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Special Parish Meeting this Sunday

Although included in the 2020 Budget, the Chapel of the Holy Spirit’s proposal for a refinanced mortgage through the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh requires a two-thirds vote of no fewer than 51% of the parish membership.

Therefore, the Council will conduct a Special Parish Meeting this Sunday following the Divine Liturgy. It will be chaired by our Dean, Fr. Mark Meholick; Archbishop Melchisedek will also attend as a show of support. If approved, equity from a new $150,000 mortgage (which will be financed by the Archdiocese at 0% APR for 25 years) will be used to build a 12- by 24-foot addition on the Chapel’s east side to house its altar. 

Electronic Giving Now Available

The work of Holy Trinity, the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, and the Orthodox Christian Fellowship at Penn State is entirely supported by sacrificial gifts from its members, family, and friends. Thank you.

Now, at no cost to you—and at a minimal cost to the parish (on average, less than the price of offering envelopes)—your donations can be withdrawn directly from your checking account, savings account, or payment card (all major networks are accepted).  

With just a few clicks, you can set up a one-time or recurring payment. After authorizing the transaction, your donation is immediately recorded alongside your other contributions for the year.

Holy Trinity’s new, updated, and fully-integrated electronic payment system is now available.


Give as a Member

Giving as a member through Realm allows you to log in securely and manage all your donations in one place. Once you are signed in, click on Giving on the left-hand side of your screen.

Donate Now   Learn more


Give as a Guest

To give once or to give without logging in, select this option.

Donate Now   Learn more


Give by Text/Mobile

To give using the messaging feature on your mobile device, simply text holytrinitysc and the dollar amount to 73256. Standard messaging rates apply.

Examples:

Make a $100 Stewardship Offering to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church:

holytrinitysc $100  

Give $75 to the Chapel of the Holy Spirit:

holytrinitysc CHS $75  

Parking Tenants: Give $51.50 for your monthly payment (i.e., $50 rent plus the 3% convenience fee):

holytrinitysc parking $51.50  

See more options or give to a fund not listed above:

holytrinitysc  

Want to review your giving records? Log into Holy Trinity’s secure database.

Questions, comments, or suggestions? Let us know your feedback at online.giving@holytrinity-oca.org.

 

 

 

Transition “Town Hall” Meeting to be Held

The Parish Council is considering a proposal that will ensure Holy Trinity has pastoral coverage during Great Lent and beyond including the ability for the parish to conduct weekday services, pastoral appointments, regular confessions, and catechesis. While it has the support of His Eminence Archbishop Melchisedek and our local clergy here, the proposal impacts our rector search. 

Council will solicit your questions and feedback on this proposal at an open meeting in the nave of Holy Trinity Church this Wednesday, February 20 at 7 p.m. It will be broadcast live via phone and video conferencing for those who cannot attend in person. You may also opt to submit comments and questions ahead of time by contacting us or by calling the Parish Office at (814) 231-2855.

Call-in Information

>> Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device: https://zoom.us/j/821032648

>> Or join by phone: (646) 876-9923, Webinar ID: 821 032 648

Ltr-to-Parish-re-Interim-Priest

Annual Meeting to be held Sunday, November 8

Holy Trinity will hold its Annual Meeting on Sunday, November 8 following the Divine Liturgy. Nominations are open for Council positions of Secretary, Treasurer, and Facilities Chair. All agenda items must be submitted in writing to the Parish Council for review. Nothing will be considered from the floor.

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. Minutes of the 2014 Meeting
  4. Priest’s Report
  5. Treasurer’s Report
  6. Review and Approval of the 2016 Budget
  7. Election of Officers
  8. Closing Prayer: “It is truly meet…”

 

Synod Accepts Holy Trinity’s Resolution;
Delegates Pass Reform Measures

by Fr. John Reeves

Deacon Alexander and I represented Holy IMG_8164 IMG_8163 IMG_8149Trinity at the 18th All-American Council in Atlanta, July 19-24. Several actions of note were taken, each affecting the life of the parishes in the Orthodox Church in America (OCA).

The first was the revision of the Normal Statute, which is the chief constitutional document governing our national church. Although amended since its adoption in 1971, the Statute had not undergone a thorough revision in the intervening years.

Besides edits for clarity and style, primary changes included the addition of several articles that better reflect the life of an autocephelous Church—monastism and stavropegial institutions such as seminaries, for example—and the replacement of religious language (in to make the Church understandable to civil governments and courts).

Several changes will have to be made in our parish bylaws to bring Holy Trinity into conformity with this revision.

Additionally, deacons have now been granted representation at future Councils. Prior, they had to be elected as members of the laity in order to participate. The vote was 97% in favor for the revised Statute.

Second was the adoption of proportional giving as the means for supporting the central administration, effectively abolishing the per capita assessment. Vote was by a similar margin in favor.

Finally, Dr. Jennifer McClure spoke before the delegates to introduce our parish’s resolution to the Holy Synod on spiritual abuse and give reasons as to the need of its passage. It was accepted by the Synod without a vote.

A full report on the AAC will be presented at the Parish Council meeting on August 20. More information can also be found on the OCA’s website.

