Diocesan Days 2018 – Day One

DIOCESAN DAYS 2018

August 31 – September 2, 2018 – Saint Sava Mission, Jackson, California

THE LORD’S PRAYER AS A WAY OF LIFE

The power of Helplessness Before the Face of God in the Struggle to Free the Hidden Person of the Heart
The Way, the Truth and the Life of the Cross | The Lord’s Prayer as a Way of Life

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS | DAY ONE | DAY TWO | DAY THREE

The 22^nd Annual Diocesan Days Begins in Jackson

One last visit to Jackson, California, as the summer days approach their end, is sure to evoke memories of summer camp, the fun and friendships, whether they be a month ago or years and years. These were the feelings shared by clergy as they arrived from all directions of the vast Western American Diocese for the 22nd Annual Diocesan Days which officially began Friday, August 31, 2018. Greeted and warmly welcomed by their diocesan hierarch and spiritual father His Grace Bishop Maxim of Western America, the clergy were escorted to the hall where a delicious lenten meal was prepared to strengthen them after their long journey. During the luncheon, the bishop introduced hieromonk Papa Ephraim who recently transferred to our diocese and is serving the Skete in Alaska. Papa Ephraim, in turn, was asked to introduce this year’s guest speaker whom he has known for many years: Rev. Deacon Stephen Muse. Also introduced were special guests Professor Dejan Ristic who was accompanied by three seminarians from the Prizren Seminary in Kosovo.

A clergy seminar followed lunch led by this year’s guest speaker who is a pastoral counsellor and marriage and family therapist. His talk entitled, The power of Helplessness, Before the Face of God in the Struggle to Free the Hidden Person of the Heart, was insightful and pastoral, and filled with many anecdotes from his many years of dealing with various psychological issues and situations. At the beginning of his presentation he asked the simple question – when Jesus was at the Garden of Gethsemane why did His Disciples fall asleep as they waited for Him. While the answer is seemingly an easy one pointing to their weak human nature, Fr. Stephen delved deeper into sleep being a sign of their helplessness – indeed, our collective human helplessness. Ultimately it is a part of our human nature so that we can achieve nothing without Christ who acts in us. He interrupted his talk and asked the clergy to share their own experiences of helplessness, of pain and sadness that they might have experienced in their ministry. In responding to the priest’s comments he used both the patristic fathers and his vast knowledge of psychology, offering a wonderfully warm and pastoral message. The discussion lasted throughout the afternoon hours.

While the talk continued the bishop and members of the Diocesan Council excused themselves for a meeting. This was followed by Vespers and dinner in the main hall. Fr. Marko Bojovic, the local parish priest, greeted the bishop, clergy and all faithful in attendance. On behalf of the St. Sava parish in Jackson, Fr. Marko presented a new set of blue vestments to Bishop Maxim. A question and answer session was held afterwards. During this time the guest speaker, Rev. Deacon Stephen, spoke in brief of his background, his search for Orthodoxy, as well as his personal family history and what led him to Orthodoxy. Professor Dejan Ristic was also asked to speak briefly of life at Prizren Seminary. The much-talented seminarians performed.

The day slowly came to an end as Fr. Marko announced the following day’s schedule which would begin at the church with Matins and the Holy Hierarchical Divine Liturgy.