St. Paul’s Parish Handbook - St. Paul The Apostle Orthodox Church

“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there is diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.” - 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

The purpose of this section is to acquaint you with the many aspects of our parish life and to invite you to participate in the life of the Church. It is meant to help join the parish together in the common ministry of the building up of Christ’s Church. We hope that the information it contains will be helpful to you. Covered are areas such as:

We continually pray for the Holy Spirit to inspire us to be a loving and nurturing Christian community. We are grateful for your interest in St. Paul the Apostle Orthodox Church and encourage your involvement and commitment.

Financial
Financial Commitment Campaign
Endowment Fund
Wills and Bequests
Time and Talent

PARISH COUNCIL

The Orthodox Church was founded by Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. It is the ark of salvation and sanctification for all mankind. It is the continuation and extension of Christ’s prophetic, priestly, and kingly power.

Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Orthodox Church is the household of God with Jesus Christ at its head. The Church has struggled for almost two thousand years to bear witness in various cultural and historical settings to His birth, crucifixion, and resurrection.

The Orthodox Church’s faith, discipline and worship are based on the Holy Scriptures, Holy Tradition, the Seven Ecumenical Councils, and the Holy Fathers. The Orthodox Church is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. The Orthodox Church is hierarchical and conciliar in form and function. Bishops are appointed to guide, rule and teach their flocks. Priests and deacons assist them in their sacred work. While the bishop is the divinely appointed teacher of the Faith, the entire Church membership--bishops, priests, deacons, and laity--are the guardians of the Faith. The Church is a eucharistic society, with the profession of the Nicean-Constantinopolitan Creed and reception of Holy Communion being the on-going criteria for membership in the Church.

Orthodox Christianity in North America was first established in Kodiak, Alaska in 1794. For more than two hundred years, Orthodox Christians in the United States and Canada have attempted to live the fullness of this sacramental and sacrificial tradition as the indigenous Church. Worshipping God in Trinity while witnessing to the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the heritage of the Orthodox Church in America.

Saint Paul the Apostle Orthodox Church is a parish of the Diocese of the West, Orthodox Church in America. We are under the episcopacy of His Grace, the Right Reverend TIKHON, Bishop of San Francisco and the West and the ruling hierarch of the Orthodox Church in America is His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN, Archbishop of the Diocese of Washington, Metropolitan of all America and Canada. The Rector of our parish is the Priest Eric George Tosi.

Our parish is named after the Holy Apostle Paul, counted along with the Apostle Peter as Leaders of the Apostles and teachers of the world. This apostolic patronymic is only fitting as the true history of our parish, as a part of the greater Holy Orthodox Church, begins at Pentecost. The parish was established on November 13, 1988 and the present temple was consecrated by His Beatitude, Metropolitan THEODOSIOUS with His Grace, Bishop TIKHON, and a joyous gathering of other clergy and faithful in attendance on May 13, 1995. The exterior design of the temple itself is inspired by a famous 7^th century Armenian church. Our annual parish feast day is June 29^th.

As members of St. Paul’s Orthodox Church, we are encouraged to strive to be illumined and transformed into the Image of Christ in our communal and personal lives. We are also encouraged to take up our cross daily and follow Him, to bear witness to His image that is in us, and manifest Him to each other and to our neighbors through our words and deeds.

Please obtain a copy of our most recent parish newsletter entitled The Messenger which contains notices of forthcoming Feast Days, events and activities. It is our monthly forum for keeping the parish informed as well continually educating ourselves on the Church and her life. The newsletter is published monthly and mailed to parishioners and friends of the parish. As a member of the parish, you will also automatically receive the Diocesan magazine called The Orthodox Vision which is published three times a year as well as the Orthodox Church in America’s newspaper entitled The Orthodox Church which is published monthly.

Also available is our Parish Photo Directory containing photographs and the names and addresses of parishioners. It may be helpful to you in identifying names and faces of fellow parishioners. Additionally, you may wish to pick up a copy of our Parish Statutes or the most current Annual Parish Report. All publications can be obtained from parish office.

