Message from Metropolitan Alexios
September 7, 2017
My Beloved Ones,
“Deliver this community and city, O Lord, and every city and town,
from famine, plague, earthquake, hurricane tornado and flood.”
(From St. Basil’s Liturgy)
With hurricane season upon the Southern United States, we have seen an outpouring of love, compassion, and concern towards those affected most recently by Hurricane Harvey. In the years since Hurricane Katrina, we of the Metropolis of Atlanta have become accustomed to the power of these threatening weather patterns, and we have become more alert. Now, I prayerfully ask that we turn our attention to our own Metropolis, whose communities are in the path of the oncoming Hurricane Irma, which is presently threatening the state of Flordia and coastal areas of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.
As governors have declared states of emergency in several states and given the unpredictability of the storm, I strongly encourage you to continue to pay careful attention to government announcements and the news in the coming days, especially as government officials urge evacuation in some areas. For matters pertaining to our parishes, your clergy and Parish Councils have been directed to use their judgement as far as church closures are concerned for those communities that will be impacted. I also encourage each of you to look out for your friends and neighbors in the area, as examples of Christian love and kindness.
Earlier this week, we shared the following supply checklist, provided by Fr. Aristotle Damaskos, Proistamenos of Holy Trinity Church in Charleston, SC, with the clergy; and today, we share it with all of you, the faithful. On our website,we also have a list of preparedness tips and a list of updates from our communities as we receive them in our offices.
May God grant the strength and vigilance to ensure that we withstand the effects of the approaching storm. I humbly ask that all of us continue to offer up our prayers and supplications to our Almighty Creator for the homes, livelihoods and places of worship which will be impacted by the Hurricane. I remain,
Paternally yours with love in our Lord,
+ A L E X I O S
Metropolitan of Atlanta
The Strategic Plan
Strategic Plan Updates
SAVE THE DATE: SATURDAY NOVEMBER 11 IN ATLANTA - FAITH FORUMS
The Faith Forums are where the 28 specific new programs and ministries developed to aid you and your parish community come to life with guided workshops to teach the content and answer your questions.
As a Metropolis family, together we are stronger and more capable. It is in this spirit that your Metropolis invites ALL laity and clergy from EVERY parish (regardless if you are a delegate or not) to join with us to explore exciting and positive best practices to help us on our journey as Christians and to make disciples of ourselves, our families, and our communities.
Why should I come?
We are excited to announce the following topics for the first official Faith Forums:
- 1.1 Parish Strategic Planning
- 1.3 Risk Management
- 4.2 Orthodox Leadership Training
- Managing Difficult Conversations
- Understanding Parish Finances
- 5.1 Early Parenting
- 5.4 Programs For Our Seniors
- 8.1 Spiritual Growth Resources
- 9.1 Comprehensive Stewardship
If any of these apply to you, you will want to attend! If you have any questions or wish to attend, please contact our Communications Director, Zoe Kafkes, at communications@atlmetropolis.org
Family Life Ministry
The Metropolis of Atlanta’s Family Life Ministry (www.familylifeministry.atlanta.goarch.org) strengthens individuals, families and church families through adaptable programs, blogs and educational materials as a means of fostering connection within our homes and our parishes.
It’s a common scenario, we’ve all seen it and many of us are trying to manage it – a whole family at dinner, and everyone is on a device. Join us today as we discuss how to balance the risks and benefits of screen time, while fostering a close, Christ-centered family environment at the same time. Listening to our children creates an environment of support where our children feel that we are listening and taking them seriously and they listen too. So let’s put the electronics down and limit usage at home during family time.
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.
- September 16, 2017 - St. Augustine, FL
- January 20, 2018 - Ft. Pierce, FL
- May 5, 2018 - North Miami, FL
To see the full list of seminars through 2017, some scheduled already for 2018, and to register, please visit: http://www.familylifeministry.atlanta.goarch.org/upcoming-events-2/
Shop with Amazon, donate to the DRC
Amazon Smile is a program that allows for 0.5% of your eligible Amazon purchase to be donated to the Diakonia Retreat Center (No Added Cost To You). To find our Amazon Smile page, visit https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-2187047.
