SEPTEMBER
Dear philoptochos Members,
I hope that each of you has had an enjoyable summer where you were able to relax and refresh your bodies and minds. We are so blessed with the true seasons we experience in Colorado. Now that Fall is about to astound us with its golden hues, we shift gears into more communal activities that bring us all back together in the blessings of a new ecclesiastical year.
I’m very happy that we are about to begin another cycle of Philoptochos activities in support of the needs of our community. Our Board met earlier this month to review our budget and assess the projects and programs we have historically implemented. This analysis allowed us to consider new ventures and release others that are no longer urgent. Final determinations of our initiatives will be made in the coming board and general meetings this year, and we look forward to your views and involvement as we make our decisions and allot our funds.
festival of ministries
On September 15th, our parish will host the annual Festival of Ministries where parishioners can review and consider all the varied avenues for participation in community life. Our Philoptochos will have a booth and we encourage anyone who may wish to find out more about our chapter to visit our site and learn about membership. I also ask that you bring something to share during that day’s coffee hour, if you are able.
philoptochos open house
On September 17th, we will host our ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE, an informal event where we can relax and spend some social time together. This is an opportunity to meet our new members and catch up with new and good friends. I hope you will mark your calendar and plan to attend at 6:00 PM in the Annunciation Room. Wine and small bites will be served. This is a fun early evening where we can spend some time together and enjoy the company of all.
orientation for new members
ORIENATION FOR NEW MEMBERS will be held on Sunday, September 29th at 1:00 PM in the Centennial Room. New members, please plan to attend this brief overview of the essentials and benefits of being a Philoptochos member. We will have a light lunch and will be sure to answer any questions you may have, while informing you of the basic tenets of Philoptochos and the goals we have set out for the year. We know that our young mothers and professional members have limited time to devote to our activities, but we value your thoughts and opinions and want to assure that you have a forum for participating as much as you are able. Come find out how your input can make a difference for all of us.
BAKING FOR LUNCH IN THE PARK
We are hoping to include a dessert with the hot meals we provide for the unhoused each quarter of the year. If you are able to make a couple dozen dessert items and deliver them to us by September 22 at the Philoptochos table at church or on the morning of Monday, September 23rd when we prepare the meals in the kitchen, we would be very grateful. This simple act of compassion goes a long way for families in need.
PHILOPTOCHOS 2024-25 CALENDAR
Our calendar for the year is now posted for your reference here on our website. Invariably, the calendar sometimes changes, but the new dates will be noted and updated on the website accordingly. I hope you will take a minute each month to scroll through our scheduled activities and plan to join us for those events that interest you most. The more of us who are able to participate make for wonderful, shared memories for all of us.
WEEKLY TABLE MONITORS
We will also cite who our weekly table monitors are as a reminder. It is important that we be available to the community each week so that we keep our connection to the parish strong and viable. It’s always a pleasure to interact with the members of our parish and to be available to answer questions and assist where we are needed.
GREEK FESTIVAL WINE & CHEESE BOOTH
Our Greek Festival Wine & Cheese Booth was a great success again this year, garnering over $9500 in profit and meeting the estimate we’d hoped for in our projected budget. Many thanks to Mitsi Andrews, Mary Athanites and Celeste Lee for their stellar planning and execution of this enterprise. Also, thanks to all of our members , Niki Mott, Janice Thomas, Nikki Phillips, Liberty Matzakos, Sophia Bradford, Patricia Andrews, Tina Landis, Stephanie Carelock, Alex Kitsos and Andrea Dikeou who worked their shifts over the festival weekend and made our booth a pleasant destination for new and repeat customers. It just keeps getting better each year!
FESTIVAL OF GREEK FLAVORS COOKBOOK
In addition, the second printing of our Festival of Greek Flavors Cookbook premiered at the Greek Festival. An unprecedented 144 books sold over the three days! Congratulations, ladies! The savory cooking demonstrations piqued the interest of the public and enhanced our cookbook sale profits considerably. Thank you to Dianne Sweeney, Eva Fry, Alex Kitsos, George & Cathy Locallo, Vicky Kalasountas, Evaneline Simones and Chuck Sweeney.
The cookbook committee has also been busy over the summer selling books in bulk to other Greek Orthodox parishes (St Sophia Bellingham, WA; St Nicholas, Tarpon Springs, FL; St Catherine’s, Greenwood Village, CO; Assumption Cathedral, Columbus, OH; Omonia Bakery, Denver, CO; St George, Albuquerque, NM ), securing 53% of the reprinting costs in only three months! Thank You to Eva Fry and Dianne Sweeney, for their marketing and sales strategies.
OTHER GREEK FESTIVAL BOOTHS FUELED BY PHILOPTOCHOS
I also want to thank all of our Philoptochos sisters who work the Greek Festival for revenues that directly benefit the Cathedral. The Coffee Shop, Pastry Shop and Taste of Greece Booths are run with high efficiency and care. Thank you to Elaine McCoy, Phyllis Kennebeck, and Liberty Matzakos for their commitment to the Coffee Shop, and to the future Philoptochos members Demitra & Sotiria Matzakos and Eleni Finch for their help there. It is a favorite spot for all of us.
Klea Kappos , Patrice Dovas Hudson, Faith Ioannides, Angela Demos, Thalia Rallis, Mickey Colvin, Karen Krtikos, Cathy Locallo, Joanne Mares, Dina Kitsos and Liz Contos make the Pastry Shop hum like a bee hive. It is astounding how many pastries are baked, packaged and sold in such a short period of time. Thank you to all our bakers Yota Anadiotis, Ann Charchalis, Dora Demos, Aleka Damarelos, Alexandria Sietos, Kalomira Pantazolouslos, Rena Pappas, Jane Vlahos, KathyPapadimtropoulos, Liberty Matzakos, Joanna ADrahts, Sotiria Marlangoutsos, Olga Marlangoutsos, Irene Filippatos and Elaine McCoy.
Special thanks to Mariann Anton for your leadership in the Taste of Greece Booth and to the many Philoptochos volunteers that staff and service the thousands that visit them each year. You are all so amazing!
GENEROUS ANONYMOUS DONATION
I’m very pleased to announce that we have been blessed with a generous donation of $5000 from an anonymous benefactor that will help us to continue our good works at the level we were hoping for this year. Our sincere thanks and gratitude to this kind and caring individual. We appreciate the respect you have for our mission and the trust you have in our judgement to put these funds to good use. We are so very grateful!
OUR DEAR BESSIE NASIOUS
We are all reeling from the sudden loss of our dear sister Bessie Nasious. Her sweet and loving nature will resonate in our hearts each time her presence is missed, which will be quite often. She had a special light inside of her, a deep warmth, and a love of our Philoptochos. May her memory be eternal.
I look forward to seeing each and every one of you at the Open House on September 17th @ 6 PM and welcome all of our new members to our Orientation Meeting on September 29th @ 1:00 PM. As always, please reach out with any suggestions or questions you may have in the interim. I am so excited for another year in your company!
Christine
