Holy Trinity Orthodox Church Willimantic, Connecticut

www.orthodoxct.org

Diocese of New EnglandOrthodox Church in America

Hosting 52nd Annual Diocese of New England Assembly: October 23-24, 2015Centennial Celebration: October 9, 2016

www.orthodoxct.org

I. Parish History• Founded August 16, 1916: Historically one of smallest parishes in Diocese of New England.

• From 1916 – 1997: 41 priests were assigned.

• Only one (V. Rev. Ilja Adamov) served more than three years. • In 1920, six priests served the community. Clergy would stop enroute to another assignment and stay for just a few weeks or months prior to transfer, Normally very transitory; always very troubled.

• 1949-50: Foundation poured for new church. Cornerstone laid.• Foundation sat for eight yrs. City of Willimantic said build the church or fill in foundation.• Mid 1950’s church construction started. Built by parishioners under direction of George Zlotnick. • Tables, chairs, chandeliers, and pews were all donated by one person. • Mrs Hnath also wrote $50,000 check in 1957 ($420,000 in today’s money, based on inflation).

• Parcel of land at current church site purchased on November 3, 1948. • Just $432.84 remained in savings after purchase.• Current altar is still the packing crate iconostas had been shipped from NY. • This is consistent with humble origins of Holy Trinity.

• Parish in decline for most of 1980’s and for nearly two decades.• Parish closed for much of 1995. Few assets remained. • Little maintenance had been done on church from 1957 – 2005.

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1995-1997• December, 1995: Parish reopened and reorganized.

• Divine Liturgy was celebrated twice monthly and attendance was between 10-12 at Liturgy. • (Tell George story). 1998: Began weekly Divine Liturgy.

• During this five-seven year period, the parish savings account began to increase, little was spent.

• Parishioners were encouraged to pray for parish growth.

• It was continually suggested God would not let us become orphans, and that encouragement seemed to resonate with our people who always wondered if there was a future. God would not abandon us, they were told repeatedly. They believed it and began to act out that belief.

• If our parish was to grow, then it would change, and we must be willing to adapt to the changing dynamics of community itself.

• The focus was always on community and relationship building. No matter how many there were for Liturgy, it was agreed our community would be loving and engaged with each other. If there were going to be 10 for Liturgy, then those 10 would care for each other in a way that no other 10 people on earth cared for another person. Belief = action.

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YEAR 2000 / Pivotal

• Orthodox Christian Fellowship started at University of Connecticut (~10 miles from HTOC). Clergyman also met with students on campus for Compline, discussion, and snacks (must have food for students).

• UConn OCF began transformation of our parish community. They were vibrant and assumed several ministries within church (conducting choir singing in choir, reading Hours and Epistle, teaching church school, cleaning church).

• Their presence transformed the parish from old and dying, to young and engaged. If we existed for no other reason that to provide a place for students to worship during college years, then we had purpose (see note bottom of p.7).

• UConn OCF from 2000-2004 “saved” HTOC. The size of the group changes from year to year due to graduations, and even though the group no longer teaches church school or occasionally directs the choir, the importance of their contribution during the early 2000’s cannot be overstated. Different students bring varied skills, so we continuously look for ways to engage them and utilize their skills.

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II. Renovation & RenewalIn 2002, we were gifted a hand-written Holy Trinity icon by a friend of our parish from Washington, DC, for the center analoi. This single act of kindness began a near decade of church beautification at HTOC.

From 2002-2010, the following work was completed:•Inside and exterior of church was painted.•New carpeting installed.•New kitchen was built, and downstairs floor replaced. •Central air (cost: $25,000) was gifted to our parish by founding father who also led construction of church in 1950’s. •Cupola was restored … New gospel, hand cross, venerating icons, and hand-carved lime wood tabernacle added. •New iconostas with traditional Byzantine style iconography – both from Bulgaria - replaced previous Western style icons from the first iconostasis (2008).

Since 2012:•Wooden folding chairs (circa 1957) were replaced by new chairs.•New outside sign was constructed by Pat Dolan, 17, from HTOC to complete Eagle Scout Project in 2014. We have something very beautiful on inside of our church, and the new sign serves to announce it from the outside. •Church hall downstairs went through upgrades to make it warmer and more inviting. •Largely through the work of just one person (BL) who transformed church hall in 2014-2015. Rearranging chairs allowed for greater interaction between folks at Coffee Hour.

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Current Status• Weekly Divine Liturgy attendance is approximately 37-44 per week, more when

UConn students are attending.

• We have always been a small parish, and probably always will be. Our community is fine with that. What we do work towards however, is being best small parish we can be. That has great significance to our people.

• Several young families began to attend HTOC, attracted by idea we were a young parish (see comments on UConn). Currently HTOC has ten children from ages 1-7, significant for a small parish. Sometimes it feels like a nursery.

• Young children are encouraged to participate as early as possible. If an adult is willing to supervise them, they can come into the altar as early as 3 yrs old. Inclusion is key.

• We are strong enough now were we can overcome loss (death), whereas previously we were only a death or two away from closing the doors again.