At the center of our parish life is the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. At the Divine Liturgy we rededicate our lives, encounter the Word of God, offer the Holy Gifts and partake of them for the healing of our soul and body. The Divine Liturgy is celebrated every Sunday at 9:00 a.m. In preparation for the Sunday Divine Liturgy, parishioners are encouraged to attend the Saturday Vigil service which prepares us for the Divine Liturgy. Vigil is served on Saturday evenings at 5:00 p.m. In addition, there is a Divine Liturgy every Wednesday morning at 7:00 AM during the week.

Annual Major Feasts Days are commemorated with a celebration of a Festal Vigil on the eve of the feast day beginning at 6:00 p.m. and Divine Liturgy on the day of the Feast at 7:00 a.m. Minor Feast Days or Saints Days are commemorated with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at 7:00 a.m. This and other liturgical services are announced in the weekly Bulletin or monthly Newsletter.

The Feast of the Nativity and Theophany are celebrated with Divine Liturgy on the morning eve of the Feast, Royal Hours during the day and the Festal Vigil in the evening. There is a Divine Liturgy on the morning of the Feast Day.

Great Lent is an opportunity for all Orthodox Christians to examine their Christian life and to come closer to God through prayer, fasting, almsgiving and participating in the Lenten services. Lenten services include the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete during the first week of Lent and the Thursday of the fifth week; the Presanctified Liturgy served on Wednesday and Friday evenings during Lent; There is also the Akathist to the Theotokos served on the fifth Friday of Lent, as well as the Lazarus Saturday, Palm Sunday, and Holy Week services leading up to the Paschal celebration.

The celebration of Pascha commences at 11:30 p.m. on the eve of the Pascha, with the Nocturn Service, the paschal procession, Matins Service and Divine Liturgy. Afterwards, individual “baskets” of paschal food, prepared by parishioners, is blessed. Our tradition has been for parishioners to break the fast with one another in the church hall. Later on the morning of Pascha, the Agape Vespers are celebrated at noon. This is followed by a parish dinner and activities for the children. Every day during the following week, Bright Week, is celebrated the Divine Liturgy commencing at 9:00 a.m.

Please refer to the “Monthly Calendar” page for the annual schedule of services for Lent, Holy Week and Pascha.

All parishioners are encouraged to prepare for and partake of Holy Communion at every Divine Liturgy, as well as during the year at other Divine Liturgies on Feast Days and at the Presanctified Liturgies during Great Lent. In preparation for receiving Holy Communion on a regular and frequent basis one should receive the Sacrament of Confession at least monthly. Other preparations should include attendance at Saturday evening Vigil, the reading of the Pre and Post Communion Prayers either at home or in church, and the keeping of a Eucharistic Fast. For Orthodox Christians, it is traditional to fast from all food and drink from midnight until receiving Holy Communion at a Divine Liturgy celebrated in the morning. To receive Holy Communion at a Presanctified Liturgy, you should abstain from food and drink from at least after the morning meal. Please see Father Eric, should you have any questions about your own individual manner of preparation.

All active parishioners are expected to make a personal Confession at least twice a year--once during the Christmas Advent season and once during Great Lent. Regular communicants are expected to make a Confession at least once a month.

Confessions are heard on before and after every scheduled service or by making an appointment with Father Eric.

Singing is an essential part of Orthodox worship. The adult choir, under the guidance of our director of music, Athena Rodis, has the enormous responsibility of preparing and singing the responses for all services. Using her skills and talents in liturgical music, Athena instructs the choir on adequate vocal technique and the understanding of liturgical music and text. Members of the choir are expected to attend rehearsals in order to learn new music and improve the ensemble and vocal technique of the choir. The adult choir generally rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. If you are interested in joining this ministry, please speak directly to Athena.

A choir for youth ages ten through seventeen is also being developed under the direction of Athena Rodis with the assistance of Anna Erickson and Samantha Campbell. In addition to learning liturgical music, the youth choir also experience musicianship development. The youth choir will sing selected hymns during the Sunday Divine Liturgies. The youth choir rehearses one Sunday a month following Church School. If your child is interested in being part of this group, please speak directly to Athena.

Young men between the ages of 6-17 have a unique opportunity to serve God’s Church by becoming altar servers. The altar servers are divided into two teams of an equal number of boys. They are managed by Subdeacon Euphrosynius and Reader Vladimir who serve as mentors and are responsible for overseeing and training the younger servers. They will be required to attend an orientation class and periodically attend training sessions. Altar servers are assigned to a schedule and should serve all services scheduled for their assigned week (Vigil and Divine Liturgy, or Presanctified Liturgy, if scheduled.) This ministry helps our young men develop leadership skills and responsibility, as well as being a peer ministry to one another. If your son is interested in becoming an altar server, he should contact Father Eric.

The following is a general overview of the pastoral services available. If you are in need of any of these services, please contact Father Eric.

All parishioners have the opportunity to renew their dedication to Christ in their homes by having their homes blessed each year following the Feast of Theophany. Generally, the schedule for home blessings is organized by geographic areas, as published in the January Newsletter. A coordinator contacts all active parishioners to schedule an appropriate time for individual home blessings on the scheduled day. If you do not receive a telephone call at least two days preceding the day for the blessing of homes in your area, please contact the coordinator. If the scheduled date cannot be accommodated by you or you would like to have your home blessed sometime during the remaining part of the year (i.e., new home), please contact Father Eric.

In certain traditions, family members may celebrate their family’s feast day or Slava. Fr. Eric is available to perform those services by contacting him and arranging for a visit.

The Sacrament of Baptism is generally celebrated in conjunction with the Sunday Divine Liturgy; however, a baptism may also be scheduled for other days of the week. All baptismal arrangements are made by contacting Father Eric.

Preparations for the Sacrament of Marriage are to be made by contacting Father Eric before determining the date or planning a reception. Weddings are held on Sunday afternoons unless there is an outstanding mitigating circumstance and are not performed during Advent, Great Lent, the Apostles’ Fast or the Dormition Fast. As part of their ministry, and by request, the adult choir is usually available to sing the responses at weddings. The parish Hall is available for use by the wedding party.

The funeral of an active parishioner generally consists of the viewing and Trisagion Service held in the Church on the evening preceding the day of the Funeral. On the following morning, the Funeral Vigil is celebrated in the church followed by the interment. All of the church-related funeral arrangements are made by contacting Father Eric. Future plans include a cemetery with a chapel in North Las Vegas for burial of all Orthodox in Las Vegas. This will be an extension of St. Paul’s.

A general Memorial Service is celebrated during designated All-Souls days during the year as well as on the Parish Feast Day. Be sure to consult the monthly Newsletter for the specific date. In addition, Memorial Services are held during Great Lent and at other times throughout the year according to the liturgical practices of our Orthodox Church. If you would like to have your loved ones remembered at the Divine Liturgy, submit a written list of the names to be commemorated when you come to the Service.

Memorial Services can also be scheduled for other times by contacting Father Eric.

Father Eric is available to make hospital visitations or home visits to “shut-ins.” It is important that he be notified whenever someone is sick or has been hospitalized, since local hospitals do not inform him when parishioners are admitted. Arrangements can be made by contacting him.

Our parish offers a comprehensive schedule of educational programs for all ages—from eighteen months and up. For further information about each of our educational programs, please contact our Education Coordinator, Michelle Chong or Nadine Wood for Teen programs.

The spiritual formation of our next generation of church members is very important and will be a priority at St. Paul’s. We are in the process of refining the program and with the dedication and hard work of a number of our parishioners who volunteer as teachers and support staff; we will develop an exceptional educational program.

