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Transfiguration’s Parish Ministries
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so 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.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
From St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans
MINISTRIES
In the Greek Orthodox Church, nothing is ever done without the blessing and direction of our fathers in Christ. Just as our priests do nothing without the blessing of our bishop, so parishioners never undertake any ministry without the blessing and guidance of our parish priest. To do so would be abuse. That being said, another abuse is to assume that our clergy are called or even capable of doing everything alone, without the help of the laity. The Apostles themselves, and our Orthodox Holy Tradition, teach us how to avoid these abuses. God has called us all to a role within His Body the Church and to work together to share the Gospel and to glorify His Name. Our priest has the obligation to instruct us, guide us, pray for us, equip us, provide us with gentle correction when necessary, and oversee all the work of the parish. The pious and God-fearing laity are called upon to follow his lead and work together to accomplish the mission of Christ’s Church.
Get Involved
Join or Lead a Ministry!
Greeters/Ushers
Parish Council members take turns leading the work of our greeters and ushers. This is an important work as our greeters and ushers are often the first human contact visitors have with our parish and the Orthodox Faith. If you would like to participate in this ministry please speak with one of the ushers for further information.
Acolytes (Altar Servers)
In the earlier days of the Church, this ministry was fulfilled by adult men, publicly set aside as acolytes, subdeacons and other special offices to help the clergy prayerfully and gracefully fulfill their leadership of the numerous liturgical services. Adult men may still serve and are welcome to do so, but often these duties today are fulfilled by young boys. If you would like to serve in this ministry please contact Fr. Peter.
Chanters
Our chanters provide the music for some of our Sunday Divine Liturgy as well as for many mid-week and festal services. Chanter training is ongoing. If you would like to know more about this ministry please email Betty Peterson.
Adult Choir
The adult choir is in the process of formation and will be open to those roughly middle school age and older. It is anticipated that our choir will sing for certain Sunday Divine Liturgies during the School year; music on the other Sundays and at mid-week services is provided by our chanters. If you are able to sing and have a desire to serve in the choir, please contact Fr. Peter or Kristen Buskohl, our Choir Director.
Epistle Readers
The reading of the Scriptures during our services is a very important job. For this reason it requires special training and a demonstrated competence. That being understood, adults and young people interested in participating in the reading of the appointed epistle readings during the Divine Liturgy are a blessing to our community. To learn more please contact Fr. Peter.
Website / Social Media
Our Transfiguration Website / Social Media group helps keep our website up-to-date and use various kinds of social media to reach out to Orthodox Christians who are new to our area as well as to those who are seeking a place where they live out the authentic, historic Christian Faith in today’s world. In doing this, they help others find their spiritual home in the Holy Orthodox Church. To learn more and see how you can help, please contact Rod Fitts.
Parish Council
The Parish Council of Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church consists of parishioners in good spiritual standing with the Church who have been blessed by our priest and elected to work together with the clergy of our parish and the our bishop (called a “Metropolitan”) of our diocese (called a “Metropolis”) to help assure that the work of the church is done in a loving, respectful, and orderly manner.
Prosphora Ministry
The bread that is used in the Divine Liturgy is lovingly and carefully prepared by parishioners who have been trained in this important aspect of our Holy Tradition. Without this important ministry, we would never be able to celebrate the Divine Liturgy. If you like to bake and would like to learn more about this important ministry, please contact Fr. Peter.
Philoptochos
The goal of the Philoptochos of Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church is to promote charitable, benevolent, and philanthropic outreach, to preserve the sanctity of life and the family, and to perpetuate and promote our Orthodox Faith and traditions. If you would like to know more or how you might participate, please contact speak with Fr. Peter or Sharron Michailidis.
Parish Bookstore
Our parish bookstore is a great place to find that prayer book, pick up a gift for a friend, or find your next great read!
Stewardship
As Stewards, we affirm that every aspect of our lives comes as a gift from God. Stewardship calls on the faithful to cheerfully offer back to God a portion of the gifts with which they have been blessed for the work of the Church and the spreading of the Holy Gospel.
Contact Us Here to Inquire about Our Ministries.
Christian Education
Sunday School
Sunday School is a place of learning our Orthodox Faith and Tradition for all school-aged children of our Parish. Sunday School at Transfiguration runs from the fall through the spring, roughly the same time as the public school year. Our dedicated teachers begin classes just after the administration of Holy Communion so our children, as full members of the Church, may participate as much as possible in the Sunday Divine Liturgy. If your children are now school age or if you’re new to the parish and would like to register your children for Sunday School, please see Fr. Peter or Michelle Elkin. View more information here.
Catechesis
Our Transfiguration GOC Catechism Class meets regularly for the instruction of current and potentially new members in the truth of the Orthodox Christian Faith. Since true catechism is more than an academic affair, those wishing to join the Orthodox Church are also encouraged to learn about our local community, how they might join others in using their talents for the betterment of the Church, their role as stewards of the Church, and to actively develop a pastoral relationship with our clergy. Everyone is welcome!
GOYA
GOYA is a ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America that serves the youth of our Church in grades 7-12. The GOYA of Transfiguration GOC, Sioux Falls seeks to be an active ministry which helps our young people in develop a sustainable relationship with God and the Orthodox Church so that wherever life may take them they will always follow Christ. For more information please contact Fr. Peter.
Wednesday Evening Studies
From time to time classes are offered on Wednesday evenings, following our mid-week prayers. The subject of these classes varies, and all are welcome to participate.
In addition to the ministries listed above, the following ministries are envisioned as possible parts of the future ministry of our parish.
Orthodox Christian Men’s Fellowship
A group of Orthodox Christian men meeting to deliberately encourage each other as we strive to become stronger member of Christ’s body and better servants to the Lord and those around us.
Hospitality / Fellowship
The goal of this ministry group is to form a corps of parishioners who can reach out to visitors and existing parishioners with love, to offer hospitality and encourage greater fellowship and unity trough home visits and sponsored times of fellowship and fun at Church.
Joint Orthodox Festival
TGOC is considering joining with our Serbian Orthodox sister parish to celebrate our common Orthodox heritage through food, music, and fellowship and raise awareness of the Orthodox Faith in the greater Sioux Falls area.
Vacation Bible School
With the fun and warm weather of summer comes an opportunity for us to welcome the children of our parish and our neighborhoods to learn more about the fundamentals of our faith and have fun while doing it! Each year’s VBS is centered around a theme which is developed a little more each day. Come join in the fun!
Financial Peace
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The Treehouse
(loosely modeled after The Treehouse, a ministry of St. George Cathedral in Wichita, KS)
The Treehouse offers mothers and babies a brighter future through sharing God’s love, basic necessities, education and genuine personal care. By incorporating Christ into everything we do at The Treehouse, we teach moms they are not alone in their struggles. When the world seems like a very dark place, they have someone and somewhere to turn for hope. The Treehouse guides and empower new moms by providing positive female role models, education, and spiritual support. Showing and providing Christ’s love to moms who may not be exposed otherwise is core to The Treehouse mission. We gently encourage moms toward a spiritual life regardless of denomination. The reflection room at The Treehouse is always open for moms to pray, read a scripture or simply enjoy a quiet moment.
Orthodox Christian Fellowship
OCF transforms the lives of college students by guiding them along the path to Jesus Christ through His Church, cultivating a campus community of worship, witness, service, fellowship, and education.
The OCF VISION:
– to be the loving presence of Christ and the Orthodox
Christian Church on college campuses
– to be an integral part of students’ spiritual formation
by challenging them to explore the Faith
– to inspire students to commit to living an Orthodox
Christian way of life daily