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Proposed Bylaw Changes Increase Chapel Representation; Look to Future

Notice of Annual Meeting:

The Parish Council has called a Special Meeting of all the members of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church to be held Sunday, March 24 at 12:30 p.m. 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.

Parish Council has called for a vote on proposed changes to the bylaws that govern Holy Trinity at a special meeting of all its members. The assembly will take place following the Divine Liturgy and children’s icon procession on Sunday, March 24.

In addition to codifying practices that have become standard practice over the past several years, the bylaw amendments primarily pertain to the governance and eventual transfer of parochial missions, including the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. The additional section under Article VI (Parish Organizations) anticipate a time when the Chapel will “attain sufficient development and financial security to warrant its becoming a free-standing” church community. It will grant its faithful the authority to petition the Archdiocesan bishop for reception as a mission or parish on the affirmative vote of 80% of its particular membership and two-thirds of the general Parish membership.

In the meantime the new bylaws, if accepted by a two-thirds majority on March 24, will also grant the Chapel official representation “with voice and vote” on the Parish Council effective November 2013.

The Parish Council will see additional structural changes should the bylaws be amended. Under the new provisions, members at the annual meeting may expand (or eventually reduce) the number of officers who serve on the Parish Council with a supermajority vote of quorum (the redefinition of which is also under consideration), so long as there are at least six on the Council at all times.

A summary page of all the bylaw changes are available here. The current and proposed bylaws presented in parallel form are now available to download (hardcopies will be made available in the Narthex). There will also be an open hearing on the bylaw amendments at the March Parish Council meeting on Wednesday, March 13 at 7 p.m.

State of the Parish: Celebrations and Opportunities

Brethren: Holy Trinity has much to celebrate over the year past and has several opportunities in 2013 to further our mission of building up the Church beyond our parish.

First, let me highlight a number of unqualified successes. [Sections with asterisks (*) have their own reports and I refer you to them for greater details.] 

Celebration

A prime example of building up the Church beyond our parish is the Penn State Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF)* which actively ministers to students who participate on campus and in our parish in activities led by Deacon Alex Cadman. Over the years by means of campus ministry, Holy Trinity has been formative in the vocations of priests, deacons and monastics who now serve the Church. In addition to our own Dn. Alex, these are Fr. Hector Firoglanis, Fr. Gheevarghees John, Fr. John Diamantis, Sister Helene (Krenitsky) and Sister Margarete (Roeber).

Additionally, Alexey Petrides and Ryan Stingle are now completing Master of Divinity degrees at Holy Cross Seminary in anticipation of future church service, and Jabra Tannous has begun studies at St. Vladimir’s. Maria Roeber is finishing her two year appointment as a missionary to Tanzania. This is not to mention the numerous Penn State alumni now serving as lay leaders and simply good Orthodox Christians in so many parishes and careers in various parts of the country who credit OCF with providing them with a spiritual base and formation during their university years.

Sunday School/VBS* have seen consistent growth and excellence under the capable direction of Deacon Mark Oleynik. With five classes now in session on Sunday mornings, we now face the joyous challenge to find more room to accommodate more students. (Don’t forget that in Deacon Mark’s previous assignment at St. Mark’s, Bethesda, the Sunday School tripled in size and the parish was “forced” to build a Christian Education wing to accommodate the growth. It’s easy to see why.) 

Matthew 25* provides all of us with regular opportunities to impact the lives of Christ in the poor and the homeless in our community through its considerable work and partnership with Strawberry Fields and Housing Transitions. 

Men’s Fellowship sent a team of ten on a short-term construction mission to Marshall, Alaska. This marks the first time that a group of adults from Holy Trinity have done mission work, although we have helped to send many students on short-term missions throughout the world over the years. Upon return, the men have decided to support an Alaskan seminarian, Deacon Jason Isaac, in his studies at St. Herman’s Seminary, Kodiak. Dn. Jason is from Marshall. We appreciate the support which others have committed to this effort as well.

Opportunity

Our Strategic Growth Team (SGT) is actively engaged with charting our course over the next several years. As I noted at last year’s meeting, we have a five-year window to do the following:

  1. Build a chapel for our parochial mission, Chapel of the Holy Spirit (CHS)*, Beavertown.
  2. Come to a decision about our own building/expansion/relocation options in State College.
  3. Continue to expand and develop ministry at Holy Trinity in the meanwhile.

