The Midwest Diocese announced today that the early registration discount period for the 2026 Parish Development Forum is June 26.

The 2026 Forum will be held at St. Luke the Evangelist Church, Palos Hills IL. from 1:00 PM Thursday July 9th through noon on Saturday July 11.  The theme for the 2026 Forum is “St Tikhon’s Vision for the Church in America: An Experiment in Parish Life.”

Persons interested in attending the Parish Development Forum are reminded to register early. Registrations received by the end of the day June 26 can attend at the discounted rate of $100 per person.  After June 26 registration is $140 per attendee. To assure an atmosphere of robust discussion, Forum attendance will be limited to 80 persons. Once limits are reached registrations will close.

Registration and hotel information can be handled directly from this link.

Forum Speakers Announced

“Saint Tikhon was a transformative figure for Orthodoxy in America,” said Archpriest Stephen Frase, clergy co-chair of the Forum. “In his years in America, as Bishop and Archbishop, St Tikhon encouraged and established a variety of practices to meet the unique needs of Orthodoxy in America. Many ideas were not generally found in historically Orthodox countries. These actions were truly an ecclesial experiment in Orthodox life.”

“Among the significant contributions of Saint Tikhon were an emphasis on English language worship, active lay ministry and leadership, conciliar parish and Church governance, a missional expansion of Orthodoxy through extensive parish planting, emphasis on adult faith education a foundation for a unified, local, self-governing Church in America.

These ideas and practices are as important today as they were in the early 20th century.  The 2026 Parish Development Forum’s agenda will develop many of these ideas.”

Agenda items and speakers will include:

• Dr. Scott Kenworthy, author of The People’s Patriarch will speak on St. Tikhon’s Vision for Orthodoxy in America
• Archpriest Alexander Rentel, St Vladimirs Seminary, will explore “With the hope that this might serve the good”: the Autocephaly in the 21st Century
• Dr. Randa Anderson and Archpriest Andrew Jarmus will collaborate to share perspectives on The Church and Technology: Encouragement and Caution
• Archpriest Daniel Greeson and a panel of catechists: will offer thoughts on Catechesis in the Time of the Surge
• Archpriest Justin Patterson will share ideas on The Challenge of Developing Parish Leaders
• Joseph Kormos will discuss: Six Practices for More Effective Parish Councils
• • Fr. Nicholas Anton and Spyridoula Fotinis, of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America, will share Inter-Orthodox Cooperation through Inter-Parish Associations:  The Future is Now

Each day will end with vespers and Saturday, the final day of the Forum, will begin with Divine Liturgy. 

The Parish Development Forum is a clergy/laity conference which explores the challenges facing Orthodox parishes, delivers actionable ideas and good practices valuable to parish leaders and builds mutually supportive relationships among participants. Past Forums have drawn attendees from most OCA Dioceses as well as the Greek and Antiochian Archdioceses, Ukrainian Orthodox Churches of USA and Canada and ROCOR.

Questions and enquiries may be directed to Mr. Kormos at this address. Registration and hotel information can be found here.

With less than three weeks remaining before registration closes, 25 clergy wives have already signed up for this first Orthodox Church in America-wide, in-person gathering of its kind. The early registrations reflect broad representation across the Church, with participants from a range of dioceses, ages, life stages, and ministry settings, including wives of parish priests, retired clergy, and clergy widows.

Reflecting on the early registrants, Matushka Carrie Foley, Director of Clergy Wives Ministry said, “We are excited to see the response. With such a wide range of ages and experiences represented, the stage will be set for rich conversation and organic mentorship.”

The Office of Pastoral Life is encouraging parish councils to help make attendance possible for clergy wives who wish to come. Supporting registration and travel expenses is a concrete way for parishes to care for their clergy families and to affirm the vital role clergy wives play in parish life. Some registrants have been sponsored by a family in their parish, while others signed up only after being approached by a parish council member who let them know the funds were already allocated.

