The 2016 Clergy-Laity Assembly for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco was held February 29 – March 1, 2016 at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, California. This year’s gathering followed the theme “Looking Inward – Looking Outward” and centered on the scripture, “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart” (Proverbs 27:19).

During his keynote address, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos expanded on the theme by inviting the delegates to look inward and consider the quality of their spiritual lives, their health, their mind and their interior wellness. Looking outward is being demonstrated through the remarkable progress of the Metropolis Strategic Plan with nearly 20 program launches and the addition of two new Metropolis staff members focusing on Family Wellness led by Rev. Father Timothy Pavlatos, and Missions and Evangelism led by Thomaida Hudanish. In addressing the ongoing implementation of the Strategic Plan Metropolitan Gerasimos stated, “Creating the Strategic Plan was not the purpose of the Strategic Plan. The purpose was to empower you to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and the life of His Church with the faithful and the world around us as effectively as we can. Our task is to build the Body of Christ, that is each of us, to be spiritually healthy and full of life.”

His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas of the Dardanelles was also in attendance and offered a greeting to the Assembly on behalf of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Metropolitan Nikitas thanked the members of the Metropolis for their support of our Mother Church, and especially for their diligence in building up our communities of faithful believers in Christ and doers of His Word.

Two special guests also offered informative presentations to the Assembly. Rev. Father Vasileios Thermos, M.D., Ph.D. from Athens, Greece, gave a powerful presentation on “Addiction and the Person: A Psychological and Theological Approach.”. He emphasized that not all addictions are life-threatening, but they are all harmful to the health and integrity of the person. Father Thermos emphasized the need for a strong prayer life, seeking joy through reality and not fantasy, and the importance of the Holy Sacraments to infuse life into the addict.

Also in attendance was George Caravakis from the GDC Financial Group which administers the Orthodox Health Plan  (OHP) for our clergy. This presentation to the Assembly provided insightful information on how the benefits plan is structured, both in terms of the services available and the investment each community makes towards the wellness of their parish priest and his family. He also explained the various benefits offered by OHP and how Caravakis and his staff can provide personal support and assistance with benefits administration.

Metropolis Council Vice President Theofanis Economidis presided over the Assembly, and gave a summary report of the Metropolis Council meeting which immediately preceded the Clergy-Laity Assembly. The Metropolis Council has been working diligently to support the implementation of the Strategic Plan and provide financial oversight and management for the Metropolis budget of $1.4 million. Delegates to the Assembly each received detailed reports on the ministries of the Metropolis including Philoptochos, Christian Education, Family Wellness, Folk Dance and Choral Festival (FDF), Greek Village Immersion Camp, Hellenic Education and Culture, Missions and Evangelism, Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center, and Youth and Young Adult Ministries. Committee reports included Art and Architecture, Audit, Fundraising, National Ministries Commitment, and Real Estate and Insurance.

Another highlight of the Assembly was a tour of the recently completed Alex and Faye Spanos Faith and Heritage Center. This facility was a priority for His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony, of blessed memory, and its completion marks a significant effort on behalf of the Saint Nicholas Ranch Board and Metropolis Council. This new facility will house the Metropolitan Anthony Gallery, rooms dedicated to Philoptochos and the Elios Charitable Society, as well as exhibits and archives for FDF. The Saint Fotini Chapel, featuring iconography by Dr. George Kordis, provides an area for worship which can be used for various retreats and gatherings at Saint Nicholas Ranch. A formal Thyranoixia will be scheduled in the coming months.

Elections for the Metropolis Council were held with the following results: Laity Elected – Spiro Beckas (Long Beach, CA), John Buzas (San Marino, CA), Judge Steve Counelis (Riverside, CA), George Demos (Huntington Beach, CA), Gerry Kamilos (Sacramento, CA), Michael Syrengelas (Long Beach, CA), Dr. Eve Tibbs (Irvine, CA), and Ted Vavoulis (Pasadena, CA). Clergy Elected – V. Rev. John Constantine (Downey, CA), Fathers Andrew Barakos (Scottsdale, AZ), Dean Kouldukis (Seattle, WA), Constantine Pappademos (Elk Grove, CA), Peter Salmas (Belmont, CA), Andrew Scordalakis (San Diego, CA), Peter Stratos (Pasadena, CA) and Tom Zaferes (Oakland, CA). Elected to serve on the Archdiocesan Council are: Rev. Father Aris Metrakos (San Francisco, CA), Isidoros Garifalakis (Vancouver, WA) and Photios “Rocky” Sisson (Scottsdale, AZ).

The Clergy Retreat which convened immediately following the Assembly included additional presentations by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, Rev. Father Vasileios Thermos, M.D., Ph.D., and George Caravakis. The theme of the Clergy Retreat was “Pastoring with Understanding”.