This year, it is a joy to refer you to Fr. Basil’s report and the considerable progress which is being made to build that chapel in Beavertown. Barring unforeseen complications, it is anticipated, and quite possible, to clear all the hurdles, dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s and break ground for CHS in 2013.

SGT has been at work over the past six months trouble-hooting several options for the parish to consider for addressing our need for more space for future ministry. As these are further refined by staff and council, the parish as a whole will have ample opportunity over several months to assess these options, comment upon them, and help us reach consensus on a prudent way forward which is faithful to our mission—to build up the Church beyond the parish—and our core values of worship, discipleship, fellowship, ministry and stewardship.

These options include, but are not limited to, the following: purchasing additional property in the neighborhood, specifically the American Cancer Society next door; purchasing property elsewhere in State College to build a larger, new temple and facilities; remaining on-site with no additional capital expansion, but the possible addition of two liturgies on Sundays; developing a second mission in this area to accommodate growth; or perhaps some combination of the options above. God will guide and God will provide both the direction and the means to do his will.

Seminarian Internship—Fr. Basil and I are exploring the possibility of a seminarian internship at Holy Trinity/Holy Spirit for this coming summer to develop the choirs and singers for both State College and Beavertown. Much technical knowledge is needed to conduct and sing Orthodox services well. This is something we have come to expect in our liturgical experience in our parish. The intern would possess considerable seminary and musical training in order to expand upon the dedicated work of Dr. Bob Roberts, Karen Cattell and our many church singers. It is envisioned that the intern would spend most Sundays in Beaver Town, while workshopping and developing voice and conducting techniques in State College during the week.

The proposed cost noted in the two budgets (HTOC and CHS: $4,000) would be raised apart from general offerings through grants and appeals. Besides providing a seminarian with parish experience in anticipation of future ministry in the church, it would also offset a portion of his or her educational expenses for the ensuing school year.

Seminary faculty from St. Vladimir’s Seminary is involved in developing criteria for participation as well as vetting possible candidates for this program. The term would last 8-10 weeks.

Everything outlined above is faithful to our mission and based upon our core values, building up the Church beyond our parish by means of worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry.

Now for the stewardship: When I first cast vision for my pastorate in State College (1995!), I told mission leaders at that time that under my leadership it would be a pastorate whose ministry was based upon sacrificial, proportionate giving for the work of the Church. The mission community was already in agreement that Holy Trinity would never charge “dues” because it never wanted to become a religious club but a church in the fullest sense of that term.

I promised that God would bless us if we honored him with a tithe, something which Scripture indicates and which I practice. I also promised to lead them and the future parish in scripturally based financial support (cf. Malachi 3:8ff).

Over the years our financial stewardship has grown and our blessings have been multiplied. Currently our sixty families and supporting units provide not only the bulk of the parish budget through weekly offerings but mission and outreach appeals above budget, as well. Total giving as noted in the financial reports from both State College and Beavertown is now approximately $250,000 per year. That’s an average of more than $3,500 per family. And that is a blessing! But now, we called to be blessed more by increasing support sacrificially to meet the opportunities God has in store for us in 2013.

Chiefly, the majority of the increase is to provide adequate compensation in terms of pension and health care for Deacon Alexander. In addition to being on campus, he serves as parish ministry coordinator. As a full-time church worker, he is entitled to the benefits which most of the rest of us already enjoy. The Pastoral Care Committee is to be commended for its diligence in applying the Clergy Compensation Guidelines of the OCA in order to propose the increase in Deacon’s Alex total support.

It might be tempting to say, “let’s just have every family increase giving” by 1/60th of the total increase needed. In other words, a $12,000 increase divided by 60 families: that would work out to approximately $200 per family, or $17 per month, or $4 per week. And that certainly would be one way to do it, if everyone responded equally. But would it be the right way?

Have we ever noticed that things we are tempted to do are never really God’s way to do anything? Now, I’m not saying that everyone increasing his pledge by $4 per week is an evil thing to do! But what I am saying is that Scripture teaches us to give in proportion to how God has blessed us. For some, $17 per month might be the cost of a latte a week at Starbucks. For others, it might be the cost of a medical prescription. So while leveling the field might sound good, it actually might hurt some of our brethren.

