Philoptochos and Parish Life Ministries
PARISH LIFE MINISTRIES
Mission
To be present with the personal needs of St Philothea parishioners through service and relationship in order to be the hands and feet of Christ.
Vision
A collaborative community that, with reverence for the glory of God, shares daily life and events that significantly change or alter our lives.
Parish Life Ministries is a part of Philoptochos.
Below are the initial descriptions of the Parish Life Ministries along with the contact email. Check back for the online request forms for each ministry coming soon.
Thank you for your patience as we embark on these new services for the glory of God.
Our mission is to send cards to parishioners and loved ones of St. Philothea Greek Orthodox Church to bring cheer and prayers during significant life events.
Chairperson: Kate McClain ~~~ stphilothea.sendacard@gmail.com
Contact Kate to request a card be sent to a fellow parishioner or loved one for a significant life event, including Thinking of You, Get Well, In Sympathy, Congratulations, New Baby, Birthday, etc. Please provide your name and contact info and the name and address of the recipient. Cards will be signed “The Parish of St. Philothea” and may include a reference to God or Christ. Cards may take up to two weeks to arrive. Email stphilothea.sendacard@gmail.com if you would like to receive a card for yourself or a fellow parishioner.
Our mission is to provide a safe space where those who are grieving can share their pain, receive pastoral care and grow in faith. Our mission is to be a community where those suffering loss can walk together with grief as a pathway toward deeper communion with God and with one another.
Chairperson: Ana Anest ~~~ stphilothea.griefsupport@gmail.com
We meet on the first and third Mondays of the month, 7:00 to 8:00 pm in the “Brides Room” located at end of the hallway. Opening with prayer, Fr Anthony leads our discussion as we read from the book entitled, “Memory Eternal, Living With Grief as Orthodox Christians”. Here is a place you can share your feelings, recount a story or remain quiet listening and observing. We close with a prayer. The group is small, usually 5-10 people. All conversation is very private. You do not have to be Orthodox to attend nor is there any obligation to continue attending if you do not wish. The book is $15 in the bookstore if you desire, but it is not required. Email stphilothea.griefsupport@gmail.com to get more information about the group.
Our mission is to care for the “little churches” of our parish. Following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, we serve widows, single parents, the elderly, and those in need through practical love such as reasonable house repair, assisting with tasks around the home and yard, so every household may flourish as a place where Christ is glorified and welcomed.
Chairperson: Chris Bowman ~~~ st.philotheahomehelp@gmail.com
Home Help strives to create an expansive network of trusted and skilled laborers from within our St. Philothea community who can assist those who need a little extra help. We will provide a timely and secure response of aid and labor to accomplish reasonable tasks around the home. We can help with handyman jobs, yard and debris clean up, moving furniture, and assembling items, and sometimes urgent basic home maintenance that alines with our skills. Email st.philotheahomehelp@gmail.com to volunteer to serve or receive home help.
Our mission is to provide meals for parishioners of St. Philothea during significant life events to lighten the burden of cooking and to be a parish where every parishioner is supported and nourished during a time of need.
Chairperson: Hannah Howard ~~~ st.philotheahomehelp@gmail.com
When a parish family has a new baby, surgery, illness, or loss, we coordinate meals so they can rest and focus on healing. Volunteers sign up for one meal at a time, and our ministry leader handles communication and scheduling.
Our mission is to visit with persons and families in need of the opportunity to participate in the life of the parish and/or build relationships that reflect the love of Christ.
Chairperson: Julie and Nikki ~~ ~ stphilothea.visitation@gmail.com
Our visitation ministry strives to be the connection between the life of the Parish and those who are experiencing communal barriers. Illness, disabilities, grief, birth, and incarceration to name only a few of the things that can isolate us. Our goal is to bring community to those moments by bearing their burdens through authentic friendship. When people cannot come to the church or they need a more encouragement, the church can come to them. It is our hope that these visits will draw us together as a community that strives for mutual Theosis by bearing each other's burdens and encouraging authenticity in our relationships. Email stphilothea.visitation@gmail.com to volunteer or receive visitation.
