Santa Barbara AHEPA Chapter 243

January 2006 Newsletter
ORDER OF AHEPA
SANTA BARBARA CHAPTER #243
“Promoting the Harmony of Greek Culture, Service, and Community”
Est. 1929
“Keeping the Spirit Alive and in the Mix in 2006”
http://www.ahepa20.org/~chapter243/


The month of January has arrived (very quickly I might add) and the New Year has begun. This is a time of reassessment and to set our goals for the coming year. This renewal process is vital to fine tune our focus on our goals as an organization and as individuals.
Your Ahepa Chapter has constantly been goal orientated and has been reassessing our goals through out the year. We have strived to be “Opportunity Minded” meaning that we feed opportunities and starve problems. This chapter has focused on “Direction, Purpose, and the Empowerment of our members. We have set goals and worked to achieve them. Every member has a stake in the results, and thus this inclusiveness has given each of us a sense of “Team or Family.” It has given us an opportunity for inner growth by establishing an inner integrity with an awareness of self-control, courage and strength to accept more responsibility for our own lives. By opening our own “Gate of Change” we will see growth that will seem Evolutionary, but the net effect will be Revolutionary
The annual Christmas Party of the Ahepa and the Daughters of Penelope was a great event with wonderful socialization, and great food. Kudos goes to the committee that organized the event. Many members were given recognition for their service to the Daughters and Ahepa. Fr. Paul received a Certificate of Merit from District 20 for his service to this Ahepa Chapter and thus to Ahepa. It is very special to have our Parish Priest as an active member of the chapter as it solidifies the bond that exists between Ahepa and our St. Barbara Parish. Congratulations Fr. Paul.
Our very special St. Barbara weekend was very memorable. Many hands contributed to the success of this weekend, and we congratulate everyone involved. Our Ahepa Chapter presented a gift to Fr. Paul to commemorate the anniversary of his Tenth Anniversary of his Ordination into the Priesthood of the Greek Orthodox Church. I was asked by a number of people if I would put my remarks into my newsletter message. It is for that reason that I include the Presentation in this message. This can also be seen on our web site where you can also find International, National, and Local Ahepa news. We encourage you to visit our web site often. Remember that we have District 20 Scholarship applications, which must be submitted be March 1, 2006.
We thank you for your support…..Jim Brown, President

HAPPY NEW YEAR May Health and Happiness be yours.

http://www;ahepa 20.org/~chapter243/

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GIFT PRESENTATION (Please scroll down the website to "Gift Presentation") Thank You.

Supreme President Gus James returned from Greece and Cyprus on Oct. 30th where he met with government officials to discuss issues that affect the Greek American community and to promote the "Voice of Hellenism" campaign. The talks in Greece which centered in strengthening the ties with the Greek American community were very productive. The Cyprus issue which centered on the direct flights issue, promotion of tourism, and a spring banquet was enthusiastically supported. Unfortunately ther was disappointment in the U.S. gorvernment's postion in respect to the direct flights issue.
The Ahepa Business Expo will be held July 27th, 28th at the Westin Diplomat Resort in Hollywood, Fl. For info contact Ahepa @ 232-6300.
Ahepa Journey to Greece Program-The University of Indianapolis Campus in Athens is offering a quality American educational experience in Greece. This fully accredited university is offering a one month program to earn 6 earned credits from July 20 to August 20, 2006. There are two 3 credit courses-Monday -Friday, 9:00 am-12:00 pm. There are many courses to chose from, with two excursions to varous sites and islands. Call Jim Dimitriou 1-310-375-5544, of jtdplato@aol.com

The District 20 Ahepa Mid-Winter Conference will be held January27-29 in Tucson AZ and will behosted by the Ahepa family in Tucson. There is an interesting program with speackers discussing issues of importance to our chapters and the Hellenic comunity. There is a varied activities schedule to meet the needs of all attendees.Aplications should have been mailed and received by this time. Hope to see you all there.
The DOP Dist. Lodge has twomembers from our S.B Chapter-georgia Gastouniotis, and Helen McGillivary. Helen was also honored as the Dist 20 Penelope of the years. Congradulations to both of you.
A new scholarship fund hs been established in the name of Constantine S. Pastis. This 25 year old chapter member of the Orange Coast Chapter #527 died in July in Crete., He was had been studying Law. His family ties to Ahepa are quite extensive. We extend our sympathy to his family and aquaintences.

FR. PAUL”S 10TH ANNIVERSARY
ORDER OF AHEAPA
SANTA BARBARA CHAPTER #243

GIFT PRESENTATION

We are all gathered here today to participate in a very special weekend in which we celebrate the name day of our Patron Saint-Saint Barbara and rejoice on the anniversary of the Ordination of Fr. Paul Paris into the Holy Priesthood of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
It takes a very special person to acknowledge and move forward to answer this inner spiritual calling. Above all he represents Christ and the Church, awakening the souls of those that are drawn to him, as they seek the Spiritual Path to their reconciliation with God. Each of us sees him as one individual. He sees us as individuals of a larger community, which means that he must use his God-given talents to connect with each of us for mutual understanding and Healing.
We expect him to be Preacher, Counselor, Comforter, Teacher, Encourager, and Leader. This is why in our stewardship of this Church, as individuals and as members of committees and organizations, we work with our Priest to accomplish his greater vision.
Eighty-Three years ago The Order of Ahepa was established to assist our forefathers in becoming part of the mosaic of the American experience. This organization has evolved into an International organization promoting Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence.
This local chapter has a very rich history of participation and accomplishment in both our civic and Parish communities. We are very Blessed to have Fr. Paul as an active, participating member of our chapter. He is at every meeting. He provides a link to our Parish community which gives us insight as to how we can be of service locally. Fr. Paul’s loving personality and sense of humor is welcomed and lends itself to a win-win attitude within this very enthusiastic and energetic chapter.
Fr. Paul, I have the Honor of representing the members of Chapter #243 in presenting our gift to you in joyful recognition of your years of Reverent service. Along with this come our prayers that you know that you are always protected, that your needs will always be provided for, and that you will always be guided to the correct course of action in what ever you chose to undertake.

Celebrating Saint Barbara, Patron Saint of Santa Barbara

Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church will be celebrating the Feast Day of Saint Barbara this Sunday December 4th. All the Orthodox communities of Santa Barbara will be celebrating this day together at St. Barbara’s at 1205 San Antonio Creek Road with a special service at 10:00 am followed by a brunch reception at 12:00 noon.

This is a Major event in the Orthodox Church, for Saint Barbara is one of our most important Saints. Metropolitan Gersasimos of San Francisco (leader of the Greek Orthodox of the Western United States) visiting clergy and faithful from throughout California and the local clergy from Santa Barbara, the entire membership of the St. Athanasius Antiochian Orthodox Church will take part in these services.

Congresswoman Lois Capps, Mayor Marty Blum, Aristotelis Papageorgiou of the Government of Greece are some of the dignitaries that are scheduled to be present.

Saint Barbara was born into privildege and wealth. She abandoned all that and her father’s pagan worship for Christianity. Her father eventually tortured murdered her when she did not yield her Christian faith.

Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church has been an active part of Santa Barbara for over 50 yerars. We have been actively supporting local and national charities, including the Council of Christmas Cheer, Unity Shop, the Food Kitchen and others.