Youth Council 2023 - 2024 Ministry Update

Beloved Ascension Community,

We pray that your summer has been restful and joyful thus far!

Our new Youth Ministry year begins in August, and we are looking forward to what this year will hold for our youth! The goal of our youth ministry is to provide spiritual formation for our youth and to build lasting relationships with their peers and Christ’s Church. We firmly believe that our youth are a critical part of our community, and are capable of incredible works through God’s grace and love. St. Paul inspires us by writing: “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity (1 Tim. 4:12). It is our responsibility to open up possibilities for our youth to grow, serve and shine for the light of Christ.

Today our Youth Council is updating our TeamSnap account with updated information for our 2023 - 2024 Ministry Year. This includes updated information for our Youth Ministry Calendar, and, critically, updated information about our youth. Specifically, if your child is aging out of a demographic and moving into the next parea group, then this update will reflect that change. You should find this information updated in your TeamSnap. If not, let us know by responding to this email. If you are new to Ascension Cathedral and would like your child to participate in youth ministry, please reach out to us at ascensionyouthcouncil@gmail.com and fill out our survey!

We look forward to meeting you and connecting with you!

We extend our thanks to our parish leadership for their support and advocacy for youth ministry, our parents for putting Faith first in their homes, and all of our youth ministers who have stepped forward to make this coming year possible. Be on the lookout for more communication from your child’s youth ministry leads in the coming weeks.

In Christ,

The Ascension Youth Council

Annual Youth Program Brunch and Survey

Beloved Ascension Community,

Over the past six months, you and your families have participated in many youth program activities. This has been due to the hard work and prayerful effort of our Youth Council which was formally instituted in 2021 and has been working to attend to the needs of children in our community. The Youth Council has conducted extensive research with our youth and families to put forward the following age-appropriate program for growing in the Orthodox faith:

Infant/Toddler: Provides an easy path for new and existing parents to introduce Orthodoxy to their children, and a welcoming and supportive environment to explore the ministries, events, and traditions of the community.

Preschool: Allows young families to firmly root their preschoolers in Ascension life and community with age-appropriate programming and activities to strengthen connections and sustain engagement.

Elementary: Reinforces fellowship, friendship, community and heritage through activities that prioritize church, spirituality, and character for elementary school kids while supporting them on their journey of discovering the Orthodox faith.

Middle School: Creates the chance to bond with kids of the same age and older, the opportunity for self-expression, and the ability to shine while learning about God's teachings in a loving and fun environment.

High School: Provides a forum for connecting with God, making memories, building friendships and finding ways to make a difference while seeking guidance in relation to Orthodoxy and daily life.

We invite you to join us!

We are actively recruiting parish members to help with our 2023-2024 youth programs, commencing JULY 1. We welcome you to join us to learn more about this initiative at our Youth Council Workshop Brunch on Saturday, March 4th at 9:00 am. The attached flyer has the radiant faces of all our Youth Council co-leaders that have volunteered their time and energy to enrich the lives of all of the children in our community. Please RSVP at ascensionyouthcouncil@gmail.com by February 25th.

We value your opinion!

We need your assistance to make our youth programs even better. Please share your feedback by completing a 5-minute survey. This is your opportunity to provide input that will help guide the strategic direction as we plan for next year. All responses are completely anonymous.

We thank you for making your child's relationship with Christ a priority.

In Christ,

Ascension Youth Council

Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension

4700 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland, CA 94602

Trunk or Treat - Sunday October 30th

Ascension Youth Council is excited to host this parish-wide Trunk or Treat event. Your help is needed! 

What is Trunk or Treat?
Families decorate the trunks of their vehicles in themed decor in one central location, in this case, the Ascension Cathedral front parking lot, near the fountain. Children “trick or treat” by going from car trunk to car trunk rather than going door to door at houses. Everyone is invited to dress in costume and join the fun!

