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Minutes of the Archdiocesan Council Meeting Archdiocese of Canada, Orthodox Church in America held at Sts Peter and Paul Sobor, Montreal QC 3 - 4 November 2006 Council members in attendance at this meeting were : Ruling Bishop of the Archdiocese, His Grace SERAPHIM Chancellor, Archpriest Dennis Pihach Archdiocesan Dean, Archpriest Cyprian Hutcheon Treasurer, Nikita Lopoukhine Dean of British Columbia, and Yukon, Archpriest Lawrence Farley Dean of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Nunavut, Archpriest Robert S Kennaugh Dean of Ontario, Archpriest John Jillions Dean of Quebec, and Atlantic Provinces, Igumen Irénée (Rochon) Clergy representative from Alberta and NWT, Archpriest Larry Reinheimer Metropolitan Council clergy representative Archpriest John Tkachuk Deacon Alexei Vassiouchkine (Ontario Deanery) Metropolitan Council lay representative Richard Schneider Sandra Ellis (British Columbia and Yukon Deanery) David Grier (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Nunavut Deanery) John Hadjinicolaou (Quebec and Atlantic Provinces Deanery) David Rystephanuk (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Nunavut Deanery) Olga Jurgens, Aministrative assistant Nun Sophia (Zion), Canadian Orthodox Messenger editor Member of the Council absent from this meeting with a blessing was : Rod Tkachuk (Alberta and NWT) Specially invited guests were : Savelia Curniski, Spencer Estabrooks, Peter Ewanchuk, Matthew Francis, Mark Petasky, Deacon Gregory Scratch, and Jeremy Scratch. Observers at various times over the two days were : Archpriest Anatoly Melnyk, Helene Culhane, Michael Olejnikov, and Jesse Butler. * * * Session I, held on Friday afternoon, November 3 The fall 2006 meeting of the Archdiocesan Council began with a moleben served by the Chancellor, Fr Dennis Pihach, in the Sobor’s temple at 1:00 p.m. (Agenda #1.0) Council was convened by the Chancellor at 1:40 p.m., in the upper church hall. There followed the roll call and regrets (Agenda, # 2.0). Agenda # 3.0 and # 4.0 Minutes of the previous meeting & Report on Action Items [see attached, # 3 and # 4] In the interest of accountability, the Chancellor went over the “Action” items (Agenda # 4.0) listed in the minutes of the spring 2006 meeting (Agenda #3.0) in Edmonton. The following points were made: (p.2): Richard Schneider reported that he and the Bishop had not been able to consult yet about the programming of the free time offered on Rogers Cable. This is yet to do. ACTION: BISHOP SERAPHIM, RICHARD SCHNEIDER (p. 2): Nikita Lopoukhine said that he and the Bishop have not yet been able to set up a diocesan credit card account (bearing the Bishop’s name) which would allow His Grace to charge various travel-related items. Fr Dennis volunteered to help Nikita try to get this accomplished before the next meeting of Council. ACTION: FR DENNIS PIHACH, NIKITA LOPOUKHINE (p.2): Nikita Lopoukhine also reported that he has not had a chance to consult with John Loukadelis regarding the legality of our remitting funds to the Central Church Administration of the OCA, but this is really not an issue now anyway, because we are not actually remitting monies directly to the USA, only spending our tithe in Canada, in Canadian funds, to the Central Church. (p.2): Fr Dennis Pihach reported that the Financial Committee has been able to prepare a financial plan for the compensation of the Bishop(s), the Chancellor and the Treasurer.
(p. 2): Fr Dennis said that with regard to the possibilities of the Archdiocesan Council’s Deanery Lay Representatives’ talking with parishes to find out what is their commitment for the support of the diocese, as well as encouraging the parishes in this, there will have to be further planning and discussions. ACTION: FR DENNIS PIHACH AND DEANERY LAY REPRESENTATIVES (p.3): Fr Dennis reported that all members of the Archdiocesan Council have now signed The OCA’s Sexual Misconduct Guidelines.
