Contoocook, NH — From October 25-27, 2024, clergy and lay leaders from across the Metropolis of Boston came together at the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center for a retreat hosted by the Thriving Congregations Initiative (TCI). This three-day event provided participants with an inspiring combination of personal connection, practical tools, and spiritual enrichment to help them guide their parishes toward greater growth and engagement.

The retreat began Friday evening with Vespers, followed by a warm and interactive icebreaker during dinner that encouraged participants to share personal experiences and form deeper connections. This set the tone for a weekend filled with collaboration, reflection, and fellowship.

On Saturday morning, following Orthros, Fr. Ted Barbas, the spiritual leader of the TCI program, gifted each participant a prayer rope and shared the Metropolis of Boston Camp’s spiritual practice of “Alone with God,” a time of personal prayer and reflection. Retreat participants were invited to experience this practice themselves, adding a deeply introspective element to the day. Throughout the Divine Services, Fr. Ted also paused to explain the significance of certain liturgical texts and moments, enhancing the group’s engagement and understanding of Orthodox worship.

Saturday was further enriched by several parish leaders who shared stories of the successes their communities have experienced over the past several years, many of which stemmed from microgrants provided by TCI. These inspiring testimonies highlighted how vision-setting work and strategic leadership have helped parishes build stronger ministries and deeper connections with their faithful.

Panos Coufos, Metropolis of Boston Camp Director and one of the visionaries of TCI, delivered a heartfelt account of the lives of St. Demetrios and St. Nestor, whose feast days were celebrated during the retreat weekend. His reflections provided participants with meaningful examples of faith, courage, and leadership to inspire their work in parish life.

The day concluded with an impromptu discussion where participants shared the challenges they face in their parishes and explored how TCI can better support their efforts. This candid conversation underscored the importance of ongoing collaboration between the Metropolis and local parish leaders.

Throughout the retreat, TCI leadership focused on equipping participants with practical tools to implement learnings within their parishes. Bill Marianes energized attendees with his insights on mission-setting and parish transformation, while Don Khouri guided participants in building consensus and navigating leadership challenges with clarity and purpose. Alex Cooley offered a refresher on tools and resources available through TCI, which can be accessed at www.tciboston.org or by contacting tci@boston.goarch.org.

On Sunday, the retreat concluded with Divine Liturgy in the chapel, followed by a discussion on how participants could apply their retreat experiences to practical, actionable steps for parish renewal. Participants left inspired and equipped to bring the vision of TCI to life in their communities.

One participant reflected, “Anytime a group of people can get away from 'everyday life' and focus on a topic together, in-person is incredibly powerful. There is so much to learn from one another, and opportunities like this make it happen.”

This retreat is part of the Metropolis of Boston’s ongoing commitment to supporting clergy and lay leaders through the Thriving Congregations Initiative. By fostering collaboration and empowering leaders with practical tools, TCI continues to serve as a vital resource for building thriving Orthodox Christian parishes.

For more information about future retreats and programs, please contact tci@boston.goarch.org.