Delegate Handbook Volume 1 Ver September 21, Instructions and Schedule

Transcription

1 Delegate Handbook Volume 1 Ver September 21, 2012 Instructions and Schedule Diocese of the West Orthodox Church in America 2012 Diocesan Assembly October 2-4, 2012 Meeting at Holy Transfiguration of Christ Cathedral 349 East 47 th Avenue Denver, CO 80216

2 Version September 21, 2012 Table of Contents Volume 1 DELEGATE INSTRUCTIONS...3 SCHEDULE/AGENDA...3 MINUTES OF THE 2011 ASSEMBLY...7 CHANCELLOR S REPORT

3 DELEGATE INSTRUCTIONS DATE: September 21, 2012 TO: All Assembly Delegates and Observers FROM: 2012 Diocesan Assembly Committee Please read the contents of the three volumes of this report carefully and well in advance of the assembly. If necessary, print out a copy for your use at the Assembly. Have your questions prepared in advance. The following schedule is preliminary and subject to modifications. Diocesan Assembly Schedule Holy Transfiguration Cathedral October 2-4, 2012 Denver, Colorado Tuesday October 2, 2012 Time Event 3:00 PM -5:00 PM Registration of Assembly Delegates & Observers at Holy Transfiguration of Christ Cathedral, Denver, CO (light food available) 5:00 PM Vespers 6:00 PM Meeting of the Diocesan Council, Departments Heads, and Deans (Maggiano s Restaurant) 3

4 Wednesday October 3, 2012 Event 8:30 AM Hours 9:00 AM Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Molieben 10:30 AM Brunch in Parish Hall (for registered delegates and observers only) 12:00 PM Opening Prayer and First Plenary Session -Opening prayer -Welcome to Assembly Fr. Anthony Karbo, Fr. David Lowell -Appointment of Assembly Officers and Secretariat -Review, Acceptance of Minutes of 2011 Diocesan Assembly -Address of His Eminence Archbishop BENJAMIN -Chancellor s Report Father Ian -Treasurer s Report Mary Caetta -Brief Deanery Reports Deans -OCA Strategic Plan Fr. David Lowell Break Deanery Meetings 6:00 PM Vespers 6:30 PM Dinner in Parish Hall Second Session 7:30 PM Elections to Diocesan Council Report of the Metropolitan Council Father Lowell, Dr. Dmitri Solodow Talk & Discussion with Father John Jillions, OCA Chancellor 4

5 Thursday October 4, 2012 Time Event 7:30 AM Optional Breakfast Available in the Church Hall 8:30 AM Third Plenary Session Diocesan Loan Program Communications Fr. John Dresko Diocesan Budget Dorothy Nowik & Finance Committee Clergy Meets with Bishop Benjamin Laity Meets with Fr. MacKinnon, Father Tate, Fr. Jillions End of Second Plenary Session and Assembly 12:00 PM Lunch in Parish Hall Brief Meeting of the Diocesan Council Youth Ministry to meet during this time 5

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7 2011 Diocesan Assembly Diocese of the West October 31, 2011 Regency Hyatt Hotel Bellevue, Washington Minutes (DRAFT) At 9:25 am on Monday, October 31, 2011, the annual Diocesan Assembly was convened by His Grace, the Right Reverend BENJAMIN, Bishop of San Francisco and the West with the singing of O Heavenly King. In attendance were His Grace Bishop BENJAMIN, 49 other clergy delegates, and 33 lay delegates. The minutes from the previous Diocesan Assembly of 2010 were available for review on the diocesan website, and had earlier been approved by the Diocesan Council. Archpr. David Lowell was appointed Chairman of the Assembly and Maha Estephon was appointed Vice Chair. Address of His Grace Bishop BENJAMIN His Grace welcomed the convened delegates to the Seattle area. He welcomed as guests the newly appointed chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), Archpr. John Jillions, and the secretary of the OCA, Archpr. Eric Tosi. His Grace offered thanks to the all-mighty God for the blessings the diocese has received during the past year. He noted that the Assembly is gathering in connection with the 16 th All-American Council (AAC), which, for the first time ever, is being held on the territory of the diocese. Special thanks were given to Archpr. John Pierce of Holy Resurrection Church in Tacoma and the team of local volunteers who assisted him in the preparations for this historic event. His Grace reviewed changes in clergy assignments during the past year. He welcomed to the diocese the newly ordained Pr. John Karcher, as well as Pr. John Garvey and Dn. Nicholas Denysenko. Archpr. John Mancantelli has retired from his service in Billings and has been reassigned to Milwaukie, Oregon. During the year, two members of the diocesan clergy reposed, Archpr. David Shank and Dn. Michael Savko. 7

