On November 19, 2002, the Board of the new Archdiocese Department of Parish Renewal, Outreach and Evangelism convened at the Archdiocese headquarters in New York City for a day long meeting.

Created to fulfill mandates of the Philadelphia and Los Angeles Clergy-Laity Congresses, this new Board is comprised of one clergy and one lay member from each Metropolis, who have been appointed to a two year term of service by their respective hierarchs. This was the second meeting of the Board, convened on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, by co-chairs Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos and Mr. Louis Nicozisis.

The Board heard a report from Mrs. Catherine Lingas on Resolutions at the recent Clergy-Laity Congress concerning the establishment of this department. Lengthy discussion ensued on a paper entitled “Struggling to Grow: Suggestions for Increasing Church Membership,” prepared by Mr. Chris Andreas, Administator of the Archdiocese Department of Stewardship Ministry. The Board also adopted an initial Mission Statement for the new department and established goals for the first year, as well as measurements of achievement.

The Board will meet again on Tuesday, May 6, at the Archdiocese. It is anticipated that Archbishop Demetrios will appoint the director of the department in early January.

Board members present were: Frs. Dennis Strouzas, Emmanuel Pratsinakis, Sebastian Skordallos, Theodore Dorrance and Demetrius Nicoloudakis, also Louis Nicozisis, Catherine Lingas, Vivian Badami, Philip Anast, James Speros, and Angelo Stamoulis.

For further information contact:His Grace Bishop Dimitrios
212-774-0526