(p. 3): The Bishop had previously said that diocesan office still does not have a complete list of the parishes of the diocese which have signed The OCA’s Sexual Misconduct Guidelines. Every parish in the diocese MUST sign. The list continues incomplete, and therefore still requires work by the Deans as soon as possible. ACTION: ALL DEANS (p.4): Olga Jurgens reported that the Russian brochures are complete except for the drawings by Fr Vladimir (Lysack), who says he will be able to do them when he returns from Minneapolis. ACTION: OLGA JURGENS (p.4): David Grier said that the Administrative Unit has not yet been able to draft a report on the needs and possibilities for the Archdiocesan executive positions (as well as for the office and personal assistants). ACTION: ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT. (p.4): Fr Dennis reported that the recommendation for the Archdiocesan Dean and the Regional Deans to stay abreast of parish responses to the Bishop’s directive on stewardship has been done. Many parishes have indeed created their parish stewardship plans, whereas others will require ongoing education with regard to this. ACTION: REGIONAL DEANS At the end of the discussion of “Action Items” from the previous meeting, the Council requested that the Treasurer, Nikita Lopoukhine, have an on-going line item for clergy synaxes. ACTION: NIKITA LOPOUKHINE
The minutes of the spring 2006 meeting of the Archdiocesan Council (Agenda #3), amended by Fr Cyprian’s and Mother Sophia’s clarifications about the spelling of “Lysak” and “Szalasznyj, as well as the correct wording of “The Sign,” were unanimously approved. At this point the Chancellor gave Council some “housekeeping details” (times of sessions, meals, etc.) and then explained that the Port Arthur Icon of the Theotokos would be arriving in the Sobor while the present Council session was being held, and that there would be an Akathist to the Mother of God sung before the icon prior to supper and the evening session. He noted that the progress of this icon through Canada has been phenomenal, and there is answer to prayer. In all of the churches where it has visited, it has created Orthodoxy unity, he said. He also clarified, for those who did not know, that this is a copy of the original which will stay in Port Arthur. The copy, which is exact and of high quality and which was made especially for Canada, will reside for the present in Annunciation Cathedral, Ottawa. The long-term intention is to build a chapel for it in Toronto, but it will remain in Ottawa, except when travelling, until then. Agenda # 5.0 Agenda [see attached, # 5] The Agenda presented by the Chancellor was approved, with the following additions or changes : At # 8, Assembly “2006” was changed to “2007,” at Units, Administrative, “f. Properties” was added; at Units, Programming & Communications, “j. Pilgrimages” was added ; and at # 22 New Business, the following were added : “a. Auxiliary Bishop,” “ b. Lay Council Representative nominations,” “c. Archdiocesan By-laws,” and “d. Council Resolution on early AAC.” Agenda # 6.1 Report of the Chancellor [see attached, #6.1] In addition to his written report, Fr Dennis Pihach said that Deacon Dean Katsilas is interested in helping us with the parish in Windsor, and that immigration problems which the warden of the parish (Mike Boyar) was seeming to have been worked out. Also he said that at the 2007 Assembly of the Archdiocese, there should be some official recognition (banquet, etc.) of the 20th anniversary of Bishop Seraphim’s consecration to the episcopate (actual date of consecration June 13th). ACTION: FR JOHN JILLIONS AND THE ASSEMBLY PLANNING COMMITTEE
At the end of Fr Dennis’ report, there was a general discussion around the table with regard to the delegation of authority in the diocese. It was noted that much work has gone to the Chancellor, which in itself is certainly progress, but many people are still by-passing the Deans with their problems, and calling the Chancellor or the Bishop first. To what degree, it was asked, is the Church (and the diocese) conciliar? To what degree can the Bishop function with the help of the people he has designated to help him? Some said they have felt unsupported by him in the decisions which they had tried to make within the authority which they thought he had given them. It was stated by another that we need to stand together on trying to clarify this problem. Clearly the Bishop needs conciliar help, and we must continue to speak about this with him, in a gentle, Christian way. And we must keep doing this, on every level. The Chancellor suggested that the Deans get together at the next session, when the administrative and programming