HARVESTING OUR FIVE-YEAR VISION CORE PRIORITIES

In 2024, the vision began to be implemented with 1-2 key goals for each core area as the focus for the first year. These initiatives were led and overseen by Metropolis Council members.

This process of setting goals and working collaboratively in teams has been transformative. While we made real progress, we also learned that true impact requires focus, achievable scope, and the courage to adapt. That insight is our greatest accomplishment this year.

George Lattas
First Vice Chair, Metropolis Council

CLERGY
Goal 1: Establish a Clergy Wellness Program

By 2028: 50 of our Clergy are successfully skilled and flourishing. 3 members are trained to continue the momentum of developing and coaching future Clergy to efficiently balance ministry and family responsibilities, while being thoughtful and inspiring leaders.

PARISHES
Goal 2A: Create a Parish Council Training Program & Enroll 20 Parish Councils
Goal 2B: Create a Parish Vibrancy Assessment Tool & Enroll Vicars’ Parishes

By 2028: 50 vital grants were awarded to parishes in need, empowering them to thrive. Additionally, 30 highly attended parish stewardship workshops were organized, significantly enhancing the understanding and spiritual growth of the faithful within our communities.

PHILANTHROPY
Goal 3: Distribute 2M Meals by December 31, 2024

By 2028: We served 18 million meals, provided 180,000 nights of shelter, and distributed over 700,000 personal care kits to communities in need across our Metropolis states making a significant impact on countless lives and unwavering commitment to supporting those in need.

ENGAGEMENT
Goal 4: Understand existing Catechism Programs within the Metropolis & Determine Needs of Catechists and Catechumens

By 2028: Our faith is vibrant, visible, and relevant in the lives of people across our communities. We are annually welcoming 1400 new members into our church family and engaging 50,000 individuals in our ministries and programs.

GROWTH
Goal 5A: Raise $1M in Recurring Gifts
Goal 5B: Establish Parish Debt Forgiveness Policy & Procedure for MC Approval

By 2028: Metropolis operations are completely funded through annual gifts. 100 percent of the Metropolis portion of Archdiocesan allocations are invested in our parishes. We fruitfully eliminated the $15 Million of long-term debt of our parishes.

CLERGY GOAL 1 RESULTS

• Defined standards for clergy wellness and benchmarked existing programs.
• Selected the Thriving in Ministry program from the Orthodox Church in America and enrolled 12 Metropolis clergy.
• Established an annual assessment process to monitor clergy wellness and refine programming.

PARISHES GOAL 2A RESULTS

• Gathered models and training resources from other Metropolises and faith traditions.
• Developed a prototype syllabus and initial content for a custom training program.
• Determined that additional time is required to complete curriculum development and begin parish enrollment.

PARISHES GOAL 2B RESULTS

• Identified viable assessment tools from sister Metropolises and other religious bodies.
• Evaluated two tools: one currently in use elsewhere, and a comprehensive option from Orthodox Ministry Services.
• Next steps include selecting a final tool and considering whether a broader parish characteristics study is warranted.

PHILANTHROPY GOAL 3 RESULTS

• Established a strategic partnership between Philoptochos and Project HOPE, significantly expanding our reach.
• Documented grassroots efforts by parishes and gained a more accurate count of meal distribution.
• Combined efforts surpassed the 2 million meal goal.
• Going forward, a structured method for tracking and reporting progress (monthly or quarterly) will be implemented.