Second Annual Catechism Conference
September 6-8, 2024
Friday, September 6
12:00-2:00 Registration, Lunch, Agiasmo
2:00-5:00 Session 1- The Shape of the Universe-Fr. Stephen Freeman
Patriarch Bartholomew has famously declared that the "whole world is a sacrament." It is an astounded assertion about the very nature of reality itself. In this talk we explore the "shape" of that reality - how to understand it and how to bring it into our daily lives. There are unique challenges for all of us - particularly for children and teens as they learn to live as Christians in the modern world.
5:30-6:30 Dinner
6:30-8:30 Session 2- Christ the “Good Teacher” - Lessons Learned in Education from our Savior- Fr. Steven Klund
In Luke 18:18 our Lord is approached by a ruler and asked “Good Teacher, what must I do so that I will live forever?” His response is not a simple “spoon-fed” answer for the man, but an invitation to deeper critical thinking and greater spiritual growth. We will examine this interaction, and several others, to gain a better understanding of Christ’s didactical method and how we can similarly model our parish educational ministries.
8:30-9:30 Fireside Wine and Discussion
Saturday, September 7
8:00-9:30 Breakfast
9:30-12:00 Session 3 - "The Power of Preparation: The Crucial Role of Lesson Planning in Effective Teaching" –Leslie Hansard
Proverbs 16:3 reminds us that thoughtful preparation is blessed and guided by God, leading to fruitful and impactful outcomes. How can intentional lesson planning enhance student engagement as well as a teacher’s confidence and effectiveness in the classroom? This session will cover the importance of planning- setting clear objectives, understanding age-appropriate content, and incorporating interactive and engaging teaching methods. To reinforce concepts discussed, there will be dedicated time for participants to apply what they have learned by creating a lesson plan tailored to their specific teaching content and grade level.
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-3:00 Session 4 - Teaching in Parables - The Timeless Classroom Language-Fr. Steven Klund
In Luke 8:10 Christ is explaining the reasoning behind His favorite teaching strategy, the Parable. This talk will explore how we can adapt this strategy in our parishes in order to better explain the complex “mysteries of the Kingdom of God” to our 21st century students.
3:00-3:30 Break
3:30-5:30 Session 5 - A Room With a View-Fr. Stephen Freeman
St. Gregory of Nyssa wrote: "Only wonder understands anything." Wonder is an essential element of worship. "O Lord, how wonderful are your works! In wisdom You have made them all!" Wonder is also an essential element of our spiritual formation and education. This talk would focus on the sacramental world as an introduction to wonder for young and old. How do we teach wonder? How do we nurture wonder within ourselves? Why is this so important?
5:30-6:30 Vespers
6:30-7:30 Dinner
7:30-9:30 Fireside Wine and Discussion
Sunday, September 8
8:45-11:00 Orthros and Divine Liturgy
11:15-12:15 Brunch
12:15-2:15 Session 6 - "Differentiation: Meeting the Needs of Every Student"-Leslie Hansard
“Encourage one another and build each other up…” This verse from 1 Thessalonians brings us back to our essential role as teachers- meeting our students where they are and helping them to grow towards the Kingdom. This session will dive into the concept of differentiation, emphasizing its critical role in addressing the diverse learning needs of students. Participants will have the opportunity to identify and modify differentiation strategies in given lesson plans to meet needs of the students in class. How can you modify your current lesson plans to incorporate differentiation techniques and what challenges can you overcome by preparing lesson plans that meet students where they are?
