Assembly Resources
Presenter | Agenda | Documents | Nominations
Clergy and lay leaders of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco will have the opportunity to gather at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA on March 4 – 5, 2024 for the Clergy-Laity Assembly. It will be a special honor to welcome His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America who will offer an Archpastoral Message for the attendees.
This annual meeting provides a forum for the leadership of all our communities to deliberate on important matters for our Metropolis and our Archdiocese and engage in dialogue and fellowship to enrich our common ministry. The Assembly will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 4, and will conclude at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. The Metropolis Clergy Retreat will begin immediately following the conclusion of the Assembly and will continue through Wednesday, March 6.
The theme for this year’s Assembly is “Contemplate. Reconcile. Unify.”, and will feature Rev. Dr. Nicholas Louh who will offer an engaging presentation, expanding on this verse from Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians, “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:19-20). There will also be the annual review of the Metropolis finances, the presentation and approval of the 2024 Metropolis Budget, elections for the Metropolis Council, Archdiocesan Council, and Audit Committee members, and an opportunity to interact with the leaders of our Metropolis Ministries to share the important efforts they are offering to our parishes and faithful.
As specified in the Uniform Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, each parish is expected to have four delegates in attendance at the Clergy-Laity Assembly, comprised of the following:
- The Parish Priest.
- The President of the Parish Council, and in his or her absence the Vice President, or in his or her absence any member of the Parish Council designated by it.
- Two members of the Parish elected by the Parish Assembly.
Registration is now open and your timely response is requested by Friday, February 16, 2024. Please plan your schedules accordingly so that you may fully participate in this Assembly and benefit from the valuable presentations and information that will be offered.
For additional information, please contact the Metropolis Office.
Featured Presenter
Rev. Dr. Nicholas Louh
Rev. Dr. Nicholas G. Louh was born in Jacksonville, Florida on September 25, 1974 and currently serves as the Senior Priest of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church. Upon graduating from the University of North Florida, Rev. Louh entered Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary in Boston, Massachusetts and graduated with a highest-distinction Masters of Divinity (1999) and a Masters of Theology (2000). He then attended Gordon Cornwell Theological Seminary where he earned a Doctorate of Ministry (2003) with an emphasis on Pastoral Counseling in the urban ministry.
Fr. Nicholas is known in both local and global communities as a devoted pastor, motivational speaker, and compassionate champion for those in need, and a passionate advocate for interfaith dialogue and social justice. Fr. Nicholas has a heart for guiding people through the difficulties of everyday life, by providing practical means to bridge their faith into their everyday life. He travels throughout the country leading retreats on understanding and living out God’s purpose. In addition to his role as pastor at St. John the Divine, Rev. Louh serves on the Metropolis Council for the Metropolis of Atlanta, and serves on the Archdiocesan Council as Chair of the Communications Committee. He is also an Adjunct Professor of World Religions at the Florida State College at Jacksonville and is the chaplain for the Jacksonville Sharks Arena Football Team. He appears on WJCT radio as part of the “God Squad”, a monthly panel discussion broadcast program discussing a broad array of religious topics of current interest. He also proudly serves on several local and state boards, including OneJax, an interfaith organization. Together, Fr. Nicholas and his wife, Dr. Roxanne Louh co-host a weekly radio show on Ancient Faith Radio, entitled, “Live with the Louhs” on Tuesday at 8p.m. In addition, they co-author daily inspirational messages through email and social media. You can register to receive these messages by going to their website at www.TheLouhs.com/Subscribe. They have also co-authored their first book, released in October of 2020, entitled “Renewing You, A Priest, A Psychologist, and a Plan. ” You can purchase their book on their website or at Ancient Faith Publishing. Fr. Nicholas lives in Jacksonville with his wife, Dr. Roxanne and their two children, George and Gabriella.
Agenda
Monday, March 4, 2024
- 10:30 a.m. Registration Opens
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch
- 1:00 p.m. Convening of Assembly – Metropolitan Gerasimos
Opening Prayer Service – Archbishop Elpidophoros
Designation of Presiding Officer and Secretary – Metropolitan Gerasimos - 1:30 p.m. Archpastoral Message – Archbishop Elpidophoros of America
- 2:00 p.m. Keynote Address – Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco
- 2:30 p.m. Introduction of Metropolis Council, Archdiocesan Council, and Audit Committee Candidates – Bishop Ioannis
- 3:15 p.m. Break
- 3:30 p.m. Contemplate. Reconcile. Unify. (Part 1) – Rev. Dr. Nicholas Louh
- 5:00 p.m. Ministry Overview: Orthodox Parish Leadership – Steve Tibbs
- 5:30 p.m. Great Vespers at the Monastery of the Theotokos the Life-Giving Spring
- 7:00 p.m. Dinner
- 8:00 p.m. Elections, Ministry Pavilion, and Dessert Reception at Spanos Faith and Heritage Center
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
- 8:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy, Nineteen-Year Memorial for +His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony at the Monastery of the Theotokos the Life-Giving Spring
- 10:30 a.m. Brunch
- 11:15 a.m. Group Photo
- 11:30 a.m. Continuation of Assembly
• Metropolis Philoptochos – Jeannie Ranglas
• Approval of Minutes from the 2022 Assembly
• Report of Metropolis Council – Isidoros Garifalakis
• Report of Archdiocese Finance Committee – George Psefteas
• Metropolis Financial Report – Michael Syrengelas
• Review and Approval of Metropolis Budget – George Psefteas
• New Business - 1:15 p.m 47th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress – Isidoros Garifalakis, Jeannie Ranglas, Kristen Bruskas
- 1:45 p.m. Contemplate. Reconcile. Unify. (Part 2) – Rev. Dr. Nicholas Louh
- 2:30 p.m Closing Remarks
• Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco
• Archbishop Elpidophoros of America
CLERGY RETREAT BEGINS FOLLOWING VESPERS AND DINNER
Download: 2024 Clergy-Laity Assembly Flyer
