2008 Pre-Lenten Retreat photos

2008 Winter Meeting Minutes

Diocesan Meeting

St. George, West Roxbury

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Antiochian Women

Diocese of Worcester and New England

Opening Prayer – After the meeting was opened at 10:45 a.m. with a prayer led by Fr. Leonard Ferris, we had a moment of silence for Violet Robbat’s mother, Lillian Khouri, “May her memory be eternal”. There were 34 members present. In the absence of President Nora Walker, Vice President Delores F. George conducted the meeting.

Roll Call –

Executive Board Present: Vice President – Delores George, Treasurer – Carol Swydan, Recording Secretary – Nancy Ghantous, Corresponding Secretary – Joan Hanna., Past President - Priscilla Goss

Absent: Advisor – V.Rev. Edward Hughes, President – Nora Walker

Coordinators Present: Public Relations – Pam Samara, Website – Melissa Nassiff , Membership – Margaret Wilhelm, Religious – Kh. Louise Ferguson

Absent : Humanitarian - Kh. Anna Hughes

Executive

Parish Delegates:

St. Mary, Cambridge - 3

St. John, Dedham - 4

St. George, Lawrence – 0

St. George, Lowell - 2

St. George, Norwood - 4

St. George, W. Roxbury - 4

St. George, Worcester - 1

St. Mary, Pawtucket - 4

St. Michael Cotuit - 0

All Saints Mission S. Weymouth - 0

St. Elias Mission Fall River - 0

Secretary’s Report – Nancy GhantousMinutes of the Diocesan meeting at St. George Cathedral, Worcester , on October 13, 2007 were read by Nancy. A motion to accept was made by Salwa Khoury. The motion was carried after being seconded by Joyce Hanna.

Treasurer’s Report – Carol Swydan

Our checking account balance was reported, as well as the total in CD’s

A motion to accept the report was made by Martha Stewart. The motion was passed after being seconded by Katie Birtwell.

Spiritual Advisor’s Remarks – Fr. Edward Hughes

Fr.Edward Hughes was unable to attend the meeting due to a funeral in his parish.

Vice President – Project Report – Delores George

Delores sent letters to the parishes with posters for the Retired Clergy Fund. They are to be hung on the bulletin boards during the women’s month of March to explain the 2007 – 2008 Antiochian Women’s Project for Retired Clergy fund. A second collection should be made for the Project during the Liturgy on one Sunday during the month of March. Carol Swydan suggested that each chapter President should give a sermonette during the Liturgy explaining the purpose of the Project. Carol added that March 30^th, the Sunday of the Cross, would be a good day to have the collection for the Project.

Parish Life Conference: Salwa Khoury

Salwa reported the 2008 Annual Parish Life Conference will be held in Providence, RI from June 25^th – June 29^th. The AOCWNA luncheon will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2008 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The meeting will follow at 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. It will be $25.00 and she will pass out the menu at our next meeting. All of the churches will be receiving the information about the schedule during the week of February 9^th. An Award Brunch has been added featuring a keynote speaker, Rev. Fr. Emanuel Chris, who will speak about marriage. She gave out a few of the schedules.

Coordinators and Committee Reports:

Website – Melissa Nassiff http://www.antiochian.org/neraocwna

Melissa reported the AOCWNA website has been totally reconstructed. She encouraged everyone to take a look at the new website. Members can contact her with new information to put on the site by using her e-mail address: mnassiff@rcn.com.

Public Relations – Pam Samara

Pam passed out beautiful copies of the newsletter for our Diocese of Worcester and New England region which should be copied and given to chapter members. She will be sending e-mails to each chapter with a colored copy of the newsletter attached. The presidents of each chapter can send information for their club’s events to her by mail (304 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA 01545) or e-mail pms@townisp.com .

Religious – Kh. Louise Ferguson

Louise passed out copies of the new newsletter Sophia with a letter from Dianne O’Regan, the N.A.B. Religious Coordinator. It is to be copied and given out to chapter members so it can be read at the monthly meetings. St. George of Norwood will host the annual retreat on March 1, 2008. The speaker will be Deacon Saraphim Solof who will discuss the Orthodox Perspective on Bioethical Issues. She gave out copies of the registration form for members to fill-out and return so she can have an idea how many will be attending. The fee of $15.00 can be sent by check or paid at the door.

Membership – Margaret Wilhelm

Margaret had no report.

Humanitarian – Kh. Anna Hughes

Anna was not present to give her report.

Old Business – V.P. Delores read the Tentative Schedule to remind members of the important dates of the retreat and meetings for the 2008 – 2009 sessions.

