Fr. Josiah Trenham
The Domestic Church and Education in the Writings of St. John Chrysostom
Part 1:
Why Christian Education Always Starts in the Home Within the Life of the Church
Fr. Josiah Trenham
St. John Chrysostom, perhaps more than any other Church Father, emphasized the importance of the kath’imas (Christian/spiritual) education in the Christian home. The kath’imas education was distinct from the exothen (pagan/secular) education of his time and cannot be reduced to a set curriculum, selected spiritual readings, or Church programs. Rather, the kath’imas education is “the ecclesiastical ethos of the Christian home” as “maintained by a fervent and continual link with the Church." "The blessing of the household is contingent upon faithful participation in the prayers of the Church,” writes Fr. Josiah in his work Marriage and Virginity According to St. John Chrysostom. The kath’imas education, then, is fueled through the spiritual life of the home within the context of the liturgical, ascetical, and sacramental life of the Church. Join Fr. Josiah for this very important topic in which he will guide us through the teaching of St. John Chrysostom in how we should order our homes on the basis of a domestic typicon that nurtures the kath’imas education in pursuit of holiness within the home.
Part 2:
Realizing St. John Chrysostom's Vision for Christian Education in a Post-Christian World
Fr. Josiah Trenham
St. John Chrysostom offers us a beautiful teaching on the kath’imas (Christian/spiritual) and exothen (pagan/secular) within the context of a pre-modern world in which Christ was historically anticipated by the culture. However, today, we live in a post-Christian world in which our culture is established out of a rejection of Christ. How, then, should we manifest the teaching of St. John Chrysostom in our time with respect to educating our children? What does it look like practically to educate our children in the fullest sense as Christians in our own time? Join Fr. Josiah for his second talk in which he brings the teaching of St. John Chrysostom to bear within the context of a post-Christian culture.
Dr. Mark Tarpley
Modernity’s Vision for Education and Why We Should Be Concerned
Dr. Mark Tarpley
The rise of modernity ushered in a new vision for education, and consequently, a new vision for humanity. Such a vision permeates the educational landscape of America today. Understanding the historical roots and subsequent establishment of modern education reveals what is now taken for granted by educators today. As Orthodox Christians responsible for educating our children, it is vital that we see clearly the hidden assumptions of modern education, how they stand in contrast to Orthodox education, and how these hidden assumptions play out practically in the schooling of our children. Join Dr. Tarpley as he unveils the hidden assumptions of modern education and how they can lead our children down a path contrary to the Orthodox faith.
Don’t Be Caught Unaware: Why Post-Modernity is More Influential in the Formation of Our Children Than We Think
Dr. Mark Tarpley
Orthodox Christians understand that Postmodernity stands in opposition to our faith. But do we realize how postmodernity is forming our children today, particularly in the education space? One only has to listen to how our youth speak to begin to get a sense of its impact. As parents and educators, we must not think simply because we are Orthodox Christians that we are somehow immune to the rise of postmodernity. We should not be caught unaware.
Introducing the Hybrid Model of Education
Dr. Mark Tarpley
The model of education you choose is a significant decision for both the founding of a school and for the schooling of children. As much as educators emphasize curriculum and philosophy of education, models are also very powerful in forming the educational experience of a child. Too often, an either/or is presented between homeschooling/co-ops and five-day-a-week models. There are other model options that exist, and the growing interest in hybrid model schools continues to increase in the United States. Hybrid model schools consist of a school community similar to a five-day-a-week school; however, students attend the school two or three days a week and complete extension assignments at home on the other days. This session is designed for both educators and parents who are interested in exploring alternative models in education. We invite you to join Dr. Mark Tarpley, who has extensive experience as an administrator in the hybrid model, as he discusses the option of the hybrid model of education.
The Three Most Important Components of a Successful School
Dr. Mark Tarpley
There is no doubt that schools are complex systems, and there are many moving parts that must operate properly for a school to function well. However, the most important components of a school are too often overlooked, resulting in unanticipated and even unrecognized challenges. What are these three components - mission and vision, board governance, and the formal understanding of the relationship between the responsibility of the school and the responsibility of the parents. These three components set in place the critical foundation upon which a school flourishes. Join Dr. Mark Tarpley as he discusses these three foundational components to every successful school.
Bede Carpenter
Conversing with the Past: The Study of History in an Orthodox Christian Context
BEDE CARPENTER
When asked why the human past should be studied, most people will revert to an often repeated but misquoted claim that "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Others however, will quote Henry Ford who famously said, “History is tradition. We don’t want tradition. The only history worth [knowing] is the history we make today.” Is history simply some repetitive cycle which we must learn from in an attempt to prevent certain errors? Or, should it be cast aside in favor of all that is “new” and “novel?” What becomes clear from these quotes is that why we study history, and consequently, how we go about the study of history is not perhaps so readily apparent today. In fact, there is tremendous confusion surrounding this question that silently leaves its imprints in curriculums that shape and form our children in ways we are unaware. At its worst, much of the study of history in education today has been reduced to bodies of disconnected information to be learned across broad swaths of history that involve little to no value judgments made in relationship to historical cultures and movements. Equally problematic for Orthodox Christians, much of what we use in educating our children is drawn from Western educational resources that promote movements that are oppositional to our faith such as Scholasticism, the Renaissance, etc. Therefore, a proper understanding of why and how we study history as well as understanding its value, is crucial. Join Bede Carpenter as he explores the questions of why and how Orthodox Christians should approach the study of history.