2:15-3:30 Wrap Up and Gift Presentation
SECOND ANNUAL CATECHISM CONFERENCE
Date: September 6-8, 2024
Where: Diakonia Retreat Center
Theme: “Bringing our Children to Communion with Christ”
Speakers: Fr. Stephen Freeman, Fr. Steven Klund, Leslie Hansard
Cost: $300 EcoCabin and lecture, $200 Lodge and lecture, Lecture only $175, includes meals
Fr. Stephen Freeman
Fr. Stephen Freeman is an Archpriest in the Orthodox Church in America and is Pastor Emeritus of St. Anne Orthodox Church in Oak Ridge, TN. He was educated at Furman University where he majored in Classical Languages, Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, and Duke University. He is author of the popular blog, Glory to God for All Things, and of the podcast, Glory to God, on Ancient Faith Radio, as well as the books Everywhere Present: Christianity in a One-Storey Universe and Face to Face: Knowing God Beyond Our Shame. He is a popular speaker at conferences, colleges, and parishes across the country. His work has been widely translated and published in Europe and Russia.
Session 1- The Shape of the Universe
Patriarch Bartholomew has famously declared that the "whole world is a sacrament." It is an astounded assertion about the very nature of reality itself. In this talk we explore the "shape" of that reality - how to understand it and how to bring it into our daily lives. There are unique challenges for all of us - particularly for children and teens as they learn to live as Christians in the modern world.
Session 2- A Room With a View
St. Gregory of Nyssa wrote: "Only wonder understands anything." Wonder is an essential element of worship. "O Lord, how wonderful are your works! In wisdom You have made them all!" Wonder is also an essential element of our spiritual formation and education. This talk would focus on the sacramental world as an introduction to wonder for young and old. How do we teach wonder? How do we nurture wonder within ourselves? Why is this so important?
Fr. Steven Klund
Fr. Steven Klund is the pastor of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Wilmington, NC. He also plays an active role in the youth ministries of the Metropolis of Atlanta by directing the Winter Youth Rally and the first session of Saint Stephen’s Summer Camp each year. Fr. Steven was raised in Charlotte, NC and earned his undergraduate degree at East Carolina University, majoring in Graphic Design with a minor in Art History. In 2013, Fr. Steven graduated from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA. He was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on January 1, 2013 at his home parish of Saint Nektarios in Charlotte, NC, and then to the Holy Priesthood on June 30 of the same year at Saint Mark in Boca Raton, FL. It was at Saint Mark where Fr. Steven served as the Associate Pastor for six years before being assigned to Wilmington in August of 2019. Fr. Steven and his wife, Pres. Nicole Klund, met while serving as counselors at Ionian Village in 2008. They were married in the summer of 2011, and have two children.
Session 1- Christ the “Good Teacher” - Lessons Learned in Education from our Savior
In Luke 18:18 our Lord is approached by a ruler and asked “Good Teacher, what must I do so that I will live forever?” His response is not a simple “spoon-fed” answer for the man, but an invitation to deeper critical thinking and greater spiritual growth. We will examine this interaction, and several others, to gain a better understanding of Christ’s didactical method and how we can similarly model our parish educational ministries.
Session 2- Teaching in Parables - The Timeless Classroom Language
In Luke 8:10 Christ is explaining the reasoning behind His favorite teaching strategy, the Parable. This talk will explore how we can adapt this strategy in our parishes in order to better explain the complex “mysteries of the Kingdom of God” to our 21st century students.
Leslie Hansard
Leslie Hansard is the Project Lead for Customer Support Training at the Chick-Fil-A Support Center, with 14 years of experience in education, including 5 years dedicated to training other professionals. She holds a Master's degree in Education from the University of Georgia.
An active member of Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Marietta, GA, Leslie has been a Sunday School teacher since 2016 and has served as the Philoptochos Chapter President since 2021. She enjoys hiking and spending time in nature, reading, and traveling. Leslie has been married to her husband, Christopher, for 14 years, and they have two wonderful daughters, ages 6 and 9.
Session 1- "The Power of Preparation: The Crucial Role of Lesson Planning in Effective Teaching"
This session will cover the importance of planning- setting clear objectives, understanding age-appropriate content, and incorporating interactive and engaging teaching methods.
Session 2- "Differentiation: Meeting the Needs of Every Student"
This session will dive into the concept of differentiation, emphasizing its critical role in addressing the diverse learning needs of students.