Koinonia Winter 2022 Issue

HOLY TRINITY

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Father's Message

President's Message

Stewardship Philoptochos

Sacraments and Special Events

Calendar

CHURCH STAFF

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Page 7 Page 13 Page 18 20

WORSHIP HOURS

Sundays: Weekdays:

Orthros 8:15 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:15 a.m.

Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:30 a.m.

Tuesdays: Paraklesis Service 6:00 p.m.

*ALL SERVICES ARE STREAMED LIVE

Parish Priest: Fr. Luke Melackrinos

Parish Council President: Andrea Konidas

Office Director: Mary Sharp

Philoptochos President: Mary Baryo

Book Store: Kiki Karras & Dr. Fotene Karantinos

Sunday School Director: Andrea Kjos

Greek Dance Director: Andrea Konidas

Youth Directors: Pres. Marusia

Stewardship: Stella Daskalakis & Julie Konidas

P A R I S H M I S S O N

To build our Church Family through bountiful religious services, educational classes, fellowship opportunities and outreach The pillars Of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving will feature prominently in the ministries of the Parish

CONTACT

900 6TH ST. | SIOUX CITY, IA 51101 WWW.HOLYTRINITY.IA.GOARCH.ORG

Church Office

Phone: 712 255 5559 Fax: 712 255 1836

Fr. Luke Melackrinos Frlukem@gmail.com

P A R I S H V I S I O N

A Dynamic Church, equally strong at home as at the Parish, fortified by Ministries that bring the faithful closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, His Holy Mother, and all the Saints

FATHER'S MESSAGE

Beloved in Christ,

As the temperatures start to drop, our schedule is just heating up at Holy Trinity! After an amazing festival (record setting on almost every level), we have sent our youth back to school and began our wonderful Sunday School year Thank you to all who worked so hard to have an amazing festival, especially our chairpeople, Andrea Konidas and Leah Bariatakis Pike We’ve been busy lately, two weddings (Chris Antonopoulos to Maggie Ward, and Anthony Fountoulakis to Kayla McCumber), a Baptism (Konstantinos Conyers) and sadly a funeral for Georgia Reusch. We wish the best to all of the families and loved ones who partook in all of those special moments. We also look forward to the baptism of baby Basil Bariatakis!

Georgia’s funeral allowed us the opportunity to use our newly constructed accessibility ramp for the first time We’re still not fully ready to open it to full use due to the railing still being made, but with caution, we have given it a try and it is constructed incredibly well and helped us have an even more dignified funeral for Georgia. May her memory be eternal!

I’m excited for the Fall and Winter! We are starting our new Greek culture program called “Opa Nights” where everyone can learn the Greek language (including adult conversational Greek) and to Greek dance (optional).

We also are beginning a new Bible Study of the Gospel of St Luke It has been called the Gospel of Good News to the Poor and the evangelist is unique in his perspective of Christ, as one that has an appreciation of history and led an amazing, saintly life Bible Study begins October 4 after Paraklesis and everyone is welcome. No preparation is required.

Alternating with Bible Study is Orthodoxy 101 which will explain what Orthodox Christians believe and why. This will also be on Tuesdays following Paraklesis, starting October 11. Just like Bible Study there is no preparation required and each class is stand alone

As I’m sure you all know by now, we have our GyroFest Drive Up on October 15 and 16, which will be wonderful as always. What you may not know is that the following weekend we will have a chili cook off! The Sunday after that we have something planned for all of our families, especially our children!

Phew! There’s so much happening! We are growing and shining forth in Christ’s love Let’s keep this momentum going and have a wonderful year growing closer to each other and to Christ

God bless you and your families! +Fr. Luke

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Holy Trinity Family,

There are no words that could adequately express my appreciation to each and everyone of you for your dedication to our church during Greek Festival 2022. Whatever your part was in making that weekend possible please know how grateful I am. It was an honor to be involved and work side by side with each of you, and it was an absolute joy watching our community come together to host the most successful Greek Festival ever. Now that we have had a little bit of time to rest we are preparing for our next and final fundraiser of the year. Our Drive Up event will be October 15th and 16th. Baking has already started but more help will be needed in the coming weeks We will be reaching out to everyone to see what your availability is Thank you in advance for your time!

