Congratulations to the Orthodox Christian Fellowship’s (OCF) Evan Bittner and Rachael Krizmanich, the first from the group to participate in the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.
They made it through the entire 46 hours, inspiring many to join the fight against pediatric cancer. Donors from Holy Trinity and the Chapel helped OCF raise $6,633.39 this year, which allowed Evan and Rachael to qualify.
Thank you!
Archimandrite Zacharias, Ph. D., esteemed author, speaker, and disciple of the late Elder Sophrony, will visit St. Tikhon’s on Saturday, February 8. The Young Adult Fellowship, a ministry for twenty- to thirty-somethings in the parish, is arranging a pilgrimage by van there that day, leaving the Holy Trinity parking lot at 11:30 a.m.
There is no cost for the trip (it includes Vigil, dinner, and Fr. Zacharias’ talk), but please bring money for a lunch stop on the road. The group will also hold a potluck/game night at the church on Tuesday the 18th.
For information, see Megan Leathers or email youngadults@holytrinity-oca.org.
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.
Be filled with joy as we together as community prepare and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ:
For more information on any of these events, please email info@holytrinity-oca.org.
Lucy 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.
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:
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.
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
| Category |
2013 |
2013 |
2014 Proposed |
% |
| 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% |
| Category |
2013 |
2013 |
2014 |
% |
|
| 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% |
|
|
|
(Without Building) |
(With Building) |
||||
| Category |
2013 |
2013 |
2014 |
% |
2014 budget |
% |
| Total Income |
$30,566 |
$32,510 |
$33,732 |
3.8% |
$33,732 |
3.8% |
|
(Without Building) |
(With Building) |
||||||
| Category |
2013 |
2013 |
2014 |
% |
2014 |
% |
|
| 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.
On Sunday October 6, some Sunday School classes will observe (in the nave) the Liturgy of Preparation (proskomedia) during class time as part of their curriculum this year. This service (which is celebrated before every Divine Liturgy) is rarely seen except by the clergy. All are invited to attend with the students.
Clergy will take their entrance prayers and vest in the nave at approximately 9:10 a.m. The rest of the prothesis will continue in the nave as well.
The Patriarch Tikhon Choir, an American professional choir dedicated to the performance of Orthodox Christian sacred music, will perform at Pittsburgh’s First Baptist Church on Tuesday, September 17 at 7 p.m.
Conducted by renowned Moscow choirmaster Vladimir Gorbik, the program entitled “Their Sound Hath Gone Forth” will include works by Rachmaninov, Chesnokov, Kastalsky, Dinev, Trubachev, and Bortniansky, as well as more recent works by American Orthodox composers Kurt Sander, Nicholas Reeves, Nazo Zakkak, and Benedict Sheehan.
Tickets are only $15 and may be purchased online at patriarchtikhonchoir.com.
A benefit bicycle ride for Devon (Africa) Jacobs–a member of our parish’s extended family suffering from leukemia (AML)–will take place on Saturday, May 18. Cyclists will begin and end at the Meadow Grove Road Sportsman’s Club in Newport, PA, traveling a total of 13 miles alongside the picturesque Juniata River. The pace has been described as “leisurely” with plenty of stops. A picnic will also take place after the ride.
All funds will help defray Devon’s mounting personal, household and travel expenses, all stemming from her not being able to work since relapsing earlier this year. With conventional treatment forms exhausted, including extensive chemotherapy, her most likely final treatment phase will be a stem cell transplant through a promising National Clinical Trial at City of Hope Hospital in California.
Both riders and sponsors are being sought. Checks can be made payable director to Devon C. Jabobs and mailed to Jay & Adam Jacobs, 405 Meadow Grove Road, in Newport, PA (17074). For more information, please contact info@holytrinity-oca.org.
This Friday, April 5, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts will take place at St. John’s (Carpatho-Russian) Church in Hawk Run at 6:30 p.m. (53 Fulton St., with the silver dome). The following week (April 12), Hawk Run parishioners will come here to Holy Trinity for a 6 p.m. liturgy (Confessions at 5 p.m.). A complimentary Lenten dinner will follow each service.
Email info@holytrinity-oca.org
