FALL

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16A quarterly publica on of Loyal Chris an Benefi t Associa onA quarterly publica on of Loyal Chris an Benefi t Associa on

Vol. 16Issue 3

Harvest season is upon us!Although I am near a city, Erie, I actually live in a rural community, one where many of the people make either some or all of their income from working the land.

The Erie area has a very diverse farming community. This area is the largest producer of Concord grapes in the country and now is a great time to visit and drive through grape country absorbing the jelly-jar aromas. Combined with the Concords are many other grape varie es that support the growing local wineries. But grapes are not the only things we grow. The area is also home to numerous farms that grow everything from potatoes to ca le.

Most of the farms are smaller, older family farms. These farmers risk a good deal of money in buying feed, seed, fer lizer, equipment, etc. every year and work many hard hours. They do this all in the hope that the risks they take will yield a good harvest. Most years the risk is worth it, some years the weather does not cooperate.

For the past few years LCBA has been working hard and, like our local farmers, has been taking risks. Mainly in terms of hard work and me but also in terms of money. Like the farmers, we know these risks should pay off and, like the farmers, we also know that the weather (in our case the combina on of the economy and prolifi c regula on) can foil the best laid plans.

I am glad to say that we are really star ng to see the fruits of our labor. The work we have been pu ng in is beginning to yield great results both in membership and in fi nancial results. Although the la er is less obvious to the casual reader of our fi nancials.

Since the crash of 2008, we at LCBA have been working hard to not just bounce back to where we were but to leap ahead to where and what we want to be. The bounce back part is complete. The leap forward is just really ge ng started. We have a solid founda on of products, our “crops” that keep our current opera ons fed and moving.

We have invested in development and diversifi ca on so that if one crop has a bad year the others can take up the slack. This is the reason we started our Medicare Supplement program a few years ago. I am pleased to see that many members, both new and current, have looked at and purchased this product as, in many states, we are among the most aff ordable carriers for this type of coverage. Recently we have partnered with a large group in the Pittsburgh area to sell smaller face amount insurance to members in Southwest PA. Their efforts have nearly doubled the number of cer fi cates we sell monthly. As this new group of members grow, we hope to see more par cipa on in those local branches and perhaps the start of one or more new branches.

This growth has required investment. It will take a few years for that investment to yield returns that can be seen fi nancially. Some may look and say that we are not growing our surplus or net income as fast as we have over the past 5-7 years and think there is a problem. This cannot be further from the truth. LCBA, led by its Board, has made the conscious decision to look more to its collec ve future and make intelligent investments for sustained growth.

It is just like with the farmers, they spend most of their me and money plan ng and working the soil, then have to wait un l the crops are fully grown before they see any return. LCBA has spent the money and done the work. Now we are seeing our crops (cer fi cates/policies) grow and start to grow even faster; now we are wai ng for the premiums to con nue to grow so we can move some of those profi ts back to the bo om line and use some to support even more growth.

Douglas Tu lePresident & CEO

P ’ M

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Congratulations!Congratulations!

business hours:Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Columbus Day:Monday, October 10th

Thanksgiving Day / Day A er: Thursday, November 24th

Friday, November 25th

Christmas: Friday, December 23rd

Monday, December 26th

check us out on:

Facebookfacebook.com/lcbalife

Linkedinlinkedin.com/company/lcbalife

Twi ertwi er.com/LCBAlife

Google+plus.google.com/+LCBAErie/

holiday closings:

1 . President’s Message3 . Branch 15563 . Home Offi ce News

6 . BROOM Awards7 . Branch Events9 . PerkSpot

11. Mee ng Minutes13 . Financial Statements14 . Orthodox Division

LCBA SCHOLARSHIPSLCBA scholarship winners have been announced. Is there anyone you know among the winners?

FOREIGN MEDICAL INSURANCEMake sure your trip of a life me is memorable for the right reasons.

5

4 FRATERNALIST OF THE YEAR!

Congratula ons to Valerie Huston from Branch 1425, Ford City, PA!

