Youth workers from the Metropolis of San Francisco gathered to share ideas, resources and challenges facing them in their ministry, and to also make plans for the growth and continued expansion of these vital programs. Held at the Metropolis Office in San Francisco from August 16 – 18, 2016, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos welcomed the youth workers to his home for a dinner the first night of their gathering, which was coordinated by Johanna Duterte, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Metropolis of San Francisco.

“It was truly a joy to be surrounded by such vibrancy as evidenced by these young adults,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos. “Some of full-time staff, some are part-time, and some are volunteers, however the common thread is the depth of their commitment to providing engaging and innovative programs to bring together our youth and inspire them in their faith.”

The retreat included a Skype welcome from Steven Christoforou, Archdiocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. A workshop on the utilization of Youth Worker tools was presented by Christian Gonzalez, the Young Adult Ministries Coordinator for the Archdiocese. Other discussion topics included the development of a top-ten list of best practices for youth ministry, program sharing, and a discussion on the importance of youth ministry with His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos. At the conclusion of the meetings, participants visited the Holy Virgin Cathedral to venerate the relics of Saint John Maximovitch.

The Metropolis Youth Director Retreat was well-received by the participants and plans are to make this an annual gathering each August, followed by quarterly video conference calls throughout the year to continue the flow of communication and program sharing.

Plans are also in development under the leadership of Johanna Duterte for a Metropolis Youth Worker Conference to be held annually at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA. This conference would be open to any youth workers including summer camp counselors, dance directors, Sunday School teachers, sports coaches, and clergy. Presenters would include staff from the Archdiocese Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, as well as Metropolis leaders in Family Wellness and Religious Education. Workshops will address youth protection policies and training, and help build a larger network of youth workers and share best practices.

Presently, there are seven parishes with full time youth directors or pastoral assistants, and three parishes with part-time youth directors. Participants at this retreat included: Johanna Duterte – Metropolis of San Francisco Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries; Jacob Saylor – Pastoral Assistant and Assumption Church in Scottsdale, AZ; Christine Whitton, Youth Director at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Portland, OR; Tommy Felactu – Pastoral Assistant at Holy Cross in Belmont, CA; Christian Siskos – Youth Director at Saint Paul in Irvine, CA; Ron Burkhard, Pastoral Assistant at Saint George in Fresno, CA; Ari Gockel – Youth Coordinator at Saint Demetrios in Tucson, AZ; and volunteer Metropolis youth workers Evan Karantonis, Stefan Metrakos, and Seraphim Ramos.