Cleveland Deanery Report to The 50th Diocesan Assembly - Minneapolis October 31-November 2, 2011

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1 Cleveland Deanery Report to The 50th Diocesan Assembly - Minneapolis October 31-November 2, 2011 REPORT OF THE DEAN - ARCHPRIEST ANDREW CLEMENTS The following report reflects activities since last year s Diocesan Assembly Presided at 7 Deanery Meetings (Deanery meets every two months, plus a special one during Lent) Attended 2 Bishop s Council Meetings in Chicago Served at the Consecration of Bishop Matthias in Chicago Acted as Parish Administrator for St Innocent s Olmstead Falls during Fr Michael Butler s Sabbatical Presided at three Parish Council Meetings Attended four Deanery Mission Services during Lent Each meeting was preceded by a 4:00 pm Mini-Retreat lead by host Pastor before the 5:00 pm Service. The retreats were met with limited success Published and distributed a Book Mark with Fr Hopko s 55 Maxims for Christian Living Attended our first Annual Deanery Youth Day on Martin Luther King Day with sixty or so youth and teens in attendance Frs John Memorich and Joseph McCartney hosted the event at St Michael s and Fr Basil Stoyka also helped with discussions An OCF Chapter has been organized at Malone College in Canton Fr Stacey Richter is Priest in Charge Hosted Joe Kormos at a Deanery Meeting His goal: To better serve by using the Deanery Structure Donated three $200 Scholarships to St Vladimir s Camp Sent a gift to Bishop Matthias for his Consecration (Deanery Parishes contributed) Parish Reports ST NICHOLAS MENTOR, OHIO - ARCHPRIEST ANDREW CLEMENTS The following report reflects activities since last year s Diocesan Assembly. October 2011 will mark parish s 38th Anniversary PARISH EDUCATION Church School At 9:00 am before Liturgy Includes an Adult Classes A Tuesday Evening Adult Class BUILDING PROJECTS New Alarm System installed CHARITY Assisting a Parishoner with medical bills, rent & car repairs 100 complete Turkey Dinners distributed for Thanksgiving (Internal & Greater Commuity) Four Soup Kitchen Projects (full meals cooked and served to over 100 people)

2 Giant Eagle Food cards distributed as needed Parish Charity Fund supports internal & community needs $2,258 of Lenten Alms distributed - Fr Michael Mihalik, St James Soup Kitchen & Parish Charities FUNDRAISING Christmas Cookie / Food Sale MINISTRIES 18 Lay Ministries can be viewed online saintnicholas oca.org OUTREACH & MISSION Fr Andrew spoke to the Seniors at Fusch-Mizrachi Orthodox Jewish School comparing Orthodox Judaism and Orthodox Christianity Fr Andrew spoke to the Cleveland OCF Group at Case Western Reserve Hosted a Monthly Meeting of the Eastern Orthodox Women s Guild Fr Andrew offered a Lenten Reflection St Nicholas Uganda Children s Fund (Endorsed by Metropolitan Jonah) Peter & Sharon Georges spend 6 mos / yr in Africa providing School Fees, Uniforms & Supplies for needy children, reviewing new potential recipients, supporting local Orthodox Programs, etc. (ugandachildrensfund.org) Project Mexico (Our 12th year) Fifteen participants in 2011 for the Archbishop Job Memorial Trip Sent Six adults to the Hogar Raphael in Guatemala for one week Quarterly support of Ancient Faith Radio Monthly Food Collections for various area organizations: Womensafe, Project Hope, etc PUBLICATIONS New Parish Roster SACRAMENTS Baptisms 2 Converts 2 Funerals - 1 Weddings 3 New Families 6 SOCIAL & FELLOWSHIP Weekly Coffee Hour Various Parish Dinners Lamb Roast, Graduate / Church School Picnic St Nicholas Celebration Potluck & Children s Program (Original Play written each year by Shawn Cunningham) WORSHIP Full cycle of services Cathedral Vigil & Liturgy each week Vesperal Liturgy for Feasts when appropriate otherwise Vespers & Liturgy Full Lent & Holy Week Schedule Canon of Andrew 1st week Weekly Presanctified Liturgy