The Children’s Educational Program places emphasis on learning and experiencing the Orthodox Christian life by becoming familiar with the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, by appreciating and celebrating the Major Feast Days, and by learning and living the history, doctrine and dynamic spiritual tradition that prepares them to become mature and responsible teens and adults. The Children’s Educational Program is open to all preschool through high school aged youth and is held weekly on Sunday mornings after the Divine Liturgy from September to May, with some exceptions as indicated in the Newsletter and Bulletin. Fr. Eric visits a different class each month so the youth have a chance to ask him questions about the faith The youth in the program also participate in other events such as the annual Christmas program and other seasonal activities. If you would like to enroll your child in the program, please contact our Education Coordinator.

The Teen Educational Program is an enhancement of the Children’s Educational Program and adds both social and educational value to the teen aged youth of our parish. In addition to participating in the educational class on Sunday mornings, they participate in a monthly social gathering, a Fall retreat and diocesan-sponsored youth retreats. The youth group will also sponsor an outreach program each year to put in action the charitable love of Christ in their lives. The teens also serve as mentors for the younger youth. Please contact our Teen Program Coordinator, Nadine Wood, for further information.

The Adult Educational Program is offered for everyone beyond high school age. It consists of guided programs of study dealing with spirituality, worship, doctrine and Church history. The Adult Educational Program sessions are held weekly in the evening from September through May, with some exceptions as indicated in the Newsletter and Bulletin. There will also be monthly gatherings of groups to help build community and fellowship as well as to deal with specific needs. These will be announced in the Monthly Newsletter. For further information, please see Father Eric.

In addition to the weekly Educational Programs for both children and adults, our parish offers an array of Church-related educational materials in the form of books, videos and cassette tapes in the parish’s adult and children’s libraries. All parishioners are welcome to borrow any of the materials found in either library.

The Inquirer’s Program is an opportunity for inquirers, new parishioners, as well as present parishioners who desire to learn more about the basics of our Orthodox Faith. The sessions are held weekly in cycles throughout the year. They last for approximately one hour, with the second half of the class open for addressing questions participants may have concerning worship, doctrine, history, spirituality, the Holy Scriptures, or living and applying our Faith to daily life. The sessions are generally conducted by Father Eric. Please contact him for more information or to enroll.

Throughout the year there are seminars, retreats and a variety of lecture programs offered at our church or within our diocese that provide educational opportunities for learning, growth and fellowship. These offerings are announced in the monthly Newsletter and weekly Bulletin. Some information is posted on the parish bulletin board (located in the parish hall), and/or announced by Father Eric at the Sunday Divine Liturgy.

Healthy fellowship among parishioners is an essential part of a thriving parish community. To help foster closer ties among parishioners while simultaneously developing a more effective, efficient, Christ-centered church environment, our parish relies on a number of small groups in ministering to our larger parish family. The ultimate goal is to encourage personal Christian growth that begins with involvement in parish life and evolves into a genuine commitment to parish life. There are various groups and ministries that parishioners can become involved. Simply talk to Fr. Eric of a member of the Council.

“Stewardship” is the managing and caring for the property and affairs of another. Since everything we have is on loan to us from God, we are called upon, as servants of God, to be wise and faithful stewards of all that we have. Our entire life is a gift from God! He asks that we offer back to Him in grateful appreciation the first portion of that with which we have been gifted, in the form of time, talent and money.

Each year the Stewardship Ministry of our parish requests parishioners to make a financial pledge to the parish by completing a commitment card. Your financial commitment enables the parish council to plan and budget for the parish’s expenses and programs for the upcoming year. The amount you give back to God is entirely your choice. As a parish community, we recommend and encourage a personal commitment of at least three percent of your monetary net income. However, whatever you decide to give, let it be a first portion percentage gift that is your expression of thanksgiving to Him Who has created us, blesses us with the material needs required for our sustenance, and continues to love us beyond measure. Please see Father Eric or the Stewardship Ministry Coordinator for further information.

The amount you offer is never published though a personal report of your offerings is sent to you annually at the end of each calendar year. You may use this for tax reporting purposes if you desire.

Beginning in 2001, our parish established an Endowment Fund. The Endowment Fund functions as an expansion fund for the parish. With the principle in the fund always remaining untouched, as the fund grows it is anticipated that part of the annual interest will eventually be added to our operating budget. For more information or to make a gift or bequest for the Endowment Fund, please see Father Eric.

