Orthodox Christian Stewardship is – An Orthodox Christian Steward is an active participant in the life of the Church. The parish encourages all who accept the Orthodox Faith to become practicing Stewards. Each year the Steward is expected to carefully review his or her personal circumstances and make a commitment of time, talent, and treasure to support the Parish and her Ministries, which in turn support the National Ministries of our Archdiocese, Metropolises, and institutions.
Parish Council Notes:
- Approved a contract to repair the ceiling in the community center. The estimated cost is $7,300 and will be paid for by withdrawing money from the Capital Improvement Fund.
- Approved the purchase of a wireless microphone for the Community Center which will cost about $750 installed and will be paid for from the operating budget.
- Agreed to consider an offer to sell the storage building and lot on Summit Street. Completion of sale requires an acceptable offer from purchaser, 2/3 vote to approve sale by Parish Assembly and Metropolis approval. More on this once purchase offer is received and reviewed by Parish Council.
- Plans are underway to replace the Cathedral’s 25+ year old air conditioning system. This work was deferred several years ago due to a shortage of funds. The cost of this repair is yet to be determined and will likely be paid for by withdrawing money from the Memorial Fund. This project will be an agenda item for the March 2017 Parish Assembly.
Parish Council Elections: On December 11, 2016, fifty-two members in good standing voted to elect five members to Parish Council. Please join me in welcoming Kathy Chaka, Debra Morris, Pete Papadimos, Harry Dean Proestos and Maria Tzanakis, to a 3-year term on Parish Council.
Correction: In the Decembers Echo I stated that Absentee Balloting was not authorized by Parish Bylaws. This statement was not correct. Parish Bylaws do allow absentee balloting for Parish Council elections only and will be available in 2017.
On A Personal Note: Over the past nine years, Holy Trinity has truly become a “spiritual home” for me – something that transcends the bricks and mortar of our Cathedral and Community Center and describes more a sense of community, of belonging to something larger than oneself. But, a community is much more than simply belonging, it is about doing something together that makes belonging matter. And, I believe, it is that sense of community that has allowed us, working together, to pay off the mortgage and pass a debt-free church into your hands as we celebrated our 100th Anniversary. Although I have resigned from Parish Council to spend winters in a warmer climate, Kathy and I remain members of this community and look forward to working together with you in the future.
