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Spring Creek to be Blessed January 12

Posted on January 8, 2014 by in Announcements

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Fr. Basil Biberdorf—priest-in-charge of the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, a ministry of Holy Trinity—blesses Beaver Creek in Beaver Springs, PA in 2013.

On Sunday, January 12 at 1 p.m, Holy Trinity Orthodox Church will host a public gathering at Spring Creek Park as part of the worldwide Christian celebration of Theophany. All in the community are invited to the park (near Pavilion 2; use the Houserville Road entrance), where a procession to the creek bank and a brief service will be held.

The ceremony will call upon God’s blessings upon the Centre County community and the environment as a whole: During the service, special prayers will be invoked asking God to bless and preserve Spring Creek and the towns through which it flows. Following the practice done annually throughout Russia and Greece, this ancient Christian tradition recalls the baptism of Christ and belief that the Jordan River was made holy through the presence of Jesus. Likewise participants will ask the Holy Spirit to dwell in the water and those that partake of it, offering thanks to God and all those responsible for efforts, past and future, to make the 25-mile-long tributary a clean, thriving stream.

For more information on the Orthodox Christian tradition of blessing water, you are invited to read online reflections offered by Holy Trinity clergy, Fathers John Reeves and Basil Biberforf, or email Deacon Alexander Cadman, Director of Ministries.

Two Outdoor Blessings Scheduled for January 12

Posted on January 6, 2014 by in Chapel of the Holy Spirit, Features

On the Eve of Theophany at the Great Blessing of Water, we gather and the priest, wearing full vestments, calls down God’s blessing upon the water and plunges into it the Cross to recall Christ sanctifying the Jordan. The service concludes with the blessing of the entire church and all the people by sprinkling the water, while all come and partake of this newly prepared Holy Water. This event also marks the beginning of the annual blessing of homes of the faithful.

However, there is a second blessing of water often served at Theophany. This blessing is that of a body of clean water—a river, spring, creek, or even a lake. It is conducted in the exact same way as the “inside” blessing of water, but includes a procession to the water, with the faithful led by the Cross, the Gospel, banners, and torches. The Cross is once again immersed in the water, sometimes by throwing, marking the sanctification of the water by Christ, its Creator. If the Cross is thrown, it is often retrieved with a cord, or, in more adventurous circumstances, by swimmers diving for it. (This is just fun in coastal Florida, but the thought of diving into the icy waters of a Russian lake in winter makes me turn blue simply thinking about it!)

The Chapel of the Holy Spirit has served the outdoor blessing of water for the past couple of years in Beaver Springs, sanctifying the waters of a creek that flows through the area. Doing so has not only edified our Chapel faithful, but also the surrounding community. Last year’s blessing also resulted in newspaper coverage, along with a follow-up article on the Sunday of the Cross two months later.

Encouraged by the positive reception of the outdoor blessing of water at the Chapel, Holy Trinity will also hold this outdoor blessing this upcoming Theophany. The faithful are invited to Spring Creek Park on Sunday, January 12, following the Liturgy, for a short procession and the service of sanctification. At the same time we will bless the waters in Beaver Springs, bringing the two communities of the parish together in common worship and celebration. (Spring Creek is an excellent choice, as rehabilitation efforts have resulted in a clean, thriving stream, which flows through a large portion of Centre County, from five miles east of State College to Milesburg.  That the Holy Spirit would be called down upon this creek for the sanctification of the world is fitting.)

Mark your calendars now for this special event on Sunday, January 12, and plan to celebrate our Lord’s Baptism, and the sanctification of the waters, with us at the Chapel in Snyder County or at Holy Trinity in State College.

Looking Back on 2014

Posted on January 4, 2014 by in Features, Sunday School Scoop

by Dn. Mark Oleynik

1435612_52925733During the last school year my daughter was assigned to list three significant events for each year of her life. Reflecting back on the last year I was reminded of this assignment and decided to refresh my memory of the events of 2013. I proceeded to sit down in front of my personal computer and entered the search phrase, “looking back at 2014.” I immediately realized my error but was surprised that there were more than 17,000 hits that looked back “at the future.” I briefly glanced at a few of the articles in curiosity but mostly it gave me pause to think: if we could look back now at our lives during 2014, what would we find?

