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T h e Mo n t h ly Bu l le t i n o f t he G r ee k O r th o dox C hu rc h of th e A s s um p t i o n
Volume 19, Issue 12
December, 2014
GREEK ORTHODOX
CHURCH
OF THE ASSUMPTION
1804 13th AVENUE
SEATTLE, WA 98122
Rev. Fr. Dean Kouldukis
Rev. Fr. Michael Johnson
Altar Servers
Nick Cosmakos
(425) 742-2308
Camp Agape NW
Kristina Mehas
(206) 232-8690
Parish Office Hours
Chanters
Evangelos Pampoukas
(206) 246-7573
M-TH 10:30 am - 5:30 pm
Telephone 206-323-8557
assumptionseattle.org
Choir
Chris Kouldukis
(425) 691-7610
Parish Office Manager
Jillian Chandler
206-323-8557
parishoffice@
assumptionseattle.org
Greek Dance Groups
Voula Xenos
(206) 784-7644
Parish Office Bookkeeper
Gina Nunan
Parish Accounting Office
206-323-7230
Church School
Rachael Pamboukas
(425) 432-2786
accounting@
assumptionseattle.org
St. Catherine
Philoptochos
Kristina Mehas
(206) 232-8690
Parish Events Manager
Corinda LeClair
(206) 432-1801
Parish Council
Penny Peppes, President
(425) 823-3031
Parish Treasurer
Demetrios Geokezas
(206) 617-4716
Assumption Bookstore
Leslie Scott
(206) 232-4597
Fellowship Hour
Ingrid Papahronis
(206) 932-8085
Today, the Virgin bears Him who is transcendent, and the earth presents the cave to
Him who is beyond reach. Angels, along with
shepherds glorify Him. The Magi make their
way to Him by a star. For a new child has
been born for us, the God before all ages.
St. John the Almsgiver
Basil Papahronis
(206) 923-0449
Stewardship
Nick Cosmakos
(425) 742-2308
Youth Ministry
Fr. Michael Johnson
(206) 420-1728
YOPOS
Steven Miller
(406) 696-0057
WITH THANKSGIVING
by Rev. Father Michael Courey
T
hanksgiving Day is my favorite national holiday. I
love Thanksgiving because its seems to me to be
the only holiday that has not become over commercialized, nor has our society, for the most part, lost the
meaning or the purpose of this day. Even the popularity of football during this season cannot compete with
the power of people gathered together to give thanks to
God for the abundance of the blessing He has bestowed
upon us.
Recently, in social media, there has been a challenge
that I have enjoyed watching develop. The challenge is
to post your favorite Bible verse. For me this first chalFR. MICHAEL COUREY
lenge is quite difficult, because there are so many verses in the Bible that I love, and so to pick a favorite one
is a difficult task. If, however, I may take the liberty to
St. Katherine Greek Orthodox
modify this challenge to my favorite Bible verse for the
Church – Redondo Beach, CA.
month of November, or to narrow the scope down even
further, for the feast of Thanksgiving, the task becomes
quite simple. My choice is Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by
prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
This verse is part of a greater passage read every year in
the Orthodox Church on Palm Sunday (Philippians 4:4-9),
and is one of my all-time favorite Bible passages: “Rejoice
in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be
anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made
known to God: and the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,
whatever things are noble, whatever things are just,
whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely,
whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue
and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these
things. The things which you learned and received and
heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will
be with you.”
I have been making a conscious effort to make every morning a type of Thanksgiving
Day. In my private prayers and meditations I speak to God and thank Him for the wonderful outpouring of grace that I have received from Him. I thank Him for the family and
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2
THE GOOD NEWS - DECEMBER 2014
friends He has blessed be with. Finally, I thank Him for the challenges and difficulties that
He has allowed me to experience in my life, for through every trial and tribulation, He has
never left me nor forsaken me, and for this I am eternally grateful. May we give thanks to
God every Thanksgiving Day, every month, every day, every minute, with every breath that
we take! 
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE TO START AT 4:30 PM
T
he Liturgy we celebrate in our Orthodox Church on Christmas Eve actually starts with
Vespers, which is an evening service. This year, we are returning to a more ancient
practice by starting Liturgy just after the early winter sunset. This beautiful service includes
seven Old Testament readings that prepare us to understand the real meaning of Christmas. We hope our GOYA kids will volunteer to read them. The service ends with the placing
of the Christmas icon at the front of the church. Then the youngest child present (who can
hold a taper) lights a large candle beside the icon, representing the star of Bethlehem. The
service will be over by about 6:30 PM giving our people plenty of time to enjoy Christmas
Eve afterward with family. (Those wishing to receive Communion should fast strictly after
their midday meal.) 