8 His Grace spoke also of the many qualified and talented seminarians from our diocese presently studying at seminary. His Grace announced the planting of new missions in Durango, Colorado, and Encinitas, California. His Grace thanked our chancellor, Archpr. Ian MacKinnon, for his hard work. He thanked our treasurer Mary Caetta, noting that our financial stability as a diocese was to a large measure due to her work. He thanked the deans who discuss every parish of the diocese at meetings every year. He also thanked the Diocesan Council for its work, and its two delegates to the Metropolitan Council, Archpr. David Lowell and Subdn. Dmitri Solodow. Finally, His Grace offered thanks to all of the diocesan clergy, especially those laboring in our missions. His Grace announced that the diocese will present to each priest of the diocese a book by Matushka Jennie Schrodel entitled Naming the Child. Clergy are encouraged to use the insights of this book, which addresses the tragic experience of miscarriage and infant mortality, in their ministries. His Grace spoke of the anticipated discussion at the AAC of the Metropolitan s relationship to the Synod of Bishops, emphasizing the love that is felt between them. He brought attention to a discussion of the Orthodox Christian Church Investment Fund (OCCIF), which is being formed to offer support within the diocese for parish development. There is hope the Fund will be operational within the next year. His Grace noted that a discussion of the current level of financial support for the OCA is anticipated at the AAC. He expressed concern with a plan that would reduce the Fair Share head tax to $50, leaving the central administration with too little income to conduct its important ministries. He noted that today only 8 full or part time employees work for the central administration, down from 40 just years ago. On the matter of the diocese s hosting of the AAC, Bishop Benjamin brought attention to the exhibit prepared by Archpr. John Takahashi, thanking him for his work. Chancellor s Report The diocesean chancellor Archpr. Ian MacKinnon gave a brief report. He spoke especially about the progress toward the establishment of OCCIF, and the support it has received from His Grace. Nominations Committee Archpr. Matthew Tate presented nominations for the clergy on the Diocesan Council 8

9 that consisted of Archpr. Lawrence Margitich and Archpr. Michael Anderson. Nominations from the floor were invited, but none were made. He then presented nominations for the laity on the Diocesan Council that consisted of Subdn. Paul Pilipenko and Ivan Pouschine. Nominations from the floor were invited, but none were made. He then presented nominations for auditors that consisted of Archpr. David Brum, Maha Estephon, and Subdn. Paul Pilipenko. Nominations from the floor were invited, but there were none. A motion was made by Archpr. John Dresko to accept the nomination committee s nominees, and was seconded. The motion passed. Report of the Treasurer The diocesan treasurer, Mary Caetta, thanked the Budget Committee for its hard work. She praised the diocese s successful control of expenses during the past year. She also thanked the hard work of the audit committee, which during the past year assumed responsibility for the Life Giving Spring retreat center in Boulder City and the Synaxis of the Theotokos property in San Francisco. Mary called upon parish treasurers to read the materials in the diocesan website about housing allowances for the clergy. The declaration of a housing allowance must be a formal process authorized and recorded by the parish council Budget The chairman of the budget committee, Dorothy Nowick, oversaw the distribution of the proposed 2012 budget to the delegates. Changes from the budget of 2011 include an increase in the hierarch s salary by $2,000. This was not requested by him, but the budget committee believed it was a prudent change in light of the fact that no increase in his salary has been made for 3 years. Archpr. Matthew Tate moved to accept the proposed 2012 budget. The motion was seconded and was approved unanimously. OCCIF Archpr. Ian MacKinnon returned to the subject of the OCCIF to provide some additional details. An operating agreement between OCCIF has been formulated that limits the liability of the diocese. Much work went into this matter, which was completed in the past year. OCCIF will be a non-profit corporation, and will have its own website. Update by Archpr. John Jillions The newly appointed chancellor of the OCA gave a brief update on matters in Syosset. He spoke of the importance of relationships within the OCA, especially between the central headquarters and the dioceses. 9

