New York, NY - Planning is well underway for this summer's Clergy-Laity Congress in Nashville, Tenn. July 16-20. A new feature has been added to the schedule for the families of delegates and for those within driving distance of Nashville interested in spending a day or two at the Congress. The Center for Family Care will sponsor a Family Synaxis on Sunday through Thursday of the Congress, which will include educational and social activities for family members of all ages. "We are excited to be offering this program to the families who attend the Congress for their own spiritual edification and as a model for family programming in their parishes," said Fr. Constantine Sitaras, director of the Archdiocesan Center for Family Care.

While delegates to the Congress and the National Philoptochos Convention are attending their daily meetings, the Family Synaxis will provide opportunities for worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth to their spouses and children. Children and adults will be will have opportunities to attend together, as well as participate in age group sessions. One focus of the program will be to show parents how family resources can be used in the home to nurture faith on a daily basis. Sessions are scheduled on Monday afternoon and in the mornings on Tuesday and Wednesday.  In addition, a series of activities for families are also being planned which will include a Sunday evening social at Holy Trinity parish in Nashville and an all-day youth program on Thursday with tours of the Nashville Zoo and several historic sites.

The Congress Family Synaxis is offered at no charge to the families of Congress delegates and to families in the region who would like to participate.  The Thursday youth program will have a fee of $45 per person, and children in the 5th grade or under will need to be accompanied by an adult.  

Pre-registration for the Family Synaxis is required, and more information and registration materials can be accessed at http://www.familyaschurch.org/familysynaxis.asp .  

Information on the Clergy-Laity Congress, hotel accommodations, schedule, and more is available at http://www.clergylaity.org.

Contact:  Clergy-Laity Congress Office
Tel. 212-570-3549
Email: clergylaity@goarch.org

Malista!