Throughout the Clergy-Laity Congress, you will have many opportunities to learn and see best practices, innovative ideas, and valuable lessons in various aspects of ministry.

The Archdiocesan Council Committee Meetings on Monday and Tuesday present the work of the National Ministries.  The Ministry Panels are discussions given by professionals and experts from around the Orthodox community in America who will be speaking about topics related to their field of work. These speakers have engaged in these topics throughout their lives and are eager to share their knowledge with attendees. Finally, the Workshops showcase the work being done across a variety of ministries and organizations of the Archdiocese.

* All listings are subject to change

Monday, July 1

Archdiocesan Council Committee Meetings

Monday is dedicated for delegates to attend meetings of the various committees of the Archdiocesan Council.

Committee Meetings from 1:30 - 3:30 PM

• Audit Committee  
• Youth and Young Adult Ministries Committee  
• Stewardship and Outreach Committee  
• Administration Committee  
• Communications Committee

Committee Meetings from 3:30 - 5:30 PM

• Greek Education Committee  
• Marriage and Family Committee  
• Technology Committee 
• Religious Education Committee 
• Finance Committee 

Tuesday, July 2

MORNING SESSIONS

Ministry Panel: Educating the Faithful for the Great Commission

Tue, July 2, 9:00 - 10:30 am
The Great Commission is the command of Jesus Christ to his disciples to spread the gospel to all nations and make disciples of all people. It is the foundation of Christian mission and the duty of all Orthodox Christian faithful.This interactive ministry panel will explore the importance of educating the faithful of our Orthodox Christian parishes so that they may be prepared to reclaim this call to action, accompanied by practical tips and resources for evangelism and discipleship.

Workshop: Securing Our Parishes: Physical and Cyber Security

Tue, July 2, 9 - 10 am
Theo Nicolakis and the Department of Information Technology

Workshop: Congregational Singing and Beyond

Tue, July 2, 9 - 10 am
Dr. Vicki Pappas and the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians

Workshop: ‘And all the People’: The Liturgical Ministry of the Laity in St. Maximos the Confessor’s Ecclesiastical Mystagogy”

Tue, July 2, 9 - 10 am
Father Lucas Christensen

Workshop:  Who is the Psaltis - The School of Byzantine Music

Tue, July 2, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Archon Music Instructor Georgios Theodoridis

Workshop: Local Prison Ministry

Tue, July 2, 10:30 - 11:30 am
The Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry

Ministry Panel: Artificial Intelligence In Our Parishes

Tue, July 2, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Exploring the future of church technology as we delve into generative artificial intelligence, automation, and web apps for increased productivity, and the insights data analytics can provide for Ministry.

Ministry Panel: Artificial Intelligence In Our Parishes

Tue, July 2, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Exploring the future of church technology as we delve into generative artificial intelligence, automation, and web apps for increased productivity, and the insights data analytics can provide for Ministry.

Finance Committee Meeting (if needed)

Tue, July 2, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
 

AFTERNOON SESSIONS

Ministry Panel: Women in Orthodoxy: Past, Present and Future

Tue, July 2, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
In what ways have women lived amid are living a vocation to be the Church in the world? This panel will examine the extraordinary range of ways in which women have served in the past, are now serving, and can and should serve in the future.

Workshop: Addiction Ministry and Support Groups

Tue, July 2, 2 - 3 pm
Fr. Nikolas Delaveris

Workshop: Ecumenical Families - A Pastoral, Theological, and Canonical Approach

Tue, July 2, 2 - 3 pm
The Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical, and Inter-Faith Relations

Ministry Panel: Engaging the Youth in the Body of Christ

Tue, July 2, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Youth ministry seeks to inspire children through service, worship, education, and community. This panel will discuss strategies that focus on the most compelling aspect of the Christian faith, Christ, and how to create ministry that is rooted on Christ’s life, in order to help children model this in their own lives.

Workshop: Mental Health Ministries

Tue, July 2, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA

Workshop: Inter-Parish Associations

Tue, July 2, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA

Youth Safety Workshop

Tue, July 2, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Wednesday, July 3

Ministry Panel: Orthodoxy in America: The Role of the Assembly of Bishops

Wed, July 3, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
This panel discussion will feature Orthodox Christian hierarchs, members of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA to share their visions on the imperative topic of Orthodox Unity in America. The panel, representing a diverse array of perspectives within the Orthodox Christian tradition, will engage in a thoughtful exchange that transcends ecclesiastical boundaries. The hierarchs will emphasize the significance of fostering unity and collaboration among Orthodox communities in America, recognizing the challenges posed by historical, cultural, and administrative differences, but also unfolding the impressive accomplishments and programs supported by the Assembly of Bishops.

Workshop: HCHC Outbound

Wed, July 3, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Fr. Tony Vrame and Dr. Bruce Beck

Workshop: Agencies of the Assembly of Bishops

Wed, July 3, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA

Ministry Panel: Fully Human: Toward Full Participation of People with Disabilities

Wed, July 3, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
This panel will discuss the Center for Family Care’s ministry “Fully Human” which strives toward full participation in the lifer of the church for families with disabilities. This will discuss the educating and equipping of clergy and lay leaders with the appropriate language, comfort levels, tools and overall awareness needed as they strive to accommodate the more vulnerable members of their communities.

Workshop: A Proactive Lifespan Development Model for Clergy Health

Wed, July 3, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
The Clergy Family Initiative

Workshop: Embracing Faith and Community

Wed, July 3, 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine

Thursday, July 4

Ministry Panel: Developing Parish Leaders: Effective Succession Planning and Equipping Parish Council for Ministry

Thu, July 4, 9:00 - 10:30 am
This engaging ministry panel will offer thoughtful discussion, as well as practical tools and resources, on the formation and development of strong parish leaders to serve the Church and its mission. It will address how to equip parish council members for ministry-oriented leadership, as well as effective succession planning for lay leadership to ensure ongoing stability and growth.

Workshop: Leveraging Your Parish’s Web Presence for Dynamic Ministry

Thu, July 4, 9:00 am - 10:00 am
The Department of Internet Ministries

Workshop: Creating Vibrant Family Ministries

Thu, July 4, 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Metropolis of San Francisco Family Wellness Ministries

Workshop: Spiritual Talk

Thu, July 4, 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Department of Religious Education

Ministry Panel: Youth and Young Adults in the Church

Thu, July 4, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
This panel is being coordinated in conjunction with the National YAL Conference, which will be happening during the same days as the Clergy-Laity Congress. Members of the YAL conference will be joint Clergy-Laity Congress participants for this important panel which will discuss the role of the Young Adult in our parish from the point of view of clergy, parish leaders, and most importantly, the young adult themselves.

Workshop: Developing Marriage Ministries

Thu, July 4, 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Center for Family Care

Workshop: Showcase of Greek Education in America

Thu, July 4, 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Department of Greek Education