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1 THE SHEPHERD • SEPTEMBER 2020 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO The Shepherd I S S U E 2 9 2 • S E P T E MB E R 2 0 2 0 The official newsletter publication for the parish of Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church of San Diego FROM THE DESK OF FATHER ANDREW www.theshepherdnews.com The Shepherd Newsletter IN THIS ISSUE FR. ANDREW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 1 PRESIDENT OF THE PARISH COUNCIL, WOMEN OF THE WORD, SUNDAY SCHOOL .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 2 DIVINE SERVICES, MEMORIALS, DEATHS, STEWARDSHIP, LIBRARY & BOOKSTORE . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 3 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS, AHEPA . . . . . p. 4 G.O.Y.A. NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 5 PARISH CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 6 GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL . . . . . . . . p. 7 CONTACT INFORMATION. . . . . . . . . . . p. 8 My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, For who can separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or dis- tress or persecution, or famine or nakedness or peril or sword? For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor an- gels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35-39). As most of you are aware, San Diego County has recently been removed from the state’s “Watch List.” Presently, we are still a little un- sure what that will mean for us here at Saint Spyridon but we are hopeful that in short time we will be able to reopen the Sanctuary for “in-person” worship, praise and thanks- giving. I for one cannot wait to be with you all once again, even in limited numbers if that is going to be the case. Until then, we will continue to follow the best advice from the scienti c and medical communities with regard to “gathering” (in large groups or with those “from outside our own households”). As the summer months pass by and Septem- ber is upon us I once again take this oppor- tunity to encourage you and your family to continue to make the concerted e ort to par- ticipate in the divine services of the Church via our parish LiveStream until we can ALL be together without these current restric- tions. I do realize “it’s not the same” but it is an opportunity for some kind of prayer and worship as a faith community/family. Until more clarity and direction is given to us by the state and local authorities we will contin- ue to LiveStream not only our divine services but we are prepared to o er most of our min- istries (GOYA, WOW, Greek School, Bible Study, etc.) virtually online (ZOOM, etc.). Until and unless there is a change in state and local directives this will also include our Sunday School program virtually online as well. A big “thank you” goes out to our Par- ish Council as they continue to be attentive in providing the tools and texts necessary to our committed Sunday School teachers, in their sincere attempt to teach our young peo- ple their beautiful Greek Orthodox Christian faith, albeit, virtually. Please join me in welcoming and supporting Julie Dennis as our new Sunday School Di- rector and her sta who have been prepar- ing to take Sunday School virtual on Sunday, September 13th. On behalf of the parish I would like to thank Alina Kleinhenz for all her past e ort and dedication during the past several years as Director of the St. Spyr- idon Sunday School Program. I also thank all those who came before Alina and all the dedicated faithful families who made Sunday School a priority in their children’s lives. My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, summer is just about over and it is now time to focus on the new Sunday School year. Our Sunday School program will begin on Sunday, Sep- tember 13, 2020 . I am encouraging you to commit yourselves and your children to be as attentive as you can virtually. Much has been done to provide a teaching program for our children. However, all will be for naught if you and your family members do not posi- tively respond to this opportunity. is will require not only dedicated teachers o ering good lesson plans but dedication from you and all your family members as well. As we look forward to another fruitful year please join me in welcoming Julie and her dedicated sta and supporting her and them with encouragement and prayer. God’s continued blessing, +A