Registration is open for the 18th Annual Metropolis Young Adult Winter Retreat in Lake Tahoe, from Friday, January 17 through Monday, January 20, 2025. The theme for this gathering will be “Be Still and Know: Listening for God’s still small voice” and will be led by Rev. Father James Kumarelas, Proistamenos from Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in San Jose, CA.
Join us for this beautiful retreat, located on a private retreat center on the shore of Lake Tahoe with spectacular views, incredible food, and awesome accommodations! Not to mention, we have a weekend packed full of fun winter activities and fellowship with Orthodox young adults from across the Archdiocese! This retreat will sell out with a limited capacity, so make sure to register today!
Date
Friday, January 17 through Monday, January 20, 2025 (MLK Weekend)
Location
Galilee Episcopal Camp & Retreat Center, South Lake Tahoe
Ages
Young Adults ages 18 – 40
Cost
- Regular Registration $340 (until December 31, 2024)
- Late Registration $360 (January 1, 2025 or later)
Includes lodging for three nights (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) and all meals except lunch Sunday since we will be out exploring Lake Tahoe that afternoon. Price does not include lift ticket.
CARPOOLS: If you need a carpool or can offer to drive others, please contact me so I can help connect people.
We look forward to a beautiful opportunity to come together to begin the new year as we retreat to the Sierra Nevada mountains at Lake Tahoe.
Rev. Fr. James Kumarelas
Father James was born and raised in Oakland, California. He was brought up in the Greek Orthodox Church of the Ascension, where he served in various leadership roles across many of the parish ministries. After working for many years in the film, television, and entertainment lighting industry, Father James finally listened to the call to serve the Church.
In 2014 he left his career and entered Hellenic College as a Seminarian. Over the next six years he would finish his Bachelor’s and then Master’s degrees, graduating from Holy Cross School of Theology with an MDiv. in 2020. While attending Seminary, Father James met his future wife and Presvytera Vasso, and they were married in 2018. In October of 2020, Father James was ordained to the Holy Priesthood at Oakland’s Ascension Cathedral by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, and assigned to serve as assistant priest at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Seattle Washington. Father and Presvytera served the people there for three wonderful years. Beginning on January 1, 2024, Father James was assigned Proistamenos of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in San Jose, California, where he and Presvytera Vasso continue to serve with joy.