As a courtesy to our parishioners and to encourage the giving of planned gifts to our parish, Attorney Vladimir Norville has offered to prepare, without charge, simple wills or other related legal documents for anyone who desires to include our church in their estate planning. Through this service, you can remember the church in your will giving Back to God some of what He has blessed you with during your lifetime. Please see Vladimir for more specific information.

At St. Paul’s, we strive not only to support our parish financially but to support it with our time and talent as well. It is our goal to have each parishioner pledge three percent of our time per week (five hours) in support of our church programs and activities. Only through actual involvement can we bare witness to our commitment to serve God and to serve our neighbor as Christ loves and serves us. We ask each parishioner to accept this challenge and offer their God-given gifts of time and talent back to God in order that we as a parish may fulfill our mission of spreading His Word.

The Stewardship Ministry of our parish conducts and maintains the records of the Time and Talent Survey of all parishioners. The purpose of the survey is to seek the involvement of each parishioner as a “partner in ministry” in at least one of our nine parish ministries, as identified in the “Parish Council” section below. Each ministry has certain areas of responsibility that, together with all other ministries, make up our entire parish life. By completing the survey, you will enable us to match your talents to a need within our parish. Ultimately, your involvement will add value to your life, as well as strengthen the life of our parish community.

If you are new to St. Paul’s, we would like for you to complete a survey. Or if you are a parishioner and have not yet involved yourself in one of the ministries and are in need of further information, please see our Stewardship Ministry Coordinator.

The operation of our parish life is directed by the parish council. The parish council consists of the priest and nine parishioners elected to rotating three-year terms. The officers of the council consist of the president (the rector), vice-president, Secretary and Treasurer and, together with the priest, act as the Administrative Ministry of our parish. The three officers are selected from among the nine parish council members by the parish at the annual meeting held each year in November. The priest and the parish council in an effort to create orderliness in our parish life, use nine ministries as the framework for our community life. Generally, each member of the parish council is asked to assume the role of chairperson for one of these ministries and, as such, is responsible for coordinating the activities of their ministry. Each ministry, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, establishes their goals each year and then implements a program that incorporates the entire parish community in achieving those goals.

Below is a brief description of the nine ministries. For each ministry’s current goals and accomplishments, please see our parish’s most recent Annual Report.

The Administrative Ministry is headed by the rector and has as its members the deacon who is the office manager, vice-president Secretary and Treasurer. The Administrative Ministry oversees all long-term projects and goals, as well as daily operations of the parish. To effectively and efficiently achieve this, the Administrative Ministry oversees and coordinates the activities of the other parish ministries. This ministry also is responsible for coordinating all parish communications including the monthly newsletters, Sunday bulletins, telephone communications (including the “telephone chain”), community communications, press releases and annual reports. In addition the Administrative Ministry coordinates all major projects of the parish, including our biggest fund raiser, the annual Parish Festival. This ministry is responsible for representing our parish to the Annual Assembly of our Diocese of the West, Las Vegas Mission Deanery and to the triennial All American Council of our Orthodox Church in America.

The Liturgical Ministry is headed by Father Eric. It coordinates the liturgical life of the parish. The scheduling of and preparations for all services and liturgically-related programs fall under this ministry. This includes the adult choir, youth choir, altar servers program, liturgical readers program, and all other aspects of lay participation in the Divine Services. This ministry works with the Church Service Ministry to ensure the coordination of all liturgical activities. The Liturgical Ministry is also responsible for the publication of the many liturgical service books used in the parish.

The Education Ministry develops, implements, and coordinates all educational programs and activities within our parish. Our parish offers religious educational opportunities for all ages, from preschool through adults. We have a Children’s Education Program, a Teen Education Program and an Adult Education Program. The Education Ministry also sponsors and organizes retreats and workshops at our parish, as well as coordinates our parish’s participation in diocesan and seminary-sponsored retreats. This ministry also maintains the parish’s adult and children’s libraries and reference information, and purchases and maintains our educational equipment. The Education Ministry also sponsors a number of activities for our youth throughout the year, the most notable of which is the Nativity Program --one of the highlights of the year. In addition, this ministry honors our high school and college graduates upon graduation. It also sponsors holiday parties, movie nights, and the annual egg hunt and youth charity efforts. Should you have any questions about this ministry or would like to enroll yourself or a child in one of our educational programs, please see the Education Ministry Coordinator.

