Message from the President of the Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos

An Important Meeting open to All Philoptochos Chapters -

Please plan to attend the DAD Conference to be held on Saturday, March 31 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, 319 East 79 Street, NY. This conference is open to all the officers and members of the DAD sisterhood and is designed to discuss the role of the officers and members in fulfilling the mission of Philoptochos.
This is a one day conference, from 9am to 3 pm; it is free, and it will be filled with information that will help both the new officers and those women who have been long time members of philoptochos. Please make every effort to attend!

By the way, did you know that we are celebrating the 80th anniversary of the establishment of Philoptochos??!!!!!

I look forward to seeing each of you at this conference. Come with YOUR questions, too!

________________________________________________________________________

NATIONAL PHILOPTOCHOS CHILDREN’S MEDICAL FUND LUNCHEON

PRESENTS ARISTA AWARD

AWARDS OVER $204, 000 FOR CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND RESEARCH

DATELINE -- The Thirteenth National Philoptochos Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon was held Saturday, December 3, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Old Greenwich, CT with more than 650 attendees from throughout the United States. The event entitled “Let Us Rejoice and Embrace the Children,” was organized by the National Philoptochos and the Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos under the high patronage of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America and with the spiritual blessings of His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane.

The Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon unites supporters from across the United States every two years to raise funds for critically ill children. At the luncheon, National Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas and Luncheon Chairman Maria Skiadas presented donations totaling $204,456 to fifteen area hospitals and research programs:

Arts For Healing, New Canaan, CT; Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC;

Children’s Tumor Foundation, New York, NY; Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY; Incurable Illness Foundation, Brooklyn, NY; Kids in Crisis, Cos Cob, CT; Lea’s Foundation for Leukemia Research, Inc., Hartford, CT; Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY; New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY; New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY; New York University Hospitals Center, New York, NY; Port Washington Special Education PTA (SEPTA), Port Washington, NY; Queens Children’s Psychiatric Center, Bellerose, NY; ROSSCO Stamford School Community Organization, Inc., Stamford, CT; St. Mary’s Hospital for Children, Bayside, NY.

The Luncheon program featured the inspiring remarks of His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane; dynamic presentations by President Aphrodite Skeadas; profound words from Guest Speaker, Dr. George Coukos, Professor of the Perelman School at the University of Pennsylvania; stirring remarks from Evangeline Mekras Scurtis, Luncheon Honoree; and moving testimony from Katina Brountzas and Andrew Kahan, parents whose children have been assisted at the area hospitals. Children brightened the program with musical performances by the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Youth Choir under the direction Ms. Maria Koleva. Ms. Andrea Tantaros, Fox News Anchor and host of The Five, served as Master of Ceremonies with charm, humor and grace as she aptly guided the luncheon program.

President Skeadas presented the National Philoptochos Society ARISTA Award in memory of Mardene Morykwas for her outstanding and generous philanthropic support to the Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon. Dr. Angeline Pappas of the Church of Our Saviour, Rye, NY, accepted the award on behalf of her late niece.

President Skeadas stated, “This year’s luncheon takes place during the Nativity season in which the Birth of Jesus is celebrated. The culmination of today’s event forms part of the larger mosaic of giving in this period of Holy Christmas.” She offered special gratitude to the Luncheon General Chairman and Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos President, Maria Skiadas and the Luncheon Co-Chairmen, Stella Fiorentino, Lily Katos and Stella Pantelidis as well as the entire Luncheon Committee from throughout the country. She also thanked the entire Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos for hosting the event. The District distributed 500 toys and gifts to children in need throughout the District thanks to the generosity of the guests who graciously brought gifts to ‘honor the children’.

In his closing remarks His Grace Bishop Andonios thanked all the benefactors and sponsors, the Philoptochos Chapters and members nationwide and reemphasized the importance of this unique luncheon and the mission of Philoptochos to support the health and well-being of all children.

Membership Drive for Philoptochos:

One Woman Asking Another Woman to Care

Membership Drive for Philoptochos:

