ST. THOMAS GREEK President’s Message ORTHODOX CHURCH · National Philoptochos Website: ...

NationalPhiloptochosWebsite:http://www.philoptochos.org/MetropolisofNewJerseyPhiloptochos:http://www.nj.goarch.org/philoptochos/philoptochos.htm

St.IreneLadiesPhiloptochosSociety:st.irenephiloptochossociety@gmail.comandLIKEusonFacebook@St.IrenePhiloptochosSociety

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JAN2018

RECENTEVENTS

October1,2017AnniversaryGala

Adelphia

October5–8,2017AGORA

October29,2017LoukoumadesFund

Raiser

November5,2017AmbassadorAwards

DinnerMerionCaterers

November11,2017Children’sMedicalFund

LuncheonTheVenetian

December12,2017ChristmasDinner

Adelphia

ST. THOMAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

St. Irene Philoptochos Newsletter Newofficerselectedforthe2017–2019term

SpiritualFather–V.Rev.Fr.ChristoforosOikonomidisCarolPappas–PresidentTullaSandilos–VicePresidentPopiStamatiades–TreasurerRoulaCriaris–AssistantTreasurerRaniaPappas–CorrespondingSecretaryRoseMitropoulos–RecordingSecretary

President’sMessage

HappyNewYear!ItissuchanhonortobeaddressingyouasthePresidentoftheSt.IrenePhiloptochos.TheSt.IreneboardandIwantedtokeepeveryoneintheSt.Thomascommunityupdatedastowhatwearedoing.WestartedinSeptembergettingreadyforthe50thAnniversaryGalaandtheSt.ThomasAgora.Inthe fallwe continued our food donations and volunteering at the Cherry Hill Food Pantry. InDecember,westartedour“OneWarmCoat”DrivewhichwillrunthroughJanuary.Againthisyear,weputtogetherthecommunityChristmascard,collectedforthePoinsettiastodecoratethechurchforChristmas,andtookordersforVasilopita.AtourChristmasDinneratAdelphiaRestaurant,funwashadbyall!Thenewyearstartsoutwithourmembershipdrive.ThestrawberriesandchampagnecoffeehourinJanuarygiveseveryoneachancetolearnmoreaboutPhiloptochos.Opa-cizeinFebruarywillgetusallmovingwhilehavingagreattime.February25thwillbeourFellowshipLuncheonwithGreekAmericanauthorof children’sbooks,DemetraTsavaris-Lecourezos. We look forward tobakingandsellingKoulourakiaandTsourekiaforEasterandthenourbiggestfundraisertheBid’nBuy,May16th.Thankyouforhelpinguswithallofourfundraisers.Itenablesustohelppeopleinneed,andtofulfillallofourlocalandnationalcommitments.Weallknowthattherearesomanypeopleinneed,inourchurchandlocalcommunitiestoneedsaroundtheworld.AsPhiloptochosmembersweknowthejoyinhelpingothers.WeinviteallinourchurchtojoinSt.IrenePhiloptochosandhelpevenmorepeople.WithloveinChrist,CarolPappas,PresidentSt.IreneLadiesPhiloptochosSociety

President’sMessage

NationalPhiloptochosWebsite:http://www.philoptochos.org/MetropolisofNewJerseyPhiloptochos:http://www.nj.goarch.org/philoptochos/philoptochos.htm

St.IreneLadiesPhiloptochosSociety:st.irenephiloptochossociety@gmail.comandLIKEusonFacebook@St.IrenePhiloptochosSociety

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IMPORTANTREMINDERS

January7,2018Strawberriesand

ChampagneMembershipDrive

St.IreneHall

February2,2018OPA-cize-7pm

DanielleKousoulisCenter

February25,2018

Founder’sDayLuncheonDanielleKousoulis

Center

March11,2018MallWalk

VoorheesTownCenter

May16,2018BidnBuy

DanielleKousoulisCenter

St.Thomas

AGORA2017PREPARATIONS

ThemembersofPhiloptochosandtheladiesofSt.Thomaspreparedallthepastriesforthe2017AGORAduringanintensebakingscheduleinSeptember.ChairpersonforthebakingwasPopiStamatiades.