In other words, to those to whom much has been given, is much more required. So, I lay this before you as an opportunity to increase your giving and then increase your joy in proportion to God’s blessings, in your lives personally and in our parish’s life corporately. Take a fixed percentage of your income blessing and thank God for it by returning it to him, weekly or monthly, and put him to test, as he indicates to us:

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 8:10-12)

Then let’s see what God will give us to celebrate next year, and how many more opportunities he will give us to continue building up the Church beyond the parish through worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and stewardship.

— Fr. John

A Look Ahead to the Annual Meeting

Jump to: Annual Meeting Information | 2013 Proposed Budget
Download the 2012 Annual Report

by Fr. John Reeves

Our Annual Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, November 18 following the Divine Liturgy. Holy Trinity’s approach to this yearly event is simple. Reports are sent in ahead of time. Resolutions to be voted on are submitted to Council in writing, prior. Comments are kept on topic and within the competence of the assembly. We vote on a budget. Officers are selected. Then we go home. It usually takes 45 minutes, though we have done it in less time. Rarely do we need more.

Of course, this is the easy part. That is, it is easy to attend a meeting, receive reports, authorize expenditures and then adjourn. The real work of parish life goes on continuously. Council meets monthly, and ministries function year around. Hardly a day goes by where a ministry, a service, a meeting is not going on, either at the building or in the parish at large. This constant working together, day by day, by so many people reminds us that the Church truly is not an organization, as much as an organism. Bulgakov, the Russian theologian, made this observation in the last century.

An organism functions, and if healthy, it functions rather naturally. One action complements the other. The Church mutually edifies itself in love. (cf. Ephesians 4). It is not without guidance, but it functions rather harmoniously and above all, it grows. Only when an organism takes on decay, begins to rot, or lacks direction is growth impeded. Its natural function, its mutual edification, can cease altogether. In the case of parishes, if this happens, they can become more like worldly institutions seeking to justify their own existence, and focusing merely on themselves.

Above all, I think this is why our meetings are the way they are. They are not contentious. They reflect the mutual edification and harmony of parish life. And they look to the future, not to the past, because growth always leads us somewhere new. The Church organism constantly takes us forward. Christ guides and leads us onward. Our life together is one of organic movement forward in the Kingdom.

This year, we will be asked to look ahead financially to a budget increase, reflecting our continued growth. It is reasonable and one well within our means to attain (about 7%). The majority of the expense is because of our need to pay our first deacon an adequate salary for his full time work. Until now, we have not provided him retirement or health benefits. The proposed budget addresses this: a five percent raise to Deacon Alex’s base pay, plus allowances for his pension and health insurance. This will put our commitment to him in conformity with the OCA’s Clergy Salary Guidelines. The Budget and Pastoral Care Committees are to be commended for their work and their due diligence this year, making sure that we spend wisely on ministry and meet the moral obligations we have to full time clergy on our staff.

I look forward to your participation at the Annual Meeting. More importantly, I look forward to your participation in parish life beyond the meeting. Passing a budget is only one step. Supporting the budget with tithes and offerings makes that budget a real indicator of where our hearts are in our parish. It is further proof that we are truly an organism, not an organization. For, we seek to build up one another in love, so that Christ is the center of life together at Holy Trinity, in deed and not merely in word.

As with any other call for increased stewardship, my pledge will be raised first. Please pray and consider your commitment as well, as I pray for you to follow my lead.

2012 Annual Meeting Information

Holy Trinity will hold its Annual Meeting on Sunday, November 18 at noon following the Divine Liturgy. Nominations are open for Council President, Vice President—Grounds, and Assistant Treasurer. Resolutions must be submitted in writing to the Parish Council for review by November 7. 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. Minutes of the 2011 Meeting
  3. Priest’s Report
  4. Treasurer’s Report
  5. Review and Approval of 2013 Budget
  6. Election of Officers vii. Closing Prayer: “It is truly meet…”

2013 Proposed Budget

Holy Trinity Income

Category

2012
 YTD*

2012
Budget

2013
  Budget

%
Chg.

Stewardship Offerings

$135,454

$182,064

$191,682

5.3%

Deacon Support

3,755

5,000

5,000

0.0%

Parking

2,642

2,000

3,500

75.0%

Missions Appeal

1,260

2,000

3,000

50.0%

Candles/Flowers

2,429

2,600

2,600

0.0%

OCF Funding Appeal

1,200

2,000

2,000

0.0%

Choir Internship

2,000

Discretionary Fund

500

500

0.0%

Interest

320

500

361

-27.8%

Other

198

700

-100.0%

Total Income

$147,258

$197,364

$210,643

6.7%

Holy Trinity Expenses

Category

2012
 YTD*

2012
Budget

2013
  Budget

%
Chg.

