sm

Logitech launches Sync smart office tools to streamline workplace efficiency

Logitech has introduced a range of Sync smart office tools designed to improve workplace efficiency and provide enhanced analytics for IT teams. The new suite includes Auto Book and Auto Release, which automate room reservations and cancellations based on user activity. Additionally, Logitech View offers interactive digital office maps to assist with navigation in large office spaces. Henry Levak, VP of Product at Logitech for Business, highlighted the AI capabilities of the tools, stating, “Rally Bars use AI in-camera sensors to automatically detect and respond to natural workplace behaviors with no human intervention needed.” This approach aims to simplify room… [Continue Reading]




sm

Cynicism and the Goodness of God

Fr. Stephen looks at the problems presented by cynicism for belief in God. Worldly wisdom and the wisdom of God are very different things.




sm

The Smallness of God

Fr. Stephen turns our thoughts during this week of the Nativity to the "smallness" of God. God has come to save us through His "weakness" as St. Paul says and invites us to share in that humility.




sm

Smashing Icons

On the first Sunday of Great Lent, Orthodox Christians celebrate the return of icons to the Churches. Fr. Stephen looks at the spirit of icon smashing that occasionally infects Christians and various political movements and contrasts it with the spirit of authentic Christianity.




sm

Evangelism and the Ego

In his recent series on the true and false self, Fr. Stephen looks at evangelism of the heart.




sm

History, Post-Modernism, and Orthodoxy

Fr. Stephen speaks at length about the place of Orthodoxy within the modern world. Orthodox history is unknown to most Americans but has something to say to them and to help them in the healing of their own culture.




sm

Christianity in a One-Storey Universe - Part 4; Christian Atheism

Continuing with his illuminating series, in part four Fr. Stephen Freeman discusses those (both non-Orthodox and Orthodox) for whom knowledge of God is but a relationship with a book (albeit a sacred book) or with ideas about God. These people are what Fr. Freeman calls "practical atheists." "Although a person may espouse a belief in God, it's quite possible for that belief to be so removed from everyday life that God's non-existence would make little difference."




sm

Literalism and the Other Word

Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at the notion of "allegory" as it is used in the New Testament and in the Orthodox worldview. He also considers the true nature of "literalism" and how we should understand it.




sm

Facing Death Through Catechism

The call to remember death is a constant in ascetical theology. But how exactly does one put this virtue into practice? Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos has made this question the focus of his pastoral ministry - and doctoral thesis. Check out Fr. Ted's podcast iSermon. If you're interested in hearing more about Fr. Ted's thesis, complete with practical suggestions for catechists and catechumens alike, you can find our uncut conversation here. And here's his YouTube channel.




sm

Ep 074: Small Things for 2022

In which Nicole dreams small and introduces her theme word for 2022. Learn more about Nicole’s trauma-informed coaching services (nicoleroccas.com/coaching). Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Mentioned in this episode: Nov 2021 Talk by Dr. Rima Nasrallah (councilofchurches.ca/news/new-video-available-we-saw-the-star-in-the-east-by-the-rev-dr-rima-nasrallah) The intro and outro of this podcast are the songs "Idea" and "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.




sm

Ep 075: Zacchaeus and the Hidden Blessing of Smallness

How the story of Zacchaeus reveals the hidden blessing of smallness in Christ. Learn more about Nicole’s trauma-informed coaching services (nicoleroccas.com/coaching). Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Mentioned in this episode: Luke 19:1-10 “The Desire: The Sunday of Zacchaeus” in Fr. Alexander Schmemann, Great Lent (SVS Press, pp. 17-18) Zacchaeus Sunday: oca.org/saints/lives/2020/02/02/1-sunday-of-zacchaeus The intro and outro of this podcast are the songs "Idea" and "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.




sm

Ep 076 - A Small Way to Avoid Regret

In which Nicole reflects on some of the best advice she’s ever gotten in life and how it’s helped her avoid deep regret over the years. Learn more about Nicole’s trauma-informed coaching services (nicoleroccas.com/coaching). Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). The intro and outro of this podcast are the songs "Idea" and "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.




