Three months later the five members of the St. Helen’s Orthodox Parish Council, along with Father Anastasios are seated around a table, because they are holding a meeting in the church basement. Father Anastasios gets up from his chair and starts off the meeting with a prayer. The members of the parish council also get up from their chairs and all of the individuals bow their heads. And Father Anastasios begins. “Dear Lord. Blessed are we. Please guide us in making our most important decisions when it comes to the operation of this church. Take care of all your flock. And through it all, strike our minds with your divine wisdom and fill our hearts with compassion for our fellow man. May we never famish for any of these two elements. Bless this church and take care of all your people not just here at the St. Helen’s Orthodox Parish Council, but throughout the world. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Father Anastasios and the board members cross themselves from right to left, saying in unison, “Amen.” Victory Wrigley, the president of the St. Helen’s Orthodox Parish Council, addresses Celina Hippensteel, who is the secretary of the St. Helen’s Orthodox Parish Council. “Madam secretary. If you will start with the minutes please.”

Celina Hippensteel opens the log and reads from it. “When we were here last time, we   covered the issue of making repairs for the church. We need to repair the steps, the plumbing, the wiring, the roofing and the concrete of the church. We need to raise money to add on a church library for the church. We also need new robes made for the alter boys and for the choir. The ladies of the church have raised eighty five dollars from the bake sale that was in the front yard of our church three months ago. But we still need more fund raisers in order to support the church. Fifteen of the thirty-five families have paid their dues for the church. From the dues money we have one hundred dollars. On a whole, our parish is one thousand dollars in debt, because of the mortgage for the church. We purchased this church for five thousand dollars four years ago. It is because of the parishioners who have paid their dues that we are able to stay afloat. The church bake sales are a big help, but the majority of the money has come from those who have paid their annual dues for this church and from those who have made many generous donations.” Victory Wrigley stands up to speak. “Thank you, Miss Celina Hippensteel.