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Ministry participation transforms the parish and the people. Through Services and Ministries the parish becomes a Home and the people become closer brothers and sisters in Christ. Please peruse our ministries below and sign up for those whom you'd like to hear from in 2020-21.

Thank you!
+Fr. Hector & Fr. Theodosios

Annunciation Ministries

Religious Education

Bible & Book Studies
Fr. Hector's Book Study: Wednesdays, 6pm

Women's Books Study: Thursdays, 10 AM

Mission Statement:
“The person advancing in the spiritual life studies three things: the commandments, doctrine, and faith in the Holy Trinity.”

+ St. Thalassios the Libyan


Sign up to join
 
See Fr. Hector's Book Studies on YouTube
Sunday School
Sundays during school year.

Mission Statement:
The Sunday School Program has a curriculum of study of the Orthodox faith that will enhance each student’s knowledge in the following core areas: Bible and Church history, Doctrine, Spirituality and Worship.

Sign up a student
Sign up to teach
Vacation Church School
One week in early August
Ages 5-6th Grade

Mission Statement:
In preparation for the feast of the Dormition, the youth of our parish gather for learning & fun.

Sign up a student
Book Store

Mission Statement:

The Bookstore provides parishioners and guests the opportunity to purchase books for learning about the Bible, the Orthodox Faith and the Saints for adults, teens and children. Personal worship items including icons, charcoal, incense, and prayer ropes are also available. 

Email Susana Troop to learn more!
Education Committee

Mission Statement:
The aim of this committee is to:
1. Find opportunities for adults together learn more about the Orthodox Faith.
2. To provide resources to address some of the pressing issues of the parish. 

Email Tom Miller to learn more!
Missions & Evangelism Committee

Mission Statement:
Receive and Share the Light of Christ!

Email Fr. Hector to learn more!
Nativity Retreat

A yearly retreat, usually with a guest speaker, that takes place during the Nativity Fast to help us prepare spiritually and mentally for the Feast of Christmas. 

Click here to join our email list!
Lenten Retreat

A yearly retreat, usually with a guest speaker or workshop, that takes place during the Great Lenten Fast to help us prepare spiritually and mentally for the Feast of Great and Holy Pascha.

Click here to join our email list!

Service & Outreach

Service & Outreach
The Service & Outreach Committee heads the following Groups: 
  • Clothing Donations
  • Off the Streets Moving
  • St. John the Almsgiver Food Box Distribution
  • Food for Families
  • Rides to Church & Appointments
Contact Joanne Martin to learn more!
Philoptochos
Monthly socials & philanthropic work.

Mission Statement:
Meaning, “friend of the poor,” the Ladies Philoptochos Society is a vibrant source of fellowship and philanthropic service in our community. Their focus is to voluntarily aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the widowed, and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the Church through special funds. The ladies are proud of the role of being the right arm and the charitable arm of our church. The ladies meet monthly to discuss business, fundraising projects, and prayer.


Email Effie Hogan to sign up!
Welcome/Ushering/Greeting Committee

Mission Statement:
To warmly welcome every visitor to our church as a brother and sister in Christ.  And to share our Orthodox faith, church and message of salvation with all those seeking the truth and the light.

Email Nicholas Veronis to sign up!
Mission Parish

Mission Statement:
The mission of the Transfiguration Orthodox Church is to foster the spiritual maturity of the Orthodox Christian faithful and reach out to inquirers in northern Lancaster County.

Click here to see their website!
Project Mexico Team
Annual summer trip to Project Mexico.

Mission Statement:
Project Mexico is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that performs works of mercy in the name of Jesus Christ, building homes for the poor in Mexico and by providing education and shelter for orphaned boys through St. Innocent Orphanage.


Email Aaron Blain to learn more! 
 
St. John the Almsgiver Food Box Distributions Group

Every other Thursday morning, from 9:30 - 11:30 AM, volunteers at Annunciation Church distribute and deliver Crisis Relief Boxes (provided by the Central PA Food Bank) by the hundreds to our neighbors and those in need. Each box is 25 pounds and contains a variety of non-perishable food items. Boxes of fresh produce, when available, are also distributed and delivered.  

Get involved!
Off the Streets Group

Annunciation Church shares a partnership with Off the Streets Lancaster to help families in Lancaster City get "off the streets" and into permanent housing.  A group of volunteers from Annunciation helps every fifth Saturday with moving basic furnishings and household items into a living space for new family. 