One Woman Asking Another Woman to Care Invite Embrace Involve
Dear Chapter Presidents and Members of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society,
"Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do." James 2:18
The dawn of a new decade offers opportunity to reflect on the Philoptochos mission to minister to the underprivileged. The stewards of the Philoptochos Society provide hope and inspiration to meet and overcome the many challenges as a result of the present economic climate. With the perseverance of our dedicated members and the generosity of our communities, we meet these challenges and continue to help countless women, men and children.
It is our tradition of philanthropy, our living and practicing our Orthodox faith, which enables and encourages us to serve with compassion, dignity and respect. It is now the time for each of us to reach out to those women in our community who are not Philoptochos members and Invite them to offer their talents to the mission of Philoptochos. It is now the time to Embrace their ideas of compassion for their fellow man. Finally, it is now the time to Involve them, allowing them to offer their talents and ideas for the betterment of their community.
It is simply one woman asking another woman to care. Seek them out. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to continue to grow our organization that was lovingly and courageously cultivated by our mothers and grandmothers. It is now our time to raise the awareness of Philoptochos higher than ever before! Each person wishes to give of herself. It may be a single action in a simple manner or it may be in the form of a grand gesture. Philoptochos is a team of Orthodox Christians that has been charged to minister to those less fortunate.
Please download the membership spreadsheet located on the National Philoptochos website www.philoptochos.org. Email the completed spreadsheet as an attachment to Membership@philoptochos.org. If you do not have the technology to complete the form, ask a Chapter or Church member to assist you. For additional support please contact the National office. The form must be returned to the National Office along with your per capita by April 30, 2011. Encourage every woman, and man as an associate steward, to join your chapter. Spread the Philoptochos message and the many meaningful ways that membership makes a difference in so many lives. 100% membership is the goal!

Please download the membership spreadsheet located on the National Philoptochos website www.philoptochos.org. Email the completed spreadsheet as an attachment to Membership@philoptochos.org. If you do not have the technology to complete the form, ask a Chapter or Church member to assist you. For additional support please contact the National office. The form must be returned to the National Office along with your per capita by April 30, 2011. Encourage every woman, and man as an associate steward, to join your chapter. Spread the Philoptochos message and the many meaningful ways that membership makes a difference in so many lives. 100% membership is the goal!
.
It is simply one woman asking another woman to care. Seek them out. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to continue to grow our organization that was lovingly and courageously cultivated by our mothers and grandmothers. It is now our time to raise the awareness of Philoptochos higher than ever before! Each person wishes to give of herself. It may be a single action in a simple manner or it may be in the form of a grand gesture. Philoptochos is a team of Orthodox Christians that has been charged to minister to those less fortunate.
Please download the membership spreadsheet located on the National Philoptochos website www.philoptochos.org. Email the completed spreadsheet as an attachment to Membership@philoptochos.org. If you do not have the technology to complete the form, ask a Chapter or Church member to assist you. For additional support please contact the National office. The form must be returned to the National Office along with your per capita by April 30, 2011. Encourage every woman, and man as an associate steward, to join your chapter. Spread the Philoptochos message and the many meaningful ways that membership makes a difference in so many lives. 100% membership is the goal!

Please download the membership spreadsheet located on the National Philoptochos website www.philoptochos.org. Email the completed spreadsheet as an attachment to Membership@philoptochos.org. If you do not have the technology to complete the form, ask a Chapter or Church member to assist you. For additional support please contact the National office. The form must be returned to the National Office along with your per capita by April 30, 2011. Encourage every woman, and man as an associate steward, to join your chapter. Spread the Philoptochos message and the many meaningful ways that membership makes a difference in so many lives. 100% membership is the goal!
. Invite them to offer their talents to the mission of Philoptochos. It is now the time to Embrace their ideas of compassion for their fellow man. Finally, it is now the time to Involve them, allowing them to offer their talents and ideas for the betterment of their community. It is simply one woman asking another woman to care. Seek them out. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to continue to grow our organization that was lovingly and courageously cultivated by our mothers and grandmothers. It is now our time to raise the awareness of Philoptochos higher than ever before! Each person wishes to give of herself. It may be a single action in a simple manner or it may be in the form of a grand gesture. Philoptochos is a team of Orthodox Christians that has been charged to minister to those less fortunate.
Please download the membership spreadsheet located on the National Philoptochos website www.philoptochos.org. Email the completed spreadsheet as an attachment to Membership@philoptochos.org. If you do not have the technology to complete the form, ask a Chapter or Church member to assist you. For additional support please contact the National office. The form must be returned to the National Office along with your per capita by April 30, 2011. Encourage every woman, and man as an associate steward, to join your chapter. Spread the Philoptochos message and the many meaningful ways that membership makes a difference in so many lives. 100% membership is the goal!

