Parish Council

Parish Council Members (formerly Key Holder) represent their Parish. Parish Council Members are on the front lines and are able to have a long-term positive effect on their Parish. Represent Christ in all aspects of life.

Let us hear from you

Your Parish Council members are always available to hear your concerns, and questions. When there is anything with which we may assist you with, please reach out via telephone or email to any of us. Please leave a message, and we will return your call:

President Bill Anastopoulos  bill[at]anastopoulos.com  520-299-4878	Vice-President Steve Stratigouleas  axiosstrat[at]gmail.com  520-990-3790	Secretary Vasiliki Kyriakakis  songcat[at]hotmail.com  520-241-4682	Treasurer Marcy H. Murray  mahmurray[at]gmail.com  520-850-3251
Connie K. Anastopoulos	404-694-2765	conniekollias[at]yahoo.com
Kelly Aspiotis	520-245-0389	aspiotiskelly[at]gmail.com
Mark Cutler	406-521-0292	Dimarcusa[at]msn.com
Eugene Lauria	><>'	eflauria[at]gmail.com
Aleksandra Maric	520-306-0196	vera20007[at]gmail.com
Themis Tokkaris	520-495-9256	themis.tokkaris[at]gmail.com
Connie Walker	520-331-2448	connie.walker[at]noirlab.edu

 

Setting An Example

The duties of a parish council, member services and participation in the sacramental Church, "....thereby setting an example for the parish." To set an example for the parish will require that, we overcome the stereotype of the parish council member who is rarely seen in church. It is easy to be like Martha -- Jesus, the son of God came to dinner, and Martha spent the entire time in the kitchen, "anxious and troubled about many things."

A Commitment to Serve

In the Oath of Office, the parish council members affirm that they "will fulfill faithfully and sincerely the duties and obligations required of a member of the Parish Council. A promise is made which rests on the shared commitment of all the Council members to serve the Church, which is the body of Christ on Earth. We are His hands, feet, eyes ND more. To serve on the council is a Ministry and a mission. We are called to use the gifts with which we have been blessed to carry out the work of the Church.

Mission Of The Parish Council

The mission of the parish as defined in the Uniform Parish Regulations - and therefore the mission of the Parish Council - is "...to keep, practice and proclaim the Orthodox Christian Faith pure and undefiled."

In the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the Rich Man walked by poor Lazarus every day. The Rich Man didn't hate Lazarus - he just ignored him, committing the sin of indifference.

The opposite of love is not hate. The opposite of love is indifference. We have been blessed with great treasures of the faith and Lazarus lies at our gate. Lazarus is the visitor that walks through the doors of our church on Sunday morning. Lazarus is the non-Orthodox spouse. Lazarus is the lapsed Orthodor Christian visiting the parish after a long absence. Like the Rich Man in the parable, we often walk right by without noticing, and they eat from the crumbs that fall from our table.

If we believe that in Orthodory we have the fullness of the Truth, then we have the great responsibility - the Great Commission - to share it with evervone. As Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of ALL nations - EIL MANTA TA EONH.

Ambassadors Of Faith

For non-Orthodox as well as for inactive Orthodor Christians, entering an Orthodox church can be a veiv uncomfortable, intimidating exper-ience. Research has shown that nonbelievers attend church at least once each year, and when they attend, they are profoundly affected by their first impressions.

It is also important to note that the percentage of Greek Orthodox Christians marrying non-Orthodor Christians is in the range of 60-70%. Some priests will tell you that it is closer to 100%. If we don't make Orthodoxy real and accessible to the non-Orthodox spouse, then eventually we will lose the couple and their children.

Often the first person our visitors see is a member of the parish council. Reaching out to those who enter our doors with a handshake, a greeting and a welcoming smile could be the most important missionary work we do. Simply put -- friendliness has eternal implications. Unless people see in us the light and the love of Christ, they will not believe.

Suitable Candidates

Parishioners are often nominated as candidates for the Parish Council because of their education, business experience or legal background. The best parish council members are not necessarilv those who are business-oriented, but rather, those who are Church-oriented and Christ-centered. To be a good council member, one must be active in the worship and sacramental life of the Church. The best candidates are easy to find - they are in church.

We Are Conciliar

The Priest is head of the Parish, and is charged with the guidance of the total Parish program. The parish council consists of the Priest, and the elected lay members, and is referred to as a board only when so required by local statute. In internal matters of the Church, we always use the designation of Parish Council. This is because one of the identifying traits of the Orthodox Church is that we are conciliar decisions are made in council.

To refer to the Parish Council as "The Board" is a symptom of our inclination to apply the corporate paradigm to the operation of the Church. Although some tools used in corporate life may also be useful in the operation of the Church, the corporate paradigm falls short and reduces the local church to something less than she was meant to be.

The Parish Council is a Ministry Brochure      Archdiocese - Parish Council Training Video Series

Parish Council Meetings are virtually every third Tuesday 6PM MST; on Zoom. Refer to the Calendar