Ministries
Ministry is established with expressions of service offered to God, either directly or indirectly through acts that serve others in the attempt to grow together toward the Lord. Christian Ministry is the very work of the Christ’s Church, and is manifest in multiple forums, including: Liturgical, Pastoral Care, Administration, and Programs. Through the work of these varied mediums, diakonia, or service, is offered to God’s people through the efforts of the Church, ultimately bringing forth the experience of God in the lives of the faithful! At Saint Basil’s, ministry is consistently offered with the basis of God’s love as motivation and foundation. You are invited to participate and experience the love of God through the following forms of ministry offered at Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Christian Church.
Liturgical
Liturgical Ministry is experienced in the context of the Divine Services that are celebrated in Christs Holy Church. Orthodox Christian tradition maintains multiple liturgical services, varied in focus and context, yet all steered by the essence of giving thanks to God, and experiencing His Divine love. The most primary liturgical service in the Christian tradition is the Divine Liturgy, which takes place each Sunday morning as we celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord, and also at varied dates through out the year, in commemoration of great events or saints from the life of the Christian Church. The Divine Liturgy is prayed through the active participation of both clergy and laity, including the participation of our choir, chanters, and altar boys. You are invited to attend this most profound worship experience at Saint Basil's, each Sunday at 10:00am.
Pastoral Care
Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.1 Corinthians 4:15
Pastoral Ministry, offered through the clergy of the Church, is found in its most divine state through the context of the sacraments. Beyond the sacraments, pastoral ministry is extended through counseling of individuals and families, and visitations of those who are hospitalized or homebound. If you are in need of pastoral ministry of this nature, please contact the church office.
Administrative
Ministry manifests itself in many forms, and can be experienced in unexpected forums, including administrative function. Through the work of numerous groups, comprised of Church laity (non-clergy), under the leadership of clergy, support the experience of all other community ministry forums. These efforts are made consistently under the supervision of our parish council, and in conjunction with our office staff. The administrative function of the Saint Basil community is truly form of ministry in itself, as it promotes and creates opportunities for the faithful to experience the love of God through multiple forms at His Church.
Programs
Saint Basil community ministry programs all serve as mechanisms, which through fellowship and education; promote the experience of God, found in the Christian community. Saint Basil's maintains numerous ministry programs, which serve each age demographic, ranging from infants to seniors. The following is a brief description of the current ministry programs offered at Saint Basil's; however, as our community grows and becomes more diverse, the ministry programs also transform in accordance with the needs of the community. Please enjoy the brief descriptions below of the current Saint Basil ministry programs, and know that you are invited to participate in any or all!
Family Night
Each Wednesday evening during the fall and spring seasons, members and friends of the Saint Basil family, are given the opportunity to grow closer to our Lord by growing closer to one another. Through prayer, table fellowship, and activities for all ages, the Saint Basil Family Night Ministry has quickly become a dynamic part of the life of the Saint Basil community. Beginning with the service of Paraklesis or Supplications, we pray for the health of are family members. Then we join together by sharing table fellowship at the provided dinner in the Constantine & Evanthia Spanos Community Center. Immediately after dinner, all the children enjoy activities through their Saint Basil Youth Groups, which are offered each week, before all gathering together once again to close with prayer. All are welcomed to attend these exciting and fulfilling nights! Saint Basil Family Night Ministry begins at 6:00pm, and concludes at 8:00pm. Please call the church office for appropriate dates.
Little Lambs
The relationship between parents and their infant/toddler child is one which is most blessed, as it was even experienced by Christ Himself, in His relationship with His mother, the Virgin Mary. The Saint Basil Little Lambs Ministry Program supports this bond, by creating a Christian environment for parents, together with their infant/toddler children to gather on a monthly basis, and enjoy healthy fellowship.
HOPE
'Hellenic Orthodox Primary Education' is a ministry program for children ages 4-7, and focuses on the learning of our Orthodox Christian tradition through activities and fellowship. The HOPE Program meets within the context of our Saint Basil Family Night Ministry, and numerous scheduled weekend activities.
JOY
'Junior Orthodox Youth' is a ministry for children ages 8-12, also with a focus on learning our Orthodox Christian tradition through activities and fellowship appropriate for the age level. The JOY Program meets within the context of our Saint Basil Family Night Ministry, in addition to monthly activities.
GOYA
'Greek Orthodox Youth of America' is a ministry for teens, focused on addressing dynamics specific to their age with the embrace and teaching of the Orthodox Christian Church. GOYA meets weekly, in addition to monthly activities and retreats.
OCF
'Orthodox Christian Fellowship' is a ministry serving college students, and focused on assisting them in developing an Orthodox foundation as they develop as individuals and in their respective vocations. OCF currently meets monthly at the campus chapel at the University of the Pacific, in Stockton, CA. Please contact the church office for scheduled gatherings.
