paul & Roda Guenther

Thomas & Marlene Haley

Danny & Ann Halvatzis

Ed & Mimi Hardgrove

Richard & Matia Hawks

Les & Emily Haynes

Donald & Virginia Headley

Peter Hernandez & Poly Mavridou

James & Bess Hord

Deacon John & Lanette Howard

Demetria Hughes

Alexander & Hope Hunter

James & Theresa Kalogridis

William & Helen Kaltsas

George & Dorothy Kantarze

Effie Kapetan

Elizabeth (Bess) Karabetsos

Jimmy & Despina Karras

Nick & Stella Karras

Apostolos Karydas

William & Sophia Katsaris

Marianthi Kazakos

Richard & Barbara Keene

Patricia Kemp

Panos Klentzeris

Richard & Georgia Kline

Nikos & Anna Kontakos

John & Bella Kontinos

Nicholas & Penelope Kontinos

Thomas & Chandra Kontinos

Konstantinos & Marie Kostouros

Ann Kotsalis

Nicholas & Mary Koukos

Theo & Nancy Koupelis

Michael & Christine Kouvelis

Ann Kratsios

Adam & Sandra Krotov

Joseph & Heidi Kubiak

Doug & Tina Kucera

Cynthia Kyriacou

John Lampiris

Michael & Evangeline Lemonakis

Dino & Jennifer Magas

Jimmy & Valerie Magas

Mikes & Minna Mailakakis

Steven & Jennifer Maillakakis

Stravos & Francine Maillakakis

Helen Mamukari

Anthony & Marie Mankus

Pauline Margaritis

Maria Mason

Ellen Matic

Victoria Matic

Helen Messerotes

Continued on Next Page

Total Stewardship Pledged:

$96,916

How many possible Stewards:

278

Total # of Stewards Pledged:

159

2014 Stewardship Goal:

$200,000

Total amount given (recorded):

$11,092 through Jan. 19, 2014.

Some of this charged to Stewardship but

given by Parishioners who had not signed

Pledge Cards.

STEWARDSHIP DATA

Marilena Midgley

George & Maria Mourgis

Tyler & Alexandra Nara

Fr. Dean & Pres. Carolyn Nastos

Marilyn Necak

Emmanuel & Nomiki Neskes

Frieda Nicholas

Donald & Dorothea Nicholson

George & Helen Nicolaidis

John Noufrios

Rich & Carol Palatine

Theodosios & Margaret Palis

Basil & Linda Pappas

Presvytera Evangeline Pappas

John & Amelia Pappas

Phillip & Petronia Pappas

Patricia Pavis

Michael B. Peceri

William & Phyllis Photinos

Hrisovalantis & Kaliopo Pilatos

John & Ottilie Pistolis

Kleopas & Irene Polyviou

Pauline Poulos

Patricia Reardon

Lyudmyla Robinson

Albert & Darlene Romanosky

Tony & Cathy Rubinski

John & Olympia Ruppe

Mitchell & Christina Samuels

Jamie & Anastasia Scime

Jon & Roman Shannon

Roger & Maria Shields

John & Joanie Simon

Helen Sotiropoulos

Bessie Spiridakis

Mary Spiropoulos

Spero & Ruth Stergiotis

Dr. Douglas & Bridget Stilian

Thomas & Pamela Strikis

Cornelia Talabac

Michael Thomas, Jr.

William & Katherine Thomas

George & Lourdes Taliforos

John & Corgette Troutman

Thomas & Nina Verios

Effie Vlahos

James & Vanthea Vouros

Tyler & Ageliki Wainright

Artemis Welsh

Peter & Sia Wouralis

Marion Zachariades

Sue Zatezalo

The 2013 listing of Stewardship

participants inadvertently omitted

Marion Zachariades.

4

To All Our Annunciation Parishioners,

It is such a great pleasure full of excitement to announce that our 9th Annual Car

Raffle tickets are on sell now. This annual raffle benefits the building fund of our

church. For ONLY a $50 donation you can win $25,000.00 or a brand new IS350

LEXUS. Only 2000 tickets will be sold. If less than 1200 tickets sold, it becomes a

50/50 raffle. You need not be present to win. Winner is responsible for tax, title and

license fees. The drawing will be held on Sunday March 2, 2014 at 6PM.

