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Through the generosity of a Leadership 100 grant, clergy and lay leaders from twenty parishes within the Archdiocesan District met for the inaugural Lunch & Learn Workshop on Parish Planned Giving. Hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of Our Saviour (GOCOOS) in Rye, New York, the event featured a comprehensive review of the three-phased program established by the Archdiocese to guide parishes to fiscal sustainability.
Fr. Elias Villis, Chancellor of the Archdiocese District and Proistamenos of GOCOOS, offered an inspired welcome, setting the stage for growth and learning in both faith and finance. Melpomeni Murdakes, Director of Parish Planned Giving, led attendees through a presentation to accompany the new Implementation Workbook. She shared resources, case studies, and best practices to establish and advance planned giving programs through dedicated endowments, directing parishes to move more swiftly from interest to implementation. Attendees received the new Implementation Workbook to direct their parish efforts to establish and advance planned giving programs through dedicated endowments, moving more swiftly from interest to implementation.
Launched in 2024, the Parish Planned Giving Program provides parishes with guidebooks, templates, and direct coaching to support and strengthen their endeavors. The Workshop, the first of ten sponsored by Leadership 100 for the coming year, provided an opportunity for parish leaders to learn from one another and gain hand-on counsel to further their efforts. Linda Kordes and Tim Francis from GOCOOS, shared their experience applying the Archdiocesan program to their parish giving initiatives.
The next Lunch & Learn Workshop will be hosted by St. Paul’s Church, Irvine, California on June 13th. Sessions will be presented at the Clergy-Laity Congress, with additional Workshops to follow throughout the Archdiocese. To learn more and access resources, go to www.goarch.org/plannedgiving or reach out directly to Melpomeni Murdakes at mmurdakes@goarch.org.
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