On Saturday, September 12, 2009, the first regular meeting of the Diocesan Council of the Diocese of New Gracanica-Midwestern America convened at New Gracanica Monastery in Third Lake, Illinois. His Grace, Bishop LONGIN, opened the meeting with prayer and a few words, expressing his happiness over the new administrative unity in the Dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America. He conveyed his desire to maintain peace in the newly formed Diocese, which would positively impact the entire Orthodox Church in North and South America. Bishop Longin also invited the other members of the Council to express themselves freely.
This first meeting of the Diocesan Council assembled in a spirit of Christian love and unity, giving the members a chance to get to know each other. All members expressed their desire to work as a team for the good of the Diocese. During the meeting, the Diocesan Council discussed the Diocesan budget, KSS, SOCA and The Observer. The Council also discussed and came to a temporary solution regarding assessments from all the parishes of the Diocese.