1. Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors Program Dinner February 19, 2012 The Good News at Holy Apostles Mission

2. Introduction to the Parish Having seen a need for distant Orthodox Christians in the Finger Lakes region of New York, the Holy Apostles Orthodox Mission was established in August of 2010 by its mother parish of Ss Peter and Paul Church of Endicott, NY.

3. History of Lansing Lansing, located on the Eastern shore of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes district of New York, is known best as a small town close to Ithaca, New York. Lansing was within the realm of the Cayuga tribe. Early 20 th Century – salt mines are founded in the area and import Syrian (Lebanese) and Slavic workers.

4. Member of Many Communities Finger Lakes: Fast growing tourist, college and live-in community Tompkins County: College communities, farm communities Lansing: far flung, yet closely related citizens Syrian Hill: Old Lebanese community, now mostly scattered Russian Hill: Where the mission is located Other religious influences: Roman Catholic and Methodist neighbors. Early Mormon area.

5. Demographics of the Mission Many ethnicities represented Lebanese Carpatho-Russian Romanian Greek Anglo-Italians Equal parts converts and cradle Orthodox Several inquirers with varying levels of interest College students

6. Demographics of Ithaca and Tompkins County 10,521 Residents in Lansing 84.09% White, 4.09% Black 8.86% Asian 30% of town are children under 18 years old Median income for a family is $59,758 6.7% live below the poverty line

7. Relationship to Endicott Ss Peter and Paul Church in Endicott is our Mother Parish. Provided clergy for the first year Material and financial support Continuing support and mentoring

8. Pastoral Care at the Mission Fr Timothy Holowatch was the priest-in-charge for the first year the mission was open Clergy from Endicott also helped serve the Divine Services

9. College sweethearts, Married since 1999 3 Children: Shiloh (12), Caleb (10) and Elijah (6) Henry. He is bitey. The Worthington Family

10. Our Worship Space We utilize an unused Roman Catholic church

11. Liturgical Supplies We have been very blessed by our sister parishes in the diocese with many of the liturgical items needed for a properly run church. Much of it is borrowed and worn.

12. All Saints and our Relationship with them 3-5 year rental possibility Great neighbors! Social Hall use for special functions

13. The Divine Services Divine Liturgy served every Sunday at 9 AM, followed by Church School and Fellowship Hour Great Vespers is served every week Holy Days are observed Morning prayers are offered every day Special Services: Thanksgiving, Theophany

14. Water blessing We blessed Cayuga Lake – our gift back to the community

15. Parish Education Education is central to our Orthodox faith. We offer several options, so far Book Clubs Public lectures to come!

16. Church School 7 students, with as many as 10 in attendance Learning about the faith through Scripture Occasional social outings First Nativity play was held last year

17. OCF/CURW We have the opportunity to work with the Cornell University Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) Cornell United Religious Workers The future: Ithaca College

18. Plans for the Future Excitement lead to the Ideas Wall Future Building plans Building Rectory Distant Future: Coffee Shop and unique community outreach

20. Thank You! Your generosity makes it possible for the work of the Church to continue in Lansing, NY! 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.