units were also to meet, in order to discuss this further. Agenda # 6.2 Report of the Archdiocesan Dean Fr Cyprian Hutcheon said that because of his recent move to Saskatoon, he had not had a chance yet to confer with the Bishop about his Archdiocesan duties. Agenda # 6.3 (a) Deanery of British Columbia and Yukon Report [see attached, # 6.3 (a)] Fr Lawrence Farley presented this written report. Agenda # 6.3 (b) Deanery of Alberta and Northwest Territories Report [see attached, # 6.3 (b)] In addition to his written report, Fr Dennis Pihach spoke about the Phoenix Faith Committee of Edmonton to which the mayor of that city has appointed him. The committee, which is made up of major faith groups---including Christians, Jews, and Moslems---meets four times a year and is concerned with issues related to problems which one faith group or another might experience in the community as a whole (e.g., bomb threats, vandalism, hate crimes, etc.). Agenda # 6.3 (c) Deanery of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Nunavut Report [see attached, # 6.3 (c)] Fr Robert Kennaugh presented this written report. Agenda # 6.3 (e) Deanery of Quebec and Atlantic Provinces Report [see attached, # 6.3 (e)] Hiéromoine Irénée (Rochon) presented this written report. Agenda # 7.0 Report of the Treasurer [see attached, # 7.0] Nikita Lopoukhine guided Council through his written report. He said that at this point in time income is just meeting expenses. We must keep on track, and we do have a deficit budget. How, he asked, do we make up this deficit? And where is he to take money from in order to pay expenses? There was some discussion of this matter, with several urging that we must be very careful in borrowing from designated funds: if we borrow from such funds for a very brief time, and keep a very clear and transparent track of this borrowing, it is possible to get by with this briefly, although it may be technically illegal. Others suggested that it may be time to tap into the individual faithful, through some kind of special diocesan giving plan [e.g., on the FOS model]. It was decided to leave these questions to the Administrative Unit to discuss and bring back to the table later. Agenda # 9.0 CCC Report (Ecumenical Activities) [see attached, # 9.0 (a) & (b)] Fr Cyprian Hutcheon presented two written reports, his own report for the Faith and Witness Commission [# 9.0 (a)] and Colin Grimmond’s report for the Justice and Peace Commission [# 9.0 (b) with appendages]. He said that our diocese is one of the few member churches with a full complement of representatives on Faith and Witness: Deacon Alexei Vassiouchkine, Richard Schneider, Paul Ladouceur, and himself. This keeps the Orthodox witness on theological topics very strong. He said that he is suggesting that the executive of the CCC be more representative of the twenty member churches which now make it up. He said that they are listening to suggestions and are planning a review, but we have no representatives on the nominating committee, unfortunately. Fr Cyprian is looking for someone in the Southern Ontario area who can represent us. He also has concerns about how the CCC formulates statements on sensitive issues. He believes there is good faith, but this needs careful monitoring. Fr Cyprian also announced that the Montreal Centre for Ecumenism now has Sub-Deacon Karl Mansour as its director. In later November, at The Sign in Montreal, Karl will be ordained to the diaconate. Agenda # 11.0 Clergy Insurance / Property Insurance Fr Dennis reported that the clergy insurance is going well, although sometimes there is tardiness from parishes in remitting their share of the premiums (mainly because volunteers have to do this whenever they can). As far as property insurance for parishes is concerned, Aeon has accepted our Archdiocese and its parishes for policies designed specifically for us. The plan begins on January 1, 2007 and will take one year to register all parishes which plan to join, since a parish cannot join the new plan until the renewal date of their old policy. The request for the new policy is submitted two months before the old policy expires and the parish will get a quote from Aeon (which, the company says, should be at least a 20% savings or more). The information about this will be mailed out to the parishes soon. Session II, held on Friday evening, November 3 After the Akathist to the Theotokos in the temple before the Port Arthur icon, which was followed by supper, the Council meeting recommenced with a division of members into three separate groups : the Regional Deans and the Archdiocesan Dean together, the Administrative Unit, and the Programming/Communications Unit, in order to make