MINISTRY NEWS
Know about events and activities...
| | For our full calendar of events and services, visit https://holytransfiguration.info/calendar/ | Due to the number of ministry events in this email, some email programs cutoff our message and include a link to see the full version in a web browser. If you do not see a flyer for an event listed above, please access that link. | | SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS | | INTRO TO ORTHODOXY "BONUS" CLASS: JAN. 28 | | |
On Wednesday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m. Fr. John Brown will host a bonus Intro to Orthodoxy class.
This session will meet in the Church Narthex and will continue with a walk-through of the church as Fr. John discusses church etiquette and all the "do's and don'ts". He will also answer any questions that may arise.
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It's almost that time of year again! Home Blessings will begin directly after Theophany (from January 7 through February 18). Please complete this online form in order to submit your request.
| | 2026 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN | | Parish Membership - Every year, we seek your support and renewed commitment to help ensure that we are meeting our parish’s growing time, talent & treasure needs. We are also required by the Archdiocese Regulations to have all members of the Parish renew their membership each year to remain in “good standing.” | | |
Your Gifts in Service to God
Through stewardship, we offer our time, talents, and treasure as members of the Body of Christ, striving to reach our full potential in Him. Your generosity supports our church’s mission and transforms lives—both within and beyond our parish.
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2026 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN
How to submit your 2025 Membership/Stewardship Card:
1. PAPER: Grab a paper Stewardship form from a Parish Council member in the Narthex on Sunday. You may mail back the completed paper form to the Church or drop the completed form in the offering tray.
2. ONLINE: You can complete the Online Membership/Stewardship Form on the church’s Stewardship webpage (https://holytransfiguration.info/join/).
3. SCAN: use the QR code. Simply point your camera on the QR code and click the yellow link that appears within your picture frame.
Blessing of the Stewardship Cards
Sunday, February 1st
&
Sunday, February 22nd
| | HELLENIC DANCE PRACTICE STARTS FEB. 1 | | |
Hellenic Dance practice begins on Sunday, February 1st as follows:
-- Pitsirikia (Pre-K): 12:30-1:00 pm (Rm. 125)
-- Palamakia (K-1st): 12:30-1:00 pm (Rm. 127)
-- Asteria (2nd-3rd): 12:30-1:15 pm (Rm. 128)
-- Petaloudes (4th-5th): 12:30-1:15 pm (Rm. 130)
-- Phoenix (6th-8th): 12:30-2:00 pm (PLC Gym)
-- Eleftheria (9th-12th): 1:00-3:00 pm (Gym or Amphitheater)
Visit the Hellenic Dance webpage for further details and instructor names.
Hellenic Dance Registration
Participants or the family of participants are required to be a steward of the parish. Please follow these three steps in order to make sure you are registered:
(1) First, your family or the individual dancer has to be a steward of the parish. Please complete a stewardship form for this year if you haven’t done so yet through our online 2026 Membership/Stewardship Form.
(2) Second, please register your child for our youth programs (including dance) through our online 2025-26 Youth Ministries Registration.
(3) Third, please also confirm with our dance team that you intend to participate and have completed the above two steps. You can email us at: hellenicdance@holytransfiguration.info.
You’re also welcome to show up at dance practice to register but will be asked to make sure you complete the above steps as well. Please email Paulina Vastakis at hellenicdance@holytransfiguration.info with questions. Thank you!
| | PARISH FAMILY NIGHT: FEB. 4 | | |
Join us at Parish Family Night
Family night is a joint effort by our Youth and Young Adult ministries and is open to all members of our parish.
Join us Wednesday, February 4th
6:00-6:30 Paraklesis / 6:30-8:30 Food & Fellowship
Contact Christopher Hansard with questions:
770-365-9699 or parentsministry@holytransfiguration.info.
| | PHILOPTOCHOS MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON: FEB. 8 | | VALENTINE'S DAY DANCE: FEB. 14 | | AHEPA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION IS NOW OPEN | | |
Each year, the AHEPA Mother Lodge Chapter No. 1 Educational Fund awards numerous, unrestricted scholarships as well as scholarships designated by their sponsors for specific areas of study.
The scholarship awards range from $1000-$3000 and applicants are considered for any scholarship for which they meet eligibility requirements. Applicants must be registered as full-time students either in Fall/ Spring semester or quarter academic calendars in order to be considered for an award.
