For Immediate Release
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Launches New Initiative to Foster Greater Connectivity between Young Adults and the Church
CHICAGO, IL, October 8, 2018 – The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago today announced a new initiative designed to engage Greek Orthodox emerging leaders ages 21-40 in an ongoing, long-term dialogue.
Dubbed the “Roundtable,” the new program is a series of private, in-person and informal meetings held between young adults throughout the Metropolis and His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael. Feedback from the meetings will become considerations used to shape policy, programming and parish life of the Metropolis. Roundtables will be scheduled on an ongoing basis as requested by young adults or organized by the Metropolis.
“I want to give young adults of the Metropolis a seat at the table with clergy and their fellow lay people and not see themselves as recipients of decisions after they are made,” His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael said. “My hope is that they become directly engaged in a sustained dialogue that is critical to the future health and vitality of the Church.”
The Roundtable is an outgrowth of the Listening Tour, which completed in late September, and is aimed at the concern voiced by parishioners that the Church improve its engagement and cultivation of young adults. The engagements are intended not only to encourage conversation, community, volunteerism and fun, but, more importantly, to break down generational barriers in the Church.
“The Church is an organic community that spans multiple generations—the past edifying the present, the present informing the future and the future honoring the past. I see the Roundtable in this context and believe it is necessary for that purpose,” His Eminence said.
The first Roundtable will be held at St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago on Saturday, October 13 at 2:30pm. Questions can be submitted online at the Roundtable website. Following the meeting, the discussion will be posted on social media. A barbecue, games and fellowship organized by Young Adult League (YAL) of Chicago will follow the Roundtable. RSVPs are encouraged, but are not necessary.
About the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago
Tracing its roots back to 1923, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago is the diocese of Greek Orthodox faithful in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, as well as northern Indiana and southeastern Missouri and consists of 58 parishes and two monastic communities. The Metropolis is one of nine regions in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and is presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael. The general offices of the Metropolis are temporarily located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. For more information, visit www.chicago.goarch.org. To sign up for news from the Metropolis, visit https://chicago.goarch.org/signup.
For More Information:
Chris Varones
312-213-3887
chris.varones@aesopgroup.com