reports the next day to the council as a whole. Session III, held on Saturday morning, November 4 The meeting was called to order at 9:20 a.m. by the Chancellor, with the singing of “O Heavenly King.” Agenda # 6.0 Report of the Ruling Bishop [see attached, # 6.0] In addition to his written report, the Bishop said that The OCA Statute has not been kept current with “the how of things.” This is a source of some of the problems The OCA is experiencing currently. He also called attention to his “Blackberry,” which he reported is helping him keep in touch with e-mail while he is travelling for either the diocese or for the Central Church Administration. Because of it, he is able to address pressing problems in a more timely way. Agenda # 6.3 (d) Deanery of Ontario Fr John Jillions apologized for being remiss in his assignment as Dean of Ontario. He did note, however, that most of what he could have said about the deanery is in the Ruling Bishop’s report. The Chancellor noted that our Toronto clergy have asked to have some kind of local sub-deanery council. Vladyka Seraphim is considering how to do this. ACTION: BISHOP SERAPHIM, CHANCELLOR Agenda # 8.0 Ottawa Cathedral / Assembly 2007 Fr John Jillions reported that the cathedral parish of Annunciation has been in its new complex a little over a year now. There is an excellent team of people working there, mainly on a volunteer basis, under a reorganized governance model with ministries. The fabric of the building is being improved. The property manager, Mark Stetsky, is excellent, and he has been and continues to be consulting with engineers, trades people, etc. An unexpected big expense was the fire inspector’s demand that the parish be brought up to code. The recent treasurer’s report for the cathedral was very good, and at the end of September Sharon Zacharias was hired, on a temporary basis, to develop the rental potential of the complex (based on a seed loan). The cathedral as a residential community, overseen by a residence committee, is beginning to jell. There is, in Fr John’s opinion, a huge benefit in having all Orthodox people living there as a sort of mission in the community. The parish has had a presentation from iconographer Heather MacKean, and they are awaiting a concrete plan. The icons, frescos, etc. will be a very large cost. It is hoped that various people can donate for parts of the icons, the icons screen, and the frescos. The parish now has full lunches on Sundays after liturgy, with rotating groups to accomplish this. The spirit in the parish is really good. “We are financially challenged, but keeping pace.” With regard to the 2007 Archdiocesan Assembly, Fr John reported that St Paul’s University has been booked. He has been able to get the meeting rooms at half price because he is on the faculty. The assembly programme is in the early stages at this point, but he said he planned to work intensely with Nikita and Mary Ann Lopoukhine on this planning once Nikita returns from his next trip abroad. The actual dates of the Assembly are July 15 to July 20, and rooms will also be allotted to those who may want to stay at St Paul’s either the weekend before or the weekend after the Assembly days, in order to see more of our nation’s capital. The Chancellor asked that everyone give Fr John requests, ideas, etc. for the agenda, so that at our next meeting there will be a concrete agenda. ACTION: FR JOHN JILLIONS
Agenda # 10 Metropolitan Council Report [see attached, # 10.0] Richard Schneider spoke first. He said that much has happened since the written report he handed out was actually written. The good news, however, is that some recent anxieties have begun to calm down. The last meeting of the Metropolitan Council was very good. If the new ethos of responsibility and transparency continues, the present is “in good shape,” and “there is hope for the future.” Then Fr John Tkachuk spoke. He said that in his view, there are three entities at play : the Holy Synod (clergy), the Metropolitan Council (the dioceses and “the people”), and the wild card (the “central administration”). There has been and still is “a question of personalities, and we are all still in mid-flight.” But viewed within the context of the history of the Church, this current uproar is really a small blip on the radar (without in any way diminishing the seriousness of the current problems). Richard added that the staff at Syosset is shrinking fast. He finds this worrisome, because the flow of information is in the hands of fewer and fewer people. Then the Bishop spoke: - From his view of events, he is surprised at how we lack understanding of our ecclesiology. It is strange that there is so little reference to Christ.