AGORA2017

ThemembersofPhiloptochospreparedtheroomandsoldthepastriesatAGORA2017resultinginarecordbreakingyearofsales!

AGORA2017

NationalPhiloptochosWebsite:http://www.philoptochos.org/MetropolisofNewJerseyPhiloptochos:http://www.nj.goarch.org/philoptochos/philoptochos.htm

St.IreneLadiesPhiloptochosSociety:st.irenephiloptochossociety@gmail.comandLIKEusonFacebook@St.IrenePhiloptochosSociety

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GOLDENJUBILEEGALA

October1,2017

Howwonderfulitwastocelebrate;youngandold,“originals”andnewmembers,alltogetherto

rememberourpast50yearsandbeveryencouragedforthefuture.

METROPOLITANEVANGELOSAMBASSADORAWARD

November5,2017

Thisyear’srecipientonbehalfofthePhiloptochosSocietywasourverybelovedMrs.AmaliaKokolisfor

heroutstandingyearsofservice.

PANTAAXIA!

PHILOPTOCHOSCHILDREN’SMEDICALFUND

November11,2017

ThiseventishostedbyadifferentMetropolisBi-annually.ThisyearTheMetropolisofNewJerseyhostedtheluncheonanditwasahugesuccessbyexceedingexpectations.Thesefundshelpthosechildrenverymuchinneed.TheSt.IrenePhiloptochoshasaverylargeheart,andwasabletoprovide$5000towardsthisvery

worthycause.

NationalPhiloptochosWebsite:http://www.philoptochos.org/MetropolisofNewJerseyPhiloptochos:http://www.nj.goarch.org/philoptochos/philoptochos.htm

St.IreneLadiesPhiloptochosSociety:st.irenephiloptochossociety@gmail.comandLIKEusonFacebook@St.IrenePhiloptochosSociety

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Philoptochos2017ChristmasDinnerDecember12,2017

NationalPhiloptochosWebsite:http://www.philoptochos.org/MetropolisofNewJerseyPhiloptochos:http://www.nj.goarch.org/philoptochos/philoptochos.htm

St.IreneLadiesPhiloptochosSociety:st.irenephiloptochossociety@gmail.comandLIKEusonFacebook@St.IrenePhiloptochosSociety

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UpcomingMembershipandFundraiserOpportunities!

GetInvolved!Evenifdoingjustonething,everymembershipdonation,everyhelpinghandandeverysmileislikeapebblethrowninthewatermakingtheripplegrowwide

anddeepintomanyhearts.

StrawberriesandChampagne!

January7,2018

JoinusafterChurchduringcoffeehourandlearnmoreaboutwhatPhiloptochosisand

HOWyoucanjoin!

OPA-cize

February2,2018@7pmDanielleKousoulisGreekCulturalCenterJoinusforanighttorememberasweexercisetheGREEKway...OPA!ThiseventisanotheropportunitytohelpPhiloptochoswithyourheartwhileexercisingyourheart!Don’tmissoutonagreattimeandalot

oflaughs!

$20Entrancefee–ProceedstobenefitvariousPhiloptochosCharities

NationalPhiloptochosWebsite:http://www.philoptochos.org/MetropolisofNewJerseyPhiloptochos:http://www.nj.goarch.org/philoptochos/philoptochos.htm

St.IreneLadiesPhiloptochosSociety:st.irenephiloptochossociety@gmail.comandLIKEusonFacebook@St.IrenePhiloptochosSociety

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Doyouhaveanextracoatortwo?Donateit!

St.IrenePhiloptochosisholdingaOneWarmCoatdriveandcollectingclean,gentlyworncoatsofalltypesandsizes.

Donationswillbeaccepted:IntheSt.IreneHall

(PlaceinboxesnotedforOneWarmCoatbetweenJanurary22ndtoFebruary19thth)

DonatedcoatswillbedistributedthroughoutCamdenCounty!