This was the case for Matushka Ruth Lopez, whose husband graduated from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary this May. The Lopezes and their four young children arrived at their first parish assignment two weeks ago. “I was so touched and overjoyed when I found out I would be able to go to the clergy wives retreat this year! I know it will be a beautiful time full of building community and of rejuvenation,” said Matushka Ruth.

At Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Detroit, Michigan, Andrew and Danielle Bresinski found a creative way to send their priest’s wife to the retreat despite a tight church budget. Explaining the parish council’s decision to pay for Matushka Karina York’s registration, Andrew said, “Holy Trinity is not a rich parish ... we scrape by. Even with that being said, it was a no brainer. We did our research and we saw that it’s supported by His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel and His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon. It’s our job to support the family, our rector and his wife. She is the mother of our congregation. It’s such a huge choice to become a priest. And a lot of people don’t think about Matushka…she makes that choice, too. How often does she get a chance to unburden herself?”

When Andrew returned home after the meeting and told his wife, the sisterhood treasurer, about the vote, Danielle took it upon herself to support Matushka Karina further. She mentioned the opportunity to the parish sisterhood at their meeting the following week. Andrew said, “All were supportive. Everyone was on board. It was unanimous,” and in this way, travel expenses to the retreat will not be a burden, either. Andrew was grateful to help, saying, “She gets to go now and talk…with people who understand her like no one else can.”

The 2026 Clergy Wives Retreat is part of the Office of Pastoral Life’s broader effort to strengthen clergy families and support healthy pastoral life throughout the Orthodox Church in America.

Registration information is available here

About the Office of Pastoral Life

The Orthodox Church in America’s Office of Pastoral Life supports the well-being of clergy and their families, the foundation of parish life across North America. Believing the health of the Church is inseparable from the health of her clergy, the Office offers programs that build resilience, connection and pastoral joy. Programs include Thriving in Ministry peer-learning groups, Financial Health Initiatives, quarterly Synaxis Gatherings, Retreats and Clergy Wives Ministry. In partnership with bishops, dioceses, parishes and our generous donors, the Office of Pastoral Life helps create sustainable conditions in which priests, deacons and their families of the Orthodox Church in America can flourish spiritually, vocationally and personally through every season of parish ministry.

On June 9–10, representatives from across the Orthodox Church in America gathered in Springfield, VA, for a two-day planning meeting as part of the Church’s participation in the Lilly Endowment’s New Churches Initiative.

Earlier this year, the Orthodox Church in America was invited to apply to this national initiative, which seeks to support the establishment of new worshiping communities and help Christian organizations develop sustainable models for church planting and long-term growth. The invitation itself is a recognition of the Orthodox Church in America’s organizational health and demonstrated capacity to undertake significant initiatives.

The invitation also comes at a providential moment. Across North America, many parishes and missions are experiencing significant growth, while increasing numbers of inquirers and catechumens continue to seek the Orthodox faith.

The planning process began earlier this year with a series of interviews involving clergy, lay leaders, seminary representatives, mission priests, diocesan administrators, and other stakeholders from throughout the Church. The June gathering brought many of those voices together for a period of reflection, discussion, and discernment.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon and His Grace Bishop Gerasim of Fort Worth were joined by diocesan chancellors, treasurers, representatives of the seminaries, experienced mission priests, and other leaders from across the Church. Drawing upon their experience in parish life, theological education, administration, and mission work, participants considered both the opportunities and challenges facing the Church as it seeks to bring the Gospel to new communities throughout North America.

“The growth we are witnessing throughout the Orthodox Church in America is not ultimately the result of our own efforts, but a sign of God’s continued work among His people,” said His Beatitude. “This initiative invites us to consider carefully how we can be faithful stewards of that blessing—strengthening existing missions, planting new communities, and ensuring that those who are seeking Christ are welcomed into the life of the Church and formed as His disciples for a life of holiness.”

