Holy Transfiguration Stewards

Holy Transfiguration

Orthodox Christian Church

November 11, 2025

Dear Good and Faithful Stewards,

Our parish has many blessings for which we are all grateful during this time of thanksgiving and gift-giving. We’ve welcomed a dozen new members of our growing Body of Christ in Mason City. We’ve welcomed our father and Archbishop Nathanael to our beloved parish, along with community leaders from around North Iowa. We’ve lovingly preparedand served food to the community at several successful fundraisers. And we’ve offered love and comfort through visits and ministries to those in prison and those in need in Mason City and North Iowa. As we gather at our Thanksgiving and Christmas tables this year, let us all give thanks for our many blessings!

None of our parish’s blessings would be possible without your love, support, and generous offerings. We invite you to continue nurturing our growing Orthodox family through your faithful stewardship.

Stewardship comes in many forms!In the words of St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans.

We, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness (Romans 12:5-8)

St. Paul is challenging the Church in Rome to be not just hearers of God’s word, but doers of the word, as well. When you become a steward of our parish, giving of your resources, your time, and your talent, you are furthering our ministry of the Orthodox faith in North Iowa.

In the Orthodox Church, there’s no “minimum” when it comes to giving. There’s no set amount expected—each of us gives as we’re able and as our hearts lead. The income chart that came with the pledge card is simply there to help you prayerfully reflect and plan your gift.True stewardship isn’t about numbers—it’s about love and sacrifice. What matters is not measured by dollar signs, but byhow much we’re willing to give for the service of Christ.Our time, our talents, and our treasures are all ways we show our love for God and each other. When we give freely of ourselves, Holy Transfiguration can focus less on fundraising and more on what really matters—growing in faith, worshiping together, and sharing Christ’s love with the world.

As a parish council, we all dream of a day when we can donate the entirety of our proceeds from Summer and FallFundraisers to charities serving those in our community who need our help. In the Gospel of Matthew, Christ tells us,“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (6:19-21).Through your stewardship pledges, we move one step closer to being a self-sustaining congregation, capable of giving our treasured resources to our neighbors and spreading Christ’s word in our community.

Let’s each ask ourselves: how can I give back to God in gratitude for all He has given me? The late Christian preacher Billy Graham once said, “A checkbook is a theological document, it will tell you who and what you worship.”I don’t need to tell all of you thatour ministries cost money. From keeping the lights on during the Divine Liturgy to providing food for fellowship on Sundays, from Father Nichalas’s salary, to supporting our Archdiocese, we need your help to make ends meet.

As St. Paul reminds us, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). When St. Paul calls us to be cheerful givers, he doesn’t mean giving a certain amount—he means being sincere. Our giving should reflect what we truly believe. If we believe in the love of Christ, in the life of the Church, and in the Kingdom of God that begins here and now with us, then that faith should show in how we spend our time, share our talents, and offer our resources.

The world spends freely on things that fade—the newest gadgets, the fastest cars, and the fanciest meals. As Christians, we’re invited to invest in something that lasts forever. Giving to our parish is one way we live our faith, not just talk about it.Through our generosity to local charities and our beloved fundraisers, we’ve planted seeds of generosity in the North Iowa community. Those seeds will wither if we don’t nourish them with our generosity and our loving care. Let’s be a parish known for generous hearts—people who give joyfully of our time, our gifts, and our means, so that thanksgiving and love may grow within us and through us.

Our Orthodox faithis thriving today because of the love and generosity of parishes like Holy Transfiguration. Thank you for being a part of the blessings we offer to ourselves and to our neighbors. Together, let’s keep building a community rooted in faith, gratitude, and joy.

With love and thanksgiving,

Fr. Nichalas and all the members of our Parish Council,

May God generously bless us all now and forever. Amen!

 

MEMBERSHIP
To be a member in good standing you must be a pledging steward who is up to date, you must be a frequent communicant at the Holy Chalice, and not have any canonical impediments that effect your relationship with the church.

As of Sunday January 12th, these Faithful members of our parish have returned their stewardship pledge and/or committed to support the operations of our parish in 2025. Let us all join together to grow the Faith and minister to the people of North Iowa.

Stewardship pledges as of 1/11/2025 totaling more than $42,000+

We are HALF WAY THERE ALREADY, help us reach our goal of $85,000.

Jamie & Nancy Zanios

Amber & Jacob Gray

James & Jean Marinos

Leah Osborne

Nick Pappas

George & Cindy Fountas

Mary Alukos

Jim Pattas

Maria & P.K. O'Handley

Fr. Nichalas March and family

Nick Vlantes

Tim & Laurie Lichman

Elaine Pappajohn

Jared Lichman

Leo Andolino

Sarah Rabie

Don & Johanna Wilson

Shannon Hickman

Kalliope & Mark Eaton

Tedi Anne Hassapopoulos

Isaac & Brooke Berg

K & E Costa

George Lattas

David Greder

Denisa & Radu Hagau

Gary & Bonnie Kavars

Lynn & Mary Kaufman