OCA Department of Evangelization To Host Conference at St. Vladimir Seminary August 30-September 1

With the blessing and encouragement of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, the Orthodox Church in America’s Department of Evangelization will host a conference, “A Challenge to the Parish: For the Perfecting of the Saints, for the Work of the Ministry, for the Edifying of the Body of Christ,” at Saint Vladimir Seminary, Crestwood, NY August 30-September 1, 2004.

“The theme was selected in response to the 2003 evangelization conference, whose participants identified various areas of parish and mission life that need to be addressed,” according to the Rev. Eric Tosi, department director. “These areas include revitalization of parish life, ministry within inner city and ethnic parishes, healing divisions in parish communities, addressing the needs of parishes in declining demographic regions, outreach programs in mission-oriented parishes, and building community among parishioners of different backgrounds.”

Clergy from across North America with experience in various areas of parish life will offer lectures and workshops on these and related topics.

“We are pleased that they are willing to share their experience and expertise with those who will participate in the conference,” Father Tosi added. “Each speaker will present a lecture that will be followed by a period of discussion.”

Speakers include the Very Revs. Vladimir Alexeev, Joseph Hirsch, Joseph Lickwar, John Pierce, Vadim Pogrebniak, and Matthew Tate and the Rev. Thomas Soroka. Evangelization department members will also be present to offer presentations and lead discussions.

The conference is open to all clergy and faithful committed to the work of missions and evangelization.

Cost for the full program, which includes meals and seminary housing, is $200 [$250 after July 30]. For those not requiring housing, the cost including meals is $100 [$150 after July 30]. Off-campus housing with a special rate of $110 per night has been arranged at the Royal Regency Hotel, Yonkers, NY and the Holiday Inn Yonkers, both within minutes of the seminary campus.