Coming Home to a Better Marriage

New Metropolis of San Francisco Family Wellness Ministry program: Coming Home to a Better Marriage

Join us for our
Spring/Lenten Series for couples 
“Coming Home to a Better Marriage

Join us 6:30 pm on Zoom 

Thursday, March 11 “How Couples Stay Connected”
– presented by George Papageorge & Fr. Vasili Hillhouse

Thursday, April 8 “One Fight, Two Winners”
–  presented by Fr. Tom Tsagalakis

Thursday, May 13 “Stop the Insanity”
– presented by Fr. Timothy Pavlatos

First Meeting for the Ascension Prayer Team

Our Ascension Prayer Team will have their first meeting to discuss how you can get involved in praying for our community.

We will meet next Thursday, February 25th at 7 PM on Zoom, and we hope that you can join us!

Join on Zoom here:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84640602811

Meeting ID: 846 4060 2811

You can learn more about the Prayer Team here and how to get involved or submit names for commemoration.

Ascension Cathedral Now Open for Indoor Services

Dear Ascension Community,

Wonderful news! We are excited to announce the re-opening of the Cathedral for indoor liturgy!! 

On Friday, February 5, 2021 the U.S. Supreme Court entered an emergency order prohibiting California from enforcing its ban on indoor worship in “purple” tier counties. Instead, the Court found a limit of 25% capacity to be appropriate. This order is effective immediately and applies throughout the State of California. Metropolitan Gerasimos set an encyclical (linked below) informing the parishes of the Metropolis of San Francisco in California as to this announcement. We were so excited to hear this that we opened the Cathedral immediately, this past Sunday, February 7th. Fr. Tom instructed the Parish Council members and ushers to allow those who had made reservations for the outdoor liturgy to come into the Cathedral. All the appropriate guidelines, including social distancing and wearing of masks were followed as we had done earlier in the Summer and Fall of 2020.

The Parish Council met Wednesday, February 10th to discuss the re-opening of the Cathedral. At this time the configuration of the seating in the Cathedral will accommodate 140 people following the social distance guidelines. It was decided by the Parish Council that this Sunday, February 14th 100 congregants will be allowed in the Cathedral. Sunday, February 21st and 28th we will increase to 140 people. This will give the Parish Council time to assess the seating arrangements, and to increase the number to as close to the 25% as is safe. We will continue to follow the guidelines as explained below. To ensure everyone's safety, at the very end of the service after announcements, Holy Communion will be distributed. Antidoron will be pre-bagged and available as parishioners are exiting the Cathedral.

We will also continue to do Memorials and other services at the end of the divine liturgy. The Koliva (boiled wheat) will not be shared due to safety issues. However if there is an Artoklasia, it will be placed in bags like the antidoron.

We will continue to comply with the county guidelines practicing social distancing, and wearing face coverings. Also, as per the Metropolitan’s request, attendance is reserved for our Ascension parishioners only at this time. This number does not include clergy, cantor and ushers. In order to attend you must reserve your spot using the link that is emailed weekly.

We are very excited to welcome you back into the Cathedral! We have missed you and are looking forward to seeing you in person. Your physical health and safety as well as your spiritual health is our top priority, all the steps we are taking are in consideration of your well being. If you are not feeling well or have health conditions that make you more vulnerable, we ask you to continue to enjoy services from home via the live streaming.

We ask for your patience during this time and encourage you to take a moment and review the FAQs (attached). If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out.

We will continue to update you as information and guidance becomes available. We appreciate your patience and understanding at this time and look forward to seeing each of you soon!

In Christ’s service and yours,

The Ascension Parish Council

New Youth Ministry Instagram!

Follow our new Youth Ministry Instagram account @ascensionyouthministry!

Keeping up-to-date is tough, so follow our new account so that you can be reminded as you scroll! Through our new account can keep up today with youth and young adult ministry news and events here, and ask questions if you need to know more about an event.

Post-by-post we hope to fill up your timeline with something better to scroll through!

