On the Shoulders of GIANTS!

During the past few weeks we have had glimpses of the processes that took place when our parents and grandparents were planning for the expansion of this community. Some wanted two separate churches and two communities. Others wanted a united community. After much wrangling, and a survey, nearly all agreed to pursue whatever course the majority decided. The majority were committed to unity; the rest is history. Was it always perfect and without disputes? No. Nothing is perfect in this imperfect world. But there was respect and there was cooperation.

There is also one very striking aspect to the wonderful letter and exhibit that Dr. Nick Vidalakis shared with this community. If one reads the minutes in the exhibit, one discovers that the HCF and HHC are not new concepts. The Building Committee in the years that Prophet Elias was being built was comprised of parishioners who were not serving on the Parish Council at the time. The Committee had its processes, its work, its own checking account and accounted properly to the membership at each General Assembly.

No one started harangues about "secular" entities, nor did Parish Council members feel "undermined" and accuse anyone of "robbery", nor did any cleric threaten excommunication, self- or otherwise. Projects were delivered and completed (as with the HHC) on-time and under-budget, often with monies left over! And, most of all, NO ONE - even those who wanted two communities at that time - would have DREAMED or DARED to establish a separate corporate entity in secret, in collusion with the clergy and the Metropolis, against the wishes of the majority of the membership. Unthinkable!

We have stood on the shoulders of giants. Our current leaders have forgotten this! Let's remind them! Let's unite and show everyone - most especially our kids - that we are worthy of the legacy our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents left us.

- Barbara Billinis Colessides