Archpastoral Message of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman on the 2005 FOS Appeal

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.