As a critical component of Bishop Daniel’s vision of “Building Up the Body of Christ,” the clergy of the Eastern Diocese gathered in person in three regions to participate in informative discussions on the issue of mental health and pastoring to the mentally ill.
The three regional gatherings took place at Joseph and Mary Retreat House in Mundelein, IL, September 7-9; Ararat Youth and Conference Center in Greenville, NY, September 14-16; and at Betania II Retreat and Conference Center in Medway, MA, October 4-6. This was the first time that the clergy gathered for extended periods of time, including two overnights, since the beginning of the pandemic. A positive and uplifting atmosphere was most evident thanks to the restoration of essential fellowship.
Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel instituted the fall Clergy Continuing Education Gatherings to compliment the long-running spring spiritual Lenten retreats for Diocesan clergy.
The opening evenings of each fall gathering featured a reflection by Bishop Daniel, related to the “Building Up of the Body of Christ” theme, specifically on the icon as a significant part of our unique Christian experience. Diocesan Director of Ministries Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan shared his vision regarding the Vemkar digital ministries program, and the expansion of Diocesan ministries to meet the needs of the faithful everywhere.
The clergy actively followed and participated in lectures on the theme of “Our Healing Ministry and Mental Health” presented by John E. Calamari, Ph.D., director of the Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders Research Program in the Department of Psychology at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, IL, and Fr. Thomas Konopka, L.C.S.W., executive director and therapist on the staff of the Consultation Center of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY.
Dn. Yervant Kutchukyan, doctoral candidate in Eastern Christian Studies at Oxford University and spiritual director at St. Nersess Seminary, presented on the last day of each of the three gatherings on the topic “Suffering, Calamity and the Gospel: Wisdom from the Armenian Church Tradition.” Dn. Kutchukian focused his talk on the Psalms as interpreted by the church fathers and their immediate application to virtually every emotion and psycho-spiritual experience in the life of the faithful.
The clergy prayed the traditional offices of the church each morning and evening. A special occasion was the celebration of the badarak on September 8, the occasion of the Birth of the Holy Mother-of-God, by the newest priest of the Midwest region, Fr. Guregh Hambardzumyan of Greenfield, WI. In each of the regions, the clergy enjoyed evening outings generously hosted by Oscar Tatosian (Midwest); the Derian Family (Mid-Atlantic) and the family of Fr. Krikor Sabounjian (New England).
The reverend clergy departed from each of the Clergy Continuing Education Gatherings edified by their newly acquired knowledge, inspired by a renewal of fellowship, and eagerly anticipating the 2022 Great Lenten Clergy Retreats.
Click the link to view photos from all three clergy retreats.
Above: Diocesan clergy meet for the New England regional Continuing Education retreat, one of three such gatherings this fall.