UOL seniors and juniors hold 52nd annual convention (08/29/99)

UOL seniors and juniors hold 52nd annual convention

by Elizabeth Mitchell

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. - The 52nd annual convention of the Ukrainian Orthodox League of the U.S.A. was held on July 21-25 at the Hartford Hilton in Hartford, Conn., and hosted by the UOL senior and junior chapters of the parish of St. Mary in New Britain.

UOL Senior League President Helen Greenleaf introduced the members of the national executive board, with the junior board being introduced by Laryssa Sadoway, junior president.

Three hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. attended the convention: Metropolitan Constantine, Archbishop Antony and Archbishop Vsevolod, as well as Bishop Jeremiah of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of South America.

The hierarchs greeted the convention body and, in turn, each expressed their pride in the league and its many good works.

Also greeting the convention were the Rev. Jakiw Norton, spiritual advisor of the New Britain chapters; Melissa Sirick, senior chapter president; Michelle Bailly and Stefan Norton, senior convention chairs.

Frederica Mathewes-Green, author of "Facing East" and commentator on National Public Radio held the interest of the convention body revealing that she converted to Orthodoxy because it is the "true faith."

Religious services included molebens, liturgy and vespers, and a liturgy at St. Mary's where Metropolitan Constantine administered the induction into office of the newly elected members of the senior and junior boards.

The focus of the convention was Education Day featuring two workshops: "Supporting the Orthodox Family - Youth Program," moderated by Dr. Gayle Woloschak, and "Membership Forum - the Next Millennium," with Dr. Stephen Sivulich as moderator.

The senior executive board for the year 2000 is: Ms. Greenleaf, president, Parma, Ohio; Dr. Sivulich, first vice-president, Carnegie, Pa.; Dr. Victoria Malick, second vice-president, Washington; Linda Winters, corresponding secretary, Northampton, Pa.; Dorothy Howells, recording secretary, Carteret, N.J.; Jonathan Patronik, financial secretary, Wilmington, Del.; Denise Spoganetz, auditor, Carteret, N.J.;

The junior executive board is: Jessica Burgan, president, Clifton, N.J.; Larissa Burlij, vice-president, Parma, Ohio; John Charest, recording/correspondent secretary, Woonsocket, R.I.; Alexis Oryhon, financial secretary, Johnson City, N.Y.; Alexander J. Nary, treasurer, Boston, Mass.

Social activities at the convention included a colonial dinner at the Keeney Cultural Center, a picnic at Lake Compounce, a banquet and ball, and a farewell brunch.

Recipients of the Lynn Sawchuk/Sharon Kuzbyt Scholarship Award were: Christine Haines, Ms. Bailly, Heather Gerent, Michael McLester and Diane Platosz.

Senior awards presented were the Metro Baran Award to Natalie Kapeluck; Chapter Achievement Award to the chapter in Carteret, N.J.; the Rev. Stephen Hallick-Holutiak Recognition Award to Bonnie Reinhart, and that award's second place to Mary Ann Sklaryk.

The junior awards included: the Chapter Achievement Award to Parma, Ohio; the Rev. Volodymyr Bukata Memorial Award to Ms. Haines; the runner-up to Natalie Beck; the Bulletin Award to the Youngstown chapter; and the Spirit Banner Award to the St. Andrew chapter in Boston, Mass.

The highlight of the convention was the presentation by Dr. Sivulich, chair of the fundraising drive, to Metropolitan Constantine of $31,000 for the Youth Ministry Program.

"Convention 2000" will be held in San Diego.

| Home Page |