Get involved!
Bereavement Group

Mission Statement:
To provide a place for expression and mutual support for personal loss. 

Email Tom Miller to learn more!
Food for Families of newborns

The meal ministry provides an opportunity for parishioners to minister to other parish families by preparing a meal for a family who has a newborn or an illness or hospitalization or other necessity. In this way both the giver and the receiver are blessed!

Email Susana Troop to request food or to sign up to give food!

Parish Leadership

Parish Council
Meets Monthly on 3rd Tuesday.

Mission Statement:
We are a body of believers who, having been empowered by the Holy Spirit, accept our sacred responsibility to follow and promulgate the Gospel of Jesus Christ as set forth in the Sacred Tradition of the Orthodox Church. We believe this mission can be realized and implemented through our WORSHIP, SPIRITUAL GROWTH, SERVICE, WITNESS, and FELLOWSHIP.


Offer your professional skills
Festival Committee
Seasonal prep & organization.

Mission Statement:
The Festival Committee leads the volunteering of time and talent towards our semi-annual food festivals' success.

“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” - Matthew 9:37-38.

Email Kosta Kontanis or Alex Schramm to get involved!
Finance Committee

Mission Statement:
#1 Support the Priests and their vision of the Church.
#2 Serve in an advisory role to the Priests and Church office administration.
#3 Safeguard and Steward the financial resources of the Church.
#4 Achieve and maintain processes and procedures to ensure the financial well-being of the Church.
#5 Actively participate in the financial aspects of strategic planning of the Church.

Email John Stauffer to get involved!
Gyrofest Committee

Mission Statement:

Email Manny Firoglanis to get involved!
Security Committee

Mission Statement:
The mission of the Safety Committee is to promote a safe environment for the staff, parishioners, visitors and the general public by creating and maintaining safety procedures for all involved and to identify and minimize recognized safety hazards for our parishioners and the various activities throughout our parish and community.

Email Steve Marinos to get invloved!
Property Committee
Providing for the safety & wellbeing of those visiting the grounds and well as the beautification of the property of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. 

Email David Gammache to get involved! 
Stewardship Committee

Mission Statement:
To give back to our Lord in gratitude for all of his blessings to us by sharing our time, talents and treasure.  Our stewardship is our faith in action.  It is used to support our church, share our Orthodox faith and help the least of our brethren through our charitable ministries.


2020-21 Stewardship Materials

Get involved in the Committee
Technology/Marketing Committee

Mission Statement:

Using the technology at our disposal we strive to further the word of God through all healthy means to draw people closer to the Faith. 

Email Fr. Theodosios to sign up!
Audit Committee

Mission Statement:

Perform an operational audit that assesses levels of control and opportunities for improvement.  This includes:
  • Reliability and integrity of financial and operational information
  • Effectiveness and efficiency of operations
  • Safeguarding assets
  • Compliance with laws, regulations and bylaws.
Email Paul Benos to learn more!

Education & Culture

Annunciation Preschool
Preschool: Ages 2-Kindergarten

Mission Statement:
Our Mission is to nurture and teach our precious ones in a spirit of holiness according to the precepts of our Orthodox Christian faith and prepare them for Kindergarten in keeping with the appropriate guidelines and expectations of the Pennsylvania Department of Education


Learn More...
Greek School
Wednesday Nights, 5:45-7pm
Kindergarten-6th Grade

Mission Statement:
Dedicated to the transmission and teaching of the Greek language and the demonstration of its uniqueness, to the enlightenment of both students and their families of the history and our national issues, and to the conveyance of the Greek Orthodox ideals and the revival of our Greek traditions.

Email Fr. Theodosios to sign up!
Youth Greek Dance Groups
3 groups, ages 3-18

Mission Statement:
To teach the youth of our parish traditional Greek dance, culminating with performances at our Spring and Fall Festivals.

Email Fr. Theodosios to sign up!
Annunciation Scholarships

Mission Statement:
Seeks to aid Annunciation's high school graduates with financial assistance as they work through their studies or post high school aspirations. 

Email the Church Office to learn more! 
Hellenic Culture Committee

Mission Statement:
“The Hellenic Culture Committee is commissioned to preserve, perpetuate, and advance Hellenism and Hellenic Culture in our parish and the greater community [operating] within the context of our Holy Scriptures and Sacred traditions by:

Organizing and sponsoring educational activities and events of charitable, cultural, and educational nature for the benefit of people of Hellenic origin, Philhellenes, and the general public;
Supporting and sponsoring educational and informational programs for the learning of Greek language and culture;
Sponsoring or participating in events and activities that support democracy, human rights, respect for international treaties, peace in the world and especially in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkan peninsula.

