FOCA holds 83rd National Convention in Hartford, CT
Hartford, CT was the site of the 83rd national convention of the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians of America (FOCA) over the Labor Day weekend.
Co-sponsored by All Saints Church and its Hartford “R” Club, Chapter #80, delegates, alternates, members and friends gathered for several days of meetings, liturgical celebrations, fellowship (including a New England lobster bake), and tours; separate programs were held for youth.
National President Polly Walker of Minneapolis, MN presided over deliberations, while the Very Rev. William Evansky of Ambridge, PA, National Spiritual Advisor, coordinated the liturgical celebrations.
Among the highlights were the first participation at an FOCA event by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, its spiritual leader, who assured the Fellowship that he supports its activities “100 percent” and encouraged it to continue its good works, especially in the area of youth ministry; a special meeting of the reorganization committee chaired by Michael Herzak; the involvement of OCA Chancellor, the Very Rev. Alexander Garklavs, who attended his first convention in that capacity; a presentation on the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) by the Rev. Luke Veronis (after which the body decided to support OCMC as next year’s Gifts of Love beneficiary); the launching of the FOCA’s new interactive website (orthodoxfellowship.org); and an update on the Saint Tikhon’s married seminarian housing project by Michael Steffaro.
Nearly 300 faithful attended the convention’s Divine Liturgy, concelebrated by Metropolitan Jonah; His Grace, Bishop Nikon of Boston, New England and the Albanian Archdiocese; and several priests assisted by Archdeacon Kirill Sokolov and others; John Holobinko directed the choir.
Banquet toastmaster was Leon Sheean. At the banquet, Metropolitan Jonah said, “I am so incredibly encouraged to see this collection of diverse people who are the real backbone of our Orthodox Church in America. You are the unrecognized ones who come together to form the Body of Christ. In my 30 years, I’ve had little contact with FOCA on the West Coast. I had heard about your organization in the ‘Far East’ but didn’t really know what you were about. Now that I do know, I am so grateful to hear what you do. The FOCA chapter can be the catalyst for transforming the parish into a real Christian community. I completely endorse you and whatever I can do to support you, I am here for you. Thank you for your commitment, your work and your sacrifices.”
Metropolitan Jonah held a question-and-answer session the next morning and installed the newly-elected officers.
Convention chair was Michael Stenko and local spiritual advisor was the Very Rev. William Dubovik.
The 2010 FOCA convention will take place in Pittsburgh, PA over the Labor Day weekend with the theme “Home Again in 2010 – An FOCA Family Reunion.” Visit foca2010.blogspot.com for details.
All Orthodox Christians are invited to join the FOCA, which is an official organization of the Orthodox Church in America. Establish or reactivate senior and junior chapters in your parish.