MANY OPPORTUNITIES The coffee hour roster is empty from now through October...please, if you can and are willing--sign up to host a coffee hour between now and then. Clipboard`s in the fellowship hall--THANKS!!

"NO BAKE" SALE CONCLUDES TODAY If you haven't already done so, please participate in St. Irene Philoptochos' "No-Bake Cookie Sale" which concludes today, June 21. (Men, your "no bake" contributions are welcome, too~)

How does it work? (1) Decide what it would cost you to bake a dozen cookies. For example, cookie dough pre-made from the store = $3.95; time invested @ $8/hr, including going to the store = $12.00; total investment for the dozen cookies = $15.95. (2) Donate the value of your cookies to St. Irene Philoptochos.

We give heartfelt thanks to you for your continued support. With your support we are able to continue assisting women, children and families in need in our community, the Crisis Pregnancy Center, the Support a Mission Priest Program, our Thanksgiving and Christmas Programs, our food bank, and our own church community.

WEEKLY SERVICES Wednesday evenings 5:30PM Bible Study; 6:30PM Paraklesis to the Theotokos; every last Tuesday of the month: 6:30PM Akathist to the Mother of God, Healer of Cancer; Saturday evenings 5:30PM Great Vespers; Sunday mornings 9:15AM Orthros, 10:30AM Divine Liturgy. Any services apart from this schedule are noted separately in the bulletin.

Individuals may always request to participate in a Divine Liturgy to be celebrated on a person`s Name Day. Please contact Fr. ahead of time to arrange.

SPECIAL SERVICES THIS WEEK Tuesday: 6:30PM Vespers for the Nativity of St. John the Forerunner; Wednesday, 9AM orthros/10AM Divine Liturgy for the Nativity of the Forerunner.

FINANCIAL BASICS FOR OUR PARISH, Week 24 Our parish is committed to a stewardship program in lieu of the annual Greek festival to keep ourselves up and running. The target figure for each week is $3,100. These 24 weeks have brought in an income of approx. $61,500; a $12,800 deficit. Many have increased their giving and some new stewards have made an offering. This is very encouraging. May the Lord help and save all the benefactors of His holy Church.

FOR OUR KODIAK PILGRIMS For those who are in town and able to attend--please come together for a pre-trip orientation at church this Tuesday evening (at approx 7:15--after vespers).

The plan is to provide our trip schedule, list of items required for the trip, answer any questions we can prior to departure, and help in any other way we can.

I have put our reservation in with the ferry system. As I have learned recently we will get a break on a group reservation... so I will be able to provide a break on costs for each. I should have this info by our meeting.

Here is our list of confirmed - I expect no changes beyond this:

Father Leo (to fly down and ferry back)
Lisa Cooley
Luke
Noah
Nicholas
Illiya Pekich
Daniel
John
Steve
Lois Sholl
Michael
Cathy Zorbas
Nathan
Craig Baxter
Michelle Baxter
Greg Lotakis
Niko Varlamos
Lynne Lucher (flying both ways)

God bless, Greg

DEADLINE FOR NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS Tim Harvey (tharvey@gci.net) needs submissions for the July newsletter no later than Wednesday, June 24th.

ENCOURAGING BUILDING PROJECT NEWS Yes! We intend to begin our project this year! Utility and minor grading work to begin in September once plans and partial permits are available. Construction of the lower hall and church will begin in the spring of 2010 as this will save the project considerable money (avoiding work and protection of our new building during winter months).

Yes! We do have money for the project. We currently have more than $700,000 in our building fund with more pledged. Please see Maria Baskous if you have not pledged.

Thank you and please continue to pray and help us pursue completing our dream.

RESULTS OF PHILOPTOCHOS ELECTION The results of the Philoptochos election at the general meeting on June 14 were:

Lois Sholl, president
Margaret Varlamos, vice president
Lynne Lucher, secretary
Diane Provost, treasurer

Congratulations and blessings on these women who have undertaken to be good stewards our parish`s philanthropic endeavors!


YOUTH NEWS Our recent garage sale fund-raiser was a major success! Thanks so much to everyone who contributed items and helped sell the items, it was terrifically encouraging to see how well it all went--glory to God!

NEW IN THE BOOKSTORE More hematite icon bracelets in addition to what we already carry--and what a great selection at just $2.95 per bracelet! Choose from among these options: Serbian saints; Celtic saints; Holy Angels; Icons of Christ; North American Saints; Women Saints; Icons of the Theotokos, Orthodox Crosses and Eastern Orthodox Saints. These bracelets make unique gifts at a very reasonable price.

LOOKING FOR A PARTICULAR ICON? Please let Pres. know if you have any special requests--she will be ordering icons soon. Thanks!

OUR FOOD PANTRY COULD USE A BOOST The food pantry maintained by St. Irene Philoptochos could use more items on its shelves. Please keep this in mind when you are grocery shopping. A few things from a number of parishioners make a real difference in our offerings to those who are have needs and come to us for assistance. Thank you!

IF YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MONASTERY SOAP It`s time to re-order monastery soaps for the bookstore. If you use and want to continue purchasing a particular scent/blend of soap, please let presbytera know so she can order what you like. If you haven`t tried the soaps, consider doing so--they are high quality, made with natural ingredients and gentle to the skin.

THANK YOU CORNER For four days last week, we had the privilege of hosting seven OCMC missionaries who were preparing to minister in the village of Tyonek this week. Thank you to the Schefe family for arranging hospitality and for those in the parish who came to extend a warm welcome and join in meals. Our guests kindly left a generous donation for the parish in appreciation. Please remember the servants of God sub-deacon Andrew, Monica, Blake, John, Robert, Keith and Pamela and the villagers of Tyonek in your prayers this week.

Big thanks, also, to Craig & Greg who are putting in great efforts to make sure the upcoming pilgrimage to Kodiak is both spiritually edifying and enjoyable for all who plan to attend. Please remember to pray for the majority of our pilgrims who will be leaving on the trip THIS FRIDAY.

Who should receive a note of thanks? Please send info to Pres. for inclusion in the bulletin: doxa@clearwire.net (include a request for a "read" receipt under the options tab before sending to make sure she has received your message--thx!)