With such advanced knowledge of our lives this year we would surely avoid the pitfalls, circumstances, and situations which would cause us pain and grief, wouldn’t we? Certainly, we would choose only those things that would profit us, our children, and our friends both now and hereafter. Although we might still experience sadness and failure during the upcoming year we would be prepared for it. When something would come up, we could make the wise decision.

That’s it: making wise decisions. For some, decision making can be an ordeal. Although something deep within us shouts that life is a series of decisions (moments in truth), we like to put things off; and if there is any way by which we can delay a decision (“I’ll do that when the kids get older”, “I don’t have time”, “that’s too difficult”), or push the responsibility of the decision on to somebody else, we probably wouldn’t hesitate to do so. That is the way many live; dwelling in the valley of indecision. The prophet Joel speaks that, “the day of the Lord is at hand in the valley of decision” (Joel 3:14). Although we may be indecisive, let us not be confused—God will make His decision.

We often begin the new year with the good intent-ions of changing things (lose ten pounds, exercise, more prayer, travel, etc.) but we often lose our enthusiasm and interest after a short while. Nobody ever likes to look back and realize nothing much changed year to year and most especially in their relationship with God. That’s a most sad and sobering thought, but perhaps you can decide now to become God-centered in all you do and really make this year different from years past.

Be grateful for the gifts you have at this very moment. Don’t moan or groan over what you haven’t got. You are alive. You love and you are loved by God. You may be surrounded by dear friends and family who care for you. It is better to want what you have than to have what you want. “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His Name” (Psalm 100:4).

Something else you can do is to learn to master your thoughts. Remember the saying, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Start each day with Metropolitan Philaret’s prayer especially asking God to guide you in all your “thoughts and feelings.” Stop the thought wrestling and see Christ in the person you meet at the checkout line, at coffee hour, or in the driver who just cut you off in traffic. Don’t let your thoughts push you around, but rather take the initiative and push your thoughts to where they result in goodness.

Another good thing is to do something (or something more) for others regardless of your age. The self-centered person is usually miserable. Invest something of yourself in others every day. Our parish has many ministries dedicated to helping others in some way. If you don’t find something here then reach out into our community (take to heart our mission to “Build up the Church beyond our Parish”). Scripture tells us that, “For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister” (Mark 10:45). Follow Jesus’ example.

Finally, place your trust in God. Stop and consider your place: do you make yourself big and God small? Faith and trust is betting your life that God lives and that He loves each one of us with a love that can never fail. We simply need to remember our Lord’s trust in the Father as He gave up His spirit. At the end, there was the utmost assurance that the One who had been with Him from eternity would not desert Him.

Of course, we can’t look into the future but what we can do now, with the help of our Lord, is to make wiser decisions that will bring profit to our souls. May your decisions this year bring you a penitent, praying, pure, obedient, and a very happy heart. And when you look back at 2014 may it be with joy.

Advent 2013: Preparing for God to Come

Posted on December 10, 2013 by in Features, Orthodox Spirituality

by Fr. Basil Biberdorf

June 14, 2012And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” This is from God’s condemnation of the serpent at the Fall (Genesis 3:15), and is commonly known as the protoevangelium, the “first Gospel.”

Thus, from the beginning, the coming of Christ is anticipated. A descendant of the fallen man and woman would be the undoing of the one who tempted them. (And, oddly, the woman thinks she has birthed this savior herself—“I have acquired a man from the Lord”—although this child turns out to be not the savior, but rather the first murderer.) This One who would bruise the serpent’s heel would be awaited by all of God’s people (Gen. 4:1). It is this sense of anticipation that characterizes the entirety of the Nativity Fast. We think on the expectant people of God, characterized so well by the mournful Western hymn, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” We think on the Virgin who bears the Creator of all in her very womb, and the One who will finally appear to us in the flesh.

