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The Diocese of the Midwest the Archdiocese of Western Pennsylvania and the Bulgarian Diocese announced today that the Parish Development Forum will be held digitally July 9.
“We have reconfigured the highly successful Parish Development Forum, from an in-person conference to a one-day online session for this year,” said Joseph Kormos, Forum co-chairperson and Parish Development Ministry Leader for the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh. “The 2020 Forum theme will be ‘The Orthodox Parish: Charting a Course in Challenging Times’. We are particularly encouraged that His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, has accepted an invitation as the keynote speaker for this virtual conference.”
“The Parish Development Forum has become an important event in the life of our Orthodox Church, bringing an opportunity for dialogue and discovery of practices of healthy, vibrant Orthodox parishes,” said Metropolitan Tikhon. “Our duty to growth Christ’s Church and minister to the world doesn’t stop during a pandemic, and so this year’s forum comes at a very opportune time as we seek creative ways to continue the work of the Church during these challenging times.”
The forum agenda will include keynote and full attendee plenary presentations as well as parallel breakout sessions in which attendees can choose from an array of skill-building and town hall-style dialogue sessions on topics of interest. Included among topics being developed are Lessons Learned for the Road Ahead; Experiencing Community and Fellowship in New Ways; Healthy Pastors in Changing Times; Virtual Platform Techniques for Classes; Why’s and How’s of Better Streaming; Singing and Safety; Talking to America When the Gospel is Needed Most and Expanding Ministry in Unusual Times.
Archpriest Stephen Frase, co-chairperson for the Forum noted, “Our goal this year is to provide useful content to help parish clergy and lay leaders reflect and act upon the impact of the recent upheaval and deal with many of the unique, specific issues parishes will face through the next six to twelve months.”
Mr Kormos added, “For the past six years this conference has attracted persons from virtually every OCA Diocese and many other Orthodox jurisdictions. The online venue will make this opportunity available to an even wider group of potential attendees.”
Registration will open in mid-June. The forum will run from 10:30 – 5:oopm. In lieu of a registration fee, a freewill donation can be made via PayPal and credit card at the time of registration.
For more information contact Joseph Kormos at joekormos1@gmail.com.
