Holy Cross Orthodox Church

Letter from Fr. Gregory

Dear Friends,

God is the ultimate “Giver”. Concluding the Divine Liturgy we acknowledge that “every good and perfect gift is from above and cometh down from Thee, the Father of lights.” As Orthodox we also believe that God’s perfect desire and goal for us personally is that we be like Him, which would surely include being “givers.” Scripturally we are bidden to shape our giving by what is called the Tithe, or 10% of our incomes. This teaching is reinforced by the Church Fathers and is the standard accepted by our Antiochian Archdiocese. Because the Bible also teaches that God loves a giver who is “cheerful”, we encourage you to prayerfully consider your pledge commitment for 2009 as a response to God’s blessings with the joyfulness that marks believers who are under Grace.

Do what you can, even stretching yourself, but with trust and gladness in Him. At Holy Cross Church we will all have much to do: give praise and glory to God and His Saints, build up the Body of Christ, and proclaim the Good News to all. In the Lord’s design it will take all of us working together, responding in faithfulness, to do what we believe He is calling us to do.

Fr. Gregory Mathewes-Green

Fr. Gregory Mathewes-Green
Holy Cross Antiochian Orthodox

Ministry Roll Descriptions

Brief descriptions of what is entailed with these ministries. Areas of great need indicated with *.

Library

Organization

Keep the library organized, managing check-out/check-in of books

Bookstore

Management

Manage the bookstore

Building & Grounds

Building/repair skills

Provide Handyman skills, make repairs around the building when needed

Gardening

Do weeding, planting, watering, sweeping

Gardening organizer *

Organize gardening volunteers, make sure gardens are taken care of

Altar care (cleaning brass, etc.)

Assist in cleaning the brass (melting off wax), dusting

Flower arranging

Obtain and arrange flowers for Feast Days and other occasions

Kitchen coordinator *

Make sure the Kitchen (and frig) stays organized and neat

Evangelism

Lector

Read the Epistle during Divine Liturgy

Tract rack

Keep pamphlets stocked and organized in the track rack

Outreach

Special activity volunteer (Our Daily Bread, Linthicum Fair, etc.)

Participate as a volunteer, such as going to Our Daily Bread, or volunteering at the Linthicum Fair

College Ministries

Refreshments for special events for UMBC OCF and/or Annapolis College Ministry;

Provide food, or donate money for food, for UMBC and/or Annapolis College Ministry

Parish Life

Choir

Sing and participate in practices

Chanting

Chant and participate in practices

Refreshments on Sundays *

(On a rotation) For Sunday lunch/coffee hour provide entree for 50 people, or dessert, or salad

Altar bread baking

Bake the holy bread, Prosphora, for Divine Liturgy

Pastoral Care

Visitation of the sick, shut-ins    Visit elderly or sick parishioners

Correspondence *

Send name day cards

Church School

Church School *

(On a rotation) Teach/Substitute using prepared curriculum; parties

Welcome/Hospitality

Greeting

Greet people before and after services in the Narthex, welcome and talk to new people

Youth Ministries

Youth Advisor/Meeting Facilitator

Participate as a Facilitator for Youth activities

Chaperoning events *

Chaperone at occasional Youth retreats or special outings

Miscellaneous

Making phone calls

Make reminder phone calls, i.e. to people on Sunday food rotation

Baby-sitting for events

Baby-sit children during special events

Bookkeeping

Record financial giving, transactions

Transportation

Provide rides for visitors, special guests