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contents

www.lcbalife.org | 2

Direc onPublisher - Douglas Tu le, Erie, PA email: tu led@lcbalife.org

Execu ve Editor - Michele King, Erie, PA email: kingm@lcbalife.org

Art Direc on - Michael Mursch, Erie, PA

Chair of the Board of Directors Robert Muth, Conneaut Lake, PA

Board of Directors Karen Balaban, Esq, Harrisburg, PA Michael Courtad, Pi sburgh, PA Pat DiCesare, Burnt Hills, NY Ma hew Dupee, Nazareth, PA Paul Kenny, Erie, PA Ward McCracken, Erie, PA Anne Sweigart, Blu on, OH Barbara Waclawek, Buff alo, NY

Direc on is a member of the Communica ons Sec on of the American Fraternal Alliance, combined circula on of which reaches 11,000,000. Direc on (USPS 208-680) is published quarterly by the Loyal Chris an Benefi t Associa on, 8811 Peach Street, Erie, Pennsylvania 16509.

Periodicals postage paid in Erie, PA.

POSTMASTER: Douglas Tu le PO Box 13005 Erie, Pennsylvania 16514-1305

Communica ons for publica on should be addressed to:

A n: Michele King LCBA / Direc onPO Box 13005, Erie, PA 16514-1305

Issues rela ng to mailing list, change of address and non-delivery of papers should be addressed to:

Mul media DepartmentA n: Michael Mursch LCBA / Direc onPO Box 13005, Erie, PA 16514-1305

Communica ons for publica on will not be admissible unless accompanied by the name and address of the writer. Contact us at the above address or at:

814-453-4331 –or– 800-234-LCBA (5222)Hearing Impaired Relay Service: Dial 711Fax: 1-888-316-0471h p://www.lcbalife.orgemail: info@lcbalife.org

Postmaster Send Address Changes To:Issue # 16-3Please mail form 3579 toLoyal Chris an Benefi t Associa on(ISSN #1040-7596)Box 13005, Erie, PA 16514-1305

N B 1556

H O N A I

Designer Purse Bingo!Na onal Branch 1556 hosted another Designer Purse Bingo at the Zem Zem Shrine Club in Erie, PA on June 17, 2016. This event featured purses from Coach and Michael Kors and raised $8000! We had another sell-out crowd of over 250 people and donated the monies raised to EUMA’s Liberty House and Boots on Ground.

EUMA Liberty House | www.euma-erie.org

Boots on Groundfacebook.com/bootsongroundbethevoice/

From Le : Ross Aresco - Branch 1556 Treasurer and VP of Finance at LCBA, Kat Knight - Assistant Director at Boots On Ground, Venus Azevedo-Laboda - Founder at Boots on Ground, Michele King - Branch 1556 President & VP of Membership & Marke ng at LCBA, Stephen Durant - Veterans Aff airs Manager at EUMA Liberty House and Kate Hiles - Director of Development at EUMA.

Cer fi ca ons Road Scholar Winners Cedar Point Memories!

Life Insurance Strategist, Kaitlyne Manning, and VP of Membership and Marke ng, Michele King received the FLMI Level 1 Cer fi cate. The courses they completed provide need-to-know informa on about insurance products and opera ons so employees remain expert in our industry to serve the customer eff ec vely, and contribute to company success.

More families making memories with LCBA discounted Cedar Point ckets!Call 800-234-5222 for more informa on!

Congratula ons to LCBA’s Fall Road Scholar® Scholarship Winners!Susan Jordan - Erie, PAKathleen Jerose - Liverpool, NYTo learn more about this scholarship visit the member benefi ts sec on of lcbalife.org.

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• Fraternalist of the Year •

Valerie Huston, member of Branch 1425, Ford City, PA, has been named LCBA’s 2015 Fraternalist of the Year!Valerie has been a very strong, suppor ve member of Branch 1425, most recently serving as Vice President. She has worked relessly behind the scenes in a variety of ways – all meant to improve the branch mee ngs and helping the Branch to grow. Branch 1425 has been hit hard recently with the loss of long me, ac ve members. Recognizing the need for volunteers to step up and assume addi onal roles, Valerie is always the fi rst person to say, “I’ll do it” or “I can take care of that, no problem.”

