Folklore Groups

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 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.

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.