Social media, internet behavior, and human sexuality among Parish Ministries Conference workshop themes

The 2013 Parish Ministry Conference will feature several exciting workshops on a number of relevant and engaging topics.

The Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry will offer a workshop on ministry with social media that will include techniques for outreach, dos and don’ts, and models for encouraging safe behavior. The Department also will host a discussion session on engaging youth and young adults on so-called “culture war” topics. The workshop and discussion session will be led by Andrew Boyd, OCA Youth Director. Staff from the Orthodox Christian Fellowship will join him for the discussion.

The Department of Christian Education will host a panel discussion, led by Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, on the topic of “Human Sexuality and Godly Love.” This discussion will center on the Church’s teachings on love and sexuality. The Department also will be hosting a workshop titled “Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Porn But Were Afraid to Ask (a Priest).” Led by Priest David Subu, this workshop will offer resources for addressing cybersex, internet pornography, and other sexual addictions.

The 2013 Parish Ministries Conference of the Orthodox Church in America, will be held at Marymount University, Arlington, VA July 10-13, 2013 The conference theme—“Faith in Action: Equipping the Saints for Worship, Learning and Service”—will be developed by speakers and personnel from the OCA’s departments of Christian EducationChristian Education, Christian Service and Humanitarian Aid, Liturgical Music and Translations, and Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry.  Father Thomas Hopko will deliver the keynote address.

A complete list of the over 30 workshops to be offered is available here.

Participating clergy will receive Continuing Clergy Development credits [CCD].  Related information may be found here.

More information, including lodging, schedule, and online registration is available here.