His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael’s 5-year vision continues to gather momentum across the Metropolis of Chicago

LOMBARD, IL, November 7, 2024 – The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago announced today that progress related to the Annual Vision Campaign, which supports the 5-year vision, has reached a new milestone.

To date, the Metropolis of Chicago has received donations nearing two-thirds of its $1 million fundraising goal for 2024. Specific highlights include:

Year-to-date monies raised for the Metropolis of Chicago and the St. Iakovos Retreat Center (SIRC) total $632,088.
Nearly 60 percent of the parishes have made donations to the Metropolis of Chicago vision campaign or SIRC.
As a result of the Annual Vision Campaign’s progress, a donor has agreed to match a past gift with an additional $100,000.

“Through the realization of our vision, we will grow sacramental participation, grow the reach and influence of our ministries, and grow the number of followers of the Church in the Midwest. For me, there is no more meaningful work to serve God, as well as the clergy and laity of our Holy Metropolis, and I plan to dedicate my heart, mind, and soul to this work in the coming weeks, months, and years ahead,” said His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael.
His Eminence expressed confidence that the Metropolis of Chicago will achieve the $1 million fundraising goal of Annual Vision Campaign by December 31. His Eminence also noted that, as the Metropolis of Chicago ultimately becomes financially independent, 100 percent of the Archdiocesan parish allocation – approximately $770,000 – will be reinvested annually back into parishes instead of the Metropolis as part of the 5-year vision.

Since October, His Eminence has been traveling to parishes across the Metropolis and engaging with parish leaders to raise awareness and build support for his 5-year Vision. In the coming year, His Eminence expects to engage parishioners about the many benefits of the 5-
year vision for parishes as well. First unveiled at the 2023 Clergy-Laity Assembly, His Eminence’s 5-year vision is a roadmap to
help revitalize parish life from the ground up. The Annual Vision Campaign was established to raise funds to advance the 5-year vision. The vision’s core priorities and 2024 initiatives include:

Clergy: Ensuring all clergy are the best spiritual fathers they can be while also helping them balance their family responsibilities and personal health and wellness.
Parishes: Helping evaluate and improve parish vibrancy through a parish-wide assessment and offering training and education to parish councils to augment their effectiveness and efficiency.
Philanthropy: Mobilizing Philoptochos and Project HOPE volunteers to deliver two million meals to vulnerable populations by December 31.
Engagement: Laying the groundwork to develop a best-in-class catechism program for all parishes to better engage and welcome seekers to the faith.
Growth: Establishing a policy with criteria to ultimately eliminate parish debt thereby freeing up resources for greater ministry and program activity at the local level.

“The Metropolis of Chicago measures its own success through the stability, vitality, and growth of its parishes. All parishes must be part of the future that our Vision calls for – no matter where they are in terms of geography, size, or means – just as all of us are fundamentally part of the Body of Christ,” said Metropolitan Nathanael.

About the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago
Tracing its roots back to the early 1920s, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago is the bishopric of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, northern Indiana, and central Missouri, consisting of 58 parishes and two monastic communities. The Metropolis is one of nine eparchies in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and is presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago. The general offices of the Metropolis are temporarily located in Lombard, Illinois. For more information and to get involved, visit our Metropolis website and/or sign up to receive Metropolis news. For further information, contact the Metropolis of Chicago at: contactus@chicago.goarch.org or 312-736-2280.