Learnmore:www.onewarmcoat.org

FoundersDayLuncheonFebruary25,2018@1pm

DanielleKousoulisGreekCulturalCenter

Spendanafternoonoffellowshipandfunasweenjoyadeliciousmeal,greatconversationandlistenandsupporta

fellowGreek-American,author;

DemetraTsavaris-Lecourezos Authorof

LettersfromAroundtheWorld:LearningtheGreekAlphabetReady,Set,OPA!(YoungWorldTravelers)

YoungWorldTravelersandtheMagicalCrystalGlobe

NationalPhiloptochosWebsite:http://www.philoptochos.org/MetropolisofNewJerseyPhiloptochos:http://www.nj.goarch.org/philoptochos/philoptochos.htm

St.IreneLadiesPhiloptochosSociety:st.irenephiloptochossociety@gmail.comandLIKEusonFacebook@St.IrenePhiloptochosSociety

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CherryHillFoodPantryTheladiesofPhiloptochosvolunteertheirtimeandtalentsatCherryHillFoodPantry,acharitythataddressestheneedsofindividuals,familiesandseniorswhostruggletomeet

their bills. The Food Pantry is a non-profitorganizationthatcurrentlyserves850familiesinthearea. The ladieshelpthestaffstockshelvesand distribute groceries. Philoptochos alsoprovides financial support as well as goodsthrough frequent food drives. Anyone over theageof14 canhelp. WewillbevolunteeringonTuesdays2/13and2/20(5:00–7:30pm)aswellasThursdays2/15and2/22(10:00am–1:00pm).If you are interested in volunteering pleasecontactMarina Shookat 856.489.7723orRaniaPappasat856.316.8914.

Help Us Feed People in Need!

Once again, we will be collecting non-perishable items for the Cherry Hill Food Pantry,

the non-profit organization that serves 850 families in the area. Please consider donating some of the items noted on the list below and help people in need! You can drop off all items in the boxes marked: FOOD DRIVE, located at the entrance of the

“Balis Educational Building” & the “Danielle Kousoulis” Greek Culture Center.

Items Needed

High demand items requested by the Pantry

• Laundry Detergent • Soap, Shampoo, Deodorant,

Toothpaste • Jelly

• Side Dishes • Canned Collard Greens

• Canned Meat

Fruits & Vegetables:

• Vegetables (canned) • Fruit (canned) • Fruit cups • Applesauce • Dried fruit

(raisins, cranberries, prunes)

Breads & Cereals:

• Breakfast cereals (whole grain) • Oatmeal

• Rice • Pasta (whole grain)

• Pancake mix

Mixed Items: • Macaroni & cheese

• Canned soups, Canned stews, chili • Cake mix & Icing

• Ravioli, Spaghettios, etc. • Granola Bars

High Protein Items: • Peanut butter

• Canned tuna or salmon • Canned chicken or ham • Beans – canned or dry

• Peanuts, sunflower seeds, almonds

NationalPhiloptochosWebsite:http://www.philoptochos.org/MetropolisofNewJerseyPhiloptochos:http://www.nj.goarch.org/philoptochos/philoptochos.htm

St.IreneLadiesPhiloptochosSociety:st.irenephiloptochossociety@gmail.comandLIKEusonFacebook@St.IrenePhiloptochosSociety

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MissionStatement

TheGreekOrthodoxLadiesPhiloptochosSociety,Inc.,isthedulyaccreditedwomen'sphilanthropicsocietyoftheGreekOrthodoxArchdioceseofAmerica.ThemissionoftheSocietyshallbe:

§ Tohelpthepoor,thedestitute,thehungry,theaged,thesick,theunemployed,theorphaned,theimprisoned,thewidowed,thehandicapped,thevictimsofdisasters,toundertaketheburialofimpoverishedpersonsandtoofferassistancetoanyonewhomayneedthehelpoftheChurchthroughfundraisingefforts;and

§ Topromotethecharitable,benevolent,andphilanthropicpurposesoftheGreekOrthodoxArchdioceseofAmerica,throughinstructionalprograms,presentations,lectures,seminarsandothereducationalresources;

§ TopreserveandperpetuateOrthodoxChristianconceptsandtheOrthodoxChristianFamily,andthroughthem,topromotetheGreekOrthodoxFaithandtraditions,inaccordancewithitsdoctrines,canons,discipline,divineworship,usagesandcustoms;

§ TopromoteparticipationintheactivitiesoftheGreekOrthodoxcommunity,withthecooperationoftheParishPriestandtheParishCouncil.

