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+++ UPCOMING EVENTS
2025 FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT RAFFLE --- Raffle Opened Jan. 12 | Drawing Mar. 1
Proceeds will benefit the Endowment Fund. See flyer for more information!
“GOD IS WONDROUS IN HIS SAINTS” Series --- Final Seminar Tomorrow: Feb. 24, 7:00pm
Join us tomorrow night for our final seminar on the life & teachings of St. John Chrysostom. Offered in-person at Kimissis in Racine & via Zoom (click the flyer on our website to join).
DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE CLEAN MONDAY DINNER --- Mon, Mar. 3
Sts. Constantine & Helen --- 5:00pm Great Compline Service & 6:30pm Lenten Dinner
IOCC PRESENTATION --- Wed, Mar. 5, 5:45pm --- Sts. Constantine & Helen, Wauwatosa Following the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, you are invited for a fellowship meal and update on IOCC’s programs. There will be time for questions and to donate. Also, there will be a short discussion on the three types of biblical giving: tithes, offerings, and almsgiving.
SILENT REFLECTION & ICON WORKSHOP --- Sat, Mar. 8, 10:30am-1:30pm --- Media Room
Join Pres. Maggie for spiritual fellowship to create beautiful icons – no artistic ability or experience necessary! See flyer for details. Register at 414-461-9400 by March 2, 2025.
FANARI LENTEN RETREAT --- Sat, Mar. 22, 2:00pm-8:00pm --- Sts. Constantine & Helen
This Metropolis-wide Lenten Retreat is OPEN to all 5th-12th graders whether they have participated in a Fanari Camp or not in the past. The retreat will be a day in the life of camp, and will include: Worship, Orthodox Life, games, and much more! This retreat is regional and will have seven satellite locations throughout the Metropolis. This years Wisconsin Host is Sts. Constantine & Helen. Registration will open soon at www.fanari.camp/retreat.
FAMILY SYNAXIS LENTEN RETREAT --- Sat, Apr. 5, 9:00am-3:00pm
Ascension of Our Lord in Lincolnshire, IL --- Registration is now open for the Family Synaxis Lenten Retreat, a retreat “by families, for families,” and a unique opportunity for Orthodox Christian families to gather and grow together on our journey to Christ and His Kingdom. Through concurrent sessions, the retreat will include engaging activities, Lenten discussions, and fun games and activities for our K-12 youth, as well as thought-provoking talks, topics, and tips for parents on raising strong, faithful Christians in today’s world. The retreat theme is "Following Christ Together: Strengthening Families through the Bond of Community", and Fr. George Dokos of Holy Apostles Church (Westchester, IL) will be the keynote speaker. Registration is due by Sun, Mar. 23, & the cost is $75/family. Please visit www.gocfamilysynaxis.org/lenten-retreat-2025 to register & learn more!
+++ PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS
PARISH COUNCIL 2025 --- The Parish Council Officers for 2025 are: Greg Papachristou (President), Johnny Koremenos (Vice-President), George Panagiotopoulos (Treasurer), George Papachristou (Asst. Treasurer), Cally Kobza (Secretary) & Maria Pandazi (Asst. Secretary). We are still trying to fill our two open positions by the end of February. If interested in serving, please speak with Fr. Ciprian, the P.C. president or any P.C. member.
SATURDAY OF SOULS --- Lists to submit names for commemoration on Mar. 1, 8, & June 7 are available in the Narthex. Please print legibly for Father to be able to read.
WEDNESDAY EVENING LENTEN MEALS --- We are looking to have different ministry groups host each of the following Wednesday evening Lenten meals at 6:45pm (after Presanctified Liturgy & before Spiritual Nourishment) – Mar. 12, 19, & 26, and Apr. 2 & 9. Call the Office to select the Wednesday of choice for your ministry group.
MARCH KOINONIA photos, articles, & April event flyers are due by 5:00pm on Tue, Feb. 18.
COFFEE SOCIAL --- Contact Office (414-461-9400) to sponsor on March 9, 16, or 30.
STEWARDSHIP --- The 2024 giving statements were emailed on Friday, January 17, 2025, to those who have an email on file. If you expected to receive your statement by email but have not yet, check your spam folder or search for “Realm.” Paper giving statements were mailed on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. 2025 Pledges and donations can be submitted online at www.annunciationwi.org/stewardship. As of Tue, Feb. 18, 2025, we have received 125 Stewardship Pledges totaling $190,271; $60,613 Received from Pledged Households (Stewardship Received from Non-Pledged Households is $23,730). With your help we can prayerfully reach our goal of $450,000. Our goal is to exceed 300 Pledges by Sun, Mar. 16.
GIVING & DONATIONS through REALM: 2024/2025 Stewardship Giving Update
If you set up your recurring Stewardship giving in Realm for 2024, please log into your Realm Connect account and change it to 2025 Stewardship. To make this change, please:
- Log in to Realm
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On your profile > Click Giving > Scheduled
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Edit the scheduled gift by clicking the 3 dots and choosing Edit
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Select the 2025 Stewardship > Click Save
Once you have completed these directions it will give you the option to add your 2025 Stewardship Pledge. Check the box and complete your 2025 Stewardship pledge form.
