Minutes of 2014 Annual Archdiocesan Assembly

          The Annual Assembly of the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and Western PA was held on Saturday, November 1, 2014 at Holy Resurrection Church in Belle Vernon, PA.

          The Assembly opened with the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy.  The Archbishop was the main celebrant of the Liturgy, assisted by Father Chancellor and clergy of the Mon-Valley Deanery.

          The first plenary session was called to order by Archbishop Melchisedek at

11:30 am.

Credential Report:

1        Hierarch

20      Priests

6        Deacons

22      Lay delegates  

7        Observers

A total of 56 were eligible to vote.

Election:

 Clergy Vice Chair-            Archpriest Igor Soroka nominated by Dr. John Schultz

                                        and seconded by Archpriest Gregory Peterson

 Lay Vice Chair-                John Rusinko nominated by Protodeacon John Oleynik                                                 and seconded

 Clergy Secretary-             Archpriest Michael Senyo nominated by Father Nikolai                                                  Breckenridge

 Lay Secretary-                 Rebecca Danchenko nominated by Diane Robb

All elected by acclimation.

Minutes of Previous Assembly

The minutes of the 2013 assembly were previously distributed to the delegates via email, and the reading of the minutes was dispensed.  The minutes were accepted without corrections or additions.

Report of the Hierarch:  A written report was distributed electronically to the delegates prior to the Assembly.   Copy filed.

In addition to the remarks of the Hierarch:

          - Archpriest Igor Soroka was one of four noted Church musicians awarded the             Order of Saint Romanos

          - Archpriest Paul Suda celebrated fifty years of ordination to the priesthood

Chancellor’s Report:  A written report was distributed electronically to the delegates prior to the Assembly.   Copy filed.

Treasurer’s Report:  A written report was distributed electronically to the delegates prior to the Assembly.   Copy filed.

Gregory Sidorick made a motion to accept the report pending the conclusion of the audit with a second made.

Audit Committee:  Archpriest Michael Zahirsky reported that as of the date of the Assembly, the audit had not yet been completed due to the lack of full external auditing report.  The preliminary external audit draft sites no significant errors.

Dean’s Report:   A written report was distributed electronically to the delegates prior to the Assembly.   Copies filed.

Protodeacon John Oleynik moved to accept the reports with a second made. Motion passed.

Reports of Committees and Departments:

All reports were filed and previously distributed electronically to the delegates prior to the Assembly.   Copies filed.  Igumen Patrick (Carpenter) moved to accept the reports as presented with a second made. Motion passed.

Joseph Kormos, coordinator of the Parish Development Program.  Additional materials and reports were presented (filed). 

Following the report from Mr. Kormos, the First Plenary session was declared closed by the Hierarch and the assembled delegates partook of a festive meal prepared by the members of Holy Resurrection parish.

The Second Plenary Session was called to order at 2:30pm.

Reports of Committees and Departments (con’t):

Gregory Nescott inquired about the continuation of the Cathedral Choir since no director has been assigned.   He recognized Archpriest Igor Soroka for his fifty years of service to the Cathedral Choir.

John Rusinko talked about the importance of FOCA.

Discussion to call a Special Assembly specifically for the By-Laws for the Archdiocese.

The Funding Study Committee is addressing transitioning from the per-capita system to proportional giving.  More information will be available from the Chancellors/Treasurers meeting in Syosset in the new year in preparation of the AAC.

2015 Budget

The treasurer presented the 2015 Budget, operating with funds determined at $429,132.00.  The treasurer reported this was a deficit budget to be supplemented by withdrawals from investments of $58,000. 

A recommendation was made to not read line by line but to discuss sections.

Gregory Nescott moved to accept this budget with a second made. Motion passed.

New Business:  NONE

Elections

Nominations were received for the following positions within the Deaneries:

Clergy at large (2): 
          3 year regular- Igumen Patrick (Carpenter) nominated by Gregory Nescott with a                                       second made. Motion passed. 

          2 year partial - Archpriest George Johnson nominated by Priest Nikolai                                                   Breckenridge

          Allegheny-Beaver Deanery Laity - Deacon Seraphim Truckley

          Ohio Valley Deanery Clergy - Priest Gregory Thompson

Auditors:
Alexis Parshook, Archpriest Michael Zahirsky​ and Helen Billak were nominated and elected.  Motion passed.

Being no further business before the Assembly, the motion to adjourn was made by Protodeacon John Oleynik with a second made at 3:20pm.  The Archdiocesan Council and Auditing Committee were officially installed by Archbishop Melchisedek. Meeting was concluded with the singing of the Hymn to the Theotokos.

Respectfully submitted,

_________________________                                  ________________________

Very Rev. Michael Senyo                                                        Rebecca Danchenko

Clergy Recording Secretary                                                    Lay Recording Secretary

_________________________                                  _________________________

Right Rev. MELCHISEDEK                                                    Very Rev. William Evansky

Bishop of the Archdiocese of                                                  Chancellor of the Archdiocese of

Pittsburgh and Western PA                                                     Pittsburgh and Western PA