THE GOOD NEWS - VOLUME 19, ISSUE 12
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3
DECEMBER WORSHIP SCHEDULE
8:45 am Matins
  10:00 am Divine Liturgy
  6:00 pm Vespers
Tues., December 2
10:30 am Prayers at the 3rd Hour
Epistle: II Timothy 1:8-18
Gospel: Mark 2:23 - 3:5
Thurs., Dec. 4 / St. Barbara
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Epistle: Galatians 3:23 - 4:5
Gospel: Mark 5:24-34
Tues., December 16
10:30 am Prayers at the 3rd Hour
Sat., Dec. 6 / St. Nicholas
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Epistle: Hebrews 13:17-21
Gospel: Luke 6:17-23
6:00 pm Great Vespers
Sun., Dec. 21 / Sunday before Nativity
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Epistle: Hebrews 11:9-10, 32-40
Gospel: Matthew 1:1-25
Saturday, December 20
6:00 pm Great Vespers
Sun., Dec. 7 / 10th Sunday of Luke
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Epistle: Ephesians 5:8-19
Gospel: Luke 13:10-17
Tues., December 9 / Conception of
the Theotokos
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Epistle: Galatians 4:22-27
Gospel: Luke 8:16-21
Fri., Dec. 12 / St. Spyridon
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Epistle: Ephesians 5:8-19
Gospel: John 10:9-16
Sun., Dec. 14 / 11th Sunday of Luke
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Epistle: Colossians 3:4-11
Gospel: Luke 14:16-24
Mon., Dec. 15 / St. Eleutherios
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
4
Tues., December 23
10:30 am Prayers at the 3rd Hour
Wed., Dec. 24 / Nativity Eve
2:30 pm Royal Hours of Christmas
4:30 pm Vesperal Divine Liturgy
Epistle: Hebrews 1:1-12
Gospel: Luke 2:1-20
Thurs., Dec. 25 / HOLY NATIVITY
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Epistle: Galatians 4:4-7
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12
Fri., Dec. 26 / Synaxis of the Theotokos
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Epistle: Hebrews 2:11-18
Gospel: Matthew 2:13-23
Saturday, December 13
6:00 pm Great Vespers
PAGE

Sat., Dec. 27 / St. Stephen
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Epistle: Acts 6:8-15; 7:1-5, 47-60
Gospel: Matthew 12:15-21
Sun., Dec. 28 / Sunday after Nativity
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Epistle: Galatians 1:11-19
Gospel: Matthew 2:13-23
THE GOOD NEWS - DECEMBER 2014
COMMUNITY DINNER TO FOL-
LOW PASCHA LITURGY
USHERS
&
READERS
Sunday, Dec. 7
HOLIDAY OUTREACH
A
chance for our church family to help a family in
need this Christmas.
Specialist Jesse Heels and his beautiful family and wife
Bethany are facing challenges right now. Dad has done
three tours in Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne as a
helicopter mechanic specialist and has served for over
nine years in our military. He continues to serve and is
in a fairly new marriage with two step children under
the age of six plus they just had a newborn. Dad also
suffers from PTSD. They live meagerly at Fort Lewis
and are in need of help this season.
We currently have a Giving Tree set up in the hall with
gift ideas for this family’s needs. Please take a card
and bring it back with your gift by Sunday, Dec. 21st.
Anything you can do will be greatly appreciated.
Some ideas on the tree include:
 Safeway gift cards
 Target gift cards
 McDonalds gift cards
 Diapers for a girl aged 6 mos: size 1 x 6
 Toys for girls ages 2 & 5
 Disney or Family Movies
 Cozy snuggling blanket for the family
Girls: Board books age 2 (x4), Books for age 5
(x4), Christmas Books, Children’s board Bible
books, puzzles, board games (x2), color forms, dress
up stuff (x2), play jewelry. 
THE GOOD NEWS - VOLUME 19, ISSUE 12
Ushers: Ron Delarose,
Demetrios Geokezas &
Gus Mehas
Close: Ron Delarose
Reader: Christopher
Sayles
Sunday, Dec. 14
Ushers: Niko Pamboukas,
Penny Peppes &
Leslie Scott
Close: Demetrios
Geokezas
Reader: Straton
Spyropoulos
Sunday, Dec. 21
Ushers: John Prekeges,
Girma Bulbula &
Ron Delarose
Close: Gus Mehas
Reader: Stephanie
Stafford
Sunday, Dec. 28
Ushers: Demetrios
Geokezas, Gus Mehas &
Niko Pamboukas
Close: Steven Miller
Reader: Sophia Watson
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5
DOLLAR-A-DAY PROGRAM
I
want to thank everyone who has signed up for our Dollar A Day loan servicing plan.
As discussed at our General Assembly, we need more families to participate. With more
people giving to the Dollar A Day, we will be able to use our parking revenue to off-set the
deficit in our yearly budget. Without it, our budget cannot be balanced. If you haven't
signed up yet for the Dollar A Day program, please call Gina in the bookkeeping office at
(206) 323-7230 and let her know you can participate. 
