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
PHILOPTOCHOS "FRIENDS OF THE POOR" - A Ministry of Philanthropy, Fellowship, and Faith
PHILOPTOCHOS "FRIENDS OF THE POOR"
Philoptochos is one of the largest women’s organizations in the United States: preserves the sacredness of the Orthodox family through family concern, services, unity of action; promotes the charitable, benevolent, philanthropic and eleemosynary purposes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; formulates plans and methods to voluntarily aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, the victims of disaster; and promotes participation in the activities of the Parish with the cooperation of the Priest and the Parish Council.
Charities and ministries St. Anna Philoptochos provides support to annually:
OCMC, IOCC, St. Basils Academy, Kids 'n' Cancer, Bishop Anthony Student Aid Endowment Fund, St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center, Children's Receiving Home of Sacramento, Crisis Nursery Sacramento, Decani Monastery Relief Fund, Global Birthing Home/ Maison de Naissance, Monastery of the Theotokos, The Life Giving Spring, 3Strands Global Foundation, Project Mexico & St. Innocent Orphanage, Feed the Hungry, St. Vincent de Paul, Military Support, Local Seminarian Support, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Sunshine Ministry, College Student Care Packages, in Memory of Victoria Marie Kopp., Newborn Ministry, Bishop Gallegos Maternity Home.
Ways to support Philoptochos throughout the year:
Prepare meals for individuals in need (Sunshine Ministry)
Knit or Crochet a Prayer Shawl. (Prayer Shawl Ministry)
Sign up to offer hospitality for Coffee Hour
Donations are accepted all year for the general fund, and for specific ministries
Host a membership tea/gathering.
Help with preparations for a luncheon, Feed the Hungry and care packages
Support fundraising efforts, donate baked goods, and participate with events
Attend meetings, share ideas, and keep us in prayer.
October 22 - May 23 Calendar
October 2022
· College Care Packages, in loving memory of Victoria Marie Kopp: volunteers will gather items and prepare packages to be delivered to college kids who are working on their undergraduate studies and who have graduated out of St. Anna Sunday School program.
· Blessing of Prayer Shawls in proximity to the Feast of the Protection of the Theotokos
November 2022
· Blessing of St. Anna Philoptochos Ministries, Sunday November 6th, Artoclasia, blessing of loaves, coffee hour/fellowship, start of 2022/23 Annual membership drive
· Feed the Hungry-Thanksgiving: delivery to schools on November 14th. volunteers will prepare packages with holiday ribbon to gift to the designated children of Title I schools and to those identified with need, during the week of November 7th.
· Coat Drive- November 6 through December 4: Accepting donations of gently used, clean, and new coats for all ages. Please drop off donations at coat rack in the Narthex.
· See’s Candy Fundraiser: to support St. Anna Ministries Fundraiser will be ongoing during the month of November and December
December 2022
· Feed the Hungry-Christmas: delivery to schools December 12th volunteers will prepare the packages during week of December 5th.
· Light The Path: Annual Luncheon of the Metropolis to support Bishop Anthony Philoptochos Student Aid Endowment Fund. Date to be announced.
· Volunteer at the Tommy Apostolos Fund shopping spree at Kohls to cloth children in need (Dec 5)
· Philoptochos Christmas Holiday Bake Sale- Sunday December 18th: volunteers may prepare pastries and may purchase items in support of the fundraising effort.
· Military Support/Adopt families: Support families identified with need.
January 2023
· Vasilopita cutting event, with luncheon: Donations will support St. Basil Academy, St. Nicholas Ranch and St. Anna Philoptochos Ministries.
February 2023
· Kids n’ Cancer Annual Bake Sale and fundraising event: volunteers provide goods to sell at the fundraising event. Proceeds benefit the Kids n’Cancer program of the Metropolis that supports children with cancer and other life-threatening illness and offers children and their family a camp experience through Camp AGAPE.
March 2023
· St. Anna Philoptochos Annual Lenten Retreat
· Feed the Hungry-Easter: volunteers will prepare the packages with holiday ribbon to gift to the designated children of Title I schools and to those identified with need
April 2023
· Annual Tommy Apostolos Fund Dinner: volunteers prepare pastries and may help serve
· Palm Sunday Luncheon: volunteers help prepare and serve luncheon. Proceeds benefit St. Anna Philoptochos Ministries
· Holy Week Preparations: Dye Eggs on Holy Thursday, Adorn the Epitaphio/Tomb of Christ on Holy Friday
May 2023
· Chapter Elections and Potluck at May meeting
Philoptochos Contact: Kathy Craighead, President (650)455-3151
Our Saint Anna / See's Candies Yumraiser for Winter 2022 is LIVE!
We are excited to announce that our Saint Anna / See's Candies online storefront is now set-up for our Winter 2022 Yumraiser through December 2, 2022:
https://www.yumraising.com/secure/_saint_anna_greek_orthodox_church__winter_10/Ren_Ive4788/candy
Many people within and outside of our community have asked about how they can support our Saint Anna Ministries; one opportunity is through our seasonal See's Candies sale.
***All items for sale are the same price in-store. Saint Anna Philoptochos will simply receive 20%-50% of each item purchased to benefit its ministries found at https://www.saintanna.org/philoptochos***
Online orders will ship directly to you or another recipient. Please note: You will be charged a minimal shipping fee UNLESS your order exceeds $70 pre-tax. See's Candies will ship anywhere in the U.S.
Light the Path - In Support of Metropolis of San Francisco Students at HCHC
Scrip and Book Fundraiser
FIRST, do you like using gift cards for Christmas gifts? We will place a large order on November 30. All you need to do is pick up an order form (by the candle stand) and return it to Mike or Jenn Conklin (or mail to the church office) with a check or cash by Sunday, November 30. Gift cards will be available for pickup on Sunday, December 12. Companies donate 1-20% of the purchase price to St Anna’s, and we have almost anything available, from groceries to dining out to hobbies and more. You can even use the gift cards to buy Christmas gifts!
SECOND, do you have children, grandchildren, or godchildren? We invite you to visit www.Tinyurl.com/JennsReadingCorner for information on how to order high-quality children’s books from Usborne Books & More. 20% of the purchase price goes to the St Anna Building Fund. Please order by November 30. Books will be available for pickup by early December. Jenn Conklin can take checks, cash, or card information over the phone.
For more information on either fundraiser, call/text/email Jenn Conklin 530-906-1725 jennmarie@protonmail.com
Construction of St Anna Greek Orthodox Church (Time-Lapse through October 2022)
Video of our new bell!
Below is s a short video of our new bell being rung at the foundry in Greece. It’s being prepared for shipment now! May it ever ring out here in Roseville, calling all to divine services, most notably the celebration of the Holy Eucharist!