3 YOUTH & TEENS 2 Mini Retreats with each group and Fr Andrew (Advent & Great Lent), other discussions at other meetings, Various Service and Social events throughout the year helping with landscaping, bagging and carrying at the Food Sale, cutting and stacking firewood at St John s Monastery, sledding, bowling, campfires etc. Monthly participation in Cleveland Deanery Teen Group Seven participants in Camping Programs Respectfully Submitted, Fr. Andrew Clements Rector HOLY ASSUMPTION MARBLEHEAD, OHIO - PRIEST DAVID LIS The Parish Meeting In compliance with the statues of the Orthodox Church in America, Article 10, Section 7 quoted above, Holy Assumption Orthodox Church on Sunday 16 January 2011 convened its annual parish meeting with the Rector of the parish, Fr. David A. Lis, presided. 27 members in good standing were eligible to participate in this annual meeting because they had met the requirements set forth by statute to be identified as members in good standing. The requirements of eligibility are: (1) being an adult 18 years of age or older, (2) having participated in the Eucharistic life of the Church by Holy Confession to the priest of the parish, and the reception of Holy Communion at least once within the twelve months preceding the annual meeting, (3) having met the minimum stewardship contribution to the parish of $ Parish Statistics At the present time, Holy Assumption Parish has 31 adult members in good standing and 11 children. Potentially the parish could have as many as 42 adults. However these 11 individuals are not currently members because they have neither met the minimum spiritual nor financial requirements set for in the Statutes of the Orthodox Church in America and the By-Laws of the parish. It is our sincere hope that these individuals would return to active membership and I encourage all of you to invite them back at every opportunity. As of 8/30/2011: Private Confessions: 51 Sunday Divine Liturgies 34 with an average attendance of 25 members Great Vespers - 29 times with an average attendance of 7 people Vesperal Divine Liturgy or the Divine Liturgy was celebrated for the 12 Great Feasts During Great Lent; The entire Canon of St. Andrew of Crete with Small Compline was read during the First Week of the Fast; The Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts was celebrated on each Wednesday of the Great Fast; On the Fridays of the Great Fast, Small Compline with the Akathist of the Most Holy Theotokos was read;

4 Divine Liturgy with the complete reading of the names of all those from the parish now resting in Blessed Repose was celebrated on each of the five Soul Saturdays. Metrical Report Baptisms: 1 Chrismations: 1 Weddings: 1 Funerals: 1 Buildings & Property A. A new roof with new gutters and gutter guards were installed on the Rectory A persistent leak which caused a hole and water leaking into the living room of the rectory required the complete replacement of the rectory roof. In addition to the new roof, the remaining gutters and downspouts not replaced in 2010 were replaced and the gutters were all installed with gutter guards. The dormers and the front porch roof also had the old aluminum siding replaced with vinyl siding to match the new vinyl siding on the attached garage. Total cost of project: $8, B. The Parish Barn The parish barn had an entirely new foundation installed, requiring the moving of the structure, the pouring of a footer and cinder block foundation laid. In addition, gutters with gutter guards and new downspouts were installed. The roll-up door of this structure was also repaired. Total cost of these projects: $ 6, Temple Iconostasis Repainted. The entire iconostasis was repainted to match the original shell-white color. This project cost a total of $ which was paid for entirely by private donation. B. Altar Coverings New Red and Blue sets of altar coverings were purchased completing the replacement of all of the altar covers and book stand covers for all of the colors of the liturgical year. Respectfully Submitted, Rev. Fr. David A. Lis Rector ST. JOHN S CAMPBELL, OHIO - ARCHPRIEST ANDREW NELKO The past year has been marked by ongoing changes in the life of the St. John s Community. Upon the retirement of Very Reverend John Steffaro in June 2010 the Very Reverend Andrew D. Nelko was selected and appointed as rector, effective 1 September Numerous significant events have taken place since last November which includes:! Outreach to the community involving: Participation in the Campbell Ecumenical Council of Churches. Supporting the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley. Participation in the Campbell City Schools School Supply Drive.

5 ! Parish representation at the 2010 Diocesan Assembly in Minneapolis and at the consecration of our Diocesan Hierarch, Bishop Matthias, in Chicago.! A visit by Mr. Joe Kormos, Diocesan Parish Health Ministry Coordinator, who conducted an educational workshop on stewardship to the parish community.! Three visits to the parish by His Grace Bishop Matthias; twice as Bishop Elect during Great Lent, and once as ruling hierarch in May to preside at the funeral of Sub Deacon Maurice Garman.! Parish participation in the Annual Pilgrimage to Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Ellwood City, PA on the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord.! Major capital improvement project to the church building, including; replacement of three roofs and a handicapped accessible lift chair. Ongoing and future initiatives include:! Developing a comprehensive parish database and financial management system.! Construction and implementation of a new parish website.! Continuing Stewardship education culminating in the move to a pledge based system of parish financing. The St. John s community is scheduled to be represented at the Annual Diocesan Assembly and at 16 th All American Council in Seattle later this year. Respectfully Submitted, V. Rev. Fr. Andrew D. Nelko Rector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

