Message from Metropolitan Alexios
My Beloved Ones,
As we begin this Ecclesiastical New Year, I would like to take this opportunity to offer some words for the new school year as well.
Our schools and universities, like so much of our world, will look very different this year. For those who are taking part in in-person education, there is concern about COVID-19; for those who are learning from home, it is a new learning environment, that requires perhaps even more patience and flexibility.
I am reminded of a sermon offered by the Reverend Fr. Peter Orfanakos, who on the subject of any “new start” said that, “These crusades provide a sense of retreat from the mundane and provide the time and place for us to refocus our life on Christ and His teachings… For this to take place we are called to be Good Stewards with our time, our talent and our treasure. To show ourselves ‘to be a pattern of good works; showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility.’” (Titus 2:7)
In this spirit of positivity and integrity, I know that we will be kind to our students, their parents, and their teachers. Everyone is learning new things during this unique time in our world, and we should therefore do our best to remember, that in all things, we are called to work and live in a way that demonstrates the compassionate face of Christ to everyone we may meet—whether this is on a video screen, or in person.
Though we do not know in which season this pandemic will come to its end, I ask that each use the new church & school years to stay focused on the will of our Lord. In the stresses of working from home, learning from home, or learning in a different kind of classroom, we must remember that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8)—the pandemic is only temporary. This is not to suggest that it should not be taken seriously, but it should remind us that our students and parents alike should carry themselves as true Orthodox Christians: as Good Stewards, making the most of our time, in a proper and positive spirit.
When, God willing, we can resume some kind of “normal life”, may we use the lessons this pandemic has taught us to carry us forward into the future. In all things, and in all ways, may these new Ecclesiastical and Scholastic years be blessed!
+ALEXIOS
Metropolitan of Atlanta
COVID-19 Resources
Supplemental letter for re-opening churches
May 22, 2020
I greet you my beloved with love and joy in the name of our Resurrected Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I pray that this message finds you well, as we prepare to re-open our churches.
This past week we hosted conference calls via Zoom with all the parishes in our God protected Metropolis. I offer my sincere gratitude to all who participated in these meetings as they were very beneficial, not only for those who attended, but for myself as well. In those meetings, we were able to review, assess the regulations of each State and see how we can best celebrate our Church Services in each location. From our discussions, we received valuable information to share with all of you.
Therefore, in addition to the guidelines stated in the letter dated May 13, 2020, please consider these supplementary guidelines as well.
To read the rest of His Eminence's letter and review the Metropolis protocols, please click here.
New OCAMPR website
We’re particularly interested in supporting the professionals on the frontlines, many of whom are carrying additional risks and burdens. It is easy to be overworked and isolated specifically as the stresses and complexities of care-providing increase.
Visit our Support for Frontline Professionals page:
https://www.ocampr.org/support-for-frontline-healthcare-professionals.html Here you may sign up for prayer support, receive a daily quote and reflection, or share your work experiences. Please share these resources with anyone whom you think might benefit.
We know that these are unique times for all of us, and we also know that we have been invited to provide important care at this time. OCAMPR seeks to support each healthcare professional because we do not need to respond alone. If you have any questions, comments, or specific needs that OCAMPR can assist you with at this time, do not hesitate to reach out to us at ocamprinfo@gmail.com. We seek to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) at this time as we offer our skills and services in faith and in love.
May our God of mercy, compassion, and love, through the prayers of His Most Holy Mother, Sts. Kosmas and Damian, St. Luke the Physician, and all the Saints be with all of you in the Lenten Season.
in Christ,
OCAMPR Executive Board
Stewardship Calling in the era of COVID-19
I just wanted to make available to you a very extensive set of resources I offered on my last AFR podcast with a lot of specific suggestions for parishes to consider in 10 strategic areas as a result of COVID-19 as well as a lot of other online resources they could access.
The podcast was over 2 hours given all of the content and resources, and I have also provided two written transcripts, once of the entire show, and a second one that just featured all of the ideas in the 10 areas and resources. I also encouraged those people who can afford to do so to accept the Coronavirus Contribution Challenge by taking their government check they will receive and contributing it to their local church, ministry or charity.
The podcast is free and can be shared and used with no conditions or restrictions. The specific podcast “Spread The Word Not The Virus” can be accessed here: https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/stewardshipcalling/spread_the_word_not_the_virus
The printed resources can be downloaded here https://stewardshipcalling.com/internet-radio/, by scrolling down to the April 1, 2020 program notes.
Feel free to use or share what you want on the Metropolis communications or wherever. Thanks again for all you do and stay safe.
