National Young Adult League (YAL)
2024 National Young Adult League (YAL) Conference Set to “Unify” Young Adults in San Diego, California, July 3-7, 2024
San Diego, California – With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries (Y2AM) is pleased to announce that plans are underway for the 2024 National YAL Conference. The Conference will be held July 3-7, 2024 at The Westin Gaslamp Quarter in picturesque San Diego, California, graciously hosted by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos and the Metropolis of San Francisco.
This year’s National YAL Conference will coincide with the Biennial Clergy Laity Congress and National Philoptochos Biennial Convention. Embracing the Clergy Laity Congress theme, "In Christ, We Are One" (Romans 12:4-5), the National YAL Conference has adopted the theme “UNIFY” - aiming to unite young adults from across the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for a five-day experience centered on faith, fellowship, worship, service, and fun. It seeks to strengthen young adults' connections with the Church and each other as unified members of the Body of Christ.
George T. Anagnostopoulos has been appointed by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros to serve as the 2024 National YAL Conference Chair. Anagnostopoulos will lead a dynamic Planning Committee, comprised of young adult representatives from various Metropolises of the Archdiocese. Oversight of this year’s National Conference will be under the guidance of Archdiocese Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries (Y2AM), Eva Konstantakos, along with Conference Advisors Archon Hon. Steven and Stacia Counelis.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, a dedicated supporter of young adult ministry initiatives within the Archdiocese, shared the following encouraging sentiments ahead of this year's Conference: “We eagerly anticipate reuniting with our Young Adults this summer at the National YAL Conference. This pivotal ministry stands as an exemplar within our Archdiocese—a testament that thrived, faced a decline, and then experienced a revival. It was rejuvenated over the past several years by the impassioned efforts of young individuals nationwide seeking something more. We rejoice in the resurgence of the National Conference, and witness our young adult ministries across the Archdiocese emerge as a robust and integral component of national youth and young adult ministry.”
The event schedule will feature many incredible opportunities to forge lasting and meaningful connections with fellow Orthodox Christian young adults. Schedule highlights include captivating speakers and workshops, participation in select segments of the Clergy Laity Congress, witnessing the renowned San Diego Big Bay Boom July 4th Fireworks Show, immersive exploration of the picturesque city of San Diego, active engagement in a "Diakonia" service project, and will conclude on Sunday, July 7th with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros.
Conference registration and hotel reservations are projected to open March 2024. Please visit clergylaity.org/yalconference or contact the Archdiocese Y2AM Department at y2am@goarch.org for more information.