sm

Small Parish Challenges

Bill Marianes talks live with guest Joe Kormos of the Orthodox Church in America. Their topic? Small Parish Challenges.




sm

Philanthropy, Outreach and Evangelism

“Go and make Disciples” was our Lord’s clear instruction, an at the end of His parable where the Good Samaritan helped an injured Jewish stranger, He advised us to “Go and do likewise” and help our brothers and sisters in need. So how can we do that critical work in our lives and our communities? We will explore practical ideas you and your Parish can implement to answer this critical question with Fr. John Kocolas, the Proistamenos at Nativity of Christ Orthodox Church in Novato, California. Nativity of Christ’s Community Outreach Ministry does so much to help so many. Join us for a discussion of creative ways you and your Parish can “go and do likewise.” Call in to share ways you and your parish make disciples and serve others.




sm

Autism: What Can You and Your Parish Do

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects an estimated 1 in 44 children in the United States. ASD can create challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. After her son Michael was diagnosed with ASD, Dr. Lisa Liberatore and her husband Dr. Dimitri Kessaris formed LUV Michael, a pioneering nonprofit ministry that transforms the lives of those with ASD. We will speak with Lisa Liberatore and Mark Bondi about their innovative LUV Michael organic granola products enterprise that employs the autistic population, their U.S. Autism Homes housing initiative, and other autism advocacy. LUV Michael is a unique ministry opportunity for you and your parish to help create meaningful work for autistic adults, learn about autism, and advocate for autism acceptance




sm

Effective Parish Assessment Program Part 1

Doctors know the tests to administer to assess our personal health. Financial planners know how to assess our financial health. However, our parishes lack similar empirical and validated tools to help them. After over 20 years of working with over 500 Orthodox Christian parishes and completing strategic plans that cover over 26% of Orthodox Christians in the U.S., the Orthodox Ministry Services (OMS) team has developed the Effective Parish Assessment (EPA). The EPA is a reliable and easy way for you to assess your parish’s health and effectiveness in the 6 Pillars and 30 Building Blocks of operational excellence. OMS is providing the Effective Parish Assessment Program for free to selected Cohort Effective Parishes with the support of Leadership 100 and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Tune in to these TWO programs and find out if your parish is eligible, and how you can apply, to participate in this dynamic free and helpful parish improvement program. We also welcome your calls and questions. If your parish is an innovator with Clergy and Lay Leaders committed to operational excellence and the best possible parish health and effectiveness, these programs are for you. Join my fellow OMS Team members as over 2 programs we describe in more detail the 6 Pillars, 30 Building Blocks, the Effective Parish Assessment Program, and how it can benefit your parish.




sm

Effective Parish Assessment Program Part 2

In Part 2 of a two-part show, Bill and colleagues Nick Chakos, Steve Tibbs, and Dr. Mitch Owens continue their exploration of the 6 Pillars and 30 Building Blocks of effective and healthy parishes, and how the Effective Parish Assessment works to provide invaluable information to Orthodox Christian parishes




sm

Autism and Adam

Today we eavesdrop on a kitchen table discussion with daughter Megan (with a little help from 20-month-old Michael who thought the microphone looked tasty!) as they discussed Michael's six-year-old brother Adam and the still mysterious condition known as autism. Here is a picture of Adam and Frederica's article from an earlier posting on Beliefnet.




sm

Wes Smith

Frederica discusses a lecture she attended by bioethicist Wes Smith.




sm

Self and Skepticism

Frederica explains to the leader of a week-long Protestant retreat why she would not want to speak at the event again.




sm

Buddhism and Orthodox Christianity

Frederica uses the recorded comments of a Buddhist monk to examine the similarities and differences between Orthodox and Buddhist beliefs, particularly as they relate to anger and forgiveness.




sm

Early Feminism

Frederica shares a piece that she wrote for National Review magazine in its special issue on women.




sm

A Guide to Baptism and Chrismation

Frederica offers an introductory guide to the services of Baptism and Chrismation.




sm

Interview on Becoming a Writer and Spokesman for the Pro-Life Cause

Frederica was interviewed in a busy fellowship hall by a teen from her parish about how she became a writer and spokesman for the Pro-Life cause.