We can consider the mystery of how a young woman, a “girl” in our own time, betrothed to an old man, who is great with child, trusting without faltering, as she and her husband make their way to their ancestral city. We can marvel that the Creator of all is born, not into luxury, comfort, and power, but into poverty and lowliness. The Son of God himself deigns not only to be carried in the womb of one of his creatures, but he consents to being born in a way, and into circumstances, none of us would desire for our own children. Yet this is the God we wait for. The difficulty in our time is that we want to skip the anticipation. We like instant gratification, not “good things come to those who wait.” We would rather live in the celebration right now—feasting and rejoicing—instead of making ready, and watching expectantly.

This is where the Nativity Fast comes in. Unlike the Great Fast, this fast doesn’t place the emphasis on repentance: our need to recognize our true state before God and desire that it be otherwise. Rather, the emphasis is squarely on anticipation. We eat less, and omit certain foods, so as to build the hunger in ourselves for the One who is truly needful. We focus our prayers on the arrival of that Christ who comes to save us from our sins. We recall the burning bush (Ex. 3), and Moses taking off his sandals because he was on holy ground, then marvel at the Virgin who touches and contains God. We recall Isaiah who was cleansed by the hot coal (Is. 6:7), then see the Virgin cleansed by Christ inside her. We, too, behold this Creator who comes united to human flesh without destroying it by fire.

As we journey in this season of the Nativity Fast, let us not be in a great hurry to reach our destination. Let us proceed slowly, savoring those wondrous anticipations we have been given to us in Scripture. Let us sing the hymns, making the anticipation of old our anticipation today. Let us forgo our favorite foods, not because we are sad, but because something—some One—greater awaits us at the end of the journey: God Himself, born as a child.

Special Events for the Nativity Season

Posted on December 10, 2013 by in Altar Society, Announcements, Matthew 25, Women's Ministry

Be filled with joy as we together as community prepare and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ: 

  • Holy Trinity’s annual St. Nicholas Gift Tree to assist struggling families in our area will be displayed in the Narthex beginning December 1.
  • Celebrate St. Nicholas’ love for Christ with Vespers and Liturgy on December 5 and 6 (with a special surprise for the children).
  • Daily Evening Worship with Confessions begin on December 20 to prepare for the Feast (see calendar for start times).
  • Women will exchange cookies and fellowship over a Lenten meal on December 20 at 11:30 a.m.
  • The Altar Society will decorate Holy Trinity on December 21 at 10 a.m. All are welcome.
  • A traditional Holy Supper for all will precede the Nativity Eve Vigil. The meal begins at 4:30 p.m.
  • The Synaxis Liturgy (December 26 at 10 a.m.) will continue our celebration of Christ’s birth.
  • The Oleyniks (125 Wildernest, Port Matilda) will host an open house on Dec. 29 from 2-5 p.m.

For more information on any of these events, please email info@holytrinity-oca.org.

 

Renowned Quartet to Perform Live at Holy Trinity

Posted on November 9, 2013 by in Features

The Konevets Quartet, performing live at Holy Trinity on Sunday, November 17 at 7 p.m.

On Sunday, November 17 at 7 p.m., Holy Trinity Orthodox Church (119 S. Sparks St., in State College) will host an evening of beautiful and sacred music performed by the renowned Konevets Russian Quartet. The a cappella selections sung by the quartet include selections from 20th-century composers such as Chesnokov, Grechaninov, and Stravinsky, as well as ancient, centuries-old hymns in their original one-, two-, and three-part arrangements.

Founded by graduates of the St. Petersburg Music Conservatory in 1992, the ensemble travels around the world with the goal of sharing the rich Russian vocal tradition with classical music enthusiasts and audiences from diverse faith traditions and backgrounds. Holy Trinity is the first stop on the group’s 2013 Holiday U.S. Tour.

The performance is free of charge and open to the public. A free-will offering will be accepted to support the Konevets Monastery (from which the group takes its name), a 600-year-old religious community located on Lake Ladoga, 100 miles northeast of St. Petersburg. A meet-and-greet reception with the quartet will follow the presentation, where CDs will be available for purchase.

