BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//205.186.175.174//NONSGML kigkonsult.se iCalcreator 2.12// CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:OCL X-WR-CALDESC:Orthodox News | Jurisdictional Unity | Transparency X-WR-TIMEZONE:America/New_York BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York X-LIC-LOCATION:America/New_York BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20131103T020000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20140309T020000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT UID:http://ocl.org/?post_type=ai1ec_event&p=2973&instance_id= DTSTAMP:20130518T175758Z CONTACT:https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/121771712 DESCRIPTION:

Source: Orthod ox Church in America

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CHICAGO\, IL [MW Diocese Communications]< br />\nThe fourth in the popular series of one-hour on-line webinars on re aching the unchurched\, facilitated by Joseph Kormos\, head of the Diocese of the Midwest’s Parish Development Ministry\, and Archpriest Jonathan Iv anoff\, will be held on Wednesday\, October 24\, 2012\, at 8:00 p.m. EDT.< /p>\n

The webinar will serve as a continuation of earlier webinars\, in which 70 to 80 individuals representing parishes of the Orthodox Church in America and other jurisdictions participated.

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“Understanding the needs of the unchurched\, reaching out to the neighborhood\, effectively c ommunicating the parish\, planning for growth and inviting people to churc h are all part of the array of efforts for effective Orthodox evangelizati on in 21st century North America\,” according to Mr. Kormos. “Eventually t hose efforts result\, God willing\, in enquirers arriving at your church. Whether they come for Divine liturgy\, Vespers\, or a parish event\, how t hey experience your parish is crucial. What can be done to show warm Chris tian hospitality? What are potential turnoffs? How can we improve the pros pects of building a relationship with them? In session four\, we will expl ore these questions and more.”

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Specific topics will include

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  • preparing for a warm welcome—understanding the visit from the inq uirer’s perspective.
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  • equipping an effective greeters ministry—go od practices for the entire parish to help inquirers feel comfortable – be fore\, during and after.
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  • eliminating seeker insensitive behavior s—one by one!
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  • greeting at the conclusion—overcoming reticence to visit fellowship hour\; the bookstore and more.
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  • good follow up— increasing the likelihood of return visits.
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    “The Evangeliz ation Webinar series presents practical and theoretical aspects of sharing the Gospel—as lived and taught by the Orthodox Church—with America\,” sai d Father Jonathan who\, in addition to serving as rector of Saint John the Theologian Church\, Shirley\, NY\, has been at the forefront of Orthodox evangelization and Church growth efforts for nearly two decades. “The seri es seeks to take initial strides to equip and encourage more Orthodox Chri stians to share the good news of the Gospel—using words when necessary—wit h those God sends and to whom God sends us.”

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    To register for the w ebinar—space is limited\, so early registration is suggested—log on to https://www1.gotome eting.com/register/121771712. Registrants will receive a confirmation e-mail with instructions for joining the webinar. PC-based attendees will need Windows® 7\, Vista\, XP or 2003 Server\, while Macintosh®-based atten dees will require Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer. Mobile attendees will need iPho ne®\, iPad®\, Android™ phone or Android tablet.

    DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20121024T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20121024T210000 LOCATION: SUMMARY:Webinar: “Parish hospitality: Creating Positive First-Time Experien ces for Enquirers” URL:http://ocl.org/ai1ec_event/webinar-parish-hospitality-creating-positive -first-time-experiences-for-enquirers/?instance_id= END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR