+Saint Barbara the Great Martyr
Beloved Clergy and Parish Councils of the Metropolis of San Francisco,
“‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” Matthew 28: 19 – 20
It is time to once again prepare for the clergy and lay leaders of our parishes to come together for our annual Clergy-Laity Assembly. This important gathering provides us with the opportunity to learn and grow in our faith, gain new insights into the ministries and programs offered by our Metropolis, and take an active role in the governance of our Church.
This year’s Assembly will focus on Missions and Evangelism with the theme, The Great Commission in the Parish. The guest speaker will be Rev. Father Evan Armatas from Saint Spyridon Church in Loveland, CO. He is a dynamic clergyman and speaker who will share with us his insights into parish growth, outreach, and ministry development. The Assembly will also feature interactive workshops, other informative presentations, the annual review of the Metropolis finances, and the presentation and approval of the 2019 Metropolis Budget.
The 2019 Metropolis Clergy-Laity Assembly will be held at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA, beginning on Monday, March 4, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. and concluding on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. Our Metropolis Clergy are expected to remain at the Ranch for our Annual Clergy Retreat which will commence immediately following the Assembly and conclude on Wednesday, March 6 at 2:00 p.m. As specified in the 2017 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.
Please make sure this important item is placed on the agenda of your upcoming Parish Assembly Meeting so that you may elect these delegates to ensure full participation from your parish. A detailed agenda and registration materials will be provided no later than 60 days prior to the convening of the Assembly.
I look forward to the active participation of all our communities. Please come with an open mind and an open heart, ready and willing to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be a beacon of God’s love in your parishes.
With Love in Christ,
+ G E R A S I M O S
Metropolitan of San Francisco