Visit the Quartet’s Website
Read the Quartet’s Biography

[youtube 57oX5-MlOEs]

In Memoriam: Lucy Rusinko (1929-2013)

Posted on November 4, 2013 by in Announcements

Mom - March 2012 version 3Lucy N. (Geryak) Rusinko of State College, formerly of Hinsdale, IL and St. Marys, PA, died Saturday, November 2, 2013 at The Atrium of The Village at Penn State in State College.

Born August 7, 1929 in Buffalo, NY, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Mary (Chanda) Geryak. Lucy was raised in Buffalo and was a parishioner at St. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church. She received her high school diploma in 1947 in Buffalo, NY. Shortly after graduation, she began work as a bookkeeper at W. Henger & Sons. On June 1, 1957, Lucy married the late Dr. Frank Rusinko, Jr. The newlyweds briefly lived in Niagara Falls, NY and then St. Marys where they resided for approximately 15 years. While living in St. Marys, Lucy developed her passion for gardening and oil painting. Many of her paintings hang in the homes of her children.

After residing 15 years in Hinsdale, Lucy and Frank relocated to the State College area in 1991 where both lived until their deaths. In State College, Lucy was a member of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church and a Penn State Nittany Lions fan. She also enjoyed walking, reading, and singing.

Lucy is survived by a daughter, Nancy R. Tich, and her husband, Stephen Tich, of Hong Kong and Chester, NJ; a son, Lawrence A. Rusinko and his wife, Robin, of Carlsbad, CA; two granddaughters, Kendall Tich and Peyton Tich, and a grandson, Evan Tich.

In addition to Lucy’s parents, three sisters, Mary, Helen and Anna and three brothers, Peter, Nicholas and Michael, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5, followed by the Panikhida (prayer service) at 7 p.m., at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 119 S. Sparks Street, State College. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 6 at the church with Father John Reeves officiating. Interment will be on Thursday, November 7 at Holy Resurrection Cemetery, Alden Station, PA.

Vigil will be kept throughout Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. If you are interested in chanting, please contact Dn. Alexander Cadman at dnalex@holytrinity-oca.org or call 814-321-4473.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 119 S. Sparks Street, State College, PA 16801 or online by clicking the link below; or the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Pennsylvania, 2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or online at alz.org.

Annual Meeting: A Time to Look Back; A Time to Look Forward

Posted on November 1, 2013 by in Announcements, Features

Jump to: Annual Meeting Information | 2014 Proposed Budget

by Fr. John Reeves

Meetings allow us to look back over the past year to count the many ways God has blessed our parish. It is also an opportunity to look forward to new blessings which await us. This year the Annual Meeting will be held November 10 following the Divine Liturgy. It is very important that all members in good standing attend. Ministry reports will be received, the financial state of the parish reviewed and the new budget for 2014 will be presented for adoption.

As well, the proposed revisions to the Parish Bylaws will be put up to a vote for a second time. (You might remember that this action failed last spring because of lack of quorum.) The revisions reflect the changes that the parish have undergone since the bylaws were originally adopted in 1995.

Some of these changes allow for greater flexibility in the duties of Parish Council members and the possibility for an Annual Meeting to expand the number of council positions, if warranted, without needing to change the bylaws.

The amendments would also allow regular business meetings to take place with a quorum of a third of the voting members as opposed to the 50% now required. Encumbering or sale of property would still require the current 50% quorum. (Based on Holy Trinity’s 2014 census of 132 adult members, quorum is now defined as 66 parishioners.)

Other revisions detail the relationship of the Chapel of the Holy Spirit with the parish. These would specifically allow the Chapel:

  • to have both voice and vote on the Council;
  • to vote on specified parish matters by ballot from Snyder County;
  • a mechanism to attain free-standing status as a mission or parish in the future.

As in the past when voting on specific measures, the Annual Meeting will be called to order immediately at the close of the Liturgy. This will enable voting on the Bylaw Revision to begin at the dismissal. All members present and voting at this time will be included as part of the quorum. The results will be canvassed and delivered at the remainder of the meeting, following coffee hour.

