PARISH ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES
ALTAR SERVERS
Here is the description of an altar server as seen through the eyes of an altar server:
"To serve in the Altar is a privilege. To be in the presence of God is even more a
privilege. Being in the presence of God means little or no talking during the service
unless necessary and always listening to directions."
Any boy who has received his First Holy Confession is eligible to become an altar
server. The servers are divided into groups which alternate serving on Sundays.
BIBLE/RELIGIOUS DISCUSSION GROUP
Obeying the command of St. Peter to ". . . grow in the grace and knowledge of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18), this Group meets regularly in the
church hall to informally discuss the meaning of Scriptural texts as well as a wide
variety of current societal and moral issues confronting each of us personally as Orthodox
Christians living in a hostile world. EVERY sincere Orthodox believer should try to attend
this Group since St. Peter also gave this warning. ". . . you must understand this,
that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy
ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." (2
Peter 1:20-21) The meeting dates and times are routinely announced in both the weekly
bulletin and monthly newsletter or you may contact the pastor personally. (GUESTS are also
welcomed!) No previous Biblical or religious knowledge is required except a DESIRE to know
Christ better and more accurately!
CHURCH CHOIR
"We will sing with the Spirit; We will sing also with the understanding."
(I Corinthians 14:15) This is the ultimate goal and responsibility of our Holy Ghost
Church Choir.
Although the beautiful responses, led by the choir, help to create a
more conducive setting for proper worship and prayer, the active participation by our
entire congregation has always been strongly encouraged.
The choir continually seeks
new members - All Are Welcome!
Our Choir in 1972-1973. Click on the photograph for a high-resolution
image.
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Our Choir in 1954 |
Our Choir in 1957 |
CHURCH COUNCIL
The Church Council is a twelve (12) member board elected by the parishioners to
govern the secular activities of the Church. Headed by the parish priest as its
spiritual leader, the council oversees the daily operations and needs of the
Church. The council meets on a monthly basis and plans church related activities
CHURCH SCHOOL
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart
from it." (Proverbs 22:6) This is the mutual goal and objective of our Holy Ghost
Church School Staff. A firm knowledge and personal understanding of the fundamental
teachings/beliefs of the Eastern Orthodox Church, such as prayer, the Sacred Mysteries,
Holy Scripture, and the importance of icons are all highly stressed. In addition, a
Vacation Church School has been implemented in order to further enhance the Christian
development of our children.
FELLOWSHIP OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS OF AMERICA (FOCA)
The Ambridge "O" Club is a chapter member of the Fellowship of Orthodox
Christians of America. The F.O.C.A.'s main goals are to promote and advance the religious,
educational, social and athletic activities of the people of the Eastern Orthodox Faith.
It achieves these goals through regular events both on a local, district and national
level which allows practical means for its members to become acquainted to form long and
enduring friendships. If a person is interested in joining this organization, please
contact the chapter president concerning membership specifics.
LADIES' ALTAR SOCIETY
The Ladies Altar Society of the Myrrh Bearers, founded in 1927, has as its goals the
perpetuation of the Orthodox Christian Faith; the beautifying of the interior of the local
church, vestments for the priest and altar boys and altar covers; and to support the
Orthodox Church in America on a national and diocesan level whenever possible.
All women of the Holy Ghost Church (at least 18 years of age and in good standing) are
eligible to join. Meetings are held whenever it is deemed necessary (3 or 4 a year) with
an annual meeting in October. Dues are nominal. To raise money for their projects, the
Altar Society ladies bake and sell bread.
JUNIOR FOCA/TEEN GROUP
We are especially proud of our young Christians at Holy Ghost. Educational classes of
our Teen Group, led by Fr. William Evansky, meet on a weekly basis
throughout the Church School year which provides the cornerstone for our young people in
their service to God, to our Church and our community. Most of our teens serve as chanters
and altar servers. They also have started to organize and arrange the Paschal flowers of
our Lord's grave. They have established a solid tradition of Christmas caroling to our
Parish's shut-ins, and at least two to three times per year, they prepare lunches that are
distributed on the North Side of Pittsburgh for the homeless families and individuals. Our
teens also enjoy at least two or three social gatherings each year such as go-carting,
laser tag and cosmic bowling to name a few.
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