Service to OthersIn addi on to taking care of a lot of the leg work and research that needs to be done to prepare for programs, educa onal/social ac vi es and fundraising for the Branch, Valerie is also very ac ve in the community. As the local tax collector, she also holds the offi ce of vice-president of the county tax associa on and volunteers as the township delegate for the TCC commi ee. At one me Valerie was a director on the Farm Bureau board and con nues to stay ac ve by helping on certain commi ees. This past year, she helped orchestrate and organize a “Meet the Candidate Night” for our county government elec ons. All of this is in addi on to aiding her husband in running their farm, babysi ng her grandchildren and looking a er her parents. Valerie seems to handle wearing these many hats eff ortlessly with nary a complaint, while simultaneously asking what she can do to help you.

2015 Fraternalist of the Year runners up are:

LCBA’s 1st Runner UpEdith Wenrich (represen ng Branch 1557 from Ephrata, PA)

LCBA’s 2nd Runner Up

Cindy Hedlund (represen ng Branch 49 from Erie, PA)

Innova ve LeadershipThis is the area in which Valerie really shines! She is the person who off ers to bake the cookies for a friend’s wedding, a priest’s ordina on or a guest speaker program. In addi on to always making sure Branch members are well fed, not a season has gone by that she hasn’t arrived to a mee ng with a choice of mul ple program ideas, poten al speakers and fi eld trip possibili es. She researches everything for the Branch and is con nually exploring new things for the Branch to learn or do socially. Following each soup and salad fundraiser, Valerie shows up at the next mee ng with a list of ideas to improve what we have done or ideas on trying new ways to do things. Valerie takes the me to really think of how Branch 1425 can improve and thrive. She is truly innova ve and very mo vated to ensure the Branch’s success. So much so that she has been instrumental in bringing

4 new members to Branch 1425 in the last several years.

Deb Ceraso, Branch President 1425 said, “Valerie mul tasks like no other and s ll manages to go above and beyond what is asked of her for Branch 1425. I so admire Val for her posi ve outlook and for especially being the person who always says yes.”

“Valerie multi tasks like no other and still manages to go above and beyond what is asked of her for Branch 1425."

www.lcbalife.org | 4

VICTORMAXWELL OWEN

ELEMENTARY/SECONDARY

$200

POST SECONDARY

$2500

Congratula ons to all of the Winners!

ALEXANDER

MAXIMILLIAN

DIMITRIOS

SELENA

JOHN

ANNA

NATALIE

ERIC

THERESE

JOSEPHHELENA

CLAIRE

RICHARD

JAMES KATHRYN LEXI

MACY

S W

KELLY

SEBASTIAN

CHRISTINA

CHARLOTTE

"...A Catholic education for my children is of the utmost importance to me. I want them to have the opportunity to experience what my parents gave to me. A scholarship received from LCBA is a wonderful way to enable me to achieve this. Can't think of a better gift. Th ank you! " - Julie H.

"As a triple major at Susquehanna University, college can be very overwhelming. Dealing with paying for college only adds to that overwhelming burden. I am very appreciative of the LCBA scholarship for relieving me of some of that burden." - Christina M.

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JORDAN

MORGAN

JONAHAIDAN

NICHOLAS

KATHRYN

CAMPING

$200

Interested in LCBA Scholarships?Visit www.lcbalife.org/Pages/Benefi ts to learn more about scholarship possibili es.

EVA

MELA

SOPHIA

ABIGAIL

"Th e zoo camp I attended was very fun and exciting. I never knew how important the responsibilities of a zookeeper were...until I attended this camp...Th e staff and teachers were very helpful and taught me lots of things. I learned about the animals and about volunteering. Also I learned a lot about responsibilities. Some day I would like to become a zookeeper at the Erie zoo." - Mela B.