Copies of the proposed Parish Bylaws are available in the Narthex along with copies of the proposed budget. Both documents can be accessed online at holytrinity-oca.org.

If you are 18 years of age and fulfilled your Lenten obligation of Confession and Holy Communion in this parish, your presence and your vote are important on Sunday, November 10.

Please make every effort to attend and to vote. Remember, the quorum is 66 adult members.

2013 Annual Meeting Information

Holy Trinity will hold its Annual Meeting on Sunday, November 10 following the Divine Liturgy. Voting on the proposed changes to the Parish Bylaws will begin immediately after the dismissal. Ballots will be tabulated during Coffee Hour before the assembly proceeds with the rest of the agenda.

Any agenda items must be submitted in writing to the Parish Council for review by November 6.

Nothing will be considered from the floor. Nominations are open for Council positions of Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice President—Building.

Parishioners in good standing who were registered with the parish as members at the end of the previous calendar year and who have fulfilled their Lenten obligations of Confession and Communion may and should attend.

Agenda

  1. Opening Prayer: “O Heavenly King…”
  2. Establishment of Quorum
  3. Vote on the Proposed Changes to the Parish Bylaw
  4. Minutes of the 2012 Meeting
  5. Priest’s Report
  6. Treasurer’s Report
  7. Review and Approval of the 2014 Budget
  8. Election of Officers
  9. Closing Prayer: “It is truly meet…”

2014 Proposed Budget

Holy Trinity Income

Category 

2013
YTD* 

2013
Budget 

2014 Proposed 

%
change
Stewardship Offerings

$150,417

$191,682

$207,372

8.2%
Deacon Support Appeal

4,190

5,000

5,000

0.0%
Parking

2,970

3,500

3,500

0.0%
Candles and Flowers

2,617

2,600

2,600

0.0%
OCF Funding Appeal

2,235

2,000

2,500

25.0%
Choir Internship Appeal

860

2,000

1,000

-50.0%
Missions Appeal

500

3,000

1,000

-66.7%
Discretionary Fund

100

500

500

0.0%
Interest Income

338

362

301

-16.9%
Total Income

$164,227

$210,644

$223,773

6.2%

Holy Trinity Expenses

Category 

2013
YTD* 

2013
Budget 

2014
Proposed 

%
change
Personnel

$109,168

$129,721

$134,085

3.4%
Rector’s Stipend/Housing

60,729

72,875

 74,000

1.5%
  Ministry Director’s Stipend/Housing

33,848

40,618

 42,650

5.0%
  Office Assistant

5,472

6,565

 6,565

0.0%
  Custodian

3,969

4,763

 4,900

2.9%
  Continuing Ed.—Rector

2,400

2,400

 1,920

-20.0%
  Continuing Ed.—Deacons

—

—

 1,800

—
  Supply Clergy

1,500

1,250

 1,250

0.0%
  Continuing Ed.—Assistant Priest

1,250

1,250

 1,000

-20.0%
Archdiocese

16,626

20,856

22,116

6.0%
Mortgage

14,430

17,315

17,315

0.0%
Outreach & Fellowship

7,109

8,250

7,750

-6.1%
Liturgical

7,051

6,675

7,675

15.0%
Utilities

4,711

6,535

6,035

-7.7%
Office Administration

3,169

3,850

5,100

32.5%
Physical Plant

2,197

4,050

4,800

18.5%
Christian Education

3,377

3,200

4,100

28.1%
Missionary/Seminaries

2,500

3,000

3,000

0.0%
Coffee Hour

1,538

2,000

2,000

0.0%
Insurance

1,553

1,692

1,777

5.0%
Discretionary Fund

1,228

1,500

1,000

-33.0%
All-American Council

1,000

1,000

1,000

0.0%
Furnishings

1,398

750

750

0.0%
Miscellaneous

109

250

270

8.0%
Transfer to Property Maintenance Fund

—

—

5,000

—
Total Expenses

$177,164

$210,644

$223,773

6.2%

Chapel of the Holy Spirit Income

 

