On Thursday, February 21st, 2008 His Grace Bishop Maxim together with the Clergy of the Western American Diocese gathered for the Annual Clergy Meeting and Seminar at the Holy Trinity Church in Moraga, California. The day began with a fellowship luncheon in the main hall. The annual meeting of the Clergy and the meeting of the Diocesan Kolo Sestara (Circle of Serbian Sisters) followed. The much anticipated Clergy Seminar began at 3:00 p.m. which featured special guest speaker, His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas of Dardanelles. His Eminence spoke on the topic, "Pastoral and Missionary Challenges in Asia". At the conclusion of the Seminar Vespers were held in the Holy Trinity Church followed by dinner. After many had retired to the hotel for the evening, the members of the Diocesan Council gathered for their meeting.