www.byzcath.org Forums Mysteries: The Life of Worship Vespers, Matins & the Divine Liturgy The Revised Divine Liturgy A Call for a Conference on Our Liturgy!

Really just an easily accessible location travel wise- if the hierarchs do not wish to be proactively involved in calling such a conference, we would obviously need to have it somewhere that everyone can easily get to, possibly from distant areas of the country.
FDD

Good. I hope that the aim can be for broad attendance.

It's a bit premature to talk of "coming" when the when and where have not been worked out. I would love to as this is a topic I have direct and personal interest in, being clergy.

I would be willing to check at the Savior of the World Pastoral Center in Kansas City tommorrow which is the former Archdiocesan seminary, has suites of rooms, a pool, conference rooms and a cafeteria within 20 minutes of Kansas City International. If there is interest, that is.

I stand by my initial comment - while I appreciate all the efforts for Whiting, and again would be happy to attend in the Chicago area, perspective should be maintained as there are far more people than "BEMA" who appear to be concerned about this issue, and certainly far, far more that could be potentially impacted.
FDD

We have one speaker for the conference in Chicago booked. I'll let you know who it is very soon or he might do it himself. He's on this forum.

CDL

I'm not too clear on the idea of "neutral turf" either. I think you make a great point about the need for numbers, djs. Would that make Parma or Pittsburgh the better setting? Perhaps at the Antiochian House of Studies?

One point for consideration in the future - might it not be worth considering involving other Byzantine Catholic and Orthodox jurisdictions in this discussion? (That is, after all, an important aspect of the critique from Father Serge's work.) Since the liturgy itself is intimately linked to proclamation of the Gospel, would it not be interesting to discuss the kerygmatic role of the Divine Liturgy? The issue of "translation" can be discussed in this context.

Just a thought...

Gordo

Gordo, per my response to djs - somewhere that can be easily accessible for travel. That's all, accessible facilities, and probably not the best metaphor I could have used.

I do think the idea of inviting others such as the Orthodox or maybe an expert on the UGCC side of the Ordo like Fr. Peter Galadza for his take on their process in the development of the 1987 English Liturgikon would be benificial.
FDD

I must have been posting about the same time you replied about the "neutral turf" comment.
Your meaning is clear to me now.

And you definitely read my mind about Father Peter! The version published by the institute is marvellous! (Why didn't we just use that one? )

Gordo

One other brief point -

As I said, I definitely agree with the call for a conference. Is it worth considering waiting until the Fall? My reasons for suggesting this are fourfold:

1. We are talking about organizing what could be a pivotal event in the history of our Metropolia. Doesn't this warrant at least some additional planning and time?

2. Unlike Whiting which was designed to facilitate discussion and solicit ideas from the faithful, this conference would involve key presentations. Father Serge's book has barely made it to press. Would it not only be fair to both Father Serge and Father David (and the commission) to give them time to consider his recommendations?

3. We have not yet even defined the nature of the participation by the participants. Is it wise to plan a conference so soon on such a delicate matter without this being done? The nature of the participation may help determine who will participate.

4. Most vacation schedules are set at this point. A September or October session might be more reasonable to facilitate the largest amount of participation.

Just a few thoughts...any responses?

Gordo

Look,

I live in the Chicago Area, and I am willing to travel. So... lets get this set up and get going...

John

Certainly sensible points, Gordo, it will give more time to firm up place, time, speakers and agenda, giving more time to contact and schedule perhaps a larger sample of pertinent speakers as well.

John, I'm with you, bro', it doesn't really matter where (I suppose with some reservations - but, heck that wooden log Russian chapel in Antarctica wouldn't be bad in the summer.
FDD

John,

I agree. But let us consider also the need to involve the hierarchy. As a courtesy, should they not at least receive a formal invitation? I have coordinated large scale retreats and events in my day - I know what can be involved.

May I also remind you that while we had participants from the outside area at the Whiting event, the largest numbers hailed from the local area. We received complaints from others about the timing and the notice. How long does it take ACROD to plan their Sobors? And are not "Sobors" called by the bishop, not the laity?

We definitely need to meet. But would it "derail" anything to wait until late September? I would argue that we risk raising expectations to an unreasonable level if we rush too much.

My two cents,

Gordo

Oh definitely regarding the outplanning - the UGCC often plans a minimum of a year out for the Sobor, as of course they are bringing in people from Australia and New Zealand to the US to down the street in L'viv or Kyiv.
FDD

If we went to Kansas we could scout a location for our Byzantine Village!

That could be arranged - free samples of goat milk, chevre, and lamb meat. Bring your own spinning wheel, fiddle or banjo for the jam session...
FDD

I really enjoy chevre! Rack of lamb???