Message from Metropolitan Alexios
My Beloved Ones,
Beginning October’s Clergy Appreciation Month, I am reminded of a beautiful testimonial provided to the Retired Clergy Association, by one of the children of our Metropolis, Evan Scurtis, daughter of Fr. Demosthenes Mekras, who served all his life as the Dean of St. Sophia Cathedral in Miami, Florida.
In the words of Mrs. Scurtis, “My parents were young, 21 and 22 years old and "grew up" with the parish. My Dad taught Greek School and my Mother, Sunday School… As a young Presbytera my Mother sewed altar boy vestments and choir robes...
“What I learned through my parents was to help those in need. Our door was always open… As an adult I look back on my childhood as a [Priest’s Kid] (my generation was referred to as "tou Papa ta paidia") my brothers and I had wonderful experiences meeting persons from all over our great country. Miami was a "winter wonderland" for the "snowbirds" during the 40's and 50's into the 60's before it became a big city. Not that there were not bumps in the road, as all priests experience, but those were small compared to the goodness we shared.
“What I appreciate the most is that when my Dad came home and the front door closed, he was just our Dad. We were a family and did not feel "on call" to our parish. Whether a priest and presbytera or not, my parents would have expected their children to attend church services, attend Sunday School, Greek School and be part of GOYA. So, for my brothers and me, we do not look at these efforts as an obligation as PK's. It was just part of being Greek Orthodox…”
I have shared these words because I hope and pray that we ourselves… “do not look at these efforts as an obligation…” May we take our inspiration from the hundreds of clergy families in our Archdiocese, who commune with our Lord, and are spiritually uplifted when they serve Him.
I hope that we are all reminded of the sacrifices our clergy families make every single day for us. Living in the world, it can be easy to forget that, though the Priest serves the people, that does not mean he has no life outside his calling. When he celebrates a baptism, a marriage, or commends the souls of the departed to the Lord, often, he is also asking his family to make a sacrifice, whether they realize it, or are gracious enough to accept.
This Clergy Appreciation Month, may we remember to thank our Priests, our Presvyteres, and who give up the “ordinary life” the laity experience, to instead live an extraordinary life, full of devotion to our Lord and His Church. In this way, a clergy family is magnified, including not only a father, mother, and children, but all the parishioners who love them, and look to their spiritual father to guide them to salvation.
+ALEXIOS
Metropolitan of Atlanta
Diakonia Retreat Center October Matching Campaign
Dear Metropolis of Atlanta Family,
We need your help!
Due to the pandemic shutdown the last 8 months, we have had no income which has made our budget very tight. However, we are so grateful for a generous donation of $25,000 with a matching challenge. Would you please donate to support the DRC? All donations will be put in a restricted account to cover monthly expense shortfalls.
Although the DRC has been temporarily closed, we have been extremely busy ensuring the campus is in great condition for re-opening. The following are just a few our accomplishments:
We are in unique times. A season of constant change. What hasn’t changed is our purpose at the Diakonia Retreat Center - to be a place of life Transformation which enables growth in faith, family and friendships.
- Cleaned up tornado damage and replanted trees where appropriate
- Remodeled 3 cabins including new bathrooms and flooring
- Upgraded and fixed our outdoor low ropes course
- Replanted grass and leveled our soccer field
- Continued work on our beautiful Panagia Chapel
- Refinanced our mortgage
- Began developing our long-term plan for space utilization & design
- Updated our website to include e-commerce capabilities for our Candle Ministry
We have done all of this with anticipation of re-opening the retreat center for you. Starting in October, we will be able to host 4 families safely at any one time. We will be strictly following CDC and local SC guidelines. If interested in relaxing and reconnecting with God and your family in a retreat setting, going to Church services - please email diakoniaretreatoffice@yahoo.com to reserve your spot.
In addition to making a donation, we would like to also request that you and your family remember the DRC Staff, Board, and all the ministries in your prayers. If you have kids that have gone to St. Stephens Camp, it would be great to ask them to light a candle and say a prayer for all of us as we get ready to have camp again next year.
Donate Today
Thank you for your constant expression of love toward our wonderful DRC.
With a grateful heart,
Mark G. Moraitakis
DRC Board Co-Chair
COVID-19 Resources
How to Survive With 2020 Vision
2020 has been a very tough year!
~ a once in a lifetime deadly COVID-19 pandemic
~ forced isolation and separation from each other
~ a shutdown of our churches and businesses
~ the closure of schools
~ unprecedented health and financial difficulties
~ a very divided country
~ contentious elections and political climate
~ significant civil unrest
~ a polarizing press and media
~ negative and divisive social media attacks
~ disruptive mobs
~ higher depression, suicide and murder rates
~ increased despair
~ and the list goes on and on...
No one has escaped this unprecedented combination of horribly disruptive crises. Some believe that, from now on, "2020" will be used to describe something messed up or bad (e.g., "sorry you're experiencing a 2020").
