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7 THE SHEPHERD • JANUARY 2026 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO HappyNewYear fromyourAnthousa Philop- tochos Chapter! Philoptochos kicked off the holiday season with our annual Christmas luncheon at the Kona Kai Club on Decem- ber 6th celebrating Christmas, St. Nicholas Day, and a very special birthday! It was an extremely joyful event attended by over 100 luncheon guests. The weather was majestic as we looked out on the San Diego Bay, the food was delicious, and the room was full of holiday cheer! We were treated to beautiful music by Polyxeni & Philippos Theologides, followed by Kathy Meck serenading us with Christmas Carols. The luncheon attendees were very generous as we collected 164 pairs of pajamas for needy children! Throughout the month, we collected gifts in support of the Salvation Army Kroc Center with our Angel Giving Tree in the Cypress Room, thanks to your generosity we filled all four bins to the top! We were honored to then volunteer for the Salvation Army Toy and Joy Shop at the Kroc Center, where we sorted the toys donated to the center and got them ready for giving to deserving children who might not receive anything for Christ- mas. On Tuesday, December 16th, we hosted our annual Angels Christmas Party for children and their families affected by cancer, as part of our Kids ‘n’ Cancer ministry. This heart- warming and special event is a highlight each year, and we are so proud to be a part of it. Through amazing teamwork and a will- ingness to serve, it was an amazing event. Of course, we could not have achieved any of this without the assistance and leadership of our Anthousa board members, Anthousa chapter members, our loyal parishioners, and all who were willing and able to roll up their sleeves to help. We THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for your service, de- votion, and loving support of Philoptochos! MEMBERSHIP This month we are kicking off our annu- al membership drive! Philoptochos has so much to offer. By joining Philoptochos you have the opportunity to meet new people, share fun and rewarding experiences, along with the joy of helping those who desperate- ly need our support. Our philanthropic out- reach fundraises for ministries and causes that are not only vital to our community but further our Orthodox faith and traditions. Your continued love and support are greatly appreciated and needed nowmore than ever! Who can join Philoptochos? + Women of Greek Orthodox Faith of at least 18 years of age + A non-Greek Orthodox woman married to a Greek Orthodox man + Greek Orthodox men + A non-Greek Orthodox man married to a Greek Orthodox woman As you can see, YOU can join Philoptochos! Keep an eye on your mailbox to join or renew your membership, or you can visit www.An- thousa.net and click the tab at the top. (The National and Metropolis Philoptochos trea- suries each receive $15 of every membership donation: any amount over $30 remains in our local chapter’s treasury.) Please contact Maria Platis at mplatis@hotmail.com with any questions. SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP Please consider sponsoring a Sunday Fellow- ship Hour with your friends and family by providing simple refreshments (donuts or bagels, fruit and juice). You can honor fam- ily members or celebrate special occasions. Contact Olympia Kyriakidis at 619-507-6521 or karpenisiotisa@gmail.com. May the New Year bring you and your family health and prosperity! Please join us as we continue to put our faith into action through our many Philoptochos ministries. There are several opportunities to serve your parish and community, make new friends, embrace and promote our faith, and feel a sense of gratification while strengthening our Ortho- dox beliefs. In Christ’s Sisterhood, Michelle Defelippi Anthousa Chapter President PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Saturday, February 7 11:00 am The Cypress Room St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church We invite you to join us for our Complimentary Membership Luncheon & Program “Hearts in Harmony.” All new and renewing members of St. Spyridon’s Anthousa Philoptochos Chapter are invited to attend. We will be celebrating Go Red for Women to end heart disease, so please wear red to bring awareness to this disease. Call the Church Office at 619-297-4165 to make your reservation by Feb 3rd. Hearts in Harmony