On March 11th, St George sent delegates to participate in the 2016 Diocesan Assembly of the Eastern Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church at St Archangel Michael in Akron, Ohio. Following the service of the Invocation of the Holy Spirit, His Grace Bishop Dr +Mitrophan, along with the Dioesan Council, offered reports on the financial state of the diocese, along with reports on various events and activities.
On March 12th, the featured speaker was Deacon Larry Soper from St George in North Canton. He offered a stirring conversation on addiction and mental health, based on his more than 10 years experience working for the Interval Brotherhood Home in Akron. Dn Larry directly addressed the stigma that is often attached to those suffering with mental health issues, both in their immediate families as well as in their church communities. He also offered practical advice on how clergy and laity can identify and best help those who are struggling with addiction.
37 priests, 1 deacon and 16 delegates were present for the meeting, along with kitchen crew and unofficial observers, bringing the grand total of participants to 86.