PHILOPTOCHOS
St. Elizabeth Greek Orthodox Church
Panagia Chapter
November 2020

Carol Tsekouras
President
PhilPres@gnvorthodox.com
Marilyn Santos
Treasurer
PhilTreas@gnvorthodox.com
Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Philoptochos newsletter!   This issue is sent to all associated with the parish, but subsequent issues will be sent only to Philoptochos members through the church website. Not a member? Just send an email and we will add you to our contact list.
Salvation
“My personhood is fulfilled in relationship and community."
"My salvation is inextricably bound up with the salvation of my neighbor."
― Kallistos Ware, How Are We Saved?
NATIONAL PHILOPTOCHOS KINDNESS INITIATIVE: If we can be anything, we can be kind. The National Philoptochos has asked us to support their Kindness Initiative by promoting acts of kindness and sharing expressions of kindness by our brothers and sisters at St Elizabeth with National. It’s a “lead by example” sort of thing. As people report their acts of kindness - anonymously or with your name included - others will be encouraged to do so as well. 
Let’s make kindness contagious!
FIRST THINGS FIRST: UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS INFORMATION 
  • Name
  • Email(s) 
  • Address
  • Phone #                                              
If you are NEW to the Parish, Or Did not receive a parish Pascha card, Or Have moved since the last time you heard from us, please provide us with our new information.
Which also means......If you know of someone who needs a physical copy, send us their information. A copy of this and the church newsletter will be sent to them.
HOW PHILOPTOCHOS SUPPORTS OUR CHURCH MISSIONS
FIRST: 2020-2021 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE (now through the end November)
Philoptochos Membership dues: $35, of which $15 goes to National, $10 to Atlanta, and $10 stays with our chapter. Be sure we have address information as listed above.  
SECOND: GREEK PASTRY BAKE SALES
For Delivery by Thanksgiving (November 22): Order by November 8
To place an order, complete and print the THANKSGIVING BAKE SALE FORM and send with your check to Philoptochos.
For Christmas Delivery (December 20): Order by December 6
To place an order, complete and print the CHRISTMAS BAKE SALE FORM and send with your check to Philoptochos.
Due to Pandemic restrictions we are offering goods only as packaged by our vendors.
THIRD: 2020 PARISH CHRISTMAS CARD: We encourage everyone, individual parishioners and families, to sign up to be listed in the card as sponsors. A great way for all of us to feel together while apart! We ask that you make a donation of $15 and send how you want your name to appear-- clearly printed or typed. Please use the PAYMENT DETAIL FORM.
FOURTH: DRIVE-BY THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE: Pick up your Thanksgiving Bake order and drop non- perishable foods (canned, boxed, etc.) off at church on November 22.
Boxes for your food donations will be available for your convenience. 
Philoptochos ladies will deliver to the Food of the Mighty Food Bank.   
LOCAL PHILANTHROPIC MISSIONS
SOCIAL SERVICES MINISTRY (FOR OUR CHAPTER) This is a reminder that in short-term or one-time personal crisis, confidential assistance may be available through the process of a three-person committee (priest & 2 Philoptochos members) review of an application. Please contact our priest, Father Paul Mayernick, to initiate your request. If more assistance is needed than our chapter can provide- a referral to the Metropolis and/or National Philoptochos is also available. Financial donations specifically toward this mission are always accepted.

COMMUNITY PHILANTRHOPIC OUTREACH (Homeless Children of Alachua County)
There are more than 1000 homeless school children of Alachua County. During our last program year, our Parish helped over 50 homeless families and we will continue working with the Alachua Homeless Outreach Program. As you prepare for cooler weather, set aside for donation good, warm, outgrown outerwear: jackets, sweaters, hoodies, mittens, gloves, etc. Also needed are deodorants and lotions. Financial donations specifically toward this mission are also accepted.
WHERE TO SEND DONATIONS:
PAYING BY CHECK: If you prefer to combine your donations for the bake sale, holiday cards, Philoptochos membership, and/or support for our philanthropic missions, please fill out the attached PAYMENT DETAIL FORM completely to ensure your donation will be applied as you intend. Mail your check payable to "Philoptochos" with the completed form to:
St Elizabeth PHILOPTOCHOS,
5129 NW 53rd Ave,
Gainesville, FL 32653.  
Receipts will be sent by email or USPS to the address you provide.
PHILOPTOCHOS GENERAL MEETING by ZOOM

Tuesday, November 10 at 7:30 pm
Email Carol Tsekouras (Philoptochos President) at PhilPres@gnvorthodox.com and you will be sent a link.
Just click on the link and Carol will let you in.
More information coming in November
Living Orthodox
“Christianity is more than a theory about the universe, more than teachings written down on paper; it is a path along which we journey—in the deepest and richest sense, the way of life.” ― Kallistos Ware, The Orthodox Way