(Without Building) 

 (With Building)
Category

2013
YTD* 

2013
Budget 

2014
Budget 

%
change 

2014 budget 

%
change
Total Income

$30,566

$32,510

$33,732

3.8%

$33,732

3.8%

Chapel of the Holy Spirit Expenses

(Without Building) 

(With Building) 
Category

2013
YTD*

2013
Budget

2014
Proposed

%
change

2014
Proposed

%
change
Personnel

$11,750

$15,400

$17,200

11.7%

$17,200

11.7%
Pastor’s Housing Allowance***

11,500

13,800

15,000

8.7%

15,000

8.7%
  Deacon’s Housing Allowance

—

—

1,200

—

1,200

—
  Supply/Visiting Clergy

250

1,000

1,000

0.0%

1,000

0.0%
  Travel Allowance

—

600

—

—

—

—
Outreach & Fellowship

932

$1,625

$1,525

-6.2%

$1,625

0.0%
Advertising

294

500

500

0.0%

500

0.0%
  Chapel Events

472

500

500

0.0%

500

0.0%
  Priest’s Discretionary

5

300

300

0.0%

300

0.0%
  Coffee Hour

—

250

150

-40.0%

250

0.0%
  Website

—

75

75

0.0%

75

0.0%
  Charity Appeals

161

—

—

—

—

—
Property

569

820

690

-15.9%

9,800

1095.1%
Utilities

—

100

100

0.0%

2,435

2335.0%
Furnishings

542

250

500

100.0%

1,300

420.0%
Liturgical

414

280

575

105.4%

575

105.4%
Office Administration

60

295

150

-49.2%

295

0.0%
Christian Education

—

200

150

-25.0%

200

0.0%
Archdiocesan/OCA Assessments****

—

—

—

—

—

—
Transfer to Savings

16,299

13,540

12,842

-5.2%

302

-97.8%
Total Expense

$30,566

$32,510

$33,732

3.8%

$33,732

3.8%

 

* through October 31, 2013
** as presented by the Chapel of the Holy Spirit; to be adopted at the November Parish Council Meeting.
*** Beginning in 2014, the “Pastor’s Housing Allowance” category will include the travel allowance (the “Travel Allowance” category will be eliminated)
**** Holy Trinity subsidizes Archdiocesan/OCA assessments for parishioners who regularly attend the Chapel of the Holy Spirit.

Summary of Proposed Bylaw Changes

Posted on November 1, 2013 by in Parish Council

Notice of Annual Meeting:

Holy Trinity will hold its Annual Meeting on Sunday, November 10 following the Divine Liturgy. Voting on the proposed changes to the Parish Bylaws will begin immediately after the dismissal. Ballots will be tabulated during Coffee Hour before the assembly proceeds. Parishioners in good standing who were registered with the parish as members at the end of the previous calendar year and who have fulfilled their Lenten obligations of Confession and Communion may and should attend.

Download: Current Bylaws with Proposed Bylaws in Parallel.

Related: Annual Meeting: A Time to Look Back; A Time to Look Forward

Related: Proposed Changes Increase Chapel of the Holy Spirit Council Representation; Anticipate Chapel’s Future

Article III: The Parish Meeting

Current (1999)

Annual Meeting: An annual meeting of the voting members of the Parish shall be held on the first Sunday in the tenth month of every year… [§1-A]

Proposed (2013)

Annual Meeting: An annual meeting of the voting members of the Parish shall be held on the second Sunday in the eleventh month of every year…
[§1-A]

Notice of Meetings: Notice of the Annual and any Special Parish Meeting shall be given by the Rector from the ambo at the Divine Liturgy on three (3) consecutive Sundays prior to the Meeting… [§1-D]

Notice of Meetings: Notice of the Annual and any Special Parish Meeting shall be given by the Rector from the ambo, or the Council President, at the Divine Liturgy on three (3) consecutive Sundays prior to the Meeting…The exact procedure shall be determined by the Parish Council prior to the vote. [§1-D]*

