Registration now open!
We’re excited to see you in Houston! Registration opens in just a few short weeks. Don’t wait to register—early bird pricing ends January 17th, and general registration closes January 24th!
Scholarships are available for any need and any reason! Additionally, we offer discounts for volunteers. Contact us at programs@saintemmelia.com for more information.
Keep an eye out for more information—we’ll be sharing a full schedule, registration costs, speaker bios, and more ASAP!
In the meantime, read our conference FAQ here!
Registration costs
Adult: $95
Youth (3-17): $25
Infant (0-2): $0
Registration costs include meals and snacks for the whole weekend, workshop supplies, parish rental, & speaker honoraria and travel.
Scholarships are available for ANY need. Email us at program@saintemmelia.com for more information.
Schedule
A full schedule will be coming ASAP!
Parents will have opportunities to attend workshops on a variety of topics targeted to different stages of homeschooling, discuss the joys and struggles of homeschooling, spend time deep in prayer, and fellowship with other homeschool families!
Activities will be provided ages 3-18. Kids will have opportunities to learn more about our faith while engaging in rich activities on a variety of topics—and connecting with other Orthodox homeschool kids!
Speakers
Personal Bio: Bishop Thomas (Joseph) was born in Paterson, New Jersey in 1953. He attended John F. Kennedy High School in Paterson, graduating in 1970. He went on to college at William Paterson College, graduating in 1974. After college, he worked in the Department of Community Improvements in Paterson, then served as a teacher for the Paterson Board of Education.
Church Ministry: Bp. Thomas was recruited by Fr. John Namie to serve as one of the original camp counselors at Antiochian Village from 1979 to 1982. In 1979 he began studies at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. He continued his studies until the spring of 1983, and on August 28, 1994 he was ordained to the priesthood. Bp. Thomas was elevated to the rank of archimandrite, and on December 5, 2004, he was consecrated to the episcopacy in Damascus, Syria. Bishop Thomas was enthroned as Bishop of Oakland and the East at St. George Cathedral in Pittsburgh on May 6, 2005. He has been chair of the Assembly of Bishops Committee for Youth since its inception in 2010.
Educational/Professional Background: In August of 2006, Bp. Thomas graduated summa cum laude with a Doctorate in Education from California Coast University. He sits on the editorial board of the journal Christian Bioethics, which is published by Oxford University Press.
