St. Sophia Website

I hope everyone enjoys a great and colorful fall, with its myriad of color, in our wonderful part of the Northeast. What a great time to take the family for long rides to see the changing leaves and enjoy the last great weather before the winter returns.

The many activities of our community are in full swing and with it is the demand on our time and talents. I encourage young and old alike to make a little time for St. Sophia. We need you in so many areas of our parish activities, plus in the many fund raising events that help keep our church financially stable. Please plan on attending and getting involved, because these programs cannot continue without the support and volunteering of parishioners. You can give of your time and talents by participating in parish ministries and activities, while at the same time impact the lives of your children and others, as well as have fun. Just let a Parish Council member know that you are interested in volunteering and we will connect you with the organization or people that will direct you.

Our General Assembly will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2009, in the Fellowship Hall, immediately following the Divine Liturgy.

Our Parish will gather together in prayer and fellowship as one body in order to participate in this important Parish meeting. In addition to reviewing and voting on the 2010 financial report, the Parish Council committees and various Church groups will summarize their many projects since our last General Assembly. Nominations for Parish Council members will also be taking place. Please consider the nominee’s qualifications and desire to make a difference for St. Sophia and her members. We ask all members in good standing to make every effort to attend the General Assembly and offer your valuable comments and support.

Please read the following explanation for a PARISH ASSEMBLY given to us by the Uniform Parish Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America:

ARTICLE 31 - PARISH ASSEMBLY

§1:A Parish Assembly may be convened for matters other than those involving canonical and dogmatic issues. The Parish Assembly is the general meeting of the Parishioners in good standing of the Parish and is the general policymaking and appropriating body of the Parish.

§2: Notice of a Parish Assembly shall be mailed to all Parishioners in good standing at least ten (10) days prior to the Assembly and shall include the agenda. The agenda shall be prepared by the Priest and the Parish Council and shall include all items to be discussed at the Assembly.

§3: A Parish Assembly consists of parishioners in good standing of the Parish who have met their stewardship obligations to the Parish in accordance with the Parish Bylaws. A person whose name appears on the Stewardship rolls but who is in arrears in the payment of his/her stewardship obligations may take part in the Parish Assembly by meeting such stewardship obligations on or before the date of the meeting. If a Parishioner is delinquent for more than the current calendar year, he or she may vote at the Parish Assembly only after that parishioner has met the unfulfilled stewardship financial obligations at least thirty (30) days before the Parish Assembly. New parishioners may exercise their vote at Parish Assemblies if they have been parishioners in good standing for at least three months. The Priest shall be a non-voting participant of the Parish Assembly.

§4: The quorum for a Parish Assembly under local By-laws shall be as high as possible in such number of parishioners in good standing as its By-laws may determine. If a quorum cannot be achieved, no vote can be taken. If a quorum is not present, the Parish Assembly shall be called a second time within twenty-one (21) days. At such time, decisions may be taken by the number of parishioners in good standing present, with the exception of matters pertaining to the purchase, sale or encumbering of Parish property, in which case a quorum of parishioners in good standing shall be required.

§5: Proxies shall not be permitted at a Parish Assembly.

§6: Regular Parish Assemblies shall be convened by the Priest and the Parish Council, at least twice each year, at dates fixed by the Parish Council.

§7: Special Parish Assemblies shall be held when the Priest and/or Parish Council deem it necessary. Subject to §1 above, a special Parish Assembly may be convened. In addition, and except as otherwise prohibited by these Regulations or required by law, if at least ten percent (10%) of the Parishioners in good standing of the Parish submit a written petition requesting a Parish Assembly, a special Parish Assembly shall be convened. Any such petition must be submitted to the Priest and the Parish Council stating the purpose for the meeting.

§8: The Chairman of the Parish Assembly shall be elected by the parishioners in good standing present.

§9: The Secretary of the Parish Assembly shall be appointed by the Chairman and shall record the minutes of the Assembly. The minutes of the Parish Assembly shall be signed by the Priest, the Chairman, and the Secretary of the Parish Assembly.

We as parishioners are very proud of our church complex, but wear and tear are showing all around us. The Parish Council and Al are trying to perform upkeep on a shoestring budget, but we really need the help of our parishioners. We will have a Wish List on the bulletin board of projects that have to be done around our church and building complex, and Items that are needed in many areas. Please review the list and if you are able to perform a project, donate an item, or just help out when a project is being done, let Fr. Pat or a Parish Council member know. We are truly grateful for your stewardship, time, and talents. Without your support we cannot maintain the splendor of our spiritual home…St. Sophia, for our future generations.

The Catering Company approved by the last General Assembly (Cypriana Catering) should be operational by the end of October. It is imperative that all Organizations that have activities in St. Sophia have their yearly events booked in the Church Calendar. The caterers need to know what days are available for their own bookings. Event Booking Forms are available outside the church office. Once events are booked they cannot be changed.

With love in Christ, Amy