Dan Christopulos, OCMC Development Director visiting Sunday, June 5
Daniel (Dan) Christopulos
Development Director, OCMC
Dan is a native of Cheyenne, Wyoming and received a BS in Sociology from the University of Wyoming in 1979 where he was an All-Conference place kicker in football, played in the 1976 Fiesta Bowl, had professional try-outs with the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons and recently inducted into the University of Wyoming Athletics Hall of Fame.
After receiving his Master of Divinity from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 1983, he participated in parish ministry for 15 years. During that time he spent almost 3 years in the mission field in East Africa, as the first missionary priest sent overseas by the Greek Orthodox Mission Center which became a pan-Orthodox agency under the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) in 1993 and renamed the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC). Subsequently he served in various communities in the United States as well as assisting to establish the Archdiocesan Office in Hong Kong in 1997.
He has also received a Masters Degree in Social Work and managed several federal grants in the health field. Dan worked for International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) from 2001-2020 as Development Officer, Development Director, and the final eight years as US Country Representative. He served as the Vice Chairman of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (NVOAD) and President of the Minnesota Chapter of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). Dan also serves as a volunteer Police Chaplain in Edina, Minnesota.
Dan was appointed the Director of Development at OCMC in August 2020 and oversees all Fundraising and Communication staff and efforts at OCMC. Thirty-five years after being sent to Africa as the first missionary, he has now returned to OCMC to help engage others in the critical work of financially supporting the efforts of the Mission Center to make disciples of all nations by bringing people to Christ and His Church.
Dan has taught at the high school, junior college and University level, as well as being a consultant for governmental and non-governmental organizations. He and his wife Patty reside in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she manages Light and Life Publishing Company.
Ascension Scholarships 2022
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.
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:
Helen Hangaris Scholarship (Female Applicants Only)
Thalia Bezaitis Banis Scholarship (Female Applicants Only)
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
Summer Camp Registration Open!
Ascension Summer Camp is at the beautiful YMCA Camp Ravencliff in Redway, CA. All campers (ages 8 – 17) are invited to join us for an exciting week full of activities, fun and building Life-long friendships through Christ. Activities include art and crafts, swimming, athletics, archery, canoeing, hiking, inner-tubing, and much much more!
Ascension Summer Camp is BACK!
OPEN FOR REGISTRATION 2022!!!
Dates for 2022: 6/11– 6/19
Ascension Summer Camp is at the beautiful YMCA Camp Ravencliff in Redway, CA. All campers (ages 8 – 17) are invited to join us for an exciting week full of activities, fun and building Life-long friendships through Christ. Activities include art and crafts, swimming, athletics, archery, canoeing, hiking, inner-tubing, and much much more!
Space is limited. Sign up today.
CAMPER REGISTRATION – NOW OPEN for 2022
To register your child for camp, please visit our summer camp page at www.ascensioncathedral.com/summercamp.
Please review all COVID protocols and requirements on the summer camp page in detail.
Parents of new first time campers:
Are you nervous about sending your child to camp for the first time? Do you have questions about our program and how we handle day to day camp life? Please feel free to reach out to Camp Director Yanni Limnios. Additionally, please watch this wonderful video of camp created by one of our own campers who has been a counselor and staff at our program, Stavro Victor – Video
We will be having an informational meeting for new camper parents to answer any questions:
Thursday May 12 at 7pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83893486862?pwd=UzZSTC9OdGdwamlSOEhySEJFQXJSQT09
Meeting ID: 838 9348 6862
Passcode: 533031
If you are interested in hearing about our program, please contact Yanni Limnios at Limnios@gmail.com.
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
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
Oakland Greek Festival 2022
As we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos and Greece's Independence Day today, we have even more to celebrate.... After a two year break we are excited to announce The Oakland Greek Festival is back! The 2022 Oakland Greek Festival is officially on for May 20, 21 & 22! The festival committee met several times recently as COVID restrictions have lifted and have determined we can and will have a festival!
After a two year break we are excited to announce The Oakland Greek Festival is back! The 2022 Oakland Greek Festival is officially on for May 20, 21 & 22! We look forward to celebrating our comeback and sharing our culture with our community and neighbors! Stay tuned for more information.
~2022 Oakland Greek Festival Committee
Offer Relief and Support for Ukraine
Offer relief and support to Ukraine through the Archdiocesan coordinated relief fund, preparing International Orthodox Christian Charities Relief Kits, and through prayer for a quick cessation of the hostilities in Ukraine.
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.
On Friday, April 15th, when we gather to fold palms for Palm Sunday we will also prepare to ship the donated kits to IOCC so that they can be disbursed as needed in Ukraine.
Youth Ministries Events for Spring and Summer 2022
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.
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
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
Ascension Cathedral to Host Bay Area Forgiveness Vespers
The faithful in northern California are invited to join His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco for the Vespers of Forgiveness to be prayed at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 6, 2021 at the Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Oakland, California. A homily will be offered by Rev. Father Constantine Efstathiu. Please join us in prayer for this beautiful way to begin our journey through Great Lent by reconciling ourselves with one another and seeking forgiveness.
A Cheesefare reception will be graciously offered by the Ascension Cathedral community following the service.
Kali Tessarakosti!
The faithful in northern California are invited to join His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco for the Vespers of Forgiveness to be prayed at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 6, 2021 at the Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Oakland, California. A homily will be offered by Rev. Father Constantine Efstathiu. Please join us in prayer for this beautiful way to begin our journey through Great Lent by reconciling ourselves with one another and seeking forgiveness.
A Cheesefare reception will be graciously offered by the Ascension Cathedral community following the service.
Kali Tessarakosti!