BROOM Award Winners

A BIG thank you to all of the Branches that par cipated in the BROOM Award Point System!!

Pla num Winners ($2,500 = 5,000 points)

Branch 654 (Salem, OH) - President Frances Ziegler

Branch 1155 (Findlay, OH) - President Anne Sweigart

Branch 1557 (Ephrata, PA) - President Susan Suit

Branch 1425 (Ford City, PA) - President Deb Ceraso

Gold Winners ($1,500 = 3,500 points)

Branch 49 (Erie, PA) - President Diane Giannelli

Branch 867 (Dover, OH) - President Charlene Herzig

Silver Winners ($500 = 2,500 points)

Branch 1538 (Linesville, PA) - President Michael Humanic

Bronze Winners ($250 = 1,000 points)

Branch 792 (Chicago, IL) - President Miriam Krause

Branch 892 (New Philadelphia, OH) - President Judith Campo

Branch 1290 (Altoona, PA) - President Sarah Jubeck

Branch V001 (Buff alo, NY) - President Marion Liebler

BRANCH RECOGNITION OF OUTSTANDING MERIT

Branch 49 (Erie, PA) Branch 654 (Salem, OH)

Branch 1557 (Ephrata, PA)

PLATINUM

PLATINUM

GOLD

B NS W

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B E

branch 892 (New Philadelphia, OH)

Collec on for Homeless Shelter and Harbor House.

branch 892 (New Philadelphia, OH)

A special mee ng of offi cers and trustees of Salem LCBA Branch 654 was held at the home of Barb Dumovic, treasurer, with all in a endance. September mee ng.

branch 654 (Salem, OH)branch 654 (Salem, OH)

Members a ended a Sacred Heart Seniors business mee ng on August 25 where there was lunch being served and Bingo.

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branch 1557 (Ephrata, PA)

branch 1557 (Ephrata, PA)

Several members stuffi ng envelopes for Tabor Community Services in Lancaster, Pa.

Members making LuoPads for a GAIN Global Network mission to provide to women in developing countries.

July mee ng.

Members volunteering at GAIN Global Network.

branch 1557 (Ephrata, PA)

June 21 mee ng with guest speaker Betsy Smith and her friend Rossi the dog from Susquehanna Service Dogs, which raises and trains service dogs to assist children and adults with disabili es to become more independent.

branch 1557 (Ephrata, PA)

branch 1557 (Ephrata, PA)

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Cra s at the St. Joseph's fes val in Dover, OH.branch 867 (Dover, OH)

B E

Direc on made it to Denali (also known as Mount McKinley) in Alaska. Pictured le to right: Jane Boes (Branch 1155), Philip Boes (1155), Chanie Burns, Joseph Boes (1155).

Denali is the highest mountain peak in North America, with a summit eleva on of 20,310 feet (6,190 m) above sea level.

branch 49 (Erie, PA)branch 1155 (Findlay, OH)

July mee ng at the Cove.June monthly mee ng.

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Be Healthier.Be Happier.Save Money.Whether you're looking to hit the gym, cra a healthier diet, or enjoy a massage on your day off , your LCBA Member Perks Program serves up serious savings on health and wellness.

Healthy choices keep your mind sharp.

Exercise makes you more produc ve.

Ac vity makes you happier.

ENJOY EXCLUSIVE WELLNESS DISCOUNTS:

As an LCBA member you have access to special discounts! Visit www.lcbalife.org and click the perkspot graphic (see below) to start saving today! Note: You will need to log in to the LCBA site to access these benefi ts.

Gree ngs from your LCBA Agency! This past year we have looked into many diff erent op ons on ways to off er our current members something new and diff erent oth-er than the basic life insurance and annuity plans (we s ll can help you with these prod-ucts). But we o en fi nd ourselves talking with members who are travelling abroad. We enjoy hearing about the trips you plan to take and see-ing the pictures of your des na- ons. That is why we thought For-

eign Medical Insurance would be a nice fi t with our members who are planning to travel outside of the USA. We also have found that your current medical coverage most likely does NOT cover you when travelling to a foreign country.