The quorum for all Parish Meetings shall be 50% of voting members enrolled at the end of the calendar year preceding the date of the Meeting… [§2]

The quorum for Parish Meetings shall be 33% of voting members enrolled at the end of the calendar year preceding the date of the Meeting… [§2-A]

[none]

In the event the Parish shall seek to sell or purchase property or encumber the same, a 50% quorum of voting members shall be required. [new §2-B]

[none]

There shall be no voting by proxy. [new §3-C]

[none]

For votes taken by physical ballot, a list of voting members will be prepared, with a copy placed at each of the premises of the Parish and of any Parochial missions. Members voting will sign the list as a prerequisite to receiving a ballot, and return the ballot prior to leaving the premises. Sealed ballots and voter lists with signatures will be conveyed from Parochial missions to the Parish premises for determination of the quorum and counting of votes. No voting member may cast more than one ballot. Nothing in this provision permits voting by proxy; voting members must be present at the balloting location in order to cast a vote. [new §3-D]

[none]

[new] Section 5. Delegation

a) The Annual Parish Meeting may expand the number of members of the Parish Council by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting should cause warrant.

b) The Annual Parish Meeting may subsequently reduce the number of members of the Parish Council by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, provided:

  1. there are at no time less than six members, in addition to members representing parochial missions, and
  2. that an interval of two (2) years shall have elapsed between the addition of Council members before the number may be reduced.

c) All items for consideration at an Annual Parish Meeting shall be submitted in writing to the Parish Council for discussion in advance of the Annual Parish Meeting by members of the Parish in good standing. If the Parish Council deems the matter not within the competence of the Annual Parish Meeting, it shall not be brought forward for consideration, the reasons for such being duly recorded in the Parish Council Minutes by the Secretary.

d) No items may be introduced from the floor.

Article IV: The Parish Council

Current (1999)

Eligibility of Elected Members: Voting members of the Parish are eligible for election to the Parish Council with the following exceptions:

  1. any full-time employee of the Parish is not eligible to serve on the Parish Council;
  2. only one member of any household, including the Rector’s household, is eligible to serve at the same time as a member of the Parish Council.  [§1-C]

Proposed (2013)

Eligibility of Elected Members: Voting members of the Parish are eligible for election to the Parish Council with the following exceptions:

  1. any full-time employee of the Parish is not eligible to serve on the Parish Council;
  2. only one member of any household, including the Rector’s household, is eligible to serve at the same time as a member of the Parish Council
  3. other clergy assigned or attached to the Parish, and their wives, shall be ineligible to serve on the Parish Council.
  4. qualifications for members of the Parish Council shall be the same as those specified in the Normal Statute of the Orthodox Church in America for any elective or appointive office.   [§1-C]

Term of Office: Three of the six Trustees shall be elected for a term of two years at each Annual Meeting of the Parish… [§2-A]

Term of Office: Half of the Trustees shall be elected for a term of two years at each Annual Meeting of the Parish…  [§2-A]

Composition: The Parish Council shall consist of the President, the Vice-president in charge of Building, the Vice-President in charge of Grounds, the Secretary, the Treasurer and the Assistant Treasurer. [§3]

Composition: The Parish Council shall consist of the President, who will serve as Warden; the Vice-President, who will serve as Assistant Warden; the Secretary, and the Treasurer, plus at least two additional members, for a minimum of six. [§3]

Parish Council Meeting Chairman: The President shall be Chairman. [§7-B]

Parish Council Meeting Chairman: The Rector shall preside at all meetings of the Parish Council. He may appoint the Council President to chair meetings with him or in his stead (viz. Statue of the Orthodox Church of America, Art. X, §8-C)
[§7-B]

[none]

Other Members: The duties of additional members shall be determined by the Parish Council, annually, as needs warrant. [new §8-E]

[none]

Parochial Mission Representative(s): At the Annual Parish Meeting, each parochial mission (chapel) of the Parish shall present for ratification the name of one of its membership to serve on the Parish Council with voice and vote for the upcoming year; with concurrence of its Priest-in-charge; in addition to the six members specified above. [new §8-F]