Personnel

$91,264

$120,004

$129,720

8.1%

Archdiocese

12,859

17,891

20,856

16.6%

Mortgage

15,116

19,444

17,315

-10.9%

Outreach & Fellowship

6,012

7,250

8,250

13.8%

Liturgical

3,924

4,675

6,675

42.8%

Utilities

4,947

6,485

6,535

0.8%

Physical Plant

2,509

4,050

4,050

0.0%

Office Administration

2,871

3,350

3,850

14.9%

Christian Education

1,914

3,900

3,200

-17.9%

Missionary/Seminaries

2,250

3,000

3,000

0.0%

Coffee Hour

1,502

2,000

2,000

0.0%

Insurance

1,611

1,815

1,692

-6.8%

Discretionary Fund

2,147

1,500

1,500

0.0%

All-American Council

1,000

1,000

1,000

0.0%

Refurnishings

891

750

750

0.0%

Miscellaneous

568

250

250

0.0%

Total Expenses

$151,385

$197,364

$210,643

6.7%

Chapel of the Holy Spirit Income

Category

2012
  YTD*

2012
Budget

2013
  Budget

%
Chg.

Total Income

$25,173

$28,200

$32,510

15.3%

Chapel of the Holy Spirit Expenses

Category

2012
 YTD*

2012
Budget

2013
  Budget

%
Chg.

Personnel

$11,424

$15,700

$15,400

-1.9%

Outreach & Fellowship

782

1,325

1,625

22.6%

Property

484

580

820

41.4%

Office Administration

55

345

295

-14.5%

Liturgical

906

240

280

16.7%

Refurnishings

510

250

-51.9%

Christian Education

114

200

200

0.0%

Utilities

100

100

14.9%

(Transfer to Savings)

9,200

13,540

47.1%

Total Expenses

$13,765

$28,200

$32,510

15.3%

* as of September 30, 2012

Annual Meeting Scheduled

The Parish Annual Meeting will occur on Sunday, November 13. The later date better accommodates our delegation to the 16th All-American Council: Fr. John, Fr. Basil, Dn. Alex, and Michael Stickles. The triennal sobor begins October 31 in Seattle.

All-Parish Meeting Scheduled for July 31

There will be a special called meeting of the entire parish of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church on Sunday, July 31 following the Divine Liturgy to discuss and approve the purchase of a 0.55-acre parcel of land in Beavertown, Snyder County, Pennsylvania, provided all conditions of the contract have been met and sufficient funds have been raised or pledged.

1. A majority of registered parish members, age 18 and over, is required for quorum. Voters must have fulfilled their Lenten obligations of Confession and Holy Communion to participate.

2. Two-thirds (2/3) of those attending and voting must vote in the affirmative to approve this purchase.

3. Should a quorum not be present, the meeting shall be adjourned until Sunday, August 7, at which time those members present and voting shall constitute a quorum, a two-thirds vote in the affirmative being required to purchase.

4. Title will be held in trust for the Archdiocese of Western Pennsylvania, by Holy Trinity Parish Corporation. “Chapel of the Holy Spirit” is a legal alias of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.

— Fr. John Reeves, Rector, and the Holy Trinity Parish Council

Council Begins Five-Year Strategic Planning

To ensure Holy Trinity has a “roadmap” in place to guide its mission and ministry to 2016 and beyond, the Parish Council held a special planning session last month. The four-hour meeting opened with a thorough review of the current mission statement. After evaluating its effectiveness and proposing modifications, each participant had an opportunity to share his insights of what the parish would be like in five years if God’s Will was truly accomplished.

Among the six common themes identified was the need to remove all obstacles that could curb our current rate of growth and a clear vision to expand Holy Trinity’s visibility in our community through the broadening and increasing of its social outreach and evangelical ministries. After completing the group exercises, the positive and progress oriented assembly ended with an overwhelming vote of support to the Chapel of the Holy Spirit faithful to proceed with their plans to purchase property in Beavertown. The Council will continue its analysis and the planning process at its June 8 meeting.

 

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