The basic coverage plan we have (thru Travelex Insurance Ser-vices) provides the insured up to $50,000 dollars of medical cov-erage along with up to $500,000 in emergency evacua on cover-age. The coverage can be used in case of an emergency (i.e.; if you fall down and sprain your ankle or hit your head, etc.) but cannot be used to get that eye surgery com-pleted in China because you heard

the rates were be er overseas! Ul mately, you should do some research before you plan to leave

with your current health provider as you may fi nd they do not always cover foreign travel. An-other thing to con-sider when traveling abroad is that even a simple doctor’s visit without health insurance can add up to a fairly pricey bill in no me. From our personal experi-

ence, LCBA had a member slip and fall while staying at a Mexican re-sort and a er a doctor’s visit and a night of observa on in a hospital, the total bill came to over 5,000 dollars!

So if you plan to leave the country, be sure to confi rm what’s covered with your current provider and if there are gaps in your plan feel free to contact your LCBA Agency for a free quote. Our foreign med-ical plans are good for 30 days at a me and are fairly inexpensive. For example: 65 year old female leaving for Italy can have cover-age for a one- me premium of 55 dollars. That's a small fee when you think about what it might cost for an emergency room visit in a foreign country.

Ma hew J. Barr, LUTCFLead Insurance

Strategist

Make sure your trip of a lifetime is memorable for the right reasons.

CALL LCBA AGENCY TODAY!

NOW FEATURING FOREIGN MEDICAL INSURANCE!**Foreign medical coverage is for emergency purposes that are completed by a cer fi ed doctor/hospital. You should check with your current health insurance provider fi rst to see what is covered.

Foreign Medical InsuranceMaking sure you're covered while you're away.

Protect yourself from the unexpected.LEARN MORE ABOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE.

800-234-LCBA

www.lcbalife.org | 10

LCBA A

INC

C B M M

Present Were: Chair of the Board of Directors – Ward McCracken

President/CEO – Douglas Tu le

Directors of the Board:Anne Sweigart Barb WaclawekKaren Balaban Ma hew DupeeMichael Courtad Patrick DiCesarePaul Kenny Robert Muth

Guests:VP Opera ons – Alex Miller

VP Sales – Walter Losee

VP Membership & Marke ng – Michele King

VP Administra on/Secretary – Rebecca Black

VP Finance/Treasurer – Ross Aresco

Friday, April 1, 2016Dinner at Na onal Headquarters. Guests include representa ves from Allen Bailey & Associates and Wellington.

LCBA Agency Board Mee ngChair of Board Ward McCracken called the Agency Board Mee ng to order.

A mo on to approve the Agency minutes was made and carried unanimously.

YTD SalesMr. Losee discussed the Agency goals for 2016, the proposed new Dep. of Labor fi duciary rules, and Year-To-Date produc on though 03/25/2016.

Other BusinessA mo on to adjourn the Agency mee ng was made and carried unanimously.

Convene LCBA Board Mee ngChair of Board Ward McCracken called the Spring Board Mee ng to order.

Approval of MinutesA mo on to approve the minutes was made and carried unanimously.

FinancialMr. Aresco spoke about 2015 Opera onal and Balance Sheet Highlights.

Mr. Aresco also spoke about 02/28/16 Year-To-Date paid premiums and benefi t expenses, Year-To-Date Expenses, the upcoming quinquennial PA Examina on, and gave an update on securi es that have been placed on deposit with states as part of LCBA’s Cer fi cate of Authority expansion.

Fraternal & Marke ngMs. King gave an update on the Flag Case Bereavement Benefi t, PerkSpot, Prescrip on Discount Card and American Hearing Benefi ts.

Ms. King also spoke about Road Scholar, the branch annual report and the Legisla ve Luncheon.

Ms. King gave a marke ng update for Facebook, Twi er, Linkedin, Google+ and Medicare Supplement Pay it Forward.