In Christ,

Fr. Nick

Virtual Sunday School Program: A Lenten Journey to Great and Holy Pascha

As we continue through this unique period of the pandemic, we continue to look for opportunities to adapt our youth ministry programs to the current conditions. It is important, as ever, for our families to remain connected to the life of the Church. Many of our families have been missing the consistency and educational opportunity of Sunday School, but we are please to announce that there is a wonderful opportunity our community has been invited to participate in:

“A Lenten Journey to Great and Holy Pascha” is an 11-week virtual youth Religious Education program created by the Orthodox Youth Mentorship Program of Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Camarillo (under the direction of Father Gary Kyriacou) and sponsored by the Christian Education Ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco.  

All students in the San Francisco metropolis, grades Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade, may sign up to participate.  This program will cover key themes of the liturgical cycle beginning with the Triodion, continuing into Great Lent, through Holy Week and concluding with Holy Pascha.  A team of volunteer teachers will engage students with lessons, activities, and service projects. 

This program will take place live via Zoom.  High school and college students will participate as mentors and activity leaders.  

The program dates are February 21st through Friday, April 30th.  Virtual classes will meet each Sunday at 12:30 for approximately one hour (slightly less for younger students). The final meeting will take place on Great and Holy Friday (April 30th).   

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.  The registration deadline is Friday, February 5.
Please contact Program Coordinator Maria Tangalos with any questions: mariatangalos@gmail.com

Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute Vasilopita Cutting

His Eminence Metropolitan Tarasios of Rhodopolis, Director of Patriarch Athenagoras Institute, cordially invites Hierarchs, Priests, Past and Present Members of the PAOI Board, Past and Present UC Berkeley OCF students and all Orthodox faithful to the Traditional Vasilopita prayers and celebration.

The Vasilopita will be offered Tuesday, January 19th at 6:30 PM and be live streamed from St. Demetrios Chapel at the PAOI.

To join use the Zoom ID: 914 8007 8000

New Beginning Greek Class for Adults

Thank you very much for your interest for the Greek language!

The new Beginners class will be offered remotely over Zoom from 6:30 - 8:00 PM on Tuesdays. A Thursday class may be added if there are more than 7 students per class. The textbook for the course will be Modern Greek (Νέα Ελληνικά) by Papaloizos. If you are interested in enrolling please contact Efy Kokkinidou via email and indicate which day (Tuesday or Thursday) you prefer.

To enroll for the course please complete the registration form, and send payment to our church office. The text book is available for purchase in the church office and the tuition for the semester is $500. Following registration you will receive the zoom number so you will attend the class.

We look forward to seeing you in class soon!

Eftychia and Alexandros Kokkinidou

An International Christmas Concert Encore

An International Christmas Concert Encore

See's Candy and Tsoureki Available through Philoptochos

Two Great Ways to Support our Philoptochos and Show Your Appreciation for Your Loved Ones

See’s Candy

It’s time for our annual See’s Candies fundraiser. These are a perfect hostess/teacher gift or
Christmas gift for all the special children in your life. Help support Ascension Philoptochos while treating those you care about!

Choose from one of the two items to the left. Both boxes are $8.00 each.

Immediate curbside pick-up or delivery available. Quantities are limited – order today!
Please contact Zoe Vlahiotis at (925)286-6749 or sweetpeazoev@yahoo.com, or Maria Delvizis at (925)413-5226 or mpdelvizis@hotmail.com to make arrangements.

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TSOUREKI FOR CHRISTMAS

Ascension Philoptochos is taking orders for Christmas Tsoureki  made by Glyka Sweets. Please place your order by Friday, December 18th.

To order Call Jane Silva at 925-376-6049 or via at email greeknoule@yahoo.com

Tsoureki is $15.00 each      

Payable to: Ascension Philoptochos

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Philoptochos Christmas Poinsettias

This Nativity Season help decorate our Cathedral, remember your loved ones and assist those in need by donating a poinsettia. You can participate by make a donation of any amount. The funds you donate help cover the cost of the poinsettias and helps the poor in our community. We will be accepting donations through Christmas Eve.

Please click the link to the right to submit names of your loved ones so that they can be remembered by our priests during the Divine Services for Christmas and Epiphany.

Donations can be offered via check or through our parish Venmo account (@ascension-cathedral) noting Poinsettias, or please make checks payable to Ascension Philoptochos, noting Poinsettias in the memo and mail to:

Ascension Philoptochos

4700 Lincoln Ave

Oakland, CA 94602

Virtual Parish General Assembly December 13th

Dear Members of Ascension Cathedral, 

The Regular Parish Assembly is scheduled for December 13, 2020 after Divine Liturgy, at 1:00 pm. 