ThecharitableworkoftheSocietyshallbeperformedwithdiscretion,courtesyandkindness.

PhiloptochosNationalMinistryCommitments

Membership/PerCapita(January)-Thisamountwasvoteduponatthe2010PhiloptochosConvention,$15permember.AcademyofSaintBasil-Vasilopita(January)-Today,thePhiloptochoscontinuestobeoneofthemainfinancialsupportersoftheAcademythroughtwocommitments:VasilopitaandSisterhood.TheVasilopitaeventisconductedduringthemonthofJanuaryacrosstheUnitedStatesbyeveryChapterineveryparish.ItisthemainsourceoffundingfortheoperatingexpensesoftheAcademy.SocialServices,Cancer&OtherMajorIllnessesFund(January)–TheDepartmentofSocialServicesisaveryimportant,vitalelementofourorganization.Themissionofthedepartmentistoimprovethequalityoflifeofthoseinneed,inawaythatmaintainsthedignityandself-respectoftheindividuals.Throughconfidentialandprofessionalservices,theofficeprovidesoutreach,education,information,support,intervention,motivation,advocacy,financialassistanceandreferraltolocalandbroaderresources.Atthe2010NationalConference,themembershipapprovedthemergingoftheCancerFundintotheSocialServicesFund,therebyreducingthetotalnumberofnationalcommitments.AutismAssistanceFund(February)–Autismisacomplex,life-long,neurologicaldisorderthatinhibitsaperson’sabilitytocommunicateanddevelopsocialrelationshipsandthisdisorderisdiagnosedinoneoutof88childrenintheUnitedStates.TheCenterforDiseaseControlandPreventionhascalledautismanationalpublichealthcrisis.Thisfundwillheightenawarenessofautismandprovideassistanceandsupporttopersonswiththeautismspectrum.SaintPhotiosShrine(February)–In1965,theArchdiocesepurchasedtheAveroHouseinhistoricSaintAugustine,FloridatocommemoratethearrivalofthefirstGreeksettlerstotheNewWorldin1768.ThePhiloptochoshascontinuedtoprovidefinancialassistancetowardsthepreservationoftheNationalShrine.OrthodoxChristianMissionCenterandSupportaMissionPriest(OCMCandSAMP)(March)–ThePhiloptochosSocietyprovidesfinancialsupporttotheOCMCmissionaryteams,strengtheningtheirabilitytoempowertheOrthodoxChurchworldwidetocarryitsmessagetothosewhohaveyettohearitandbringthemwithinitsfold.ThePhiloptochos,throughthesupportaMissionPriestprogram,providesfinancialsupportenablingOrthodoxbishopsandpriestsinmissionareastobuildandrestorechurches,communitycenters,schoolsandmedicalfacilities,aswellas,toparticipateintraining,teachingandfieldmanagement,thereforeincreasingproductivity.HellenicCollegeHolyCrossSchoolofTheologyLentenEvent(March)–TheLentenEventiscelebratedontheThirdSundayofLent,observingtheVenerationoftheHolyCross.TheChaptersarerequestedtoarrangeaLentenEventfollowingtheDivineLiturgy.Donationsraisedareusedfortheoperationalexpensesoftheschool.SisterhoodofSaintBasilAcademy(SBA)(April)–ThisprogramprovidesfortheongoingphysicalneedsofthechildrenofSaintBasilAcademy,suchasclothing,furniture,equipmentandessentialsforthedormitories,kitchen,etc.aswellasgraduationcosts,awardsandgifts.

