OCA Chancery announces staff changes

SYOSSET, NY [OCA]

In a memo issued on January 1, 2010, Archpriest Alexander Garklavs, chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, informed members of the Holy Synod of Bishops and the Metropolitan Council of a number of staff changes, adding that “job description changes are being worked on and any budget changes will be found in the proposed 2010 budget, which the finance committee is working on and will be forthcoming.”

1. Archpriest Andrew Jarmus no longer serves as Director of Ministries and Communications, effective December 31, 2009. In addition, Priest Samuel Gantt will no longer serve as communications specialist. He has been assigned to a parish in Houston, TX.
2. In response to discussions conducted at a special consultation on ongoing communications needs held at the Chancery on on December 15, 2009, and reported on the OCA web site at www.oca.org/news/2030, Archpriest John Matusiak will continue part-time duties as media coordinator, in addition to his duties as managing editor of “The Orthodox Church.” His immediate tasks will be to expand the work he currently pursues and to assist in managing day-to-day communication needs, especially with regard to web site content.
3. Archpriest Dennis Swencki will no longer serve as controller, but will function as an assistant to the OCA treasurer. He will work at the Chancery two days each week assisting the treasurer with financial reporting. His new duties will include coordinating the work of the Fellowship of Orthodox Stewards, appeals, and financial development.
4. Archdeacon Kirill Sokolov, who has relocated to California, will no longer serve as the Metropolitan’s deacon. He will remain webmaster of the OCA web site and continue to oversee the OCA’s Diaconal Vocations Program. Concurrently, Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak will serve as the Metropolitan’s deacon, while remaining in Chicago. He also will assist in coordinating some of the work of the OCA’s departments.
5. Mr. Frank Tkacz, Cleveland, OH, will no longer serve as manager of Orthodox Christian Publications Center, in line with OCPC’s new arrangement with and inventory transfer to Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Press, as reported on the OCA web site at www.oca.org/news/2042. Special thanks are due to Mr. Tkacz for his years of dedicated service to OCPC and the OCA.
6. Mrs. Helen Detke, who worked in accounts receivable and as office assistant, will now be engaged on a part-time basis.

Father Alexander also informed Holy Synod and Metropolitan Council members that “further communications needs are in the process of being identified by the communications team and may necessitate a new job description.”