June 26, 2008

NEW YORK, NY – The 39th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America will convene July 13-17 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC. The event will also include the annual meeting of the National Ladies Philoptochos Society. In addition, meetings will be conducted by various affiliated organizations of the Archdiocese, including the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council, the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres, the Retired Greek Orthodox Clergy of America, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians. The National Young Adult (YAL) Convention will be held prior to the Congress, July 10-13.

To assist delegates and participants with their preparations for the meetings, resources are available on the Congress web site at http://www.clergylaity.org. Available for download from the site are the official agenda items, including the Proposed 2009-10 Budget and the Proposed Amendments to the Regulations; the Ministry Reports from the Departments of the Archdiocese; and the official Congress Program Guide, a thirty-six page booklet with the complete schedule, program of workshops, list of exhibitors, general information and hotel maps.

The web site also highlights the Congress theme, "Gather My People to My Home." Available are two articles on the theme by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, reflections that will assist all Congress participants in focusing on the vital ministry of reaching the disconnected, the unchurched, and all who are in need of a spiritual home.

In addition to the unique opportunity to meet in the nation's capital, the 39th Biennial Congress will feature a full venue of quality educational sessions for many aspects of parish life and ministry. Sessions will focus on effective stewardship, religious education, family, youth ministry, Greek education, parish council service, parish development, missions, and interfaith marriage. The full schedule of workshops is available in the Congress Program Guide.

Another feature of this Congress will be the Ministry Pavilion which will highlight the ministries and resources offered by the Departments of the Archdiocese. This special area will be located in the Exhibit Hall and will offer Congress participants the opportunity to review the latest resources and speak with staff of the National Ministries.

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America