Metropolitan Herman formally announces convocation of 14th All-American Council in July 2005
The formal announcement of the convocation of the 14th All-American Council of the Orthodox Church in America was made by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman in a letter to all parishes dated July 1, 2004.
The AAC will convene in Toronto, ON, Canada July 17-22, 2005. Delegates and observers from throughout the OCA will be given the opportunity to participate in the AAC’s four key components—worship, fellowship, learning, and decision making—focusing on the theme, “Our Church and the Future.”
Under the guidance of His Grace, Bishop Seraphim of Ottawa and Canada, Preconciliar Commission chairman, members of the Preconciliar Commission and its project team have been developing an agenda and format that will encourage active participation by parish delegates and observers in a way that will benefit the parishes they have chosen to represent.
Parishes will begin to receive resource materials during the second half of 2004 to assist in their preparation for the AAC. Mailings will include documents that focus on the topics slated to be discussed at the Council’s plenary sessions. Parishes are asked to begin the delegate selection process in a timely manner so that their elected delegates may prepare themselves for significant and meaningful participation in the Council. Directives for the election of parish delegates is outlined in The Statute of the Orthodox Church in America, Article III, Section 6.
While the Council’s first session will open on Monday, July 18, delegates and observers are encouraged to arrive in Toronto earlier to participate in various pre-AAC workshops on Saturday, July 16 and the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, July 17, at which members of the Holy Synod of Bishops will concelebrate.
“It is my sincere prayer that the Holy Spirit will continue to inspire and guide us as we prepare ourselves, corporately and personally, for this significant moment in the life of Christ’s Holy Church in North America,” Metropolitan Herman stated.