- How adolescent are we if we fear that our autocephaly will be taken away?
- It is amazing how so many people appear to have lost confidence in Christ.
- 2006 should be an auditable year. Earlier years have things missing, but this is not to imply criminality. There has been major incompetence, however.
- Under certain circumstances (particularly because of the chatter of opinions and commentary put forth on the Internet and in the press), the charitable status of The OCA could be threatened. It is the commentary that is so dangerous.
- The worst thing which could happen is that only one particular slant would dominate on this very complex matter.
- The Church is made up of people tempted on every level. As responsible Christians, we must not leap into temptation.
Schneider then said that the Archdiocesan Council must carry the Bishop’s views back to the people.
John Hadjinicolaou and Fr John Jillions asked Bishop Seraphim to request of the Metropolitan Council and the Holy Synod, at their joint meeting in December, that they consider holding a trimmed-down, one-issue All-American Council in 2007, following the Patristic model of councils’ being held in times of great crises in order to concentrate on a specific crisis. We have clearly shown ourselves to be immature, said John Hadjinicolaou. We should therefore deal with this in an All-American Council, and deal with this only, as quickly as possible. This would show our maturity as an Autocephalous Church.
Bishop Seraphim asked Fr John and John Hadjinicolaou to formulate a resolution (with the Patristic reference) for this Council to pass.
Vladyka, changing the subject, spoke about how nice it is to be in the warm Sobor of Sts Peter and Paul. He also thanked the Archdiocesan Council for being so frank in speaking their minds. He then gave a “plug” for John Hadjinicolaou’s new 3-CD anthology of Orthodox theological articles, published by Alexandre Press. The Chancellor then asked Michael Olejnikov, an observer from Sts Peter and Paul, to speak for a few moments. Michael Olejnikov, who is a retired diplomat, has been working with Orthodox youth both in Vienna and now in Sts Peter and Paul. He wants the Council to know that he is prepared to put his services to use in the diocese, wherever he might be used.
Agenda # 18 St Arseny Institute Report [see attached, # 18.0] Spencer Estabrooks presented this written report. Agenda # 12 Theological Education Committee Report [see attached, # 12.0] Fr Cyprian Hutcheon presented this hand-written report. He spoke of the meeting of the committee the previous morning, prior to the convening of this Council as a whole. He said that meeting ahead of the main sessions of Council appears to be very helpful for this committee. He reported that the committee had assured Spencer Estabrooks that they believe the St Arseny Insitute should go full speed ahead in planning for a 3-year academic programme, for the M.Div. degree, through their affiliation with the University of Winnipeg. In no way, however, would this imply that the candidates for the degree would also be eligible for ordination, since there are many issues still to resolve (e.g., an “Orthodox residential year,” etc.) One of the main points in the written report is the committee’s proposal for the creation of an Archdiocesan Vocations Assessment Committee (AVAC) with major responsibility for (1) assessing candidates for ordination as early as possible in their path toward ordination); (2) ensuring that the spiritual and pastoral formation of candidates is attended to; and (3) recommending to His Grace about the suitability (or lack thereof) of candidates for ordination. Fr Cyprian also pointed out that it is hoped that such a committee would function not simply in an advisory capacity, but that its recommendations would carry some weight. Bishop Seraphim said that he welcomes this proposal with its three components, and he encourages further planning for such a committee, the Bishop and the Theological Committee working together in its formation. He wants the Theological Education Committee to recommend to him who should be on the AVAC. ACTION: BISHOP SERAPHIM AND THE THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE Agenda # 15 Sifton