Please download the membership spreadsheet located on the National Philoptochos website www.philoptochos.org. Email the completed spreadsheet as an attachment to Membership@philoptochos.org. If you do not have the technology to complete the form, ask a Chapter or Church member to assist you. For additional support please contact the National office. The form must be returned to the National Office along with your per capita by April 30, 2011. Encourage every woman, and man as an associate steward, to join your chapter. Spread the Philoptochos message and the many meaningful ways that membership makes a difference in so many lives. 100% membership is the goal!
. Seek them out. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to continue to grow our organization that was lovingly and courageously cultivated by our mothers and grandmothers. It is now our time to raise the awareness of Philoptochos higher than ever before! Each person wishes to give of herself. It may be a single action in a simple manner or it may be in the form of a grand gesture. Philoptochos is a team of Orthodox Christians that has been charged to minister to those less fortunate.
Please download the membership spreadsheet located on the National Philoptochos website www.philoptochos.org. Email the completed spreadsheet as an attachment to Membership@philoptochos.org. If you do not have the technology to complete the form, ask a Chapter or Church member to assist you. For additional support please contact the National office. The form must be returned to the National Office along with your per capita by April 30, 2011. Encourage every woman, and man as an associate steward, to join your chapter. Spread the Philoptochos message and the many meaningful ways that membership makes a difference in so many lives. 100% membership is the goal!
. The form must be returned to the National Office along with your per capita by April 30, 2011. Encourage every woman, and man as an associate steward, to join your chapter. Spread the Philoptochos message and the many meaningful ways that membership makes a difference in so many lives. 100% membership is the goal!
Diane Tseckares Kathy Gabriel
Kathy Gabriel
Membership Chair Membership Co-Chair
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The information below come from the offices of the Metropolis of Atlanta.  We thought you would be intereted in reading it.

Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos Society Newsletter
Dear Maria,   (sent to our president, Maria Skiadas)

The 2011 -2012 Proposed National Philoptochos Budget is now available for review on our website. All delegates and chapter members are encouraged to read this document prior to the Convention. CLICK HERE to view the Budget. You may direct any comments or questions to Joanne Kakoyiannis at kakoyian@comcast.net by June 28, 2010.
Remember to check our Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos Website regularly for more news, events, programs and photos.

$15,000 Grant presented to Marcus Autism Center of Atlanta, GA
National Philoptochos February Committment funds Autism Assistance were presented within our Metropolis this past May. Marty Driscoll of Marietta, GA presents the $15,000 Grant. Stacey Ehmer (far left) teaches at the Marcus Center and is also a Philoptochos member of the Marietta chapter.
To read more about the Marcus Center and the work they do, go to:
Programs Page: $15,000 Grant to Marcus Autism Center

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT for June
LOVE

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." (John 13.34)
In spite of the fact that I am only twenty-eight years old, I do believe that I have learned something that many of us fail to recognize until we're much older in life. And that is the fact that there seems to exist two types of love in this world: conditional love and unconditional love.
When I was younger, I spent a lot of time with my grandparents, especially my grandfather, a man of much faith and insight. Little did I know though, how smart he really was. For example, I remember when he once told me something very wise. He said, "Do like I do and always say 'Yes, Yiayia.'" In fact, it's difficult for me to even consider him a grandfather inasmuch as he was a theologian, who taught that salvation can be experienced in life by loving the ones we serve unconditionally, even if it means being "obedient" to the ones we're married to.
While this notion [that we should always strive to please others] may seem challenging for us, it is nonetheless the manifestation or actualization of our Holy Orthodox Christian faith. We cannot love if we do not serve and we cannot serve if we do not sacrifice (hence, the symbolic meaning of the Holy Cross). But the real question, that most of us ask these days, is not "Should we draw the line?" but "When do we draw the line?" It's as if we've already defined our boundaries of love and thereby exposed how "conditional" our love for others truly is. Just how sad is that?
It appears as if we have grown accustomed to the reality that there are very few people these days, if any, who can teach us not just what it means to love "unconditionally", but how to love unconditionally, how to love sacrificially -for this is the biblical understanding of what "true love" is. Yet, in spite of this seemingly harsh reality, we fail to admit our own faults, our own shortcomings in loving others unconditionally. We cast blame on others so quickly, and sometimes, rightfully so, but to what avail? It's as if we're seeking for that which we're not willing to offer. Why is this? Do we fear being taken advantage of? Do we fear being hurt? Do we fear having our hearts broken? Or do we just prefer a "cross-less" type of Christianity?
It wasn't until my grandfather's death that I finally realized what he had been trying to do and for what purpose. He had attempted to surrender himself to the Orthodox Christian notion that self-pride inhibits our salvation inasmuch as it inhibits our ability to love others unconditionally and sacrificially. You see, he wasn't a pushover. He wasn't weak. He was simply determined to find the love that we all search for, the true love that never fails and never dies, the unconditional love, which knows no boundaries. Needless to say, my grandfather finally found what he was looking for...not from others, but from within his own heart.
Fr. Theodore C. Roupas
Additional Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Prayer:"My God, our Lord, deliver us from accursed pride, so that guided by holy humility we may become inhabitants of sweetest paradise. Amen."
-Elder Ephraim (St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery; Florence, Arizona.
Our guest author is Father Theodore C. Roupas, Assistant Priest at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Raleigh, NC. He received his Master of Divinity at Holy Cross School of Theology in May of 2008. Father Theodore was married and ordained in the summer of 2008.


I