Announcements

Congratulations to our award winning Chili and Cornbread Chefs.  And thanks to all who offered their talents and delicious recipes helping to make this year’s competition a great success. We express appreciation also to those who decorated the hall, and to Mrs. Lynn Powers for coordinating the event, and purchasing and choosing the unique prizes.  Place winners were:
Chili:  Allison Williams (1st);  Nancy Hall (2nd);  Patty Philson (3rd).
Cornbread:  Nina Tarpley (1st);  Edith Roberts (2nd);  Julia Teinert (3rd).

NOTES ON JANUARY 15 PARISH MEETING:

On Sunday, January 15, St. Barbara’s conducted an annual meeting immediately after the Divine Liturgy.  Detailed reports were handed out concerning Parish Finances and Community Highlights for 2011.  The following is a brief summary of topics discussed.  More information and handouts are available by request.

• Finances, 2012 Pledges and a Parish 25% Solution:

A six year parish income comparison was provided.  From December 2006 (the month we occupied our new building) to December 2011, St. Barbara’s experienced a 55% increase in monthly pledge and cash contributions.  Pink Pledge Forms were passed out for 2012 and are available in the Church hall.  We emphasized a desire for current monthly pledges to increase by a minimum of 25% so that the parish can begin to pay off its debt at a faster rate through the use of  building fund and festival money:  thus monthly contributions of $100 would increase to $125,  $200 to $250, $300 to $375, $400 to $500 and so forth.  As we decrease debt we may begin to plan more definitively for our new temple. We asked that all members prayerfully consider the possibility of an increase in contributions for 2012 as circumstances allow.

• Baptisms and Chrismations:     

During 2011, four adults and five children were received into the Orthodox Church at St. Barbara’s through baptism and/or chrismation.  These rites of intiation represent an important part of Church life, bringing others to Christ and to the fullness of His Gospel.  At St. Barbara’s these events have always been occasions of great joy and participation among the faithful.  We pray that in 2012 we will continue to rejoice in the rebirth and enlightenment of catechumens.

• Memory Eternal!

Sadly, in 2011, we experienced the falling asleep in the Lord of:  His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri;  Nina Boldyreff;  Fred (Joseph) Fischer; and  Jimmy Norton.  Each of these people held a special significance for the life of St. Barbara’s and we pray that, “the Lord will beatify them, give them rest, and number them among the righteous…”

• Liturgical Notes:

We mentioned the initiation of once a month General Confession and thanked people for “moving forward physically” during the Divine Liturgy, thus providing more space in the chapel for members and visitors.  In addition it was reported that we averaged 89 people for the celebration of Sunday Liturgies in 2011.  For Pascha we saw 146 people, and for the Christmas Day service, 97 worshippers. Combined totals represent a record attendance for any year at St. Barbara’s.

• Parish Education Program:

We continue once a month Saturday and Sunday Church School Classes, at which we emphasize the important connection between factual learning, the liturgical and prayer life of the Orthodox Church, and the home as the primary spiritual learning environment for children.  Wednesday catechumen and inquirer classes were conducted each week in 2011, as were Sunday morning classes on the Gospel of St. John during the fall semester.

• Outreach:

At almost every Divine Liturgy, and at many evening services, we welcome visitors into our midst.  Thus, each worship experience is potentially an opportunity for outreach on various levels.  Specifically we pointed to the following special efforts in this area for 2011:  the hosting of a Pan Orthodox Vespers, the TCU Church Fair, OCF Student and Young Adult Meetings, Website Improvements, and Coffee Hour.

• Building and Grounds:

Improvements and efforts were mentioned, related to:  the outdoor sign, entry way etching, chapel shrines, and indoor and outdoor lighting, accomplished by parishioners.

• Other Events and Notes:

Many other areas and personal efforts by members were highlighted for 2011.  The included, in no particular order:  Annual Picnic, Chili and Cornbread Competition, Annual Festivals, Pysanky Classes, Christmas Eve Holy Supper, the Choir, Readers, Sunday Greeters, Prophora Bakers, Entry Way Orthodox Literature Donations, Altar Servers and Security Team, Parish Medical Professionals who helped with emergencies, All American Council and Diocesan Council Participants, Diocesan Clergy Conference Participants, and generally Volunteers who decorated, repaired, set up, cleaned the building, and moved items up and down the attic steps throughout the year.  In addition we mentioned and thanked anonymously the people in our parish who quietly gave of themselves in 2011 to help members in need spiritually, physically, emotionally and financially.

Again, detailed handouts are available from the meeting.  Please see Fr. Basil.  And please take note of the Bright Pink Pledge Cards for 2012 that are readily available in the Church hall.