Local 18th AAC committee to hold initial meeting November 12-13
An initial meeting of the local planning committee for the 18th All-American Council [AAC] will be held in Atlanta, GA November 12-13, 2013.
At their recent fall session, the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops approved the recommendation of the Metropolitan Council to hold the Council at the Hilton Atlanta July 20-24, 2015.
“The Council will be unique in that it will coincide with the annual national convention of the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America, which had decided to meet in Atlanta July 18-20,” said Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, OCA Secretary. “It will also feature programs and activities for youth and young adults, and plans are underway to integrate a community service project into the Council schedule.”
At the November meeting, the local committee will establish working groups to oversee a variety of on-site matters, including the Council workbook, credentials and registration, exhibits and displays, public relations and local media, and related matters. The committee will work closely with the OCA Chancery and the Preconciliar Commission, the membership of which also was approved at the Holy Synod’s fall session. Archpriest Alexander Fecanin will serve as local clergy chair, while Michaela Staskiewicz and Barbara Massoudi will serve as local lay chairs.
“The local committee represents a regional effort by the Diocese of the South, its deaneries, and parishes of the Romanian Episcopate,” Father Eric added.
Members of the Preconciliar Commission will hold their initial meeting at the OCA Chancery December 3-4, 2013. Among the matters they will discuss are possible themes and overall Council operations consistent with direction offered by members of the Holy Synod of Bishops.
His Grace, Bishop Mark of Baltimore, serves as the Commission’s Episcopal Chair. In addition to Fathers Tosi and Fecanin, Commission members as appointed by the Holy Synod include Archpriest John Jillions, OCA Chancellor; Melanie Ringa, OCA Treasurer; Archpriest Leonid Kishkovsky, External Affairs; Archpriest Myron Manzuk, Council manager; Priest Benjamin Tucci, youth events coordinator; Carol Deerson, FOCA representative; Peter Ilchuk, logistics manager; and Lisa Mikhailevsky, Metropolitan Council representative.