We need volunteers to decorate the trunks of their vehicles and provide candy OR volunteer for activity stations to make this event happen. There are a ton of great Trunk or Treat decorating ideas on Pinterest or a quick web search. Car themes can be as simple or as elaborate as you’d like, but we ask that your decorations are family-friendly and not scary, so we ensure this event is fun for kids of all ages.

As this is a church community event, please follow the following guidelines:

• Family-friendly, non-scary decorations and costumes

• no blood or gore

• no witches, ghosts, goblins, demons, vampires, werewolves, zombies, monsters or scary decor

• no political statements

Get creative! If you'd like to incorporate a faith-based themed to your candy offerings, consider some of these ideas: Treats of the Faith Ideas

Tentative Event Schedule:
3:00-3:15 pm -- Event Setup, volunteer cars arrive onsite (Cars must be decorated by 3:45 pm)
4:00-6:00 -- Trunk or Treat open to families
6:00-6:30 pm -- Event Teardown 

Family Movie Night - Friday, October 7th

Calling all families! Come and hang out with family and friends while supporting the Dance Ministry!

Join us on Friday, October 7th for a taco truck dinner (tacos, quesadillas, hot dogs) and to watch the movie Coco!

If you reserve your spot by October 1st the cost is $20 per person, children under 4 free. After October 1st, the price will be $25 per person. Snacks and treats for the movie will be sold separately.  

Bring a blanket, a chair, and come build community and make memories!

Click here to reserve your spot today!

Parish Panagyri and Volunteer Sign Up Genius

Youth Ministry Calendar 2022-2023

Reverend Clergy, Honorable Parish Council Members & Beloved Parishioners,

“Where do you see yourselves in the Church in 5 years?”

Our oldest campers were asked this by our camp staff during their overnight camping trip at our Ascension Summer Camp this past month.

In turn, we must ask ourselves as a Church: what we are doing to help our youth positively answer this essential question, “Do you see a future for yourself with Christ and His Church?” Our hope should be not merely that they answer, “yes,” but that their curiosity and vision are ignited. Our responsibility is to empower our youth to discern who they are in Christ, develop as leaders, acquire new skills, and find their own unique way they will reflect the Light of Christ.

To this end, please find included below our 2022 - 2023 Youth Ministry Calendar. Our families have continuously voiced the need to plan ahead in order to participate in the life of the Church and its ministries. Establishing a calendar at the beginning of the ministry year empowers our families to put their relationship with Christ and His Church first.

This calendar, as well as the range of ministry events it features, were developed over the past year in response to many named needs of our community. Ascension’s youth, parents and families told us about their needs and concerns – and we listened. In fact, as we engaged our youth they told us directly that they want opportunities to find out how they can “shine” and how they can lead in the Church. The events we have planned for this next year directly stem from those conversations. Join the conversation by completing our Youth Survey here.

We are excited to see where we will be in 5 years! Save these dates today!

In Christ’s Service and yours,

Fr. Nick

Ascension Scholarships 2022

Ascension Community,

Christ is risen!

We are excited to announce the opening of applications for scholarships for those going on to further study or continuing their studies in higher education! All scholarships applications should be completed and submitted to the Ascension Cathedral Office no later than June 15th, 2022.

The following scholarships are now open for applications:

• Fr. Thomas J. Paris Scholarship

• Helen Hangaris Scholarship (Female Applicants Only)

• Meniktas Scholarship

• Thalia Bezaitis Banis Scholarship (Female Applicants Only)

• Eugenia Ahlas Scholarship

If you have any questions regarding the scholarship process please contact our Scholarship Committee via email at ascensionscholarships@gmail.com. We wish you all God’s blessings as you continue your studies, and look forward to all that you will accomplish to His glory!

In Christ,

Fr. Tom, Fr. Nick & The Scholarship Committee

Holy Friday Retreat 2022

All 1st - 8th Graders are invited to join our first annual Holy Friday Retreat on Friday, April 22nd from 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM at Ascension Cathedral.