New Business – The Mid-Winter meeting for N.A.B. in Pennsylvania was attended by Pam Samara. She has copies of hand outs she has collected at the meeting if anyone would like to see them. Metropolitan Philip reported the Project for Retired Clergy was doing so well this year that it could be finished this year. Carol Swydan added that it was suggested that we continue the Project for Retired Clergy for the full five years. The funds from the Project are being used to support 59 retired priests and 15 widows so far. Metropolitan Philip asked for suggestions for a new project.

Salwa Khoury introduced Carol Wartenberg as a guest speaker. Carol spoke about the “Sanctity of Life Conference” she had attended. It is held in response to the anniversary of Roe versus Wade to make people aware of the serious issues of abortion. According to the Sixth Commandment abortion is murder in the Orthodox religion. Non-denominational anti-abortion members have set up centers called Woman’s Concern Centers to help girls and women, who have crisis pregnancies, make the correct decision. Many couples are waiting to adopt children. Every January there is a “Sacred Gift of Life Sunday”. Father Joseph Purpura said women need to talk and work with teenage girls who may have problems. They can offer help to the youth counselor in their parish.

President’s Remarks – Since President Nora Walker was unable to attend the meeting Vice President Delores read Nora’s written report.

A Motion to Adjourn was made at 11:50 by Martha Stewart and seconded by Gladys Laham.

Respectfully Submitted,

Nancy Ghantous, Secretary

2008 Winter Meeting Photos

Photos from the 2008 Winter meeting.

Click on each photo to see a larger image.  Use your browser's "back" button to return to this page.

2007 Fall Meeting Minutes

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Antiochian Women

Diocese of Worcester and New England

Opening Prayer - The meeting was opened at 10:45 a.m. with the Antiochian Women’s Prayer led by Fr. Edward Hughes and the singing of the Troparian of the Dormition. There were 29 members present.

Roll Call –

Executive Board Present : Advisor – V.Rev. Edward Hughes, President – Nora Walker, Vice President – Delores George, Treasurer – Carol Swydan, Recording Secretary – Nancy Ghantous, Corresponding Secretary – Joan Hanna.

Absent: Past President - Priscilla Goss

Coordinators: Public Relations – Pam Samara, Website – Melissa Nassiff , Humanitarian – Kh. Anna Hughes,

Membership – Margaret Wilhelm, Religious – Kh. Louise Ferguson

Executive

Parish Delegates:

St. Mary, Cambridge - 1

St. John, Dedham - 3

St. George, Lawrence – 2

St. George, Lowell - 3

St. George, Norwood - 1

St. George, W. Roxbury - 2

St. George, Worcester - 4

St. Mary, Pawtucket - 2

St. Michael Cotuit - 0

All Saints Mission S. Weymouth - 0

St. Elias Mission Fall River - 0

Secretary’s Report – Nancy Ghantous

Minutes of the Diocesan meeting at the Parish Life Conference in Plymouth, MA on June 28 were read. A motion to accept was made by Joan Hanna and seconded by Lillian Khoury.

Treasurer’s Report – Carol Swydan

The balance in our checking account and CD's was reported.

A motion to accept the report was made by Katie Birtwell and seconded by Joan Hanna.

Spiritual Advisor’s Remarks – Fr. Edward Hughes

Fr. Ed spoke of the importance of mothers and grandmothers in teaching their children and grandchildren about the Antiochian Orthodox faith. Parents and grandparents should tell their children and grandchildren what to do. Children absorb their ideas and values when they are infants at home. Mothers have a duty to keep Christian homes. He gave examples of St. Sofia, St. Thekla, St. Barbara and St. Kathryn, who were brave single minded women who knew what was right and with the power of God were able to guide their families and sacrifice their lives for their faith. President Nora thanked Father for his message.

Vice President – Project Report – Delores George

Delores read a letter from the new President of N.A.B., Cindy Nimey, in which she thanked everyone for their work to raise funds for the Retired Clergy fund, which as of July 2007 totals $404,058.00. Delores then read a report of the N.A.B. July 2007 Conference in Montreal written by former President Priscilla Goss.

Coordinators and Committee Reports:

Website – Melissa Nassiff http://www.antiochian.org/neraocwna

Melissa reported the AOCWNA website has been totally revised. She will be updating our information when the site has been reconstructed. Members can contact her with new information to put on the site by using her e-mail address, which was provided.

Public Relations – Pam Samara

Pam passed out copies of the Fall 2007 DIAKONIA, which is published three times a year. Each chapter president should copy them and pass out to their members. She is publishing a newsletter for our Diocese of Worcester and New England region which should be copied and given to chapter members. The presidents of each chapter can send information for their club’s events to her by mail or e-mail.

