Please see the schedule of events for the 2012 Diocesan Pastoral Conference here.  Matushki events will be forthcoming.  Also, if you are planning on attending the conference and have not registered, please complete the form in the previous post and send it to the address on the form.  Thank you!

 

Dear Fathers, Matushki, and friends,
 
Christ is in our midst!
 
Please read and reply to the following email.  It contains information pertinent to our Pastoral Conference to be held here at Holy Ascension in Mt Pleasant, SC, Feb 7-9.  To reply, and with any other questions or concerns, please use the following email address:
 
>>> pastoral.conference.2012@gmail.com <<<

 
Name ________________________              Attend Banquet Wednesday Night? Yes or No
 
Parish _______________________
 
Are you planning to attend the Pastoral Conference
February 7-9, 2012? Yes            No
 
Are there other clergy from your parish who will attend?
If Yes:
Name ________________________              Attend Banquet Wednesday Night? Yes or No
 
Name ________________________              Attend Banquet Wednesday Night? Yes or No
 
Name ________________________              Attend Banquet Wednesday Night? Yes or No
 
Will your wife attend?
If yes:
Name ________________________              Attend Banquet Wednesday Night? Yes or No
 
Other Matushki from your parish?
If yes:
Name ________________________              Attend Banquet Wednesday Night? Yes or No
 
Name ________________________              Attend Banquet Wednesday Night? Yes or No
 
Name ________________________              Attend Banquet Wednesday Night? Yes or No
 
How many total coming from your parish?  ___________
 
Would your wife/the other matushki be interested in a walking
tour of Historic Charleston?  Yes             No
 
Number interested in Ferry Boat trip/tour to Ft Sumter, Thursday afternoon, after the official end of the Conference:  _______________
(Note:  this may cost up to $17/adult or $15/senior)
 
Generally interested in staying after the conference ends Thursday/Friday and would like to know where to visit locally.  Yes            No
 
*****End of questions*****
 
The Conference will begin Tuesday, February 7 mid-afternoon and finish with lunch on Thursday, February 9.  Opportunities for Charleston outings after the conference available according to request and interest.
 
The Charleston Airport Code is CHS.  CHS is located approximately 15 minutes from the Church.  CHS is not JFK.  Local and small.  Car Rental available onsite.
 
Hotel Rooms have been blocked for us at an exceptional rate for the area.  Please make your reservations here:
 
Holiday Inn
250 Johnnie Dodd Blvd.
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
843-884-6000
 
Rooms are $79.00 per night. Must mention Group PAS for the discount.
Rooms must be booked by Jan 23.
 
If you have booked a room already elsewhere, please consider cancelling it and booking at this Holiday Inn.  It is about one mile from the church.
 
There are also 9 rooms available here (this is prime location!)
www.theinnation.com <http://www.theinnation.com>
843-284-0850
 
This is a local inn within 300 yards of the church.  He is offering $79/night as well.  First come, first served.
 
Please direct all questions to:
 
pastoral.conference.2012@gmail.com
 
We look forward to your visit to our parish!
 
Your servants in Christ,
 
Matushka Elizabeth Barna                        Elizabeth Berg
Co-chair                                                    Co-chair

My Brother Priests, Matushki, Deacons, Brothers and Sisters on the Diocesan Council, and friends,

Blessed Feast!

With the blessing of His Grace, Bp Nikon, I greet you in advance of the 2012 Winter Pastoral Conference, which we look forward to hosting here at Holy Ascension in Mt Pleasant, SC from February 7 - 9.  There may be no more pleasant place to be in February!  Charleston, South Carolina’s Airport code is CHS, and is located an easy 15 minute drive from downtown Charleston and Mount Pleasant.  We are presently making hotel inquiries, and will forward those details asap.  While the, the DOS DC will meet beginning at 9 am Tuesday morning, so they should plan to arrive MOnday evening.  The Clergy Conference will being Tuesday afternoon between 2 - 3 pm, so clergy should arrive no later than late morning.

We are planning quite a full schedule, but one which will permit a variety of study, fellowship, prayer, and relaxing.  The Diocesan Council will enjoy a retreat with Fr Thomas Hopko prior to its Tuesday mid-afternoon meeting, and the DC is invited to stay for the afternoon and evening to further enjoy Fr Thomas’ teaching with us.

Fr Thomas Hopko and Dr Albert Rossi will both join us for our official program, which will address the difficult, yet pervasive, cancer: (internet) Pornography.  Topics covered will be:  the human person and sexuality, Chasity and Purity, Pornography and Confession, and Pornography as Sexual Addiction.  This is not a light topic, but it is a dark topic which must be brought to the light for the sake of our pastoral ministry in our day.

On Tuesday evening, Fr Thomas will give an evangelistic public talk at a local, large Anglican Church.  All are welcome to attend, or enjoy a free evening in Charleston.

Wednesday evening we will enjoy a Lowcountry Supper on a Tidal Creek, along with live Bluegrass Music—we hope!

The Conference ends at Lunch on Thursday. HOWEVER:

I’d like to arrange a boat trip to Ft Sumter (non Group rate tickets are $17/person).  We’d leave at 1pm and return around 4pm.  If you are interested, please let me know ASAP, so I can arrange some (cheaper) group rates.

For the Matushki, we will also make arrangements for Tues and Wednesday: Guided walking tour of downtown with local author, shopping, and with sufficient interest a museum or plantation visit.  If you have specific requests, we shall attempt to accommodate the whole group.

Wishing all every good gift from above, by the prayers of St Nicholas,

I remain,

Your servant in Christ,

Fr John Parker
frjohn@ocacharleston.org