We will offer three retreat sessions including:

• Decorating a Paschal Candle and discussing the significance of the Light of Christ

• Decorating a Kouvouklion

• An Orthodox Life Session on the meaning of Christ's Sacrifice on the Cross

A Lenten Lunch and snacks will be provided.

We wish you and your families a blessed Lenten journey and joyous Pascha!

Those in High School are invited to help facilitate sessions. Contact our team for more information!

In Christ,

Fr. Nick Mueller, Maria Woods, Sia Yfantis and Julia Pappas

Youth Ministries Events for Spring and Summer 2022

Beloved Ascension Community,

Kali sarakosti! We wish you a blessed and spiritually fulfilling Great Lent!

As we begin our Lenten Journey together as a family, as Fr. Costa Efstathiou so beautifully reminded us in his Forgiveness Vespers sermon, please note the following dates as opportunities for fellowship and spiritual growth. If you would like to assist with any of the following, please contact Fr. Nick. Many of our youth ministries are returning this month including our Basketball Ministry with its usual practices on Saturday mornings and Dance Ministry, as well.

If you are a graduating High School senior and need to complete service hours for graduation, contact Fr. Nick to learn more about how you can assist with these upcoming events to complete service hours.

More information will be forthcoming about each event.

On-going through Friday, April 15th

International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) Relief Kits for Ukraine Organized by our Ascension Philoptochos

Purchase all kit items, except hand towels and towels, and drop your completed kits at our Church Office or in the Narthex on Sundays. Donations can be made toward the bulk purchase of hand towels and towels through our Ascension Philoptochos Venmo: @ascension-philotochos.

Saturday, March 26th - Family Fun Day

• 2 - 4 PM - HOPE & JOY Games, Snacks and group activity at Ascension on the Platia & in Gym

• 4 - 5 PM - Dinner

• 5 - 8 PM JR. GOYA and SR. GOYA Games, Snacks and group activity on the Platia & in the Gym

Sunday, April 3rd - Parish St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival

• Read more about this year’s topics and how to prepare here!

• Judges needed!

Friday, April 8th - Becoming an Altar Boy 

• 5 PM - 6:30 PM Dinner and mini-retreat about how to serve in the altar.

• All boys ages 8 + welcome!

Friday, April 15th - Palm Folding and Potluck Dinner 

• 5 PM - 8 PM - Join us for a fun family evening, open to our whole community, folding palms in preparation for Palm Sunday. Bring a lenten dish for the potluck!

• Final Day to Drop Off IOCC Relief Kits. We will prepare to ship them on the evening of April 15 by boxing them up.

Friday, April 22nd - Holy Friday Retreat 

If needed, contact Fr. Nick for a letter to be dismissed from school to participate in the day.

• The Service of Royal Hours

• 10:30 AM - Breakfast followed by Retreat Projects and Sessions

• 12:30 PM - Lunch

• 1:00 PM - Dismissal

• Unnailing Vespers

• Lamentations

Sunday, April 24th - Great and Holy Pascha

• Agape Vespers and Parish Picnic

Saturday, April 30th - District St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival at Holy Cross, Belmont

Saturday, June 11th - Saturday, June 19th - Ascension Summer Camp

Vacation Church School - TBD

We look forward to your participation in these upcoming events and rejoicing together on Great and Holy Pascha! We thank our families, members and our Youth Council for making these upcoming events possible. 

We also ask that you please take a few moments now to complete a very brief survey to ensure that we have the names and recent contact information for you and the children in your family. Once our list is compiled, we will begin our outreach, and parents and children will have the opportunity to share their perspectives and provide information that will help shape the future of our church community programs.

In Christ,

Fr. Tom & Fr. Nick

In-person Ministry Pause

Come, consider this new and wonderful deluge, greater and more important than the flood of Noah’s day. Then the water of the flood destroyed the human race, but now the water of Baptism has recalled the dead to life by the power of the one who baptized.

In the days of the flood the dove with an olive branch in its beak foreshadowed the fragrance of the good odor of Christ the Lord; now the Holy Spirit, coming in the likeness of a dove reveals the Lord of mercy.