6 &2**-3$"KG+(#=6+)#%".K+#37+C.6#7+>2.+%#/6G+01-.&1+>#*$/K+)$&3$&+$3+R-/KG+01-.&1+!&122/+ /-&=+7$ "1#"+>6#%"+7#KG SS PETER & PAUL LAKEWOOD, OHIO - ARCHPRIEST YVES BABICH Pastoral report for 2011 by V. Rev. Fr. Yves Babich of Sts. Peter & Paul Russian Orthodox Church Lakewood Ohio. This year to date we have had 2 conversion by Chrismation, and eight funerals. Our Baba s Kitchen which is our only income from outside of the parish makes and sells perogie dinners on Fridays. We, have booths at all the local festivals such as the Lakewood Arts Festival and the Lakewood Community Festival, Selling nut rolls, kolacky s, and religious item s which also brings attention and inquiries about our church. Food is collected by our parish and given to Lakewood local food banks. In addition, money is collected for the local orthodox monasteries that help the poor and needy. We have had some major expenses this year, repairs needed to be done on the Church Bathrooms as well as our kitchen freezer and the purchase of a new copy machine. Our next major project is to put in a handicap lift. We have an ongoing Bible study group and Labor Day weekend marks the beginning of our Sunday school program. With the Help of Christ, we hope to grow in faith and size in the rest of the year. Respectfully Submitted by Fr. Yves Babich 8/22/2011 ARCHANGEL MICHAEL BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, OHIO - ARCHPRIEST JOHN MEMORICH Hiring a second priest has been a huge boon to the parish Created a PR/Communications committee to explore modern means of evangelization Upgraded and enhanced our parish website to be more professional, interesting, user friendly, and to maintain lots of photos of parish events Purchased a state-of-the-art digital camera to ensure good photographs for website and began a program to upload such within twenty-four hours of an event Purchased a laser projector, large indoor screen, and large outdoor screen Purchased commercial popcorn machine Held family pizza & movie nights after Saturday vespers all through Advent Host monthly family movie nights for parish Created a Face Book account for the parish Created a Twitter account for the parish Continue to send out daily sermonettes to the parish at large Maintain a consistent Q&A segment in the weekly bulletin and monthly newsletter

7 Began parish Youth Nights on Monday evenings Began holding a lay-led Sunday morning adult discussion group while Sunday School is meeting Organized and hosted the Cleveland Deanery s Annual Youth Day Hosted the Parish Leadership Retreat Hosted St. Tikhon s Choir (April 2-3) Hosted the National FOCA Basketball Tournament (April 29- May1) Hosted Cleveland s Annual IOCC Banquet. At this event, our parishioners Michael and Paula Herzak received the coveted Diane Zamiska Award for their charity work Our parish was used as an USO collection site by the community to collect items for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. We offered in return a free lunch and tours of the Church We host two Monday AA meetings each week in our church basement We have weekly Adult Education Classes on Tuesday evenings and Thursday mornings This year s Introduction to Orthodoxy Class garnered four catechumens who were Chrismated during Great Lent The Women s Book Club continues to meet bi-monthly and has almost forty participating members Enjoyed a visit and talk from Bishop-Elect Matthias on March 26 The youth of the parish put together and delivered small Paschal baskets of food to all of those who are in nursing homes or home bound Respectfully, Archpriest John Memorich ST JOHN S WARREN, OHIO - PRIEST JONATHAN CHOLCHER Parish Report: St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, Warren, Ohio 1. Mystical (Sacramental) Life Weekly Worship Schedule: Saturday P.M. Great Vespers & Confession Sunday A.M. Divine Liturgy & Church School/Bible Class (all ages) Tuesday P.M. Vespers & Path to Salvation Class (Scripture/Patristic study) Wednesday A.M. Divine Liturgy Thursday A.M. Matins Feast Days morning Full Cycle Vespers/Vigil on the eve; Divine Liturgy in the Great Feasts, Great Lent, Holy Week, etc. Since the last Diocesan Assembly, 7 Catechumens (current; including a family of six)