A special thanks to all who have supported this fundraiser in the past and look

forward to your continued support. Without your help it would not be possible to

make it a huge success as it has been for the past eight years.

This car raffle is the second biggest fundraiser for our church, next to the festival,

which needs a lot of hard work and dedication from everybody. Together as a

community we will make it successful again this year.

Please have a positive attitude and come get tickets to sell to your family and friends.

Reach outside of our church families. These tickets make great gift ideas.

Everyone's help and hard effort is needed to make this possible.

Contact the Church Office at 239-481-2099 with any inquires. Thank you.

February 2:

The Presentation of our Lord in the Temple

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple (Ypapanti) is one of thee Twelve Great Feasts of the Church, commemorating the event which took place forty days after the birth of Jesus as described in Luke 2:22-40. According the Old Testament Law (Lev. 12), male children were presented to the Temple forty days after birth. At this time the mother was considered “purified” from the effects of giving birth.

Following the commandments of the Law, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the Temple and offered their sacrifice of two doves. There they encountered Simeon, the Priest. Simeon had been assured by God that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. When he took the infant Jesus into his arms he felt the presence of the Lord and said: Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared in the presence of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel (Lk. 2:29-32).

The the Feast of the Presentation the divine and human mature of Jesus is revealed. We believe that Jesus is fully God and fully human. The act of Presenting Him in the Temple reminds us of His humanity because even Jesus followed the Law. As an infant Jesus chose to experience everything that all infants experience. The words of Simeon remind us, however, that this human being is the Messiah.

Churching of Infants

The Church remembers this event in the practice of ‘churching” babies (Sarantismos or Ekklisiasmos). About the fortieth day after birth, the parents bring the child to Church and the priest conducts the churching of the mother and child. The Church prays for the mother and blesses her, restoring her to sacramental Communion in the Church after her absence for forty days. Second, the baby is “churched,” which literally means the infant enters the Church, as the priest offers prayers for the good

health and growth of the child and carried the child into the main Church. The child becomes an initial member of the church until the day of Baptism, when he or she becomes a full member.

The same prayers are offered to God for infants of both sexes, but in accordance with Orthodox traditions, a male child is brought into the altar in the hope that he will be one selected by heaven to answer a call to serve as a priest one day. The female infant, however, is brought only to the entrance of the altar, not in a discriminatory gesture, but simply because, since a female does not serve as a priest in the Orthodox service, she is not offered to God with the prospect of being one day called to serve as a cleric.

This does not smack of the chauvinism that is being misapplied by well-intentioned women of the world today. Since Mary Magdalene, the presence of women has been very much felt in the Christian faith, to which countless heroines and martyrs who have been sainted bear witness. There is ample proof throughout the New Testament that women are on the same level with me in the eyes of God, Who chose as a Savior a male child. The presentation of the Lord on February 2 is a presentation of all who believe in Him.

“O Lord, Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who by Thy Word has created all things both reasoning and unreasoning, and has brought all things from nothingness into being, we pray to Thee: Thou has preserved this Thy Servant (name) by Thy Will, bless her and cleanse her from every sin and impurity as she now enters into Thy Holy Church and make her worthy to partake of Thy Holy mysteries without condemnation.

Bless Thou this child which has been born of her. Increase him/her, sanctify him/her, enlighten him/her and endow him/her with a good understanding. For Thou has brought him/her into the world and has shown him/her the physical light, that in due time he/she may also be granted the spiritual light through Baptism and may be counted among Thy holy flock, through Thine Only Begotten Son with Whom Thou are blessed, together with Thine all holy, good and lifegiving Spirit, now and forever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.”

Greek Fest by Jen-Hope Belis

FEBRUARY

As of

1st

27 DAYS

TILL

Greek

Fest

Feel free to contact me anytime if you have

questions about the Greek Fest.