Penny Peppes
Parish Council President
ANDERSON, Larry & Kate
ANTONAKOS, Jetta
APOSTOLOU, Elias & Stella
ARGERES, Peter & Diana
ATHAN, Steve & Anna
ATHANS, Eleni & Geo. Bariames
BARBAS, E. Anthe
BARTON, Roger & Mary Lou
BASS, Steve & Stella
BENIS, Helen
BRATSANOS, James & Leslie
BRATSANOS, Steve & Rose
BUEHRER, Lee & Florence
CAVE, Robert 
CHACHARON, Alex
CHARONI, Tim & Rene
CHRISTOU, Ted & Barbara
CONOM, Madeline
COSTACOS, Jerry & Eva
DELAROSE, Ron & Teresa
DELIMITROS, Katherine
DENOS, Thalia
DIAFOS, Pauli
DIMITRIOU, Ted & Kiki
DURHAM, Patrick & Margarita
ECONOMOU, Christina & Gene Kneeland
EVANS, Jr., Peter & Anna
FARMER, Joanna
FIDLER, William & Alia
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6
FLY, Larry
FRANGOS, Christian
FRANGOS, Olivia
FRANKS, John & Athanasia
GEOKEZAS, Demetrios & Eryn
GEOKEZAS, Meletios & Theodora
GIANETSAS, Xenia
GIBBONS, Nick & Maria
GRAY, James & Andrea
GREENE, Marke & Angela
HOWE, William & Maro
HULBERT, Mike & Jodie
ILES, Catherine
ILIAKIS, Bernardino & Pinar
INNIS, Connie
JEWELL, Emily
KAZAKOS, Georgia
KEHAYES, Naya & Philip Head
KOHNKE, Ioanna
KOKKONIS, Nick & Jennifer
KOUKOUSOULA, Ourania
KOULDUKIS, Fr. Dean & Pres. Val
LAZAROU, Christina
LIVIAKIS, Lea & Sam Nadler
LOTAKIS, Greg
LOTAKIS, Paul & Michele
LUCAS, Greta
MEHAS, Gus & Kristina
MESAGNO, Nicholas & Carolyn
MILLER, Steven
MITCHELL, Cameron & Sofie
MOORE, Georgia
NICKOLAS, Nick
O’NEIL, Katie
PAMBOUKAS, Chris & Glyka
PAMBOUKAS, Niko & Sonia
PAMPOUKAS, Evangelos & Tasoula
PAPAHRONIS, Michael & Ingrid
PEPPES, George & Penny
PIERIDES, Voula
PISHUE, James & Lisa Roberts
POLIMANAKOS, Vasilios & Carole 
RITCHIE, Joe & Natalie
ROGERS, Alexandra
SARANTINOS, George & Athena
SCOTT, Leslie Sophia
SIATERLIS, Dimitrios & Christina
SMETHERAM, Sofia
ST. CATHERINE PHILOPTOCHOS
STAFFORD, Stephanie Pulakis
TEKLE, Selam & Amanuel Abraha
THOMPSON, Charles & Niki
TZIOTIS, Yiannis & Katerina
XYDIS, John & Janice
ZANIDES, Frances
ZARKADES, Joanne
THE GOOD NEWS - DECEMBER 2014
COMMUNITY DINNER TO FOL-
AIGNER, Rob & Tina Pappas
ALEX, Rev. Dn. Peter & Catherine
ALEXANDROPOULOU, Maria
ALLAMANO, Eugene & Ann
ANDERSON, Larry & Kate
ANDREWS, Rothopi
APOSTOLOU, Elias & Stella
APOSTOLOU, K.G. & Kostoula
ARGERES, Peter & Diana
ARGUE, Cliff & Theodora
ATHAN, Steve & Anna
ATHANS, Eleni & George Bariames
ATHANS, Emmanuel
ATHANS, John & Stella
ATTIAS, Anna
AVGERIS, Christine
BARBACHAN, Hugo & Popee
BARBAS, E. Anthe
BAROKAS, Marie
BAROKAS, Vasso
BARTON, Roger & Mary Lou
BASS, Steve & Stella
BEKRIS, Chris & Diamando
BEKRIS, Fr. Nicolas & Pres. Stella
BENIS, Chris & Penny
BENIS, Helen
BLACKSTONE, Cleo
BLACKWELL, Neena
BRANNIAN, James 
BRATSANOS, James & Leslie
BRATSANOS, Steve & Rose
BUEHRER, Lee & Florence
BUELL, Keith & Maria
BULBULA, Girma & Alemitu Wakene
BURKE, Mark & Maria
CARDARAS, Vlasios & Voula
CARDARAS, Yianni
CASTAS, Nick
CAVE, Robert 
CHACHARON, Alex
CHACHARON, Andrew
CHACHARON, Claire
CHARONI, Alex
CHARONI, Nancy
CHARONI, Tim & Rene
CHRISTOFILIS, Asimas & Dora
CHRISTOU, Ted & Barbara
CONOM, Madeline
LOW PASCHA LITURGY
COOLIDGE, Trilby
CORTES-JOHNSON, Alexia
COSMAKOS, Nick & Cheryl
COSTACOS, Constantine & Terry
COSTACOS, Jerry & Eva
COZZA, Bernardo & Michelle
CUMMINS, John
DELAROSE, Ron & Teresa
DELIMITROS, Katherine
DEMENEGAS, Emmanual & Sapfo
DENNIS, Ryan & Demetra
DENOS, Thalia
DERDEVANI, Maria
DIAFOS, Pauli
DIAMOND, Maria
DIAMOND, Nitsa
DIEL, Angeliki
DIMITRIOU, Ted & Kiki
DIMOS, Gabriella
DODD, Voula
DURHAM, Patrick & Margarita
ECONOMOU, Christina & Gene Kneeland
EMMONS, Tom & Nancy
ESTEP, Charles & Lina
EVANS, Jr., Peter & Anna
EXARHOS, Helen & Arianna
FARMASONIS, Petros & C.R.
