Source: Orthodox Church in America
SYOSSET, NY – Members of the Preconciliar Commission [PCC], charged with overseeing the organization of the 18th All-American Council [AAC], met here under the chairmanship of His Grace, Bishop Mark of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania September 30 – October 1, 2014.
The AAC will be held in Atlanta July 20-24, 2015. The Council theme will be “How To Expand The Mission.”
According to Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, OCA Secretary, PCC members “reviewed the proposed agenda, which includes the plenary sessions, workshops, liturgical services, and social events that will take place during the Council. The agenda will be presented to the Holy Synod of Bishops for approval.”
Related matters reviewed by the PCC included
- the program for the AAC’s youth component. An initial call for adult volunteers will be issued shortly.
- plans for the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America’s annual national convention, which will meet concurrently during the first two days of the AAC.
- the AAC web site and Facebook page. Also highlighted is the new AAC hashtag feed—#expandthemissionoca—by which parishes may share ideas on how to “expand the mission” of the Church.
- plans for AAC vendors and exhibitors.
- an update on the electronic registration process, slated to be available during the first week of January 2015.
- the list of invited AAC speakers and guests.
PCC members also reviewed plans for a joint seminary reception sponsored by the OCA to enable delegates to learn more about the work of the OCA’s three seminaries and a reception for potential and current members of the Stewards of the OCA. Two breakfasts with the members of the Holy Synod—one for clergy wives, the other for youth delegates—also have been scheduled.
“In line with the AAC theme, significant historical items from the museum at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery will be on display, as will the Sitka Icon of the Mother of God and the Icon of Saint Anne,” Father Eric noted. “A number of workshops will focus on the practical application of the AAC theme.”
AAC assessments will be sent to parishes in the immediate future, thereby assisting them in budgeting for the Council.
“The assessment level has been set at $12.50 per parishioner and will be due in early 2015,” Father Eric added. “The cost for the youth program will be $150.00 per participant.”
The call for reports also will be issued in the coming weeks, while the work of the Statute Revision and Finance Committees continues, with an anticipated release for comments in January 2015.
In addition to Bishop Mark and Father Eric, PCC members approved by the Holy Synod include Archpriest John Jillions, Chancellor; Archpriest Leonid Kishkovsky, Director of External Affairs; Archpriest Alexander Fecanin, Local Clergy Chair; Priest Benjamin Tucci, Youth Events Coordinator; Peter Ilchuk, Logistics Manager; Melanie Ringa, Treasurer; Carol Deerson, FOCA representative; and Elizabeth Mikhailevsky, Metropolitan Council.
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