Monthly Letter from the Parish Council President

Every month our Parish Council President informs the community of St. Elijah with what is going on during the months. This year our Parish Council President is Trey Kouri. Below is the monthly letter mailed to the parishoners of St. Elijah.

January 27, 2010

Dear St. Elijah Parishioners:

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am honored to be re-elected to serve as Parish Council Chairman for the upcoming year. On behalf of the Parish Council members and all the St. Elijah family I want to extend a very gracious thank you to Mickey Homsey and Dr. Paul Massad. I also want to welcome the new members Dr. Sam Musallam and Mike Worku.

Congratulations to the newly elected officers:

• Dr. Gary Rahill - Vice-Chairman
• Dr. Tad Shadid - Secretary
• Dr. Raymond Cohlmia - Treasurer
• Craig Abraham - Assistant Treasurer

I look forward to serving with them this year. Please remember that we are all available for any issues that you would like to have addressed by the Parish Council.

As you probably know by now, the Seniors' Day Out Program is up and running. Please mark your calendar for the upcoming Valentine's Day Luncheon. This is open to all parishioners 55 and older, and their children or caregivers that will be assisting them to the church. The Luncheon and other festivities begin at noon in the fellowship hall.

Our Stewardship Chairman, Mike Malone, reported a total number of 150 pledge cards turned in to date, for a total pledged amount of $534,000.00. Although this is a great start, please remember that our annual budget is approximately $875,000.00. If you haven't turned in your pledge card, please take the time to do so. Mike also reported that St. Barnabas had completed their 2009 giving and our parish managed to give over $45,000.00 to outside organizations and charities.

Please mark your calendar for the Teen Soyo Annual Valentine's Day Dinner. This year it will be held on Saturday, February 6th. As always, this is a wonderful event put on by our teens. Please plan to attend.

Lastly, we are taking steps to increase security around the church. We have added video cameras to our security system and are asking our Sunday security officers to be more proactive and patrol both inside and outside the church. These steps we hope will deter theft and vandalism, but please be cautious and do not leave valuables in your cars.

I am excited and honored to serve St. Elijah again. My door is always open and my phone is always available. Please feel free to contact me or any of the board members with any questions or concerns.

Yours in Christ,

H. Trey Kouri, III
Parish Council Chairman