St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Ann Arbor, MI

Congratulations to Rev. Father Nick and Presbytera Sandra - proud parents to a 9.5 lb boy named George - Na Sas Zisi!

2012 Saint Nicholas Strategic Planning

Click here to take Church Assessment and Planning Survey

SUNDAY SERVICES
Orthros — 9:00 am | Divine Liturgy — 10:00 am | Church School — Following Communion

Saint Photios National Shrine Day

On the Feast of Saint Photios, February 6, we recognize the work and ministry of our Saint Photios National Shrine in St. Augustine, FL. Click on the picture to the left to visit the Shrine web site and learn more about how this institution is preserving Greek Orthodox and Greek American history. Also, learn more about special programs and visit the bookstore.

For the Archbishop’s Encyclial for National Shrine Day visit:
www.goarch.org/archbishop/demetrios/encyclicals

STEWARDSHIP MUST BE Able To Fund ALL Of Our OPERATING EXPENSES
Stewardship to Saint Nicholas is not philanthropy. It is our response to the blessings God has given to us. Stewardship is also our way of ensuring that the needs of our parish our met so that we can continue to offer the sacraments and ministries of our Greek Orthodox Faith.
The money we earn from the annual Greek Festival goes only towards mortgage reduction at this point (when our mortgage is paid off, we can us it for other special projects). We will not rely on outside sources for our own operational funding (that is, through the Greek Festival).
So far, our parish has done an excellent job reducing the mortgage (we currently owe less than $499,000).
Over the past five years, our stewardship has also generally increased, which is great. However, we need an average pledge of around $1,100 to cover our expenses.
Over the past few years, that number has ranged from $850-$950.
Please talk to your family and friends, and to Rev. Father Nick or members of the parish council if you have any questions about stewardship—and please make the best offering you are able. Thank you.
Please, let’s get that commitment to our faith and community completed as soon as possible.
Please Click Here to View and/or Print the 2012 Stewardship Pledge Card

Saint Nicholas Parish Bookstore Notes
Come browse our church bookstore. We have a wide selection of books on all aspects of the Greek Orthodox faith, history, as well as Greek cookbooks and many titles for children. New titles, include: The Greek Fathers: Their Lives and Writings: Prayer for a Child; and The Name Day Book. We have recently added to our inventory several different prayer books. Also new are the beautiful 2012 icon calendars and the 2012 Daily Lives, Miracles and Wisdoms of the Saints and Fasting Calendar. You can also select from our variety of bibles, for both adults and children. We also carry, The Greeks Of Newport, New Hampshire, by our very own Helen Stamos. Come browse our large selection of icons, home altar goods and greeting cards for all occasions. Let us know if there is something you need that we do not have, and we will try to obtain it for you.

Ionian Village
NEW YORK – Ionian Village, the summer camping ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, is now accepting registrations for its Summer 2012 programs.
Operating from a beautiful seafront campsite on western Peloponessos in Greece, Ionian Village brings its campers and staff into close contact with their faith and heritage as they travel throughout the country to sites of cultural and religious importance.
In its 42nd year, Ionian Village has reached more than 16,000 campers, staff and clergy through its programs. Participants return home each summer with strengthened faith and an expanded appreciation for the Church and our Greek heritage.
Summer 2012 marks the first summer under new Director, Fr. Evagoras Constantinides, who himself is among the ever-growing alumni of the Ionian Village programs. “I am excited and humbled to be at the helm of this important ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese,” says Fr. Evagoras. “I know firsthand how powerful the Ionian Village program is within the lives of our Orthodox young people and look forward to continuing the life-changing work that takes place every summer.”
Ionian Village offers two camping sessions:

Summer Travel Camp (June 29 to July 18) and
Byzantine Venture (July 25 to August 13).

Registration is open to Greek Orthodox youth who have completed grades 7 through 12.
This summer will also see the expansion of the Spiritual Odyssey program, shorter pilgrimage-style trips for young adults ages 19 to 28. Three unique programs are being offered:

Cyprus and Constantinople (May 30 to June 9)
The Greek Mainland (June 10 to June 20) and
The Greek Islands (July 15 to July 25).

For more information about any of the Ionian Village programs, or to participate in this summer’s programs, visit www.ionianvillage.org or contact the Office of Ionian Village at (212) 570-3536.

Apply for a 2012 A.H.E.P.A. National Scholarship
The A.H.E.P.A. National Educational Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for 2012. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2012. Click here to download an application. A.H.E.P.A.'s commitment to education has been well documented throughout its history. More than $4 million is endowed at the local, district and national levels toward the use of scholarships and more than a half-million dollars is awarded annually. View 2011 scholarship recipients.