“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” I Corinthians 16:13

Faith Forward is a unique opportunity to support the ministries of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco. The Metropolis is a thriving center of resources and programs for the spiritual, educational and cultural enrichment of our faithful.. When you support Faith Forward with your stewardship, you are making an investment in the growth and development of our Metropolis ministries, not just for today but for tomorrow.

The Need

Did you know that 30% of the Metropolis budget must be derived from unrestricted donations? That’s where YOU can help! With you as a Faith Forward steward, we can continue to sustain and expand our ministries and programs that have become extraordinary resources for our parishes, clergy and faithful. Just as you offer a regular donation to your local parish, please consider becoming a monthly Faith Forward steward of YOUR Metropolis!

Make a Bigger Impact!

Faith Forward is not just a one-time program. The generosity of our Faith Forward stewards supports the Metropolis year-round. Make a bigger impact by giving monthly to Faith Forward – and help the Metropolis on a regular basis. Just select the monthly option when you donate today. It’s secure and convenient!

What's the Latest?

• Our Family Wellness ministry has reached over 400 couples across the Archdiocese with their Eight Dates relationship series. This highly-skilled leadership team has offered presentations to groups including Young Adults, Clergy, Parents and more. Future programs include a Men’s Small Group Ministry, Divorce Recovery and Support, Parenting Ministry, and Mental Health Education Workshops.
• The Young Adult League Conference was revived in our Metropolis in 2019 and since that time this ministry has flourished. Annual conferences over Labor Day weekend each year draw hundreds of young adults and emerging leaders from across the Archdiocese for a weekend of fellowship, worship, witness and service. As an outgrowth of these conferences, YAL In Your Backyard reaches into the various regions of the Metropolis and promotes ongoing gatherings for young adults throughout the year, and encourages their engagement in parish life.
• The Folk Dance and Choral Festival came back in 2022 after a one-year hiatus due to COVID. The energy and enthusiasm for this ministry continues to be a strong force in the Metropolis, and features a weekend of Faith, Dance and Fellowship, gathering one of the largest groups of Greek Orthodox youth and families in the United States. The colorful array of costumes, the resonant sounds of native instruments, and the melodic voices singing traditional melodies creates a feast for the senses!
• The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries continues to coordinate our very popular Summer Camp ministry, as well as regional retreats for GOYA and Young Adults during Lent, fall and winter. They also support the ongoing collaboration with youth directors and pastoral assistants in the Metropolis.
• The Stewardship ministry has developed an impressive collection of online resources from over two years of monthly webinars. Programs are continuing and are providing parishes and stewardship leaders with tools to create a culture of true Orthodox Christian stewardship. Topics include: Life After Festivals, Welcoming Newcomers to Our Church, Getting Parishioners Back to Church, Mission Work That Creates Stronger Parishes, and Protecting and Embracing Our Youth.
• Church Music is a central part of our worship, and this ministry has recently created a new leadership infrastructure that is more responsive to the needs of our parishes. They offer eight scholarships to church musicians every year, and they also provide training at no charge to parishes who are trying to enhance their music ministry at the local level.
• The Metropolis Philoptochos continues to be exemplary in their service to others through Philanthropy, Fellowship and Faith in Action. They care for children with cancer and their families, they provide confidential financial assistance to those in need, they feed the hungry, and they provide clothing and personal care items for the homeless. They also are a beacon of light for the students from our Metropolis attending Hellenic College Holy Cross, having offered over $1.5 million in the past 15 years.
  The Greek Language and Culture ministry works with the leadership of our parish Greek Schools and offers curriculum guidance as well as support for the administration of the Greek Language Proficiency Exam for advanced students. Each year they also present a Metropolis-wide program to observe the Feast of the Three Hierarchs and their contributions to Hellenic Paideia.
• Our Christian Education ministry continues to offer monthly online meetings for Church School directors from throughout the Metropolis where they share ideas and resources to improve the quality of education for our youth. This ministry also oversees the Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival where our Metropolis representatives continue to receive high rankings at the National Festival, including First Place in 2022!
• Missions and Evangelism are two vital components for the growth of our faith. With new leadership, this ministry is expanding their reach into our local communities as every parish needs to be mission-minded and understand the importance of spreading Orthodoxy. Missions and Evangelism is for every parish – large and small – and it is ultimately about spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Clergy Continuing Education is providing resources for our clergy to support them in their ministries. A more expanded offering is currently in development and includes: educational opportunities for clergy to enhance their ministries, a centralized repository of excellent resources for on-demand learning, and facilitating peer support and learning, and mentoring opportunities between clergy.
• The Greek Village Immersion Camp transitioned this summer to a family camp and brought together a multi-generational group to experience a traditional Greek Island Wedding. Complete with language classes, Greek dancing, cooking, and traditional customs, this new format of the Greek Village – Elliniko Horio – was received with great enthusiasm and cultural pride.
• Orthodox Parish Leadership focuses their efforts on supporting parish health, growth and revitalization. This ministry has also been a guiding light for our parishes during the pandemic, providing vital information for the safety of our communities. Their current efforts are focusing on parish and ministry effectiveness and also implementing a Parish Assessment tool to help communities take a broader view of their work and determine areas for expansion and improvement.
• Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center is looking better then ever with a recently remodeled and expanded Conference Room, a beautifully renovated Dining Hall, and new concrete siding for the exterior of the buildings. Be sure to look for the new signage as you turn onto the Ranch property from Dunlap Road, too!