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Persons planning to attend the Parish Development Forum, to be held at Holy Trinity Church in Parma OH from 1:00 PM July 13th through noon on July 15, are reminded that the early registration discount period ends on June 22. Registration is ongoing. The theme for the 2023 Forum is “Our Parish and the Future”.
Registration and Hotel Discount Deadline June 22
We are encouraging Forum attendees to register early for a number of reasons,” said Joseph Kormos Forum lay co-chair. “First, to keep conference attendance costs low, the Forum is offering an early discount period. Those registering by June 22 can attend at the discounted rate of $75 per person. Secondly, to assure an atmosphere of robust discussion, Forum attendance will be limited to 100 persons. Since registrations are running ahead of previous Forums, once limits are reached registrations will close. Additionally, for those needing hotel accommodations, the hotel group rate discount also ends on June 22. Since hotel rooms are expected to be at a premium in suburban Cleveland in that time frame, early reservations assure discounted hotel access.”
Registration and hotel information can be found here.
Click here for registration and hotel information
Forum Speakers Announced
“We are excited about the plans for the 2023 Forum,” said Archpriest Stephen Frase clergy co-chair of the Forum. “The Orthodox Convert Survey, initiated to provide content and context for the Forum, attracted an overwhelming response of over 750 submissions in a relatively short time. The results of the survey, which will help parishes to communicate well with those who may be active seekers and to prepare parishioners to welcome and integrate them into parish life and ministry, will be shared in the Forum discussion segment entitled ‘Attracting and Integrating Converts’. Other discussion segments will include ‘Healthy Clergy-Laity Dynamics’ and ‘Connecting with the Neighborhood’. In addition, a few important topical presentations from keynote speakers will occur. Steve Christoforou, formerly the Youth leader and creator of the “Be the Bee” video series for the Greek Archdiocese and now the Director of Operations for FOCUS NA, will speak on “Meeting the Needs of Young People Today”. Father Adam Roberts, dean of St. Athanasius College and a prime mover behind the Orthodox movie ‘Becoming Truly Human’, will speak on “Personal Purpose: A Primary Ingredient for Leadership”. In addition, Scott Thumma, lead researcher with the Hartford Institute of Religious Research will the discuss the ‘Key Trends Influencing the Future for Christian Communities’ in US—including recent research on Orthodox communities.”
Canonsburg PA
Now in its tenth year, the Parish Development Forum, is a clergy/laity conference which explores the challenges facing Orthodox parishes, delivers actionable ideas and good practices valuable to parish leaders and builds mutually supportive relationships among participants. The Forum is co-sponsored by the Orthodox Church in America’s Archdiocese of Western Pennsylvania, the Diocese of the Midwest and the Bulgarian Diocese.
Attendees from sponsoring Dioceses are eligible for tuition rebates and potential travel support. Questions and enquiries may be directed to Mr. Kormos at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
