~Pastor’s Message of September 27, 2020~

“Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Dear members of the parish of St. George in Richmond Hill,

St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians tells us that today, now, at this moment is the acceptable time and day for salvation. Let us not delay our salvation to tomorrow but starting today let us repent from our sins.

Few ladies met last Sunday and decided to elect interim officers. They are as follows: Violette Boutros: President, Randa Issa: Vice, Lana Dabbagh: Secretary, and Regina Helou: Treasurer. Congratulations to these new interim officers.

This Sunday evening at our general assembly we will elect our new parish council members. Here are some quotes on who can serve as parish council. I think these quotes are good for all organizations. Here is what the document “Parish Council Guidebook” says:

 “Remembering the sacred duties involved in this type of service, considering the following characteristics are an important part of the development of a productive and effective Parish Council. • All those nominated to serve on the Parish Council must be approved by the Parish Priest in order for their name to be placed in nomination. This approval will assure all parishioners that the points and principles concerning Parish Council service outlined in this guidebook and in the Model Parish Constitution apply to each and every candidate. • Knowledge and understanding of the theology and practices of the Orthodox Church, and the attitude that there is more to learn about the faith. The Parish Council is not the place to teach fundamental theology or to straighten out distorted ideas about the faith. While no one is all knowing, the church member without a good Orthodox Christian understanding will be a hindrance to the effective operation of the Parish Council. • Good and regular attendance at church services and special programs of the parish and its organizations. The Parish Council is no place for those who have not already established themselves as faithful members. Drafting someone onto the council who does not already demonstrate commitment through their actions will not likely lead to the development of those habits once they become a Parish Council member. • Those who serve on the council should already be serving the parish in other capacities. Giving of one’s own time and talents and resources must precede working on the council to organize the time and talent and resources offered by others in the parish. Can one who gives minimally participate in programs of encouraging true sacrificial and proportional giving (tithing) by others? Can one who gives little of their own time and talent be expected to inspire others to give more freely of their God given gifts? • Look throughout your parish for the humble, the unselfish, the faithful in attendance, and those who lead and teach by example. Seek out those whose lives emulate Christ and the apostles, but who do not think of themselves as special or pure. Seek the givers of time and resources. Seek the listeners and the thoughtful persons who possess inner peace. Seek the speakers of a few words that seem to resonate in the ears and hearts of others. Seek the quiet non-complainers who would rather work than create controversy. Seek those who seek the joy of life in the church and who see the best in others.” 

Fr. Philip LeMasters writes about this Sunday Gospel: “Like Abraham and Sarah, Zacharias and Elizabeth, and John the Baptist, our calling is to use the challenges, blessings, and painful struggles of our daily lives to grow in holiness as we play our role in making this world an icon of God’s salvation.  That is how we may all become fishers of men.  So even if we feel like we have fished all night and caught nothing, we must let down our nets again in obedience to Christ’s command.  He alone brings life even from the tomb and turns apparent failure into glorious victory.  He alone works even through our more difficult challenges to bless us.  So we must not fall into despair or fear, but instead trust that God is with us and at work in our lives, especially when we obey His command to put down our nets just one more time.”