Chairperson: Jen-Hope Belis at:

jhbelis@yahoo.com

Be sure to check out the website: www.greekfestfortmyers.com

GREEK FEST VOLUNTEER

WORKSHOPS

We need YOU to help ensure the Greek Fest is a

success. Please sign up to attend one of these

workshops. Questions: email or call Jen-Hope

Belis at jhbelis@yahoo.com or 239-699-1489

Sunday, February 23

Roll Dolmathes

Following Services

(spaghetti luncheon served)

Monday, February 24

Roll Dolmathes

10:00am – 3:00pm

Tuesday, February 25

Roll Dolmathes

10:00am – 3:00pm

Electrical Work on Tents

2:00pm – 5:00pm

Wednesday, February 26

Decorate Tables

10:00am – 3:00pm

Electrical Work on Tents

8:00am – 5:00pm

Unload Bakery Truck

2:00pm-6:00pm

Thursday, February 27

Decorate Tables

10:00am – 3:00pm

Electrical Work on Tents

8:00am – 5:00pm

HIGH SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS

We are working on getting this process online

so if you know of a high school student who

plans to volunteer, the site will be at our

website www.greekfestfortmyers.com

Hellenic-American Social Club of S.W. Florida, Inc. by Ann Constan

We ended the year 2013 with a flourish. The Annual Christmas Dinner Party was held at the Three Fishermen Seafood Restaurant in Fort Myers. The casual and fun evening was chaired by John and Amelia Pappas and attended by most of our members. We were honored to have Father Dean be our guest for the dinner.

We began the New Year 2014 with the swearing-in of the newly elected Officers and Board Members at the first meeting of the year on January 14th. We offer best wishes to this Board for a very eventful and successful term. The newly elected Officers and Board are: President Barbara Dionysopoulos Vice-President Phyllis Mino Treasurer Patricia Kemp Secretary Ann Constan Board of Directors Kitty Avtges, Carol Palatine John Pappas Kleopas Polyviou Pam Strikis Advisor Past-President, Peter Wouralis

Our new Board is continuing with many planned events for the coming year and welcome all our parish members and friends to join us. Tuesday, February 11th: Annual Greek Picnic at Lakes Park, 12 noon. Enjoy fine Greek Cuisine which will include a Greek Salad, Pastichio, Souvlakia, sides and many homemade desserts. Reservations requested. Please contact Barbara D. at 267-2014. Cost is $10 per Club member ~ $12 per Guest Tuesday, March 18th : Day Trip to Tarpon Springs. Details to be announced. Contact Phyllis Mino at (631) 838-1492 for reservations and information. Additional events will be announced when the dates are set and information will be circulated in the weekly Annunciation Sunday Bulletins. The Hellenic Club monthly meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Fr. Arthur Kontinos Community Center. Annual Dues are $20 per year per member. For more information regarding membership and Club events, please contact President Barbara Dionysopoulos at 267-2014. We continue to ask all our members – and Parishioners – to remember to bring in canned goods, staples and non-perishables to our meetings and to our church narthex for contribution to our local Food Pantry for the needy. There certainly is a great need at this time. Thank you to all who remember.

The Annual Christmas Dinner Party at Three Fishermen Seafood Restaurant

in Fort Myers. A wonderful evening enjoyed by all.

The Little Bookstore by Virginia Headley

The Lenten Spring by Fr. Thomas Hopko The Church welcomes the Lenten Spring with a spirit of exultation...with the enthusiasm of a child...The tone of the church services is one of brightness and light. Thus the author begins the first of forty meditations on Great Lent casting out the gloom and darkness with which many Christians approach this holy season and revealing, in a simple, clear and beautiful manner, its true meaning. In his meditations, Fr. Hopkp draws on his long experience as a pastor and teacher, working with young and old throughout the country, to present to the modern reader the relevance of the church's two-thousand-year-old tradition of preparing to greet our

Lord's Resurrection. But in so doing he also makes extensive use of all facets of church tradition from all times inspiring scriptural and liturgical passages from the Lenten services, the spiritual wisdom of the ancient saints and fathers, as well as the teachings of modern guides to the Christian life. All Christians who undertake the yearly journey to the blessed Pascha of our Lord will find inspiration and guidance in these meditations. All can enjoy reading and rereading them and share in the profound thoughts of the author as they make their own spiritual way through this holy season. (The Lenten Spring $16.00) Stop to see this book and many others, as well as Icons, religious supplies and gifts this morning after Liturgy in our Church Bookstore during the coffee hour.