SalesMr. Losee spoke about 2015 fi nal produc on and 2016 projec on. He also gave an update on the regional managers.

Medicare Supplement UpdateMr. Tu le gave an update on Medicare Supplement line of business.

Actuarial Presenta onKirk Gravely from Allen Bailey & Associates presented the 2015-2016 Actuarial Report. Mr. Gravely also discussed 2015 Asset Adequacy Analysis (Cash Flow Tes ng) summary and fi ndings, 2015 Year-End

CURRENT (as of 10/1/16)

LCBA Board

Ward McCrackenErie, PANomina ng Commi ee

Karen Balaban, EsqHarrisburg, PANomina ng Commi ee

Michael Courtad Morgan, PAAudit/Finance Commi ee

Ma hew K. DupeeNazareth, PAGovernance Commi ee Chair

Anne SweigartBlu on, OHGovernance Commi ee

Paul KennyErie, PAAudit/FinanceCommi ee Chair

Douglas Tu leErie, PAPresident/CEOGovernance Commi ee

Pat DiCesareBurnt Hills, NY Port St. Lucie, FLAudit/Finance Commi ee

Barb WaclawekBuff alo, NYNomina ng Commi ee Chair

Robert MuthConneaut Lake, PAChair of the Board of Directors

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LCBA Board - 2016 Spring Board Mee ngApril 1st | Na onal Headquarters

Cash Flow Tes ng Key Drivers, 2015 Year-End: RBC C-3 Phase 1 and Comparison to 2014, Exis ng Product Maintenance & Review, New Product Development, Analysis of Opera ons, and 3 Year Projec on of Income.

Investment Presenta onMark Mercurio from Wellington Management presented a por olio update.

Mr. Mercurio spoke about market review, por olio posi oning and market outlook and strategy.

Current YearA mo on was made and passed unanimously to approve the 2016 budget with no changes from the version reviewed by the board in December.

Mr. Tu le discussed the Insurance Resolu ons.

A mo on was made and passed unanimously to approve the Insurance related Resolu ons.

Mr. Tu le discussed the minor changes made on the Fraternal Benefi ts document.

A mo on was made and passed unanimously to approve all the changed to the Fraternal Benefi t document.

Mr. Tu le did not have any corporate resolu ons that were needed at this me.

Audit FinanceThe Audit/Finance commi ee discussed Investment Purchases and Sales and the changes to the Investment Policy.They also gave a 2015 BKD Audit Update.

Mr. Kenny made a mo on that was passed unanimously to accept investment sales from 12/01/15 through 02/29/16.Mr. Kenny made a mo on that was passed unanimously to accept Investment Policy changes as indicated.

Elec onsMs. Waclawek discussed the results of the elec ons. The commi ee approved the elec on results, Karen Balaban, Pat DiCesare, Paul Kenny and Anne Sweigart. The new 3 year terms start as of the June Board mee ng.

A mo on was made and carried unanimously to approve the elec ons.

GovernanceMs. Balaban made a mo on that was passed unanimously to adopt the changes to the Branch Rules and Regula ons.

Ms. Balaban made a mo on that was passed unanimously to adopt the changes to the Execu ve Level Succession Policy.

Ms. Balaban made a mo on that was passed unanimously to adopt the changes to the Associa on Bylaws.

Elec on of Board Chair Mr. Muth was nominated and the board unanimously approved the nomina on with one absten on.

Other BusinessAmerican Fraternal Alliance Annual Mee ng is September 8-10th in Nashville, TN.

Mo on to AdjournA mo on to adjourn the Spring Board Mee ng was made and carried unanimously.

Board Member Karen Balaban, VP Sales Walter Losee, VP Membership & Marke ng Michele King and President/CEO Doug Tu le a ended the Pennsylvania Fraternal Alliance Legisla ve Luncheon May 24, 2016 on Capital Hill.

Legisla ve Luncheon

LCBA TIP

Stay informed and win a gi card!