Due to Covid-19 restrictions this will be held via ZOOM only. If you would like to participate in the General Assembly meeting, please click the link and register. You will be emailed the link for the Zoom, 24 hours before the meeting. As a reminder, only members in good standing are eligible to participate. 

If you are receiving this via mail, please email Cathy@groca.org to register. Your attendance and thoughtful input is kindly requested. 

AGENDA 

1. Call to Order and Invocation 

2. Election of Parish Assembly Chairman and Parliamentarian 

3. Approval of Minutes of Parish Assembly meeting held on December 8, 2019 4. Priest’s Report 

5. President’s Report 

6. Financial Report 

7. Budget 2021 (enclosed with mailing) 

8. New Business 

a. Clergy Pension Resolution 

9. Adjournment

Anastasios G Konstantin, Parish Council President

Athanasia Yfantis, Parish Council Secretary

2nd Annual Angel Tree

“Hope for the Holidays”

The Ascension Dance Ministry invites you to help light up the lives of families less fortunate, by providing gifts for some families in local shelters. We teamed up with FESCO (Family Emergency Shelter Coalition) who helps support homeless families and move them from crisis to stability.  Through FESCO,  we were given two families. Both are single mothers with 2 children who are trying to get back on their feet. Our goal is to try and provide 4-5 gifts for each person. 

If you would like to participate, simply sign up for one or more of the gifts on our SignUpGenius. Please return wrapped and labeled gifts to the church by Friday, December 11. If it is more convenient to drop off in Castro Valley or Lafayette, we can also arrange that, just let us know.

For questions, please contact:
Maria Woods at 925-408-6300 or
Athanasia Yfantis at 510-913-6118 

Merry Christmas and God Bless!

Philoptochos Christmas Fundraiser

Dear Philoptochos Society and Ascension Community,

The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society is a non-profit organization affiliated to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. It is one of the largest Christian women's philanthropic organizations in America. The word Philoptochos means friend of the needy. Since its inception, the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society has embodied and exemplified Christian stewardship in every area of its involvement. 

Please join us for our one-and-only Christmas fundraiser! This is a cause that is very special to us, since it benefits needy students in MDUSD! Mount Diablo Unified School District includes the cities of Walnut Creek, Concord, Martinez and Bay Point. We are asking for monetary donations from $1 - $25 to help our Homeless Outreach Program for Education (HOPE) students have a special, warm and safe holiday season.  

There are two ways to donate. You may give any amount directly to our Ascension Venmo: @Ascension-Cathedral account, and we will purchase gift cards and deliver on December 4. Please clearly note “HOPE” or “Philoptochos.” Alternately, you may drop off or mail a gift card to Ascension Cathedral, c/o Zoe Vlahiotis from the stores below by December 3rd and we will personally deliver them the next day. The HOPE program is requesting gift cards from the following places where kids can purchase something just for themselves: Target, Walmart, 99cents, Dollar Tree, Old Navy, GAP, or any Fast Food Restaurants. Please give in denominations of $25, with the amount clearly marked on the cards with a Sharpie so recipients know how much is available for them to spend. Please make any donations by December 3, since we need to deliver December 4.

If you need any additional information, please feel free to call or email me.  Thank you for helping us help kids in MDUSD! We appreciate your love and support! Merry Christmas to you and your families!

Sincerely,

Zoe Vlahiotis, President of Philoptochos

sweetpeazoev@yahoo.com

Virtual Bay Area GOYA "Lock-In" 12/4 and 12/5

GOYAns and GOYA Parents,

Join us for the Virtual Bay Area GOYA "Lock-In" on Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5! Get excited for a weekend of fun virtual gatherings, and a surprise "Take-Home Kit"! This is open to all 6th - 12th graders. Please register by Sunday, November 29th!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2020
7:00-8:30 PM via Zoom, VIRTUAL
-Akathist of Thanksgiving
-Cookie Decorating Contest

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2020

3:00-4:30 PM via Zoom, VIRTUAL

-Games - Family Feud or Among Us
-Discussion

To be followed by Camp-Style Vespers for St. Nicholas

WEBSITE WITH MORE INFORMATION: CLICK HERE

REGISTER: CLICK HERE

It's completely FREE! When you register you will get access to the Zoom meetings and also be registered for a take-home kit for the retreat. Please register by Sunday, November 29th!