NationalPhiloptochosWebsite:http://www.philoptochos.org/MetropolisofNewJerseyPhiloptochos:http://www.nj.goarch.org/philoptochos/philoptochos.htm

St.IreneLadiesPhiloptochosSociety:st.irenephiloptochossociety@gmail.comandLIKEusonFacebook@St.IrenePhiloptochosSociety

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InternationalOrthodoxChristianCharities(IOCC)(Aprill)–TheIOCCistheofficialhumanitarianaidagencyofOrthodoxChristians,whichprovidesprovidesfood,shelterandeconomicself-sufficiencyandhopetothoseinneedaroundtheworld.75thAnniversaryFoundersFund(May/June)–2006markedthe75thAnniversaryoftheSociety’sfounding.ThishistoricmilestoneofferedallPhiloptochosmembers,andourentireGreekOrthodoxcommunityinAmerica,anopportunitytoreflectonourhistory,ourfoundersandthegenerationofwomenwhohaveselflesslyworkedtofulfillthemissionoftheSociety.Tocommemoratedthelastingcontributionsandmemoryofthefoundingmembers,thisdiscretionarycommitmentwillprovidefinancialsupporttoexistingcontinuingcarefacilitiesservingtheagingGreekOrthodoxpopulationintheUnitedStatetheestablishmentofsimilarfacilities.OrthodoxChristianFellowship(OCF)(May/June)–ThiswasorganizedtosupportOrthodoxChristianfellowshiponcollegecampusesthroughouttheUnitedStates.TheOCFaffordsOrthodoxChristianyoungadultstheopportunitytomeet,experienceandwitnesstheOrthodoxChristianfaithandchurch,throughcommunitylife,prayerandservicetoother.HellenicCollege/HolyCrossScholarshipFund(September)–Formorethan20years,Scholarshipshavebeenawardedtoworthyanddedicatedstudentsatbothschoolstoassistthemwiththeirtuitionexpenses.RetiredClergyandWidowedPresvyteresBenevolentFund(RCA)(September)–TheRetiredClergyAssociation(RCA)oftheGreekOrthodoxArchdioceseofAmericawasestablishedin1988.ThemoniesraisedthroughthiscommitmentwillbedonatedtotheRCABenevolentFundwhichprovidessupportandguidanceforretiredclergywhoarefacingfinancialdifficulties.NationalPhiloptochosEmergencyFund(October)–Inrecentyears,therehavebeenanunprecedentednumberofnaturaldisastersintheUnitedStatesandthroughouttheworldthathavedepletedthevoluntarilysupportedEmergencyFund.ThisdiscretionarycommitmentenablesPhiloptochostorespondimmediatelytothoseinneedintimesofnationalorinternationaldisasters.EcumenicalPatriarchate(November)–ThephilanthropiesoftheEcumenicalPatriarchatesuchasBalukliGreekHospitalandNursinghome,school,shrineandparishesinIstanbularesupportedbythiscommitment.NationalSisterhoodofPresvyteres(NSP)BenevolentFund(November)–TheNationalSisterhoodofPresvytereswasformallyestablishedin1982,andconsistsofallPresvyteresoftheGreekOrthodoxArchdioceseofAmerica.ThemoniesraisedthroughthiscommitmentwillbedonatedtotheNSPBenevolentFund,whichwasshort-termsupportforclergyandtheirfamiliesinatimeofcrisis.UnitedNationsInternationalChildren’sEmergencyFund(UNICEF)(December)–In1979,tocommemoratetheUnitedNation’s“InternationalYearoftheChild”,PhiloptochosbecameaNGO(Non-GovernmentalOrganization)withtheUnitedNationsandUNICEF.ThroughthecommitmentforUNICEF,Philoptochosdonationshelpthisglobalorganizationtoprotecttherights,health,andwell-beingofallchildren.GeneralMedicalFund(December)–TheGeneralMedicalFundwasestablishedinresponsetoaneedtoprovideafundingmechanismforpersonsseekingassistanceinconnectionwithillnessesnotspecificallycoveredbyother,restrictedNationalPhiloptochosfundsandprograms.TheFunddoesnotincorporatethekindsofrestrictionscommonlyassociatedwithotherprograms,therebyallowingitsfinancialresourcestobeavailableforeventhemostunusualanduncommonmedicalconditionsandresultingfinancialissues.