Our Mission is to match qualified riders with those who need rides to AND from St Philothea’s services and sacraments to eliminate a barrier for people to attend and participate in the liturgy regardless of their circumstances.
Chairperson: Eli ~ ~ ~ stphilothea.rides@gmail.com
The pairing of riders and drivers will prioritize the Divine Liturgy on Sunday mornings, but not be limited thereto. The ministry might also encompass rides to and from locations for the purposes of confession with Fr. Anthony outside of the timeframe of a service. Anyone and everyone who desires to attend the services at St. Philothea will have a means of doing so, without regard for financial or circumstantial constraint.
Our mission is to provide an outlet for young children to release their energy and engage in “holy play”, while still remaining participants in the services of the Orthodox Church. We invision a holy space that is an extension of the Church, allowing our children to participate in the services even when they are too excited to sit quietly in the nave.
Chairperson: Mary Anna ~ ~ ~ stphilothea.playroom@gmail.com
The playroom at St. Philothea is being revitalized to include primarily items for “holy play”, i.e. interactive toys which engage our children while also reinforcing the teachings and practices of the Orthodox Faith. In Orthodoxy, there is no equivalent to a “kids church”, as you might find in Protestantism. Rather, children are meant to participate in worship from birth and learn to worship by being with those who worship. But being able to fully engage in the services takes practice. Young children will often require a short break from services while they get their energy out; but when out the goal is to still surround them with the beauty of the Orthodox Church, not merely distract them. Ideally these interruptions will happen less as the children become familiar with the services and can engage more fully in them. Soon we will be filling the playroom with liturgical bags, each consisting of a different church-centered game or toy and will be labeled with their target age range. Parents are encouraged to select a bag to use in the church or the playroom. We hope that this ministry allows our families to feel more engaged in the services of St. Philothea! Email stphilothea.playroom@gmail.com with questions or to volunteer to clean up on a given Sunday.
Our mission is to nurture families of St. Philothea by fostering faith, fellowship, and joyful community life through shared learning, prayer, service, and wholesome activities for children and parents alike. Our vision is to cultivate a vibrant community where families grow together in the life of the Orthodox Church.
Chairperson: Meaghan ~ ~ ~ stphilothea.stannasfellowship@gmail.com
St. Anna’s Fellowship is a community of families with children who come together monthly to share life in Christ. Our gatherings include activities designed to support the whole family. Children enjoy opportunities for socialization, while parents build friendships and encourage one another in raising children in the faith. As a community, we also work to support one another’s spiritual life, including coordinating opportunities for confession and participation in the sacramental life of the Church. St. Anna’s Fellowship also provides opportunities for both religious and general educational enrichment through activities such as field trips, hands-on experiences, and shared learning opportunities. Whether you are exploring Orthodoxy or have long been part of the parish, St. Anna’s Fellowship offers a supportive environment where families can deepen their faith, build lasting friendships, and share in the life of the Church together. Email stphilothea.stannasfellowship@gmail.com with questions or to be added to the Groupme.
Our mission is gracefilled fellowship among women of all ages.
Chairperson: Regina ~~ ~ stphilothea.prayer@gmail.com
St Olympias Sisterhood is our parish’s social women’s group. We meet monthly on the third Thursday of the month to enjoy light hearted activities and fellowship together. For more updates about events and locations, email stphilothea.prayer@gmail.com to be added to the St. Olympia Sisterhood GroupMe.
Our mission is to pray for those in need and to communicate these needs effectively to our prayer warriors. Currently we have an online group for prayer via email.
Chairperson: Rose
See the link in our Sunday Bulletin to be added to the Cyber Prayer Group. Please also be patient as we convert this ministry over to a new digital format.