PICK UP YOUR "TAKE-HOME KIT":

Pick up your retreat kit at Ascension Cathedral in Oakland on Wednesday, December 2nd or Thursday, December 3rd from 3-5 PM. If you can't make it, just let Anna Teodosiadis or Fr. Nick Mueller know, and we will make arrangements for you.

SIGN UP TO HELP CHANT OR READ DURING THE SERVICES:

This is optional. You can just follow along, or sign up to help chant or read.

-Akathist of Thanksgiving (Friday, Dec 4) Sign up: CLICK HERE

-Vespers of St. Nicholas (Saturday, Dec 5) Sign up: CLICK HERE

QUESTIONS? PLEASE EMAIL:

Anna Teodosiadis: anna.t@cvresurrection.org

Fr. Nick Mueller: frnickm@groca.org

MAKE A DONATION:
We ask that you prayerfully consider a donation to our Church. Donations can be made via Venmo @ascension-cathedral or via check. Please note GOYA Lock-In in your donation. Thank you, be well and God bless you and your family.

Ascension Cathedral Returns to Outdoor Services Sunday 11/22

Sunday services will be held outdoors on Sunday, November 22nd as per Alameda County Guidelines. Please dress warm as we are now approaching the winter season. We will continue having one service starting inside for the live streaming that starts at 8:30am. If you would like to attend live outdoor services on Sunday, that service starts at 10am and finishes by 11:30am.

Please make sure to reserve a spot each week before attending via the instructions below. To comply with county guidelines we are limiting attendance to 80 parishioners, practicing social distancing, and wearing face coverings.

To attend you must reserve your spot using the following link: Reserve your spot for Sunday
Once you fill out the form, you will receive an email confirmation that you are registered. We are also accepting phone call reservations at 510-531-3400, however we encourage you to use the reservation form. Please make your reservations by 4:00 pm Thursday, November 19th.

Your health and safety as well as your spiritual health is our top priority, all the steps we are taking are in consideration of your well being. If you are not feeling well or have health conditions that make you more vulnerable, we ask you to continue to enjoy services from home via the live streaming.

Please click the link for more information about what to expect on Sunday as well as the list of questions you will be asked when you come.

Ascension Cathedral Reopens for Indoor Services

Great news! We are excited to announce the re-reopening of the Cathedral!!!  In accordance with the most recent Alameda County update from last week, we can once again assemble for worship in the Cathedral with a limited capacity. We will continue with our reservation process which is now open for this Sunday, November 1st.

Please make sure to reserve a spot each week before attending via the instructions below. To comply with county guidelines we are limiting attendance to 80 parishioners, practicing social distancing, and wearing face coverings. 

To attend you must reserve your spot using the following link: Reserve your spot for this Sunday Once you fill out the form, you will receive an email confirmation that you are registered.  We are also accepting phone call reservations at 510-531-3400, however we encourage you to use the reservation form. Please make your reservations by 4:00 pm Thursday, October 29th. 

Your health and safety as well as your spiritual health is our top priority, all the steps we are taking are in consideration of your well being.  If you are not feeling well or have health conditions that make you more vulnerable, we ask you to continue to enjoy services from home via the live streaming. 

Please click the link for more information about what to expect on Sunday as well as the list of questions you will be asked when you come.
 

Great Vespers at PAOI for St. Demetrios the Great Martyr and Myrrh-Streamer

God-Appointed Hierarchs, Reverend Clergy, Beloved Stewards of Ascension Cathedral,

His Eminence Metropolitan TARASIOS of Rhodopolis, Director of the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute (PAOI), cordially invites you to Great Vespers for St. Demetrios the Great Martyr and Myrrh-Streamer on Tuesday, October 27th at 6 PM. The Great Vespers will be broadcast over Zoom (please use Zoom code 917 0584 2601) to join.

