Koinonia Men's Ministry
KOINONIA MEN'S MINISTRY
Ascension's "Koinonia" Men's Ministry group brings Greek Orthodox Christian stewards of the Ascension of Our Lord (25 years of age and older) closer together through Orthodox Christian fellowship, and educational, social and philanthropic ministries. Koinonia Men's Ministry typically meets every other month and among other activities, has planned, hosted and sponsored Ascension's annual golf outing, spearheads the Parish Family Picnic; hosts a dinner during Lent; and, manages the Easter greeting card.
If you would like to learn more about the Koinonia Men's Ministry and the social events and philanthropic initiatives the group is planning, please contact Steve Sintetas @ sas1@me.com.
- UPCOMING EVENTS -
UIC TOY DRIVE
KOINONIA MEN’S MINISTRY invites our Parish to participate in our 2025 TOY DRIVE at Children's Hospital UIC. Please find it in your hearts to drop off any brand-new unwrapped toys at the church Monday thru Friday from 9-3; or on Sunday mornings before or after services at our designated toy box near the Anagnos Fellowship Hall. Monetary donations can also be made through our Giving webpage to Koinonia Men's Ministry and we will purchase toys for you. Questions, contact Loukas Jonson (loukasjonson@gmail.com).
DCFS TOY DRIVE
DCSF TOY DRIVE: Once again this year we will be supporting 60 Children from DCFS (Department of Children & Family Services). Pick a form up with a child’s first name, age and wish list during Coffee Fellowship and learn more from project chairs Sandi & Chris Fotopoulos smfoto13@gmail.com, (847) 409-3880. The DCFS toy drop-off deadline is Sunday, November 30th. (This drive is separate from the one above for the UIC Children's Hospital.)
- PAST EVENTS -
2025 MEN’S RETREAT
THE MEN’S RETREAT – A PEACEFUL DAY OF FELLOWSHIP AND CONTEMPLATION
The 2025 Ascension Men’s Retreat took place on Saturday, October 18th at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. We welcomed 43 men in attendance. Sponsored by the Koinonia Men’s Ministry, it was a day of spiritual renewal, prayer, quiet reflection and fellowship. We want to give a special thank you to Fr. Sotirios and Pastoral Assistant John Anton who presented on a very timely topic: Stillness in the Storm: Becoming Men of God in a Hectic World. It was a blessed day for all!
Our 7th Annual Men's Retreat this past Saturday at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center was a thought-provoking opportunity for the men of our community to reflect on their faith. Keynote Speaker Father George Parsenios READ MORE ON THE MEN'S RETREAT PAGE >>
OUR KOINONIA MEN’S MINISTRY WOULD LIKE TO THANK all who donated to support our Long Johns for Long Johns event on February 11, 2024. A special thanks goes out to Mary Greub & Gerhard’s Elegant European Desserts in Lake Forest for donating the delicious Long John Donuts! Thanks to your generosity, we were able to donate 100 pairs of Long John Underwear to our local veterans in need at Midwest Veterans in North Chicago. When we delivered them, the staff received us very warmly and with much gratitude. Our Ascension Parish truly made a difference in many Veterans’ lives!
MEN’S KOINONIA 2024 KICKOFF – HEALTH & SPIRITUAL DISCUSSION
On January 18, 2024, the men of Koinonia held their annual Kickoff Meeting. After dinner, guest speaker Dr. Dean Karahalios, a Board Certified neurosurgeon, spoke to the group about spine health, and Fr. Sotiri offered a spiritual reflection on "Counting the New Year with God's Time."
MEN’S RETREAT 2023
The 6th annual Ascension Men's Retreat, sponsored by our Koinonia Men's Ministry, took place on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center in Kansasville, WI. We were blessed to have 44 men in attendance who all enjoyed a day of spiritual renewal and fellowship READ MORE ON THE MEN'S RETREAT PAGE >>
Koinonia Men's Ministry members support Downs Syndrome & the Demet Family in October 2023 at Graziano's Restaurant last night of operation after 30 years
THE 2023 PARISH FAMILY PICNIC
We thank the Ascension Koinonia Men’s Ministry for hosting another tremendous Parish Family Picnic on September 10, 2023, and bringing us all together in “Koinonia” to kick off the new Ecclesiastical year! Like in years past, the weather was almost as perfect as the food, the frappes, the family fellowship and the fun. Men's Ministry thanks everyone who contributed to this wonderful event from set-up to clean-up -- including organizers, financial donors, food donors, chefs, servers, runners, bakers, frappe makers and clean-up crews -- thank you and God bless you!
VISIT THE PARISH PICNIC WEBPAGE