• Nearly the entire current parish resides outside Windham Country, and just three parishioners are actually from City of Willimantic. Nearly all have at least a 30-minute one-way commute to church.

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Current Status (cont.)• Important to note we never complained about our position. We were just happy to have Liturgy, Eucharist, and

fellowship with each other.

• We took what we had been given from God and continued to try and grow it. “”I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (I Corinthians 3:6).

• We do the meet & greet extremely well. If someone chooses not to return, it will not be because of anything we did not do. Parishioners speak to visitors, invite them to Coffee Hour, and ask them to wait until Fr Marc comes downstairs so he can meet them.

• Current rector maintains full-time job & lives 50 miles from parish, so a more complete liturgical cycle is difficult to maintain. We serve Vespers after Liturgy on some Sundays. Molibiens and Pannikhidas, too.

• Because of aforementioned, everything is pushed to Sunday with exception of Lent, Holy Week, and summer Feasts. It works.

• Three times in past decade, including 2015, HTOC has hosted Lenten Deanery Vespers.

• Hosting 52nd Diocese of New England Annual Assembly October 23-24, 2015.

• Planning for 100 year Centennial: October 9, 2016.

• Pastor encourages vocations. Six OCF students have pursued theological studies: Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (3 – DB, AM, AS), Crestwood, NY; Holy Cross School of Theology (2 – MA, NC), Brookline, MA, and Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Seminary (1 – SY)), South Canaan, PA.

• Three of current group of OCF students have fathers who are priests. Very engaged students. Future church leaders, for certain. Future clergy? In all likelihood.

Q: If we never have a full liturgical cycle ever again, does that make us less a parish? A: NO.

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What Works (p.2)Community Engagement: e.g. …

•Adopt a Family (Annual Advent Outreach). Explain.

•Souper Bowl Sunday / 1,084 health kits since 2003. On-going support for International Orthodox Christian Charities.

•Heifer International (3x) … Soles for Souls.

•Scout Sunday. Encourage HTOC youth to be involved in Scouting.

•Annual Lenten Alms / 2014 we raised $677 to assist Orthodox woman from a neighboring parish whose housed burned down in 2013. Money raised sent her 9-year-old son to Summer camp for three weeks.

• Twice assisted family with purchase of adaptive equipment for Down Syndrome son. • On two separate occasions have assisted those from our own parish in time of need (2008, 2015)

•No-Freeze Shelter (Windham Area Interfaith Ministry).

•Annual Walk for Warmth (Sunday prior to Thanksgiving) to assist local community with energy assistance (WAIM).

•Participate at Soup Kitchen @ nearby St Paul Episcopal Church (3-4x/yr). Soup Kitchen & Adopt a Family are our two most popular outreach ministries. OCF has also worked at soup kitchen.

•Each visitor receives a hand-written Parish Information & Timeline of Church History Cards the week following their visit. Follow-up from priest is critical. It can often be the single most important criteria whether people return or not. •Discuss importance of Parish Information Cards (pass out, along with Timeline card).

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What WorksInternal Engagement: For example …

Last 3-5 years has seen HTOC become much more active with the Windham Area Interfaith Ministry. Community Outreach Coordinator stays active and identifies areas we can become involved.

Community enjoys being active in community service. They love outreach. It provides great motivation for them. Presents ways to live Gospel message.

Adult Education Series: Laity are asked to prepare presentations on Lives of Saints. Engages laity.:Lending Library includes books for children.

Fr Ilja Adamov Memorial Scholarship Fund: HTOC provides scholarship assistance to its college students for all four undergraduate years ($500, freshman: $250 for sophomore thru senior years). The assistance has had a huge impact on our students continuing to be active participants at Holy Trinity.

Hospitality liaison sends birthday cards to children and teens from church; Get Well & Sympathy cards when necessary.

Reader’s Ministry Program where laity read Hours, Epistle, and Post-Communion Prayers (Roster of 8).

Established Church School Program (meets 2x/month). Cook-out at conclusion of year. Certificates & gifts handed out.

Young female adults (teens, OCF students, mothers w/ daughters) hold Communion Cloth. Very successful ministry.

Week day email to members of community, especially if there is an event after Liturgy on upcoming Sunday is anticipated. Allows them opportunity to hit ‘reply’ button with ?s, rather than create new email.

Seminar on Parish Growth (2013) led by Fr Jonathan Ivanoff. Highly recommended.

What doesn’t work: a) Tithing and proportional giving. We exist totally by free will offering and although it has worked, it is a risky endeavor, b) We are not as organized from a lay leadership (i.e., Church Board) as we need to be. Proves power and grace of Holy Spirit.

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Why it Works• Love for one another. Single most palpable reason for revitalization.

• Impact of positive interpersonal relationships cannot be emphasized enough. Head to heart.

• Provide a buy-in component for each person – WIIFM (What’s in it for me).

• Celebrate successes and accomplishments of parish body. Able to do that in smaller parish.

• Have become an ‘event driven parish’. Good or bad?

