Rev. Fr. John E. Artemas, June 2009

Beloved Members of our St. Nicholas Church, Sisters and Brothers in christ: May the Grace and Peace of the Lord be with you.

1. During the Agape Service on Easter Sunday, the Gospel reading is recited in different languages to denote universality of the Christian message. I often add that Agape-Love, Christian Love, is a "universal language" that can bring people together and transform the world.

2. During the Agape Service this year, I suggested to our congregation that there is another "universal language" that GHod has entrusted to all of us, and He wants us to use it to praise Him and proclaim His Message. That language, is the language of "music". Yes, music. It is a precious gift an ability with which God ahs blesses all of us, in a greater or lesser degree. Music can comfort, inspire and edify us, and it is a beautiful gift that we can give back to God, as we pray, honor and praise Him, and also proclaim the Christian Message of Salvation through Jesus Christ.

3. At St. Nicholas Church we are blessed to have a wonderful and gifted senior choir. With their beautiful singing they help us to "open our hearts" to God`s grace an to be edified during the Divine Liturgy. But we are always in need of more choir members. All faithful parishioners who can reasonably "carry a tune" are encouraged and invited to join our senior choir. Search your heart and, if the Spirit of the Lord moves you, approach any member of the choir for more information and to join.

4. Congregational singing is also very desirable. We ould like to encourage this progressively, at least with the easy hymns and responses.

5. A top priority in our Church is, and should be, the involvement and indoctriation of our children and young people in religious music, liturgical and non-liturgical. It is scandalous and sinful that we allow our children and youg people to be immersed and often "consumed" by so many types of harmful, inappropriate and cacophonous music, but we don`t insist that they learn to speak "in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in their hearts to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:19).

6. This year we have a special opportunity at our St. Nicholas Church. We have agreed to host the annual "Youth Music Conference" during the weekend of October 9-11, 2009, for our Chicago Metropolis. All the parishes of our Metropolis will be invited to participate. The program will begin with a reception at the Church on Friday, October 9 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. It will continue all day Saturday, October 10 with workshops, rehearsals, meals and other recreational activities. On Sunday the combined Youth Choir will sing for the Divine Liturgy, and the weekend will conclude with a luncheon for the youth participants and their families (and maybe for our entire congreagation).

7. The above seminar is intended for all young people, 8 years old through High School. I would like to see at least 25 young people from our St. Nicholas Church participate. At this time, I am asking you, the parents, to make this commitment for your children, discuss this with them now, amke it clear that you and your church expect them to participate and communicate with me to inform me of your decision. I know for certain that this will be a wonderful experience for our young people. I look forward to hearing from you by the end of June. (Yes, let us take this opportunity seriously, make our commitment early, and place the event on our calendars.)

8. On Sunday, May 17, Commencement Ceremonies were held at our church for 8th grade Sunday School and Greek School graduates. Warm confratulations to all the graduates and their families. Let us remember that, when it comes to our Christian Faith, graduation should bring and bind our young people closer to their Church, not allow them to befin to drift away. Every Sunday of the year-and throughout the summer-the Lord expects us to worship Him in His Holy Temple. Of course we are the ones whho reap the benefits and blessings.

9. As our annual festival quickly approaches (Father`s Day Weekend, June 19-21), please do your best to help in any and every way you can. Buy and sell more raffle tickets, make special donations of needed items and volunteer to help.. And continue faithfully to mail in or bring your monthly stewardship contributions. This guarantees stability and continuity in the programs and ministries of our belived St. Nichols Church.

10. As always, if I can minister to your spiritual and religious needs in any way, please don`t hesitate to call on me. It is my duty and privilege to serve you in the Blessed Name of our Lord.

Yours in the Service and Love of
The Lord and His Holy Church,

Father John E. Artemas
Pastor-Protopresbyter