Have a blessed day.
Bill Marianes
www.stewardshipcalling.com
Youth, Education and Hellenic Culture
For information on Policies for the Safety of Youth and Children, please click https://atlmetropolis.org/policies-for-the-safety-of-youth-and-children! Please remember that all parishes must comply and sign their parish contracts by December 1 to host any youth ministry programs or events on the parish level (Sunday School) or to participate on a District or Metropolis Level Events (Retreats, WYR & HDF).
July 27, 2020
My beloved in the Lord,
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served. But to serve,
and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
(Mark 10:45)
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! As we continue through the remainder of what has been a unique summer, it seems especially appropriate to express my gratitude and appreciation those who faithfully served our youth through this year’s Summer Reset Program. Though we all were saddened that current pandemic prevented St. Stephen’s Summer Camp from taking place, this did not stop our Metropolis Youth Department and our Camp Directors from finding unique and beautiful ways to bring our children together, even when they were physically apart. I am therefore even more pleased that this year’s new experiment was a great success in attendance, and that so many of our youth seemed truly engaged with the videos and the discussions that took place.I am sure that all our volunteers learned a great deal throughout the week; as did our youth, who were once again able to strengthen their Orthodox faith. May our Lord bless us always, bestowing upon us, good health, wisdom, patience, and joy. I remain, With paternal blessings and with much love in our Lord,+ALEXIOSMetropolitan of Atlanta
Family Life Ministry
A growing branch of Family Life Ministry and generously powered by Leadership 100, Engage Orthodoxy is a place for anyone to find Orthodox Christian Content curated by a thoughtful and intentional administrative team.
“Engage Orthodoxy” is not only the name of this new site, but it is also the name of a movement away from division and towards unity. Engage Orthodoxy is a movement towards community, involvement, Orthodox friendships, and relationships. EO seeks to bring the the faithful, the curious, the lost, and the searching TOWARDS their faith and Christ and in turn, towards each other. Engage Orthodoxy is a movement forward into the future of the faith. Join us as we move toward Christ, toward each other, and toward the church.
For more information, or to order “Woven: An Interactive Book for the Modern Teenage Girl on Orthodox Christianity” please visit, woveninhislove.org
We also share with you helpful links from the OCN and the Family Life Ministry of the Metropolis of Atlanta.
Journey of Marriage (Pre-Marital Seminar)
All couples marrying in the Metropolis must attend a Metropolis-sponsored Journey of Marriage seminar prior to their wedding. The couple will present their certificate of completion to their parish priest after the seminar.
To see the full list of seminars in Florida and in our entire Metropolis for 2020 and beyond, and to register, please visit: https://atlmetropolis.org/pre-marital-seminars-journey-of-marriage
Registration is online. Materials costs are included in the registration. The seminars are currently being conducted by Zoom meeting.
The Strategic Plan
Have you gone to the atlstrategicplan.org website to find completed materials covering Stewardship or Outreach, Best Educational Materials or Youth Worker Training?
Now you can watch videos in each of these 4 areas to learn from the experts!
Workshops at the 2019 Metropolis Clergy-Laity Assembly in Jacksonville, Florida on these topics were videotaped to provide additional materials to help parishes in these areas.
The Stewardship Training video can be found here: https://atlstrategicplan.org/home/completed-goal-materials/9-1-comprehensive-stewardship-program
The Best Education Materials Training video can be found here: https://atlstrategicplan.org/home/completed-goal-materials/4-1-best-education-materials/
The Outreach, Evangelism, and Philanthropy Training video can be found here: https://atlstrategicplan.org/home/completed-goal-materials/7-1-outreach-evangelism-and-philanthropy
The Youth Worker Program Training Video can be found here: https://atlstrategicplan.org/home/completed-goal-materials/11-2-youth-worker-program/
_________________
Take a look at the online portal.
Vist www.atlstrategicplan.org/portal to view a list of the completed goals.
M
One of the core practices of our spiritual lives is prayer. However, for many young people, starting a daily prayer discipline can seem overwhelming. How much should I pray? When should I pray? Am I doing it wrong? To help, the season premiere of “Be the Bee” addresses this important topic and offers practical, actionable tips to help young people get started (and maintain) a daily habit of prayer.
Sometimes at camp, campers have to adapt to guidelines and schedules they aren't necessarily used to. However, these ultimately allow everyone to thrive at camp and maximize their time there. In this video, Ionian Village's Director of Support and Outreach and school Social Worker Marissa Garoufalis dives into how we can apply camp experience to the current pandemic in order to disconnect, experience, and ultimately rejuvenate during this time.