His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, setting the focus on the Orthodox Family with the theme “The Orthodox Christian Family: A Dwelling of Christ and a Witness of His Gospel,” offered the following reflection:
With the biblical affirmation ‘that every family in Heaven and on earth is named by God,’ (Eph. 3:15), we have recognized the vital connection of the family to God. This connection is essential to the true identity of the family, the life and well being of the family, and the role of the family both in the lives of its members and in the world. We must affirm the priority of ministry to the family. We must focus our efforts on connecting families to God. Certainly, this is essential for the salvation and well-being of each member, but it is also vital to our work in sharing the Gospel. May we focus specifically on our calling to strengthen families. May we commit the time and resources in the months and years ahead to nurturing Orthodox Christian families that are a dwelling of Christ and a witness of the Gospel.
The Clergy-Laity Congress is convened biennially and is concerned with all matters, other than doctrinal or canonical, affecting the life, growth and unity of the Church, her institutions, her finances, her administration, educational and philanthropic concerns and her growing role in the religious life of the nation.
The 42nd Congress takes place this year in the Metropolis of New Jersey headed by His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos, and is co-chaired by Anastasia Michals, of Manasquan, NJ (home parish: St. George, Ocean, NJ) and Michael Karloutsos of Philadelphia, Pa. (home parish: St. Luke, Broomall, Pa.) Metropolitans Stephanos of Kallioupolis and Madytos and Athenagoras of Belgium will be the Patriarchal representatives.
In addition to the 2014 National Ladies Philoptochos Society biennial convention, other organizations are holding meetings and include the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council, the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres, the Retired Greek Orthodox Clergy of America, the Order of Saint Andrew – Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians.
A summary schedule follows and more detailed information will be made available at the Archdiocese web-site www.goarch.org
Sunday, July 6, 2014:
08:00 am – Orthros and Divine Liturgy – St. George Cathedral
12:00 pm – Congress Registration
03:30 pm – Exhibit Opening
05:00 pm – Presvyteres (NSP) Board Meeting
04:00 pm – Philoptochos General Assembly
05:30 pm – Church Musicians Reception
06:00 pm – Archons Reception
Monday, July 7, 2014:
08:00am – Congress Registration
09:00am – Official Opening and Keynote Address
11:30am – Hierarchal Sessions
02:00pm – National Philoptochos General Assembly
02:00pm – Educational Ministry Workshops
06:30pm – Congress Social and Cultural Event
Tuesday, July 8, 2014:
08:00am – Clergy Breakfast with Hierarchs
09:00am – National Philoptochos General Assembly
09:00am – National Forum of Church Musicians
09:30am – Family Ministry Forum 1
10:00am – Retired Clergy Association General Meeting
01:00pm – Family Ministry Forum 2
03:30pm – Clergy-Presvyteres Workshops
05:00pm – Hellenic College/Holy Cross Reception
05:00pm – Philoptochos Reception
06:00pm – Clergy-Family Outing
07:30pm – Free evening for delegates
Wednesday, July 9, 2014:
09:00am – Clergy Laity Plenary Session
09:30am – National Philoptochos General Assembly
07:00pm – Reception and Grand Banquet