As we wrap up a busy summer, I wanted to make you all aware of some improvements that have been made around the church. Some were necessary for security purposes and some are cosmetic, but were long overdue. The Parish Council has had many discussions over the years about the need for security cameras We have made very thoughtful decisions in moving forward with this feature The security cameras have been placed in three important areas of the church The first is located in the Narthex and the second is located outside, facing the storage shed door and spanning half the length of the “food booth” area The third is located outside near the back door to the kitchen stairway and spans half the length of the “food booth” area. These cameras operate in real time and are able to alert us to movement as well as record. The sound feature has been turned off and will remain off for privacy reasons. We have also replaced the old door lock to the back door with a keyless entry. If you have keys for the old door lock they will no longer work. If you need to get into the church please contact me or Father Luke and we will direct you to the correct person to get you access The cosmetic updates were done through donations and have taken place on the stage and the Sunday school room next to the stage New paint, storage and new flooring have allowed us to brighten up these rooms just in time for the start of our Sunday School year The AHEPA room has been cleaned up and will soon be cosmetically updated as well. Finally, I am excited to announce that our long awaited ramp project is close to completion. We are waiting on our railing to be added and look forward to using the ramp in the coming weeks.

This Fall will be filled with wonderful opportunities for us to gather as a community Opa Nights will be starting on October 5th and will be held every other Wednesday night at 6:00pm in the church basement. There will be an adult class and a children’s class. We look forward to welcoming everyone and starting something new for our parish. Also, Father will be starting Orthodoxy 101 and Bible Study The information for these classes are in the back of this publication On October 23rd we will have our Fall General Assembly and the Holy Trinity Chili Cook off. The following week, after church, there will be a Family Fun Day and time for the kids to enjoy some seasonal treats.

November and December will be equally busy with Parish Council Elections on November 20th, Family Movie Night in December, Father conducting all of our beautiful services and celebrating the holidays. I wish you all warm wishes for the coming cold weather and the holidays that are on the horizon.

Yours in service, Andrea Konidas

Parish Council President

STEWARDSHIP

Why We Give

When we gather together in joy and worship, we sing to God in gratitude for His many blessings Our hearts are full, and we want to give of what we have.

Christian stewardship is one of the disciplines of the Church that help to cultivate a proper attitude toward the world and toward that part of the world's bounty which God has entrusted to us, our material possessions. The whole thrust of the Divine Liturgy is offering We offer up "ourselves, one another, and our entire life unto Christ our God " God is the source of all gifts and this is why we proclaim in the Liturgy, "Thine own of Thine own, we offer unto Thee on behalf of all and for all." It is this sacrifice, or offering, that is then returned to us as Christ Himself.

Just as we cultivate the discipline of daily prayer and fasting, we should endeavor to be a steward of our finances through offerings and alms Christian stewardship is a loving response to a loving God It is an invitation to grow in one's faith by responding to the Gospel. We only rob ourselves by not giving and this is true of all of the disciplines of the Church. As we have our lives transformed by the Gospel we respond with thanksgiving, praise, worship, and offering. Thus the true goal of financial stewardship is growing the hearts of Christians in response to the love of Christ

Alms

Almsgiving is an expression of love and care for our neighbors, and of the self emptying, selfless service to which Jesus calls us...this love for others should not be limited to formal gestures or to sentimental feelings, but should issue in specific acts of almsgiving Such was the firm conviction of the early Church The second century Shepherd of Hermas insists that the money saved through fasting is to be given to the widow, the orphan and the poor. But almsgiving means more than this. It is to give not only our money but our time, not only what we have but what we are; it is to give a part of ourselves. When we hear the Triodion speak of almsgiving, the word should almost always be taken in this deeper sense For the mere giving of money can often be a substitute and an evasion, a way of protecting ourselves from closer personal involvement with those in distress. On the other hand, to do nothing more than offer reassuring words of advice to someone crushed by urgent material anxieties is equally an evasion of our responsibilities (see Jas. 2:16). Bearing in mind the unity already emphasized between man’s body and his soul, we seek to offer help on both the material and the spiritual levels at once.

The Lenten Triodion, pp. 19 20.

HOLY TRINITY 2022 STEWARDS

Mr & Mrs Nick Kasotakis

Brother Amphilochios (Yianopoulos)

