TSN0121

2 THE SHEPHERD • JANUARY 2021 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO As I am writing this letter, we are prepar- ing for the Christmas Eve service. Over 200 parishioners are anticipated to attend and celebrate the birth of Christ in an outdoor service. It will truly be bittersweet to end this year together in worship with hope for a better 2021. It’s said that hindsight is 20/20, meaning when we look back we can see what hap- pened with clarity. 2020 has been a year like no other in my memory, and even looking back I am in disbelief and unsure of what has transpired. We have been quarantined in our homes, away from our Church and loved ones for ten months now. Many have lost their jobs or their businesses have been closed. e background noise of our world has been lled with protest and divisiveness. Yet as the year closes, there is still reason for hope. 2020 has reminded me that life is lled with things beyond our control. It has remind- ed me about the simple things that I took for granted, seeing a friend and greeting them. It has shown me how the disruption of routine can be uncomfortable but also can cause “new growth.” Mostly, it has reminded me to live each day. Life is about practicing each day to become a better person, walking forward in hopes of salvation. And when I stumble and fall short, all I can do is ask for forgiveness and continue to practice. Ultimately, it is the knowledge that I am walking with all of you that gives me strength and I thank you. While our buildings have been empty, our ministry leaders are doing so much to keep us together. I truly thank all of you for your e orts. e Parish Council also appreciates your support as we navigate through these challenging times. On January 3rd , we will be celebrating St. Basil and Philoptochos will be cutting the Vasilopita. We will all be looking for the coin and further blessings to follow. I hope and pray that 2021 will allow us to return to some normalcy and that we soon can come togeth- er and embrace as God has called us to do. Happy New Year, Jim Gilpin Parish Council President Yes, the storage dungeon is fewweeknights and aweeken adjacent to the Kitchen. Reno anddisposalofallcabinetsand walls were prepped and RFP open, and brighter room via u lighting, aswell as heavy duty have a few finishing touches t nextcoupleofweeks. Special thanks for theirhardwo somewell-deserved breaks) fo JimLeventis,CoreyLeventis, a request forall topleasemakea cleanandorganized,whilealso that youmay“forget”behind. Πιστεύουμε ότι θα σας αρέσε στην Κουζίνα. Όλη η ομάδα π διατηρήσουμε και μελλοντικά καθαριότητα αυτού τού χώρο μας! Regards, Vlassiand theTeam FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL PRESIDENT WOMEN WORD OF THE We pray that everyone had a most blessed Holy Nativity and eophany during this beautiful Season of Light. Our group has been on a break for the past month. We will resume our Zoom meet- ings on Wednesday, January 13 with a look at “How to Be Present” - how to encounter Christ and live as Christians in our present reality. In December, Fr. Andrew joined our group for a Question-and-Answer session to clear up some of our questions related to topics we have encountered in our Scripture readings. In particular, he helped us take a deeper look at God’s Commandment of Love and how we can take it to heart and truly learn to practice it in our lives. About this topic, Father Andrew pointed to several Scripture passages to describe what kind of love this is. In 1Cor 13 he reminded us that rst of all, “Love is long-suffering,” – re- quiring patience and endurance, not about oneself but always looking towards the other. is focus on the other is also emphasized by the apostle John in his second epistle where he encourages us, who are part of the Body of Christ: “now I plead with you…that we love one another. is is love, that we walk accord- ing to His commandments.” In 1Timothy1:3-5 Paul also makes it clear the priority of this commandment where he says, “teach no oth- er doctrine, nor give heed to fables…, which cause disputes rather than godly edification … the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith.” So being able to love requires puri cation, does not occupy itself with myths, divisions, and argument but instead requires discernment, spiritual attentiveness and a constant e ort. God is always Love, and His love for us is unconditional. As people of faith, we want that in our lives and know that we are called to imitate Christ. at’s why He came to earth - to show us the way, and what we must do, think, and feel about the other – especially those in need. So, Love is the exam- ple, the goal, the essence of who God is and who we strive to become. May it be so for all of us. With Love in Christ, + e Women of the Word Bible Study Group Contact information: susanmiserlis@gmail.com LIBRARY & BOOKSTORE Creator of the universe, setting times and sea- sons by Your sole authority, bless the cycle of the new year of Your grace, O Lord, guarding our rulers and Your nation in peace, at the intercession of the eotokos, and save us. – Apolytikion of Beginning of the Indiction e bookstore would like to send warm greetings to all our parishioners for the be- ginning of the New Year. Ring in 2021 with Daily Lives, Miracles and Wisdom of the Saints and Fasting Calendar; it includes in- sightful quotes from the saints, saints com- memorated each day, Gospel and Epistle readings, and fasting guidelines. Cost is $18.00 each plus tax. Would you like to have a signed copy of inking Orthodox, Understanding and Ac- quiring the Orthodox Christian Mind, writ- ten by Dr. Eugenia Scarvelis Constantinou? We are excited to stock this new book in the bookstore! Dr. Eugenia hosts the popular podcast Search the Scriptures Live! on An- cient Faith Radio and holds master’s degrees in eology. She is known to most of us as Presvytera Jeannie and has lifelong roots in our parish. She brings her more than forty years’ experience as a professor, Bible teacher, and speaker to bear in explaining that Orthodox Chris- tianity is based on preserving the mind of the early Church, its phronema. Please let us know if you would like to pur- chase a copy of the wonderful book! Presvytera Jeannie will also autograph your copy. For any items in the bookstore, arrange- ments can be made for payment, pick up or delivery. Please text or call Stephanie at 619- 203-3533. We truly miss our church family, and look forward to worshipping together again soon. May you all have a blessed, fruitful, and healthy New Year! Happy New Year! Mary Mastorakos, Pat Tsopanoglou, Collette Pepelis, Stephanie Mourafetis, and Francesca Captain