Orthodox Women in the Healing Ministries
Celebrating Our Twenty First Year
1992 - 2013
OWHM retreats can be heard on Ancient Faith Radio, www.ancientfaith.com. They have been recorded since 2008.
2011 Conference
Dr. Albert Rossi
Dr. Rossi teaches courses in pastoral theology at Saint Vladimir's Semnary. He is a member of the SCOBA Commission on Contemporary Social and Moral Issues. He has written numerous articles onpsychology and religion and published a book through Paulist Press entitled, "Can I Make a Difference: Christian Family life Today". He is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of New York.
Through scientific facts, story telling, music, videos and humor Dr. Rossi both touched and educated those of us in the healing and ministering walks of life. Combined with the spiritual and physical retreat of the Monastery, he ministered to us and thus taught us how to care for others. The "Jesus Prayer" was one of the themes that ran throughout the weekend. A memorable quote: "The Jesus Prayer functions as therapy, much like healing oil, transforming our personality from overstrain to joy, and by continuing to pray, these changes become permanent."
2010 Conference
Maria T. Molett
On Friday night Maria assisted us in understanding how we view ourselves and our activities. We looked at how we form our ideas about womanhood from our mothers, fathers, our cultures, our religion and the society in which we live. We examined our chosen roles and the possibility of being caught up in a double bind, thus becoming "Master Jugglers." We also worked to review what we feel and think about ourselves and what we hope our roles are and will be in the future. Experiential exercises were used to assist us in this journey.
The two lectures for both men and women assisted us in identifying sources of trauma in our lives and how this impacts our physical, emotional, and spiritual life. Recognizing this part of our life helps us to forgive and be forgiven through the power of prayer and letting go. The "Power of Forgiveness in Healing" is a great tool, especially for those of us in the Healing Ministries.
2009 Conference
Fr. Hans Jacobse
Fr. Hans addressed the women of OWHM as "co-laborers with Christ" as he opened this year's October conference. He reminded us that, "God desires the healing of the person" and that many miracles do occur through the power of the healing prayers of the Church. These healing prayers have an authority intrinsic to the prayers themselves, manifesting the power of God's word. Fr. related some of his personal experiences of the healing of critical patients and about the conversions that took place as a result of being cured of their illnesses.
The men and women who attended Saturday's conference learned about the "Secular vs Sacred" culture war that is waging in America and touches the world at large. This battle is between competing moral visions, that determine how we see and live life, as Orthodox Christians in an increasingly secular world.
Fr. Hans is the founder of the American Orthodox Institute and the founder and editor of the Orthodoxy Today web site. Some of his many talks can be heard on Ancient Faith Radio. wwwancientfaith.com.
2008 Conference
Fr. Thomas Hopko
The Death of Christ and Our Death in Him was the title of the presentation by Fr. Hopko in October 2008. He spoke of the many ways that those of us in the healing professions, as well as anyone else who ministers to the sick, can assist them from an Orthodox perspective. He reminded us that God does not will disease, sickness, suffering and death. Illness is with us, "So that the Glory of God be revealed," as in John, 9:3. Among his words of wisdom was a reminder to read the Psalms to the sick. Fr. Tom bestowed many messages that were filled with love and understanding. His brightly delivered humor made this heavy topic a little lighter.
Fr. Hopko has his PhD in Theology and is a Protopresbyter, theologian and author. He has contributed a long list of books, video and audiotapes, essays and articles. They address doctrine, worship, bible, church history, and spirituality. He has also been involved with many Orthodox concerns including the World Council of Churches, Faith and Order Commission, Professor and Dean of St. Vladimir's Seminary and President of the Orthodox Theological Society in America and much more.
2007 Conference
Corinna Delskeskamp-Hayes
The 2007 retreat, Love and the Scandal of Obedience, with Corinna Delskeskamp-Hayes as our guest speaker, was a very interesting and successful one. We had a large attendence, which included people from quite a few states. She brought knowledge, compassion and a great sense of humor to our conference weekend.
Corinna resides in Germany where she is the Director of European Programs, International Studies in Philosophy and Medicine, Co-Editor of Christian Bioethics, and is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Medicine and Philosophy. We were the first stop for her on her U.S. lecture tour, and were inspired, and blessed by her understanding of the relationship between Orthodoxy and her field of study.
Orthodoxy in America
