Convocation on Orthodox Prison Ministry to be held August 19-21

The Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry [OCPM], the official prison ministry recognized by the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas, will hold its annual convocation in Philadelphia, PA August 19-21, 2010.

The purpose of the convocation is to bring together the many Orthodox Christian clergy and laity from throughout North America engaged or interested in prison ministry for fellowship, education, encouragement, communal worship and the free exchange of ideas.

Speakers will include His Grace, Bishop Mark of Toledo of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America; His Grace, Bishop Tikhon of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania [OCA]; and Archimandrite Duane [Pederson,] OCPM founder.

The convocation will be held at the Embassy Suites Philadelphia Airport, 9000 Bartram Ave., Philadelphia, PA. Room reservations may be made by calling the Embassy Suites at 215-365-4500. A special rate of $100.00 per night has been reserved for convocation attendees. Registrants should mention that they are with Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry. Deadline for obtaining the special room rate is July 15, 2010. The rate will be available for three days prior to and three days after the convocation if booked before July 15.

Registration forms and a full schedule of events may be found at www.ocpm-scoba.org. Participants may register at www.ocpm-scoba.org or by mailing their form and registration fee to Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry, PO Box 468, Fleetwood, PA 19522-0468.

The registration fee is $150 if received before June 15, 2010. After that date, the fee will be $175. Financial assistance to cover the registration fee is available to those for whom the fee would impose a financial hardship.

OCPM brings the light of Christ to those who are in prison in North America by providing encouragement, material support, transition and reintegration services, Christian education, spiritual guidance and the sacramental life of the Church to prisoners and their families.