30 July, 2021
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Dear Fathers and Friends,
Greetings! We are pleased to share with you our progress in becoming formally incorporated and receiving non-profit status, our plans for the annual meeting, and other news.
- Incorporation status: We have completed and submitted all the paperwork for incorporation in the State of Massachusetts, and for the reception of federal non-profit 501(c)(3) status. We are awaiting the final notification of approval.
- Assembly of Bishops requirements: Under its new regulations, the Assembly of Bishops lists requirements necessary for all associations to which it grants affiliated status. We are now current with those requirements. These include annual reports, financial statements, non-profit incorporation in one of the States, independent 501(c)(3) status, and the purchase of insurance for officers and directors.
- Annual Meeting – November 11-13, 2021: The theme for this year’s annual meeting is “Orthodoxy in a Pluralistic World.” Our tentative dates and location are Thursday through Saturday, November 11-13, on the campus of Hellenic College/Holy Cross in Brookline, MA. The meeting will be in hybrid format this year, allowing for both in-person and virtual attendance.
- CALL FOR PAPERS AND PANELS (Deadline for Proposals: Sept. 30, 2021). This year’s annual theme of “Orthodoxy in a Pluralistic World,” allows for a wide range of interconnected topics, including mixed and inter-faith marriages, ecumenism, pluralism, secularism, racism, and the relation of science and religion. However, we also welcome papers on other topics, especially those of current concern. Requirements for proposals for both papers and panels include an abstract of less than 250 words and an abbreviated CV of the presenter(s). Presenters of papers have 20 minutes to give their paper and an additional 10 minutes for Q&A. The length of panels will be determined by the number of papers and the schedule of the meeting. Please send the proposals to the OTSA secretary, Helen Theodoropoulos, at secretary@otsamerica.org or helen60076@yahoo.com.
- OTSA Small Grants: OTSA provides seed money and/or small grants for Orthodox initiatives. Through these grants, OTSA seeks to help and support the mission of Orthodox associations and initiatives with the greater purpose of building up the body of Christ. Applicants for a grant should provide a proposal, which includes a short description of the project/initiative (~300 words), information about the requesting organization, and the funding request amount. The deadline for application for grants for this year is September 30, 2021.
- We continue to offer the ongoing blog, The Church and the Academy, to address and explore issues of academic freedom, and encourage you to offer your reflections. Please send submissions (of approximately 1000 words) to Teva (teva@mit.edu).
- Presentation at New Skete Monastery: Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis will give the Featured Presentation at the New Skete Monastery Pilgrimage – Friday, August 6, 7:00 pm EDT. Each year, the Monasteries of New Skete hold an annual pilgrimage to celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration. This year the pilgrimage will be held on August 6-7, 2021. Due to the lingering Coronavirus, it will be a Virtual Event this year.
On Friday Night (8/6) (beginning at 6:45 pm), the Communities will kick off the Pilgrimage with a featured presentation given by the Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis. Dcn. John is an Archdeacon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and serves as theological advisor to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. His talk is entitled, “Caring for the Soul of the Planet.” This will be a live webinar with the opportunity for those participating to ask questions and engage the speaker. Registration is required. To do so, see the New Skete Event page.
- Dues Reminder—Important: The OTSA yearly dues are especially important this year in assisting with the expenses associated with meeting the new Assembly of Bishops requirements for its affiliated organizations. OTSA needs your support and commitment! Members who are not yet current in their dues can pay online. If for some reason you need to send a check instead of using PayPal, please send your check to Fr. Gabriel Rochelle, P.O Box 540, Mesilla NM 88046.
Recognizing that OTSA is blessed to count among its membership many longstanding members who are now retirees, we are considering establishing a lifetime membership option for retirees. Discussion whether to offer this option, and further details about it, will be on the agenda of OTSA’s annual business meeting in November.
Finally, it has just come to our attention that one of our members, Fr. George Morelli, fell asleep in the Lord this past March – 3/16/21. Archpriest George Morelli served various Churches within the Antiochian Archdiocese, was for several years the coordinator of the Department of Chaplain and Pastoral Counseling Ministry for the Antiochian Archdiocese, and was on the faculty of Kean University in Union, NJ. Fr. George was a seasoned professional and published author in the areas of Clinical Psychology, and Marriage and Family Therapy. May his memory be eternal.
Respectfully submitted,
Teva Regule, PhD, OTSA President
Helen Creticos Theodoropoulos, PhD, OTSA Secretary