FARMER, Joanna
FIDLER, William & Alia
FLY, Larry
FOURNARAKIS, Bill
FRAGGIAS, Efthemia
FRANGOS, Christian
FRANGOS, Olivia
FRANKS, John & Athanasia
GABRIEL, Laura & Tim O’Donnell
GELLER, Michael  & Carolyn
GEOKEZAS, Demetrios & Eryn
GEOKEZAS, Maria & David Howard
GEOKEZAS, Meletios & Theodora
GEORGE, Nicholas
GEORGES, Helen
GIANETSAS, Xenia
GIBBONS, Nick & Maria
GOULOUMI, Dora Roula
GOVETAS, Eleni
GRAY, James & Andrea
GREENE, Marke & Angela
THE GOOD NEWS - VOLUME 19, ISSUE 12
HADJIMICHALAKIS, Michael
HENRY, Eleni
HEUER, Helen
HOWE, William & Maro
HOWER, Rob & Kiki
HULBERT, Mike & Jodie
HUNT, Christopher & Cheryl
HUNT, Kelsey
HUNT, Madeleine
ILES, Catherine
ILIAKIS, Bernardino & Pinar
INNIS, Connie
JANJIC, Barbara
JEWELL, Gavin & Emily
JOHN, Maggie
JONES, Duane & Despina Crocou
KALASOUNTAS, Helen
KARIS, Terry & Anna
KAVADAS, Janet
KAZAKOS, Georgia
KEHAYES, Naya & Philip Head
KEICH, Karl & Erica
KLAPAKI, Nektaria
KOEMAN, Constantijn
KOEMAN, Henriecus & Heleni
KOHNKE, Ioanna
KOKKONIS, Nick & Jennifer
KOLIOS, Alexandre & Leta
KOSTAKIS, Constantine & Ann
KOULDUKIS, Fr. Dean & Pres. Valerie
KOULDUKIS, William & Betty
KOURTIS, Angelo & Aphrodite
KOUTROULIS, Stavros & Leslie
LACKIE, Randy & Athena
LARIMER, Robert & Billie
LAZAROU, George & Christina
LEE, Nancy
LEMONIDIS, Daniel & SaNni
LENES, George & Rita
LENTGIS, Dean & Kathleen
LEONIDAS, Diane
LIMANTZAKIS, Johnette
LINARDOS, Jim & Jan
LING, Maria
LIPPMAN, Margeaux & Jonah Hoskins
LIVIAKIS, Lea & Sam Nadler
LORD, Timothy & Debby
LOTAKIS, Greg

PAGE
7
( continued )
LOTAKIS, Paul & Michele
LUCAS, Dean
LUCAS, Greta
LUCAS, Ida
LUCAS, Maria
MACRIS, Eugenia
MALLOS, Christine
MALLOS, Steve & Sophia
MANAOIS, Collin & Demetra
MANN, Philip & Andrea
MANOLIDES, Andrew & Anastasia
MANOLIDES, Nancy
MANOLIDES, Steven
MANZIERIS, Chris & Kathy
McCARTY, Vasilki
McMillan, Michael & Elizabeth
MEHAS, Gus & Kristina
MERCOURIADIS, Pipena
MESAGNO, Nicholas & Carolyn
MICHAELIDIS, Michael & Elaine
MINADAKIS, Irene
MITALAS, Panayiota
MITCHELL, Cameron & Sofie
MOORE, Georgia
MORRIS, James & Vickie
NATSIOPOULOS, Elias & Nancy
NEWTSON, Michael
NICKOLAS, Nick
NICON, John & Joann
OHMER, Ronald & Jennifer
OJEDA, Ted & Vicky
O’NEIL, Katie
OSBON, Joymarie
PAMBOUKAS, Chris & Glyka
PAMBOUKAS, Kosta
PAMBOUKAS, Niko & Rachael
PAMBOUKAS, Niko & Sonia
PAMPOUKAS, Evangelos & Tasoula
PANAGAKIS, Alice
PANTAGES, Tarsi
PAPADIMITRIOU, Mihail
PAPADOPOULOS, Erasmia
PAPAHRONIS, Basil
PAPAHRONIS, Michael & Ingrid
PAPANDREW, David & Karen
PAPANICOLAOU, Stathis & Joanna
PAPANTOS, Spero & Tina
PAGE
8
PAPPAS, Christina
PAPPAS, George & Ann
PARALIS, Panagiotis & Asimo
PAVLOS, George & Pam
PEPPES, George & Penny
PEPPES, Steve & Popi
PERLMAN, Brian & Jamie
PIERIDES, Voula
PISHUE, James & Lisa Roberts
PLUMIS, Paul & Pam
POLIMENAKOS, Peter
POLIMENAKOS, Vasilios & Carole 
POPOVICH-SCHMIDT, Boyanne
POULOS, Pete
PREKEGES, Jr., John
PULAKIS, Joanna
RAKUS, Anna
RAKUS, Tom
RIGOPOULOS, James & Marianne
RITCHIE, Joe & Natalie
ROGERS, Alexandra
RONDOS, Sam
SABATH, David & Dalia
SARANTINOS, George & Athena
SAVVIDES, Spiro & Katherine
SAYLES, Katerina
SCOTT, Leslie Sophia
SEBOK, Evangelia
SERPANOS, George & Meropi
SIATERLIS, Dimitrios & Christina
SIDERIS, Panagiotis & Voula
SIROTKINA, Irina
SKANDALIS, John & Laurie
SKEPETARIS, Evanthia
SKEPETARIS, Tom & Teresa
SMETHERAM, Philip & Carol
SMETHERAM, Sofia
SMITH, Darin & Christina
SOLOMON, Karen
SORENSON, Maria
SOUKAS, George & Ritsa
SOURAPAS, Steve
SPENCER, Melodee
SPOTTS, James
SPYROPOULOS, Straton
STAFFORD, Stephanie Pulakis
STAMATOYANNOPOULOS, Geo.& Thalia
STOCKER, Bill & Georgi
TAGIOS, Constantinos & Sophia
TALERICO, Joyce & Ed
TARLSON, Popi
TAYLOR, Valerie Ann
TEKLE, Selam & Amanuel Abraha
THOMPSON, Charles & Niki
TOLIAS, Christto & Dorothea
TOMASIDES, Chris & Mary
TOURAS, Antonios & Antonia
TRAPALIS, Eleni & Dina
TREMBANIS, Sophia
TRUMAN, Jerry & Adair
TSAKOS, Maria & Ricardo Cervantes
TSALAKY, Magdaline
TSALAKY, Tony
TSCHIDA, Stephanie & Thomas Carns
TSITSIS, Nikolaos & Stacy
TZIOTIS, Dometios
TZIOTIS, Ourania
TZIOTIS, Yiannis & Katerina
VASILATOS, Katheryn & Julia 
WATSON, Rob & Katherine
WEST, Joann
WILSON, David
XENOS, Spiro & Voula
XYDIS, John & Janice
YEAMANS, David & Alysha
ZAFIROPOULOS, John & Andreanna
ZANIDES, Frances
ZARKADES, Joanne
“I am the VINE;
YOU are the
branches.”