Project Report Archdiocesan Archivist Katherine Szalasznyj gave this verbal report. First, she pointed out the exhibit which she had placed at one end of the meeting hall, showing some of the things which have been going on with the Sifton Project recently : the foundation has been replaced, the domes re-silvered, the upper half of the church painted (with the bottom half to be finished by late fall), and the second annual pilgrimage to the site held in June 2006. She said that in the spring of 2007, the property surrounding the church will be landscaped as a “Quiet Garden.” It is planned also that by late spring 2007, the envisioned seasonal museum of Orthodoxy will be open. A small grant from the Virginia Farah Foundation is making the seasonal opening of this museum possible. Katya has been collecting donations of memorabilia, and thinks that she will have a good display to start the first season, along the theme of something like “Orthodox weddings in pioneering Canada.” She reported further that the annual pilgrimage to Sifton held this year in June was very successful. For the occasion Archbishop Lazar brought the “Joy of Canada” icon, and the pilgrims were able to process with it through the village. The next pilgrimage is planned for the last Saturday of June 2007. The local people, she noted particularly, are very grateful for Archdiocesan help with the renovation. Agenda # 16 NASHI Project Report [see attached, # 16 a – e] Savelia Curniski presented this report. After spending a few moments going over her written report which describes the work of the Saskatoon-based charity, she showed a 20-minute video of NASHI volunteers visiting Ukraine this past summer in connection with the NASHI activities there.
At the end of her presentation, Savelia Curniski requested that the Archdiocesan Council approve the project of raising at least $50,000.00 within the Archdiocese, for the purchase of a safe home for children in Ukraine, particularly those returning from being trafficked as sex slaves and those with AIDS. This safe home will be under the guidance of the Lviv Archdiocese and its Archbishop Augustine.
In answer to queries, Savelia Curniski explained that tax receipts for donations to NASHI are given by Christian Childcare International which will send all monies to Ukraine.
Bishop Seraphim commented that he hoped $50,000.00 would not be seen as some kind of limit on the fund-raising.
At 12:45 p.m., the third session of the Council meeting was adjourned for luncheon in the church hall Session IV, held on Saturday afternoon, November 4 The meeting was called to order again at 1: 45 p.m., with the Chancellor continuing in the chair. Agenda # 14 Reports of the Units Report of the Programming and Communications Unit
Fr Lawrence Farley spoke for this unit.
a. Charities fund : there being no requests for monies from this fund, it was suggested by Council members that $1,000.00 from the Charities fund be given to NASHI, along with the $600.00 in the line-item “Ukraine/Russia” fund. This had unanimous agreement of all members. ACTION: NIKITA LOPOUKHINE
b. Seminary/Scholarship fund : There were no requests for distributions from this fund. c. Mission fund : There being no requests for monies from this fund, the unit proposed that the Chancellor’s suggestion of the following distribution be accepted : $1,000.00 to St John’s, Windsor; $1,000.00 to the mission station in Whitehorse; and $400.00 to the Mission in St John’s NFLD. This was unanimously approved. ACTION: NIKITA LOPOUKHINE
Because all the other topics which the unit briefly discussed the evening before did not result in any requests or recommendations, Fr Lawrence’s report ended at this point. Report of the Administrative Unit
David Grier spoke for this unit. He began by saying that the Archdiocese needs $30,000.00 more a year for the kind of budget we currently have. He said that members of the unit had tossed around many fund-raising ideas, especially with regard to asking individuals for special donations. There was also the idea that we need 5-year budget projections, and/or a strategic plan to include the budget.
David Grier emphasized that this unit needs more time around the Council meetings in order to formulate ideas.
