Dear Reverend Clergy and Esteemed Parish Council Members,

This year the clergy and lay leaders of the Metropolis of San Francisco will have the opportunity to come together at the 2018 Metropolis Clergy-Laity Assembly to be held on January 29 – 30, 2018 at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, California. This annual gathering provides a forum for the leadership of all our communities to deliberate on important matters for our Metropolis and engage in dialogue and fellowship to enrich our common ministry. The Assembly will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, January 29, and will conclude at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 30, 2018.  

The theme for this year’s Clergy-Laity Assembly is “Peace”, based on the quote from the Gospel of John 14:27,  “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  This theme will be further explored by our featured speaker, Rev. Dr. Stavros Kofinas, who currently serves as the Coordinator of the Network of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care.  Father Kofinas will offer an engaging presentation entitled, “Leading the Church in a Chaotic World.”  

We will also have an important presentation on the Archdiocese Policies for the Protection of Youth and Children which will be implemented at all our parishes in the coming year. Interactive workshops will also focus on two expanding ministries in our Metropolis – Family Wellness and Missions & Evangelism – where participants can learn how they can personally become engaged in these exciting efforts and take tangible ideas and resources back to their parishes to enhance their local work.

This year we will also hold elections for eight clergy and eight laity to serve on the Metropolis Council for the next two-year term, and for one clergy and two laity to serve on the Archdiocesan Council for the same term. Nomination forms have already been sent to all parish clergy and this is another very important item for this year’s Assembly.  

It is important that we have full representation from each of our parishes which includes:

• 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; and 
• Two members of the Parish elected by the Parish Assembly.

Please visit the 2018 Clergy-Laity event page for the agenda and to register. Your timely response is requested by Friday, January 12, 2018. Please plan your schedules accordingly and plan to arrive promptly, coming with an open mind and heart, read to learn and willing to share.

I wish you and our entire Metropolis family a peaceful and joy-filled journey in celebration of Our Lord's Nativity!

With Love in Christ,
+ G E R A S I M O S
Metropolitan of San Francisco