Youth
Presentations to Syriac Orthodox
In December 2016, James Munk, the North American
Region Kairos
Director, and Ed Moccia joined the clergy
of the Syriac Orthodox Church Eastern US
Archdiocese for a conference focused on improving
youth work in the Archdiocese. The retreat took
place at the Mor Aphrem Center in New Jersey.
The Syriac Orthodox Church traces it beginnings to
the earliest years of the Chrisian era. It has
churches throughout the Middle East , Iraq, and
India. As a result of immigration, the Syriac
Orthodox Church now has churches in Europe, the
Americas, and Australia as well.
Our Sword of the Spirit Community, People of God,
in Beirut, Lebanon, has a strong connection with
the church and suggested James and Ed as a
resource. Archbishop Mor Dionysius John Kawak
acted on that suggestion and invited James and Ed
to address this conference of priests from his
Archdiocese.
James and Ed made six, one-hour presentations to
the 18 priests and the Archbishop. These
presentations outlined the Sword of the Spirit’s
approach to working with youth.
• Understanding Youth Culture
• The Postmodern Mind
• SOS Theory of Youth Work
• Raising Up Young Leaders
• Working with Transitional Adults
• Improving Your Parish Youth Work
James and Ed stressed the importance of engaging
the youth themselves in Christian mission, a key
element of creating radical disciples. They
suggested that the Archdiocese bring together some
of their more committed young members to develop a
strategy for engaging young people in the church.
Plans have already been made for subsequent
connections. One of the priests from
Michigan plans to attend the Kairos YES!
Retreat—he may even bring along some youth from
his parish. There are many opportunities for joint
action in the future.
James and Ed found great inspiration among the
Syriac clergy. “I was having lunch with one of the
priests,” Ed said, “he shared with me how he had
to flee Mosal, Iraq, when ISIS invaded 18 months
previously and had recently immigrated to the
United States.” “The men we met with,“ said James,
“clearly love the Lord and want to do the best
they can for their young people. Hopefully, we can
support them in this endeavor! “
[This
article was first published in the Sword of
the Spirit North
American Region (NAR) Newsletter, April
Issue, 2017. See NAR
website and Newsletter archive.]
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