FOCA convention delegates continue support for OCA Youth Ministry, plan leadership training summit

ALEXANDRIA, VA [OCA Communications/FOCA] — Providing assistance to Hurricane Katrina victims, continuing support of the Orthodox Church in America’s youth department internship through the Fellowship of Orthodox Stewards, and developing a leadership training summit and strategic plan highlighted the 79th national convention of the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America [FOCA] held September 1-5, 2005 at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center here.

Honored guests in attendance included His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, FOCA spiritual leader; His Beatitude, Metropolitan Theodosius, retired; Protopresbyter Robert Kondratick, OCA chancellor; and the Very Rev. Michael Dahulich, Dean of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary. More than 400 participants attended the event, sponsored by members of the FOCA’s Colonial District. The convention committee was cochaired by Walter Alesevich and Leda Dzwoncyck and included members from Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Washington DC; Saint Mark Church, Bethesda, MD; Saint Andrew Church, Baltimore, MD; Saint Stephen Cathedral, Philadelphia, PA; and Saint Vladimir Church, Trenton, NJ.

The plenary sessions began on Friday, September 2, following a service of prayer and the invocation of the Holy Spirit. Delegates moved to initiate a 2005-2006 FOCA “Gifts of Love” project earmarked for victims of Hurricane Katrina, with funds to be sent for distribution to International Orthodox Christian Charities. A floor drive to provide immediate aid netted approximately $6,000.00. Addressing a budget shortfall to meet continuance of all charitable projects, delegates approved a dues increase which was preferable to cutting programs. These programs included a $9,000.00 annual contribution to the Fellowship of Orthodox Stewards to support the internship program of the OCA’s youth department and $3,000.00 in grants-in-aid to individuals desiring to do missionary work through the Orthodox Christian Mission Center. Initiatives to strengthen the future work of the FOCA were passed to commence a FOCA leadership training summit and to develop a strategic plan for the next five to ten years.

Reelected to serve the FOCA for the ensuing year were president, Dr. John Schultz; vice-president, Mr. Michael Steffaro; recording secretary, Mrs. Kathleen Lazor; and treasurer, Mr. Michael Bowan. Mr. John Kruchok serves as immediate past president. The Very Rev. Eugene Vansuch was thanked for his service over the past six years as national spiritual advisor. [Father Eugene was recently named executive director of the Fellowship of the Orthodox Stewards.]

In addition to the business sessions, convention activities included the hierarchical Divine Liturgy, Vespers, and a Memorial service for departed members; the grand banquet and Sunday evening ball; a performance by “Harmonia” and the Slavic Male Chorus of Washington DC; group tours of the Hilwood museum and garden estate of Marjorie Post and Saint Nicholas Cathedral; and “Monuments by Moonlight”, a three hour tour of our nation’s capitol. Specialized programs during the event included “Fellowship Kidz” for children and a “Golden-Agers” reception. Young adult activities included a welcome reception, volleyball, and a young adult forum moderated by Father Kondratick.

The grand banquet was highlighted by the address of Metropolitan Herman. Also speaking at the banquet were president Dr. Schultz and the Very Rev. Mark Koczak, LCDR CHC USN, who spoke on his experiences as an Orthodox military chaplain. Seventeen scholarships totaling more than $15,000.00, including three seminarian awards, were formally announced. Metropolitan Herman presented Mrs. Elizabeth Slanta with a citation for her 20 years of service as FOCA “Mission Hotline” coordinator.

Prior to the conclusion of the plenary session on Monday, September 5, Father Dahulich, dean of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, formally thanked the FOCA for its commitment to seminarian assistance.

The 2006 FOCA national convention will be held at Kingston Plantation, Myrtle Beach, SC. Future conventions were awarded to the Cleveland chapter, which will host the 2007 convention in Nashville, TN and Saint Stephen’s chapter, Longwood, FL, which will host the 2008 convention in Tampa Bay, FL.

Photo coverage of the FOCA national convention can be found in the September 2005 “Photo Gallery and Events” section of http://www.oca.org.