10 Call for Comments and Resolutions from the Floor Archpr. Basil Rhodes quoted a recent letter by Priest John Parker, newly appointed Director of Evangelization for the OCA, challenging the OCA s participation in the National Council of Churches of Christ (NCCC). Archpr. Basil moved that the Diocese of the West propose a formal resolution at the AAC recommending the OCA withdraw from the NCCC. The motion was seconded. Ivan Pouchine asked how other dioceses of the OCA and other Orthodox jurisdictions in the United States view the issue. Archpr. Eric Tosi observed that OCA involvement in the NCCC is minimal. Priest Gabriel Seamore stated that the problem is not the OCA s involvement, but its very membership. The motion passed. Update by Archpriest Eric Tosi Archpr. Eric Tosi provided an update about affairs in Syosett. He emphasized the person-oriented character of ministry there. Efforts have been made to be more responsive and available to those with needs from its personnel. The community of personnel is close and works well together. Report on the Metropolitan Council Subdn. Dmitri Solodow presented a report on the Metropolitan Council s activities during the year. He discussed its initial response to the 15 th All-American Council s interest in reconsidering the distribution of ministries between Syosset and the dioceses. This work has gotten off track lately. Subdn. Dmitri discussed the relationship between the Metropolitan and most members of the Synod since the last All-American Council. It is important for delegates at the present 16 th AAC to be aware of this history. It is important to resist tendencies toward division. Comments by Bishop BENJAMIN His Grace brought attention to the work of his administrative assistant, Barry Migyanko. Last year His Grace was on the road some 265 days. His Grace emphasized the necessity of clergy fulfilling deadlines issued by the chancery. He also discussed the hope of inviting Bishop JIRI of Michalovska from the Czech Lands to the next Diocesan Assembly. Comments by Barry Migyanko Barry asked that those writing to His Grace copy him to assure orderly record keeping. He stated that every new member of a parish council should be given a copy of the Policies, Standards, and Procedures of the OCA on Sexual Misconduct (PSP), the 10

11 Diocesan Bylaws, and the parish bylaws. Report on Needs of Seminarians Archpr. Matthew Tate reviewed the Diocese s program of granting $1,000 to each diocesan seminarian every year. There is a plan to post biographies of seminarians on the diocesan website. He called upon parishes to augment these grants with commitments of three-year grants to seminarians. Final Questions and Comments Priest Yousuf Rassam asked about the status of the OCA Strategic Plan. He also asked about the status of revising the OCA s system of financial support. Archpr. Matthew Tate replied that that question has not been resolved. The Diocesan Assembly adjourned at 11:00 am. Respectfully submitted, Archpr. John Strickland Archpr. David Brum Paul Pilipenko 11

12 Chancellor s Report Diocesan Assembly, 2012 Christ is in Our Midst! The Hierarchical Liturgy and celebration at Fort Ross last August 25 th was a great blessing. Metropolitan Hilarion of the Russian Church, many ROCOR bishops, our own Archbishop Benjamin, and clergy from different jurisdictions communed from the same cup against the historic backdrop of the Fort s chapel. One would hope that this event was a sign that jurisdictionalism, while still very much in force, will, through the grace of the Spirit, start to give way to an authentic Orthodox unity in America. This past year saw the full establishment of the Diocesan Loan Program (OCCIF), after many years of planning and development. The program is still in need of sufficient operational funding, but finally the stage is set for our parishes to start borrowing from our own entity, not the banks. The evangelical implications of this Program are obvious the ability to provide funds for mission building projects for decades to come. Three important topics need the attention of this Assembly. First, how will the Diocese fulfill its financial relationship with the Central Church through percentage giving (a biblical approach), rather than through the assessment model? (This change was mandated by the last All American Council). Second, how will the loan program begin to acquire the funds it needs to make significant development distributions to parishes that can qualify? Third, the diocesan Deans have developed a new plan for working more closely with parish clergy and matushki, but in order to succeed, this plan will also require funding. There are other things to report. We held a very successful All American Council in the Seattle area last October high praise to Father Pierce and his staff for doing such a remarkable job! The Life Giving Spring Center in Boulder City was sold, much to the relief of the Diocesan Council. The recent fire in Manton displaced the monks there, but thanks be to God, the Monastery was spared. Welcome to Andrew Smith, who replaced Barry Migyanko as diocesan secretary earlier this year. Barry provided excellent service to the Diocese Andrew is doing the same. Mary Caetta continues to labor with great dedication on both financial and business matters of the Diocese. Our new Archbishop Benjamin is still in charge of two dioceses, but somehow manages to labor in a spirit of love and good will. Respectfully Submitted, Archpriest Ian MacKinnon 12