Agape Luncheon September 16, 2023       Raleigh, NC

It was an honor to be the host of the Agape Luncheon for the Northeast Conference of the Ladies Philoptochos .  The Agape Chapter of Holy Trinity in Raleigh worked seamlessly to have a delicious meal, silent auction and pursue sponsors from far and wide.

A check for $24,025.00 was sent to the Metropolis of Atlanta to support youth programs and a $1000.00 donation was made to Camp Nazareth in honor of Metropolitan Gregory for being our guest speaker.  He would not accept any travel expenses or lecture honorarium. We know the camp is very dear to him and thought it fitting to help the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese camping program.
Lekita Essa and I were co-chairs of the event and I want to thank her for her tireless efforts to make this a success.

Respectfully submitted,
Sydney Langford

AGAPE CELEBRATION FUNDRAISER
Agape Events are held biennially within each Metropolis Conference. The Agape event donations assist Metropolis youth programs.

CLERGY EDUCATION
The Clergy Education Program assists students who are legal residents of the Metropolis of Atlanta and studying at Holy Cross School of Theology for the priesthood with a scholarship based on a sliding scale according to the financial need of the student. The second purpose is to provide priests in the Metropolis of Atlanta spiritual and professional growth by continuing education programs with participation in conferences and other educational programs.

COMMUNICATIONS
The Communications mission is to communicate with all chapters and Philoptochos members, allowing chapters and members also to communicate with the Metropolis and make information available and accessible to everyone within the Metropolis of Atlanta. In order to achieve our mission and to meet the needs of our Philoptochos Chapters and members a combination of technologies such as regular mail, e-mails and a new website will be established with blogs, digital White Dove Newsletter and a Facebook page. The Communications Committee will support, maintain and update the Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos Website. Thus providing chapters with the newest technologies available to stay current with ministries, projects and news vital to keep their chapter thriving.

COMMUNITY PHILANTHROPIC OUTREACH PROGRAM
The Community Philanthropic Outreach Program prepares and presents programs that are informative, enriching and stimulating to our chapters for implementation in their local communities. Also, to work with chapters to guide them on how to find a program that will work in their local community that will make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

DISCRETIONARY FUND
The Discretionary Fund is collected and disbursed to the Metropolis to provide emergency relief for natural disasters and other critical misfortunes within our Metropolis.

FANOUROPITA
The Fanouropita Event held by our Metropolis Philoptochos Chapters each September is similar to the Vasilopita we make for Saint Basil. The Fanouropita proceeds are for our youth, so all that are interested will be able to attend youth activities held within our Holy Metropolis of Atlanta.

PHILANTHROPY/SOCIAL SERVICES
The Philanthropy/Social Services Program provides financial assistance to the faithful within the Metropolis of Atlanta who are in need in a way that will maintain the dignity of the individual. This vital program also provides assistance to individuals through short term intervention, motivational support and referral to other appropriate local and civic resources. The other purpose of the committee is to organize and sponsor outreach programs, designed to educate and inform our communities and chapters where to get assistance in their local areas

PRISON MINISTRY
The Prison Ministry Program seeks to educate and inform our Metropolis of Atlanta Parishes, Chapters and Philoptochos members on Orthodox Prison Ministry Programs. Also, to provide guidance on establishing a local Prison Ministry Program within their parish.

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
The Spiritual Enrichment Program encourages our Orthodox Christian women and men to have a deeper commitment to our Lord through prayer, Bible Study and to read Orthodox books in order to share our faith with others. The Spiritual Enrichment Chair will work with the seminarians of Holy Cross School of Theology preparing Spiritual Enrichment articles to be read at the beginning of each chapter meeting. This program also encourages chapters to have Religious Retreats, Bible Studies, Lectures, Workshops and Motivational Speakers. Spiritual enrichmment articles.

YOUTH MINISTRIES/SAINT STEPHEN SUMMER CAMP
The Youth Ministries/Saint Stephen Summer Camp Program seeks to make Philoptochos Chapters aware of all Metropolis youth ministries and summer camp activities. The Metropolis Youth Ministries/Saint Stephen Summer Camp Commitment proceeds assist all Metropolis Youth Programs and supplements the Orthodox Christian Education of our youth.

ZOE CAVALARIS MEMBERSHIP AWARD
The Zoe Cavalaris Membership Award encourage chapters to increase their membership with suggestions and ideas on how to attain that goal. The chapter that has increased its membership by the highest percentage in the two years prior to the Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos Clergy Laity will be presented the award at the Philoptochos Clergy Laity Luncheon.