Santa Barbara AHEPA Chapter 243

August 2006 Newsletter
ORDER OF AHEPA
SANTA BARBARA CHAPTER #243
Established October 17, 1929
“Promoting the Harmony of Greek Culture, Service, and Community”
“Keeping the Spirit Alive and in the Mix in 2006”
http://www.ahepa20.org/~chapter243/

Last month we heard the news that Fr. Paul would be moving to a new Parish (St. Mary Greek Orthodox Church) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After the initial shock and after some contemplation, we are reminded of concepts which give us peace and optimism.
Life is an ongoing process which leads us to our greater potential and provides lessons for everyone concerned. This is a journey that ultimately leads us back to our Creator. Our biggest challenge is to trust the process. The fact that this change happened so effortlessly means that “it is naturally right” for everyone.
We will miss Fr. Paul’s loving personality and his sense of humor. More importantly he expresses a very quiet and peaceful optimism which reflects a deep spiritual faith that God is in control and all will be well. This peaceful approach is misunderstood by those who work hard trying to achieve an outcome to their liking. We should have direction and goals and yet at the same time know that the universe is always leading us to our good. This expectation is as it should be.
I am reminded of the very influential Folk-Rock singing group “The Byrds” who wrote and performed a song which was very popular-Turn! Turn!, Turn! The first verse goes as follows: “To Everything there is a season and a Time to Every Purpose under Heaven”
Fr. Paul and Prebytera Stephanie have left their imprint in this Parish and certainly in this Ahepa Chapter. We Thank them and offer them our Best Wishes as they continue on their journey.
On July 24th our Chapter held a very special dinner-meeting where we expressed our feelings to Fr. Paul for his service to Saint Barbara and to this Ahepa Chapter. Present were members of the District Lodge who also came to honor him, the man. This was a very special evening filled with laughter and a few tears.
If you wish to read the text of the Gift Presentation please go to our website. There you will also find news of Ahepa-Local, District, and National.
http://www.ahepa20.org/~chapter243/
Thank You We appreciate your support.

James Brown, President

GIFT PRESENTATION

We are gathered here this evening to Honor a man-Fr. Paul Paris, who is our Parish Priest, and a very supportive member of our Ahapa Chapter on the eve of his departure to minister the Parish of St. Mary, Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Yes, this chapter has been Blessed to have Fr. Paul as an active, participating member He has been at every meeting. He has provided a link to our Parish community which has given us insight as to how we may be of service locally. He has given this chapter validation in our Parish community by allowing us to be part of the community through our monthly newsletter in our monthly Church Bulletin-The Epistle, the occasional announcement in our Sunday Bulletin, by allowing us to use church facilities for events, and by just being with us. For this Fr. Paul, we are very grateful.
As a participating organization of the Saint Barbara community we together have retied the bonds that unite Ahepa and our Saint Barbara community. There is a history of this relationship not only in our community but in the history of Ahepa. One uniting element of the Greek Community has been our Holy Orthodox church. This is why
in our Chapter are many leaders and participants in church organizations, serving as stewards of St. Barbara and working with Fr. Paul to accomplish his greater vision.
Yes Fr. Paul we have been very Blessed to have you as a member of our Chapter.
But more importantly this evening we are here to honor the man. Fr. Paul has shown a very peaceful, quiet optimism, which reflects a deep spiritual faith that God is in control and all will be well. This creates an aura of peace that affects all concerned and leads to a positive outcome. This is an example that we all can learn from. Fr. Paul’s loving personality, and sense of humor is welcomed and lends itself to a win-win attitude which is what we try to emulate within this very enthusiastic and energetic chapter.
As we gather tonight to wish you and Presbytera Stephanie well, we have a bit of sadness that you are leaving. You will be missed. We also have an optimistic and joyful expectation for everyone concerned with this transition because of the belief that God is in control and everyone is learning and moving to their common good. This expectation is as it should be.
Fr. Paul, again I have the Honor of representing the members of Chapter #243 in presenting our gift to you and to Presbytera Stephanie. With this gift goes our Love, and 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.

July 2006 Newsletter
ORDER OF AHEPA
SANTA BARBARA CHAPTER #243
Established October 17, 1929
“Promoting the Harmony of Greek Culture, Service, and Community”
“Keeping the Spirit Alive and In the Mix in 2006”
http://www.ahepa20.org/~chapter243/

District 20 Order of Ahepa just concluded the annual District Convention meeting in Burbank, CA. It was a very fun-filled and informative conclave. We met old friends and were introduced to new people who were very friendly and co-operative. We also were introduced to new ideas and successful programs from other chapters which we may initiate in our local community.
We were very proud to be in attendance when Louis Arger received his Ahepa Scholarship Award. All of the recipients presented themselves well, and we all are proud of their achievements. All of our youth are special and we are proud of all of them
The Ahepans elected Peter Triantafyllos, and the Daughters of Penelope elected our own Georgia Gastouniotis to be the District Governors for the 2006-2007 year. We wish them much success in their endeavors.
Although during the summer months some of our members leave on well deserved vacations our Chapter is still active quietly making our plans for the coming year. We dare to come up with new ideas and then pursue them to see if we can make them come to fruition. We have many interesting possibilities that we are looking at.. If you are interested in joining a forward thinking men’s group we cordially invite you to attend one of our meetings. If nothing else you will enjoy the camaraderie
I have just learned that Fr. Paul will be leaving us soon and moving to a new opportunity in another state. I will leave my comments until next month’s newsletter, but let me state here that the new parish is very fortunate to have Fr. Paul as their Shepherd.
As you celebrate the July 4th Independence Day holiday pause for a moment and give “Thanks” for the wonderful “Blessings” that we have been given and the opportunity afforded us in this “Most Wonderful Country on God’s Green Earth.”
James Brown, President.

On January 9th the National Ahepa organized an event where the Greek Gov. presented a $85,000 check to Habitant for Humanity to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. Monies were raised through events held in Oct./Nov. in Athens. This is in addition to monies raised through local Ahepa Chapters and individual contributions which greatly aided the relief effort. Ahepa also hosted a forum on US/Greece Strategic Partnership in Balkans on Dec, 2nd 2005 in Wahington. The "Voice of Hellenism" campaign's goal is to create greater awareness and education about issues pertaining to Hellenism and the Greek-American community. This is only one of a series of conferences dealing with this subject. On Oct.'05 the republic of Cyprus and Harvard University collaborated on environmental and Public Health issues brought about by the rapid economic development over the past three decades-particularly the uncontrolled growth of the tourism industry. Montreal Ahepa donated $50,000 for the Shrinner's Hospital on Feb.11th. This Chapter has donated over $170,000 to children's causes over the years. More Housing projects began-Norwich, Conn, Houston, Tx, Indianapolis, Ind, Wethersfield, Conn. 100 yrs of Faith & fervor-Greeks in SLC,1905-2006, $30 book avail from SLC Church.