St Ambrose  Parish Pulse
    A Newsletter for Parish Leaders
     
       Diocese of the Midwest,
Orthodox Church in America

May 2010; 2010 # 3
January, 2008 - Vol 3, Issue 1
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Christ is Risen!
A short(er) Parish Pulse. (Is that cheering we here?) Announcements on upcoming events and a few reminders.
  • Next webinar- May 18
  • Parish Ministries conference June 27-30; Early Bird savings through June 2.

Joseph Kormos
Parish Life and Development Ministry
Diocese of the Midwest

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Next Webinar: Revamping Parish Councils and Council Meetings
May 18, 2010 -- Two Sessions 2:00 PM CDT and repeated 7:00 PM CDT
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In our series of webinars on Facilitation Skills for Parish Life we have tried to focus on improving fluency of parish leaders in group situations -- including meetings. Of course the most common meeting in a parish environment is the Parish Council meeting.

Some parish councils work collaboratively with their priest to focus on the total mission of the parish. Dialogue and Ministry are their key words. Other parish councils are less effective. Archaic concepts of the Council's role combine with outmoded methods of operating effectively as group to make parish council membership and meetings painful. Experiences range from discord to wholesale boredom. As a result the best parish leaders often avoid service on the council.

May 18, 2010 Delivered by Joseph Kormos
Looking to Move Parish Council from Contentious (or boring!) to "Dialogue & Ministry"? Tune In.
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On May 18 Parish Development Ministry Leader Joe Kormos will offer insights and suggestions on the topic of Revamping Parish Councils and Their Meetings. No silver bullets --just solid, tested good practices.

Transitioning to Become More Than Bills, Budgets & Buildings
The session will explore how parish councils can transition from parish administrative bodies -limited to "bills budgets and buildings" to a more complete role as a shared leadership body  co-responsible with the rector to stimulate the parish to fulfill it's total mission as a Christian community. In the context of this broader mission practical issues parish council behaviors and parish council meetings will be examined.

Who Should Attend
  • Clergy and Parish Council leaders and members interested in exploring how to make the Parish Council a true shared leadership body.
  • Anyone interested in identifying opportunities for lay leadership
  • People who have an interest in the practices and dynamics of meetings -ecclesial or secular - should find this a worthwhile use of their time.
What You Will Learn
We only have 50 minutes but before we fix PC meetings we often need to explore foundational topics. We will examine:
  • Roles & Responsibilities of Parish Council - an Updated view
  • Good practices of Parish Councils
  • Good practices of Parish Council Meetings
  • Using facilitation in parish council meetings.
  • Meeting Problems and potential remedies.
Two Times 2:00 PM CDT and 7:00 PM CDT
In the past we have offered webinars in the afternoon and evening --hoping to find a time that is most popular. Thus far its hard to say. We will offer this session in the afternoon and then repeated in the evening. Whichever time seems to have the largest crowd will likely be our de facto future time.

Register for the afternoon session

Register for the evening session

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Mission Church Receives Face Lift
Available for Midwest Diocese Parishes
If you love your church you rejoice at the sight of physical and cosmetic improvements to your temple. However, if you are a member of a Mission parish the impact is even more significant. Perhaps it is the small numbers. Perhaps the already modest facilities. The constant scratching for dollars to stay afloat.
So, when we heard recently from Holy Apostles Mission in Bloomington IL about some recent exterior improvements we could feel their joy --and we think it good to acknowledge  their good work and to share their joy with all of our readers.

Holy Apostles Mission Bloomington IL - Before
Holy Apostles Bloomington Before

Holy Apostles Mission After
Holy Apostles Bloomington After

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Parish Ministry Conference Content Takes Shape
Top Notch Speakers & Important Topics Driven by Survey Feedback
Baldwin Wallace College near Cleveland will be the conference site.
BW Outdoor
The OCA Parish Ministries Conference 2010 is a four day, three night continuing education experience for Orthodox clergy and laity. The conference will provide an opportunity to worship together, learn, share experiences, and make new friends and acquaintances.