• Great Choir. Two directors – one is music professor at UConn, the other is musically trained and the son of a former Orthodox priest. JG knows the services.

• Young voices in choir. OCF sings. All are welcome to join, even young children are encouraged to stand with the singers.

• Worship is also prayerfully sung, even though we are not necessarily in search of perfect church services. Mistakes are fine; it encourages participation.

• Parish body never had the feeling the priest was going to leave for another assignment. They understood my family dynamic, and that was huge. There was trust and respect in the relationship.

• Our church is at a four-way stop sign, one block from Windham Hospital and four blocks from Eastern Connecticut State University.

• Location creates high visibility.

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Web Site“Your web site is the front door to your parish”

-Joe Kormos, Fr J Ivanoff

•Even as recently as Fall, 2011, consideration was given to closing the site down entirely.

•For many years a source of embarrassment, our current web site has become one of Orthodox Web Solutions’ signature sites, according to owner Fr John Parsells.

•Custom template replaced standard OWS design in 2013. New web site is source of joy and a communication tool for members of HTOC community.

•Among other links, web site has testimonials from current parish members and histories of the four remaining military veterans (two from World War II, one each from Korean War and Vietnam). These two links have been very popular.

•HTOC is people driven parish - Webmaster photographs all events, both large and small. • More pictures of people and fewer of priests and hierarchs. Webmaster avoids pictures of half-empty church,

open pews. We prefer tight shots of people, kids; not clergy. Souns like I am anti-clerical.• HTOC is all about the people. Without the people, there is no church, just bricks and mortar.

•UConn OCF has link on HTOC web site. HTOC & UConn OCF enjoy symbiotic relationship.

•2015: New Parish Ministries & Parish Stewardship pages developed. Allows a web site visitor to actually see how someone can become involved at HTOC.

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Website By the Numbers:

6.6 – Average # of daily visits July 2010 – Nov. 2011.

46.3 – Avg. # of daily visits from Nov. 2013 – March 2015.

27,505 – Total visits from October 2013 – March 2015.

1,389 – Monthly avg. of visits from Oct. Nov. 2013 – March 2015.

20 – # of consecutive months of more than 1,000 visits, including 13 of more than 1,350 visits per month (thru May, 2015).

~ Hit Trifecta January, 2015 ~ Passed 50,000 visits since September, 2007 (47% from 10/13 – 05/15). Highest single month: 1,751 (1,726, March, 2015 – 2nd highest). Highest single day: 221 visits on January 30. (Celebrated that success: Gave webmaster a bottle of top shelf wine).

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Annual Parish Survey:Mission.Mercy.Ministry. - Established Vision

2012 (then Vision 2013, 2014, now Vision 2015). NO REASON TO CHANGE. Everything done at HTOC fits into one of these

three pillars. Allows for measureable results.

Simple 10 question survey allows each parishioner to have input into community building. Results shared at Annual Parish Mtg. The survey provides the priest with an idea of how and what the community is thinking and asking for.

The 2014 Parish Survey was downloaded 320 times from March-June, 2014.

Previous survey downloaded several hundred times as well.

Link to 2014 Parishioner Survey Results: http://www.orthodoxct.org/files/Annual%20Reports/2014%20Annual%20Reports/HTOC-Parishioner-Survey-Results-v1.0-03142014.pdf

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III. Final Thoughts No magic bullets – keep moving forward, keep trying new things, remain faithful. Use what someone else has already

developed. Always pray for parish growth. God will send. We will not be orphans. Takes hard work to grow and sustain a parish community. Still, there will be attrition through death, transfers, graduations (OCF) and those who drift away. Seems after 3-4 years, interest among person or family begins to wane. Need to always attract new members.

a) Personal engagement, participation, and inclusion are key. b) Emphasize importance of having active and engaged teens. Each person in church, no matter how old they are,

knows each of our children and teens by name. That’s huge for the children.

Try to use the word BUILD instead of GROW. Building implies a strengthening element, whereas grow seems to be defined by purely gaining numbers. Can quantify building.

Establish teen group. There energy alone can fuel a change.

Sermon preparation is a must. We have a community of educators, many with PhDs; college students, and our own high achieving students. They are listening.

Advice to clergy: Finish Proskomedia at least 15-20 minutes prior to beginning of Liturgy. Leave altar and go out to meet & greet any visitors (Thanks Fr Jonathan Proctor, Minneapolis).

Weekly bulletins includes financial report. Advantageous because it not only keeps parish finances in open for all to see, if prevents the priest from having to speak about them. We can report parish finances w/o demanding support.

Archbishop Athanasios said his parish is every person he meets. I try to emulate that teaching. The priest must be passionate; he must bring something in order to excite community.

Priest must be passionate, and fully engaged. Priest must convey the joy in being a Christian soul. (Detail benefits in being a Christian). Priest must be the leader, while at same time being a servant of God. Sanctify the space God has placed you in. The power and grace of the Holy Spirit will be present during those moments. Change will occur.

Developing relationships, i.e., loving each person, is the single most important component to what we are building . -30-

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