The Diocese of Los Angeles and the West proved that it is a vital part of the Antiochian Archdiocese, as evidenced in its fruitful contributions to the Archdiocesan Mid-Summer Meetings at the Antiochian Village during the weekend of July 25-27, 2008. For the first time ever, a Bible Bowl team from the Diocese won the Archdiocesan Bible Bowl Festival. His Grace, Bishop JOSEPH, praised the winners, saying their victory was a victory for the entire Diocese. The team of Benjamin Horton, Cindy Matthews and Stephanie Matthews finished with 103 of a possible 105 points to win the title, besting the second-place team by four points. This same group posted a perfect score at the Diocesan Parish Life Conference in Los Angeles earlier this month. They are members of Holy Myrrh-bearing Women Mission in Bonner’s Ferry, Idaho, under the pastoral care of Very Rev. Gregory Horton.

Jordan Schaefer of St. John the Baptist Church in Post Falls, Idaho (Fr. Gregory’s former parish) eloquently represented the Diocese in the Oratorical Festival. She is the fourth teen from her parish to compete in the Archdiocesan Festival this decade.

The North American Council of Teen SOYO boasts two Diocesan leaders. The Archdiocesan youth elected Amanda Sahawneh of St. George Church in Phoenix, Arizona as their new president, and chose Elizabeth Mamey of St. Mark Church in Irvine, California as their new secretary. May God grant them a successful year of leadership and holy ministry in these esteemed offices.