2020 Orthodox Life Presentations
Tuesday, June 23rd – “The Nature of Orthodox Education”
Orthodox education has unique characteristics that can provide solutions to the problems of our time. In the 21st-century, the living pursuit of wonder can both enliven education and help build virtue in students and faculty. An Orthodox education can be a way to serve our community and also a means of evangelism in the 21st-century.
Presenter: Dr. John Mark Reynolds
Dr. John Mark Reynolds is the President of The Saint Constantine School. He is the former provost of Houston Baptist University and was the founder and director of the Torrey Honors Institute, the Socratic, great books-centered honors program at Biola University. He received his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Rochester, where he wrote his dissertation analyzing cosmology and psychology in Plato’s Timaeus. Dr. Reynolds is the author of several books, including When Athens Met Jerusalem: an Introduction to Classical and Christian Thought, and is the editor of The Great Books Reader. He is a frequent blogger and lecturer on a wide range of topics including ancient philosophy, classical and home education, politics, faith, and virtue. John Mark attends St. Paul Orthodox Church in Katy, Texas with his parents, brother, wife, and children. Dr. John Mark Reynolds can be reached at jmreynolds@saintconstantine.org.
Wednesday, June 24th – “Baptizing All Nations in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”
This workshop will be focused on the evangelization of our urban areas. The black-American clergy of the Antiochian Diocese of Oakland, Charleston and the Mid-Atlantic - Fr. Paul Abernathy (St. Moses the Black Mission, Pittsburgh), Fr. Martin Johnson (St. Anthony Church, Butler, PA), Dcn. Joseph Clark (St. George Church, Upper Darby, PA), and Dcn. John Grisham (St. Basil Church, Hampton, VA) - will be joined by Archimandrite Maximos Nnachette of Nigeria to offer the evening's presentation.
Moderator: Fr. Paul Abernathy
The Rev. Paul Abernathy is the parish priest of St. Moses the Black Mission in the historic Hill District of Pittsburgh. He is also the CEO of the Neighborhood Resilience Project whose mission is to support the transformation of neighborhoods from Trauma Affected Communities to Resilient Healing and Healthy Communities through Trauma Informed Community Development. Fr. Paul Abernathy can be reached at p.abernathy12@gmail.com.
Thursday, June 25th – “Finding Balance: Navigating these Turbulent Times as an Orthodox Christian Teen”
Presenter: Fr. Joshua Makoul
The Archpriest Joshua Makoul is the Dean of the Cathedral of St. George in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as well as a licensed therapist. He is the Spiritual Advisor for Teen SOYO for the Eastern Dioceses of the Antiochian Archdiocese. Fr. Joshua Makoul can be reached at athos1999@yahoo.com.
Friday, June 26th – “Seeking Wholeness in a Time of Pandemic”
Many of us have spent considerable time and energy tracking the novel coronavirus, but are we consistently tracking the direction of our souls? The vast amount of information confronting us daily can be both confusing and distracting. We will explore the application of what we have learned from this pandemic and others in a manner that is consistent with movement toward God as members of His Body.
Presenter: Dr. James Rossetti
Dr. James (Subdeacon Seraphim) Rossetti, DO – Hematological Malignancy and Cellular Therapy, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. Dr. Rossetti is the Chair of the Eastern Dioceses Ministry Council of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, and the Parish Council President of St. George Church in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. Dr. James Rossetti can be reached at jamesmrossetti@gmail.com.
Saturday, June 27th – “Serving God Through Serving Others”
Presenter: Fr. Donald Shadid
The Archpriest Donald Shadid is the parish priest of St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. In addition to his ministry at St. Mary in Johnstown, Fr. Don is the Spiritual Advisor of the Antiochian Women of The East (Dioceses of New York & Washington, D.C. and Charleston, Oakland & The Mid-Atlantic). Fr. Donald Shadid can be reached at abeenad1@gmail.com.
Sunday, June 28th – “Young Adult Session - Encounter, Engagement and Evangelism: Ministering to the Alphabet Generations and the Nones”
Presenters: Fr. Joel Gillam and Fr. Nicholas Belcher
The Archpriest Joel Gillam grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. He has been the parish priest at St. George in Upper Darby since 2010. In addition to parish ministry Fr. Joel has been an advisor to the Diocesan SOYO/Teens, chaplain to several Orthodox Christian Fellowships, Chaplain/Spiritual Advisor for the annual College Conference (East), Young Adult Spiritual Advisor for the Diocese, and serves as one of the 'camp priests' for the Antiochian Village Summer Camp. Fr. Joel Gillam can be reached at pastor@saintgeorgeupperdarby.org.
Fr. Nicholas Belcher is the Episcopal Assistant to His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. He is the former Dean of Students at Hellenic College / Holy Cross and is a graduate of St. Vladimir’s Seminary and The Citadel. Fr. Nicholas is a popular speaker for youth and young adult gatherings. Fr. Nicholas Belcher can be reached at frnicholas@antiochian.org.
Monday, June 29th – “Orthodox Homeschooling: Helpful Resources and Tips to Get Started”
Presenter: Fr. Noah Bushelli
The Archpriest Noah Bushelli is the founding director of Saint Emmelia Ministries, an outreach of the Department of Homeschooling of the Antiochian Archdiocese. He is lead catechist and spiritual advisor of St. Raphael School and is excited to share his love for God and the Church with the students and stretch his teaching skills into cyberspace. Knowing that he is insufficient for all of these holy tasks, he thanks you for your prayers for him, his family, his parishioners, his students and all homeschooling families! Fr. Noah Bushelli can be reached at nbushelli@gmail.com.