Contact:
Joe Kormos
Parish Development Ministry Archdiocese of Western Pennsylvania
joekormos1@gmail.com
513-683-1911/513-518-5878
Where
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church604 Colliers Way
Weirton, WV 26062
22 minutes from Pittburgh International Airport.
Driving Directions
HOTELS
Blocks of rooms have been reserved at two local hotels within a very short drive of the Church/Forum site.
Attendees are responsible for their own reservations. Book Early. This is a High Demand Weekend for the area.
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES Weirton
- $ 139/night
- 139 Amerihost Drive Weirton, West Virginia 26062
- (formerly 11 Amerihost Drive) Three Springs Drive exit.
- 304-723-0088
- click here for group reservation site
- (If you receive a "no rooms available" message, change departure date to 6/20!)
HOLIDAY INN Weirton
- $125/night
- 350 Three Springs Drive, Weirton WV 26062
- 304-723-5522 x 800
- Group Code: SPFOCA Group
- Click here for hotel website
For clergy and lay leaders from Orthodox churches of approximately 75 adults or fewer, the Small Parish Forum is a regional conference designed to share helpful, hopeful ideas and tools for stabilizing and strengthening parish life.
Registration fee for the 2015 Small Parish Forum will again be $100 per attendee. This includes lunches and dinners and conference materials.
Help, Hope, Stability and Identity
There are many small Orthodox Churches in North America. Some have always been small. Some were once large and for various reasons are now much smaller. They need help and hope. They need to achieve stability – a positive self-image and a sense that small parishes can live a Life in Christ without necessarily becoming “big”. And, for those prepared to grow, they need fresh ideas that are adapted and relevant to the realities of small churches. That is what the Small Parish Forum seeks to provide.
2015 Theme -- Becoming Stewards of Our Parish Future
To transition from barely surviving to thriving parish, small parish leaders --clergy and laity -- need to become stewards of their parish future. Leaders who understand they are entrusted with:
- Strengthening hope in the parish's future life in Christ
- Inspiring the parish to live and share the Gospel
- Applying spiritual gifts of parishioners -- conferred to fulfill the parish mission
- Building a legacy of a vital, healthy parish that will one day be left to a future generation.
Download a flyer suitable for your parish bulletin board here.
Key Topics
To develop this theme our agenda will focus on a set of important interrelated topics covered via lecture, case studies, discussion, structured workshops and small group conversations.
- Building Lay Leaders
- Fostering Generosity and Practical Financial Stewardship
- Motivating Change
- Faith Formation in Small Parishes
- Waking Up a Small Parish
- Vibrant Small Parish Worship; Fixing Music problems, Grooming music leaders
Who Should Attend?
The Forum has been specifically designed for clergy and lay leaders from small Orthodox parishes. While targetted toward the OCA's Midwest and Western Pennsylvania Dioceses, attendance is open to any interested Orthodox/Eastern Christian clergy or layperson.
Space is Limited
The 2014 Small Parish Forum drew over 50 persons to tiny Byesville OH. Attendance at the 2015 Forum is limited to 70 persons.
Forum Scholarships -- Free Registration and Lodging
Small parishes from the Archdiocese of Western PA and the Diocese of the Midwest are eligible to receive scholarships covering Forum registration and lodging. You must register and attend. Stipends will be distributed at the close of the Forum. ContactJoe Kormos, Forum co- chairperson to determine eligibility and ask questions.
Other OCA Dioceses may also offer cost relief. Contact your Diocesan office to determine eligibility.
Find more information on topics and faculty at the Forum Webpage.