Why and How Christian Education Should Reintegrate English, History, and Philosophy into a Single Humanities Course
BEDE CARPENTER & DR. MARK TARPLEY
Nathan Pierce
California Homeschool Legal/Legislative Update
Nathan Pierce, Family Protection Ministries
Fresh from the battlefront, Nathan will update you on major current legislative battles to protect our private home education and parental rights! You will learn how vigilance is maintained despite the many threats against our precious freedoms, and hear how Family Protection Ministries has worked this year to build relationships with legislators and staff inside the Capitol. As time permits, this perspective will broaden to an even larger battlefront of the underlying worldviews and trends of our culture’s war against the God-ordained family.
COVID-19 and Parental Rights in California, A Legislative Update
Nathan Pierce, Family Protection Ministries
Family Protection Ministry liaison, Nathan Pierce, will offer an update on what legal and legislative changes have taken place in California related to parental rights since COVID began. Though this update is specific to California, the legislative attempts to take rights from parents in California will likely soon follow in other states. This will be a short presentation, followed by a question and answer session with Nathan Pierce.
Bostock v. Clayton County: How it Impacts Churches, Private Education, and Homeschoolers (Understanding the Implications of the Supreme Court Ruling of June 15, 2020)
Nathan Pierce, Family Protection Ministries
Bostock v. Clayton County was a landmark United States Supreme Court civil rights case in which the Court held that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees against discrimination because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Family Protection Ministry liaison, Nathan Pierce, will explain the ruling, and offer a brief analysis of how this impacts churches, private schools, and homeschoolers. This will be a short presentation, followed by a question and answer session with Nathan Pierce.
Getting Your Family Involved in Advocacy: What Can I Do? (Including How to Write Letters and Position Papers to Your Legislator)
Nathan Pierce, Family Protection Ministries
Ever wonder how you could make a difference in the fight to keep our homeschool freedoms? Personal face-to-face meetings between a legislator and a homeschool family can be the most effective advocacy tool we have. Nathan will discuss inviting legislators to your homeschool science fair, taking a field trip to visit your legislator in their local district office, and even lining up your teens to potentially intern at a legislators office. This workshop will also give you clear steps in crafting letters to your legislator so that you can get your point across effectively. When needed, FPM will ask you to write your California Legislators in the Senate and Assembly on specific bills. The opinions of citizens in their own districts are important to legislators, as many believe that your one letter represents the view of 100 others who did not take the time to express their position. In a time when it can be tempting to be isolated and just “do our thing” Nathan will challenge you to engage in the battle for our freedoms while we still can.
(for the YOUTH) Getting Your Group Ready for Action
Nathan Pierce, Family Protection Ministries
Ever wonder how your group could make a difference? Or perhaps if it could make a difference? A plan is vital when preparing for any battle. Legislative battles are no different. Nathan will talk about what types of things your group can do to make a difference for the cause of homeschool freedom. Coming up with a plan and figuring out how to implement it (and who is going to help) can be a struggle, so that’s what we’ll be doing! We will discuss inviting legislators to your homeschool science fair, taking a field trip to visit your legislator in their local district office, and even lining up teens in your group to potentially intern at a legislator’s office.
Charter Schools – Opportunity or Hidden Stumbling Block?
Nathan Pierce, Family Protection Ministries
You probably know homeschooling families who have left the fold of Private Homeschooling for the perceived advantages of joining a charter school. Some church leaders are encouraging families to look into charter schools as a viable and beneficial option for educating their children at home. Perhaps you yourself have even wondered if it wouldn’t be a solution to some of the challenges you’re facing. So, what are some of the important issues Christian parents should consider before making any decision to enroll their children in a charter school? What place can God’s Word have in a charter school? What is legally required and forbidden of charter schools? You may be surprised at the answer!
Law for California Private Homeschoolers
Nathan Pierce, Family Protection Ministries
Are you a new or potential homeschooling parent? Perhaps you’re a leader working with new homeschoolers. Here is the place to get a foundation of understanding of the legalities of homeschooling. We know the Education Code addresses compulsory education, but what does it actually say and how do we as private homeschoolers make sure we meet compulsory education law? What is the difference between public and private education school programs, anyway? And what is a private school affidavit and how do you file it? Any remaining questions? You may ask those at the Q & A session at the end of this helpful session.
2021 Saint Kosmas Conference
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