Homily on Theophany by St. Proclus of Constantinople

Dear Ascension Community,

Kronia polla! Blessed feast!

As we celebrate the Feast of Epiphany and begin the new year, we pray that we are able to acquire ‘the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of understanding, the Spirit of the fear of God’ which has been imparted to us through God’s appearance upon earth (Idiomelon from the Great Blessing of the Waters on the Feast of Holy Theophany).

As you are aware, the Omicron Variant of COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly. We have already worked as a community to ensure that we are taking reasonable steps in response, including pausing coffee hour fellowship.

Beginning today, January 6th, 2022, we will also pause all other in-person adult and youth ministries. Divine Services will continue to be offered as scheduled, and we continue to require that all those in attendance wear face coverings. As the current surge progresses we will evaluate when we can appropriately and safely return to in-person ministries.

We thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to respond to the current conditions of the pandemic. In the meantime, please keep the health and well-being of one another foremost in your actions and your prayers.

May our Lord and Savior who condescended to be baptized in the Jordan by John continue to blessed, preserve and sanctify all of us.

In Christ,

Fr. Tom & Fr. Nick

Christmas Tree Lighting and Annual Christmas Concert Friday, December 3rd

Blessing of the Backpacks Sunday, Sept. 12th

Blessing Of The Backpacks

*Attention parents, teachers/educators and students of all ages*

Please join us on Sunday September 12th during Divine Liturgy for our “Blessing of the Backpacks”.

Bring your backpacks/bags to church, place them on the soleas and receive a blessing for the new school year! All participants will receive an icon card to keep in their backpacks or their icon corner. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate and pray for our students and teachers/educators.

The Order of the Blessing

• When you arrive at church bring your backpack to the front of the church and place it on the steps below the iconostasis (not near candles or in front of the doors)

• Following the Memorial Service Parents and Children will be invited to the solea. Please fan out across the solea.

• Fr. Tom and Fr. Nick will welcome everyone and explain the blessing. We will chant the hymn of our Church, offer petitions for our students and families as they begin the new school year, and we will ask God’s blessing for them.

• We will take a picture together, and as you return to your pew please take an icon card with a prayer that you can offer for your studies.

God bless you as you begin the new school year!

Ascension Greek School Announces Fall Programs

Ascension Cathedral Greek School

New 2021 -2022 Program

Classes will start on Monday September 20, 2021

and graduation for this school year is scheduled on Sunday June 5, 2022.

For more information contact us at: greekschool@groca.org

We can also provide a class that is specialized for your needs (3 additional students required) and we can start ASAP!

OUR ONLINE PROGRAM

GOYA Volleyball Sundays

Ascension 6th - 12th Graders join us for two evenings of fellowship and fun on Sunday, July 18th and Sunday, July 25th!

Contact Fr. Nick for more information: frnickm@groca.org

Schedule for 7.18 & 7.25:

5:00 PM - Check-In + Pizza Dinner

5:30 PM - Volleyball

7:00 PM - Check Out + Pick Up

Summer Youth Events

Beloved Ascension Community,

We’re excited to announce a series of in-person youth and family activities that will be offered throughout the summer in conjunction with the Metropolis of San Francisco and our sister Bay Area parishes.

The series will kick off with a GOYA event at Ascension! 

We look forward to seeing you all in-person this summer and enjoying fellowship with one another!

JUNE 26, 2021 - BAY AREA GOYA SUMMER KICK OFF

Youth grades 6-12 are welcome to join us for a fun kick off to the summer at the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland with an evening of volleyball, basketball, Greek dancing, a BBQ, and a sunset campfire from 5:30pm - 9:00pm.

JULY 10, 2021 - BAY AREA FAMILY BEACH DAY

Bring your entire family or arrange for a parish carpool and join us in Santa Cruz for a Family Beach Day of fun from 12:00pm - 5:00pm at Seacliff State Beach with beach games, swimming, a sand castle competition, surfing lessons with Fr. Milutin, and Vespers at Prophet Elias at 6:00pm.

