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Sunday School

Register now for Summer Day Camp at St. Sava Merrillville

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Summer Camp 2016 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana will take place Monday, Wednesday, and Friday beginning the week of June 13, 2016.

Children may come for all three days of the camp or only for specific days as noted at time of registration.

The camp is open to ALL children throughout the greater Northwest Indiana and Chicago area communities regardless of religious background. Whether you go to church every Sunday or have never seen the inside of a church, all children are welcome at the St. Sava Summer Camp in Merrillville, Indiana.

Registration is required before June 1 and the form will be available for download from the church website along with news updates about the camp that will be available at www.saintsava.net/blog through the registration deadline.

There is no charge for this camp, but donations are greatly appreciated.

Each Day of camp will be hosted by different organizations of the church with special activities planned for each day.

  • Monday, June 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – hosted by Karageorge Choir and Historical Society
  • Wednesday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – hosted by Sunday School and Kolo
  • Friday, June 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – hosted by Srbadija Folklore Group

The camp drop-off and pick-up Monday and Wednesday will take place at St. Sava Church in Merrillville, IN. Friday will be a field trip with the day extended to 4 p.m. and the location to-be-determined.

The camp is looking for high school and college students to work as chaperones. Please e-mail karen.knezic@saintsava.net to volunteer or request more information.

Visit the St. Sava Merrillville Summer Camp 2016 Facebook Event Page for more information.

Fish Frys at St. Sava Merrillville continue through Orthodox Great Lent – Friday, Apr. 8

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The legendary “Friday Fish Frys” continue April 8 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana throughout the Orthodox Lenten season. Everyone is welcome to join us for a delicious meal!

The Friday Fish Frys will take place every Friday through April 22 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Pavilion at St. Sava Church 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana.

Fish fry meal choices week include Ocean Perch, Cod, Butterfly Shrimp 6 piece, or Bakalar served with bean soup, coleslaw, French Fries, and Serbian style green beans. Salad bar option also available. Beverages also available for purchase.

This week’s Fish Fry Sponsor is the Sunday School of St. Sava Church.

Friday Fish Frys take place throughout the Orthodox Lenten season at St. Sava. These dinners are open to the general public wider community and with Serbian Orthodox Easter taking place place May 1 this year, just over a month after Easter was celebrated March 27 on the Western Calendar, it gives everyone in Northwest Indiana a few extra weeks of delicious Fish Frys!

Volunteers still needed

Volunteers are needed to help in the kitchens, serving, and cleaning up. Salad bar and dessert items from members are also appreciated. Please call the church office at 219-736-9191 to volunteer.

2016 Fish Fry Schedule at St. Sava Church – Merrillville, Indiana

We look forward to seeing you at one of our many Friday Fish Fry Dates:

  • March 18
  • March 25
  • April 1
  • April 8
  • April 15
  • April 22

St. Sava announces dates for Summer Camp 2016 in Merrillville

By | Children's Choir, Folklore Groups, General Information/News, Historical Society, Karageorge Choir, Kolo Sisters, Sunday School | No Comments

Summer Camp 2016 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana will take place Monday, Wednesday, and Friday beginning the week of June 13, 2016.

Children may come for all three days of the camp or only for specific days as noted at time of registration.

The camp is open to ALL children throughout the greater Northwest Indiana and Chicago area communities regardless of religious background. Whether you go to church every Sunday or have never seen the inside of a church, all children are welcome at the St. Sava Summer Camp in Merrillville, Indiana.

Registration is required before June 1 and the form will be available for download from the church website along with news updates about the camp that will be available at www.saintsava.net/blog through the registration deadline.

There is no charge for this camp, but donations are greatly appreciated.

Each Day of camp will be hosted by different organizations of the church with special activities planned for each day.

  • Monday, June 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – hosted by Karageorge Choir and Historical Society
  • Wednesday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – hosted by Sunday School and Kolo
  • Friday, June 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – hosted by Srbadija Folklore Group

The camp drop-off and pick-up Monday and Wednesday will take place at St. Sava Church in Merrillville, IN. Friday will be a field trip with the day extended to 4 p.m. and the location to-be-determined.