8 Cath.) 2 Baptisms infant boy 2 Chrismations adult women (from Protestantism & Rom. 1 Marriage 8 Deaths/Funerals 2. Active Life a. We facilitate a Classic Literature Reading Group at a local coffee house every Wednesday morning. b. The Sisterhood meets once a month for lunch and discussion, and they maintain both the Church and Hall (kitchen). c. Volunteers landscape and maintain the exterior property. d. St. John s Society (teen group) meets twice a month to consider their spiritual life and Christian service. e. From September to April a team of members compete weekly in a local bowling league every Thursday evening. f. We host regular parish dinners (Fall, in February, in May/June for graduates). g. Twice monthly Fish Dinners will resume in January 2012, which are very popular and well attended by non-orthodox patrons (the proceeds are not used for normal operating expenses in the parish, but for special, designated projects). h. This past year the Parish decided to designate half of the Fish Dinner proceeds to help send a team of 11 3 adults & 8 teens - to Project Mexico (July 12-18, 2011). i. Once again this October, we will operate a stand at our local Eastwood Mall selling religious items with the intent of exposing as many people as possible to the riches of the Orthodox Church. j. Three times a year, at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Pascha, we distribute about 23 food boxes to families in need. 3. Contemplative Life a. Enacting a Charity of the Month plan has deliberately increased our giving to those in need (about $9,000 given for the year). b. We participate in joint Orthodox services and projects (e.g., Vacation Church School) in our community with the parishes of other Orthodox jurisdictions, including public events such as the Mahoning River Blessing at Theophany. c. This October we plan to open The Oasis for younger members 5-12 years old, a mid-week opportunity for learning Scripture and the Liturgy involving prayer, hands-on experience, and quiet time for personal meditation.

9 We pray the God will continue to enable to grow in His grace to behold His face always in His everlasting Kingdom. Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher, Rector (August 30, 2011; Ss. Alexander, John, and Paul the New, Patriarchs of Constantinople) HOLY ASSUMPTION-CANTON, OHIO PRIEST ANASTASY RICHTER The last part of 2010 saw our parish go through a bit of a valley as several of our new parishioners decided to leave us. Attendance (and giving) were down. However, at our annual meeting in November of 2010 we decided as a parish to take the Diocese's Parish Health Survey under the direction of Joe Kormos. This proved to be a very good decision, I believe it was God's will for us as a parish. The preliminary results of the survey were available around the beginning of In response to this preliminary assessment of parish needs, a parish bible study was started as well as an OCF group with several of our college students at Malone University. We also formed a committee as a result of our annual meeting the Strategic Planning and Outreach Committee (SPOC) meeting approximately once a month. This committee has proven quite useful. Its mission is really embodied in its title. Church growth ideas have been discussed and decided upon and then brought before parish council for approval. This has worked very well partly because we have parish council representation on the committee. In April of 2011, Joe Kormos came to our parish and presented the results of the survey both to our parish council and the outreach committee (SPOC) on Saturday. This resulted in some excellent discussion. A short presentation was also made to the whole parish after the liturgy on Sunday. As a result of Joe Kormos' meeting with the parish he prepared some recommendations for us to address some of our areas of need. The whole process has been most helpful. One of his major recommendations was exterior beautification and improvement. We have been often told that we have a very plain building on the exterior, but that it is very beautiful on the interior. As a result of this recommendation - our SPOC committee, then the parish council put together a multi-phase plan for exterior beautification. This plan was approved at a special parish meeting on July 31. Since the beginning of 2011, we have seen slow and steady growth. We are averaging between for Sunday attendance, and our giving has also been up, so that our parish has been doing well financially in There has been one marriage and two new babies baptized with a third baby recently born and scheduled to be baptized in early September. We had no receptions into the faith this last year, however, we have had some Orthodox people join. We have had some non-orthodox young adults attending our church regularly since the spring and early summer. They have been eager to learn, so that in response we started a catechism class in July. This class is held on Saturday evenings. We have vespers at 5 pm, and then a dinner followed by the catechism video series The Way, followed by questions and discussion. This has been very good. Four were recently made catechumens, but we have more who are attending and will likely be made catechumens at some point in the future.

