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2012 Family & Youth Conference held on July 11, 2012 to July 14, 2012
The Northeast American Diocese had its conference in the
foothills of Catskill Mountains in Upstate New York at the Honors Haven Resort and Spa. The conference was
fully booked a week before the event and we had to turn away more than few last
minute requests. The team of Tenny Thomas and Rev. Fr. Aju Philip Mathews scripted the
curriculum by the hour and it was meticulously executed by such super session
leaders as His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, Rev. Fr. Dr. George Koshy, Rev. Fr. Dr. Varghese M. Daniel, Rev. Fr. Thomas Karingattil,
Rev. Fr. Aju Philip Mathews, Rev. Dn. Philip Mathew, Dr.
Dolly Geevarghese, Tenny Thomas, and Abraham Joshua. The subject ranged
from one of the most troublesome topics in child rearing- Bullying and Internet
Safety to Death and the Life After. In between there were some
fascinating topics such as: Protestant and Latin Influences in the Malankara
Orthodox Liturgical practices, Ethics of Marriage: Conflict Resolution,
Hermeneutics Sermon 1.0, Liturgical Music in the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Tradition and
the Keynote presentation by Mrs. Elizabeth Joy, from London, the first lady
presenter in the history of the combined American Diocese Family
Conferences. The devotionals were led by Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Yohannan Sankarathil Chor Episcopos , Very Rev. Fr. Paulose Adai Chor Episcopos and Rev. Fr. Paulose T. Peter.
Elizabeth Joy Kochamma, wife of Rev. Fr Niravil George Joy, is the
member of the St Thomas' Orthodox Church, North London, UK. The general
consensus was that she was dynamic, humble and gave the audience a sense of
pride in being an orthodox believer. Rev. Fr. Thomas Karingattil,
professor of Ortodox Seminary, Kottayam, was wonderful in his presentation of
Hermeneutics and his retreat sermon was thought provoking. The conference
entertainment night was guided by Ms. Anu Joseph and provided the audience with
a glimpse of the talents of the participants - songs, kathaprasangam, a lively
dialogue between two ladies, and a variety of expressive dances and some
wonderful songs.
The conference was guided by His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, and
led by Very Rev. Fr. C. J. Johnson Chor Episcopos and Rev. Fr. Sujit Thomas. The
committee included Varghese Pothanicad, Raju Varghese, Rev. Fr. M. K. Kuriakose, Jamie
Joshua, Gina Joshua, Anu Joseph, Ansa Thomas, Rev. Fr. T. A. Thomas (Chaplain), Raju
Philip, Rev. Fr. Thomas Johnson (Choir), Saroja Varghese, Paul Mathai, Roy
Ennacheril (Treasurer). Many young people took charge of the daily
program and made the few days in the heart of Catskill mountains a memorable
one.
The 2013 conference was kicked-off on the final day with the
appointment of Rev. Fr. Sujit Thomas as the Coordinator. According
to the pre-registration that was conducted, more than 120 families paid $50
deposit and registered for the next year’s conference.
A newspaper was published each day by the participants coached by Rev. Fr. Babu (Shebaly) Varghese - Orthodox Herald, Rev. Fr. Thomas Karingattil, and Rev. Fr.
Dr. Jacob Mathew. Rev. Fr. Johnson Punchakonam taped the conference for
posterity and it can be seen on Orthodox TV on July 20, 2012.
Click Here to view video slideshow.
Click Here to view gallery.
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Family and Youth Conference
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