NOV. 2005 WORD FINAL - Iglesia Ortodoxa

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2005, 10:30 AM 1. Metropolitan PHILIP opened the General Assembly with prayers. He conveyed the blessings of His Beatitude Patriarch IGNATIUS IV and the Holy Synod of Antioch. He introduced and welcomed Metropolitan PAUL, the Metropolitan of Australia and New Zealand. He introduced our own Diocesan Bishops: Their Graces Bishop ANTOUN, Bishop JOSEPH, Bishop BASIL, Bishop THOMAS, Bishop MARK, and noted that Bishop ALEXANDER would arrive soon, following the funeral of his mother in Lebanon. His Eminence then asked for the Roll Call of official delegates. 2. FR. GEORGE KEVORKIAN, Chairman of the Department of Statistics and Credentials, presented the Department’s report and declared a quorum: Statistics & Credentials, Article V, Section 4, 5 and 6, and Article VI Section 2 of the Archdiocese Constitution. Your Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP, beloved Hierarchs, brother Clergy, members of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees, distinguished guests, brothers and sisters in Christ. “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40) I like to think of this exhortation from St. Paul as the goal of this department. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Metropolitan PHILIP for allowing me to serve as Chairman of the Department of Statistics and Credentials. 4 The Word Minutes of the General Assembly of the Forty-Seventh General Convention of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Metropolitan PHILIP leads the General Assembly Dearborn, MI July 28-29, 2005 I respectfully submit to you the report of the Department of Statistics and Credentials. We have 90% of the total votes present, either in person or by valid proxy, and it is declared that there is a quorum to officially open the General Assembly. The committee convened earlier this week in order to complete this report. CREDENTIALS/STATISTICS FORMS SUBMITTED IN 2005 The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America currently has a total of 236 parishes and missions. There are 134 parishes paying assessments, 33 parishes with fewer than 50 people who are exempt from assessments, 31 tithing parishes, and 38 missions. The missions are exempt from assessments until they reach parish status, however some of the missions voluntarily pay assessments. The missions are full participants in the work of this convention and General Assembly. COMMUNICANTS A total of 51,320 communicants were reported in the compilation. There has been an increase of 1,229 communicants since the 2003 Archdiocesan Convention, according to the census reports submitted in 2005. This represents an increase of 2.5% over the twoyear period.
STATISTICS REPORT 2005 2003 Baptisms 1,400 1,475 Chrismations 541 527 Marriages 521 519 Funerals 681 696 Number of people moving To 1,695 2,150 Number of people moving From 2,746 2,164 These figures are based on statistics received from 208 of a possible 236 parishes and missions in 2005, and 200 of a possible 228 parishes and missions in 2003. There has been an increase in assessment income resulting from the addition of new parishes and missions and the increase in the per-baptized-soul amount from $25.00 to $35.00. However it must be pointed out that some Pastors and Parish Councils have noted decreases in membership, and therefore in the assessments. From a total of 208 reporting parishes and missions a total of 73 reported a decrease in number. Even more disturbing is the fact that the number of baptized souls reported by assessed parishes actually decreased for the first time in recent history. This will result in a $110,000 budget shortfall in the assessment income for fiscal year 2006. New Parishes and Missions We welcome the following 9 parishes and missions to their first Archdiocesan Convention. Church City State Pastor Annunciation Mission Birmingham AL Rev. Nabil Fino Mission of Langley BC Langley BC Rev. Michael Gillis St. Raphael of Brooklyn Mission Iowa City IA Rev. Stephen Rhudy Virgin Mary Mission Alsip IL Rev. Malek Rihani St. Michael Mission Wichita KS Rev. John Flora St. Catherine Mission Ann Arbor MI Rev. Steven Von Bronkhorst Holy Ascension Mission Frazer PA Rev. Joseph Butts St. Sophia Mission Dripping Springs TX V. Rev. James Kenna Christ The Savior Mission Spokane Valley WA Rev. Michael Shanbour TITHING It is noteworthy to point out that 31 parishes are currently tithing which represents 13% of the Archdiocesan parishes. DIOCESAN BREAKDOWN OF COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNICANTS Number of % of Communities No. of Baptized Souls % of Total Baptized Souls Communities in Archdiocese Ottawa 19 8.05% 6,029 11.75% Oakland, PA 26 11.02% 5,757 11.22% Toledo 41 17.36% 10,231 19.93% Worcester 11 4.66% 4,452 8.67% Miami 34 14.41% 3,841 7.48% Los Angeles 34 14.41% 8,175 15.93% New York 13 5.51% 4,407 8.59% Eagle River 18 7.63% 1,994 3.89% Total 236 100% 51,320 100% Fr. George Kevorkian, assistant to Metropolitan PHILIP, reports on statistics and credentials VOTING The detailed breakdown of all of the eligible votes, and those present either in person or by valid proxy, is as follows: Votes Present and Voting (in person or by Proxy) 564 Parishes/Mission 519 218 Pastors 190 57 Retired Pastors/ Other Full Time Clergy 48 46 Archdiocese Board of Trustees 43 7 AOCWNA 7 7 Fellowship of St. John the Divine 7 7 Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch 5 8 Teen SOYO 8 914 Total 827 This represents 90% of the eligible votes according to the total of 914 votes. To all who faithfully comply with the Archdiocesan directives and expedite the work of this department, we heartily thank you for your diligence. Respectfully submitted, Rev. Fr. George Kevorkian Chairman — Department of Statistics & Credentials 3. Metropolitan PHILIP appointed the Convention Officers: a) Dr. George J. Farha, Vice-Chairman b) Mr. Charles R. Ajalat, Chancellor Mr. Robert A. Koory, Chancellor c) Mr. Daniel J. Abraham, MI (Sergeant-at-Arms) Dr. David G. Bojrab, IN (Sergeant-at-Arms) Dr. Richard Khattouf, FL (Sergeant-at-Arms) Mr. William D. Morrison, IL (Sergeant-at-Arms) d) Fr. Michael Ellias, Secretary Dr. John D. Dalack, Secretary 4. Metropolitan PHILIP introduced the members of the Board The Word 5
Page 1 and 2: Volume 49 No. 9 November 2005
Page 3: editor’s letter Praying, Fasting,
Page 7 and 8: Clergy 8/2. In order to facilitate
Page 9 and 10: Robert Laham reports on the Antioch
Page 11 and 12: Policy request: Father Joseph has r
Page 13 and 14: troubled waters of the Roman and An
Page 15 and 16: Although we originally contracted w
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Page 19 and 20: Chanhassen, MN Shelby, NC Mt. Verno
Page 21 and 22: implemented in order to further the
Page 23 and 24: Other Accomplishments In addition t
Page 25 and 26: XI. Girls not seeing the value of a
Page 27 and 28: originate from the Archdiocese head
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Page 31 and 32: number of well trained Youth Minist
Page 33 and 34: across the country. Retreats are he
Page 35 and 36: Junior Division In light of the Con
Page 37 and 38: and SOPA coaches. For more informat
Page 39 and 40: and are in poor condition. We are a
Page 41 and 42: Moved by FR. MICHAEL NASSER of Ligo
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Page 45 and 46: Metropolitan PHILIP inducts many to
Page 47 and 48: 3. FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE CONFERENCES
Page 49 and 50: K. Other Special Projects — Order
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husband would have received) for an
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Archdiocesan Office OCAMPR E-Journa
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The Word 59
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NOV. 2005 WORD FINAL - Iglesia Ortodoxa

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