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 Nick Papastratakos at npapastr@gmail.com.


2023/2024 Koinonia Calendar of Events

  • - July 22, 2023: Interfaith Build With Habitat for Humanity
  • - July 30, 2023:  Annual Mid-Summer Social
  • - September 10, 2023:  Annual Ascension Parish Family Picnic
  • - September 2023:  Koinonia Social Dinner
  • - October 21, 2023:  Annual Men's Retreat
  • - November/December 2023:  Toys for Tots Drive 
  • - December 30, 2023:  Koinonia Cheese and Wine Sharing Event
  • - January 18, 2024:  Health Speaker & Spiritual Discussion
  • - February 17, 2024:  Family Feud: Koinonia vs Philoptohos
  • - April 3, 2024:  Koinonia Hosts Lenten Dinner following Presanctified Liturgy
  • - May 12, 2024:  Koinonia Hosts Coffee Fellowship in honor of Mother's Day
  • - June 21, 2024:  Annual Parish Golf Outing & Family Dinner
  • - July TBD 2024: Habitat for Humanity
  • - July 28, 2024: Annual Mid-Summer Social

Check back for updates.

Click Here to Download & Print the Calendar


 - UPCOMING EVENTS -

 


- PAST EVENTS -

 

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 >>

VISIT 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