Religious – Kh. Louise Ferguson

Louise read a letter from the new N.A.B. religious coordinator, Diane O’Regan. Louise will be publishing a monthly newsletter called “Sofia” in which a Saint will be highlighted. It is to be copied and given out to chapter members. St. George of Norwood will host the annual on March 1, 2008. The speaker will be Deacon Saraphim Solof who will discuss the Orthodox Perspective on Bioethical Issues.

Membership – Margaret Wilhelm

Nora read a letter from Jaimey Issac the new N.A.B. membership coordinator. Margaret will make copies of the N.A.B. correspondence and send to each chapter.

Humanitarian – Kh. Anna Hughes

Anna was attending another meeting at the time and could not give her report.

Old Business –President Nora Walker explained the annual 10% tithing donation given to a charity that is chosen by the members. It is 10% of the amount in the region’s checking account. She described the purposes of the I.O.C.C. (International Orthodox Christian Charity), the Al Kafaat (a rehabilitation program for special needs children in Lebanon) and the O.C.F. (Orthodox Christian Fellowship). A motion was made by Salwa Khoury to send our 10% tithing to O.C.F. specifying that it is to be used for traveling. It was seconded by Carol Swydan. Salwa then amended the motion to read that we give 10% tithing to the O.C.F. (Orthodox Christian Fellowship) without specifying what it is to be used for. A motion was then made to round up the amount from $403.13 to $405.00. A vote was taken with 13 members approved and 3 opposed.

New Business – Salwa Khoury announced the Parish Life Conference for 2008 will be hosted by St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church of Pawtucket, R.I. on June 26^th through June 29^th 2008. It will be held at the Marriott Hotel, Providence, Rhode Island. Marilyn Robbat questioned the schedule of the Ladies’ luncheon on Thursday. Carol Swydan said this year’s schedule was made so members could be free to attend plans on Friday.

President Nora Walker passed out a CD entitled “A Guide to Making Holy bread’ for each chapter to show at their meetings. A religious quiz was passed out to be brought back to the next meeting. Marilyn suggested inviting women from other Orthodox churches to local chapter meetings to see what we do as AOCWNA members. Nora read the schedule of our meetings for the 2007-2009 sessions. She passed out a list entitled “Antiochian Women Purposes and Pitfalls” which also explains the structure of the Antiochian Archdiocese.

Carol Swydan reported the collection for the luncheon was $215.00.

President’s Remarks – President Nora Walker presented an essay entitled “Bishop’s Crusade Toward Orthodox Unity”. It asks the questions of “How can we form a Pan-Orthodox union including all Orthodox ethnic groups? How do we identify ourselves as Orthodox Christians? What strategies can we use to attract the younger generation to participate in church services?”

A Motion to Adjourn was made at 1:50 by Laurie Kurker and seconded by Linda Bowab. Fr. Ed led us in a prayer.

Respectfully Submitted,

Nancy Ghantous, Secretary

2007 Fall Meeting Photos

2007 June (Parish Life) Minutes

Public Relations – Pamela Samara (St George Worcester)

2007 June (Parish Life) Photos

Here are a few of the photos taken at the Summer 2007 meeting during the Parish Life Conference in June. This page is temporary, until the new and improved website if fully functional.

Photos...

2007 Pre-Lenten Retreat Photos

Photos from the 2007 Pre-Lenten Retreat, hosted by St. George, Norwood, and led by Fr. Eugen Pentiuc

Click on each photo to see a larger image.  Use your browser's "back" button to return to this page.

2007 Winter Meeting Minutes

2006 Fall Meeting Minutes

2006 Fall meeting photos

Photos from the September 2006 Diocesan meeting

Click on each photo to see a larger image.

2006 June (Parish Life) Minutes

Regional Meeting

Parish Life Conference

Laconia, New Hampshire

Friday, June 23, 2006

OPENING PRAYER -

The meeting was opened at  10:46 with the Antiochian Women’s Prayer led by Fr. Ed Hughes, and Marilyn Robbat leading  us in the Troparion of the Dormition. 

ROLL CALL –

Executive Board Present :

President- Priscilla Goss, VicePresident- Marilyn Kurban, Treasurer- Carol Swydan, Secretary- Pam Samara, Coordinators: Membership- Marilyn Robbat,  Humanitarian- Gladys Laham,  Cultural- Nora Walker,  Religious- Kh. Louise Ferguson 

Executive Board Absent:

Website Coordinator Melissa Nassiff

Parishes:

St. Mary Cambridge – 2   St. George  Norwood – 1   St. Michael  Cape Cod – 0

St. John  Dedham – 1      St. George  Boston–  4       All Saints Mission  S Weymouth – 1

St. George  Lawrence – 1   St. George  Worcester -3      St. Elias Mission Fall River - 0 

St. George  Lowell – 0       St. Mary  Pawtucket – 3

SECRETARY’S REPORT - Pam Samara 

Minutes of the meeting on April 8 at St. George Worcester were read and with one correction, were accepted  by Dolores Elias and seconded by Joyce Hanna.  Minutes will now be available by email to anyone who requests them.  Print copies will still be given at the meetings.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Carol Swydan

Our bank balance is $5917.20.  Investments are two CD’s with a total of $3091.51.  After a short discussion, a motion to accept the report was made by Cindy Hayes and seconded by Norma Samra.              

