Ministries
Discover how you can grow, serve, and connect with our parish family.
Fellowship Groups
These peer fellowships are designed to engage parishioners in mutual support, service opportunities & spiritual enrichment.
Forerunners
Purpose Statement: To connect with and encourage parishioners 50 years of age and older. We are intentional about our faith, our relationships in fellowship
A-Men (Antiochian Men)
Purpose Statement: To provide the men of St. Nicholas an opportunity to meet, study, and work together for the glory of God. Goals: Expand
Women of St. Nicholas
Purpose Statement: To provide opportunities for the women of St. Nicholas to grow spiritually, serve others, and build relationships with other women in the
OK Mama
Purpose Statement: To share and support each other in our Orthodox community on the spiritual journey of motherhood. Goals: Continue to welcome new members,
Young Adults
Purpose Statement: To ensure young adults remain connected to Christ and His Church as they exist in a world often at odds with this
Youth Programming
We are committed to providing vibrant opportunities for our youth to engage in their faith through Orthodox Education, service, and fellowship.
Teen SOYO
Purpose Statement: Teen SOYO brings its members to a deeper devotion to the Holy Orthodox Church, its faith, canons, and worship. Teen SOYO creates
JOY
Purpose Statement: For children in 4th–6th grade to build friendships and grow in their faith within the Church community. Goals: To increase overall participation
HOPE
Purpose Statement: For children in Preschool–3rd grade to build friendships and grow in their Faith within the Church community. Activities: Wednesday Parish Night. Join
Liturgical Ministries
These ministries involve us directly in the liturgical worship of the Living God.
Altar Servers
Purpose Statement: These dedicated boys and men assist the priest in the functions of the services. This ministry is open to all males who
Byzantine Choir
Purpose Statement: To prayerfully lead the parish during worship. Goals: To foster a prayerful environment of worship during liturgical services; to encourage Byzantine Choir
Liturgical Choir
Purpose Statement: To enhance the beauty of prayerfulness of our worship services. Goal: To praise and worship God through Liturgical Hymns. Join Us: We
Epistle Readers
Purpose Statement: To schedule and train Epistle Readers for liturgical service. Goals: Scheduling readers for each Divine Liturgy, for each themed month such as
Liturgical Support
Purpose Statement: To support liturgical worship. Goals: These ministries bake holy bread, prepare memorial wheat when requested, decorate the icons for the Great Feast
Myrrhbearers
Purpose Statement: Just like the Myrrhbearing women of the New Testament, this group of young ladies enter in the life of the church and
Ushering
Purpose Statement: To help parishioners and guests feel welcomed and supported, while fostering safe, peaceful, and orderly worship. Goals: Supporting parishioners and guests by
Orthodox Education
These ministries promote the religious and spiritual understanding of how to live our Orthodox Faith.
Adult Education and Programming
Purpose Statement: To embody the spirit of life-long learning in us as we seek to live and share the Orthodox Christian life by ever
Adult Sunday Class
Description: Dr. Charles Makhoul’s adult class will discuss the Old Testament Prophecies fulfilled. The class takes place in the St. Joseph of Damascus Chapel.
Archives
Description: The St. Nicholas Archives are maintained in an effort to preserve the history of St. Nicholas parish, which celebrated its centennial in 2022.
Books with Abouna / Films with Father
Description: Read exceptional literature and view specially curated films. Enjoy lively, critical discussion within a thoughtful Orthodox perspective. Expect to participate, share your thoughts,
Bookstore
Description: We have books for all interests as well as icons and gifts. We are happy to order special items too! Join Us: We
Catechumen Education / Catechesis
Description: Throughout the year we offer classes which are required for inquirers who wish to become catechumens and ultimately join the Church. In the
Library
Description: To lend Orthodox materials to all parishioners and inquirers, and provide a comfortable quiet place for reading. Join Us: Help catalogue books, open
Church School
Purpose Statement: To connect our youth with Christ, their Faith, and each other through worship, fellowship, learning, and serving. Goals: To help our youth
Outreach
This ministry answers the call of spiritual and physical needs of people in the larger community in which our Parish is located.
Evangelism
Purpose Statement: To invite our surrounding community to learn about the fullness of the Christian faith as experienced in the Orthodox Church. Goals: Hold
Works of Mercy
Purpose Statement: The most often repeated prayer in the Orthodox Church is “Lord Have Mercy.” We continuously seek mercy from God. At St. Nicholas,
Parish Support
These ministries support the operations and general functions within the church.
Creation Care
Purpose Statement: To care for God’s creation as He intended. Learning and practicing together to be faithful and effective stewards of the environment. Goals:
Health
Purpose Statement: To provide basic health screenings, blood pressure checks, organize CPR training, monitor first aid supplies, respond to medical emergencies during services and
Hospitality
Purpose Statement: To aid in the growth of a welcoming and inclusive community of parishioners dedicated to seeking and sharing Christ’s love so that
KIK
Purpose Statement: Keep & maintain the kitchenette, linen closet, and supplies for the kitchenette. Goals: Keep the kitchen clean and organized. Engage: We are
Stewardship
Purpose Statement: To provide our Parish with stewardship education and training opportunities that enriches the spiritual life of our members. Goals: Increase the number
Technology
Purpose Statement: We support the mission of the church through hardware and software delivery, maintenance, and enhancement. Goals: Governance, policies, processes and procedures, third
Events
Mission Statement: St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church hosts its annual Middle Eastern Dinner to share LOVE, FAITH, and CONNECTION with our West Michigan neighbors. We take great pride in preparing a culturally authentic meal, with proceeds supporting the ministries in our church and benefiting the community. Above all, as children of our Heavenly Father, we recognize that our work is for the Glory and Honor of God.
Goals: To share our Middle Eastern cuisine with the Grand Rapids community, to share our Faith through church tours, to demonstrate hospitality to those who dine-in.
Engage: Everyone in the parish is needed to make this event a success by assisting in food preparation, selling tickets, and working the day of the dinner: food assembling, take-out runners, dine-in servers, hospitality greeters, musicians, clean-up, etc.