(These minutes have not yet been approved so are subject to change)
SSJC-WR GENERAL MEETING
Minutes
September 26, 2015
Holy Angels Byzantine Catholic Church
2235 Galahad Rd., San Diego, CA 92123
Present: Fr. George Morelli, Fr. James Babcock, Fr. Ramon Merlos, Fr. James and Olena Bankston, Dcn. Tony Kabbane, Bob Greenwell, Diane Alves, Victor Vallejo, Mark and Kimberly Hartman.
Excused: Anne Petach, Jim Trageser; Fr. Ramon left early.
The meeting opened at approximately 12:30 p.m., immediately following the Program presentation and an opening prayer led by Fr. James Babcock.
Agenda Approval: Motion: Bob Greenwell. Second: Fr. Ramon Merlos. Agenda Approved.
President’s Report: Fr. George thanked the host parish and its pastor, Fr. Escobedo, and the Program speaker, Presbytera Eugenia Constantinou.
Vice President’s Report: No report was given.
Treasurer’s Report: Bob Greenwell reported that we started with $1,468.10. He has since received $460.00 and paid $439.80 for printing and $183.10 for postage leaving $1,305.20. Collections for today will be updated later.
Secretary’s report: Diane asked if the members had received the minutes of the last meeting. She also circulated a few printed copies. Motion was made for approval of the minutes of the May 16, 2015 meeting. Motion: Mark Hartman. Second: Fr. James. Motion carried.
Sgt. at Arms / Parliamentarian: Mark Hartman is our new Parliamentarian. He said that his function is as a source of reference, not supposed to intervene unless the President tells him to.
Historian’s Report: Anne was excused today. Fr. George mentioned that Bob Greenwell is now in charge of the lending library now based at Holy Angels. Bob put a few of the books on a table for display, but there are six boxes of books.
Light of the East Newsletter: No report. Jim Trageser was absent today.
OLD BUSINESS
Upcoming SSJC-WR programs (Details which have so far been determined):
Nov. 14, 2015. “The Oriental Churches” (in general, not just Copts but including the Syriac, Syro-Malabar, etc.). Ideally in Orange County, possibly at the Coptic Church. At the Executive Board meeting, Fr. Steve Tsichlis mentioned a new Coptic Church in that area. He said that he will be talking to them, and also contacting the Orange County Diocese’s Ecumenical Officer about a Catholic speaker.
January, 2016. “The Diaconate: East and West” Western speaker: (TBD). Eastern Speaker: Rev. Deacon Maxim Najim of St. George’s Antiochian Orthodox Church, San Diego. Location: St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, Los Angeles. The pastor of the cathedral who is Dcn. Najim’s father wants to publish/promote the event. The Executive Board had decided on January 16th but Fr. Alexei Smith who is the Los Angeles Diocese Ecumenical Officer (and will find a Catholic speaker) wants to postpone until the following week. Bob Greenwell who intends to drive a van with people from San Diego also wants to postpone until the 23rd. Diane mentioned that she has already posted the event with the January 16 date on the website so needs to be informed ASAP of any date change.
Victor Vallejo mentioned that St. Nicholas Cathedral regularly has Divine Liturgy in Spanish. Fr. George said that Metropolitan Philip had made an exception to allow two liturgies the same day, but they are held at different altars in different areas.
Mark suggested that the Roman Catholic bishop be invited. Fr. George was uncomfortable with that idea saying that the politics of inviting a bishop is different from inviting a priest, but it would be OK if a bishop just showed up.
NEW BUSINESS:
Nominating Committee: Due to his health, Frank Scialdone has resigned from this. We will be voting in November for Vice President and both Secretary positions. Mark has replaced Frank as head of the nominating committee. He has not yet met with the committee, but he took nominations from the floor today – no seconds were required. Fr. Ramon Merlos was nominated again by Bob Greenwell and so was Diane Alves. Fr. George mentioned how valuable Anne Petach is. Then Diane nominated Anne, saying we can’t live without her!
2016 Light of the East Conference: We had a general discussion of the following plans, listed in the meeting agenda, provided by Secretary Anne Petach based on decisions of the August 18. 2015, Executive Board meeting.
Location: St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, Irvine
Dates: Friday evening May, 20 and Saturday May 21, 2016. Saturday is feast of Sts. Constantine and Helena (also, incidentally, Armed Forces Day). 9:00 A.M. Liturgy at St. Paul’s that day. Cost: $25.00. Father George mentioned that we needed to have the conference after Pascha/Easter for both Orthodox and Catholics, which will be very far apart next year. That means late May is the only option.
Working title: “The Lord Jesus vs. the roots of violence: Catholic and Orthodox approaches.”
Sub topics (general areas, not titles as yet):
Friday night: Teaching of Jesus (Gospel outlook):
Sat. A.M.: Saints, Church teachings (including divergences and controversies).
Sat. mid- P.M.: Psychological roots of violence in all of us.
Sat: later P.M.: Final summary panel
Possible Speakers:
Friday eve.: Roman Catholic; Saturday: Orthodox: suggested: Fr. Emmanuel Clapsis (Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Brookline, MA).
Sat. p.m.: Fr. George Morelli on psychological factors of violence; and Final panel: Fr. Steve.
Schedule Format:
Fri. Evening: 1st talk. 7-9 p.m.; plus reception.
Saturday: Liturgy 9-10 A.M. (for those who wish to attend);
10 A.M. -12 P.M. Registration; 2nd talk. 12-1:00 P.M.
Lunch; 1:00 – 2:30; 3rd talk: 2:30-3:30: Summation Panel
Conference Plans Approval: Motion: Mark Hartman; Second: Fr. James Bankston
Next Meeting: Nov. 14. 2015
Motion to Adjourn: Bob Greenwell Second: Fr. James Babcock
The meeting ended around 1:15 p.m., with a closing prayer led by Fr. James Bankston.
Respectfully submitted by Secretaries, Diane Alves (recording) and Anne Petach