20's/30's
Saint Basil's 20's/30's program is a ministry program serving all faithful in their 20'S & 30's, focused on the ministry of Christian fellowship, and development of Christian foundation with dynamics that impact young adults today. This ministry currently meets monthly for various activities and events; please contact the church office for scheduled events.
40's/50's
Saint Basil's 40's/50's program a ministry program serving all faithful in their 40'S & 50's, focused on the ministry of Christian fellowship, and development of Christian foundation with dynamics that impact adults today. This ministry currently meets monthly for various activities and events; please contact the church office for scheduled events.
Car Pool
Many of Saint Basil's faithful either do not drive, or are not able to drive at all times. With a network of Car Pool Drivers who will volunteer to be on a list of available drivers, more of our Saint Basil family will be able to come to Divine services, and other community events. By simply offering to give someone a ride, you will help him or her take one step closer to Christ! Please step forward to make yourself available as a Saint Basil Car Pool Driver, if you are interested please contact the church office.
Blood Donor Club
The Saint Basil community has an official grouping of individuals who are incorporated as through the local blood bank. If you are in a position of need for a blood transfusion, or are interested in donating blood, please contact the church office.
Prosforo
Prosforo is the bread, which is specially prepared and then offered to the Church to be used during the Divine Liturgy. The bread offered and then transformed into the Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the antidoro, which is offered at the conclusion of the service. Preparing this bread in your homes is a blessing and form of prayer! Even if you do not currently know how to bake this offering, please sign up for this special ministry, as workshops will be offered, teaching anyone interested how to prepare that which will be offered as the Body of Christ! If you are interested in joining this ministry, please contact the church office.
Philoptochos
Philoptochos is a philanthropic ministry program, literally meaning, ‘friends of the poor,' and serving the needs of those both within and outside of the Saint Basil community. In an effort to create further opportunities for all our community members 18 and older, men and women, to participate in this most vital ministry program, we have diversified its model and launched varied forms through which individuals may participate, which may be more conducive with work schedules and family dynamics. The following are all options for our community members to find edification through this dynamic philanthropic ministry program.
Philoptochos: Macarea
The Macarea is the meal that promotes healing through fellowship, and follows funeral services. This group will organize and facilitate all Macareas. Participation in Macareas is a tremendously paramount ministry offering as it helps in offering comfort to those individuals and families in difficult times. If you are interested in joining this healing ministry, please contact the church office.
Philoptochos: Coffee Hour
The Coffee Hour is the fellowship hour following the service of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday mornings. This group will organize coffee hour sponsors; give sponsors guidance if they wishes to do the 'leg work' of facilitating the coffee hour, or provide the option for a sponsor simply to financially sponsor the coffee hour, and the ministry group will facilitate the afternoon's coffee hour, with the sponsor's established donation. Christian fellowship is central to our experience of Orthodoxy, most especially following the sanctity of the Divine Liturgy. If you are interested in sponsoring a coffee hour, or becoming a member of this ministry group, please contact the church office.
Philoptochos: Bereavement Support
The Bereavement Support Ministry Program is comprised of Christians with loving hearts who wish to make themselves available for those individuals and families who experience the death of a loved one. Families are supported through contact soon after the falling asleep of a loved one, and immediately are reminded that they are loved and prayed for by their Orthodox family. In such an intimate time as the loss of a loved one, our Christian family must be present to embrace and support one another. If you are in need of support from this loving ministry, or are interested in becoming a member of the program, please contact the church office.
Philoptochos: Visitations
The Philoptochos Visitation Ministry formalizes efforts for community members to share time and fellowship with those who are unable to attend church services for various reasons. Christian fellowship, most especially offered to those who are sick or in need, are essential in Christian journey. In addition to regular visitations, hospitality baskets are delivered to those unable to come to church. If you would like to be added to our visitation list, or are interested in joining this ministry, please contact the church office.
Philoptochos: Event Planning - Fund Raising
These ministry groups work closely together, planning fellowship and celebratory events in the life of the community, and responsibly working together in the raising of funds to grow the ministry of the Saint Basil Philoptochos society. If you are interested in joining one or both of these ministry groups, please contact the church office.
Philoptochos: Administration
The Administration Ministry oversees all administrative responsibilities through out the Philoptochos family, including but not limited to; producing the yearly calendar, establishment and tracking of the annual budget, maintaining communication with Metropolis and Archdiocesan Philoptochos groups, oversee the assurance of all commitments made by the Saint Basil Philoptochos family, etc. If you are interested in joining this ministry, please contact the church office.
Philoptochos: Social Outreach
The very nature of a Christian community is one that manifests God's love by reaching outside itself. In the spirit of the Good Samaritan who reached outside himself by caring for a foreigner, not from his own community, this essential ministry program will offer diverse forms of philanthropy to our greater community of Stockton, and beyond. Although assistance is also offered to the community members of Saint Basil's, this ministry program will most dynamically focus on the limitless opportunities to help others in our hometown and surrounding area. If you are interested in joining this foundational Christian ministry, please contact the church office.