From Fr. Angelo
What is the Clergy-Laity All About?
Part of the life of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, is the Clergy-Laity Congress. More than just a gathering of people, the Congress is a living expression of the Church that brings together clergy and laity from across the Unites States to discuss, strategize, reflect, and prayerfully discern the best path forward together.
Each year carries a specific theme and this year that theme is Rise and Build, inviting us to consider our joint (clergy and laity) sacred responsibility entrusted to us as members of the Body of Christ. This theme is especially relevant today with the large number of people desiring to convert to the Orthodox faith. Our parishes must be ready to rise to this challenge and build a supportive community that addresses their needs but at the same time preserves the wonderful legacy of our Greek heritage. And this cannot be accomplished independently. Through gathering of all the parishes of America our Orthodox Church is strengthened, and renewed through the interaction of parishioners from various parishes each offering their best practices, and les-sons learned…and the Clergy Laity provides the perfect venue for this shared interaction.
The Clergy-Laity Congress also serves several other essential purposes. It provides a forum for shared governance, where delegates discuss administrative and canonical responsibilities and challenges both at an Archdiocese and parish level. These issues include yearly Archdiocese allocations from each parish, guidance on the administration of sacraments, leadership challenges and discussions on how to effectively deal with changing societal norms and other important issues. Through workshops and speakers, clergy and laity learn about opportunities for their ministries, equipping them with practical tools and resources. And, perhaps most importantly, it fosters a sense of unity, as parishioners make lasting friendships and return to their home parishes with experiences that remind all of us that no parish exists in isolation, but as part of a larger ecclesial body…