Throughout the meeting, participants emphasized the importance of thoughtful planning in the establishment of new churches. Particular attention was given to the formation of clergy, the indispensable role of lay ministry, and the need to ensure that new communities are built upon strong spiritual and financial foundations.

Discussion repeatedly returned to the importance of supporting full-time clergy ministry in mission settings. Participants noted that mission communities are best positioned for healthy growth when priests are able to devote themselves fully to the liturgical, pastoral, educational, and evangelistic work entrusted to them. Participants further affirmed that the growth of the Church must be accompanied by the careful formation of future clergy through our seminaries, whose work remains essential in preparing priests capable of serving the complex pastoral and missionary needs of contemporary parish life. The importance of dedicated lay ministry was likewise emphasized, including the service of catechists, choir directors, treasurers, church musicians, and many others whose ministries contribute to the health of parish communities.

A central focus of the Lilly Endowment initiative is sustainability. Much discussion was devoted to reflecting not only on the opportunities before the Church, but also on the practical and pastoral foundations necessary for lasting growth. While there was great enthusiasm for the continued expansion of mission work throughout North America, there was also broad agreement that healthy church planting requires patience, thoughtful planning, well-formed clergy and lay leaders, and a commitment to providing the support necessary for new communities to flourish over the long term.

The planning meeting represents an important step in the development of the Church’s proposal, which is scheduled to be submitted to the Lilly Endowment later this summer. In the months ahead, the Orthodox Church in America will continue refining its vision and priorities for this initiative, drawing upon the insights shared by participants and the experiences of dioceses, parishes, seminaries, and mission communities across the Church.

As the Orthodox Church in America continues this planning process, the faithful are encouraged to keep this work in their prayers and to support the Church’s missionary efforts through their generosity. Those wishing to contribute may do so through the Orthodox Church in America’s online giving page.

The Church also encourages all of the faithful to prayerfully consider how the Lord may be calling them to participate in this missionary work. Some may be called to ordained ministry and theological education through one of the Church’s seminaries. Others may discern a vocation through the Diaconal Vocations Program or through service as catechists, choir directors, church musicians, parish administrators, treasurers, youth workers, and in countless other ministries that sustain and strengthen parish life. The growth of the Church is the work of the whole People of God, and each member has a role to play in building up the Body of Christ.

On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, His Beatitude Archbishop Stefan, Primate of the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric, welcomed His Eminence Archbishop Michael, Archbishop of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, Rector of St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, together with clergy and pilgrims.

The meeting took place at the Monastery of St. Panteleimon in Gorno Nerezi, a 12th century monastery on the outskirts of Skopje. Archbishop Michael was accompanied by Archpriest John Parker, Dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary, Archpriest Daniel Degyansky, Archpriest Josiah Trenham, Archpriest John Vitko, Deacon Ephraim Rivers, and 26 additional pilgrims.

Archbishop Stefan offered generous words of welcome to the pilgrims, including a brief reflection on the history of the Macedonian Orthodox Church and the apostolic roots of Christianity in the region. Gifts were exchanged, and the pilgrims were welcomed to hospitality at the monastery. Archbishop Michael extended the greetings of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, who is eagerly anticipating a future time he will be able to visit the Macedonian Church.

During the visit, Archbishop Stefan and Archbishop Michael spoke about the growth of the Church, seminary life, and the work of forming clergy and faithful for service in the Orthodox Church. Archbishop Stefan also recalled with gratitude his concelebration with Metropolitan Tikhon at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, DC. “We know one another when we visit one another, especially when we pray the Liturgy together,” he said.

At the conclusion of the visit, Archbishop Michael, clergy, and pilgrims gathered for a group photo inside the 12th century church. At the request of Archbishop Stefan, “Many Years” was intoned for Metropolitan Tikhon.

The pilgrimage, sponsored by St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, is taking place from June 2–13 in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the repose of St. Nikolai Velimirovich. The journey traces the life, ministry, and legacy of St. Nikolai, who spent the final years of his life at St. Tikhon’s Seminary in South Canaan, PA, where he served as professor and rector.