However, this year has also allowed us to have 2020 “perfect” vision about many things. 2020 vision is the gold standard of absolute clarity of what is both near and far.
So, how can we make it through the rest of this difficult year and have a better life and attitude? When the COVID-19 pandemic is just the story that you tell, what will be the story that you tell?
We will discuss 3 practical, proven, and theologically supported things you can do right now in your life to make it better. We will also RESPECTFULLY discuss some of the "challenges" we are experiencing and must overcome with a "mistake maestro," someone who has done so many goofy things and made so many mistakes that his expertise is undeniable.
On Wednesday, October 7th, please join Stewardship Calling Live on Ancient Faith Radio by logging into: https://www.ancientfaith.com/radio/live starting at 8:00 p.m. Eastern (7 Central – 6 Mountain – 5 pacific). These 3 answers on how to survive and thrive for the rest of this year as we acquire 2020 vision for a better tomorrow and 2021 are inspired by the Holy Gospel and have been validated by science and in real life.
You can also let your voice be heard by calling: 1-855-AFRADIO (1-855-237-2346) or by joining the chat room at: https://www.ancientfaith.com/radio/live
Please share the following flyer for this program with your family, friends, community or anyone who may need some help getting through these troubled times: 2020 VISION FLYER
Have a blessed day.
Bill Marianes
Bill@stewardshipcalling.com
www.stewardshipcalling.com
Parish Council Elections in the Time of COVID-19
September 18, 2020
To the Reverend Clergy, the Parish Council Presidents, and Parish Council Officers of the Metropolis of Atlanta:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
I pray that this message finds you well. Out of pastoral love and guidance, His Eminence has made the decision, in concert with the 2020 Clergy-Laity Congress, to forego Parish Council nominations and elections for the coming year (unless otherwise deemed necessary by the Metropolis of Atlanta). This, the Metropolis feels, will allow the current leadership, including officers, to guide their communities through the quickly evolving circumstances of the COVID-19 era. In this way, irrespective of the remainder of the term length, every Parish Council member will serve for an additional year to ensure a smooth transitional process. Current officers will serve an additional year, and clergy will administer the Oath of Office for all Parish Council members in early January.
For the time being, Parish boards of auditors may be nominated and elected during General Parish Assemblies as usual. Additionally, provided the safety precautions are maintained, the number of parishioners needed to convene General Parishes Assemblies may be constituted by both those faithful who have chosen to attend church in person, as well as those parishioners who wish to participate from their homes over video-conferencing.
Thank you for your understanding, your willingness to adapt, and your continued service to our parish communities,
Faithfully yours,
+ Very Rev. Fr. George Tsahakis
Chancellor
New OCAMPR website and COVID-19 Resources
Christ is in our midst! In response to the challenges we are facing in our communities, country, and worldwide, OCAMPR is reaching out to provide assistance to care professionals at this time. Please visit the new OCAMPR website and our COVID-19 Resources page: https://www.ocampr.org/covid-19-resources.html It contains links to the best resources for healthcare professionals as we serve our clients, patients, and parishes. Consider contributing useful information that you have found or developed. We are in the process of developing additional resources that might be useful.
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
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).
September 9, 2020
My Brothers in the Lord,
I greet you with love and joy in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I pray that we all experienced a blessed and joyous feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos.
As we enter this period of the new Ecclesiastical Year, the Metropolis turns its attention to those beautiful events: the Winter Youth Rally & Hellenic Dance Festival. Both WYR and HDF remain committed to safe environments for our Metropolis faithful to come together in fellowship, worship, and dance. Indeed, the Metropolis continues to closely monitor the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, in accordance with CDC, State and Federal Guidelines.
Therefore it is with a heavy but clear heart that I write to inform you, based on the recommendation from both the WYR Committee & the HDF Executive Committee(in consultation with our Metropolis Administration, and the Clergy Syndesmos) we feel the safest and most prudent decision is to cancel this year’s Winter Youth Rally, and the Hellenic Dance Festival for 2021.
While this news must surely come as a disappointment, please know that your WYR and HDF teams are working diligently, in coordination with the Metropolis Youth Office, to prepare a few educational events, webinars and opportunities, which will allow us to celebrate our Hellenic Culture and Faith, while observing proper safety measures.
Thanking all the Metropolis faithful--grandparents, parents, and children--for theircontinued patience, and encouraging our continued prayerful intercessions to our Most-Holy Mother, I remain,
Paternally yours with love and blessings in the Lord,
+ A L E X I O S
Metropolitan 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
➩ Updates to atlstrategicplan.org ⇦
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
During the virtual Annual Meeting of the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians, Rev. Romanos Karanos received the prestigious Medallion of St. Romanos the Melodist for Exemplary Archdiocesan Church Music Accomplishments.
The theme of the Congress, “…the greatest of these is love” exemplified the words and the spirit of the apresenters as the Covid-19 pandemic forced the Congress to be held “virtually.”