AAC Resolution Voting

  • On the motion to adopt the revised OCA Statue: Passed—473 in favor; 15 against.
  • On the motion to fund the work of the Synodal Chancery for the next triennium using a varying proportion of each territorial diocese’s income: Passed—451 in favor; 14 against; 17 abstentions.
  • On the motion to express solidarity and support for Christians suffering in the Middle East: Passed unanimously by acclamation.

Parish Votes to Purchase Adjacent Building

123 S Sparks StAt a meeting of the parish today, members voted to approve a $340,000 offer to purchase the building adjacent to Holy Trinity (123 S. Sparks St.), which the American Cancer Society has owned for the past twenty years. The vote tally was 60 votes in favor, 7 votes against, with 2 abstentions.

Closing on the building is expected in November. In the meantime, the Parish Council will explore several options to maximize its sustainability and usability in order to meet our needs, the needs of our community (Penn State and State College), and the Church beyond our parish.

Attend a Vision 2020 Survey Feedback Session

Jennifer McClure will present the findings of, and moderate discussion on, the Vision 2020 parish survey at during two focus groups this month. The purpose of these sessions is to collect your candid feedback on the results to develop further consensus about what we pray is God’s will for our future growth.

They take place on Wednesday, June 4 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 14 at 10:30 a.m. (pick a time that works best for you).

To aid in the discussion, please look over the results prior to the session.

Special Meeting Information—Sunday, June 22

As reported last month, the parish originally planned to vote at a special meeting on May 18 on a $160,000 Archdiocesan loan proposal for the construction of the Chapel of the Holy Spirit in Beavertown. However, the May 18 meeting was postponed because several concerns were raised about the specific terms of the financing agreement.

To address these concerns and to give the parish more flexibility in the process, the Parish Council met on May 21. After discussing and documenting the issues with the original proposal, the Council moved to cancel the May assembly and call for a new meeting of the entire parish. It is scheduled for Sunday, June 22 following the Divine Liturgy at both Holy Trinity and the Chapel.

The Parish Council has called for a special meeting to be held Sunday, June 22 following the Divine Liturgy to be held at both Holy Trinity and the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. The sole agenda item will be to vote on a new resolution pertaining to construction project financing for a church building in Beavertown.

It differs considerably from the previous one under consideration at the meeting that was cancelled. While the original resolution specified loan terms to be voted on by the parish meeting, the new resolution delegates all negotiating power to the Parish Council. If terms are met to the satisfaction of all parties, especially the Chapel faithful, the Council will engage the loan. The new resolution also authorizes the council to seek other lenders besides the Archdiocese, if necessary. This process is the same one the parish used when it authorized the Council to act in its behalf to obtain the loan for the remodeling the church in 2006.

The resolution is as follows:

I. The Parish authorizes the Parish Council to:

a. Enter into immediate negotiations with the Archdiocese or other appropriate lending agency for a loan in an amount not to exceed $160,000 to build the Chapel of the Holy Spirit on the property in Beavertown; with

b. terms that are the most advantageous both to the Chapel and to the parish corporation as a whole; and in such case, to

c. enter into a loan agreement in accordance with those terms and communicate the results to congregation membership by post.

II. Voting shall take place at both Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, State College and at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, Beavertown, as permitted by parish bylaws (Art. III, Sec. 3-D).

III. The special meeting shall commence immediately upon the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy in both locations.

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

Chapel Approved for Building Financing

Special Parish Meeting Called for Sunday, May 18

Chapel of the Holy Spirit Proposed Design

A proposed profile of a new building for the Chapel of the Holy Spirit in Beavertown. Featuring an ascending nave and a large narthex that doubles as a fellowship area, it is roughly based off traditional Alaskan Orthodox designs.

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP — At its spring 2014 meeting here at the Chancery, the Diocesan Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a loan for the construction of a church building in Beavertown. According to the financing plan terms, the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh will offer the Chapel of the Holy Spirit $160,000 amortized over a 20-year term.

If approved by the May 18 special parish assembly called by the Parish Council, the financing agreement calls for a zero or negligible annual percentage rate during the first five years, calculated such that the Archdiocese breaks even on the loan servicing (but not to exceed 3%), making the Chapel’s monthly payments in the $600-800 range. After that time, a 2% and 4% surcharge will be added to the APR for years 5-10 and 10-20, respectively. The diocese can require full repayment only after the tenth or fif-teenth year,  provided the council and diocesan bishop concur. The Archdiocese will have a lien on the already-purchased lot and any structure built upon it. The Chapel will make a down payment of $40,000 from reserves and fundraising to be determined, to meet the estimated project cost of $200,000.

The sole item on the assembly’s agenda will be to authorize this loan to the parish corporation. A super-majority of two-thirds of the parish’s members is required for quorum. Should the quorum not be met, the meeting will be postponed until the following Sunday, at which the members that attend shall con-stitute a quorum. Parishioners in good standing that were registered with the parish as members last year and who have fulfilled their Lenten 2014 obligations of Confession and Communion may attend and vote. Balloting will occur at both Holy Trinity and the Chapel immediately following Liturgy.

Should you have any questions, please contact Frs. John or Basil, or Council President Chuck Beechan. Or, attend the next regular meeting of the Parish Council on Wednesday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m.

Summary of Proposed Bylaw Changes

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.

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]

[newSection 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.

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