THE GOOD NEWS - DECEMBER 2014
BOOKKEEPER’S SUMMARY
GENERAL FUND
OCTOBER
YTD
REVENUE
Oct. Stewardship Collected
$17,224
Other Revenue
10,928
TOTAL REVENUE
28,152
TOTAL EXPENSES
( 40,035 )
NET LOSS
(11,883 )
YTD REVENUE (through 11-20-14)
$356,738
YTD EXPENSES (through 11-20-14)
( 380,726 )
YTD NET LOSS
( $23,988 )
GINA NUNAN
Assumption Bookkeeper
STEWARDSHIP REPORT
Number of Steward Families: 268
2014 Budgeted Stewardship
Stewardship Pledged (through 11-20-14)
Pledges needed to meet Stewardship Goal
$260,000
254,261
5,739
Stewardship Collected (through 11-20-14)
Regular Stewardship
Pre-Paid
$215,863
7,200
Contributions Over Pledge
935
Other
256
Total Stewardship YTD Collected
224,254
Budgeted to Date
231,110
Unpaid Pledged Stewardship Balance
$32,212
THE GOOD NEWS - VOLUME 19, ISSUE 12
PAGE
9
YOUTH & FAMILY EVENTS
St. Nicholas visits an Orthodox home on his feast day
ASSUMPTION FAMILIES TO PREPARE FOR CHRISTMAS
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6th
H
ere’s a chance for you and your kids to prepare together to celebrate the true, spiritual meaning of Christmas. What better time than on St. Nicholas Day? After all, isn’t St.
Nicholas the original Santa Claus? Luckily, this year, his day falls on a Saturday.
We’ll start with Liturgy on December 6th, then enjoy lunch together, and finish off with an
active 90-minute session showing us how Christmas is truly the birth of Christ, the “sun of
righteousness” in the darkness of winter. The whole family will be together some of the
time, but there will also be break-out sessions for grown-ups, teens and younger kids. All
members of our parish family are welcome as well. Families will leave for home with a
greater sense of closeness, plus lots of ideas on how to put Christ into Christmas.
On November 20th, Fr. Dean and Fr. Michael held a “dry run” of the program at church with
Straton Spyropoulos and his daughter, Leone plus Marianne Bratsanos and Trilby Coolidge.
It worked out great. The photos on the following page will give you some idea of how things
will go December 6th...
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10
THE GOOD NEWS - DECEMBER 2014
YOUTH & FAMILY EVENTS
 Leone
and
Straton shared
an opportunity
for kids and
parents to grow
closer by doing
projects together.
 Leone was obviously proud of the finished
product that she and dad completed
together – a votive candle holder, complete
with an icon of St. Nicholas!
 Leone enjoyed getting
advice from Marianne,
who has lots of experience
with projects for kids.
THE GOOD NEWS - VOLUME 19, ISSUE 12
PAGE
11
GOYA
A polio victim in Nigeria is literally lifted up from the dust, to a new life of dignity and hope
“PHOTOS WITH FR. CHRISTMAS” SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7th!
V
isit “Father Christmas” in his colorful “workshop”
upstairs in the hall following church school. Your
professional photo showing yourself and/or family will
be emailed to you in about a week! (If you don’t have
email, you can pick up your photo after Liturgy December 14.) The only charge for the photos is your
cash donation or check made out to “Wheelchairs for
Nigeria." Even if you don’t want a photo, you can still
make a donation!
Any amount is welcome. But remember that a gift of
just $150 could act as “your hand” lifting a polio victim to a new life of hope and human dignity. So far
our parish has raised over $1,000 for this worthy
cause! 
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12
THE GOOD NEWS - DECEMBER 2014
G.O.Y.A.
Assumption Kids join other enthusiastic GOYAns for a Group Photo
O
n the weekend of November 21-23, four of our Assumption kids joined teens from
throughout the region for an unforgettable GOYA retreat at Camp Angelos near Portland, Oregon. Representing our parish were Paulette Argeres, Stefanos Pampoukas, Kassie
Peppes, and Christina Thompson. Steve Miller accompanied them as a young-adult adviser.
Steve filed the following report on the many activities –
Campers shared the experience with other Orthodox teens from the Seattle and Portlandarea churches, and spent the weekend either playing sports—including a muddy game of
football and many a fast-paced contest of "bucket ball"—board games and/or exploring the
lush forests nearby, as well as enjoying a few spontaneous Greek dances.
