We welcome you to our Diamond Jubilee Anniversary Celebration and Synod. It is such an honor to represent the storied congregation of the Pan African Orthodox Christian Church. For 60 years our fellowship has blazed a trail into uncharted territory in order to change the conditions as well as the hearts and minds of our people. It has been a magnificent journey. It is a journey that continues still. We come together in Atlanta, GA, the site of our first national gathering, to celebrate the work of a generation and to prepare another generation to carry on. This synod marks a new chapter in our history, outlining a bold new direction that updates and re-envisions our program for the new and unique challenges and opportunities facing us today.

The bonds of love and fellowship that we have forged are deep and rich. Over time, our families have become, OUR FAMILY. In the midst of all we have to do, we realize that our common faith and destiny has bound us together in a spiritual bond that is more powerful than blood. There are so many stories of courage, faith, hope and possibility etched in the faces of the people that make up our movement.

Every blessing we enjoy is greatly appreciated and richly deserved. The people constituting our fellowship are the cream of the crop and the salt of the earth.   We have a right to feel good about the way we have lived our lives and the things we have accomplished together. However, God is not through with us yet. This synod is about the road ahead and what we must do to pave the way for the future.

We wish to express our appreciation to everyone that has worked to put this gathering together. They have worked longer and further in advance than any synod in our history to deliver to you an extra special experience worthy of our trailblazing legacy. Their sincerity and generous service are emblematic of our fellowship and signal that with people such as these, our best years are ahead of us and our greatest accomplishments are yet to come. Let us dream a new dream and take the small steps to make it so. Welcome and enjoy!

Sincerely,

Jaramogi Menelik and Fundi Nailah Kimathi