Email John Vafeas to learn more!
Aesthetic Committee

“Sanctify those that love the beauty of Thy house. Glorify them in return by Thy divine power.”

+Prayer behind the Ambo

Email the Church Office to learn more! 
Prosforo Making Group

Our group of dedicated women who make the holy loaves of Prosforo (Offering) that we use for the Divine Liturgies. This Bread is consecrated during the Divine Liturgy and becomes the Holy Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Email the Church Office to learn more! 

Youth Groups

HOPE 
(Ages 4-2nd Grade)

Monthly Meetings

Mission Statement: 
Our Holy Orthodox Primary Education program paves the way for active youth group participation in years to come.  It is a time is to solidify the church as their spiritual home, and their church friends as brothers and sisters in Christ. It is their first experience of kid-only event group, and focuses on learning about Christ, while also kindling interest in participating in worship, serving/singing, and coming to youth group events.


Email Fr. Theodosios to sign up!
JOY 
(Grades 3-6)

Monthly Meetings

Mission Statement: 
Our Junior Orthodox Youth program leads young people into a living and active relationship with Jesus Christ. It is at this age that a foundation of faith can best be set—a foundation that will guide and strengthen our young people as they progress into junior high and high school. Through study of Holy Scripture and fun social activities, they form bonds with learning and relationships.

Email Fr. Theodosios to sign up!
GOYA
(Grades 7-12)

Monthly GOYA meetings

Mission Statement: 
To introduce responsibility and ownership of our church to the next generation of active faithful. By developing a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and becoming active sacramental members of the living Church, our young people will be equipped with tools necessary to assist them in their journey toward salvation.  GOYA is where the rubber meets the road for faith, taking what is learned in Sunday school and Summer camp and discussing practical applications for living the Orthodox Faith in their everyday lives.



Click to sign up!
Teen Social Media Outreach
(GOYAns)

Mission Statement: 
To share more of our faith on Social Media and be present in your story feed!


Follow Annunciation GOYA on Instagram! 
See the GOYA iMovie Lives of Saints Videos! 
OCF
(College Age)
Weekly Meetings on Mondays or Tuesdays 

Mission Statement: 
Orthodox Christian Fellowship is the pan-Orthodox College Ministry of the Assembly of Bishops. 

Click to sign up!
Young Adults
(18-30)
Monthly Events

Mission Statement: 
To strengthen the relationship of Orthodox Christian Young Adults with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Ultimately encouraging them to become active sacramental participants in the life of the Body of Christ, through interaction with our clergy and also providing the social environment for friendships to develop.

Click to sign up!

Social Events

Senior Citizens
The Senior Citizens group is for the “over 55” sector of our parish. 

Email the Church Office to learn more!
Seasonal Events:
All Welcome
  • Palm Cross Making
  • Pascha Meal
  • Parish Picnic

and more!

Sacraments & Worship

Byzantine Chant Lessons

For teens and adults interested in learning Byzantine Chanting.

Email Daniel Blain (our Protopsaltis) to learn more!
Choir
Sings responses for Sunday Divine Liturgies throughout the year.

Mission Statement:
To lead our congregation in worship responses; sharing the responsibilities with the chanters, who each sing responses for the services during the school year.

Join the Choir!
Altar Boys
Boys ages 6+

Mission Statement:
Altar Boys assist the priest in the altar for the Divine Liturgy every Sunday, as well as other services throughout the year. Through active participation in these services, the boys are instructed on the meaning of the Divine Liturgy and the fundamental sacraments of the church.


Email Fr. Theodosios to sign up!
Youth Epistle Readers
Youths Ages 12+


Encouraging and giving opportunity for the youth to get involved and more comfortable with praying, reading the word of God, public speaking and serving in the Holy Church. 

Email Fr. Theodosios to sign up!

Adult Pickup Athletics

Men's Basketball

"An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules." -2 Timothy 2:5

Email Fr. Theodosios to sign up!
Annunciation Cycling
Outings 4 times per year

"By your endurance you will gain your lives." -Luke 21:19

Email Fr. Theodosios to sign up!
"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
- Hebrews 10:24-25
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