Loukoumades Sunday Event Loukoumades SALE! A great event to help kick start the Educational/Office Building Capital Campaign. One person's vision was developed and thru the efforts of George Skaff and his team in the kitchen, the ladies and gents who drizzled that syrup, chopped those nuts, mixed that dough, took the payments and sprinkled the love, Pam Strikis and the Loukoumades Team were able to present Fr. Dean and President Nick Karras with a check for $665 dollars!!

Great cheers and requests to do it again!!!!!

This is the beginning of getting our children and church staff into an appropriate facility for Education.

Left to right: Fr. Dean, Pam Strikis & Nick Karras

We do have a number of holes in our volunteer schedule and we hope you can offer a few hours of your time to help. Our shifts are 10:30am-5pm or 5-11:30pm on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, we have one shift from 11:30-5pm. However, any amount of time is appreciated!

We will continue to offer food vouchers to our volunteers for select items listed on the vouchers. Please be respectful of the people working the food lines and do not ask for items not listed on the voucher.

1.)CARNIVAL SALES Must be good with money and making change in a timely manner. Person will need to man the ticket /wristband sales onsite but this could be done by a group of people willing to share the role. Person does get to sit in an air conditioned ticket booth during the festival.

2.)DINING TENT LEAD Manage volunteers who are assigned to dining tent busing including high school volunteers. Make sure volunteers wash trays and are taken to Aegean & Yassou lines. This actually is a fun job for a couple (Andrew & I did this for many hours last year and we go to chat and see dance shows).

3.)ADMISSIONS LEAD Make sure both admissions booths have supplies needed including wristbands and brochures. Jump in to make lines move quickly at peak hours.

4.)BAKERY CO-LEAD Great news—Aphrodite Varkis & Olympia Ruppe will be co-leads at the Bakery.

5.)PEPSI LEAD Ally & Christian Stilian will be leading the Pepsi tent.

6.)LOUKOUMADES Luckily, we have George Skaff as a fryer as well as George Mourgis, John Shannon and Rich Palantine. In addition, Pam Strikis is going to help lead the booth after the smashing success of "Loukoumades Sunday."

Greek Fest Roles & Holes by Jen-Hope Belis

Greek Fest Sponserships!!! by Bridget Stilian

Are you a business owner? Greek Fest is a great marketing vehicle to advertise your business or upcoming event, as we reach thousands and thousands of patrons. You can use your own logos, or you have us make custom signs just for you. Are you an individual, you can sponsor a sign to celebrate a personal event like a birthday, graduation, or anniversary.

Our sponsorship levels begin at $25 and go up from there, so contact me to discuss some options because truly, the possibilities are endless!!

Over the years, the kind contributions of our Sponsor Club members have helped defray the overall costs of hosting the Greek Fest, and as has been our tradition and honor, we proudly earmark a portion of our net profits to lovingly support local and national charities such as our very own South West Florida Children’s Hospital.

Thank you for considering to be a sponsor and I look forward to spending Greek Fest 2014 weekend with you. OPA ! Bridget Stilian 239-565-2559 Greek Fest 2014 Volunteer Sponsorship Committee Chair

Alpha Omega Dance Troupe by Bridget Stilian GREEK DANCE 2014

Greek Dance practice continues every Sunday until Greek Fest 2014.

Greek Fest carnival wristband incentive! Dancers who attend 90% (miss only 1 practice) of practices, and 75% of the church service and Sunday School Classes, can earn a weekend wristband for the carnival rides at the Greek Festival. Don’t forget, attendance and

arrival time is taken in all three areas. Questions?

Contact Bridget at 239-565-2559

SUMMER CAMP 2014

Keep your eye out in the coming months for information about Annunciation's 6th Annual Vacation Summer Camp! So much fun has been had by the campers, the Jr Counselors, as well as the class teachers, and Adult supervisors over the years that this year is sure to be another hit!

If you have any thoughts or suggestions about VBC 2014, contact Bridget Stilian at 239-565-2559

Greek Dance Group 2013: Posing for a quick snap shot before their next

performance. Can you tell they are having some serious fun!

