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Published by the
Orthodox Church
in America,
September 9, 2005
FOCA
convention delegates continue support for
OCA Youth Ministry, plan leadership training
summit |
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ALEXANDRIA, VA [OCA Communications/FOCA]
— Providing assistance to Hurricane Katrina
victims, continuing support of the Orthodox
Church in America’s youth department internship
through the Fellowship of Orthodox Stewards, and
developing a leadership training summit and
strategic plan highlighted the 79th national
convention of the
Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America
[FOCA] held September 1-5, 2005 at the Hilton
Alexandria Mark Center here.
Honored guests in attendance included His
Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, FOCA spiritual
leader; His Beatitude, Metropolitan Theodosius,
retired; Protopresbyter Robert Kondratick, OCA
chancellor; and the Very Rev. Michael Dahulich,
Dean of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary. More than 400
participants attended the event, sponsored by
members of the FOCA’s Colonial District. The
convention committee was cochaired by Walter
Alesevich and Leda Dzwoncyck and included
members from Saint Nicholas Cathedral,
Washington DC; Saint Mark Church, Bethesda, MD;
Saint Andrew Church, Baltimore, MD; Saint
Stephen Cathedral, Philadelphia, PA; and Saint
Vladimir Church, Trenton, NJ.
The plenary sessions began on Friday, September
2, following a service of prayer and the
invocation of the Holy Spirit. Delegates moved
to initiate a 2005-2006 FOCA “Gifts of Love”
project earmarked for victims of Hurricane
Katrina, with funds to be sent for distribution
to International Orthodox Christian Charities. A
floor drive to provide immediate aid netted
approximately $6,000.00. Addressing a budget
shortfall to meet continuance of all charitable
projects, delegates approved a dues increase
which was preferable to cutting programs. These
programs included a $9,000.00 annual
contribution to the Fellowship of Orthodox
Stewards to support the internship program of
the OCA’s youth department and $3,000.00 in
grants-in-aid to individuals desiring to do
missionary work through the Orthodox Christian
Mission Center. Initiatives to strengthen the
future work of the FOCA were passed to commence
a FOCA leadership training summit and to develop
a strategic plan for the next five to ten years.
Reelected to serve the FOCA for the ensuing year
were president, Dr. John Schultz;
vice-president, Mr. Michael Steffaro; recording
secretary, Mrs. Kathleen Lazor; and treasurer,
Mr. Michael Bowan. Mr. John Kruchok serves as
immediate past president. The Very Rev. Eugene
Vansuch was thanked for his service over the
past six years as national spiritual advisor.
[Father Eugene was recently named executive
director of the Fellowship of the Orthodox
Stewards.]
In addition to the business sessions, convention
activities included the hierarchical Divine
Liturgy, Vespers, and a Memorial service for
departed members; the grand banquet and Sunday
evening ball; a performance by “Harmonia” and
the Slavic Male Chorus of Washington DC; group
tours of the Hilwood museum and garden estate of
Marjorie Post and Saint Nicholas Cathedral; and
“Monuments by Moonlight”, a three hour tour of
our nation’s capitol. Specialized programs
during the event included “Fellowship Kidz” for
children and a “Golden-Agers” reception. Young
adult activities included a welcome reception,
volleyball, and a young adult forum moderated by
Father Kondratick.
The grand banquet was highlighted by the address
of Metropolitan Herman. Also speaking at the
banquet were president Dr. Schultz and the Very
Rev. Mark Koczak, LCDR CHC USN, who spoke on his
experiences as an Orthodox military chaplain.
Seventeen scholarships totaling more than
$15,000.00, including three seminarian awards,
were formally announced. Metropolitan Herman
presented Mrs. Elizabeth Slanta with a citation
for her 20 years of service as FOCA “Mission
Hotline” coordinator.
Prior to the conclusion of the plenary session
on Monday, September 5, Father Dahulich, dean of
Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, formally thanked the
FOCA for its commitment to seminarian
assistance.
The 2006 FOCA national convention will be held
at Kingston Plantation, Myrtle Beach, SC. Future
conventions were awarded to the Cleveland
chapter, which will host the 2007 convention in
Nashville, TN and Saint Stephen’s chapter,
Longwood, FL, which will host the 2008
convention in Tampa Bay, FL.
Photo coverage of the FOCA national convention
can be found in the
September 2005 "Photo Gallery and Events"
section of www.oca.org
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