The camp is looking for high school and college students to work as chaperones. Please e-mail karen.knezic@saintsava.net to volunteer or request more information.

Visit the St. Sava Merrillville Summer Camp 2016 Facebook Event Page for more information.

Youth essay submission could earn up to $500 in Midwest Diocese – Wednesday, Mar. 30

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Youth share selected essays at the Oratorical Festival of the Midwest Diocese.

The deadline for confirming participation and requesting information for “Oratorical Festival 2016” will be Wednesday, March 30.

Writing an essay could be awarded up to $500.

The written essay for the festival isn’t due March 30, simply the request-for-information deadline is taking place Wednesday.

This special opportunity to submit an essay is available to high school students of the Midwest Diocese where students have an opportunity to write an essay about the theme “Not being afraid of being a Christian.”

Only 7 essays will be accepted, of which 3 will be chosen to be presented at the Diocesan Assembly at New Gracanica Monastery taking place April 16, 2016 around 10:00 a.m.

Essays should be approximately 3 to 7 minutes in length when read aloud.

For more specific information and to confirm your participation call or text Fr. Dragan 317-374-3414 or email: fr.dragan@st-nicholas-indy.org

Must call by March 30, 2016.

Summer Camp at New Gracanica Monastery offers unique experience for youth

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With the blessing of his Grace Vladika Longin the Federation of Serbian Sisters Circles, in charge of operating the camps at the monastery in the name of the Diocese of New Gracanica and Midwestern America, announces camp registration for summer 2016.

There are four, separate, week-long summer camps suitable for specific grades and ages that will begin June 26, 2016. Applications will be due before May 23, 2016 and pre-registration will be due before May 6, 2016.

  • Week 1 – June 26 through July 2
  • Week 2 – July 3 through July July 9
  • Week 3 – July 10 through July 16
  • Week 4 – July 17 through July 23

Refer to the website www.campgracanica.com for the specific grades/ages, most up-to-date information, download application forms, and learn contact information for camp representatives.

About Summer Camp at Gracanica Monastery

Campers enjoy good meals, religious lessons, arts and crafts activities, Serbian language sessions, church services, and music as they live in the dormitories at the monastery during the camp. In addition there are special treats like the picnic, Great America excursion, Candlelight dinner, talent show and guest speakers.

The Federation of Serbian Sisters Circles operates the camps in the name of the Diocese. The Midwest Region Kolo maintains the Camp at New Gracanica. Through a Camp Committee, the Sisters upgrade the facilities, coordinate the staff and plan the camp season. They also care for the children as if they were their own.

Modern Camp facilities are located in the Administration Building ,where dormitory rooms, dining facilities and classrooms are available. Besides the Camp Director appointed by the Bishop, there is a Camp Priest each week who attends to the spiritual needs of the children. Counselors and workers provide daily supervision. The atmosphere of the monastery grounds provides an ideal atmosphere for the variety of religious, sports, social and cultural activities that occur at camp.

Summer Camp Activities at New Gracanica Monastery include:

  • Religion and heritage classes
  • Serbian language classes
  • Arts and crafts
  • Community service event
  • Bonfire with ćevap picnic
  • A day at the pool
  • Great America
  • Candle Light dinner with speakers
  • Talent show, and lots more!

Guiding Principles of Summer Camp at New Gracanica Monastery

  • Integrate the child into the life of the Church through the life of the camp;
  • Instill into the hearts and minds of our Serbian children, the religion, heritage and traditions of our Serbian Orthodox Church;
  • Learn how to apply this faith to their lives and to practice it within the fellowship of community living;
  • See God’s world as a beautiful gift, to be appreciated and used in a good way;
  • Enable campers to meet children from other church school communities and learn how to get along;
  • Promote good health habits such as cleanliness, enough rest, proper diet, safety, wholesome exercise and respect for the body as God’s;
  • Instruct that one is responsible for one’s own decisions; to teach effective leadership skills.

