Parish Council President's Letter

January 5, 2007

Dear Friends,

I extend wishes to each of you for a blessed and Happy New Year!  Together we pray for continued growth and fellowship among members of Assumption, and for God’s love and guidance to be present in all of our collective efforts.  I feel very blessed to serve Assumption on the Parish Council and look forward to another fulfilling year.

Pauline and I were walking in to Walmart the afternoon of New Year’s Eve and were stopped by a news reporter who asked what New Year’s resolutions we had.  On the spot and with a camera in my face I could think only of the usual response, to lose 10 pounds.  Pauline said she was going to potty train Constantine.  These are admirable resolutions I suppose, and I know Pauline is very serious about hers!  We have fun with “New Year’s Resolutions”, even accomplish some, and soon move on with a crazy schedule of two young children, now a puppy, church, work, activities, etc. 

Some resolutions, however, are lasting.  The ones that revolve around Christ and His Church are the resolutions that have the power to change our lives in a meaningful way.  My goal is to sit with my family this Epiphany and set resolutions for the New Year which revolve around our faith and service to His Church.  These may be to attend every service, to become better and more generous stewards, to become acquainted with more members or to take on some special volunteer effort together.  These and many more ideas are worthy of our thought, prayer and effort in the New Year.  I share this in the hope that all of our parishioners and families might take the time to consider New Years resolutions that revolve around Christ and His Church.

I join the stewardship committee in thanking all of our members for a solid stewardship effort in 2006.  I join them also, however, in raising the bar for the coming year.  Please carefully plan a stewardship offering that will be especially meaningful for you spiritually, and for furthering God’s work in His Holy Church. 

As ever, thank you for the opportunity to serve Assumption.  Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Danny H. Thiros
Parish Council President

Stewardship Program Update

January 1, 2007

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We reached many milestones this year.  We received 14 new stewards; had the largest stewardship total ever, and saw the average stewardship gift increase by  $300.  Most blessed, the majority of existing stewards increased their offerings from last year.  With God’s guidance, we hope to continue this trend.

On March 4^th, we will host Stewardship Sunday.  On that day, we ask every parishioner to return a pledge card, having carefully and prayerfully considered a commitment you will meet this year.  It is important that we make stewardship a part of our Orthodox Christian lives in a meaningful way.  Please take time.  Consider a commitment that truly reflects your blessings; consider a commitment that is in keeping with what God has given to you; and arrive at a commitment that is not nominal related to your personal budget.  Stewardship should be significant for each of us, as we have been provided for by God in a significant way also.    

Once again, we must shoot to exceed $30,000 in stewardship this year a figure well within reach considering this year’s $25,000 plus.  We ask each parishioner to take the following steps:

1. Thoughtfully and prayerfully consider a stewardship pledge that represents a monthly offering that culminates in a total commitment that reflects your blessings. Try to increase your offering over last year.
2. Complete and return a pledge card (one will be sent to you) by Stewardship Sunday, March 4^th.
3. Please consider ways you may be a better steward by supporting His Church and its ministries with not only your treasures, but your time and talents as well.

In His service,