Article VI: The Parish Organizations

Current (1999)

[none]

Proposed (2013)

[new] Section 2. Parochial Missions (Chapels)

a) All parochial missions (chapels) shall operate under this article.

b) In the event that a parochial mission shall have attained sufficient development and financial security to warrant its becoming a free-standing mission or parish of the Archdiocese of Western Pennsylvania of the Orthodox Church in America, to the satisfaction of the Archdiocesan authority, it may petition the Archdiocese for reception as the same on the affirm-ative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of its particular membership, with concurrence of a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting at a parish meeting [as provided in Article III, Section 2, Subsection (b) and Article III, Section 3, Subsection (b)].*

c) Upon confirmation by the Archdiocesan authority of such a request:

  1. the new mission or parish shall incorporate under Pennsylvania state law as a not-for-profit corporation and adopt Bylaws to the satisfaction of the Archdiocesan authority; and
  2. the Parish Council shall then begin to devolve and divest all real and liquid property held for the parochial mission to the new free-standing mission or parish within thirty (30) days of its incorporation to the satisfaction of the Archdiocesan authority.

Article VIII: The Amendments, Regulations and General Provisions

Current (1999)

[none]

Proposed (2013)

In these Bylaws the word “State” shall refer to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  [new §4-B]

Adoption: These Bylaws were accepted at a Parish Meeting held on the fifth day of February, 1995, at which the appropriate quorum was present, the Parish members having been duly notified, and have become effective on the fifth day of February, 1995, by the approval of the Diocesan Bishop. They revoke, supplant and replace any and all Parish Bylaws, whether corporate or not, previously in use.

Adoption: These Bylaws were accepted at a Parish Meeting held on the twenty-fourth day of March, 2013, at which the appropriate quorum was present, the Parish members having been duly notified, and have become effective on the _______ day of __________, 2013, by the approval of the Diocesan Bishop. They revoke, supplant and replace any and all Parish Bylaws, whether corporate or not, previously in use.

* this section now contains different text from the proposed bylaws that were presented for consideration at the Parish Special Meeting on March 24, 2013.

Black Madonna Icon to Visit State College Oct. 23

Posted on October 14, 2013 by in Features

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In the summer of 2012, a group of Catholic and Orthodox faithful began a global pilgrimage in support of life and family under the patronage of the Our Lady of Czestochowa “Black Madonna” Icon. The icon, believed to be one of the seventy icons written by the Apostle and Evangelist Luke, is revered throughout the world.

With the blessing of Metropolitan Tikhon, a magnificent replica of the icon will make an unprecedented visit to State College. On Wednesday, October 23, Holy Trinity will warmly welcome visitors from all faith traditions for an akathist (hymn) sung in honor of the Mother of Jesus Christ for the defense of all human life at 6:30 p.m.; the official icon greeting and viewing begins at 5:30 p.m. After the hymn, a reception will take place for all that attend.

The icon has already traveled more than 40,000 miles and has been revered by hundreds of thousands of people across three continents. The goal of this international icon procession, entitled “Ocean-to-Ocean in Defense for Life,” is to unite Christians in praying for the protection of the family and the sanctification of all human life from conception to natural death. It arrived on the shores of North America in August and will travel across the United States this month and November before continuing on to Central and South America.

The second leg of the pilgrimage is being sponsored by Human Life International (HLI), one of the largest global pro-life organizations in the world. The Rev. Peter West, vice president of HLI Missions, will accompany the icon and be among our honored guests. He was present at the Monastery of Jasna Góra in Poland for the dedication of this icon to the original in January of 2012, which marked the beginning of the campaign.

“This pilgrimage is intended to awaken the faithful about the urgency of defending life from the moment of conception,” said Rev. West. “Hundreds of thousands, in venerating the image, have recommitted to restoring a Culture of Life. I look forward to bringing the icon to State College on October 23.”

The event is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be collected to support the pilgrimage.

For more information, please contact info@holytrinity-oca.org.

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