MINISTRIES

The overall ministry of the parish is accomplished through the good work of several organizations, ministry groups, and teams. Parishioners are encouraged to take an active role in the life of the parish through involvement in these organizations.

Parish Council

The Council consists of the pastor and parish members who have been elected or appointed to serve the parish as coordinators of the spiritual and temporal life of the Church. The responsibility of the Council includes such areas as: regular parish life, Christian education, property, maintenance, budgeting, finance, parish growth, and the supervising of parish programs and organizations.

The Council meets on the third Tuesday of every month. Elections to the Council are held in December and parishioners in good standing (spiritual & financial) are encouraged to serve in this unique and important capacity.

Ladies Altar Society

Orthodox women have a special ministry in the life of a parish. Their role as messengers of the Gospel, teachers, and sustainers of the faith has been central to Church growth since the time of Christ. Our Ladies promote religious, humanitarian, and social programs that affect the life and growth of our community. As part of the archdiocesan women?s organization (AOCWNA), they participate in local and regional activities designed to raise awareness and funds for Orthodox orphanages throughout the world and scholarships for young women continuing education. Our ladies continue to raise funds for the maintenance and upkeep of the Altar area to ensure the beauty of the House of God. The Ladies Altar Society meets on the second Wednesday of every month and welcomes any parishioner willing to share her talents and wisdom.

Fellowship Of St. John The Divine

This organization is designed for young adults and the young at heart. The Fellowship sponsors special educational, humanitarian and social events throughout the year. They organize our yearly Advent and Great Lent Retreats and are responsible for our Parish Ministry Teams that offer outreach to shut-in parishioners, those in need, welcoming visitors, visiting the sick, food pantry, etc.

PARISH MINISTRY TEAMS & Coordinators

  • ALTAR SERVERS Team - Fr Symeon Kees

  • CHURCH SCHOOL Team - Susie Sobchak

  • FOOD PANTRY Team - Carolyn Nahas

  • HELPING HANDS Team - Bob Macey

  • HOSPITALITY/GREETER Team - Olga Faour & Louis Abercia

  • HUMANITARIAN Team - Nancy Attra & Sandra Bucaram

  • LIBRARY Team - Bob Riddle

  • OFFICE HELPERS Team - Ron Ford

  • PHOTOGRAPHY Team - Greg Quartaro

  • PRAYER DISCIPLINE Team - Loretta Prontka

  • SACRED MUSIC Team - Dr. Bill Attra

  • SENIOR ACTIVITIES Team - Rosalie Abercia

  • SICK/SHUT IN Team - Betty Attra

  • SPIRITUAL INVOLVEMENT Team - Kim Barrow

  • USHERS Team - Tawfiq Jallouq & George Abercia

  • ORTHODOX HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS Team - Kh. Jing Kees, Rachel Finn & Alex Funchess

St. Philip's Prayer Discipline

This fellowship of the faithful is dedicated to the study and knowledge of the Faith and its spiritual heritage. Participants commit themselves to daily prayer, fasting, intercessions, and the study of the Scriptures. When joining on the national level, materials and newsletters are provided.

JOY Club

The Junior Orthodox Youth (JOY) Club is a ministry to youth in grades 4-6. More than just a "springboard" into Teen SOYO, the JOY Club helps young people learn about their faith and to build relationships with their peers, as well as to develop foundations that will last as they grow older and enter into Teen SOYO and beyond.

Teen SOYO

We are blessed to have a very active group of teenagers in the parish who provide a number of programs aimed at creating a closer fellowship for the teens and offering service to the Church. With the support of our Youth Director and Teen Advisors, Teen SOYO sponsors food drives for the poor, retreats, outings, assistance for children, community service and social events.

OCF


The Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) serves as a ministry to our college-aged students. While in college, many young Orthodox find themselves challenged by new ideas and philosophies. OCF keeps them connected to the Orthodox Church and allows them to develop relationships with their peers. While in OCF, students will learn about their faith, connect with other Orthodox college students, worship together, and serve the community.


Church School

Our Church School program provides our children with the basic knowledge of the Christian Faith and Orthodox way of life. The curriculum is designed to introduce the student to essential concepts of the Faith while reviewing and reinforcing Orthodox teaching from one year to the next. We have a very well prepared teaching staff and we encourage the role of the parents in teaching and implementing at home what our students learn in class. Our Church School begins on the first Sunday (September) after Labor Day through the last Sunday before Memorial Day (May). Classes range from age 4 through college.

Choirs

I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to God while I have my being.? (Psalm 103:33-34) The Choir sings the responses for the liturgical services of the Church. Their singing emulates the Choirs of Angels at the Throne of God.

The English Choir, under the direction of Dr Bill Attra, practices every Monday evening at 7:00 P.M. in the Church.

Those interested in singing in the Arabic Choir should see the Protopsalti, Sami Zanayed.

Chanters

I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to God while I have my being.? (Psalm 103:33-34) The Chanters sing the responses for the liturgical services of the Church -- paricularly Vespers and Matins.

Those interesting in Byzantine Chant should see Fr. James Shadid.

Those interested in chanting in Arabic should see the Protopsalti, Sami Zanayed.

St. Nicholas Society

St. Nicholas Society is a men's group at St. George whose purpose is to perform charitable functions for the needy in our Orthodox community , to support church related functions at St. George, and to donate time and money to charitable organizations. Our strategic objective is to increase our outreach and strengthen the fellowship of the men of St. George while participating in activities that benefit the St. George family and expand our witness within the community.