Contact:
Joe Kormos
Parish Development Ministry Archdiocese of Western Pennsylvania
joekormos1@gmail.com
513-683-1911/513-518-5878
Where
Holy Assumption Orthodox Church2027 18th St NE
Canton, OH 44705
13 minutes from Akron-Canton Airport.
Driving Directions
HOTEL
Attendees are responsible for their own reservations.
The Small Parish Forum Hotel headquarters is
Canton Staybridge Suites
3879 Everhard Road NW
Canton, OH 44709
For phone reservations
call +1-330-966-6620 and ask for Small Parish Forum group rate
For online registration
- Go to www.staybridgesuites.com
- Under destination put "Canton OH" and "July 14-16" for dates.
- Click on "More Options" and add the group code "SPF"
- Click find a hotel.
- Then, at Staybridge Canton, click "check rates" This will take you to a page to select rooms with rate of $124/night.
Book before June 21 (extended date) to receive the special Forum group rate of $124 per night plus tax.
Small Parish Forum 2016
For clergy and lay leaders from small Orthodox churches, the Small Parish Forum is an intimate, conference designed to share helpful, hopeful ideas and tools for stabilizing and strengthening parish life.
Motivation, Hope, Practical Ideas
Most Orthodox Churches in North America are small. Some have always been small. Some were once large and for various reasons are now smaller. They need motivation, and help establishing a sense that small parishes can live a Life in Christ without necessarily becoming “big”.
Theme - The Small Parish: Possibilities and Opportunities - Worshipping, Caring, Teaching, Sharing the Faith
Just as a clinic is not a larg
e metropolitan hospital with fewer beds, small churches are not immature versions of large parishes. They think, act and feel different - perfectly capable of living a Life in Christ. Small parishes can worship well, care for one another, serve others, teach and share Christ's love with others.
Doing so requires capitalizing on opportunities made possible by the intimacy and close relationships inherent in their modest size and tuning their efforts to their unique identity. And, most critically, small churches can't use their small size as an excuse for inactivity and mediocrity.
The Forum will explore these opportunities and possibilities.
The Faculty, Topics and Agenda
The Forum will offer lecture, case studies, discussion, structured workshops and small group conversations -- all structured around helping small parishes to be authentic icons of Christian community
F
orum faculty have experience with small parishes and knowedge of topics critical to small parishes life.
Register Early -- Space is Limited
To maintain an intimate setting for thoughtful exchange among attendees attendance at the 2016 Forum will be limited to 65 persons.
Qualify for Free Registration and Lodging?
Small parishes from the Archdiocese of W. PA and the Diocese of the Midwest are eligible for scholarships covering Forum registration and lodging. You must register and attend. ContactJoe Kormos, Forum co- chairperson to determine eligibility.
Other OCA Dioceses may also offer cost relief. Contact your Diocesan office to determine eligibility.
Who Should Attend?
The Forum is designed for clergy and lay leaders from small Orthodox & Byzantine Catholic parishes. While targetted toward the OCA's Midwest & W. PA Dioceses, attendance is open to any interested clergy or layperson.
Forum content is freshed for 2016. Past participants will find many new ideas, topics and speakers.