Click here for more details and to apply!
The 2026-2027 application is available 1/1/26-3/15/26.
| | SAVE THE DATE FOR AHEPA GAME NIGHT: FEB. 21 | | 13th Annual AHEPA Chapter #519 Scholarship Game Night: AHEPA #519’s 13th Annual Scholarship Game Night will be held on Saturday, February 21st, 2026 in the PLC. In the past twelve years, this event has raised over $56,000 and helped provide over 117 College scholarships for deserving men and women in the Marietta area. This annual event promises a fabulous dinner and an exciting evening of games and prizes for everyone. Make it a Date Night! Please see the Scholarship Game Night Flyer (below) for information on how to RSVP for the event, and feel free to forward it to family and friends, and/or visit our website (ahepa519.info) for more information. You can also RSVP / pay for the event, and/or purchase tickets for 50/50 Drawing on Sundays in the PLC after the Divine Liturgy, starting January 18th, 2026. Finally, if you are unable to attend the Scholarship Game Night, and would like to donate to the Scholarship Fund, please contact Ron Sprouse at 404.408.7875 or via email at: ron@ronsprouse.com. | | METROPOLIS PHILOPTOCHOS RETREAT: MARCH 20-22 | | RECURRING MINISTRY EVENTS | | Our next meeting will be Wednesday, February 4 at 10:00 am in Lower Level Parish Hall Classroom #127. Please text Ann Zakreski at 770.329.7421 if you plan to come. | | LIFE & FAITH TRANSITIONS GROUP | | | | |
Upcoming Sessions via Zoom:
Jan. 31,
Mar. 7 & 28
For more information and a Zoom invite, please reach out to BJ Spanos at 404-771-9335 or email
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The Mixed Choir practices on Tuesday nights / sing on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of the month.
Next practice: Feb. 3 & 10 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Church Sanctuary
Ministry information...
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The Men's Choir practices on Thursday nights / sing on the 4th Sundays of the month:
Next practice: Feb. 12 & 19 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Church Sanctuary
Next Sunday singing the Divine Liturgy: Feb. 22 and sing the 1st Salutations at 7:00 pm on Feb. 27.
Ministry information...
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A group of friends (age 50+) who gather together purely for the enjoyment of each other’s company. They share experiences in life, their philosophies, values, ideas and goodies. Meetings are a light lunch with a guest speaker presentation.
Next meeting: Feb. 19
Ministry information...
| | PHILOPTOCHOS UPCOMING EVENTS | | Sunday, February 8: Membership Luncheon/General Meeting following Divine Liturgy | | |
We meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 11:00 am in the Church Library (St. Basil Conference Room) followed by an optional lunch out.
ALL book lover readers are welcome to come.
FEBRUARY MEETING
Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 11 a.m. in the Church Library (St. Basil Conference Room)
Book: The Caretakers by Ron Rash
Meeting followed by optional lunch out - restaurant TBD
| | PHILOPTOCHOS MEMBERSHIP DRIVE | | |
Philoptochos News: Use the 2026 Membership Form to join or renew your membership in Philoptochos.
If you have not already joined or renewed your membership in Philoptochos, please do the following:
1. Go to the church’s website: holytransfiguration.info.
2. From the “home” page, select MINISTRIES from the heading at the top of the page.
3. Under Philanthropy, select PHILOPTOCHOS.
4. On the Philoptochos page, select 2026 Membership Form (Download).
5. Save the Membership Form to your computer.
6. Follow the directions at the bottom of the form to complete, make payment to the Philoptochos Square account, and submit your completed form.
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We meet on the second Monday of every month in the Church Library from 7:00-8:30 p.m. / co-hosted by Pres. Patty & Michael Gavalas, Please email us at mgavalas@holytransfiguration.info to be added to our email list.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Monday, Feb. 9 and March 9
The Ascetic of Love
We will be reading and discussing The Ascetic of Love (available in the church bookstore) for three months since it is a longer book. For February, we will focus on the saint's teachings and sayings (pages 141-324). The Ascetic of Love: Journey into the heart of love in this work which celebrates the life of Saint Gavrilia (1897-1992). The narrative captures the essence of her spirit, inviting readers into a world where love transcends boundaries, offering lessons in faith, charity, and the beauty of a life devoted to others.