Mr. & Mrs. Perry Antonopoulos

Mr & Mrs Michael Antonovich

Presbytera Vasiliki Balomenos

Mr. & Mrs. Athanasious Bariatakis

Mr & Mrs Beau Bariatakis Pike

Mr. & Mrs. John Baryo

Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Bikakis

Mr & Mrs Dimitri Bostinelos

Mrs. Martha Bostinelos

Ms. Stella Daskalakis

Mr & Mrs George Demetroulis

Mrs. Georgia Diavastes

Mr. & Mrs. Vassilaki Emanuel

Mrs, Cula Fondoulakis

Mr. Nick Fondoulakis

Mr & Mrs Anthony Fountoulakis

Mr. & Mrs. Tom Fountoulakis

Mr. & Mrs. Isidoros Garifalakis

Mr Vaios Gennatos

Mr. & Mrs. James Giasafakis

Mr. & Mrs. Casey Glanzer

Mr & Mrs Craig Golden

Mr. & Mrs. Vasili Holevas

Mr. Christos Iordanou

Mr Chris Jones

Mr. & Mrs. Rick Jones

Mr. Andrew Karantinos

Dr Fotene Karantinos

Mr. & Mrs. Alex Karras

Mr Dean Karras

Mr. & Mrs. Alex Kazos Ms Cassandra Ketchelos

Ms. Julie Kinnaman

Mr. & Mrs. Dave Kjos Mrs Bessie Klimiades

Mr. & Mrs. George Klimiades

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Konidas

Mr & Mrs Tim Konidas

Mr. Christopher Konidas Ms. Anna Kounas Mrs Cheryl Kounas Mr. John Kounas Mrs. Connie Kouris Ms Ariana Ladeas

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ladeas Conyers

Mr. & Mrs. Kyle Listaman

Mr George Litras

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Madsen

Mr & Mrs Christopher Margeas Mrs Daisy Margeas Mrs. Virginia Margeas

Mr & Mrs Tim Margellos

Mr. & Mrs. Michael McCarthy

Ms. Eleni Melackrinos

Mr & Mrs Mike Michelakakis

Mr. & Mrs. Ted Michelakakis Mrs. Sophie Milbrodt Mrs Karlie Mobley

Mr. & Mrs. Craig Morfas

Mr. & Mrs. George Paradise Ms Annette Prewitt

+Mrs Georgia Reusch+

Mr. & Mrs. Jordan Schultz

Mr. & Mrs. Roger Schultz

Mrs Afrodity Segos

Mrs. Mary Sharp

Mrs. Helen Siganos

Mr. & Mrs. Nick Stabile

Mr & Mrs Jeff Stevens

Mr. & Mrs. Joshua Stevens

Mrs. Catherine Sutherland Mrs Anna Theros

Mr. Dorwin Tompkins

Mr. & Mrs. Costa Tsiobanos

Mr & Mrs George Tsiobanos

Mr. & Mrs. James Vlahakis Mrs. Joan Vlahoulis

80 Stewardship Families as of September 26, 2022

Fr Luke & Presbytera Marusia Melackrinos

PHILOPTOCHOS

The Philoptochos of Holy Trinity began the new year with a meeting and fellowship at the Oscar Carl Vineyard in Sioux City. It was well attended, and we invite those who were unable to be there to join us at any future meeting as their schedule allows. One doesn’t need to attend every meeting or be part of every event in order to be a Philoptochos member. One only needs to want to do what they can to help others in a united effort put forth by our organization.

September is nationally designated to assist the Holy Cross School of Theology. Each year near the feast of the Elevation of the Cross, we are asked to collect donations towards the school’s expenses. There will be a free will offering on September 18th as you exit the church proper

Locally, we continue to participate in the ‘Operation Classroom’ national initiative by supporting the Riverside Elementary School. There is a table in the church hall collecting needed school items. Please see your weekly bulletin for those special items needed.

Together with our Sunday School youth, a recent fellowship hour was sponsored, and a collection tray was set out which collected $250 towards the SHPS non profit, (Sleep in heavenly peace). This organization makes and donates beds and bedding to children who qualify in our area. The hope is every child has a bed of their own. We are planning to have our now annual Holiday/Christmas Pastry Sale again in December. More information forthcoming!

The National Board of the Philoptochos, in response to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros’ call for assistance in mitigating the August 4th devastating fire damage at Balukli Hospital in Constantinople, approved a $50,000 emergency disbursement The funding will be used to provide care to the now suffering elderly Orthodox Christians in Poli who have been displaced by the fire as well as to mitigate damage. The Philoptochos Executive Board sought immediate approval to respond to this tragedy, as is customary for Philoptochos when such catastrophic events occur.

The Metropolis Annual Luncheon will be held on Sept 24th , in the Chicago area and several from our local group plan on attending. This is an annual event and the major Metropolis wide fundraiser. The recipients of the proceeds will be HCHC School of Theology, SIRC (St. Iakovos Retreat Center and Camp) in Wisconsin and the Philanthropic efforts of the Philoptochos.

