NEW YORK – Archdiocesan Council members heard progress reports from the various national ministries and Archdiocese organizations at their Oct. 15-16 meetings, presented here in summary. Significant topics from the presentations will appear as separate articles in upcoming issues of the Orthodox Observer.

Following a day of committee meetings, the entire Council convened for a day-long session at the Marriott Marquis hotel Oct. 16.

Separate reports on the progress of St. Nicholas Church and National Shrine, and Ionian Village appear in this issue.

Communications: Crisis Management Guide approved

Vice Chairman Clifford T. Argue reported that the guide, which addresses situations relating to crisis management in the media, has been reviewed by the legal committee and will be transmitted to Archbishop Demetrios, the metropolitans and parishes. The guidelines are not mandatory.

Other issues the committee has addressed and recommended include retaining a public relations crisis management consulting firm and the need for a full-time communications director.

Religious education: Major software upgrade under way

Having recently acquired the Orthodox Marketplace as part of its services, the Department of Religious Education is undergoing a major upgrade of its software to accommodate the additional load. Director Tony Vrame said the current online store is not compatible with the existing software and the process involves uploading thousands of photographs. He said the online store “should be up and running by spring.”

Administration: Study of parishes with successful ministries

Vice Chairman Anthony Stefanis said the committee is developing a program to focus on characteristics of parishes with successful ministries. One finding has been “the smaller the parish the higher the percentage of parishioners who participate” in the ministries. Declining parish participation is also a matter of concern.

The committee’s work includes consideration of the status of proposed regulations, initiatives and proposed amendments that eventually will be presented at next July’s Clergy-Laity Congress.

Technology: Working on Septuagint

The Information Technologies Department of the Archdiocese has launched the Greek Orthodox BIBLE site to ease access to Holy Scriptures under a new domain www.greekorthodox.bible. Director Theo Nicolakis said the new site centralizes all biblical and scriptural tools of the Church. It will include the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament. He also noted that everyone can now keep track of progress on construction at the St. Nicholas Church and National Shrine building site in real time by accessing: www.stnicholaswtc.org/webcam

Ecumenical: Several initiatives under way

The V. Rev. Archimandrite Dr. Nathanael Symeonides, director of the Office of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Inter- faith Relations, reported that Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the United States held its sixth meeting in September, in Chicago.

He serves as executive assistant to the Chairman, Archbishop Demetrios.

His Office also has recently been involved with the visit of Pope Francis to New York, and is working on various ecumenical issues through the United Nations through the NGOs (Non-Government Organizations, through which the Archdiocese maintains a presence).

Youth and Young Adult Ministry: An integrated and supportive vision

Stephen Christoforou, director, said his department’s current projects include organizing retreats for kids, and working with the Department of Family Ministry to offer experience for youth workers, young adults and parents.

Vice Chairman Elaine Jaharis reported on continuing efforts to improve the youth protection program. Two council members, Dr. Anthony Limberakis and Cathy Walsh, gave highly favorable views of the youth ministry’s “Be the Bee” program, which has viewers as far away as South Africa.

HCHC: Seeking to expand enrollment

The new president of Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology, Fr. Chris Metropulos, noted that school enrollment may reach 240 students by next semester, the highest in many years.

Finance: Small parish support

Vice Chairman George Vourvoulias said the Archdiocese committee for small parishes has developed a grant program based on a resolution from the Metropolis of Denver to offer financial support to help small parishes survive based on an allocation system. Initially, four parishes have been identified to receive grants: St. Peter’s in the Bronx, N.Y., St. Elias the Prophet in Dubuque, Iowa; Annunciation in Missoula, Mont., and St. George in Prescott, Ariz.

Stewardship, Outreach and Evangelism: Parish training

Vice Chairman George Matthews and office Director Fr. James Kordaris reported on efforts to provide training to parish and metropolis leaders aimed at reaching out to engage active and inactive members through various means, including an interactive education program and a video series.

Clergy Outreach and Development: Addressing priests’ needs

Dr. Demetri Katos, chairman, said the new committee was created to represent the clergy and provide priests with assistance for their special needs, including information on continuing education programs.

Greek Education: New book series

Dr. Ioannis Efthymiopoulos, national director of Greek education, expressed appreciation for a grant from the FAITH Endowment that made possible the production of a new series of books at three levels beginning with three–and four–year olds. A teachers training seminar to support educators with the “Ta Ellinika mou” series and monitoring the success of the books in the classroom are follow-ups to the introduction of the books.

Archons: Social media efforts

Dr. Anthony Limberakis, national commander, reported on the Order of St. Andrew Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate efforts to pursue new avenues of communication through social media in an effort to improve communications at the national and international levels.