John Hadjinicolaou said that one real problem of the Administrative unit is that it really cannot accomplish much if it meets for just a few hours two times a year. The unit must find a way to discuss ideas between meetings. There is a need for regular conference calls, he said, and he then volunteered to organize these conference calls. He said that he would make initial contact by e-mail, in order to set up the times of such calls. Members of the unit whom he will contact are: Fr Cyprian Hutcheon, Fr John Jillions, Nikita Lopoukhine, Rod Tkachuk, David Grier, and Sandra Ellis. ACTION: JOHN HADJINICOLAOU AND MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT Nikita Lopoukhine said that he will send a note to parishes informing them that when people give to the United Way, they can list the diocese (with its charitable number) in the slot provided on the donation form. ACTION: NIKITA LOPOUKHINE Agenda # 17 Administrative Focus Group Report [see attached, # 17] Matthew Francis, Jeremy Scratch, and Peter Ewanchuk were the presenters of this report [members of the group also include Deacon Gregory Scratch, Deacon Alexei Vassiouchkine, Mark Petasky, Michael Luciuk, and Alexandra Lopoukhine]. Matthew Francis spoke first, giving an overview of the task the Bishop has assigned them, to examine how well the administration of the diocese is being handled. He also described the three surveys which the group has launched, by mail and e-mail, seeking responses from clergy and laity in the diocese. Jeremy Scratch then gave an analysis of the responses to the survey of rectors, followed by a presentation of Peter Ewanchuk on the deanery structure and how it is / is not working. He emphasized that there seems to be a need to clarify the delegation of responsibility of the Deans. Because of this perception, he presented members with a copy of “The Statute of the Orthodox Church in America, Article IX – The Deanery, Article 3 – Competence and Duties” [see attached, # 17]. He said that it was hoped that the Council would have a look at this and see if everything in it really applies to our diocese. Peter also listed several recommendations that this focus group would make at this point: - all deanery matters should go first to the deans, not to the Chancellor or the Bishop;
- we need to find out what the deans require to help them fulfill their duties;
- we must take a hard look as to how, in three to five years, to double the income of the diocese;
- monies should be made available to the deaneries to hold twice-yearly meetings;
- funds should be made available for each Dean to make regular visitations to the parishes of his deanery;
- the Bishop needs an administrative assistant (not a personal assistant, although he could have that too, but only in addition to the administrative assistant), a reality that is clear and can no longer go unresolved---concrete funding must be found;
- an Archdiocesan Office should be established in Ottawa.
- there is the need to refocus on Fair Haven : does it have the potential to be the Diocesan Centre?
Above all, Peter said, the two top priorites, as the focus group see it at this point, are (1) the finding and funding of an administrative assistant and (2) the establishment of a diocesan office for the assistant (the most logical place for this is seen in Ottawa). At this juncture, the Bishop brought up the need he has for quarterly reports from all his rectors. He noted that when he was a priest, he always had to send such reports to his bishop. How have we arrived at such neglect about this? If nothing else, we will have a major archival lack because of it. John Hadjinicolaou then spoke, urging the Administrative Focus Group, in no uncertain terms, to re-focus their energies. “You are preaching to the converted,” he said, “because the Council has already reached many of the conclusions you have struggled so much to attain. So you need to re-focus: tell us the ways to raise funds to accomplish these things. We know the needs, we’ve always known them!” In other words, concrete ideas and plans from the group are needed. How to do these things must be focussed on. “Don’t tell us the needs --- tell us how we can fulfill them.” Both Peter and Jeremy said in reply that they had not realized that this is what the Council wants. Therefore they will go back to the “drawing board” and try to come up with plans and possible solutions. ACTION: ADMINISTRATIVE FOCUS GROUP Agenda # 21 Next meeting of Archdiocesan Council It was decided that the next meeting of the Archdiocesan Council will be held April 20 – 22, 2007 in Saskatoon SK. The meeting will begin for all members on Friday morning and finish late Saturday afternoon. This means a