TheLeader VOLUME XXV ISSUE2 Spring2024 - Flipbook - Page 39
G R A N T S
A T
W O R K
Reaching the Distantly Connected II Completing Program
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department of
Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism was funded for
$23,000 in 2019 for the program Reaching the Distantly
Connected II, to research and document best practices in
parishes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (GOA) in
reaching the distantly connected. Research included focus
groups, questionnaires, personal interviews, and internet
search. The result is a parish resource upon which to base
parish outreach efforts to the distantly connected.
This initiative generated a forum through which this issue
can be examined throughout our Archdiocese using focus
groups, questionnaires, and the Internet, resulting in a
resource on which to base parish outreach to the distantly
connected. This initiative is nearing completion of a project
that will:
1. Develop and produce a resource that will systematically
identify, catalogue, and describe best practices used in
churches to cultivate a culture of outreach and reach the
distantly connected;
2. Develop proven outreach strategies and approaches that
will be shared with clergy and lay leaders across the GOA;
3. Produce deliverables which will be shared with
seminarians of Hellenic College/Holy Cross to raise our
future priests’ awareness and competence regarding
outreach;
4. Educate present clergy and lay leaders about the need for
outreach to the distantly connected;
6. Provide a steppingstone for additional discourse and
research related to outreach; and
7. Provide a launching pad from which to consider other
issues that pertain to outreach and evangelism.
A book of practical steps that may be implemented by any
parish will be produced. The Department plans to
supplement the book with short videos sharing many of the
101 parish ministries profiled in the book. Two preliminary
videos have been filmed. There will be no cost for eventual
production and distribution of the videos.
Funding was used for: 1. travel for research throughout the
Archdiocese of America; 2. stipend for
researcher/consultant; 3. preparation, printing, and
distribution of the final resource; and 4. distribution to
clergy and parish leaders of the GOA as opportunities arise.
The final distribution of books will go to the parishes of the
Metropolis of New Jersey at their Metropolis Clergy-Laity
Assembly and in Fr. Jim Kordaris’ (Department Director)
meetings with parish councils and parish leadership
groups.
The goal is to get copies into the hands of as many parish
leaders as possible. Copies were recently provided to all the
clergy of the Atlanta Metropolis with the assistance of
Atlanta Metropolis Chancellor Fr. George Tsahakis. All that
remains is the final distribution of the book, mostly to the
parishes of the New Jersey Metropolis.
5. Illustrate the Archdiocese’s pastoral concern for the
distantly connected individuals, couples, and families
across the GOA;
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