To read Nader Anise's bio on Wikipedia, go to:
Dear ,
... and it was a huge room.
The Tampa Convention Center to be exact.
I was told there were 2,500 attendees who reserved seats.
Let me back up and tell you why I was there and what happened...
I was asked to give a talk about deaconship at the 25th Anniversary celbration of the establishment of the Southern US Diocese, and it would be attended by His Holiness Pope Tawadros.
The invitations elegantly called it the "Silver Jubilee Gala."
I'm going to 'fess up... be totally honest... and confess to you...
I Really Really Wanted to Mention
The Coptic Chamber
During My Speech!
Seriously. I was sort of playing it out in my head -- what I was going to say... how I was going to say... planning on being oh so nonchalant.
But, thank God, sound judgment prevailed and I made no mention of it. It really would have been
inappropriate.
So I approach the podium... I start my speech and, of course, respectfully acknowledge everyone at the dias... and I introduce myself:
"My name is Nader Fouad Anise and I am deeply humbled to be standing here to speak about the journey of the diaconate
(deaconship)..."
And I'm revved up and doing my thing...
I Was In "The Zone"
My allotted time was 10 minutes and I spoke for 13:39. While I don't ever like to exceed my time limit, I found myself speaking more slowly than usual... enunciating every word with animation... and even ad-libbing (what was I thinking!).
Anyway, thank God, it all went off without a hitch.
After I finished, I went over to kiss His Holiness's hand, and he looks at me, and with a smile says...
"Nader Fouad Anise"
Well, I guess the name stuck (not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing!). :)
And then when I saw Holiness later in the evening, he said, "Izzayek ya Nader?" (translated to, "How are you, Nader?") as I kissed his hand once more. (Don't think I wasn't tempted to mention the Chamber yet again! Too much marketing on the brain. :)
Anyway, I just wanted to share last night's events with you, my Coptic Chamber family. I have included a few pictures from the evening, if you're interested in checking them out.
Hopefully, I'll be getting the video soon. Once I do, I'll post it on
Youtube.
If you have any comments, ideas or suggestions, please email me at: nader@copticchamber.com
Until next time...
Your friend,