Prayer Team adds Monthly Meeting and Monthly Intercessory Service
Our parish Prayer Team met on Tuesday, January 18th to discuss the direction of the ministry in the new year. As you are aware the 15 members of our Prayer Team have been praying daily for our community for the past year since the ministry was formed. Learn more about their plan for 2022 here…
Beloved Ascension Community,
“When God wants to have mercy on someone, He inspires someone else to pray for him,
and he helps in this prayer. ”
Our parish Prayer Team met on Tuesday, January 18th to discuss the direction of the ministry in the new year. As you are aware the 15 members of our Prayer Team have been praying daily for our community for the past year since the ministry was formed. We thank them for the gift of their prayer and love. As each of us look back on the past year, perhaps we can see more clearly how our burdens have been lifted, hopes come to fruition and healing through Christ’s mercy have been affected through their prayers.
Our meeting was a wonderful and inspiring discussion with two great developments:
The Prayer Team will offer a monthly meeting on the 3rd Tuesday of the Month at 7:30 PM. Meetings will discuss the enrichment and enlivening of our prayer life with an on-going study of the lives of the saints as inspiration. Our next meeting is Tuesday, February 15th.
The Prayer Team will also organize a monthly intercessory prayer service (a paraklesis or akathist for various needs) on the 4th Friday of the Month at 6:30 PM. Our first service will be Small Paraklesis on Friday, January 28th at 6:30 PM in the Cathedral. The Small Paraklesis is an intercessory service to the Virgin Mary, the Most Holy Theotokos. At this service we offer prayers for the living, asking her assistance.
We continue to thank the Prayer Team for their important service confident that “the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). If you also feel so moved to pray for our community or are in need of prayer please reach out to our Prayer Team at ascensionprayers4700@gmail.com.
In Christ,
Fr. Tom, Fr. Nick & The Prayer Team
Postponement of Blessing of the Waters SF Bay 2022
We regret to inform you that the decision has been made to postpone the "Blessing of the Waters SF Bay 2022" event which was scheduled to take place this Sunday January 16, 2022.
Dear parishioners and friends of the Cathedral,
We regret to inform you that the decision has been made to postpone the "Blessing of the Waters SF Bay 2022" event which was scheduled to take place this Sunday January 16, 2022. Please email info@uhasca.org if you have any questions, thank you for your understanding.
We will be looking forward to an opportunity to reschedule and gather again soon.
Regional Blessing of the Waters
This year there will be two Regional Blessing of the Water Services. The first will be the 7th Annual Blessing of the Waters at Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos, CA hosted by Prophet Elias Church in Santa Cruz on January 8th, and the second will be on Sunday, January 16th at Aquatic Park Cove in San Francisco.
This year there will be two Regional Blessing of the Water Services. The first will be the 7th Annual Blessing of the Waters at Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos, CA hosted by Prophet Elias Church in Santa Cruz on January 8th, and the second will be on Sunday, January 16th at Aquatic Park Cove in San Francisco.
The service on Saturday, January 8th will be held at Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos, CA, on Saturday, January 8th 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
Learn more and register to swim for the Cross here.
Blessing of the Waters Sunday, January 16th
The United Hellenic American Societies (UHAS) representing the Greek American Community in California is organizing the Blessing of the Waters at the Aquatic Park Cove in San Francisco on Sunday, January 16, 2022. There will be festivities from noon until 4:00 p.m., including live music at Aquatic Park Cove near Ghirardelli Square, 600 Jefferson Street, San Francisco. The Blessing of the Waters, “Agiasmos”, will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco.
Blessing of the Waters 2020, Aptos
Blessing of the Waters 2021, San Francisco Bay
In-person Ministry Pause
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. Learn more…
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
New Years Celebrations Canceled
Out of an abundance of caution due to the ease of transmission of the Omicron Variant of SARS COV-2, both the AHEPA New Year’s Party and Young Adult League New Year’s Gala have been canceled by their respective organizers.
Cancellations
Out of an abundance of caution due to the ease of transmission of the Omicron Variant of SARS COV-2, both the AHEPA New Year’s Party and Young Adult League New Year’s Gala have been canceled by their respective organizers.
If you registered for the Young Adult League New Year’s Gala an additional communication will be sent to you regarding your refund.
We would like to thank the AHEPA and our young adults for their efforts in helping our community find an opportunity for fellowship this year and to celebrate the New Year. We also thank the AHEPA for their support in working with our Young Adults as they took initiative this year to plan an event.
We wish you and your families a happy and healthy New Year filled with every blessing!
Ascension Online Classes now hosted by Orthodox Christian Network
Fr. Tom’s weekly Bible Studies and Fr. Tom and Fr. Nick’s bi-monthly class “Encountering the Divine Liturgy” are now hosted through the Orthodox Christian Network (OCN). OCN is an Affiliated Ministry of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, and works to build the digital footprint Orthodox Christianity by making programs and education readily available.
Fr. Tom’s weekly Bible Studies and Fr. Tom and Fr. Nick’s bi-monthly class “Encountering the Divine Liturgy” are now hosted through the Orthodox Christian Network (OCN). OCN is an Affiliated Ministry of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, and works to build the digital footprint Orthodox Christianity by making programs and education readily available.
3rd Annual Angel Tree
The Ascension Cathedral 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. The first is a family of 6 (triplets and one on the way), and the second is a single mother with 2 children. Our goal is to try and provide 4-5 gifts for each person…
The Ascension Cathedral 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. The first is a family of 6 (triplets and one on the way), and the second is a single mother with 2 children. 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 signup genius.
Please return wrapped and labeled gifts to the church by Friday, December 10. 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
Athanasia Yfantis at 510-913-6118
Merry Christmas and God Bless!