sm

Monasticism and the World

Here's the third of five interviews Frederica has with monks from Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, West Virginia.




sm

Monasticism and Worship

Listen to the final of five interviews Frederica has with monks from Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, West Virginia.




sm

Baptism with Fire

There are radical differences in John's baptism, the baptism that Jesus' disciples were doing before Jesus was crucified, and the baptism that came afterward. Fr. Tom helps us understand how our baptism is a baptism with fire.




sm

A Christian Response to Terrorism

Fr. Tom follows up on his thoughts on suffering and pain by looking specifically at the events of 9-11-2001.




sm

Bishops - Part 24: 8th Century Iconoclasm

An intense and violent period in Church history surrounded the veneration of icons. Learn about those who gave their lives for the preservation of this important physical demonstration of the Incarnation as well as those Bishops who sided with with the iconoclasts and were later identified as heretics.




sm

An Orthodox Assessment of Evangelicalism

Recently Fr. Thomas Hopko visited and spoke at the well known and evangelical based Wheaton College. While he appreciated and was honored by the opportunity, it caused him to reflect on the evangelical movement from an Orthodox Christian perspective. His thoughts will be of value to Orthodox and Evangelicals alike.




sm

Death by Evangelism, or Vice Versa

In our efforts to spread the Faith, sometimes we fail; if we die, we bear more fruit! Fr. Joseph speaks at St Nicholas Church, Shreveport, Louisiana.




sm

Exorcism and Evangelism

How is a house blessing like an exorcism? What does exorcism have to do with evangelism?




sm

Pascha as Baptismal Season

At St Simeon Mission/Santa Clarita, California, Fr John delivers a teaching sermon on the season of Pascha and how it relates, every Sunday, to baptism -- for the newly illumined and all who are baptized into Christ. Christ is Risen!




sm

Got a Small Parish? A Joyful Struggle!

Fr. Joseph interviews Fr. Matthew Snowden of St Nicholas Mission/Jackson, Tennessee—on the struggles and joys of shepherding a fledgling Orthodox community




sm

Accentuating Bismarck, North Dakota

Fr. Joseph sits down with Deacon Damian Oweis and members of the new mission of St. Basil the Great in Bismarck, North Dakota.




sm

The Baptism of Russia

Fr. John shares his homily on the 1,025th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia.




sm

The Meaning of our Baptism

Fr. John talks about the meaning of the sacrament of Holy Baptism.




sm

Hate and Racism

Fr. John talks about our Christian response to current events.




sm

Modernism

Fr. John Whiteford talks about the heresy of modernism.




sm

Cultural Marxism

Fr. John Whiteford shares about the Good Samaritan and the story of his father-in-law's life in Communist China.




sm

Anthropological Iconoclasm

Fr. John Whiteford talks about the ungodly society around us.




sm

What Christ's Baptism Accomplished for Us

Fr. John Whiteford discusses the Theophany and the role of Christ's baptism in our lives. Fr. John discusses this through Matthew 3:13-17.




sm

Modern Paganism

Archpriest Geoffrey Korz explains the historical practice of paganism and its resurgence today. (John 9:1-38)




sm

Thank You for Not Smoking

What is stirring when we meet our rebel self? And when that rebel self shows up, what wisdom will we find there? On this episode of The Wilderness Journal, Angela explores the familiar landscape of rebellion, its role in conversion and in deepening our journey of faith.




sm

Chrismation, Vocation, and Ordination

Michael speaks to the layman about the way we see ourselves in the structure of the Church.




sm

Racism and the Tragedy of How We Deal with Differences

Racism is a serious wrong that no one should argue. However, from an Orthodox Christian point of view, it is a far deeper wrong than is ever portrayed in the public debate. Join Michael as he explains why racism goes against the core of Christianity, and through story and anecdote describes why it seems is so hard for us to celebrate and embrace differences.




sm

The Twin Evils of Infidelity and Individualism

Join Michael in a discussion of how to guard our hearts and minds against the ancient sins of infidelity and individualism that are both subtle and celebrated in today’s culture.




sm

On Monasticism: Part 1

Fr. Seraphim introduces his new podcast and explains why he decided to become a monk.