DCNY Email to Clergy

Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 4:26 PM
Subject: Clergy Conf. Registration Info.


Dear fellow priests and deacons,

Attached to this letter are the registration materials and schedule for the upcoming clergy conference on September 9-10 at Christ the King Retreat Center in Syracuse. It is our hope that the activities and speakers lined up for the conference are diverse and timely enough to be of interest to you in your ministry. Certainly, there is much inherent value in our gathering together for the building up of fellowship and mutual support.

The conference is a mixture of business and pleasure. Our colleague Marilyn Saunders will lead us through General Convention's changes in the disciplinary canons ("Title IV"), training which is mandatory for all clergy. Our bishop will spend some time updating us about issues in the broader church as well as on transitions and changes within our own diocese. Mr. Jerry Brown, whom some of you will know through his work with the diocesan board, has agreed to come and give us "the latest" on the Episcopal Church Medical Trust's denominational health care plans.

On day two of the conference, we are delighted to welcome the Rev. Megan Stewart-Sicking, a priest of the Diocese of Maryland, as our keynote speaker. Here is what Megan has told us about her upcoming presentation:

Four Questions, Four Paths, One Journey: The Gospels as a Guide for the Spiritual Life

Description:
We will engage the gospels in new ways as we explore the four great questions of the spiritual life: How do we face change? How do we move through suffering? How do we receive joy? How do we mature in service? Over and over we struggle in these questions with others and within ourselves. As we look at the four gospels and the original communities for which they were written, we will find ways in which stories and perspectives unique to each gospel speak to these questions and offer us a map for the spiritual journey.

The Rev. Megan Stewart-Sicking serves as Rector of Immanuel Church in the Diocese of Maryland and also as Program and Scheduling Director for Quadratos (an organization founded by author/speaker Alexander J. Shaia, PhD,
August 17, 2010
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and dedicated to teaching and programs for the four-fold path of the spiritual journey). She has training and interest in prayer practices, adult education program development, and individual and small group spiritual formation. For Quadratos, she coordinates retreats and programs, websites, social networking, and schedules. Her Theology degree is from Xavier University, and her M.Div. is from the Virginia Theological Seminary. She lives with her husband and son near Baltimore, MD.

I suggest, by way of preparation, that it would be a good idea to spend some time at www.quadratos.com. It is an extraordinary ministry.

All of the worship planned for the conference has been coordinated by the Liturgy and Music team and its leader, the Rev. Susanna DesMarais.

The conference schedule is a little "tighter" than it has been of late. The two day format does not leave a great deal of time for extended breaks and long periods of free time. And yet, I encourage you to use the time as you need to. While all of the presentations are certainly worthy of your time, please feel free either to come and go or "opt out" of various things as you see fit.

I hope this letter finds you well.

Yours in Christ,
Clarke+
The Rev. Clarke French, Chair
The COM's Clergy Continuing Education Team

The Very Rev. Clarke French
Trinity Episcopal Church
227 Sherman Street
Watertown, New York

CF/kdm
Enclosures



Kathleen D. McDaniel
Executive Assistant to the Bishop
Diocese of Central New York
310 Montgomery Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
Phone: 315-474-6596; Fax: 315-478-1632

Diocesan Vision Statement: To be the passionate presence of Christ for one another and the world we are called to serve.

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