2002 ORTHODOX PEACE FELLOWSHIP CONFERENCE AT MONASTERY IN PENNSYLVANIA
The second annual conference of the North American chapter of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship of the Protection of the Mother of God will meet at St Tikhon Seminary/Monastery in South Canaan PA (near Scranton) from Wednesday evening 19 June through noon on Pentecost Sunday 23 June 2002. This is a change from the earlier announced plan to meet in Canton, Ohio. Meeting in South Canaan affords an opportunity to worship with the St Tikhon community and makes it easier for many OPF members within driving distance to attend.
While membership in the OPF is open only to Orthodox Christians, all people who seek the peace of Christ are welcome to attend the conference whether or not they are members of OPF.
Participants coming by air can fly in to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Binghamton NY, NYC, and Philadelphia. Local arrangements must be made from these airports; please consult the Registrar.
THEME: THE SACRED GIFT OF LIFE
Fr John Breck, who will make his principal presentation on the second evening of the conference, is the author of the book from which this year's gathering takes its name and theme. Participants are encouraged to read "The Sacred Gift of Life" in advance of the conference. The book is available from St Vladimir Seminary's Press: phone orders toll-free at 1(800) 204-2665 or by e-mail to bookstore@svots.edu.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
- Jim Forest, secretary of the international OPF and well known author of books on themes of peace and spirituality of special interest to Orthodox Christians, will speak about 'The Other as Icon'.
- Fr John Breck, of St Vladimir Seminary and St Sergius Institute, respected author of books on theological and moral topics, Director of St Silouan Retreat center, will speak on 'The Sacred Gift of Life,' the Conference's theme.
- Renee Zitzloff, mother, promoter of peace and activist for assisting orphans, will discuss 'Embracing the Orphans Among Us.
- Professor Albert Raboteau of Princeton University will speak about 'The African American Witness to the Sacred Gift of Life'.
These evening presentations will include time for questions and answers, and will be expanded by open discussion in follow-up sessions.
WORKSHOPS In addition to many opportunities for quiet time with the Lord and conversations with members of the St Tikhon community, the conference features workshops on what peace and the sacred gift of life have to do with different aspects of our Christian life:
- Peace in the Scriptures': McMurry University's Professor Philip LeMasters
- Peace in the Church': the monastery's Archimandrite Tikhon
- Peace and the Environment': seminarian John Oliver III
- Peace and Race': Professor Albert Raboteau of Princeton University
- Peace in Education': Phyllis Meshel Onest, Religious Education Director, Greek Orthodox Diocese of Pittsburgh
- Peace in the Family': Renee Zitzloff.
Please indicate preferred workshops when registering.
COSTS
- Registration: $50.00 for all who register by 15 May;
$75.00 after that. Seminarians, clergymen, and monastics are exempt from the registration fee.
- Rooms: $25.00 a night at the seminary ($100.00 Wednesday - Saturday night); includes linens. Most rooms have single beds; every two rooms share a bathroom. Several rooms have four bunkbeds each. No room is air-conditioned, but June in the Poconos is rarely warm enough to need air-conditioning. For those who want more privacy, there is a Comfort Inn just a few miles away. Please specify your preference when you register.
- Food: $75.00 total for all meals Wednesday evening through Sunday brunch at the seminary, including breaks with snacks during the conference.
REGISTRATION
To register, or for more information, please contact
John Brady, Registrar OPF-NA
P.O. Box 655
Barton OH 43905
(740) 695-1459
jmjbrady@stratuswave.net
or
Phil Tamoush, Information Coordinator
3827 Bluff Street
Torrance CA 90505-6359
(310)378-9245
philip@tamoush.com
Questions or comments about this article should be submitted to: Subdeacon Herman 