The Orthodox Church in America, on behalf of all Eastern Orthodox Youth Ministry/Camping Departments in America, is delighted to host this Annual Conference in 2016 at St. Seraphim's Cathedral in Dallas, TX.

Clergy, campus ministers, youth workers, camp leaders, and volunteers gather every January for fellowship, worship, and continuing education. Apart from our Keynotes focused on Crisis, Trauma, and Everyday Life and Self-care For the Shepherds, there will be workshops focusing on:

• Campus Ministry
• Camping Programs
• Parish-based Youth Ministry

Registration costs $150/person and is available here.

Thursday January 21st

400pm Registration/Intro/Keynote 1 - St. Seraphim's

600pm Vespers

700pm Dinner

800pm Evening Activity

Friday January 22nd

800am- Breakfast - Hotel

900am- Matins
10-1030am Coffee Break

1030am-Noon Second Keynote

Noon-100pm Lunch

100-200pm Workshop 1

200-30pm Workshop 2

300-330pm Afternoon Break

330-430pm Workshop 3

430-600pm Pastoral Issues Panel Discussion
600pm Vespers

700pm Dinner

Saturday 23rd

930am Liturgy

1130am Brunch and departures (from St. Seraphim's)

Archpriest Dr. Steven Voytovich, a licensed professional counselor who spent many years in the field of pastoral care and education, and has been Dean of Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary since August, 2013.

Father Steven also serves as Director of the OCA’s Department of Institutional Chaplaincies, for which he cocreated and coordinated the OCA Seminarian Internship Program. The Department supports Orthodox Christian men and women serving in institutional chaplaincy roles. From April 2010 until joining Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, he worked as director of Clinical Pastoral Education at Episcopal Health Services, Long Island, NY. Over the years, he has served as pastor of Three Saints Church, Ansonia, CT; Holy Virgin Mary Church, Waterbury, CT; and Saint Alexis Church, Clinton, CT.

Father Steven has earned three advanced degrees from Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Yonkers, NY, including a Doctor of Ministry degree in 1999. His thesis was titled “Orthodoxy and CPE: Education for Ministry Beyond the Liturgical Setting.” He has two masters degrees from Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, including a Master of Divinity degree with Commendation for Thesis, which he received in 1990. His thesis topic was “The Ministry of Those Who Suffer.” In 1991, he earned a Master of Arts degree in Liturgical Music and served as choir director of the seminary octet. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in Community Counseling from Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT, which he received in 2005, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota, which he earned in 1986.

A group rate for us ($109/Night) has been reserved for us at the La Quinta Inn, Dallas Uptown. You must call (800) 642- 4239 and use code 0512-329 or mention "Orthodox Church in America" to receive the special rate. Online bookings will be billed their normal rates.

1. Young Adult Ministry: Foundation of a Healthy Parish

No young adult ministry? Losing college students and young professionals? Still struggling to move on from past deceptive approaches like that of the 'bait and switch'- a thing the protestants figured out in the 1970's doesn't work? Frustrated? Or perhaps even wondering 'why is this important anyway'? Hear from fellow youth worker Jacob Saylor, what is working on the front lines in parishes in San Francisco, and the West Coast.

2. When Crisis Comes to Camp

We all hope that our camps will go off without a hitch. Nevertheless, sometimes crisis does come to camp. This session, led by licensed psychologist and camp worker Dr. Jelena Ozegovic, will focus on developing strategies to address possible "crises" before campers begin to arrive. This includes specific training objectives for counselors and tips for the development of a "response team" at camp. Lastly, participants will review case scenarios of different crises that can occur at camp.

3. The College Campus, Place of Trauma and Healing

In this workshop, OCF Manager of Chapter Relations Christina Andresen will lead a discussion on the social, academic, and psychological landscape of the modern college campus, identifying the main sources of student stress and trauma. The group will explore how we as ministers of Christ's Church can offer reconciliation and healing to our college students in these times of trauma by engaging them in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Church.

4. Youth Ministry in a Missionary Parish

Fr. Justin Patterson will draw from his 10 years of experience serving in a mission-focused parish in central Kentucky to discuss different models for reaching the youth and college-aged adults of our parishes. He'll identify some of the challenges and pitfalls, both practical and theoretical, of organizing the a youth group in an Orthodox context and how some of these weaknesses can be turned into strengths.

5. When Young Veterans Come Home

Ministering to veterans can be tough, especially for those unfamiliar with the military culture and life in a combat zone. Before becoming a parish priest and an Army National Guard Chaplain, Fr. James Parnell was once a young sergeant and combat veteran returning from his second tour in Iraq. In this workshop, he will offer insight into military culture and life in a combat zone, tools for pastors and parishes in serving veterans inside and outside the parish, and a look at how the story-telling, the Mysteries/Sacraments, and meaningful service can provide healing and growth in Christ for Veterans, their families, and their parish communities.

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