The conference will be presented in three tracks -- each with eight interactive sessions -- plus the Young Adult Rally.

The topic list for each of the three main tracks can be found here.

"Building Vibrant Parishes" Track
Of greatest interest to readers of Parish Pulse is the content for the Building Vibrant Parishes track. Over sixty of you participated in our online survey to provide topic guidance. We listening and made adjustments as a result.

Sessions will be interactive, and provide attendees with immediately useful materials. We Promise!

Register Now

Charles Robbin will share the  story of one parish's relationship with their neighbors.
Charles Robb
Here are some content highlights:
  • Father John Matusiak, Pastor of St Joseph's Church will lead discussions on the topic of assimilating and integrating new parishioners into the parish.
  • Charles Robbins of St Gregory of Nyssa Church was a big hit at last summer's Urban Parish Summit when he described the parish Saturday Lunch program. (See video on this ministry.) Charles leads that effort and will offer an updated, interactive session.
  • Alexa Geeza of St Joseph's Church Wheaton IL will explore the challenges of engaging youth in the church. She will share a simple model for after-Divine Liturgy classes for teens and provide attendees with six stand alone
    Alexa Geeza will share youth practices from St Joseph Church. .
    Alexa Geeza
    lessons that can be easily implemented.
  • Father Gregory Jensen will  outline approaches for Discerning Spiritual Gifts that can be applied in your parish.
  • Edith Marshall Roberts recently organized a parish team to develop a class on "Sharing The Hope In Us" at St Mark Church in Rochester MI. She will lead a session on getting ready for inquirers and the questions they ask.A full outline of class material can will be available.
  • Anna Strelka of Holy Resurrection Church Palatine IL is implementing the St Mark's course in her parish. She will provide her insights and outline how lay catechists can expand the horizons and reach of education efforts within a parish.
  • Establishing a Spirit of Mission through a Healthy Parish Council will be the topic of Ann Marie Mecera. She will offer provide practical insights from St Gregory parish in Columbus OH. She will amplify on the content of our May 20 webinar.
    Edith Marshall Roberts will explain a popular adult class that prepares parishes for inquirers and the questions they ask.
    St Mark Sharing Hope Cover
  • One of the highest rated topics in the survey was Good Practices of Good Orthodox Parishes and Practices and Principles of Stewardship. Yours truly will offer these sessions.
Speakers in keynote sessions will include Metropolitan Jonah, Bishop Melchizedek, Father John Behr and Father John Matusiak.

Scholarships Available
Diocese of Midwest parishes needing financial support to send attendees to the Parish Ministries Conference should contact Joe Kormos.

DO NOT STAY MISS THIS CONFERENCE DUE TO $ CONSTRAINTS WITHOUT AT LEAST ASKING!

Early Bird Deadline June 2
Important cost savings are available by registering before the early bird deadline of June 2.

More info

Register Now

Track Descriptions

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Parish Development Grants
Application Deadline July 15 2010
Grant ApplicationApplications are now available for 2010 Parish Development Grants. Application deadline is July 15 2010. Download here.   More info is available here. A background document is available here.
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Parish Renewal Session at St. Vladimir's Seminary
Registration Open -- June 14-16
TSt Vladimir photohe agenda for the Summer Program on Parish Renewal has been posted here. The agenda includes
  • Basics of Vibrant Orthodox parishes: Myths; Commonality; Differences 
  • Encountering Christ in Liturgy
  • Shared Leadership: Hierarchy and Conciliarity
  • Building a Gospel Centered Parish Vision
  • Fostering :Consensus, Dialogue & Trust 
  • Stewardship: Spiritual foundation &Parish Practice
  • Orthodox Evangelization Principles 
  • Education/formation connecting the Gospel to real life
  • External Ministry & Service
  • Effecting Change in the Parish
Fr. Sergius Halvorsen, and Joseph Kormos will collaborate to present this session.

The session is open to priests and lay leaders. It would be particularly effective for a priest and 2-3 parish council members.

Early bird registration (prior to May 15), including course fee, room and board, is $350. More info, fees and and online registration can be found here.
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