Don’t miss another scholarship applica on deadline or other LCBA func on in your area. Send us an email to outreach@lcbalife.org with the subject “My Email” and include your Name, Address, and Phone Number. Once per quarter we will draw one submi ed email address to win a $25 Visa Gi Card. We will only no fy you of ma ers of importance to you as an LCBA member.

Congratula ons!Mary Anne W. from Big Sur, CA. She is our latest gi card winner!

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C B M M

Statement of Opera ons - Through June 30

Income 2016 2015

Life premiums $4,168,256 $3,569,945

Annuity premiums 4,491,036 4,888,677

Investment income 4,135,869 4,191,191

Other income 245,844 204,639

Total Income $13,041,005 $12,854,452

Member Benefi ts & ExpensesDeath benefi ts $2,745,971 $2,468,847

Other member benefi ts 7,029,824 7,545,043

Reserve changes 404,004 515,711

Opera ng expenses 2,568,738 2,224,301

Dividends to members 438,740 363,920

Total Benefi ts & Expenses $13,187,277 $13,117,822

Net Income $(146,272) $(263,370)

Statement of Financial Posi on - June 30, 2016

Assets 6/30/2016 6/30/2015

Bonds $176,594,774 $175,157,971

Stocks - 133,313

Real estate 1,593,407 1,624,059

Cer fi cate loans 1,030,080 1,083,214

Cash & cash equivalents 3,764,596 1,332,866

Other assets 2,083,448 2,323,524

Total Assets $185,066,305 $181,654,947

Liabili es & SurplusCer fi cate reserves & claims $168,306,192 $165,104,329

Deposit accumula ons 6,379,649 6,726,141

Other liabili es 3,512,620 2,357,759

Investment reserves 1,890,962 2,386,496

Unassigned funds 4,976,882 5,080,222

Total Liabili es & Surplus $185,066,305 $181,654,947

1. Publica on Title .................................................................... Direc on 2. Publica on Number ............................................................. 1040-7596 3. Filing Date ............................................................................. 9/23/16 4. Issue Frequency .................................................................... Quarterly 5. No. of Issues Published Annually .......................................... 4 6. Annual Subscrip on Price ..................................................... $.10-part of membership dues 7. Complete mailing Address of Known Offi ce of Publica on ............................................. 8811 Peach Street, PO Box 13005 .............................................................................................. Erie, PA 16514-1305 8. Complete Mailing Address of the Headquarters of General Business Offi ce of Publisher (Not printers) ............. Same 9. Publisher ............................................................................... Loyal Chris an Benefi t Associa on .............................................................................................. PO Box 13005 .............................................................................................. Erie, PA, 16514-1305 Execu ve Editor .................................................................... Michele King Graphic Design and Layout .................................................. Michael Mursch 10. Owner ................................................................................... Loyal Chris an Benefi t Associa on .............................................................................................. PO Box 13005 .............................................................................................. Erie, PA, 16514-1305 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgages, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total amount of Bonds, Mortgages or Other Securi es ................ None 12. Tax status: The purpose, func on, and nonprofi t status of this organiza on and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes ........................................... Has not changed during .............................................................................................. the preceding 12 months

13. Publica on Title .................................................................... Direc on 14. Issue Date for Circula on Data Below .................................. 10/1/16 15A. Total Number of Copies ........................................................ 26,066 B. Paid and/or Requested Circula on 1. Paid/Requested Outside County Mail Subscrip ons ........ 25,466 2. Paid In-County Mail Subscrip ons .................................... 0 3. Sales through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors and Counter Sales ................................................................. 0 4. Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS .......................... 0 C. Total Paid and/or Requested Circula on .............................. 25,466 D. Free Distribu on by Mail (Samples, Complimentary, and Other Free) 1. Outside-County................................................................. 0 2. In-County ......................................................................... 0 3. Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS .......................... 0 4. Free or Nominal Rate Outside the Mail .................... ....... 600 E. Total Free Distribu on .......................................................... 600 F. Total Distribu on .................................................................. 26,066 G. Copies Not Distributed ......................................................... 0 H. Total ...................................................................................... 26,066 I. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circula on .......................... 98% 16. Publica on of Statement of Ownership ............................... Fall 2016 17. Signature and Title of Editor ................................................. Michele King, .............................................................................................. Execu ve Editor

