1 October 2022
Dear Fathers and Friends,
1. The Annual OTSA Meeting and Quadrennial IOTA Conference
We look forward to seeing many members in Volos for this exceptional event, when these two meetings will occur consecutively over the course of several days in Volos Greece, Jan. 2023. We have a strong slate of paper sessions both at the OTSA-sponsored sessions in IOTA and the OTSA Meeting. We hope members will attend BOTH the OTSA Meeting on Jan. 10 and the IOTA conference on Jan11-15. Please note that you must register for EACH meeting separately.
2. Membership Update and Meeting Conference registration: (We encourage early registration as the conference is filling up fast.)
• To become a member of IOTA: https://iota-web.org/membership-join/ and to REGISTER for the IOTA Conference (and possible excursions): https://iota-web.org/2023-conference-registration/
• To become a current member of OTSA (i.e. pay your dues): https://www.otsamerica.net/pay-dues/ and REGISTER for the Annual Meeting:
https://www.otsamerica.net/2023-annual-meeting/
3. OTSA and IOTA logistics:
• Transportation from Athens to Volos: Please plan to arrive in Athens on or before January 9 (in the mid-afternoon). The Volos Academy has arranged for a chartered bus to take us from Athens to Volos. At present, the plan is to leave from the airport (although, a downtown location may also be considered). If you would like to take the bus to Volos, email Helen Theodoropoulos (secretary@otsamerica.org) to reserve your spot, and provide your flight information (Airline, flight number, and arrival time). Once we have all the arrival times, we will make concrete plans for when and where to meet for the pickup. Bus transportation will also be available after the IOTA Conference back to Athens, tentatively on both 1/15 and 1/16.
• Accommodation: A block of rooms has been reserved for OTSA members in Volos at the Kypseli Hotel. Hotel rate for single is $61.50 E; rate for a double is $76.50 E. There are also a few suites available, starting at $101.50 E. To reserve your room (from Jan 9), please contact Costis Drygianakis (olyaandcostis@gmail.com)
4. OTSA Annual Meeting
We anticipate an outstanding meeting, and hope for and encourage participation by ALL OTSA members who are going to IOTA. The OTSA meeting will be held at the Volos Academy with bus transportation to/from the Kypseli Hotel. Our annual business meeting will be held at end of day on Jan. 10.
• Registration for the OTSA meeting: https://www.otsamerica.net/2023-annual-meeting/ (Registration includes lunch, breaks, bus transportation, and materials.)
• Business Meeting: If members would like to suggest any items for discussion and/or Bylaw changes, please email them to secretary Helen Theodoropoulos at secretary@otsamerica.org by Oct. 31. Anyone interested in taking a more active role in OTSA as an officer should contact the nominating committee—Gayle Woloschak (gayle.woloschak@gmail.com), Fr. Anthony Roeber (agr2@psu.edu), and/or Will Cohen (willtcohen@yahoo.com).
5. Participation by OTSA members in the Assembly of Bishops “Reception of Converts” White Paper.
At the request of the Assembly of Bishops, Fr. Patrick Viscuso drafted a white paper to address the issue of the reception of converts into the Orthodox Church from a canonical perspective. With the agreement of the Assembly of Bishops, he welcomed the input and contributions of other OTSA members who graciously offered their time and assistance.
We would like to extend particular thanks to the following OTSA members for their assistance with this project: Rev. Dr. Peter Baktis, Rev. Dr. John Erickson, Rev. Dr. Dellas Oliver Herbel, Dr. Paul Meyendorff, Rev. Dr. Stelyios Muksuris, Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Ready, Dr. Sarah Riccardi-Swartz, and Rev. Dr. Anton Vrame. OTSA has a wealth of expertise in our membership, and we were pleased to be able to use it to assist our bishops in this manner.
6. Invitation to assist in new Oversight Committees: We are forming three new committees to oversee OTSA’s responsibilities and objectives and invite OTSA members to assist in these areas:
· Finance and Investment: which will, in conjunction with our treasurers, prepare the budget and oversee finances, financial reporting, and investment policy.
· Programs: which will help coordinate OTSA webinars, programs and the annual meeting, and who will help look for grants.
· Membership: which will reach out to prospective members and promote communication among OTSA members.
· Please contact Teva (teva@mit.edu) or Helen at secretary@otsamerica.org or helen60076@yahoo.com if you are interested in joining one of these committees.
7. Notifications from members: Alexei Krindatch has released the new study report “How the Pandemic Has Reshaped American Orthodox Christian Churches? What Do Lay People Think about It?” at https://orthodoxreality.org/coronavirus-and-american-orthodox-parishes/
8. DUES: We need your help in enabling us to continue the work of OTSA and assist members and Orthodox scholars in many ways. Your dues are a simple but effective way for you to contribute to this work. Please take the time now to become current in your OTSA dues at: https://www.otsamerica.net/pay-dues/
Respectfully submitted,
Teva Regule, PhD, OTSA President
Helen Creticos Theodoropoulos, PhD, OTSA Secretary