TEEN TALK IN ST PETERSBURG
St. Petersburg, FL - On Thursday evenings at the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, teens of the parish gather with the parish priest, Protopresbyter Stephen Zaremba for an hour of teen talk.
“Teen Talk” is an outreach effort to minister to the youths of the parish. “Teen Talk” provides teenagers an opportunity to sit down with their parish priest and talk comfortably about subjects that are of personal interest and concern.
In an era of increased stress for all levels of society, young people need to know the love and presence of the Church in their lives. “Teen Talk” is another way to make that love and presence known.
By his presence, Father Zaremba communicates to each of the teens the direct and specific interest of the Church. He makes available to the teens his extensive education and experience in a way they can derive personal benefit.
Thursday, November 12, 2009 was a typical evening of “Teen Talk.”
The youths present asked questions and discussed certain areas of interest relating to the accessibility of the Altar area.
The youths were asked to consider their personal priorities in life and spoke about occurrences in school that were of concern. The teens present were relaxed, serious and inquisitive.
The teens asked advice, offered opinions, and reflected on the overall conversation. They were polite, attentive and never needed corrected. The teens present were living examples of positive youths today.
They conducted themselves in a mature way that would make their parents proud.
Proto Stephen is absolutely comfortable talking with teens. This was obvious as he conducted the discussion. The conversation was free flowing and the time passed quickly.
Proto Stephen has been a parish priest for nineteen years and is the former Director of St. Sava Camp-Shadeland. Since coming to Florida as Dean of the St. Petersburg Deanery, Proto Stephen has been involved with the holding of several winter camps. His longstanding interest in youths of the Diocese is evident.
In addition to his experience as a parish priest, experience at Shadeland and various winter camps, Father Zaremba is the father of three youths.
Father Stephen and Protinica Svetlana’s oldest daughter Jovana started college this year. Their daughter Alexandra is in high school and son Nikola is approaching the teen years.
“Teen Talk” is an hour each week well invested in the youths of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. The youths participating will carry memories of these discussions with them as they mature and develop as adults.
The teens participating will know by the efforts of their parish priest that the Church cares for them specifically and when they need help, they will have reason to be feel comfortable in turning to their priest and the Church for that help.
Father Rodney Torbic