JULY 24, 2021 - BAY AREA FAMILY DAY OF SERVICE

Join us for a Day of Service with Holy Trinity's Food Pantry from 10:30am - 2:00pm. Bring the whole family or drop off your Goyan to help organize and distribute the drive thru food distribution in collaboration with the SF Marin Food Bank. We will organize and distribute the food followed by a lunch and discussion in the community hall and finish the afternoon with a short prayer service in the church.

AUGUST 21, 2021 - BAY AREA GOYA END OF SUMMER CELEBRATION

Youth grades 6-12 are welcome to join us for a fun hike in Novato followed by a Paraklesis service and BBQ at the church that are both open to the entire family. It's the best way to celebrate the Feast of the Dormition and the end of the summer together!

Kid's Table @ Coffee Hour on Sundays

Kid-Friendly/Family Corner

This summer we’ve set up a dedicated children’s activity and snack table for your kiddos during coffee hour. Enjoy some coffee while meeting other families within our community while the kids explore Orthodox focused activities.

What To Expect: 

• Orthodox Children's Book, Coloring Pages, Matching Game

• Arts & Crafts to make Icons and much more

• Kid Friendly Snacks: Gold Fish, Pretzels, Raisins, Apple Juice, Water etc.

We’d love to make this an ongoing event for children/families, so if you're available and interested in setup/take down please reach out to Mariela Kadow at mariela.kadow@gmail.com

This is also a great volunteer opportunity for teens looking to mentor and assist the younger children at the activity table. Please reach out if your teen is interested. 

God Bless,

- Mariela Kadow, Steve (Spouse), Sophia (4.5). James (2.5)

Tell Us About It: A Lenten Creative Writing Project

Ascension Youth are invited to participate in a Lenten creative writing project to share their reflections on our Faith and the Lenten season with the wider community. Contributions are due Friday, April 16th (the 5th Friday of Lent) so that we can prepare a booklet for Holy Week. Please send all contributions to Fr. Nick Mueller (frnickm@groca.org). Contributions can be submitted at any time before the deadline. Thank you for your participation and please find the prompts below! If you have an idea for a different creative project please contact Fr. Nick. If you would like to workshop your idea with Fr. Nick you can schedule a time to meet with him, or talk with him on Wednesday, April 7th at 4 PM.

Any age level can respond to these prompts:

1. Service and good works are a key part of our spiritual life, and important theme in Great Lent. What do you think the role of the youth is in the Church? How do you serve Christ, and how can you be an example to your peers and our community? Share an example from the life of a saint that sets an example of service for you.

2. Attend a Lenten Service (Great Compline, the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts, and Akathist) and offer a reflection on your experience. Why are these services important during Great Lent? What theme from the service stood out to you and impacted your experience of Great Lent?

3. Discuss a spiritual practice you or your family has taken on during Great Lent (prayer, fasting or almsgiving). Tell us how you or your family does this practice and describe how it is has impacted you. Tell us about a saint who is an example to you in this practice.

Spiritual poetry is everywhere in our Church. It makes up our services, our hymns, and prayers. Often their themes are repentance, thanksgiving or praising God. Think about what you would like to express to God. Look at examples of spiritual poetry and use them as a model for your own poem or write your own!

1. Psalm 50/51

2. On Holy Meekness and Angerlessness by Elder Athanasios of Grigoriou

3. “O Divine Love,” A poem by St. Nektarios

4. Possible Answers to Prayer by Scott Cairns

Stories may be fiction or non-fiction, you can use the prompts below as inspiration.

1. Tell us a short story that discusses one of the virtues: faith, hope, wisdom, honesty, humility, obedience, patience, courage, faithfulness, self-control, kindness or gratitude. You can read more about the virtues here.

2. In your own words, tell us the story of a saint.

OrthoTalks Series Launched by Metropolis of San Francisco

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