Diocese of New York and New Jersey / Orthodox Church in America

Minutes of the Thirty-Third Diocesan Assembly

December 11, 2000

Holy Trinity Church - Yonkers, New York

The business session was called to order by Archbishop PETER at 12:00 O'clock Noon with the singing of "0 Heavenly King."

  • Assembly Officers:

Vice Chair/Clergy: Protopresbyter Rodion Kondratick, Chancellor, Orthodox Church in America

Vice Chair/Laity: Mr. Lawrence Tosi, Esq.

Secretariat: Hieromonk Christopher (Calin), Priest Jonathan Ivanoff; Deacon Michael Sochka

  • Guests of the Assembly:

Protopresbyter Rodion Kondiatich, Chancellor, Orthodox Church in America

Archpriest John Dresko, New Britain, CT.

  • Address of Diocesan Hierarch (written report attached)
  • Election of Diocesan Council

   After some discussion on the proposed slate of members: Archpriest Igor Berdikoff, Matushka Eugenia Nehrebecki, Hieromonk Joseph Hoffman, Mrs. Mary Ann Bulko, 
Priest Samuel Kedala,  Mr. Peter Junda, Archpriest David Vernak and Mr. Lawrence Tosi, Esq.

   His Eminence may also appoint additional members as he sees fit. All District Deans will be members ex officio, as well as Commission Heads and the Secretary/Treasurer.

   Protopresbyter Rodion Kondratick suggested that the Diocesan Council consider a method for staggering the terms of the members of the council. Also, in light of the fact that deans are members of the council ex officio, Protopresbyter Rodion Kondratick reminded the assembly, should Archpriest John Nehrebecki be re-elected as Dean of the New Jersey Deanery, Matushka Nehrebecki, a member-at-large, would have to resign her seat on the council.

  • Report of the Credentials Committee / Archpriest Alexander Garklavs

   The Thirty-Third Diocesan Assembly of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, Orthodox Church in America was attended by the following:

1 Archbishop, 33 Parish Clergy, 28 Lay Delegates, 13 Observers, and 2 Guest Priests.

  • Review of the Minutes of the Thirty-Second Diocesan Assembly, May 17, 1999

The minutes were reviewed on the floor of the assembly.

Motion to accept the minutes made by Mrs. Ludmilla Tjaden. Seconded by Archdeacon Michael Suvak.

Motion passed.

  • Chancellor's Report

No report was given. Prayers were sought for Protopresbyter Alexander Warnecke, who recently resigned for reasons of health. The Archbishop stated that he has no immediate plans to appoint a new chancellor.

  • District Deanery Reports:
  • New Jersey Deanery: Archpriest John Nehrebecki

Fr. John offered a meditation on 1 Timothy 1: 1-14, part of which was read at Liturgy. Fr. John introduced two new priests of the deanery: Frs. Steven Miller and Michael Medis.

  • New York City Deanery / Archpriest Yaroslav Sudick

Introduced Priest Vladimir Alexeev.

Talked about the on-going support for the Russian 0rphan Children fund.

Ss. Cosmos and Damian Adult Home is a part of this deanery.

  • New York State Deanery Report

In light of Fr. Alexander Warnecke’s resignation, the Archbishop gave the report. His Eminence emphasized His Archpastoral concern for the parish in Binghamton.

Discussion on the floor of the assembly reviewed some items, including the successful conclusion of civil court cases, the status of the church in Niagara Falls, and the mission and
needs of the West Point Chapel.

Discussion from the floor: Mother of God, Mays Landing, NJ is also a mission.

  • Auditors Report / Hieromonk Joseph (Hoffman) (Written Report attached)
  • Financial Statements / David Schneider (Written report attached)
  • Youth Department/ Matushka Barbara Kucynda - (Absent for family reasons).
  • Pastoral Department / Priest Alexander Garklavs

The Department has been dormant this year. Looking forward to active participation of NY/NJ clergy in the upcoming Pastoral Retreat at St. Tikhon's Monastery in June 2001.

Recess was called at 2:00 PM. Session resumed at 2:35 PM.

  • Old Business

Priest Samuel Kedala asked about procedural resolutions passed at the previous Diocesan Assembly. Specifically why documents were not circulated before the start of the current assembly. Mr. Tosi indicated that the Diocesan Council would consider this item at its upcoming meeting.

Mr. Junda inquired about the population of the Orthodox Church in America. Protopresbyter Pobert Kondratick indicated that the overall population was steady.

  • New Business

* The Budget for 2001 was presented. Discussion followed. Motion to accept the budget made by Priest Daniel Degyansky. Seconded by Archdeacon Michael Suvak. Motion passed with eight abstentions.

* Diocesan Annual Assessment for 2001. Priest David Garrettson presented a resolution from the Diocesan Council proposing a $5.00 par capita increase of the diocesan annual assessment. Much Discussion followed. Motion to pass the resolution made by Archpriest John Nehrebecki. Seconded by Priest Samuel Kedala. Motion passed with five abstentions.

Presentation Stewardship and Fair Share Giving / Archpriest John Dresko, New Britain, CT.

At 4:15PM the Motion to Adjourn made by Archpriest John Nehrebecki and seconded by Priest Joseph Frawley. Motion passed.

Members of the Diocesan Council were sworn in after conclusion of the Assembly.

 

Hiermonk Christopher (Calin), Priest Jonathan Ivanoff, Deacon Michael Sochka

Members of the Secretariat

 

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