COORDINATORS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS:

VICE PRESIDENT  - PROJECT – Marilyn Kurban

Our total collected this year for the Retired Clergy Fund was $14,508.25.

 

CULTURAL COORDINATOR – Nora Walker

Nora presented a summary of this year’s reports on Orthodoxy.  She also showed a booklet she wrote on Antiochian Orthodoxy. The booklet had some mistakes, so will be reprinted and will be available later.  It is costing $375 to print the booklets, and after a discussion, a motion was made by Chris Bezreh, and seconded by Valerie Irving: “We will compensate the Cultural Coordinator $375 for printing the book ‘The Antiochian Orthodox Way’”.   The motion passed unanimously.

HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR – Gladys Laham

Gladys thanked all of us for the donation of over 20 cartons of gifts to the Jimmy Fund.

RELIGIOUS COORDINATOR – Kh. Louise Ferguson

Kh. Louise has taken over this position, and thanks go to Natasha Smith for coordinating this past year’s retreat.

MEMBERSHIP – Marilyn Robbat

Marilyn gave us “A New Look at Martha and Mary.” She handed out a Membership Handbook, to be given to each Club President.   This book was started at the request of Margaret Wilhem for All Saints Mission, and was written with the help of Marilyn Robbat, Joyce Hanna, Priscilla Goss, Violet Robbat and Joanne Bitar, NAB Membership Chairperson.

SPRIRITUAL ADVISOR’S MESSAGE – V. Rev. Fr. Edward Hughes

In place of Fr. Ed’s message, we were visited by Bishop ALEXANDER who spoke to us about the importance of the women in the church. He also talked about “The DaVinci Code”, how to bring younger women into the Antiochian Women, how to keep children excited abut church with all the negatives they face in society, and reminded us to keep doing religious and humanitarian projects along with our social and fundraising programs.

 

WEBSITE – Melissa Nassiff   http://www.antiochian.org/neraocwna   

Our new Coordinator is Melissa Nassiff from St. Mary Cambridge.  Her handout was on updated information about our website.

PUBLIC RELATIONS –

A coordinator is needed for one year.  Anyone interested, please contact Priscilla.

OLD BUSINESS –

Mid-Summer Meeting:  July 21-23  Six delegates are needed.  Priscilla Goss, Marilyn Robbat, Violet Robbat, and Joyce Hanna  will be attending.  Anyone else wishing to go, please contact Priscilla.

Diakonia:  Priscilla reminded us that officers, coordinators, and our Spiritual Advisor need to submit a photograph and short biograhy, for the September Diakonia.

NEW BUSINESS –

Thanks:  We received a  thank you note from the Jimmy Fund for our donations.  We also got a thank you card from the family of Olga Taksery.

 

CD:  Our CD’s are due in July.  The first one is for our child, and cannot be changed, but more cash can be added to the second one.  A motion was made by Joyce Hanna, seconded by Valerie Irving:  “We will increase the $2000 CD to $3000.”    Unanimously passed.       

Festival:  All Saints Mission in S.Weymouth is sponsoring a Summer Festival on July 22. This will include a Bake Sale, BBQ, Yard Sale, Children’s Activities and Can/Bottle  Drive. All are welcome.

 

Meetings:  Our next meeting is September 30 in Lawrence.  January 20 we will meet at St. John’s Dedham.  April Meeting TBA.  

A MOTION TO ADJOURN  was made at 12:16 .  Fr. Ed led us in a prayer, and then we all enjoyed a delicious Fellowship Luncheon.

Respectfully Submitted,

Pam Samara

Secretary

2006 Parish Life Photos

Photos from the Antiochian Women's meeting during the 2006 Parish Life Conference.  Click on each photo to see a larger image.

2006 Pre-Lenten Retreat photos

Photos from the 2006 Pre-Lenten Retreat.  Click on each photo to see a larger image.

2005 Parish Life Photos

2005 Parish Life Conference Meeting

Photos from the 2005 Parish Life Conference

Click each photo to view a larger image.

2005 Pre-Lenten Retreat Photos

  2005 Pre-Lenten Retreat

Photos from the 2005 Pre-Lenten Retreat.  Click on each photo to see a larger image.