But the real heart of the weekend were the discussions on choices and financial responsibility. Although the topics were targeted at teens, camp counselor and Assumption YOPOS
member Steve Miller remarked that the themes were very timely and relevant even for
those in their mid-to-late 20s.
The busy Saturday was book-ended by services—Orthros in the morning, with Vespers and
a midnight Divine Liturgy coming later, that served as a fitting closer to an activity-filled,
Christ-centered weekend. 
THE GOOD NEWS - VOLUME 19, ISSUE 12
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13
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14
THE GOOD NEWS - DECEMBER 2014
75th ANNIVERSARY DINNER A SUCCESS!
THANK YOU!
T
he Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 75th Anniversary dinner Saturday evening was a beautiful celebration of our community, past, present and future.
The Church founders and first families were well represented by their descendants, the hall was filled as young
and old gathered together to commemorate "75 Years of
Bearing Witness to God's Kingdom" and honor the sacrifices that were made to establish our Church.
The reception hall was beautifully decorated by the gala
committee who worked together to make the event an
elegant affair. Guests were treated to delicious appetizers hand-crafted by Adair Tsalaky Truman, Jimmy Marinopoulos, Thalia Denos and Kiki Dimitriou. Followed by a
sit-down dinner served by members of the church youth.
Our Young Orthodox Professionals of Seattle (YOPOS)
provided wine service during both the social hour and
dinner. These wonderful young professionals...HOW TO
EXPLAIN WHAT YOPOS IS?
Parish President Penny Peppes presented a program
featuring special speakers; Stephanie Stafford, Jerry
Costacos, Niko Pamboukas and Stephen Peppes, who
shared the church history as well as their own personal
reflections on what the Assumption church has meant to
them.
Following remarks by Fr. Dean Kouldukis, a commemorative video, created by George Peppes, was presented
with images gleaned from 75 years of worship, fellowship and joyous celebrations in the church. Each guest
received a copy as a parting gift.
We would like to thank everyone who attended as well as
those who donated their time, and talents to make this
event possible.
"...our Church and its progress depends on each individual and what they put into it. What spiritual
strength they get from their Church...how much they
are willing to give of themselves." - a Founder
If you were unable to attend, but would like a copy of the
DVD, please contact (Penny Peppes [email protected]). 
THE GOOD NEWS - VOLUME 19, ISSUE 12
Program Speakers
Rev. Father Dean Kouldukis
Penny Peppes, Parish President
Stephanie Stafford
Jerry Costacos
Niko Pamboukas
Stephen Peppes
75th Anniversary Committee
Andrea Gray, Event Chair
Mary Lou Barton
Kiki Dimitriou
Thalia Denos
Paulie Diafos
Katie O'Neil
Penny Peppes
Alexa Iles Skarpelos
Joanne Zarkades
Event Volunteers
Ted Dimitriou
Jule Fayen
Abby Gray
Elizabeth Gray
Matthew Gray
Maro Howe
Michael Howe
Lea Liviakis
Greg Lotakis
Elissa Kouldukis
Christopher Kouldukis
Jimmy Marinopoulos
Steve Miller
Cristina Pappas
George Peppes
Kassie Peppes
Popie Peppes
Stephen Peppes
John Prekeges
Athena Sarantinos
Evan Sarantinos
Diana Skylacos
Christopher Sayles
Adair Tsalaky Truman
Parish Staff
Jillian Chandler
Corinda LeClair
PAGE
15
F
rom February 7 to May 31, 2015 the GreekAmerican Historical Museum of Washington
State will proudly present an exhibit titled “A
Place at the Table: 100 Years of Greek Restaurants, Culture and the Entrepreneurial Spirit.”
The exhibit will be hosted by the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) at South Lake Union in
Seattle, Washington. The exhibit will be held in
the Community Focus Gallery and will include
photos, memorabilia and video segments documenting over 300 restaurants in Washington
State owned or operated by Greeks since the early 1900s. “A Place at the Table” will follow
“Shalom! Open for Business,” the current exhibit of the Washington State Jewish Historical
Society.
As a prelude to the event, MOHAI’s History Café will present holiday stories from the Greek
and Jewish communities on Thursday, December 18. On the third Thursday of every
month discussions on local history are held in the History Café. Each month features a different topic, and history enthusiasts are invited to come together and share what they
know. Waterfront views and delicious treats at the Compass Café encourage lively dialogue. Light fare, coffee or a glass of wine combined with lively presentations make this an
opportunity to share personal histories with each other.
The Greek portion of the evening will feature two holiday traditions. First, Fr. Dean
Kouldukis from Seattle’s Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption will speak on the vasilopita, (St. Basil’s bread) and share pieces with members of the audience. Secondly, under the direction of Yvonne Hunt, children from the Greek community will sing the kalanda,
the holiday carols. It will be an enjoyable and educational evening to which the public is
always invited.
Read more about Greeks in Washington at www.greeksinwashington.org and about MOHAI
and the History Café at www.mohai.org 
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16
THE GOOD NEWS - DECEMBER 2014
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE ALL SAINTS CAMP BOARD
I
s there someone on your Christmas list that has everything? Are you looking for worthy
causes for your end of year donations? Give a donation in a loved one’s honor and help
All Saints Camp with their Christmas Wishes….
$25 – buys a new chair for our Arts & Crafts area. (We need 40 of them!)
$100 – buys a new sink & faucet for the upper cabins
$500 – buys new ceiling fans & installation for the Chapel
Save the Date! Save the Date!
