Caption: His Excellency Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia with His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco at the 2008 Clergy Laity Assembly. (photo courtesy of Kristen Bruskas)
DUNLAP, CA – “The Parish as Eucharistic Center” was the theme of the annual Metropolis of San Francisco Clergy-Laity Assembly held at the St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in late February. A record number of delegates, over 175, from parishes throughout Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington participated in two days of plenary sessions, workshops, worship services, and fellowship.
His Excellency Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia presented the opening keynote address on the theme of the Assembly. The well-known Orthodox theologian, author and speaker from England noted that the primary purpose of a parish is to be a center for the Eucharist, with everything revolving around the Liturgy and Holy Communion.
Quoting the Greek author Christos Yiannaris, Metropolitan Kallistos observed that “Personal existence must be anchored in the local parish.” However, he added that a parish is not in isolation from its diocese, and the celebration of the Eucharist is under the direct authority of the local bishop. To improve the Eucharistic witness in a parish, Metropolitan Kallistos made several suggestions including encouragement of frequent communion, congregational participation in singing the hymns and responses, the priest offering the “silent” prayers out loud, and restoration of the exchange of the Kiss of Peace among the entire congregation, not just by the celebrating clergy.
In his opening remarks, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco used the concept popular in current political campaigns of “change.” Metropolitan Gerasimos reported that many positive changes are taking place in the Metropolis. He was pleased to announce that the Metropolis of San Francisco exceeded its expectation and remitted over $1.7 million in parish contributions for the new Total Commitment program to the Archdiocese. A new Metropolis website (www.sanfran.goarch.org) was launched in the fall of 2007 in an effort to improve and increase communication regarding the ministries, as well as spread information on our Orthodox faith. The Family Wellness ministry is beginning to take shape, with some preliminary programs having been offered in 2007 to support clergy and their families. Expanded programming for parishes to include marriage enrichment programs, grief and bereavement counseling, and cancer support groups will be formulated in the coming year to supplement programs already being provided by our parishes.
Finally, Metropolitan Gerasimos stated that the Metropolis needs to have its own Administrative headquarters as do most of the other metropolises of the Archdiocese. The house in San Francisco, which doubles as both a residence and the administrative offices, is no longer adequate to serve the many programs of the Metropolis.
Fanis Economidis, Vice President of the Metropolis Council, also commented on the fulfillment of the Total Commitment program to the Archdiocese, especially since 25% of our contributions are remitted back to support the operational needs of the Metropolis. Mr. Economidis noted the aggressive renovation plan St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center, which has historically been one of the leading ministries in the Metropolis of San Francisco. He also discussed the distribution of the proceeds from a land sale in 2007 which has helped to substantially reduce debt previously carried by the Metropolis. Through the exhaustive efforts of the Legal Committee, the Metropolis of San Francisco now has its own 501c3 tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service.
During the plenary session, delegates approved a 2008 Metropolis budget of over $800,000. Funding support is included for youth programs, religious education, Greek Education, public relations, and stewardship development.
Reelected to two year terms on the Archdiocesan Council were Fr. Jon Magoulias (Annunciation – Modesto, CA), Dr. James Kallins (St. George – Downey, CA), and Mrs. Catherine Lingas (Holy Trinity Cathedral – Portland, OR). Clergy elected to two-year terms on the Metropolis Council were: Fathers John Asimacopoulos (St. Nicholas – San Jose, CA), Tom Avramis (Trinity Children’s Foundation – Colton, CA), John Bakas (St. Sophia Cathedral – Los Angeles, CA), Andrew Barakos (Assumption – Scottsdale, AZ), Theodore Dorrance (St. John the Baptist – Beaverton, OR), Gary Kyriacou (St. Demetrios – Camarillo, CA), James Retelas (Annunciation – Sacramento, CA), Peter Salmas (Holy Cross – Belmont, CA). Lay representatives elected to serve two-year terms were: John Buzas (St. Anthony – Pasadena, CA), Catherine Lingas (Holy Trinity Cathedral – Portland, OR), Steve Pappas (St. Anthony – Pasadena, CA), George Psihogios (Holy Trinity Cathedral – Portland, OR), Jeannie Ranglas (Ss. Constantine and Helen, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA), Tony Saris (Nativity of Christ – Novato, CA), Paul Sogotis (Annunciation Cathedral – San Francisco, CA), and Eve Tibbs (St. Paul – Irvine, CA). Per the Uniform Metropolis Regulations, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos has the authority to appoint an additional eight members, both clergy and laity, to commence their term following the Clergy Laity Congress in July 2008.
The Assembly adopted two resolutions proposing changes to the Archdiocese Regulations, one adding the Legal Committee to the Standing Committees of the Archdiocesan Council, and the other requiring parishes to incorporate with a uniform name “(name) Greek Orthodox Church/ (Cathedral) of (locality).” Both will be forwarded for consideration at the Archdiocese Clergy-Laity Congress in July.
Alexei Krindatch of the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute in Berkeley, CA briefed the delegates on his recent research of the Metropolis clergy entitled: “Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco at the Beginning of a New Millennium”. This survey was divided into six major areas, and includes information on family ministries and family issues in the parishes, worship practices, financial stability and pastoral experiences of the surveyed clergy. The data from this survey will help identify the areas in which further training and ministry development are necessary for our parishes.
Reports on the various ministries of the Metropolis were forward to all delegates in advance of the Assembly by email, and binders containing the reports were provided at registration.
A special guest at the Assembly was The Honorable Xenia Stefanidou, Consul General of Greece in San Francisco, who received congratulations on her recent promotion to the rank of Ambassador.
Three educational workshops were presented for the delegates, for the “Feeding of the Mind, Body, and Soul.” Elenie Huszagh, Esq. presented “Leadership in Parish Life: How the Structure of the Orthodox Church Assists in Effective Leadership.” Another workshop on “Enjoying Good Health, Serving Your Parish and Experiencing Weight Loss – What Do These Have in Common” was presented by Yannis Kepesidis, B.S. M.A. The third session on “The Runaway Soul: Getting Back on Track Towards God’s Kingdom” was presented by Fr. Athanasios Tsagalakis, M.S., M.F.T.
Vespers, Orthros and Divine Liturgy were celebrated by His Grace Bishop Anthimos, assisted by clergy of the Metropolis, in the church of the Monastery of the Theotokos of the Life Giving Spring which is adjacent to the Ranch. Following the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos led the clergy and faithful in a three-year Memorial Service for + Metropolitan Anthony, of blessed memory, who is buried behind the church.
Caption: Metropolitan Gerasimos (center) leads a graveside Trisagion prayer service for +Metropolitan Anthony, of blessed memory. (L-R) Father Christopher Flesoras (St. Anna – Roseville, CA), His Grace Bishop Anthimos of Olympos, Metropolitan Gerasimos, Father John Bakas (St. Sophia Cathedral – Los Angeles, CA), Father Paul Schroeder (Holy Trinity Cathedral – Portland, OR).
(photo courtesy of Christ J. Kamages)
4th Thursday after Pascha
