Recap of the 2024 Diocese of the West Assembly
Church of the Annunciation, Milwaukie, Oregon | October 15-17, 2024
The annual Diocesan Assembly of the Diocese of the West took place from October 15 to October 17, 2024, at Church of the Annunciation in Milwaukie, OR.
The assembly was preceded by the Thriving Parishes Project Launch Retreat on October 14-15; a recap of the retreat can be accessed here.
The diocese welcomed many new clergy since its last assembly, so it was fitting to unofficially begin the time together with a new clergy orientation led by the diocesan chancellor, Archpriest Kirill Sokolov, and district deans Archpriest Stephen Soot (Pacific Northwest), Archpriest Michael Anderson (Desert), and Archpriest Andreas Blom (Rocky Mountain). The new clergy orientation was followed by a final Diocesan Council meeting to approve the agenda and make last-minute preparations for the assembly. Meanwhile, Annunciation’s parish hall was filled with warm greetings and introductions as clergy and lay delegates arrived and prepared for Vespers, which was served at 5pm by Priest Seraphim Robertson, newly appointed to Holy Transfiguration Cathedral, Denver.
This year, clergy and lay delegates were honored by the presence of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, Orthodox Church in America chancellor Archpriest Alexander Rentel, and Deacon Alexander Woodill. Following Vespers, these honored guests, members of the Diocesan Council, department heads, and district deans were invited to dinner at Christopher and Ruth Burkett’s home, longtime parishioners of Church of the Annunciation.
His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin officially opened the Diocesan Assembly on Wednesday morning and Molieben was served by Fr. Kirill Sokolov, assisted by Protodeacon David Greenfield. Immediately following the appointment of assembly officers and secretariat, and the approval of the 2023 Diocesan Assembly minutes, clergy were addressed by both hierarchs, first by His Beatitude, and then by His Eminence. His Beatitude and His Eminence discussed His Eminence’s upcoming retirement plans and the preparations by the Metropolitan and Holy Synod to provide a smooth transition in diocesan leadership. OCA chancellor Fr. Alexander Rentel then provided updates on present and upcoming activities within the OCA. The morning’s business continued with reports from chancellor Fr. Kirill Sokolov and Diocesan Treasurer Matushka Theodora Blom, followed by the passing of the 2025 budget, and reports from the Nomination Committee, Metropolitan Council, Pension Board, and Church Relations.
After a lunch break, clergy and delegates met in deaneries, then reconvened to respond to questions put forward in His Beatitude’s Call for Reflection. Attendees dispersed throughout the parish and campus to discuss specific questions in a small group setting. Plenary Session 2 resumed with reports on charities; the diocese’s six deaneries; the Clergy Wives Advisory Group; Youth, Camps, and Education; and the Orthodox Church Capital Investment Fund (OCCIF). Wednesday concluded with Vespers and dinner.
On Thursday morning, His Beatitude and His Eminence served the Divine Liturgy with the chancellor and district deans concelebrating. A choir, directed by Archpriest Stephan Meholick, led the responses, with a parish choir singing special trios. After the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude presented Archpriest Matthew Tate with the Order of St. Innocent, Silver Class, in recognition of his outstanding service to the Orthodox Church in America and the Diocese of the West.
Following breakfast, the Assembly’s final session commenced with an approval of new diocesan council members and reports given by small group facilitators from the previous day’s discussion on the Call for Reflections.
Many thanks to Fr. Matthew Tate and the parishioners of Church of the Annunciation and other Portland-area parishes for hosting this year’s assembly with generosity and warmth. We look forward to reconvening in Phoenix, AZ directly following the All-American Council!
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