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In Memoriam: Effie Amprazis Zuck (1934 – 2011)

Posted on December 6, 2011 by in Announcements

Effie Zuck (1934 – 2011)Effie Zuck, a beloved member of our parish for more than a decade, fell asleep in the Lord yesterday morning (December 5, 2011) from cardiac arrest while visiting her family and friends in Maryland.

Friends will be received on Friday, December 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at Koch’s Funeral Home. A Trisagion will take place at the funeral home that evening at 8 p.m., immediately after visitation. Funeral services will be held at Holy Trinity on Saturday, December 10 at 11 a.m. Interment with follow at the Lutheran cemetery in Boalsburg.

In lieu of a mercy meal, Holy Trinity’s TLC ministry will prepare dinners for Effie’s family this Thursday and Friday (approximately 12 people in all). If you would like to participate, please contact Leslyn Radomsky for more information.

Effie was well known as an energetic, vibrant, and generous person who was just as busy and active during retirement as she had been throughout her life. She was born in Trikala, Greece on March 18, 1934, a daughter of Aristides and Vasiliki Amprazis, who preceded her in death. The family immigrated to Westminster, MD, in 1946. She graduated from Westminster High School in 1954 and attended Baltimore Business College. She eloped with her high school sweetheart, James Eldred Zuck, who survives. They married in Charleston, SC, on July 30, 1955.

Effie and James owned and operated a Tupperware distributorship in Southwestern Pennsylvania from 1972 until 1990. They retired to State College to live near their four children, who also survive her: Leslie Karen Zuck of Spring Mills; Joni L. Arrington of Pine Grove Mills; Penelope Sandoval of Boalsburg; and James Eldred Zuck, Jr., of Boalsburg.

In her 70s, Effie earned the certification of “Master Gardener” from Penn State. She was a frequent winner of “Best of Show” for her wreaths and flowers at the Centre County Grange Fair. Effie volunteered her time to numerous organizations including Pennsylvania Certified Organic and Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture and used her vast energy and expertise to beautify many local gardens and public spaces.

Effie had a passion for making the world more beautiful, whether by planting flowers everywhere or by sharing nature’s beauty through her floral crafts and extraordinarily green thumb. Her seasonal herb and wreath business, Effie’s Common Scents, was very popular, and many of her customers became her friends as she crafted wreaths for their homes year after year. She was employed by Fox Hill Gardens in State College, until her death.

In addition to her husband and children, Effie is survived by her sister, Zoe Sirinakis of Westminster, MD; grandchildren George B. Georgiadis of Edgewater, NJ; Vasilia, Jewels and Gabriel Sandoval of State College; John Tyler Arrington of Pine Grove Mills; and Jade Cruz of Hawthorne, FL; son-in-law John Arrington of Pine Grove Mills; nieces and nephews: Dino Amphrazis, Zoe Amphrazis Roff and Vickie Turrano of New Jersey; James, Harry and Kyparissia Sirinakis of Maryland; and Dana Kenneman of New Oxford, PA. She was preceded in death by her brothers Constantinos Amphrazis, who died in infancy, and Christos Amphrazis.

Contributions for a garden memorial in Effie’s name may be made to Centre County Historical Society, 1001 East College Avenue, in State College.

May Effie’s memory be eternal!

Holy Trinity Youth to Perform Nativity Play

Posted on December 5, 2011 by in Announcements, Sunday School Scoop

On Sunday, December 18 following the Divine Liturgy, our children will once again act in a play presenting the story of our Lord’s birth. Those interested in participating should attend the “rehearsal” on Saturday, December 17, at 4:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to see and hear the telling of Christ’s birth.

Holy Trinity to Sponsor Trip to 2012 March for Life

Posted on December 1, 2011 by in Orthodox Christian Fellowship, Sunday School Scoop

Several ministries at Holy Trinity—including the Church School and the Penn State Orthodox Christian Fellowship—are making arrangements for a Monday, January 23, 2012, pilgrimage to our nation’s capital. We will stand in support of the millions of innocent unborn children lost to abortion each year. Next year’s March For Life marks the 25th anniversary of the event.

More details will be forthcoming in the coming weeks, but please mark your calenders now and begin making the necessary arrangements for as many members of your family to attend.

Women’s Ministry to Host Cookie Exchange

Posted on December 1, 2011 by in Women's Ministry

The Women’s Ministry is hosting a Cookie Exchange on Friday, December 16 at 11:30 a.m. To participate, bring a minimum of three dozen homemade holiday cookies and the recipe. A light lenten lunch will be provided.

See the sign up sheet in the Parish Hall to participate or email women@holytrinity-oca.org — the more that do, the greater the variety of cookies/recipes to take home and less holiday baking!

Have to work that day? Join us during your lunch break.

It will be festive with fellow-“ette”-ship!

The Incarnate Christ in Embryo

Posted on December 1, 2011 by in Features

Today the Virgin cometh to the cave, to give birth to the Pre-eternal Word…
— Kontakion Hymn of the Forefeast 

In our Nativity hymns, the constant theme is that the Virgin carries within her womb God in the flesh. From mid-November onward, our expectations are heightened as the approach of the Feast draws near: The Theotokos draws near to Bethlehem bearing “Christ in embryo.”

“Christ in embryo”: This emphasis on the “contents” of the Virgin’s womb bears scrutiny as we not only prepare to celebrate our Lord’s birth but as we look at the Church’s moral teaching on the contents of every woman’s womb: the humanity of every unborn child, its innate dignity and worth.

