NEITHER BLUE, NOR YELLOW! (There is ONLY ONE COMMUNITY !!!)

Dear Friends,

I have reread the rejection letter (of my stewardship) mailed to me on February 9, 2011.  I agree with the provisions of the 1974 Amended Articles of Incorporation.  The Bylaws bear my signature since, at the time, I happened to be the secretary of the State-chartered Corporation.  My stewardship cheque written on January 23, 2011, was made payable to the order of:  Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake. 

After it was deposited into the rightful account and cashed, the Parish Council returned to me a cashier’s cheque, payable by Zions Bank,;  the remitter is shown on the cashier’s cheque (No.: 1395473) as “Greek Orthodox Church of GSL.”

The accompanying rejection letter states that it (the cheque) is being returned to me because it does not conform to the “form” as designed by the Parish Council.  It certainly is not either my fault, or any other parishioner’s fault to whom his/her stewardship was returned, if the Parish Council cannot design the proper form.

Let’s look at the facts:

• The only existing and validly subsisting corporation is the entity known as The Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake, the GOCGSL.  That is the only corporation which can accept money from the stewards of the Corporation.  It is the only corporate entity that can accept tax deductible offerings. 

• The pledge forms referenced in and authorized by ARTICLE VI-PARISHIONERS, By-laws 3, sub section b, direct that payment must be made “… to cover the needs of the Church … ;” payments must be made to the State of Utah chartered corporation, i.e., GOCGSL It is the only entity which HAS ADOPTED AND IS GOVERNED BY THESE BY-LAWS.  

• The Parish Council cannot subvert the By-laws by substituting the names of each of the two churches as the payees;  the pledged money belongs NOT TO THE METROPOLITAN; NOT TO THE CLERGY;  NOT TO THE ARCHBISHOP; NOT TO THE PARISH COUNCIL.  IT ONLY BELONGS TO THE GOCGSLC AND NO ONE ELSE. And most importantly it is the only organization that has enjoyed the status of an IRS approved section 501 (c)(3), and where we the parishioners can make our tax deductible contributions. 

• Neither the Holy Trinity Cathedral nor the Prophet Elias Church are legal entities cognizable at law, and neither is capable of accepting tax deductible funds.  Are the promoters of this silly idea (Blue/Yellow fiasco) trying to make us break the IRS law???

• The state chartered corporation, the GOCGSL, DOES NOT AUTHORIZE PLEDGES TO BE MADE TO EITHER THE “Holy Trinity Cathedral” or the Prophet Elias Church.  NEITHER OF THESE TWO entities are authorized to, NOR are capable of, receiving tax deductible pledged funds.

Dear Parishioners: no one can make you use the Blue/Yellow forms.  Stick to your guns.  Whatever you wish to donate, donate to the GOCGSL, and make your stewardship pledge payable to the GOCGSL.   

Think about it:  What is the motivation of those who try to divert your money to another entity???

Any party who is assisting with or conspiring to divert the pledged funds from its rightful owner the GOCGSL, to the individual churches shall be held accountable.

TO ALL PARISHIONERS:  PLEASE DO NOT SIGN ANY PLEDGE FORMS WHICH DIVERT FUNDS FROM THE Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake.  Please do not get in the trap; you should not recognize nor legitimize the Blue/Yellow forms.

Best regards,

/s/

Nick J. Colessides
Attorney at law
466 South 400 East, Suite 100
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111-3325

Voice:  801/521-4441
Fax:      801/521-4452
Email:  nick@nickjcolessides.com