Statement of Ownership, Management, & Circula on(Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685)

F S - S Q 2016

RESTAT

EDTAT

EDEEEEDDTATATAT

ETAT

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE20162016

$4,168,256 $4,168

ms ,491,0

stment incometment inco 4,135,869 35,869

Other income 2

Total IncomeTotal Inco

Member M

RESTAEEREREESESSSSSSTASTAEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

1,332,866 1,332,86

83,448 23,52

$185,066,305 $185,066,305 $181,654,947 $181,654,947

s & Surplus & Surpluscate reserves & claims 68,306,192

accumula onsaccumula ons 6

i es

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AL CH

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OCI

ATI

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ORT

HODOX DIVISION

With the arrival of the month of September, we Orthodox Chris ans celebrate the coming of a new year - the Ecclesias cal New Year which renews our celebra on of the cycles of feasts and fasts which sanc fy our lives and bring to us salva on. Most o en, we have heard this described as "entering into the Year of Grace of the Lord."

We could see the liturgical year as a portrait of the services, feasts and fasts during a cycle of 365 days, from September to September. We can call this a calendar year, but somehow this seems to lighten the proper understanding of the "Year of Grace of the Lord." The purpose of the liturgical year is to bring to our minds as believers the teachings of the Holy Gospel and the main events in the life of Christ and the life of the Church in a par cular and very special order. The calendar might be viewed by certain Chris ans as an educa onal or pedagogical tool. This is true, but its purpose is also to orient us toward prayer, even unceasing prayer, and not certainly just occasional prayer. The cycle of services which pa ern the liturgical year are "signs" which renew each feast, each fast, each commemora on. These events are taken "out of the past" and are made immediately present, off ering to us mercy, grace and truth.

The liturgical year is a means of uni ng ourselves to our Savior Jesus Christ, it calls us to re-live (not re-enact!) the whole life of Christ: from the Na vity to the Holy Pascha to Holy Pentecost. We are encouraged and urged to unite ourselves to Christ through His birth and in His growth, to Christ suff ering, to Christ dying on the Cross, to Christ in triumph and to Christ guiding and inspiring His Church. The church year, the

"calendar", forms Christ in us, from His birth to full stature of the perfect man.

The cycle of feasts also bears directly upon the life of our Lord. As we know, the cycle of feasts also includes the commemora on of the saints. The two kinds of cycles do not run contrary to each other, because the saints are glorifi ed as members of the Church, the Body of Christ. This revealed and gi ed sanc ty is but an aspect of the holiness of Christ Himself. When we celebrate the feast day of a saint, we celebrate that special movement of grace which fl ows from Christ to that saint, and, through his or her intercessions, fl ows to us. In keeping these feasts, we celebrate, we enter into the rela onship of prayer which unites that saint to Christ and the Church. In the same way the feasts of the Lord and His most Pure Mother in a mysterious way renew the events of their lives, so the feasts of the saints make their lives "real" to us, as they too, have par cipated in the very same feasts, fasts and commemora ons!

Let's fully know and appreciate these great spiritual opportuni es and wonderful, life-giving gi s given to us through the church calendar. Let's understand that we are not "le on our own" to discover and cul vate our rela onship with Christ, His Church and His holy ones. The liturgical year gives us the tools, it gives us the framework and support for our piety; it gives us a life style which is moral, sober and objec ve. Most importantly, the liturgical calendar keeps the bond of unity among all the believers. Come to Church, not only on Sunday, but on the feasts! Worship in Spirit and in Truth! Be united with all the brethren! Have a blessed and holy Holy New Year!

The Sunday of Orthodoxy & the Great Fast

Archpriest Michael SenyoDean, Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Pi sburgh, PA

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