Save the Date! Save the Date!
Saturday, February 7th, 2015
St Demetrios Hall
www.allsaintscamp.com
THE GOOD NEWS - VOLUME 19, ISSUE 12
PAGE
17
PAGE
18
THE GOOD NEWS - DECEMBER 2014
$25.00
PERFECT FOR
HOLIDAY GIFTS
AS A WEDDING GIFT
FOR SPECIAL
OCCASIONS
Available in the
Assumption Bookstore
Contacts:
Mary Lou Barton
[email protected]
Joanne Zarkades
[email protected]
Brought to you by the St. Catherine Philoptochos.
Thank You for your support!
THE GOOD NEWS - VOLUME 19, ISSUE 12
This handsome 264 page
cookbook is filled with authentic, traditional Greek
Recipes and many historical
anecdotes from Seattle’s
Greek mothers and grandmothers. It has a convenient spiral binding allowing
the book to lie flat when
open and includes 241 recipes, illustrated instructions
for handling and folding fillo, cookies, and other foods,
and a glossary describing
ingredients not commonly
found in non-Greek households.
PAGE
19
FELLOWSHIP HOUR
P
lease join us for refreshments after Liturgy. All are welcome.!
“THANK YOU” to our friends and families who hosted a Fellowship Hour in November - you made it
so nice to sit and visit with a friend: St. Catherine Philoptochos; Kritikos Pelagos Chapter of Seattle,
Kostas Kostakis, and the Greek Dance Group Ministry.
Thank you to our friends who have volunteered to host in December and January:


* December 07: The Pamboukas Family
** December 14: Parish Council & Carolyn Mesagno for OCMC (Missions Food &


** December 21: All Saints Camp
December 28: Stella & Louie Apostolou and family; George, Emmanuel & Paul
Flemetakis and their families in memory of Maria Flemetakis.
Grocery Fundraiser)
In January, there is one Sunday available to host:




January 04:
January 11:
January 18:
January 25:
Philoptochos Vasilopita Luncheon to benefit St. Basil’s Academy
Andrea Gray and the Daughters of Penelope
Church School, St. Catherine Philoptochos & Andrea Mann
HOST NEEDED
* Fast Day: Fish Allowed
** Fast Day: Wine & Oil Allowed
Thank you for planning your food offerings within the fasting guidelines
For more information on hosting a Fellowship Hour please view the Guidelines at the Assumption
home website, assumptionseattle.org.
If you would like to host a Fellowship Hour, please contact me at (206) 932-8085, or via email at
[email protected] . Thank You for serving!
Ingrid Papahronis
Coordinator - Fellowship Hour
A Side Note About Scheduling a Fellowship Hour and a Memorial in the Church
Just to be clear on this….
 A Memorial is not a date that is reserved for one family. Memorials happen in the church and
any number can happen on any given Sunday.
 Fellowship Hour is another thing entirely.
 Placing a request for a Fellowship Hour in memory of a family member does not automatically
place you in the Liturgical schedule. It simply reserves Fellowship Hour for a particular family.
 Another thing to keep in mind is that it is not necessary to “marry” a Memorial and the Fellow-
ship Hour. Memorials are scheduled all the time without Fellowship Hour and Fellowship Hours
are reserved in a person’s memory without a Memorial that day.
 Many thanks, everyone, for your love of your family and our church!
PAGE
20
THE GOOD NEWS - DECEMBER 2014
ST. CATHERINE PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS
P
lease join us for our annual December Lenten Potluck (Wine and Oil allowed) and
meeting on
Saturday, December 13th at 11:00 AM
at the home of Catherine Iles
2802 Boyer Ave E
Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 323-8454

We currently have Georgia's organic Quince Jam for sale $10 a pint. The jam was made
by Laki Kazakos. Please make your checks payable to St Catherine's Philoptochos.

The latest edition of PHILANTHROPY WITNESS, the newsletter of the Greek Orthodox
Ladies Philoptochos Society can be downloaded at http://philoptochos.org/assets/
files/newsletter/National%20Newsletter%2011.14.pdf
Events At a Glance:
 Membership Meeting and Christmas Potluck Luncheon on Saturday, December 13th at
the home of Catherine Iles.
With Sisterly Love,
Kristina Mehas
President
Stella Bass, Vice President
Teresa Delarose, Recording Secretary
Alysha Yeamans, Corresponding Secretary
Joanne Zarkades, Treasurer
THE GOOD NEWS - VOLUME 19, ISSUE 12
Janice Xydis, Assistant Treasurer
Mary Lou Barton, Advisor to the Board
Board Members: SaNni Lemonidis, Rose
Bratsanos, Carole Polimenakos & Popi Tarlson
PAGE
21
PAGE
22
THE GOOD NEWS - DECEMBER 2014
THE GOOD NEWS - VOLUME 19, ISSUE 12
PAGE
23
PAGE
24
THE GOOD NEWS - DECEMBER 2014
THE GOOD NEWS - VOLUME 19, ISSUE 12
PAGE
25
THANK YOU . . . . . . . .
B
arbara Janjic wants to share her thanks with everyone for
your thoughts, calls, and prayers for Philip. She says she
went home to check her mail and found there was a big envelope from the Church School kids with a bunch of hand-made
‘Get Well’ cards for Philip!! She says she was very touched!
Philip loved them...
Here, also, is a picture
of Philip with his favorite football player,
Russell Wilson, of the
Seattle Seahawks, who
came to visit him. 
