Nearly 400 attend 80th National FOCA Convention Labor Day weekend

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC [OCA Communications/FOCA] — Nearly 400 delegates, members, and guests attended the 80th National Convention of the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America [FOCA] at the Kingston Plantation resort here August 31-September 4, 2006. The convention was sponsored by the New Jersey District, FOCA.

Convention attendees were most honored to have in attendance His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America and FOCA Spiritual Leader.

Elected to serve as the FOCA 38th national president was Mr. Michael Steffaro of South River, NJ. Mr. Steffaro is the son of the Very Rev. John and Mat. Carol Steffaro. Father John is pastor of Saint John the Baptist parish,Campbell, OH, and the FOCA’s past national spiritual advisor. Also elected to office were Mrs. Polly Walker, Eden Prarie, MN, vice president; Mr. Michael Bowan, Chicago, IL, treasurer; and Mrs. Kathy Lazor, Vienna, OH, recording secretary. Dr. John Schultz of Weirton, WV serves as immediate past president on the executive board.

Plenary session highlights included the establishment of a study committee to research the possibility of a five-year campaign to systematically raise funds for married student housing at Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, estimated at between $500,000.00 and $1 million; continuation of support to the Fellowship of Orthodox Stewards [FOS], with allocations earmarked for the OCA Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministries internship program; approval of the 2007 FOCA “Gifts of Love” program, to be earmarked for kits for military servicemen’ and the creation of a Young Adult Department within the FOCA to better coordinate programs and service projects with the increasing interest and participation of this age group in the organization.

Throughout the convention, religious services included the opening Service of Prayer, a Panikhida, Vespers, and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, at which Metropolitan Herman presided.

The grand banquet and dance was held on Sunday, during which addresses were given by FOCA president, Dr. John Schultz, and His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman. In addition to congratulating the FOCA on its 80th anniversary, Metropolitan Herman thanked the members for their commitment to serving the Church, their concern and support for seminarians, and their aggressive goal to achieve married student housing at Saint Tikhon’s.

Other convention activities included a tour of Charleston, SC; the FOCA national golf tournament; receptions for “golden-agers” and young adults; junior activities and the “Fellowship Kidz” programs; the Friday evening seafood buffet, held at a local country club, followed by a musical and comedy revue at the famous “Alabama Theatre;” a group outing to a Myrtle Beach Pelicans baseball game; several seminars, including a Geneology workshop and young adult leadership training; and a farewell luncheon. The resort’s beautiful beaches were the scene of Saturday afternoon’s “beach Olympic games” and Sunday afternoon’s annual volleyball tournament.

2007 FOCA national events include late spring’s basketball tournament in Pittsburgh, PA, and bowling tournament in Akron, OH. Weirton, WV, will be the site of the summer sports (golf) tournament.

The 81st national convention will be held at the Sheraton Music City Hotel, Nashville, TN, August 29-September 3, 2007, hosted by Archangel Michael chapter, Broadview Heights, OH.