This year was celebrated as the 90th year of the Philoptochos being organized by our Archdiocese, but did you know that at Sioux City Holy Trinity, we had formed a philanthropic women’s group called the Mirofores, a precursor to our now Philoptochos, which organized in 1929?! Two full years before the above inception took place Holy Trinity has a long and dedicated history of philanthropy to those less fortunate and with the continued support of each of you in this parish and the community, we can continue doing so well into the future!

Thank you for all you do to support the initiatives of the Philoptochos of Holy Trinity!

With sisterly love, Mary Baryo, President.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Greetings!! Summer is waning and Fall is arriving which also rings in the new school year (and football!).

Our Sunday school students thoroughly enjoyed Holy Trinity’s first annual VBS this past June of which the theme was Noah’s Ark. Our teachers included Fr. Luke Melackrinos, Julie Konidas, Angela Stabile, Eleni Melackrinos and Andrea Kjos . The children enjoyed singing, learning Greek Dance, Bible lessons about Noah’s Ark along with crafts.

On August 28, 2022, Sunday school hosted Coffee Hour at which time we opened up registration for the 2022 2023 school year of which to date we have very close to 30 students registered! Bravo!! We offer classes from Preschool High school. All are welcome. Please feel free to bring your friends anytime! September 11, 2022 was our first day of Sunday school in which we recognized the class of 2022 at the outset as we were unable to hold this opportunity in May of 2022 due to unforeseen circumstances, however, we have followed through successfully Each student was awarded a book of their choice from our Holy Trinity Bookstore for their dedication to education We also honored the class of 2022 of those graduating from high school and college with the presenting of a Holy Bible of which is our Holy Trinity tradition During this same event the Sunday school Department recognized the start of the new Ecclesiastical New Year with the Blessing of the Backpacks of all students to include staff working in the field of Education Each student was also given a small spiritual gift to place in their backpacks

We recognized our teachers, Julie Konidas, Angela Stabile, Eleni Melackrinos (Pre school Kindergarten), Andrea Kjos (1st 5th grade) Mary Bariatakis (Middle school and High school) and welcoming back into the fold Casandra Ketchelos of whom will also be teaching Middle school and High school/team teach with Andrea Kjos.

The Sunday school department took this opportunity to thank Mary Bariatakis for her years of dedicated service as to teaching our youth. Mary is a very kind, generous, well educated Sunday school teacher. At this time, Mary is working on other church venues and has agreed to be our Substitute teacher should the time arise. Thank you Mary for your beautiful work in the church. We are blessed by your virtues. Xronia polla! +++

The new 2022 2023 Sunday school year is now in force and in person with all students being recognized. HyVee Receipts School Bucks Once again we have re opened our annual collection of HyVee Receipts effective August 1, 2022 through and including April 2023. Please feel free to drop them off in the collection basket in the Narthex by the bulletins or if you wish you may either mail them or give them to Andrea Kjos directly *2021 22 Earnings: $372 81 Thank you to everyone!!

Our first in person class will begin Sunday, September 18, 2022 Classes are held each Sunday and begin immediately following Communion All students will gather in the Narthex and we will proceed to our respective rooms/teachers for class Our Sunday school rooms to include the classroom next to stage, the stage itself and the AHEPA room are all now newly repainted, refurbished, refreshed Thank you to Andrea Konidas, Angela Holivas and several others for a job well done

Save the Date: Saturday, December 17, 2022 Christmas Pageant practice. Sunday, December 18, 2022, Christmas Pageant immediately following Divine Liturgy.

We look forward to a fantastic new start and a new year and we are looking forward to seeing your children and teaching them about the Word of God Please check the church’s website too for updates, calendar, services and pictures of our church’s events www.holytrinity.ia.goarch.org or you may also scan the QR code in the front of the bulletin to reach this same site. It took a village to unite and come to America to build our church, it takes a village to remain united in thought, duty, and prayer to ensure the future of our church through our children. +++

Thank you and God bless you all. +++ Sincerely, Andrea Kjos, Sunday school Director

SACRAMENTS & SPECIAL EVENTS

Congratulations to Maggie and Chris Antonopoulos on their wedding!

Congratulations to the Ladeas Conyers Family on the baptism of their son Konstantinos!

Congratulations to Kayla (Konidas) and Eric Baker on the birth of their daughter, Julia!

Congratulations to Kayla and Anthony Fountoulakis on their wedding!

The servant of God, Georgia A. Reusch fell asleep in the Lord. May her memory be eternal.

The servant of God, Presbytera (Panimatka) Helena Podhurec fell asleep in the Lord. May her memory be eternal.