UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA
CONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
PRESS RELEASE

UOL Junior and Senior National Executive Boards Meet in Pittsburgh, PA!

Members of the Junior and Senior National Executive Boards of the Ukrainian Orthodox League gathered on the South Side of Pittsburgh over the weekend of February 1-3, 2013 for their winter meetings at Holy and Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The Executive UOL Boards were graciously hosted by the parish of St. Vladimir, especially Very Reverend Fr. John Haluszczak, Larissa Kocelko, President of the Parish board of Administration and Junior UOL Chapter.

During the chanting of Morning Prayers, the prayers were offered for the repose of the souls of Metropolitan CONSTANTINE, who tirelessly supported the League during his earthly ministry and was the consecrator to the Episcopacy of both Metropolitan Antony and Bishop Daniel, Metropolitan NICHOLAS of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA (who was one of consecrators of Bishop Daniel) and John Meschisen, Sr., father of current Senior NEB Auditor Mark Meschisen on the nineteenth anniversary of his falling asleep in the Lord.

His Grace Bishop DANIEL, Ruling Hierarch of the Western Eparchy and Consistory President of the UOC and USA, as well as Spiritual Advisor to the Senior National Executive Board, offered a reflection to motivate the members of the Executive Boards in preparation of the day's deliberations. His Grace shared a humorous story that occurred during his time as a Chaplain in the United States Military. During the weeks of basic training of new recruits, His Grace was delighted to see full pews during every Sunday Divine Liturgy that he served on the military base over a period of a few weeks. After believing the wonderful attendance was attributed to an influx of Orthodox Christians or newly-inspired converts to the Faith, His Grace was informed that the recruits were merely using the electrical outlets at the end of every pew to charge their cell phones, which were prohibited during Basic Training. Using these enterprising soldiers as an inspiration, His Grace called upon those present to use time spent at services as a method to re-charge their soul's batteries, in order to share more of this spirit-filled energy with the outside world.

Some highlights from the meetings:

During the Report of the Spiritual Advisor, His Grace Bishop DANIEL described the enthusiastic response he witnessed while visiting parishes (especially the ministry of Jr. UOL in Southfield, MI, assisting local Orthodox Detroit Outreach Charitable organization in preparing meals for the less fortunate of the community) of emerging ministries and new projects that are tangible and offer hands on opportunities for ministry. At the same time, His Grace issued a challenge to the Senior Board to re-examine the reasons for successes in every project, to develop new invigorating projects and to explore the potential of connecting with Pan-Orthodox groups to increase participation and effectiveness of these vital ministries.

Financial Secretary Pam Scannell announced the following donations received since the last Board meeting:

Total Contributions: $3,255.00
UOL Projects: $725.00
LSSK: $1,610.00
MJSF: $920.00

Convention Chairperson Melanie Nakonachny updated the Board about the upcoming 66th Annual Convention in Parma, OH occurring July 24-28, 2013. The Convention will officially begin on Wednesday, July 24th, which will allow for a free day on Saturday! More details about the week will be released in the coming months.

Mrs. Martha Misko, Sr. UOL President formally presented a check in the amount of $2,000.00 on behalf of the Senior National Executive Board to aid in the repair of fire damage sustained at St. Michael's parish in Woonsocket, RI in November 2012 to Mark Meschisen (Senior NEB Auditor), who is a parishioner of Holy Archangel Michael Ukrainian Orthodox parish.

The Pre-Convention National Executive Board meetings have been scheduled for the weekend of April 27, 2013 at the site of the upcoming Convention in Parma.

At the end of the day, Larissa Kocelko expressed a desire to formally establish a Senior UOL Chapter at the St. Vladimir parish in the future. His Grace also announced that a meeting has been scheduled to create a UOL chapter consisting of the students at St. Sophia's Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary in South Bound Brook, NJ.

After adjournment and the closing prayer, Fr. John Haluszczak and His Grace Bishop DANIEL served Vespers, with responses sung by members of the Junior Board and parishioners of St. Vladimir's parish, directed by Kira Senedak.

The weekend will conclude with hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning, as His Grace will celebrate his first Liturgy at St. Vladimir's as the Eparchial Bishop.

Both Executive Boards of the Ukrainian Orthodox League would once again like to thank the parish of St. Vladimir's, Very Reverend John Haluszczak, the local Junior UOL Chapter for their hospitality over the weekend!

Thank you for your continued support of the Ukrainian Orthodox League!

Dedicated to Our Church - Devoted to Its Youth

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