Vacation Summer Camp by Bridget Stilian

Summer Camp 2012: The kids having a fun time, playing games, making

crafts, learning and enjoying each others company.

Fr Dean Article—2 column

Saint Haralambos the Priest-Martyr

HOUSE BLESSINGS 2014 It was great visiting so many of your homes this

month. May God bless all the families of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

-Fr. Dean

Sunday School classes are in full swing! We will be preparing for Pascha week so be on the look out for how your child(ren) can be involved as readers, myrrh bearers, etc.

SUNDAY SCHOOL EVENTS March 9 Sunday of Orthodoxy Icon Procession Children should bring an icon from home for the processional.

March 30 Oratorical Festival Details will be sent our separately. Contact: Faith Miller.

April 12 Saturday of Lazarus Liturgy followed by Pancake Breakfast with Palm Making

April 13 Palm Sunday Processional After Communion, students will get a palm cross and process around the church. Kids will then go to Sunday School.

April 14-18 Holy Week Readers 7th-12th grade students who are interested should contact Mary Sue Chupak

April 18 Decorating Epitaphio. Good Friday Liturgy with Myrrh Bearers. Girls interested in being a Myrrh Bearer, please contact Olympia Ruppe.

April 19 Holy Saturday Liturgy followed by Confessions

April 20 Easter Egg Hunt following Agape Vespers at 11am Details will be sent our separately. Contact: Jen-Hope Belis & Olympia Ruppe.

May 18 Last Day of Sunday School. Award Ceremony & Ice Cream Social Details will be sent our separately. Contact: Tina Kucera

Sept 21 First day of Sunday School 2014. Liturgy & Picnic in the Park Details will be sent our separately. Contact: Polly Hernandez & Olympia Ruppe

IMPORTANT DATES There will be NO Sunday School on the following days: March 2 (Festival Weekend)

April 20 (Holy Pascha)

Sunday School News by Jen-Hope Belis

Jen-Hope Belis and some of the Sunday

School Children enjoying their day of

learning.

Fr. Dean and the Sunday School children during our Christmas

Program.

GOYA NEWS by Zackary Magas

It's been another busy couple of months for the GOYANS. We finished out the month of November with a shopping trip to Walmart to buy items for the food pantry. We were divided into teams and given a budget. Both teams did great and were able to get lots of great items while staying within their budget! We also took a trip to Germain Arena where we had a lot of fun ice skating. Some of us still have the bruises to show for it! We were all once again excited that Father Dean came to hang out with us, and even the Naples GOYA and their advisors joined us! We look forward to doing more activities with them in the future.

December was very productive for the GOYANS. We helped out the Ladies Philoptochos by helping serve at the Silver Tea. Then we hosted a Christian rock concert, and invited the community to join us in fellowship. We collected canned goods for the food pantry as an admission fee. We also held an Art/Bake sale where we sold lots of Greek pastries and Mr. Plato Pavis sold some of his beautiful paintings to support the GOYA. From there we took some of our leftover baked goods and sold them at the Cape Coral Farmers Market. We would like to extend a huge thank you, to all who helped to make these fundraiser's possible, and to all those who supported us by purchasing pastries. We couldn't have done it without you all!

Thanksgiving grocery shopping by our

GOYANS. We donated Thanksgiving

side dish ingredients to the Cypress

Lake Presbyterian Food Bank so

families in need could have all of the

ingredients they would need to enjoy

in the wonderful traditions of

Thanksgiving.

Naples and Fort Myers

GOY A NS a t t h e

Germain Arena, getting

their ice skating on. A

day filled with good

laughter and lots of fun!

A great time had by all!

Continued on Next Page

Circle of Friends - Κύκλον τον ϕίλον by Joan Simon

On January 10th, Father Dean & 34

parishioners made their pilgrimage to the

Panagia Vlahernon Greek Orthodox

Monastery in Williston, Florida. The monks

served a delicious lunch and held a Paraklesis

Service for the group before heading home. It

was a wonderful & spiritual day. We had an

opportunity to see first-hand, how a

monastery works.

