Marriage, Family Life themes of 2016 MW Diocese Clergy Convocation
CHICAGO, IL [MW Diocese Communications] — The Very Rev. Dr. Harry and Presbytera Kerry Pappas will be the guest speakers at the annual Clergy Convocation of the Diocese of the Midwest at the Carmelite Retreat Center, Darien, IL, May 16-18, 2016. Their topic will be “The Human Icon: Marriage and Family Life in the Church,” especially as it relates to clergy and their wives and families.
Father Harry is Sessional Associate Professor of Scripture and Director of Field Education at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, NY. He bases his teaching of homiletics and pastoral theology on his seminary training at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Brookline, MA, from which he received his M.Div.; graduate work in biblical studies at Harvard (Th.M.) and Yale (Ph.D.); and over 20 years of pastoral experience. His particular interests in parish work include Bible study, preaching, worship, contemplative prayer, pan-Orthodox cooperation, and ministry development, especially social outreach and missions.
Presbytera Kerry is Coordinator for Seminarian and Clergy Couple Care for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a trainer and facilitator for Prepare/Enrich, a premarital and marriage enrichment program. She received her M.As. from Holy Cross and Adler Graduate School.
In light of the topic of this year’s convocation, clergy wives are welcome to attend.
“Typically the convocation’s main focus is to build up clergy brotherhood in the diocese,” said His Grace, Bishop Paul. “However, given that the topic focuses on married and family life among our clergy, it seems reasonable to invite clergy wives to participate in the sessions given by Father Harry and Presbytera Kerry and to share in the meals and the worship.”
A detailed schedule and registration information is available on the diocesan web site. Deadline for submitting registration forms is Bright Friday, May 6, 2016. Clergy who have not received the full packet or are otherwise in need of information are asked to please email Philip Sokolov at chancery@domoca.org.
