Bookstore - Open to the Public

   Bookstore is open during normal church activities, Fr. John’s office hours, or by appointment.

Regular Weekly Schedule

      Thursday – The adult catechism (Orthodoxy) class is moving to Saturday mornings (on a trial basis) to see if people’s schedules will be more flexible to be able to attend.

      Saturday – 10:00-11:00 a.m.  Adult catechism class. Open discussion. The adult catechism moved from to Saturday mornings (on a trial basis) to see if people’s schedules will be more flexible to be able to attend.

Open to members of the public. Learn about the Orthodox Faith and Traditions. Open discussion. All are welcome! 

      Saturday –  6:00-6:45 p.m.  Vespers service.

      Sunday – 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy (conducted in Greek, English; some Serbian)

      Sunday School – 10:00 a.m. Second and fourth Sundays through May.

      Parish Council Meeting – Change in meeting time for November and December to 2nd Monday of the month

      Ladies’ Group Meeting – 3rd Sunday of the month

Upcoming Activities & Events –

      OPEN HOUSE - Thursday, November 8 – 7:00 p.m.  Introduction to the Orthodox faith and traditions. Presentation and question & answer time.  Parish members are encouraged to bring guests.  This is open to the public. Refreshments served following the presentation.

      Saturday, December 1 – Noon to 3:00 p.m. – Sunday school pizza and Christmas tree trimming party

      Sunday, December 2 – General Assembly Meeting

      Thursday, December 6 – 6:00 p.m. Celebration of the Feast Day of St. Nicholas, our parish’s patron saint, with a Divine Liturgy at 6:00 p.m. (conducted in Greek, English; some Serbian)

      Sunday, December 9 – St. Nicholas Parish Luncheon

      Thursday, December 13 – 6:00 p.m. Ladies’ Group Dinner at Apollon Restaurant

      Sunday, December 23 – Sunday school Christmas pageant

      Monday, December 24 – 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service

Church Directory

A directory of parish members is now available at church.

Office Hours

Father John has office hours at the church on Saturdays 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Feel free to stop in and chat or to talk about any concerns or issues you may have.

How to Contact the Parish Council – see home page

Message from Father John

Dear Friends, I can’t believe how quickly time goes by.  On Thursday, November 8, we host our OPEN HOUSE at 7:00 p.m. Statistics show that 90 percent of new members in a church come into the church by an invitation from a member. We must all do our part. Please invite your friends and family to come to this most informative evening of an introduction to Orthodoxy.  Father John Wehling from St. Matthew Orthodox Church in Green Bay will co-host the lecture. The parish of St. Nicholas can only grow with a synergistic effort.  In November, we also prepare to enter the time of the Nativity fast that begins on November 15.  This is the 40-day fast that ushers in the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of humankind. During this time, we prepare our hearts and souls for the birth of the Redeemer of Humanity. I urge you to make sure this Christmas season is, for you and your families, much more than the crass commercialism that has infected our society.  When out shopping and speaking to others use the term Merry Christmas and not the politically correct "Happy Holidays.”  This term is part of the concerted effort of secularists to remove all vestiges of traditional values from American culture and society. We also celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 22.  Thank God for all of your blessings including the blessings of living in our country that affords us the rights to worship God as we choose. Please join us on Thursday, December 6, as we celebrate the feast day of St. Nicholas with a Divine Liturgy that will commence at 6:00 p.m. versus the normal morning service so that all who work may attend.  Please come and honor St. Nicholas the Wonder-Worker and ask him to protect all of us. On Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24, we will have our Christmas Liturgy at 6:00 p.m. We will have this beautiful service early so all may spend Christmas Eve with their families.  God Bless, Father John+

St. John Chrysostomos Greek Orthodox Monastery

Eleven members of our parish took a van trip down to Pleasant Prairie, just south of Kenosha, on Saturday, November 3, to visit the Greek monastery there (thanks to Bernie and Dorothy Olson who volunteered to drive all 11 of us in their extra long van!).  We met the Abbess and several of the sisters, who witnessed to us about their ministry there – truly amazing. They built a new church in the construction style as those in Greece.  They provided us with a wonderful lunch, a tour of the new church, and attended their vespers and small compline service - the sisters’ Byzantine chanting was a beautiful.  Afterward, we wandered through their bookstore and gift shop and small bakery. Check out this link on the internet to see photos of the monastery - http://www.hellenicheartbeat.com/monastery/  