We cannot celebrate the Virgin’s bearing Christ in her womb without relating our celebration to that of the Church’s moral teaching in regard to abortion. In fact, from the first century the Church’s opposition to abortion was seen as paramount to belief in the Incarnation of Christ. To believe that the One carried in Mary’s womb was fully God and fully Man would be contradicted if moral practice allowed for termination of pre-born life on the grounds that “it” isn’t human or that “it” isn’t a person. Theologically this is untenable.

For those moderns who have deviated from traditional morality, it is telling that those most supportive of abortion are those least likely to see Christ as Divine: God and Man, as we believe.

Related:
Holy Trinity to Sponsor Trip to 2012 March for Life

Our theology always has moral consequences. To believe otherwise is to disconnect what we believe from how we are called to act. As we prepare for our Lord’s Nativity in the Flesh, listen closely to the hymns of the Feast. They prepare us not only for a celebration on Christmas Day but also for the ongoing celebration of human life in the unborn, whose author is always God and which gift is always precious to him.   – Fr. John

Our Sunday Best (Part IV)

Posted on December 1, 2011 by in Sunday School Scoop

We conclude this series with some practical considerations for parents with young children. The most essential thing you can do is to simply bring your children to church to get them familiar and comfortable with being in the presence of God. Certainly, there are many excuses we as parents can make for keeping our kids away, such as, “I don’t want my children to bother others”, “my children are too young to understand what is going on”, or “all they want to do is walk around; I’ll bring them when they get a little older”.  In the end, however, there is almost no excuse (save perhaps sickness) that is justifiable for keeping your children away from church. Bring your children and let God open their hearts to Him.

Very small children can be allowed some latitude in their movements (though they should not wander around aimlessly), but parents should set some very specific boundaries—perhaps keeping them at an arms length or two so that these boundaries can be enforced. Without a doubt this will be tested (many times) and each time our child wanders we must bring him back. Consistency is essential here.

Next, try sitting as close to the front as possible (if you arrive late this may not be possible). When our daughter Hannah began walking and talking it became obvious that she wanted to see what was happening. It became quite difficult to explain and show her from behind a forest of people. Being in the front of the church was uncomfortable at first for us but we got used to it and so did our children. (Think of it from a child’s perspective: how would you like it if all you saw were people’s legs and back? That would get boring real fast!)

Parents may find it is necessary at times to leave the church to give their children a break for a while. If this happens, do not feel embarrassed, but simply carry your child or hold his hand as you leave. Always keep the break to a minimum and use it to refocus and “refresh” your child—and not as a “recess” time (kids are smart: they will quickly figure out that by misbehaving they will go to the back of the church or downstairs for some “fun”).

While you are removed from the service, talk with your child and let him know that it is important for him and you to return to the church as soon as possible. Explain what is happening in age appro-priate language and set their expectations as to what’s going to happen next

For example, when it is time for the gospel tell your child it is now Jesus’ “story” time and we have to listen carefully to what He said. During the Great Entrance, explain that the gifts of bread and wine (under the fancy covers) are being brought to the altar table to be consecrated by God for our food.

As a final point, a few words should be said about our dress—adults and children alike.  Though God does not demand us to “dress up” for Him, the fact is, as followers of Christ in all areas of our life, we should offer Christ our “best” and not just our “leftovers” (e.g., Cain and Abel). Our dress should always, especially at church, be becoming of a Christian. We should dress modestly, not in a flashy way that brings attention to ourselves. We should dress with respect for God, for others, and for ourselves.

I offer this to you for your personal reflection, and not to be a means to judge others. Hopefully, we all will wear our “Sunday best” every day!

 

Special Prayer Service Scheduled

Posted on November 10, 2011 by in Announcements

Holy Trinity will be conducting a special prayer service (molieben) on Friday, November 11 at 5 p.m. on behalf of and for the entire Penn State community severely shaken by recent events. The service entreats God to send down His mercy in times of trouble and despair through the singing of specific supplications and Scripture. It is open to all members of our community.

The Penn State Orthodox Christian Fellowship, the campus ministry of Holy Trinity, will also devote its regular Thursday evening “dinner and discussion” to address this time of crisis. The meeting, which takes place tonight in 212 Pasquerilla at 6 p.m., is open to all students. RSVPs for the meal can be made here.

Please reply to this email for directions or more information.

Announcing the Arrival of Luke Theodore Stevens!

Posted on November 8, 2011 by in Announcements

We are pleased to announce the arrival of Luke Theodore Stevens, newborn son of Shane and Maria Stevens, and newborn grandson of Ellen George. He was born earlier today, Tuesday, November 8, at home, weighing 8 lbs. 9.5 oz. and measuring 20½ inches long. Both mother and baby are doing well. Many years!

New Pantocrator Icon Showcased at Council

Posted on October 31, 2011 by in Announcements

BELLEVUE, WA — At the Sixteenth All-American Council here, iconographer Dmitry Skholnik is showcasing the Christ Pantocrator icon he wrote for the ceiling of Holy Trinity’s Nave. Mr. Skholnik, who wrote the Playtera and the icons of the new iconostasis installed last summer, will install the Pantocrator on Thursday, December 8.

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TLC-2 Ministry to Expand; Participate on Panel

Posted on October 24, 2011 by in TLC / TLC-2

As the TLC-2 ministry gears up this Fall to assist more mothers of newborn babies with prepared meals, the group is now partnering with Students for Life and the Orthodox Christian Fellowship to support Penn Staters who make the right choice to keep their infants. This month, representatives from TLC-2 will participate on a panel at the Penn State Pregnancy Resource Forum on campus to offer prolife solutions to pregnant students. The forum takes place on Wednesday, October 26 at 7:30 p.m. at 129A HUB.

For more information on TLC-2 or to join the mailing list, email tlc-2@holytrinity-oca.org.

 

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