St. Sava Sunday School launches Yankee Candle fundraiser – buy online today

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The St. Sava Sunday School in Merrillville, Indiana has just kicked off their Yankee Candle® Fundraiser and they need your help!

The Sunday School is raising funds for special programs and materials. The group earns 40% of every dollar you spend.

If you know a Sunday School student at St. Sava, you can make purchases from their order forms and you’ll have the chance to ask them about their favorite parts of the Sunday School experience!

Even if you don’t personally know a Sunday School student, or if you live too far away, you can still support the Sunday School by making purchases online through a special online store that credits the Sunday School fundraising directly and items are shipped direct to your door.

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Simply click here to see the exciting collection of America’s Best Loved Candles™, candle accessories, flameless fragrance and assorted gift wrap. Shop online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – everything is shipped directly to you.

If you are having trouble with the above link, you may copy and paste the following link in to your browser:

https://www.yankeecandlefundraising.com/FFentry.htm?publicKey=MgFKpZHxR3BuNSCiRoQwle8LLdFxC4qE&frComp=ycf

Or you can also click here to shop now online.

The St. Sava Sunday School fundraiser will be running for a limited time from March 6, 2016 through March 20, 2016. Please help the Sunday School by placing your order before the end of the sale.

Saint Sava Day Celebration at St. Sava Church – Sunday, Jan. 24

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St. Sava Sunday School President Olivera Lela Jensen expressed appreciation to all those attending the St. Sava Day Celebration at St. Sava Church in Merrillville, Indiana and noted continuing support of the Sunday school is greatly appreciated.  As we all know the children are the future of St. Sava.

Kumovi of today’s Slava Celebration were Savka, Mila and Mihailo Popovic, all youth from St. Sava Church who are active in may programs at the church.

The program began with a poem titled “Rastko” by Savka Popovic. Srbadija Folklore performed traditional dances and children of Sunday School and the St. Sava Children’s Choir performed songs including Svetom Savi, God Bless America,  Ajde Kato, U Milice Dige Trepavice, Sveti Sava, and Srpkinjica Jeda Mala.

Between songs groups of school children recited poems from memory they have been practicing for weeks.

An adaptation of the play “Rastko Becomes Sava” was also performed. The St. Sava Day Program was made possible through the efforts of many people throughout St. Sava Church.

Danica Pejnovic, newly elected Executive Board President of St. Sava Church, also addressed the audience.

Look for images and video from the event in the coming days at www.saintsava.net and the St. Sava Facebook Page.

Sunday School Board

  • Olivera Lela Jensen, President
  • Vesna Radjenovich, 1st Vice President
  • Snezana Latinovic, 2nd Vice President
  • Sandy Shinovich, Secretary
  • Gina Orlich, Treasurer
  • Protinica Vesna Matic, Superintendent

Sunday School Teachers

  • Preschool – Ursula Brboric & Nevena Djurdjevic
  • K & 1st – Gina Orlich, Alexis Orlich & Jelena Djurdjevic
  • 2nd & 3rd – Sandy Shinovich & Biljana Vrbica
  • 4th & 5th – Ljubica Popovic & Betsy Kirby
  • 6, 7 & 8th – Susan Labovic, P. Vesna Matic & Sandra Serdar

Special Support and Appreciation

  • Fr. Marko & Fr. Bogdan for your spiritual guidance
  • Ivana Stankovic our Musical Director
  • Karageorge Choir for your responses
  • Karen Knezic & Srbadija Folklore
  • Melanie & Nick Sever for the Children’s treat bags
  • Sincere thanks to our wonderful cooks, photographers & bartenders
  • Parents, grandparents, Kumovi and friends for all of your hard work and dedication in bringing the children to Church & Sunday school.

Play about life of St. Sava among features of St. Sava Day Celebration – Sunday, Jan. 24

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Sunday School children and youth from St. Sava Church in Merrillville, Indiana prepare final rehearsals for the play “Rastko Becomes Sava” which is based upon the life of Saint Sava, the patron saint of St. Sava Church. The play is among the many features of the St. Sava Day celebration program and luncheon taking place immediately following the Divine Liturgy Sunday, January 24, 2016. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The play is set in Serbia about 800 years ago. At that time, although Serbian people were baptized Orthodox Christians, they did not understand the meaning of their faith. The bishops at that time in Serbia were Greeks, who considered Serbian people uncultured and the Serbian Orthodox Church did not yet exist.

