Sounds like a great idea to me. Anthony Dragani, how would you like to run one of these for us? I'd make a contribution towards paying your salary, if not attend myself...

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OCA Church Growth, Evangelism Office to sponsor Boot Camps

SYOSSET, NY -- The Orthodox Church in America's Office of Church Growth and Evangelism will sponsor two Church Growth "Boot Camps" during 2002.

An introductory "Basic Boot Camp" will be held at Concordia Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN May 20-22. The program focuses on intentional ministry for new and established parishes alike.

An "Advanced Boot Camp," especially designed for established parishes, will be held at Saint Vladimir Seminary, Crestwood, NY June 17-19. The advanced camp is especially designed for established parishes and focuses on "church health" issues.

It is not essential for participants in the advanced program to have had participated in the basic camp.

Registration fee for either camp is $200 per person.

For further information or to register, contact the Very Rev. John Reeves, Office Director, by calling 888-539-GROW toll-free or by sending an e-mail to jreeves@oca.org.

Dear RichC,

These things are highly successful or so I've heard from participants.

A priest in India has also started a "Boot Camp" (or perhaps "Reboot Camp") for Catholics who need a spiritual pick-me-up (like a lot of people on the Forum today, it would seem).

There is a schedule, lessons, Scripture studies, Mass, meditation and so on.

The purpose is to train people to adopt a dynamic spiritual routine in their lives and the success rate is high.

How are you feeling today?

Alex

Ummm, like I need a "boot" to my spiritual "dupa"?

[ 02-28-2002: Message edited by: RichC ]

Dear RichC,

Perhaps you could get this by becoming a Dyak's ASSistant?

Have a great day!

Alex

"Dyak"uyu, Alex!!

Dear RichC,

Would you forgive me for a joke? (Although I'll leave that to you to decide if it is . . .).

There was an old Eastern monk who walked barefoot with many callouses on his soles, who was weak from too much fasting, and who repelled people by his breath that was peppered by much eating of garlic and onions.

That is why he was called the:

Super-calloused, fragile mystic, hexed by halitosis . . .

God bless you and your family!

Alex

It must really be a slow week. Doesn't anybody have any news or speculation about if, when and who the new "Vladyko-Archiepiskop/Mitropolit" will be?

Ung-Certez

Dear Ung,

And your question will make the week go less slowly?

Alex

[ 03-01-2002: Message edited by: Orthodox Catholic ]

[ 03-01-2002: Message edited by: Orthodox Catholic ]

Dorohij Oleksander,

Yeah, but not as slow as it takes Rome to select/approve Eastern Catholic hierarchs!

Ung-Certez (UngCsertesz)

Dear Rich, and Antony, and all!

I know a parish near Pittsburgh that would love to sponsor such a gathering. Could we organize one? Sounds like great fun.

Elias

I know the pastor of that parish. Hmmmmmm he's awfully strict......



Count me in!!!!!!


Sharon
(who will be in Pittsburgh tonight, YIKES!)

Sharon Mech, SFO
Cantor & sinner
sharon@cmhc.com

"Super-calloused, fragile mystic, hexed by halitosis . . ."

LOL!

My vegetarian friends all got a kick out that one, Alex.

Joe

GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST!
GLORY TO HIM FOREVER!

Fr. Elias wrote:"...I know a parish near Pittsburgh that would love to sponsor such a gathering..."

If it's the parish I'm thinking of, they have a GORGEOUS ikonostas!

the least servant...
mark

Dear Joe,

I'm happy you liked that!

And I commend you on your highly-evolved and sophisticated sense of humour

God bless you, dear and devoted Servant of Christ and His Church!

Alex

Let's have it! Don't forget to give those of us from the hinterland time to raise enough money to make it. The Tulsa and OKC missions need all the boot they can get!

Guess I've got an inside source on your ideas Fr. Elias
MWOHAHAHAHA!
j/k

I'd love to help!

Wow! That was a great one, Alex! Did you make that up yourself?

You are right: Rome is slow. The See of Chicago has been vacant for about half a year, the Archepiscopal See of Pittsburgh has been vacant for almost as long, never mind the Russian Catholic Church. Thank God the church in Ukraine can appoint and ordain its own bishops. We got three news ones in the past month!

Daniil

Dear Daniil,

My moments of inspiration aren't all limited to the religion

Yes, and when our Synod's affirmation of our Patriarchate is recognized by Rome, along with its canonizations, THEN, and only then will I say, "Glory, Alleluia!"

Alex

Rich,

Honestly, I would jump at the chance!

Monk Elias,

Count me in.

Anthony

Sounds like great fun. How do we plan it?

Elias

Wondering if anyone has considered using the Bishops' Pastoral on Evangelization as a bit of the framework...


Sharon


Sharon Mech, SFO
Cantor & sinner
sharon@cmhc.com

Dear Mother Sharon,

I don't know - would it pass our "Byzantine litmus-test?"

Or would we have to add some Eastern colouring to it ourselves?

Alex

Maybe a little eastern colouring would be good.

Dear Alex,


As I recall, there were three steps to it. Step One was to build up the faith of the people to the point that they could not help but share it.

Nawww, I guess that's WAY too Latin for us. Pass the pierogies please...




Sharon


Sharon Mech, SFO
Cantor & sinner
sharon@cmhc.com

Dear Mother Sharon,

Only if they come with sour cream and fried onions!

Personally, I am into latkas on Fridays . . .

But enough about our ancestral cultural riches that we all appreciate and value so much!

All I'm suggesting is if this is to be something that is meant to specifically draw people to the Byzantine spiritual experience, then it should say something in this regard.

Otherwise, it runs the real risk of turning into one of those "soul-savin', devil-hatin'," revivals.

Not that there's anythin' . .er . . anything wrong with that!

Shalom!

Alex