One of our responsibilities as Orthodox Christians is to take up His Cross and spread The Word of God. The Outreach and Evangelization Ministry is the ministry within our parish that “reaches out” to the local community, guests, new parishioners, and even established parishioners. Its role is to make St. Paul’s an inviting parish and to make all who enter our doors feel part of our Christian family.

In order to achieve these goals, this ministry works on developing strategies and materials to reach out to our local community and assists the Administrative Ministry with publicizing the life and activities of our parish through available media. In addition, the Outreach and Evangelization Ministry maintains the Greeters Program, a Follow-up Program for Parish Guests and a New Parishioners Program. In conjunction with the Young Adult Ministry, this ministry maintains contact with local colleges in an effort to reach out to those students who are Orthodox or who are interested in Orthodox Christianity.

The Outreach and Evangelization Ministry is also responsible for integrating all parishioners into our parish community by encouraging greater participation in our parish ministries. To achieve this, the Time and Talent Survey was prepared and is distributed so that all parishioners can ascertain the talents they have and may wish to share with our church family to help make our parish more vibrant and spiritually-fulfilling.

The Finance Ministry coordinates the financial matters of the parish. The Finance Ministry prepares the annual budget proposals for the Annual Parish Meeting, counts and deposits all financial offerings and gifts, and oversees the weekly offerings. It issues checks for all debts and obligations, remits parish assessments to our diocese, remits funds collected for annual appeals to the OCA, and oversees the Parish Endowment Fund. An auditing committee functions under the auspices of this ministry.

The Stewardship Ministry develops programs intended to increase each parishioner’s commitment of time, talent and money. It also coordinates the maintenance of all records of individual financial gifts of parishioners. It is responsible for conducting the annual Financial Commitment Drive, the results of which are used by the Finance Ministry to plan the Annual Parish Budget.

The Human Services Ministry coordinates the charitable and human services work of our parish. Our parish’s major charitable effort is our involvement in different charitable organizations in the Las Vegas area. There is also a monthly food collection for the needy in the area. Receptacles are located in the church hall for your food donations. Throughout the year, our parish also conducts other appeals, such as clothing, shoe, or financial drives for those in need.

In addition, the Human Services Ministry provides parishioners with information regarding various social services programs, such as Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. The ministry also coordinates transportation for parishioners in need of a ride to or from Divine Services. The ministry is also responsible for informing the rector of specific needs of parishioners and tracking those in need of visits.

The Church Services Ministry coordinates all necessary preparations for Divine Services. This includes overseeing the candle desk, ushering parishioners and guests into the church, lighting the candles, conducting the collection of the offerings, and the cleaning of the candle stands, pews and general church area following services. This ministry coordinates and decorates the church for major Feast Days, such as Christmas and Pascha.

This ministry uses volunteers to aid their efforts. If you are interested in assisting with any of the numerous duties, please see the Church Services Ministry chairperson.

Our parish is blessed to have a large tract of beautiful property. Its maintenance and that of the buildings, fall under the jurisdiction of the Buildings and Grounds Ministry. This ministry is responsible for organizing and coordinating volunteers for the Spring and Fall Cleanups, securing all contracted maintenance services, coordinating volunteers for basic maintenance tasks, and proposing to the Parish Council any necessary repair work, improvements, or equipment purchases. If you are interested in volunteering your services or if you have any questions, please see the chairperson of the Building and Grounds Ministry.

If you are interested in becoming a member of our parish or if you are considering becoming an Orthodox Christian, please speak to Father Eric. He will assist you with your journey and, with the assistance of our parishioners, make your integration into our parish life a joyful, spiritually-rewarding experience.