The 2014 Metropolis of San Francisco Clergy-Laity Assembly was held February 24 – 25, 2014, at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, California. This year’s gathering focused on the new Metropolis Strategic Plan, the theme of which is “Where there is no vision, the people will perish,” Proverbs 29:18.
In his keynote address to the Assembly, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos related the Strategic Plan as “an icon of the future of our Metropolis, the Metropolis that we want to have not only now, but also the Metropolis that we want our children and grandchildren to have, the Metropolis that is not yet realized. Our work now is to begin to build this Metropolis so that our children and grandchildren have a great inheritance.”
Strategic Plan facilitator, Bill Marianes, offered an inspirational overview of the planning process which began in July 2012 with a team of 50 clergy and lay leaders from throughout the Metropolis. During the Clergy-Laity Assembly, the coordinators of each of the 11 newly formed Task Forces presented an overview of their scope of work, along with a timeline for the implementation of the 37 Strategic Objectives contained within the Strategic Plan. The Task Force Coordinators are Dr. Eve Tibbs (Education); Father Steve Tsichlis (Liturgical Life; Philanthropic Outreach); Father Theodore Dorrance (Missions and Evangelism); Ted Vavoulis (Stewardship), Dr. Dave Matty (Youth); Presvytera Donna Pappas (Specialized Ministries – Wellness; Metropolis Organization and Development); Cliff Argue (Communications); George Demos (Finances); and Greg Kyritsis (Parish Organization and Development). These people have identified captains from throughout the Metropolis with whom they will work to bring this plan into full realization. The delegates enthusiastically welcomed the Strategic Plan and expressed their eagerness to become fully engaged in this exciting roadmap for the future of our Metropolis. A special guest at the Clergy-Laity Assembly was His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas of the Dardanelles who spoke to the delegates about the Challenges Facing the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Immediately following the Assembly, Metropolitan Nikitas was the featured speaker for the Metropolis Clergy Retreat where he addressed the topic “Inculturation – Challenges for Orthodoxy in American Culture and Society”.
The Assembly also received reports from the numerous ministries and committees of the Metropolis including: Religious Education, Arts and Architecture, Insurance and Real Estate, Audit, Philoptochos, Hellenic Education and Culture, Legal, Folk Dance and Choral Festival, and Church Music. In addition, the year-end financial report was presented, as well as a proposal for the 2014 Metropolis Budget of $1.3 million which was unanimously approved. This budget not only provides for the operations of the Metropolis, but also includes provisions for several ministries as well as funding to support the implementation of the Strategic Plan. Special presentations were also offered on the National Ministries Commitment, Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center, and the Metropolis Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries.
In his concluding remarks Metropolitan Gerasimos stated, “The future of the faithful and parishes of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco depends on how diligently we pursue this Strategic Plan as stewards of God’s many blessings. I look forward to sharing this journey of faith with you!”
Delegates in attendance at the 2014 Metropolis Clergy-Laity Assembly at Saint Nicholas Ranch. (photo by Kristen Bruskas)
Metropolitan Gerasimos delivers his Keynote Address to the Clergy-Laity Assembly. (photo by Kristen Bruskas)
Clergy from throughout the Metropolis of San Francisco at their retreat immediately following the Clergy-Laity Assembly. Center: Metropolitan Nikitas and Metropolitan Gerasimos. (photo courtesy of Father Joseph Chaffee)