Email Sarah at sarahkojis@annunciationwi.org if you have questions or concerns.
ANNUNCIATION FEATURED IN METROPOLIS OF CHICAGO NEWS --- Read about our parish’s accomplishment of eliminating the debt being highlighted to the entire Metropolis of Chicago: www.chicago.goarch.org/three-parishes-of-the-metropolis-of-chicago-celebrate-debt-elimination-inspired-by-5-year-vision-for-parish-growth-2/.
HIERARCHAL ENCYCLICAL ON CATECHUMEN PETITIONS --- His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael has issued an encyclical calling for Petitions and Prayers for catechumens in every parish of the Metropolis of Chicago until the end of Bright Week. The clergy, chanters, choir members, and faithful all have important roles to play to help align our worship with the evangelical mission of the Church. Please read the enclosed encyclical today and pray for all catechumens, known and unknown. Click here to read His Eminence’s encyclical, “Reawakening the Evangelical Spirit of our Holy Metropolis of Chicago”: www.chicago.goarch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Encyclical-on-Catechumen-Petitions-Jan-2025.pdf
2025 LENT & HOLY WEEK ADORNMENTS --- Donations may be made at tinyurl.com/annunciation-give-now. Please select the “Easter – Floral Donations” fund. The following donations are available as of Fri, Feb. 21:
- 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Salutations Icons - $150
- Annunciation Iconostasis “Swag” - $200
- Palm Sunday Bay Leaves - $300
- Nymphios/Bridegroom Icon - $300
- Red Pascha Eggs - $150
- Solea Arrangements (2) - $200
- Lily Plants (5) - $65
SUNDAY SCHOOL – FREE REGISTRATION STILL OPEN!
Enroll your child(ren) at https://tinyurl.com/amke-ym-signup!
NEXT DOOR BOOKS FOR KIDS – BOOK DRIVE: Our Sunday School Program book drive is in progress, and we are currently collecting gently used or new children's books for Next Door Books for Kids. As you go through your bookshelves as you conquer your New Year’s resolution of decluttering, please consider giving gently used books to this great organization. Please see the flyer for details. We will be collecting books through Mon, Mar. 3. A donation bin is located outside the Sunday School office (third door on your left-hand side/west).
2025 PHILOPTOCHOS MEMBERSHIP FORM --- Available in the February Koinonia, in the display bins opposite the bookstore, & also online.
+++ BEYOND OUR PARISH
2025 OCF MIDWEST SPRING REGIONAL RETREAT --- Fri, Feb. 28 - Sun, Mar. 2
St. Iakovos Retreat Center, Kansasville, WI – Join college students from around the Midwest in a weekend of fellowship, education, worship, & service. This year’s theme is “Crown Them, Oh Lord,” presented by Fr. Ciprian & Pres. Maggie Sas.
Announcements from the Metropolis of Chicago:
2024 Vision Goals - www.tinyurl.com/2024-vision-goals
Annual Vision Campaign - www.tinyurl.com/2024-vision-campaign-results
DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE SCHOLARSHIPS --- Due Sat, Mar. 1
The Daughters of Penelope, Milwaukee Hector Chapter, in keeping with its mission of promoting Education, is announcing its 2025 Scholarship availability. Candidates must be senior level, high school students who are children or grandchildren of a CURRENT Daughters of Penelope member. Applicants must mail their application by March 1, 2025, to Cathy Spyres, 4200 South Cambridge Drive, New Berlin, WI, 53151. Click the following link to access the application: http://tiny.cc/2025Hector
AHEPA 43 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION OPEN NOW --- Due Sat, Mar. 1
Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors with a GPA 3.0 or higher and are pursuing a college education. A TRADES scholarship is also available for high school seniors or young adults (under 25) pursuing an apprenticeship or trade school. Application online or in the church office https://www.ahepa43.org/scholarship/
KEFI KARNIVAL APOKRIATIKO PARTY --- Sat, Mar. 1 – Tuscan Hall in Waukesha, WI
Mardi Gras Glendi with Live Greek Music, Food, & Fun for All! Featuring The Greek Keyz & DJ After-Party. Tickets available on Eventbrite: “Kefi Karnival” or Venmo: @Zoe-Kastanias.
2025 DR. MARY P. HALLICK MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP --- Due Fri, Apr. 11
Two (2) scholarships will be awarded to two Orthodox Christian women. Both awards of $1000 will be presented to 2 senior high school students furthering their education through one of the following: either an associate degree at a technical college or a degree from a college or a university. Applications are available at tinyurl.com/OCWA25Awards.
MYRHH-BEARING WOMEN SAINTS’ DAY & DR. MARY P. HALLICK SCHOLARSHIP DINNER
Thu, May 1, 5:30pm at Alioto's Restaurant with Guest Speaker Duska Stanic: "Building Resilience Through Faith.” Please respond to (262) 737-4398 by Fri, Apr. 25.
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