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For Shepherds (Clergy)
and Other Caregivers (Laity)
of the Flock

“Seeking Recovery – Mind, Body,Spirit & Financial Recovery”

Seeking Recovery – Mind, Body,
Spirit & Financial Recovery

Sponsoring Organizations

Christian Associates of SW PA
Duquesne University, Department of Theology
Jewish Healthcare Foundation
National Episcopal Clergy Association
The Oasis Recovery Center
Penn State University Greater Allegheny
Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Trinity School for Ministry

Master of Ceremonies

Sally Wiggin
WTAE-TV News Anchor

Keynote Speaker
Fr. Scott Seethaler

Father Scott Seethaler is a Roman Catholic priest in the Capuchin-Franciscan order. He has been a priest for 40 years. He has taught at Slippery Rock and Duquesne University. He has been a motivational speaker throughout the United States since 1975, speaking in both religious and secular settings concerning personal and professional excellence. He has a radio program that airs six days a week in Western Pennsylvania entitled Joyful Reflections.

Among his many honors, he has received the Toastmasters International, Good Shepherd, and the Diocese of Pittsburgh Flame of Hope Award. In 2000, he built a hospital for the poor in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico that presently serves 1,900 people a month.

Opening Remarks
Bishop Kurt F. Kusserow

SW Pennsylvania Synod of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
Bishop Kusserow ministered at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Latrobe, PA, Hebron Lutheran Church, Avonmore, PA and Faith Lutheran Church, Apollo, PA.
He received his BA in English from Thiel College and Masters of Divinity from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, OH. The son of missionaries, he grew up in Malaysia and Singapore and graduated from the Singapore American School.

• 8:00 – 8:30 am
  Registration and Continental Breakfast
  
• 8:30 – 9:00 am
  Welcome
  Sally Wiggin, WTAE-TV News Anchor
  
  Welcome to the 9th Annual PPC Conference
  The Rev. Dr. Jay Geisler, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, McKeesport
  
  Welcome and Prayer
  The Rev. Dr. James E. Davidson, Director Continuing Education
  Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
  
• 9:00 – 9:20 am
  Opening Remarks
  Bishop Kurt J. Kusserow
  
• 9:30 – 10:45 am
  Session One (choose one)
  • A1. Addiction 101 – The Basics
    Learn the basics of addiction and recovery, including the Christian roots of the 12 step programs.
    The Rev. Dr. Jay Geisler, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, McKeesport
  • B1. Anxiety and Attention Deficit Disorders
    Learn about these disorders and about a new speciality program to address them.
    Oscar Bukstein, MD, Medical Director, Adolescent Substance Abuse and Treatment Program, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC)
  • C1. Sustaining Marriages
    Review changes in marriages and families within American society and learn how pastoral initiatives can address these challenges.
    Dr. George Worgul, S.T.D., Chair, Theology Department and Past Director of the Family Institute, Duquesne University
  • D1. Financial Planning
    Helping communities reinvest in the future and assist those in need of financial assistance.
    Debbie Tawney, Huntington Bank
  • E1. The Resurrection of Ministry
    Because Jesus’ ministry is raised and ascended with Him, what does our ministry look like in view of our Lord’s continuing ministry from the Father, in the power of the Holy Spirit, for the sake of the world? Surely: characterized by joy and hope.
    The Rev. Dr. Andrew Purves, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
    
• 10:45 – 11:00 am
  Break
  
• 11:00 am – 12:15 pm
  Session Two (choose one)
  • A2. Addiction and Families
    The entire family system is affected by addiction and is need of help and support. Learn how to assist families.
    Karen A. Plavan, Ph.D. Oasis Recovery Center of SW PA
  • B2. Biology of Addiction, the Disease Concept
    This presentation will provide a broad overview of the biological and medical aspects of addiction with emphasis on integrating these aspects into chemical dependency treatment.
    Dr. Bruce J. Merkin, MD, Medical Director, Glenbeigh Hospital, Affiliated with Cleveland Clinic
  • C2. Caring for the Elderly
    Learn how to help and care for the elderly in your congregation.
    The Rev. Gaea Thompson, Chaplain, Cantebury Place & Chair, Commission on Aging
    Nancy Zionts, MBA, Vice-President & Chief Program Officer, Jewish Healthcare Foundation
  • D2. Mentoring Inmates after Incarceration
    The majority of inmates suffer from addiction and need on-going support. Learn how churches can help mentor and restore them to be productive and healthy members of the community.
    Chaplain Lynn Yeso, Allegheny County Jail
    Brother Mark Lowery, FSC, Outreach Director, Michael’s Place
    Tara Goodin, Managing Director, The Hope Pod
  • E2. Helping Clergy
    Clergy need to address their own physical, mental, spiritual, and financial needs in order to be of healthy service to others.
    The Rev. George Werner, Retired Dean, Trinity Cathedral, Pittsburgh
    
• 12:30 – 2:00 pm
  Lunch
  
  Keynote Speaker
  Fr. Scott Seethaler
  Host of “Joyful Reflections”
  
  Presentation of the David Else Award
  
• 2:15 – 3:30 pm
  Session Three (choose one)
  • A3. Shopping and Spending Addictions
    Learn how our emotions affect our shopping and spending habits in our material world and learn how to live debt free.
    The Rev. Dr. Jay Geisler, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
    Speaker from Debtors Anonymous
  • B3. Living Healthy Lifestyles and Reducing Financial Stress
    Stress can alter mental, physical, and spiritual health. Learn how healthy lifestyle behaviours can reduce the effects of stress on health.
    Bruce S. Rabin, MD, Ph.D. Medical Director, UPMC Healthy Lifestyle Program
  • C3. Working with Teens and Families
    Learn to cope with problems that teenagers face in an addictive society.
    Brother Colman Coogan, FSC, Director of Social Work, Central Catholic High School
    Wendy Ethridge-Smith, Education and Youth Initiatives, United Way of Allegheny County
  • D3. A Community Response to Youth Violence
    A practical discussion on the perceptions and realities of youth violence, its impact, and a look at community responses.
    Fred Thieman, President, Buhl Foundation, Pittsburgh, PA
  • E3. Healthy Boundaries of Pastoral Counseling
    Pastors are called to bring God to people and people to God. We will think together about appropriate ways of framing our relationships in God-pleasing ways.
    Fr. John Abdalah, AACP, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church
    

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• Ministry Tracks
  A – Addiction and Recovery
  B – Mental Health and Wellness
  C – Family and Marriage
  D – Community Outreach
  E – Reflections in Ministry
  
• Continuing Education Credits Approved for 7 Hours
  Catholic Clergy & Pastoral Associates
  Certified Addictions Counselors- (CAC)
  National Association of Social Work PA- CEUs
  ACT 48 – Teachers