DIOCESAN UPDATES: South, Canada
TEXAS: Fr. Halvorsen speaks, leads deanery clergy retreat
Priest Sergius Halvorsen, Assistant Professor of Homiletics and Rhetoric at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, NY, was guest speaker at Saint Barbara Church, Ft. Worth, TX April 7, 8 and 9, 2013. In addition, Archpriest Marcus Burch, Chancellor of the Diocese of the South, was present and led discussions for clergy who attended a deanery retreat and meeting. Father Sergius preached on the Cross during the Divine Liturgy at Saint Barbara’s on Sunday morning, April 7, after which he offered a presentation “Hearing God’s Calling” and on the work of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary. That evening, he preached at pan-Orthodox Vespers at Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, Euless, TX—the first to be celebrated in the parish’s new temple. Fourteen area clergy and approximately 250 faithful were present at the service. On Monday morning, April 8, after the celebration of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, Fathers Sergius and Marcus met with some 16 priests and deacons of the South-Central Deanery, at which time Father Sergius spoke on “Orthodox Ecclesiology from the Perspective of Preaching.” Informal discussions and a question-and-answer session with both priests followed. On Monday evening, Father Sergius delivered a public lecture, “The Vulnerability of the Incarnation: God made Man,” followed by a question-and-answer session and a reception. The topic was chosen in honor of His Eminence, the late Archbishop Dmitri of Dallas, recalling his very specific teaching emphasis on the Incarnation. Approximately 50 people from five Orthodox parishes, as well as non-Orthodox Christians, attended. On Tuesday morning, April 9, the clergy again met with Fathers Sergius and Marcus for a wrap up session. Members of Saint Barbara parish and deanery clergy wish to thank both Fathers Sergius and Marcus for a spiritually profitable encounter.
A photo gallery can be viewed on the OCA web site and OCA Facebook page.
CANADA: Registration opens for clergy continuing ed gathering
In response to the call for ongoing clergy education through the OCA’s recently established Department of Continuing Education, the 2013 Clergy Synaxis of the Archdiocese of Canada will be held at the Château Cartier Hotel and Conference Centre, August 21—the day before the tri-annual Archdiocesan Assembly convenes. Archpriest Ian G. Pac-Urar, chair of the Department, will speak on “Healthy Boundaries and Relations with the Faithful in a Contemporary Context.” All clergy who participate in the event automatically will receive credit for five of the recommended 20 hours of annual continuing education. Those clergy who are unable to be present will participate on-line at a later date. Registration forms, available on the Archdiocese’s web site should be sent to the Archdiocese of Canada, 31 LeBreton Street North, Ottawa, ON K1R 7H1.