His Eminence would especially like to invite the young adults and young professionals of our community and beyond. For many years, the PAOI has offered a unique ministry for young adults through their Orthodox Campus Fellowship ministry. Meeting on Tuesday evenings during the academic year, this ministry offers PAOI and UC Berkeley students the opportunity to attend Divine Liturgy at the St. Demetrios Chapel, dinner, and a discussion lead by His Eminence Metropolitan TARASIOS, clergy, faculty and other guest speakers.

The PAOI is a member of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. It is directly under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The PAOI represents the various canonical Orthodox Christian jurisdictions in the country and educates, promotes, and sustains Orthodox traditions, values, teachings, and culture.

We offer our continued prayers for the ministry of the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute, His Eminence Metropolitan TARASIOS, and its faculty, staff and students as they celebrate their feast day! 

Fr. James Kumarelas Virtual Reception

Please join the Parish Council on Sunday November 1st between 3-4 PM for a virtual celebration in honor of Fr. James Kumarelas. This will be an opportunity for our community to congratulate him on his ordination to the Holy Priesthood. Attached is the zoom link to join us! 
 
Since we could not have an in-person reception as a community, we are sending gifts and other surprises in advance for Fr. James and Presbytera Vasso to open.  If you have a card or small gift you can send them to the church before October 29th and we will forward to them in advance of the reception.   
 
We also have another opportunity for you to send your love to Fr. James and Presbytera Vasso through a virtual message board called VidHug. We’re encouraging you to record a (30 second) video on your computer, smartphone, or tablet.  To send a congratulatory message, click this link and to be a part of this video montage.  We will play the video montage during the reception.
 
Contact JD Woods (925.408.6400) if you have any questions.   

Fr. James was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on Sunday, October 11th.

New Series: 8 Dates for Young Married and Engaged Couples

ATTENTION YOUNG MARRIED & ENGAGED COUPLES:

The Metropolis of San Francisco is excited to launch their new fall/winter series for Orthodox Young Married & Engaged Couples!

Join us twice a month beginning October 15 for this wonderful series which is based on John Gottman's book, "8 Dates: Essential Conversations for a Lifetime of Love". This complimentary series will be led by our Metropolis Family Wellness Ministry Team, and will be a beautiful way to strengthen your commitment to one another and to God.

Save the dates, and see you soon!

AXIOS! Ordination of Demetrios "James" Kumarelas / No Outdoor Liturgy this Week

“Make him worthy to practice according to Your Will his degree conferred upon him, by Your goodness; for those who minister well, prepare themselves for good reward; and proclaim him Your perfect servant….”

From the Prayers of the Ordination to the Holy Diaconate

Reverend Clergy, Honorable Parish Council Members, and Beloved Stewards,

It is our joy and honor to announce that respectively, on Saturday, October 10th and Sunday, October 11th, Mr. Demetrios "James" Kumarelas will be ordained to the Holy Diaconate and Holy Priesthood by the laying on of hands and invocation of the Holy Spirit by His Eminence Metropolitan GERASIMOS of San Francisco. Axios! Worthy! 

On behalf of the Kumarelas family we ask for your prayers as he prepares to enter the Holy Priesthood. Of course, we know James’ love for Christ and His Church firsthand as he has served in our community many capacities. He has set a humble example to all through his faith and dedication to Christ. Our prayers are with James and Vasso as they begin this new chapter in ministry with Rev. Fr. Photios Dumont at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Seattle, Washington as an assistant priest.

On hearing such news, our natural response is to celebrate, to offer our thanks and to participate in the joy and honor of this ordination. In accordance with our Tradition, an ordination is the affirmation and confirmation not only of one’s personal calling the priesthood, but also an expression of the love, support and endorsement of the clergy and the laity. 

However, we sorrowfully announce that, out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with local and state health guidelines, there will be no in-person attendance to divine services this weekend. Additionally, there will be no outdoor Divine Liturgy on Sunday, October 11th. Therefore, we ask that you continue to pray for James and Vasso that our good God may grant unto them a pure and blameless ministry. We encourage you to join the services which will be streamed through our regular channels: our parish website, Facebook and Youtube.

We look forward to welcoming the Kumarelas family back when we are able to fully celebrate this occasion, ask for God’s every blessing on them as they begin their ministry, and look forward to worshipping together again as a community in the coming weeks. 

In Christ,

Fr. Tom