The Circle of Friends is the social

organization of your ecclesiastical

community. If you are a member of the

church, you are automatically a member of

the Circle of Friends. We hold General

Meetings every other month on the THIRD

Thursday of the month @ noon in the church

hall. A light (free) lunch is usually served.

We also host a monthly Movie & Pizza night

on the SECOND Thursday of the month @

6pm in the church hall. For $5.00 per person,

you get a movie + pizza + soda. The next

movie night is THURSDAY, February 13th @

6pm. We will be showing a Greek love story:

A Sea Apart, filmed partially in Los Angeles

& on the Greek Island of Karpathos. Please

join us for an evening of fun & fellowship.

Mark your calendars NOW for subsequent

movie nights scheduled for: 3/13/; 4/10/

5/8 & 6/12. Movie titles to be announced.

The Circle of Friends Annual Picnic

will be held at Cinnamon Cove on Thursday,

May 22nd @ noon. Details to follow in

upcoming issues of The Voice/Church

Bulletin.

Paraklesis Service at the Panagia Vlahernon Greek Orthodox Monastery

in Williston, Florida.

Walking around and enjoying the beautiful landscapes at the Panagia

Vlahernon Greek Orthodox Monastery .

January has been a little slower, allowing everyone to catch up from the holidays! On January 11th we made the trip to West Palm Beach where Alex Hall and myself participated in their annual Epiphany cross dive. Thank you to our family, Ms. Heidi, and everyone else who made the trip to support us. We'd like to especially thank Father Dean and Presbytera Carolyn for doing their best to be in two places at once! It meant a lot to us to have our own Priest there participating in the service with us.

In February, we will be concentrating mostly on Greek Fest and dance practice, but we will also be volunteering our time to serve meals in the Community Cooperative Ministries Incorporated (CCMI) soup kitchen. We also will be holding our annual Super Bowl gyro sale!

Over the next couple of months we will be putting our heads together and coming up with some fun activities such as Skyzone and a trip to the beach. As well as fundraising and community service projects to include a car wash, donating our time to help out at the Ronald McDonald House, and a fundraiser to support the classroom building fund. Again, thank you to all who support our ministry!

Left to right: Zackary Magas,

Fr. Dean and Alex Hall. After

diving for the Epiphany cross

at St. Katherine’s in West Palm

Beach, FL.

FEBRUARY 2 , 2014

GODPARENT SUNDAY was a wonderful reunion of Godparents/Godchildren and

Sponsors of our Orthodox faithful. Recreating the Baptismal Service before participating in

Holy Communion. Thanks to Penny Churchman and Maria Mason for helping sell the

beautiful candles.

Godparent Sunday

Ladies Philoptochos Society by Carol Palatine

On Saturday December 7th our annual Silver Tea was as usual a beautiful event. The food was fantastic and all the place settings and decorations were beautiful, thanks to our LPS ladies.

The Chinese Auction was exciting, thanks to Tina Kucera, and the guests who had the winning ticket went home with lovely gifts, that were donated by the LPS ladies.

The Children's Violin Group were entertaining and the music was just beautiful. They were invited back by Bella Kontinos to perform again at our next Silver Tea, a special thank you to all the LPS ladies for making this, yet another Gala Affair.

December 9th The LPS had a Christmas luncheon for all its members at the Plaka II Restaurant. Owners, Georgia and Costa prepared a wonderful feast for all! Everyone had a wonderful time.

Ginny Amend presented gift certificates to Bella Kontinos, Helen Sotiropoulos and Dorothy Bonstedt, for their contribution to the LPS for many years of service and a job well done.

We wish to thank our Coffee Hour Hostess, Pam Strikes and Rana Levenderis for the month of January. Please lend a helping hand to these ladies by stepping up to offer assistance to serve and or clean up. They can always use a helping hand. This is very much appreciated. Feb. 8th is our Annual Formal Dinner Dance. Cost is 45.00 per person. Time is7:00 pm at the Fr.Arthur Community Center. Please buy your tickets from Marianthe Kazakos. Saturday Feb.15th @7:00 pm is the Antique Auction in the Fr. Kontinos Community Center, See Ginny Amend with your donations , and thank you in advance.

Christmas Luncheon at

Plaka II. A great time

with a wonderful group of

people.