CHICAGO - Archdiocesan Council members held their spring meetings May 4–5 to assess the latest progress of the various National Ministries, including administration, finance, stewardship, youth and young adults, communications, ecumenical, Ionian Village, religious education, Center for Family Care, Office of Development and others.
In his comments, Archbishop Demetrios recapped the work of the Holy and Great Council held last year in Crete and the renewed spirit it infused in Orthodox Christianity. He also discussed the importance of stewardship and that it is more than just meeting a financial obligation to a parish. “It is also an issue of service,” he said, “of giving of one’s time and talents.”
His Eminence also reminded Council members about the current spiritual theme of the Archdiocese, “You are the voice of Christ in a changing world” and stressed the importance of reaching out more to the unchurched of which there are an estimated 60 million in this country alone.
Archbishop Demetrios also noted progress made in the Church since the last Council meeting with the appointment of Fr. Soterios Baroody as chief financial officer and Nikki Soteropoulos Margarites, director of development. Archdiocesan Council Vice Chairman George Tsandikos commented that the Council is “moving forward with findings of the Administration Committee (noted below), and that the appointment of the two new staff positions will mean “moving a long way toward creating financial viability for our Church.
Brief summaries of major reports are as follows:
Administration
Committee Vice Chairman Constantine Caras discussed the need for greater familiarity of the Uniform Parish Regulations by parish council members to follow standard administrative practices.
The committee is addressing issues of membership on parish councils in avoiding conflicts of interest, including more than one family member on the council, or members of the parish priest’s family.
In a question-and-answer period, some speakers noted that, with very small parishes, avoiding such situations may be difficult.
Mr. Caras also discussed determining successful parishes as part of the strategic plan process.
He said successful parishes share three characteristics:
- a loving and embracing priest
- encouragement of parishioners to be very involved in running the ministries of the church
- outreach within the parish such as welcoming new members as well as outreach outside the parish, including feeding the hungry programs, helping the homeless and others.
Office of Development
Mrs. Margarites, director, said she is launching direct marketing, internet donation system, and major gifts program initiatives.
She said her intent is to “connect donations with the National Ministries.”
Information Technology
CIO Theo Nicolakis reported extensively on the role of the IT Department in preparations for the Holy and Great Council, including vastly improving the Internet service, installation of wiring to all buildings used and creation of websites.
He also discussed the new Archdiocese website, calling it “an amazing process.” It includes a news section, organizational news, the online Orthodox Observer, real time updates, polylingual and tablet friendly.
Finance
Presentations under the Finance report included George Papadakos, director; George Vourvoulias, Archdiocesan Council Finance Committee chairman; George Matthews, stewardship and outreach chairman; and Effie Marie Smith, manager of the Orthodox Software Initiative.
Youth and Young Adult Ministries
Director Steven Christoforou discussed highlights of his department’s annual report and summarized the work of the Youth and Young Adult Department over the last six months.
He noted that a simplified version of the Youth Safety Policy consisting of multiple parts has been completed. (Related story can be found here)
Communications
Committee Vice Chairman Cliff discussed efforts underway to improve the Orthodox Observer, including changing the type of paper used, text style, advertising and printing and mailing costs. An effort will be made to attract more online subscribers in lieu of receiving a paper copy.
Also discussed was the GOARCH website and communications initiatives in two Metropolises, represented by Kristen Bruskas, director of development and communications for the Metropolis of San Francisco and John Ackerman, director of media relations for the Metropolis of Chicago.
The each reported on their extensive efforts to present the work of their metropolises to the media and other projects.
Ecumenical
The Very Rev. Nathanael Symeonides, director of the Ecumenical Office, discussed the creation of a fellowship program to enhance the work of his office in working with the United Nations, and other projects, including the publication of the messages and encyclicals of the Holy and Great Council. Another UN project that includes Ecumenical Office participation is the creation of a “Water and Sanitation Guide.”
Fr. Nathanael noted that various ecumenical groups have invited his Office to participate in their activities. “It’s a good thing for us to be present in these meetings,” he said.
He also spoke of the need to coordinate ecumenical efforts with the metropolis and local levels of the Archdiocese.
Ionian Village
Fr. Evagoras Constantinides gave a glowing report on the progress made over the past months, following the devastating tornado that struck in September, in revamping the Ionian Village facilities to have them ready for the summer camping season. (related story here).
He said that all summer sessions sold out online shortly after the start of registration.
Improvement highlights include the planting of numerous trees to replace those felled by the storm, including 70 olive trees, the planting of shrubs and trees mentioned in the Bible to enhance campers’ catechetical knowledge, and the installation of an automatic irrigation system.
Fr. Evagoras also reported that, following negotiations with the travel agency that works with Ionian Village, airline ticket costs have been lowered.
Religious Education
Fr, Anton Vrame, director of the Department of Religious Education, reported on his department’s increasing role in publishing books.
He said the DRE has acquired the titles of the Light and Life Publishing Co., founded by Fr. Anthony Coniaris in Minneapolis, and may also become more involved in multi-media products.
Committee Vice Chairman Gerry Clonaris discussed an initiative in Charlotte, N.C., Festival of Faith, aimed at enhancing religious education among adults.
“It shows that, when marketed properly, we can get people to attend programs in religious education.”
Center for Family Care
Fr. Constantine Sitaras, director of the Office of Marriage and Family, introduced the recently named director for the Center for Family Care, part of the OMF, Fr. Alexander-Goussetis, who reported on workshops and webinars to bring the work of the Center to individuals and parishes and on the use of print media.
The Center provides support and resources to strengthen families and marriages in the Church.
Conclusion
The meetings ended with brief presentations by Archons National Commander Dr. Anthony Limberakis (related stories here and here), St. Photios National Shrine Director Polly Maouris Hillier and Greek Education Department Director Dr. Ioannis Efthymiopoulos, who spoke about the department’s latest book.
Newly appointed Archdiocesan Council Treasurer Michael Psaros also spoke briefly on efforts to improve the operation of the Archdiocese.
