On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, the Office of Pastoral Life will be holding the sixth quarterly Clergy Peer Learning Synaxis via Zoom. The Clergy Synaxis Program is open to ordained priests and deacons who serve in the Orthodox Church in America. The overarching purpose of the program is to provide clergy with peer networks that will facilitate healthy sharing of interpersonal problems and struggles, especially as these relate to the rigors of parish life. These networks will help clergy overcome the isolation that often prevents them from sharing wisdom that nurtures priestly and pastoral excellence. This overarching purpose reflects the conviction of the OCA that healthy clergy -and healthy clergy families- strongly contribute to dynamic pastoral leadership.
His Grace, Bishop Andrei, Auxiliary to the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America will be speaking on how challenges in ministry and personal life can become unexpected growth opportunities. After Bishop Andrei’s address, participants will join breakout rooms to discuss the impact the topic has had in their own ministry. Breakout rooms are lead by trained facilitators who guide the conversation about participants’ experiences with struggles and growth. The whole group will reconvene to end in conversation and prayer.
The Synaxis will formally begin at 7:00pm EDT; all are welcome to join at 6:30pm for informal fellowship and conversation. The deadline to register for the event is Monday, September 20, 2021. Please register for the event here. If you would like to receive email updates about future Synaxis events, please subscribe here.