10 At the end of July, we sent a delegation to the Urban Parish Ministries Summit held in Columbus. This proved very inspiring and has given us more ideas (as well as motivation) for outreach. We have also applied for and were recently approved for a parish development grant. This grant involves bringing in speakers for our OCF chapter on Malone University as well as to our parish. We are very excited about this! Our plans for this next year involve expanding our OCF activities, as well as doing our exterior beautification. Additionally, we are planning outreach activities within our immediate neighborhood for the near future. I have found that the whole process of looking at ourselves (the survey), planning things and trying things has all been very helpful in itself. Yet, it is the Lord who builds His Church, and all these other things don't count for anything without God's blessing. Therefore prayer and submission to God must take precedence above everything else. We continue to have a regular life of prayer at our parish, and our choir continues to be one of our strongest ministries in our parish. At the time of this writing (end of August 2011) we are anticipating with great excitement a visit from our Bishop Matthias on Labor Day weekend (Sept 3-5, 2011). Glory to God for all things! Respectfully Submitted, Fr. Stacey Richter Rector ST VLADIMIR S CAMP - ARCHPRIEST JOHN MEMORICH PRIEST IN CHARGE St. Vladimir s Camp continues to be a jewel of both the Cleveland Deanery and the Diocese of the Midwest. It draws youth from throughout the surrounding area and as far away as New Jersey and Canada. Situated on well over 80 acres of land, the camp is a tranquil setting of woods, trails, and fields. A small lake graces the property. There is a beautiful Chapel, five dorm-like cabins, a residence for the volunteer cook staff and clergy, a main lodge with kitchen, refectory, infirmary and a recreation area, and we can accommodate up to sixty five campers per session. For many years St. Vladimir s Camp has provided a safe, Faith-based environment for youth of all ages. Every member of the camp s staff, counselors, and volunteers undergo mandatory background checks and must have an endorsement from their parish priest. Dn. Daniel & Catrina Kovalak are the Camp s directors and continue to build upon the Camp s stellar reputation and past successes. Besides being in residence for all three weeks, they also dedicate many hours of service prior to the camping season to ensure that everything is in tip-top shape. These aspects include felling trees, maintaining the tractor trails for hay rides, and general clean-up and maintenance. This year s camping schedule was as follows: July was the FOCA s Junior Sports Week. Theme - Who is God? July was for ages Theme - Orthodoxy 101 July was for ages Theme - Saints: Superheroes for Christ!

11 Fr. Kyrill Williams was the resident priest during the first week of camp, with Fr. Joseph McCartney being in residence for the next two. Besides teaching and interacting with the children, they served Matins and Vespers each day with a liturgy during the week. Besides my self, this year a number of area clergy concelebrated the Camp s patronal feast in St. Vladimir s Chapel. Following liturgy, two processions were formed in order to bless all of the buildings. We eventually converged to an area where a tree has been planted in Archbishop Job s memory with a wooden bench built to encircle it. A small kiosk with the Archbishop s portrait graces this, his favorite spot a place where he loved to sit, read, and just relax. After a Panikhida, we blessed and dedicated the tree and bench in his memory. Because St. Vladimir s Chapel is now almost forty year s old and in need of repair (new siding and windows), we have begun a capital campaign to raise $ for this project. Archangel Michael parish (Broadview Heights) has already kicked off this campaign by donating $10,000 and we are hoping that other parishes and individual will donate as well. St. Michael s is also hosting a Pig Roast on October 1 st as a fund raiser for those within the Cleveland Deanery. If anyone or any parish would like to extend their help and support this venture, or if you would like to know about our camping program, please contact me at my office (440) or check out our website: <stvladimirscampohio.com> With love in Christ, Very Rev. Fr. John Memorich

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14 Deanery Report for St. Theodosius Cathedral Cleveland, Ohio St. Theodosius Cathedral parish celebrated the 100 th Anniversary of the cathedral construction this past September. The Cathedral parish has 200 adult members including the home-bound. The Cathedral is served by devoted Clerics both hreater and lessor ranks. Archprist John Zdinak - Rector Priest Paul Schelbach Newly attached Deacon Daniel Boerio - Deacon Subdeacon Theodore Lentz - Sacristan Reader Julias Ken Kovach Ecclesiarch and Choir Director Subdeacon Michael Tabeling Assistant Sacristan & Greeter Coordinator Subdeacon Leon Felon Subdeacon John Roger Pinta Reader Frank Tkacz Reader Daniel Morris Reader Peter Nicholas Zolikoff Reader Paul Pangrace Our Church School program is conducted in two nine-week sessions on Saturday evenings before Great Vespers. This is to encourage and facilitate the participation of our children in the service of Great Vespers. We conduct a weekly adult education program on Thursday mornings. This intended, for the most part, for those who are retired or only available during the day. It is taught by Subdeacon Leon Felon and Reader Paul Pangrace. Evening adult education programs are conducted seasonally. We conduct teen retreats and escapes for our teens in the summer and winter seasons. 13 persons, so far this year, have been brought into Communion either by Baptism, Chrismation or Confession. Catechumen preparation is done on a one-to-one basis. Our Choir rehearses regularly and is always prepared for all of the Divine Services. They number over 30 members including teens. Our Sunday fellowship continues every week with a coffee hour following the Divine Liturgy.

15 The parish hosts a picnic every summer. We are blessed with several musicians in the parish who volunteer and play the whole day offering quite a decent variety of music. This year we are attempting the same approach for a Nativity gathering during the festal period.