FAMILY TO FAMILY SHARING 2021
Family to Family Sharing is off and flying this year. We are adopting 60 families this year and we are asking for your help in two ways:
• One way is to donate money that will go towards food gift cards
• The second way is to choose a family and provide gifts for the children in that family
We have families with anywhere from 1 child to 4 children. Each gift is to be of a value of $55 to $80. Bring the gifts to church by
Sunday, December 12 wrapped and labeled, and from there we will deliver them to our contacts at the schools. For families with many children, Holy Cross families could partner up to provide gifts for the children in those larger families. Please feel free to contact
Anastacia Stamates or 650-868-2569 with any questions or to get matched with a family. Thank you!
CHRISTMAS TREE NEWS
Our Christmas tree lot is OPEN until we sell out. Lend a hand! A sign-up sheet for volunteers for the weekends is available here; weekday sign-up slots are available here. Our on-site operation will continue as in previous years -- this includes selection of open trees that are placed in water, fresh cuts, contactless purchase, and loading or tying to car. But look for our on-line store here! CLICK [more] to read even MORE exciting tree news.
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ANNUAL PHILOPTOCHOS CHRISTMAS TEA - Sunday, December 12
Following Divine Liturgy, in The Oaks. Delicious food, Christmas punch, Prizes, Christmas Gift Boutique, Bake sale, and more! Suggested Donation at the door: $10 per person. Special drawing: $200, $100 and $50, and many other fun prizes. Tickets available after church, and at Coffee Hour. Winner need NOT be present to win. All proceeds go to our Family Sharing Program. Click here for
the event flyer.
LESSONS & CAROLS - Sunday, December 12
At 5 PM, we will host the entire community for the Service of Lessons and Carols. Based on the traditional service originated at King's College at Cambridge, our version will contain readings from the scriptural passages and the beautiful hymns relating to the prophecies and events around the Nativity of Our Lord. Adults and children are invited to participate in the reading and singing on this special evening. Fellowship to follow with assorted holiday treats -AND- Old Saint Nicholas will be there to visit with all the good girls and boys! Click here for the event flyer.
ANNUAL PHILOPTOCHOS BAKE SALE - order by Wednesday, December 15
It's that time of the year again!
Bakalva - Koulourakia - Kourambiedes - Paximadia - Melomakarona. Click
HERE to order your delicious holiday sweets.
Philoptochos appreciates your support for our Christmas Family-to-Family Sharing Program. See
flyer for more info.
HOLIDAY GREEK FOOD SALE
Opa! We have lowered our prices just in time for your special holiday meals. Youvetsi – 4 incredibly delicious lamb shanks with chicken broth and orzo $50; Roast Leg of Lamb – 6-8 generous servings, pre-sliced, seasoned, natural juices preserved $50. But hurry, all other items have sold out and these will, too!! You may contact Chris Canellos at cecanellos@aol.com or 650-867-2019 to place your order before we sell out.
NOVEMBER ISSUE OF "PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS PHLASH"
Click here for highlights from our most recent Board Meeting. We want you to know what we are working on and where your donations and contributions to Philoptochos go.
ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ORATORICAL FESTIVAL 2022
The Oratorical Festival was created by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department of Religious Education in 1983 to provide junior and senior high school students an opportunity to research, write, and talk about their faith using one of the predetermined topics. There are parish, district, and Metropolis Festivals, culminating in the Archdiocese Festival. The Archdiocese Festival will be held
June 3-5, 2022 at the Holy Trinity church in Dallas, Texas. Finalists will participate in a weekend of activities including delivering their speeches. The Oratorical Festival scholarship fund provides college scholarships to the top speakers.
Click here for the topics, tips and resources for 2022. Stay tuned for our Parish and Regional Festival dates.
PANHELLENIC SCHOLARSHIP
Now open and accepting applications. Eligible Greek American college students may be awarded part of $250,000 in scholarships based on academic merit and financial need. Apply by
January 31, 2022. Details:
vpanos@panhellenicsf.org or 312-357-6432.
SAINT KOSMAS CONTESTS
Saint Kosmas Orthodox Christian Education Association promotes academic and creative arts contests that are open to all Orthodox Christian youth regardless of jurisdiction, type of schooling, or country of residence. We welcome you to participate! Multiple categories and disciplines (essays, oratorical, art, photography, etc.); multiple deadlines (incl.
December 31, 2021). Learn more at
https://saintkosmas.org/contests
SAINT PHOTIOS ESSAY CONTEST
The Saint Photios National Shrine is proud to announce the theme for its annual essay contest, reflecting on the welcoming of immigrants to this nation: In an essay, please discuss why or why not the lines from of the poem, “The New Colossus,” by Emma Lazarus found at the Statue of Liberty in New York City are still relevant for our nation? // Participants must be ages 13 – 19, and essay submissions must not exceed 1,000 words. Deadline is
December 16, 2021, and the essay selected as the winner will receive a $1,000 prize. // Details:
https://sanfran.goarch.org/news/st-photios-national-shrine-2021-national-essay-contest-announced