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Published by the
Orthodox Church in America,
September 1, 2005
Archpastoral
Message of His Beatitude, Metropolitan
Herman on the 2005 FOS Appeal |
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Dearly Beloved in Christ:
As I begin my fourth year as Primate of the
Orthodox Church in America, I invite you to join
me as a supporter of the
Fellowship of Orthodox Stewards. As a
long-time member and supporter, I know the
important role that the Fellowship plays in
funding the ministries of The Orthodox Church in
America.
As I meet many of you on my archpastoral visits
to dioceses and parishes, I am encouraged by the
sincerity and faithfulness of FOS members who
have answered the call of Christian Stewardship
through their unselfish financial and prayerful
support of the Fellowship. The role of FOS
continues to grow and influence our Church
providing the financial help necessary to
implement the programs of the Orthodox Church in
America on the Church-wide, diocesan, deanery
and parochial levels.
As mandated by the 11th All-American Council,
for the past ten years all departmental work of
the Church has been funded by voluntary gifts
with the Fellowship of Orthodox Stewards as the
primary source of such voluntary gifts.
Subsequent Councils have reaffirmed this
decision. The Church has now endorsed the work
of FOS to expand its mission by increasing free
will gifts to support the Church’s mission.
The 2006 budget of the Orthodox Church in
America provides for FOS members to contribute
$400,000.00 in support of the vital programs of
our Church. It is hoped that voluntary financial
gifts from our clergy and faithful will one day
be the primary source of funding for the vital
ministries, programs and departments of the
Church. I am confident that all the clergy and
faithful of our Church will do everything
possible to generously provide for the needs of
the Church.
For over twenty-five years, the Fellowship has
existed for the sole purpose of helping the
Church fulfill its Mission. With your gift, you
will be a co-worker with our Church’s
missionaries, church planters, youth workers,
school educators and humanitarian aid workers.
You will be supporting the efforts of every
department to share the Good News of Jesus
Christ and the Faith of the Orthodox Church with
the world.
Please accept my personal invitation to join me
as a member of the Fellowship of Orthodox
Stewards. Together, we will witness not only
growth in FOS, but most importantly, growth in
the work of the Church that will bring others to
Christ. FOS gifts are voluntary and, whatever
your gift, as its is offered in love and with a
grateful heart, is well pleasing to the Lord.
I pray that as a supporter of the Fellowship of
Orthodox Stewards, your life as a good steward
will reach a new level of commitment to Jesus
Christ. May the Lord continue to grant you every
good thing for your salvation and for the growth
of the Orthodox Church in America.
With love in Christ,
+ HERMAN
Archbishop of Washington and New York
Metropolitan of All America and Canada
Contributions to FOS may be sent to:
Orthodox Church in America
P.O. Box 675
Syosset, NY 11791
or make your donation ONLINE by clicking
here.
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