Thursday arrival. Agenda # 19 Port Arthur Icon [see attached, # 19] Bishop Seraphim spoke about the copy of the Port Arthur (China) Icon in Vladivostok which has been travelling in Canada, and which will reside for the longer term in the Annunciation Cathedral, Ottawa. He said that he believes our diocese is somehow specially under the protection of the Theotokos. We did not ask for this icon, he continued, it just came to us, and there must be some significance in this. The original of this particular icon was written in Kyiv, and the roots of our diocese are in Kyiv. This travelling copy (a “Spisok”-blessed on the original) was written especially for our diocese, and paid for by the St Innocent Orthodox Missionary Society of Vladivostok. Agenda # 20 Pilgrimages Fr Larry Reinheimer reported that the youth pilgrimage to Georgia is still in the works, but communication by e-mail has been very difficult with the Georgians. With regard to a future pilgrimage to Alaska, nothing is happening at the present time. Fr Dennis Pihach reported that the pilgrimage to Russia in 2007 is being planned for 15 – 30 August. Details should be finalized soon. Agenda # 21 Youth and Young Adult Report [see attached, # 21] Matthew Francis presented his written report. Because the report contains a proposed budget for youth and young adult programmes at the 2007 diocesan assembly, Fr John Jillions will take this report back to the planning groups in Ottawa. ACTION: FR JOHN JILLIONS
Agenda # 22 New Business .a. Auxiliary Bishop Fr Dennis Pihach reported that he had received no response to his letter to Metropolitan Herman saying that we still need an auxiliary bishop. Bishop Seraphim said that he thinks the matter has to be put on hold for awhile because of the difficult situation of the Central Church Administration at this time. The Council knows that we must have an auxiliary bishop, so it should remain on our agenda at ever meeting. After each Council meeting the Chancellor must write a letter reminding the Metropolitan of our need. Every time. ACTION: FR DENNIS PIHACH
His Grace said that he will restart the process for finding candidates for an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese, beginning in February 2007. ACTION: BISHOP SERAPHIM
.b. Nominations of Lay Representatives to Archdiocesan Council It was noted that Deans are elected by the deaneries in the West, and each deanery there also elects its nominee for Lay Representative to Archdiocesan Council. The Deans and the Lay Representatives are appointed by the Bishop in the East. The deanery system is working, but we have to keep at it. .c. Archdiocesan By-laws The Chancellor called attention to the fact that the by-laws of the Archdiocese need looking at again, because this was last done in 1987 -90. The Chancellor, David Grier, and Rod Tkachuk will look at them and present a report at the next meeting of Council. ACTION: FR DENNIS PIHACH, DAVID GRIER, ROD TKACHUK .d. Archdiocesan Council Resolution on early AAC Fr John Jillions and John Hadjinicolaou presented the Council with the proper wording of the resolution from Council which the Bishop and Metropolitan Council members are asked to give to the Holy Synod and the Metropolitan Council prior to their joint meeting in December 2006. The wording is as follows:
“We in the OCA have become accustomed to the predictable scheduling of All-American Councils. This in itself is not bad, but it does obscure the original intention of councils. The Patristic mind of the Church in the past looked at councils as extraordinary events called in response to a crisis. They gave the Church the opportunity to gather, fast, pray, debate and seek together God’s direction, in hope that out of turmoil and confusion, God could bring resolution and healing.
We are now going through such a crisis and need to recover the Patristic approach to calling a council. We cannot wait longer.
The Council of the Archdiocese of Canada therefore urges the Metropolitan Council and the Holy Synod, meeting jointly in December, to seriously consider the possibility and the ways and means for calling an extraordinary and simplified All-American Council in 2007 with the single purpose of addressing the OCA crisis.” This resolution was unanimously carried, and the Bishop and the Metropolitan Councillors agreed to send the resolution to the Holy Synod and Metropolitan Council prior to the December meeting, in order that it could be placed on the agenda thereof. ACTION: BISHOP SERAPHIM, FR JOHN TKACHUK, RICHARD SCHNEIDER
Agenda # 22 Closing Prayers and Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m., with the singing of “It is truly meet . . . .” Respectfully submitted, Mother Sophia (Zion) |