The Western Diocese of the Saint Leon Armenian Cathedral says that its annual Reclaim conference will take place on Saturday, March 19, 2022, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at 3325 North Glenoaks Boulevard, Burbank, California. As more parishioners note conflict within their families, the four-part discussion will focus on bringing the family together regardless of external events such as the pandemic and geopolitical crises.
More details can be found at https://reclaim2022.eventbrite.com
With the announcement of the new conference, the Diocese continues its mission of offering spiritual guidance to its parishioners. Participants will understand the importance of family and faith, and keeping one’s devotion to the Lord despite troubling times.
There will be four main discussions. The first topic, called “The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony” will be by Hayk Madoyan, a teacher of Orthodox Christianity, specializing in doctrine and history of the Armenian Church.
The next will be “Keeping Family Healthy in an Unhealthy World” by Kristen Morefield, a licensed therapist who specializes in working with trauma and anxiety in individual, couples and families.
The third will be “Family is a luxury: Contemporary reflections on the unspoken pandemic” by Ani Shahinian, University of Oxford, MA Near Eastern Languages & Cultures – Armenian History, Christianity & Literature from UCLA.
The last discussion topic will be “When Families Don’t Work: Separation, Divorce & Reconciliation” by The Honorable Sharon L. Kalemkiarian of the San Diego County Superior Court.
Each topic will focus on the family and its definition in modern times. According to the Western Diocese, the term “family” is both a dynamic and static term to define a community. Though paradoxical, they explain that society has to accept newer ideas to keep up with the times, yet still embrace traditional values of love and acceptance.
After the initial topics, there will be three panel discussions where participants can ask their spiritual questions regarding family and the Lord. The first will be on dating, sex, and marriage moderated by Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, St. Gregory, Pasadena; the second will be on Money, Raising family, Healthy living, Anxiety and the Church moderated by the speakers; and lastly, Life’s Final Stage: Purpose and Meaning moderated by Diran Avagyan.
For additional info about the speakers, their resumes and bio’s read more on the @ ReclaimAC Facebook page.
Registration is on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Interested parties can find more information by visiting https://reclaim2022.eventbrite.com