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Young Adults in their 20’s and 30’s meet twice a month for continuing education and fellowship. Second Sunday YA Class & Discussion meets on the 2nd Sunday of each month, and Third Thursday Social Gathering meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month.
Want to learn more? Join the HTGOC Young Adults GroupMe chat for notifications on events.
Contact Fr. Michael or Ministry Lead
Next meeting: Feb. 8th (Second Sunday): directly after we partake of communion. Meeting in Lighthouse.
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Dear Parish Family and Friends,
Are you or someone you know unable to attend church due to illness or some other reason? Would you or someone you know like a visit from a member of our clergy team or lay volunteer? If so, please fill out this form and we will do our very best to arrange times to visit!
In Christ,
HTGOC Clergy Team
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Dear Parish Family and Friends,
If you or someone who's part of your community is in need, Philoptochos is here to help. Please contact Jamie Hughes at 770-710-7733 or by email for details.
In Christ,
Philoptochos
| | WANTED: HOST FAMILIES FOR NEIGHBORHOOD GATHERINGS | | |
Dear Parishioner,
We are continuing our Neighborhood Gatherings at Holy Transfiguration. These small gatherings give our parishioners an opportunity to get acquainted with other parishioners that live in their immediate vicinity. I would like to ask that you consider hosting a Neighborhood Gathering in your home for parishioners in your area. We will help you set it up and will send out the invitations to your parish neighbors. This is an opportunity to host as an act of stewardship to bring parishioners closer together in a more intimate, social setting.
The time and date of the Gathering will be your choice, to accommodate your schedule. We plan to have a Parish Council member and a Priest at each Gathering to provide "talking points", to get conversations going, and to answer church-related questions. Food or snacks will be optional. And if you do choose to have food or dessert at your Gathering, we suggest that you do it as a potluck so that all may participate in providing an item.
If you are willing to host a Neighborhood Gathering, please respond directly to me, Steve Tingas, at stingas@holytransfiguration.info. Thank you for considering.
Steve Tingas
Outreach Chairman
770-845-5045
stingas@holytransfiguration.info
| | We are aware that several phishing-type communications have been received by parishioners from supposed members of the church leadership. The church (priests, staff, Parish Council, ministry leads) will never email or text you asking for you to buy gift cards or send money for any reason. If you receive such a message, it is a scam. Please disregard the request and report it to the church office. Always verify requests for financial assistance through direct communication with the church office. Protect yourself, your personal information, fellow parishioners, and the church by being cautious of these fraudulent attempts. | | FELLOWSHIP/COFFEE HOUR SPONSORSHIP | | Fellowship/Coffee Hour Sponsorship is a great way to honor someone's birthday, nameday, memory, or a significant event with your church family. For ministries, it is a great opportunity to bring awareness to your group and gain members. Reserve your date using the links below. | | YOUTH MINISTRIES REGISTRATION | | |
Registration for our 2025-2026 youth ministries (Catechism, Hellenic DanceHope & Joy, GOYA) is now open! Please register your child/children and select what ministries he/she/they will be participating in.
For more information about these ministries:
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It is important, and also mandatory, for all youth who are participating in ministries of the parish to have completed the Youth Ministries Registration Form AND for the parent(s)/guardian(s) of that youth to have completed the membership/stewardship form. Completing both of these forms will not only give us the information we need to better serve the youth, but it will also be a big step towards helping all families become active and involved members of the parish.
So, with this email, we are asking everyone with a child/children participating in youth ministries to make sure that both of the necessary registrations/forms are completed:
| | BEYOND HOLY TRANSFIGURATION | | |
Pilgrimage of Discovery: Applications Now Open
The Pilgrimage of Discovery annual program is a 7-day, all-expense paid, religious and cultural annual summer journey to Constantinople awarded to Orthodox Christian young adults across America, connecting them with their ancestral religious roots. Participants deepen their Orthodox faith through a curated, guided experience, exploring holy sites, having a private audience with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and much more. This immersive journey creates a lasting impact on identity, faith, family, community and culture and helps secure the continuity of the Orthodox church from a grassroots level.
This religious-educational journey includes an audience with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and visits to historic sites around Constantinople. It is the opportunity of a lifetime for up to eighteen young adult leaders, women and men, from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to be awarded the gift of a transformative and immersive experience in Constantinople, the Queen of Cities.
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