Very Reverend, Reverend and Dear Fathers;
Delegates to the 2021 Diocesan Assembly;
Parish Council Members and Faithful Parishioners of our Diocesan Family:

Christ is in our midst!

The Diocesan Council, at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, with His Eminence, Archbishop MICHAEL presiding, received reports and entertained discussion regarding the logistical requirements for accommodating the delegates to the 2021 Diocesan Assembly in compliance with ongoing public health concerns.

Given the continuing fluidity of the situation with the coronavirus pandemic, and out of concern for the delegates and the Diocese, the unanimous decision was taken by the Diocesan Council to hold the 2021 Diocesan Assembly via video conference, instead of in person at Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in Endicott, New York as was previously planned. This decision by the Diocesan Council was blessed and approved by Archbishop Michael.

The date and time of the Diocesan Assembly remains Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at 11:00 AM.

This decision was taken with the understanding that the Diocesan Council is charged with the arrangements for the Diocesan Assembly (By-Laws of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, Article IV, Section 6.n.). This present announcement of change in venue, with the date and time unchanged from their original establishment at the 2020 Diocesan Assembly, is issued in keeping with the "ninety days" advance notice required by the Diocesan By-Laws (Article III, Section 1). This decision was also confirmed by Archbishop Michael (Article I, Paragraph 4; and Article II, Section 1).

Additional information, including the instructions for accessing the video conference for the 2021 Diocesan Assembly, will be sent to the parishes at a time nearer to November 3.

This year, as in 2020, there will not be a second day of clergy and lay symposia following the Assembly. In the next several days, the Diocese will be announcing educational events for Parish Council leaders, lay persons, altar servers, and Diocesan clergy, to be held on separate occasions during Fall, 2021.

His Eminence expresses his gratitude to the clergy and lay delegates, and to all the clergy and faithful of the Diocese, for their understanding in the matter of this decision.

Parish priests are asked to promptly share this announcement with their Lay Delegates to the Assembly, their Parish Council members, and their parishioners.

With love in Christ,
Mitred Archpriest Joseph Lickwar
Chancellor of the Diocese