TSN0726

1 THE SHEPHERD • JULY 2026 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO www.theshepherdnews.com The Shepherd Newsletter The official newsletter publication for the parish of Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church of San Diego I S S U E 3 6 2 • J U LY 2 0 2 6 FROM THE DESK OF FATHER ANDREW My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, By now, most of you have made your plans for the summer months. Many times, our plans for the summer months take us away from San Diego, our homes and our beloved parish. However, please keep in mind that the celebration of the Divine Litur- gy (and other divine services of the Church) continues throughout the summer months, as does your calling to participate in them. Thus, I encourage you to stay focused on Sunday as the Lord’s Day and the importance of the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in your life. From the Gospel of Luke 24:36- 53, which is the sixth morning Gospel read during the Orthros / Preparatory service, we are reminded that after our Lord’s Ascension, the Disciples …returned to Jerusalem with great joy and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Continually means there are no breaks! We, as the Orthodox Christians before us, now carry on that Biblical reality of our faith Tradition. Thus, should not our spiritual communal worship of the Most High God be front and center as to who and what we are as Orthodox Chris- tians, regardless of the time of year? Communal worship is indeed something we continually do and experience because we have been called by Sacred Scripture to do so, and it is confirmed by our two-thou- sand-year-old tradition. As we mature in our Orthodox Faith and spirituality and come to better understand God and our relationship with Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit, we begin to better understand that God does not take the summer off and waits for our com- munal worship. One first step for spiritual growth is to resist the temptation to “take the summer off.” Thus, I look forward to your continual pres- ence throughout the summer months. Our beautiful choir will be present throughout the summer months. Our devoted altar servers will be present throughout the sum- mer months. Our dedicated Parish Council and Philoptochos members will be present throughout the summer months. I hope and pray that you , too, will continue to be present as well. May our Great God continue to bless you and your family throughout the summer months and always, amen! +A Greek Festi v aL Thanks to all our wonderful volunteers for another successful Greek Festival! It does indeed take all of us working together so please come and celebrate as a community at our Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Sunday, July 26 immediately following the Divine Liturgy. RSVP to the church office (619-297-4165) to save your seat for this complimentary lunch. See you there! Festival Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon IN THIS ISSUE FROM THE DESK OF FR. ANDREW ...... p. 1 PRESIDENT OF THE PARISH COUNCIL, WOMEN OF THE WORD, BOOKSTORE .p. 2 DIVINE SERVICES, HOLY SACRAMENTS, BIRTHS, DEATHS, MEMORIALS, NEWS FROM THE LOFT .................................................... p. 3 YOUTH MINISTRIES ................................. p. 4 GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL, STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE ................. p. 5 AHEPA, MEN’S MINISTRY ....................... p. 6 2026 FESTIVAL PHOTOS ........................ p. 7 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS ......................... p. 8 PARISH CALENDAR ................................ p. 10 YOUNG AT HEART SENIORS ................. p. 11 CONTACT INFORMATION....................... p. 12 BUSINESS ADS AND PERSONAL GREETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS AVAILABLE AT LOW RATES FREE DESIGN FOR YOUR AD! FOR DETAILS, EMAIL INFO@THESHEPHERDNEWS.COM THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! ADVERTISE IN NEWSLETTER!