https://issuu.com/jacobswell/docs/jw_issue_3_07.03.20

Eva Czukkermann recently completed her Girl Scout Gold Award at St. Gregory The Theologian Orthodox Church in Wappingers Falls, NY. For her project she built four movable benches out of Philippine mahogany to place around the fire pit that Nick Metz had built for his Eagle Scout Project. Prior to the benches, church members either had to stand, bring their own chairs or sit on the bricks that are part of the fire pit design. Due to the age of many church members, standing or sitting on the bricks is not possible and bringing their own chairs is not always feasible. The benches will encourage church members to use and enjoy the fire pit.

In addition to having a bench building ‘party’ at the church, Eva organized a potluck dinner to celebrate the benches and the fire pit. She is very thankful for her church community who helped and supported her throughout the entire process.  

St. Gregory's Orthdoox Church is holding its annual Fall Picnic after Liturgy on Sunday, October 6, 2019. Everyone is invited and please brings side dishes as the main course will be provided.

Eva Czukkermann is working on her Girl Scout Gold Star project and will be hosting a bench assembly party on Sunday after Liturgy. If you would like to donate towards the project, send to St. Gregory's Orthodox Church and earmark Gold Star Project. The project will be assembling benches for the fire pit (a previous Eagle Scout project). Come and support Eva.

Pick up your copy of the Southern Dutchess News and see the article on St. Gregory's.

Once again we awaken to learn of yet more senseless loss of life due to gun violence. This morning we are reading of a mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio, and yesterday in El Paso, Texas. Last evening there also was loss of precious life due to gun violence in Chicago, New York, and Detroit.

We entreat our all merciful Lord to send his mercy on the victims and their families, on the first responders, on all who have suffered because of gun violence, wherever that may be.

I reiterate the message I wrote to President Trump last February: With increasing frequency we are confronted in our cities, towns, and neighborhoods by evil, conflict, sorrow, ignominy, and death. As Orthodox Christians, we understand that these are realities of human existence, and our communities are committed to maintaining the sanctity of all life through our efforts to reach out and minister to all, to bring healing, and to instill peace. But we also require the active contribution of our civil authorities in stemming the onslaught of tragedy that faces our nation.

Fr. Eric will be gone from the parish for two weeks as he will be serving as the Chief Chaplain at the World Scouting Jamboree at the Summit in West Virginia. He will be working with Scouts from around 80 countires and over 65 chaplains from many denominations. If you would like to learn more about Scouting and Orthodox Scouting awards, please see Fr. Eric on his return. Services will continue in his absence.

Join the Diocese of New York & New Jersey for Youth Day along with your friends and family for an outing to Yankee Stadium on Saturday, August 17th and watch the New York Yankees take on the Cleveland Indians! A portion of the ticket proceeds will be used as a fundraiser to benefit the Diocese of New York and New Jersey.  For details go to:

https://www.fevo.com/edp/Diocese-of-New-York--New-Jersey--New-York-Yankees-vs-Celveland-Indians-87X4BUj

Our annual Easter Bake Sale will be held Saturday April 20, 2019 from 12-3pm. Pirogi, nut and poppyseed rolls, babka breads and other baked goods will be available for sale. Credit cards accepted.

St. Gregory the Theologian Orthodox Church welcomes their new rector, Archpriest Eric George Tosi, DMin, and his wife Christina and two children Alexander and Kyra. Fr. Eric comes to St. Gregory's after spending eleven years as the Secretary of the Orthodox Church in America at the OCA Chancery on Long Island and teaching at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary. A son of the Diocese, Fr. Eric comes back with great joy. Prior to his time at the Chancery, Fr. Eric was the rector of St. Paul's Orthodox Church in Las Vegas, NV and St. Nicholas of South Canaan Orthodox Church in Billings, MT. He also served as the chair of the OCA's Department of Evangelization among other duties.

Fr. Eric and his family look forward to settling into the area and getting to know everyone in the parish. A brief biography of Fr. Eric can be found here:  files/A-Brief-Biography-rev.pdf (123kb)

St. Gregory the Theologian Orthodox Church entered the season with charity with great joy. In cooperation with the Poughkeepsie United Methodist Church's Family Partnership Program, they provided 13 bags on non-perishable traditional Thanksgiving food as well as monetary contributions to the program. The parish also provided Christmas gifts for close to 25 at-risk youth at St. Basil Academy in Garrison, NY. The annual Christmas Fair https://stgregoryny.org/photos brought in close to $7,000 which will be donated to St. Basil Academy, the Lunchbox Program that feeds the needy in Dutchess County, and the Sparrow's Nest which works with at-risk families. For more information on these programs go to

 http://www.stbasil.goarch.org

http://dutchessoutreach.org/the-lunch-box

https://sparrowsnestcharity.org.