Also at that time the Serbs themselves were divided into many small groups, ruled by “zupani.” That is until they were finally united in the 12th century under one extraordinary man, named Stefan Nemanja – the Veliki Zupan of all Serbia and the father of St. Sava. The play tells the story of Rastko, son of Nemanja, who decided to leave the monarchy to become a monk – Rastko becomes St. Sava.

This St. Sava Day Play was originally written by Jerodjakon Stevan of St. George SOC, Oakland, California where the first stage presentation took place January 27, 1980. It has been adapted from the original by Protinica Vesna Matic for performance at St. Sava Day January 24, 2016 at St. Sava Church, Merrillville, Indiana.

The St. Sava Day Celebration program features the play, traditional poems, songs, and dances that honor St. Sava and church schools. Srbadija Folklore will perform traditional dances.

The youth of the St. Sava Sunday School put many hours of work into their songs, poems, and dances guided by their caring teaching and instructors.

Parents, and anyone able, are asked to bring baked goods for desserts. These baked goods and other donations area greatly appreciated by the Sunday School. Please join us at the Pavilion to show support for the spirit the youth of St. Sava bring to their special performances.

Look for more information about special events taking place at St. Sava by visiting www.saintsava.net/calendar and look for event information on the St. Sava Facebook Page and Events.

Sunday School Students Prepare for St. Sava Day Celebration – Sunday, Jan. 24

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Sunday School students at St. Sava Church in Merrillville, Indiana have spent weeks preparing for the St. Sava Day celebrations taking place Sunday, Jan. 24 following the Divine Liturgy and Luncheon in the Pavilion at St. Sava.

Please join us at the Pavilion to show support for the spirit the youth of St. Sava bring to their special performances.

The program features a play, traditional poems, songs, and dances that honor St. Sava and church schools. Srbadija Folklore will perform traditional dances.

The play is about when Rastko decided to leave the monarchy to become a monk – Rastko becomes St. Sava.

Saint Sava, born Ratsko Nemanjic in 1174, was a Serbian prince, first Archbishop of Serbia, and one of the most influential figures in Serbian law and literature. He left a life of royalty to become a monk in his youth; he influenced his father, Saint Simeon, to do the same, and subsequently founded Monastery Hilander on Mount Athos, which is still to this day one of the most revered cultural and religious centers for Serbian people.

The youth of the St. Sava Sunday School put many hours of work into their songs, poems, and dances guided by their caring teaching and instructors.

Parents, and anyone able, are asked to bring baked goods for desserts. These baked goods and other donations area greatly appreciated by the Sunday School.

Look for more information about special events taking place at St. Sava by visiting www.saintsava.net/calendar and look for event information on the St. Sava Facebook Page and Events.

 

Serbian Christmas Traditions Play by Youth of St. Sava – Wednesday, Jan. 6

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Sunday School children and young adults from St. Sava Church in Merrillville, Indiana will present a “Christmas Traditions” play in the St. Sava Pavilion taking place before the blessing of the badnjak Wednesday, Jan. 6.

The play features the traditions of Serbian ancestors which include bringing the badnjak in the home, how we greet each other on Christmas, and other elements relating to Serbian Christmas Heritage. Many still practices these traditions annually even today.

The play is part of a series of special events taking place Wednesday, Jan. 6 which begin with Vesper Services in the St. Sava Church at 6:00 p.m. as people of Orthodox Faith celebrate the Nativity. The Orthodox Church uses the old ‘Julian’ Calendar, which means each year Christmas Eve takes place January 6 and Christmas Day January 7.

Anyone of Orthodox Faith, and members of the general community wishing to experience a unique cultural and spiritual event, are welcome to attend and celebrate the Nativity with parishioners of St. Sava in Merrillville, Indiana.