By the Grace of God, on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, the St. Sophia Seminary UOL Chapter held a meeting at the Seminary building located in Somerset, New Jersey. The meeting was called to order by the current Chapter President, Deacon Myrsolav Mykytyuk and the opening prayer was led by the Chapter’s Spiritual Advisor, Rev. Vasyl Pasakas. Following the approved agenda, the gathered members of the chapter reviewed the minutes from the last meeting (read by outgoing secretary Subdeacon Yaroslav Bilohan), the financial report (presented by Treasurer Seminarian Pavlo Vysotsky) and reviewed the projects of the last year.

The members discussed hardships and changes that took place to their proposed. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, many projects were adjusted or turned into virtual events. The Seminarians led morning and evening prayers throughout the school year and livestreamed it to those who were quarantined at home. The annual St. Thomas Sunday Pilgrimage was not held in 2020 and held in a limited capacity in 2021, and as a result, the annual Seminary Picnic on Saturday afternoon did not take place in 2020 & 2021. St. Sophia Seminary UOL Chapter adjusted to COVID restrictions and did the best to achieve the accomplishment of set goals for the year. Moreover, St. Sophia Seminary UOL Chapter successfully recorded, made, and sold CDs with Carols for Christmas as a fundraiser. Also, during the annual “Christmas at the Seminary” Fundraiser, which was held virtually in December, the Seminarians performed the carols which were recorded. In February, the Chapter also prepared and served soup outside of St. Andrew Memorial Church in order to raise funds for the Soup Kitchens in Ukraine which are supported by St. Andrew’s Society.

Despite a tough 2020 and 2021, the members of the Chapter were optimistic and looked forward to a better 2021 and 2022! New projects were suggested, plans were made for upcoming projects throughout the coming year. Chapter member, Frederica, made suggestions and gave direction for how the Seminarians could participate in the UOL “Clergy Appreciation Sunday” held annually on the Sunday after Ascension. The Seminary chapter also voted to donate $1,000 towards the Orphanage Mission Fund of the UOC of the USA in order to assist the Mission Trip of the Seminarians of the Church to the orphanages in Ukraine.

Before the close of the evening’s meeting, the members elected new officers for the upcoming year:

President: Reader Andrii Vatrich

Vice President: Reader Maksym Zhuravchyk

Recording Secretary: Andriy Akulenko

Corresponding Secretary: Subdeacon Yaroslav Bilohan

Treasurer: Subdeacon Pavlo Vysotskyi

Assistant Treasurer: Mykola Stefanyk

Auditor: Deacon Mykola Zomchak

Reporter: Deacon Myroslav Mykytyuk

Spiritual Advisor: Rev. Vasyl Pasakas

The meeting went successfully and was closed without any objections with a prayer which was led by Rev. Vasyl Pasakas. May the Lord our God help and bless us to go successfully through the way of the coming year, praising God in every deed and word.

Respectfully Submitted by Reader Andrii Vatrych