On Saturday, June 6th, 2026, at the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon traveled to Cincinnati to preside at the 50th Anniversary celebration of Christ the Savior–Holy Spirit Orthodox Church. Upon arrival in Cincinnati, His Beatitude was greeted at the airport by His Eminence and Archpriest Herman Kincaid, Chancellor of the Diocese of the Midwest. Also accompanying His Beatitude was Protodeacon Peter Ilchuk.

His Beatitude then traveled to Christ the Savior–Holy Spirit Orthodox Church where he presided at Great Vespers. Following the service, a light reception was held in the church hall.

On Sunday, June 7th, 2026, His Beatitude presided at the celebration of the hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Concelebrating with His Beatitude was His Eminence, His Eminence Archbishop Melchisedek of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, Archpriest Steven Kostoff, Parish Rector, Fr. Herman Kincaid, Archpriest Alexander Rentel, and Archpriest Dennis Buck.

At the conclusion of the liturgy, His Eminence warmly greeted his Beatitude and His Eminence and welcomed them to the parish and the Diocese.

A festive banquet was held at the Cintas Center at Xavier University in Cincinnati to conclude the weekend’s celebrations. At the banquet, remarks were given about the history of the parish and greetings to the faithful of the parish. His Beatitude then returned to Washington, DC.

The Office of Pastoral Life of the Orthodox Church in America has launched the second cohort of the Financial Health Initiative, a program designed to support the financial well-being and stability of its clergy households.

Cohort 2 began June 1, 2026, with 36 clergy households participating from across the Orthodox Church in America. Forty-five households applied for the second cohort, exceeding the program’s original capacity of 30 households. Additional fundraising allowed the Office of Pastoral Life to expand the cohort and welcome six more households, while nine households remain on the wait list.

The Financial Health Initiative, or FHI, is part of the broader work of the Office of Pastoral Life to strengthen and support clergy and their families. Through the program, participating clergy households receive structured financial education, budgeting tools, access to financial coaching, and a $5,000 incentive grant. The program is intended to help clergy households develop stronger financial practices, increase clarity around household finances, and take practical steps toward long-term financial stability.

“Clergy households carry real responsibilities, both in the parish and at home,” said Father Nicholas Solak, Director of the Office of Pastoral Life. “The Financial Health Initiative is one way the Church can offer practical, concrete support that touches daily life. Financial health is not separate from pastoral life. When clergy households are more stable, more confident, and better equipped to make faithful decisions, that strengthens the priest, the family, and the parish community they serve.”

The launch of Cohort 2 follows lessons learned during Cohort 1, which began in 2025. Feedback from the first cohort helped the Office of Pastoral Life and the Financial Health Initiative team refine the program and continue developing a model of support that is both practical and responsive to the realities faced by clergy families.

The strong response to Cohort 2 reflects the importance of this work and underscores the value of practical formation in financial literacy, planning, and household money management.

“We are grateful that we were able to include more households than originally planned,” Father Nicholas said. “That is a sign of good stewardship and of the generosity of those who believe in this work. At the same time, the remaining waitlist reminds us that this need is real and that continued support for clergy households remains an important part of the Church’s life.”

Father Stephen Vernak, Director of the Financial Health Initiative, noted that the program is designed to provide both structure and encouragement.

About the Office of Pastoral Life
The Orthodox Church in America’s Office of Pastoral Life supports the well-being of clergy and their families, the foundation of parish life across North America. Believing the health of the Church is inseparable from the health of her clergy, the Office offers programs that build resilience, connection and pastoral joy. Programs include Thriving in Ministry peer-learning groups, Financial Health Initiatives, quarterly Synaxis Gatherings, Retreats and Clergy Wives Ministry. In partnership with bishops, dioceses, parishes and our generous donors, the Office of Pastoral Life helps create sustainable conditions in which priests, deacons and their families of the Orthodox Church in America can flourish spiritually, vocationally and personally through every season of parish ministry.