President’s Corner

This has been a learning year for a number of us newer council members.  One thing is certain, we may have a small parish, but it takes a lot of effort to do what is accomplished on a weekly basis – everything from hosting a coffee hour and vacuuming the church after Sunday services, picking up bulletins left in the pews, preparing the Sunday morning bulletin, taking out the trash on Tuesday nights, collecting mail, checking email, cutting the grass in the summer, checking operating equipment, building maintenance needs, to organizing our annual events.  One thing is clear – to ensure certain responsibilities are not overlooked, we can use everyones help wherever possible.  The Parish Council is compiling a list of church responsibilities that will build upon past responsibility assignments.  As council leadership shifts and changes, it’s easy for certain duties to fall through the cracks.  It is our hope to develop a list to identify who to contact for various issues. Parish members will also have the opportunity to participate with much needed support.  More will be shared on this as the effort develops. 

We will have our General Assembly meeting on Sunday, December 2.  Please make plans to attend this important meeting. We will review accomplishments in 2007 and make decisions for our upcoming year.

During this General Assembly meeting, we will be voting in new Parish Council Members.  Members whose terms are expiring are:  Tania Phillips, Secretary, Dan Kohlman, and Deb White, Vice-President.  Snezana Wensits is stepping down one year early due to job changes within their family, which have made it difficult for Snezana to be as involved as she would like to be.  She still fully intends to continue in the capacity that she can, supporting us with our annual activities, and such. 

Nominations for Parish Council – If you wish to nominate someone or be nominated for Parish Council ministry, please notify Father John or Jan Kodis as soon as possible.  A short meeting will be held with candidates to explain the roles of the council prior to the elections at our Parish General Assembly meeting in December. 

In much the same way, parish council members represent their parish and the Orthodox Christian faith. As leaders of the community, parish council members are on the front lines and are able to have a long-term effect on their parish. To serve on the parish council is a ministry and those who serve are called to represent Christ to all whom they meet in all aspects of life.   

Mission of the Parish Council - The mission of the parish as defined in the Uniform Parish Regulations – and therefore the mission of the Parish Council – is “… to keep, practice and proclaim the Orthodox Christian Faith pure and undefiled.”

Choosing Suitable Candidates for the Parish Council - Parishioners are often nominated as candidates for the Parish Council because of their education, business experience or legal background. The best parish council members are not necessarily those who are business-oriented, but rather, those who are Church-oriented and Christ-centered. To be a good council member, one must be active in the worship and sacramental life of the Church. The best candidates are easy to find – they are in church.

A Commitment to Serve - In the Oath of Office, the parish council members affirm that they “…will fulfill faithfully and sincerely the duties and obligations required of a member of the Parish Council….” No contract is signed, but a promise is made which rests on the shared commitment of all council members to serve the Church, which is the Body of Christ on earth. We are His hands, feet, eyes and more. To serve on the council is a ministry and a mission. We are called to use the gifts with which we have been blessed to carry out the work of the Church.

Stewardship Corner

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

2007 Operating Budget - $98,500

To view details of our financial statistics, please see the church bulletin board.

Ladies’ Group

The Ladies’ Group may be hosting their annual bake sale soon.  Watch and listen for further details.  Contact Kathy Gostas with any questions.

On Thursday, December 13, the Ladies’ Group will be having their annual Christmas dinner at 6:00 p.m. at the Apollon Restaurant.  

Special Blessings

Congratulations to Jasna Kaurin on her chrismation on September 16.  Also, a Happy Birthday to Georgia Jimos on her 96th birthday!

Welcome

We welcome Bernie and Dorothy Olson as new members in October.  Bernie will be chrismated in December and he and Dorothy will be having their marriage blessed in the church.  Since they started coming to church in June (after attending our Greek-Serb Fest), they have been a delight to get to know and have become involved in our parish.  We are blessed to have them as new members.