ANNOUNCEMENT . . . . . . . .
T
he Consulate General of Greece in San Francisco, in order to facilitate the translation of
public documents for Greeks who live in our area,
is in the process of creating a list of private translators.
Those who wish to be included in this List are requested to send by Post to the Consulate General
(Address : Consulate General of Greece, 2441
Gough street, San Francisco, CA 94123) by
12.31.2014 the following documents :
A) Brief CV. (Please indicate if the applicant is
a notary public)
B) Sample of translation from English to Greek
(e.g. Birth Certificate) and a sample of
markup translation Apostille.
C) Sample of signatures and seals.
D) (Optional) Indicative price list per service
(e.g. if the charge will be per page or depending on the type of document)
Since the jurisdiction of the General Consulate in
San Francisco extends to the States of Alaska, California (zip codes 9400 and up), Idaho, Montana,
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming
we express our wish to locate translators who work
in each of these States. 
PAGE
26
THE GOOD NEWS - DECEMBER 2014
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION
DECEMBER 2014
Sun

Strict Fast
Wine/Oil Allowed
Fish Allowed
Mon
Tue
1
10:30 am
Tsourekia - Assemble
& Bake
7:00 pm Greek Dance
Rehearsal
2
Wed
3
10:30 am
Tsourekia - Assemble
& Bake
10:30 am
Tsourekia - Assemble & Bake
10:30 am
Prayers at the 3rd Hour
6:30 pm
AHEPA Meeting
11:00 am Bible Study
7
8
10th SUNDAY OF LUKE
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Liturgy
Memorial: Lyman Geis, John &
Kathy Shay
Church School
12:00 pm Assumption Bake Sale
12:00 pm Photos with
“Fr. Christmas”
12:30 FDF Dance Rehearsal
14
CONCEPTION OF THE
THEOTOKOS
7:00 pm Greek Dance
Rehearsal
15
11th SUNDAY OF LUKE
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Liturgy
Church School
Parish Council Elections
12:00 pm OCMC Greek Food
& Grocery Fundraiser
12:30 FDF Dance Rehearsal
21
SUNDAY before NATIVITY
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Liturgy
Church School
Vasilopita Pick-up
12:30 FDF Dance
Rehearsal
28
ST. ELEUTHERIOS
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Liturgy
10:30 am
Vasilopita - Assemble &
Bake
7:00 pm Greek Dance
Rehearsal
22
7:00 pm Greek Dance
Rehearsal
29
16
30
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Liturgy
9:00 am St. John the
Almsgiver-Cooking
4:00 pm Bake Sale Packaging
6:30 pm All Saints Camp
Board Meeting
7:00 pm Byzantine Chant
Classes
7:30 pm AA Meeting
11
6
12:00 pm Assumption
Bake Sale
PARISH OFFICE CLOSED
12
18
Sat
ST. NICHOLAS
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Liturgy
Pre-Christmas Family
Event
1:00 pm Assumption
Bake Sale
6:00 pm Great
Vespers
13
ST. SPYRIDON
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Liturgy
PARISH OFFICE CLOSED
10:00 am OCMC Greek
Food & Grocery
Fundraiser
11:00 am Philoptochos
Meeting & Potluck at the
home of Catherine Iles
2:30 pm GOYA Outing
6:00 pm Great Vespers
20
19
7:00 pm Byzantine
Chant Classes
6:00 pm Great
Vespers
PARISH OFFICE CLOSED
7:30 pm AA Meeting
11:00 am Bible Study
11:00 am Bible Study
5
7:30 pm AA Meeting
17
Fri
ST. BARBARA
7:00 pm Byzantine
Chant Classes
10:30 am
Prayers at the 3rd Hour
23
4
9:00 am St. John the
Almsgiver-Cooking
10:30 am
Vasilopita - Assemble &
Bake
10:30 am Prayers at
the 3rd Hour
7:00 pm Greek Dance
Rehearsal
10
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Liturgy
12:00 pm Bible Study
7:00 pm Parish
Council Meeting
10:30 am Prayers at
the 3rd Hour
SUNDAY after NATIVITY
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Liturgy
Church School
12:30 FDF Dance
Rehearsal
9
Thu
24
NATIVITY EVE
2:30 pm
Royal Hours of
Christmas
4:30 pm Vesperal
Divine Liturgy of St.
Basil
25
26
HOLY NATIVITY
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Liturgy
7:30 pm AA Meeting
PARISH OFFICE CLOSED
27
SYNAXIS OF THE
THEOTOKOS
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Liturgy
PARISH OFFICE CLOSED
ST. STEPHEN
8:45 am Matins
10:00 am Liturgy
6:00 pm Great
Vespers
31
NEW YEARS EVE
PARISH OFFICE CLOSED
11:00 am Bible Study

MATINS GOSPEL & TONE SCHEDULE
PARISH OFFICE HOURS:
M—TH 10:30 AM—5:30 PM ~ (206) 323-8557
(Parish Office is CLOSED on Fridays)
Sunday
7
14
21
28
Gospel
4
5
6
7
Tone
First
Second
Third
Fourth
T HE M ONTHLY B ULLETIN OF THE G REEK
O RTHODOX C HURCH OF THE A SSUMPTION
NON PROFIT
ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
SEATTLE
PERMIT NO
7412
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
OF THE ASSUMPTION
1804 13th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122-2515
POSTMASTER : DATED MATERIAL PLEASE EXPEDITE
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