It was a great joy to participate in and present to the 5th Annual Chancellor & Treasurers Conference, held at the OCA Chancery, Syosset, New York.
Lead by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon and supported by Father John Jillions, Chancellor of the OCA, and Melanie Ringa, OCA Treasurer, the gathering began with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.
A great breakfast buffet presented us the first opportunity to meet the other participants. It was enlightening to be in the position to dialog with the varying diocesan administrators throughout the Orthodox Church in America. The focus of the conference was learning how the recently adopted percentage giving and how the various diocese were doing in the transition from the old system.
Observing the greater Church work together on common administrative issues and new operational goals was exciting. When my place on the agenda appeared, I gave a brief overview of OCCIF. Beginning with the fundamental need for the program and how we have prepared it to serve our Church now and into its future.
Having this particular group of administrative leadership learn firsthand about OCCIF was outstanding in its importance and timing. Bringing OCCIF to the forefront of our national Church’s thinking and each jurisdiction of the Orthodox faith is our principal goal. This event was a true blessing helping propel OCCIF in the exact right direction.