President’s Report
Greetings from the Office of the Parish Council Chair. It has been a privilege to serve you in my inaugural year as Parish Council Chair. In this role, I have been in awe of the dedication and hard work of so many silent volunteers, who constitute the backbone of our community through offering their talents and services in church ministry, fellowship, facilities, security, finance, church school, adult education, library, bookstore, choir, building committee, and Parish Council.
2021 has been an interesting year with some bumps in the road - like the unexpected winter freeze in February that caused a pipe to burst in the Parish House. A very special thanks to Linda and Mike Brown for always answering the call to service, remaining diligent, and your steadfastness. With your help, the flood damage to the parish house was restored in time for Church School Fall Semester - not to mention plumbing issues, groundskeeping, among the many issues you both address on a daily basis.
There have also been many amazing things happening at St. John’s like Father Andrew’s ordination and the return of fellowship hour! Fellowship Hour is synonymous with our thoughtful and humble coordinator Misty Wright. We are all so grateful for your tireless efforts to make sure the kitchen stays operational and thanks to the fellowship hour volunteers.
Thank you to our wondrous choir and Karen Morgan for your directorship and all the other things you do for St. John’s that is too many to mention. The chanting at St. John’s has never been better and that is thanks to all of the hard work by each one of you.
We have also experienced immense growth in our parish this year. With this multiplication, volunteers have been hard at work on plans to expand our parking lot, building vision meetings, providing ministry in the Killeen-area, and updating our current space - purchasing new banners, lamps for the iconostasis, carpet, playground for older kids, and picnic tables; painting the icon on the throne; and updating our library. Special thanks to Baker Galloway for your expertise and guidance. We were also blessed to have many opportunities for great Orthodox education in 2021. Special thanks to Sandi Andrews, Polly Thurston, Jerry Juliano, and our clergy who make this happen.
The Parish Council and all the committees that manage and guide St. John have been working hard on your behalf. I want to thank Parish Council members Demetry Zozulya, Jerry Juliano, and Nick Crown (who are cycling off) for your ongoing dedication and service to our parish. Nick has been very faithfully serving as Finance Chair for six years! We appreciate all of your hard work, adaptability, and the many hours spent managing our finances. Your job was not easy and you handled it expertly.
Last, but certainly not least, I would like to offer my gratitude to our spiritual leaders. Their prayers, selflessness, and steadfastness are the core of St. John. I would like to especially thank Father Aidan for his support and guidance. I never realized just how much you do until I took on this role and truly am in astonishment of your grace and wisdom. It is my hope and prayer that our community, under the guidance of our clergymen, will remain united and keep our Savior Jesus Christ in the forefront of our hearts and minds, now and always. Please continue to support our church with compassion through prayer, fellowship, volunteering, charity, and participation in Holy Services and education opportunities. I highly encourage everyone to take part in the building vision meetings hosted by Baker Galloway and Mike Brown.
If at any time you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Humbly,
Bessie Jacob
Parish Council Chair