EASTERN DIOCESE CLERGY SEMINAR
Shadeland, PA - His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN has been consistent in scheduling Diocesan clergy continuing education seminars since becoming Bishop of the Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church. In recent years, the Monastery of the Most Holy Mother of God at Shadeland has been used as the primary location for the educational gatherings.
The newly completed Monastery Church and the new dormitories at St. Sava Camp make Shadeland an ideal location for worship, study and learning. Shadeland is beautiful throughout the year. The turning of the leaves at this time of the year adds to the scenic beauty.
The most recent seminar began on Wednesday evening, November 3, 2010 with Father Miladin Blagojevich serving Vespers in the Monastery Church, Diocesan clergy sang the responses. Dinner was prepared by the Federation of the Kolo Srpski Sestara of the Eastern American Diocese. After dinner, attending clergy from the Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Cleveland Deaneries had a meeting with His Grace.
On Thursday morning, His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN officiated at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Father Rastko Trbuhovich and Father Rodney Torbic serving with His Grace. Attending clergy sang the responses.
His Grace chose Protopresbyter Father Dragomir Tuba to give the lecture on the theme: “Every Parish is a Mission Parish-Reaching Out to Former Parishioners in the Parish-Bringing New People into the Church.” Father Tuba had a very well-prepared presentation identifying a number of factors affecting parish life and growth. He spoke about the pressures of the world influencing parish life including economic pressures that cause individuals to work longer hours or to move from the area of a parish to a location where jobs are more plentiful. Father Tuba mentioned the influence of modern technology on daily life including computers and cell phones. He spoke with concern about the amount of time parents are spending with their children. He examined activities that keep people around the church but
noted absences from worship. Demographics are a factor to consider in mission work including new immigration, language and culture. Mission work is to be considered a process. Father Tuba felt the most faithful of the parish could be used more to proclaim the word of God. Cooperation among parishes was cited as a positive step being taken. A lively and wide-ranging discussion followed Father Tuba’s presentation.
Attendees of the seminar included: His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN, Protopresbyter Stavrofor Dragoljub Malich, Protopresbyter Stavrofor Stevan Stepanov, Protopresbyter Stavrofor Dragan Filipovic, Protopresbyter Stavrofor Rastko Trbuhovich, Protopresbyter Stavrofor Rade Merick,
Protopresbyter Stavrofor Vladimir Demshuk, Protopresbyer Stavrofor Dr. Rodney Torbic, Protopresbyter Rajko Kosic, Protopresbyter Ivan Marjanovic, Protonamesnik Milovan Katanic, Protonamesnik Dejan Obradovich, Protonamesnik Mijoljub Matic, Reverend Father Miladin Blagojevich, Reverend Father Isak Kisin, Reverend Father Milan Pajic, and Reverend Father Dragoslav Kosic. Milovan Jovanovic, St. Sava School of Theology graduate participated in the seminar.Father Daniel Rohan was a visiting clergyman from the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese. Gerasim Babic accompanied Father Matic to the seminar. Iconographer Filip Subotic, a graduate of St.Sava School of Theology, made the trip to Shadeland. Iconographer Subotic was accompanied by his assistant Sinisa Radunovic. Mr. Radunovic is a seminary graduate.
His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN and the participants of the seminar acknowledged the fine presentation by Father Tuba. Grateful appreciation was expressed to Kolo President Millie Radovick, Past Kolo President Olga Dimitijevic, Kolo Vice-President DeeDee Baskot, Kolo Federation Member
Martha Springborn and Kolo Member Angelina Stojanovic who came to help.The Kolo Federation works throughout the year for the benefit of St. Sava Camp at Shadeland and eagerly cooperates with the holding of the clergy seminars. Mr. Scott Felix worked in advance to prepare the facilities for use.
Father Rodney Torbic