St. Nicholas Church Organizations

ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS

The Outreach Committee has prepared a list of our church organizations with a brief description of each for your information and resource. Please feel free to contact the church secretary at 412-856-8166 for the name of the person to contact if you would like further details or if you are interested in joining any of these organizations. Your inquiry would be welcomed!

ST. NICHOLAS CHOIR

Choir rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings. In addition to singing responses during Divine Liturgy, the choir participates in pomens, parastos services, weddings and funerals when possible. They are actively involved in many of the church functions and also host events of their own. The choir travels throughout the United States and Canada to participate in church concerts and Serbian Singing Federation sponsored activities. They represent our church in various non-denominational programs and also perform occasionally for charitable causes.

ST. NICHOLAS JUNIOR CHOIR

Students between the ages of 6 and 15 learn Orthodox Liturgical music and are taught folk songs of Serbian heritage. Practices are held on Sundays after church services under the direction of Mitzi Vukic. The Junior Choir has participated in the Serbian Singing Festival and is always a part of the St. Sava program.

ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH SCHOOL, DAY CAMP AND YOUTH GROUP

Sunday Church School classes are conducted for children of pre-kindergarten age through grade twelve from September through early June. Instruction begins at 9:30a.m., after which they attend Divine Liturgy. Grades pre-Kindergarten through grade three attend brief Matin Services at 9:30 and at 10:00 go downstairs for classes. The curriculum is based on materials from the Orthodox Christian Education Commission.

For further enrichment, an annual Church School Day Camp is held at the church in the summer focusing on activities and lessons centering on a chosen theme or specific topic. Activities at day camp include matins, religious instruction with the priest, and review of fundamentals, cooking, music, arts and crafts and games.

In addition to Sunday school and Church Camp, church school students in grades six through twelve are invited to be part of the St. Nicholas Youth Group. They participate in service projects for our church, have fun on various outings and foster fellowship through all of their activities.

Our children are also encouraged to attend St. Sava Camp, in Shadeland, PA which promotes Serbian Orthodox faith and heritage. Please see St. Sava Camp under “Additional Information” at the end of this section of listed church organizations. ST. NICHOLAS MEN’S KLUB KARADJORDJE

The major goals of Klub Karadjordje are to promote the Serbian Orthodox faith and heritage for the youth of our parish, to support the church and its ancillary organizations and to institute various maintenance and improvement projects in the church complex. To reach their goals, Klub Karadjordje sponsors several fundraisers throughout the year, which includes the sale of remembrance plaques, an annual golf outing, an annual Valentine’s Day Dance, Lenten Fish Fries and various money raising efforts. Members also schedule events during the year for fellowship and to socialize.

ST. PETKA KOLO

The St. Petka Kolo, is an organization of sisters (women of the parish), who perform a vital and supportive church role. The members donate their time and skills to prepare food for many of the church banquets (a great way to learn how to cook from the experts). In addition, they conduct other activities such as acquiring items needed for the church, raising and donating money to the church and overseeing the sales counter containing religious artifacts in the multi-purpose room. With all other circles in our diocese, the Kolo helps to maintain St. Sava Camp in Shadeland, PA. They are members of the Eastern American Diocese’s Federation of Circles of Serbian Sisters.

ST. NICHOLAS SERBIAN TAMBURITZANS

The St. Nicholas Tamburitzans strive to preserve and perpetuate the heritage and traditions of the Serbian and Eastern European folk cultures through tamburitza music, song, and dance. The group is comprised of students between the ages of 6 and 18 and includes members from other Serbian Orthodox Churches that do not have a tamburitzan organization.

Parents of students meet once a month and is the backbone of the organization. Along with making decisions for the group, they also raise money for various expenditures.

The tamburitzan ensemble performs locally for different affairs, events and charitable causes. When the opportunity arises, they travel to various parts of the United States and Canada representing our church. Each year the St. Nicholas Tamburitzans host a concert at a local school which is followed by a reception at the church hall. Since joining the Serbian National Folklore Federation in 2000, the ensemble has performed in annual Folklore Federal Festivals held throughout the United States. They are also proud to take their turn in hosting this event.

ST. NICHOLAS OUTREACH COMMITTEE

The St. Nicholas Outreach Committee meets once a month in the Church Hall. It works in different capacities to serve, to reach out, and to plan various church and community projects. It also provides opportunities for the congregation to participate in various church projects and charitable community endeavors. Some on-going endeavors include maintaining contact with parishioners who are unable to attend church services and events, sponsoring senior citizen luncheons and family night picnics, communicating with post high school students, acknowledging baptisms, assisting in church clean-ups, organizing seasonal fund drives, and providing information for new church members. ST. SAVA CAMP, SHADELAND, PA

Summer Program

St. Sava Camp is a children’s educational and cultural program of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Eastern America that our students can attend during the summer. During July and August, Shadeland Camp is open for four weeks to students ages 7-18 years and provides a chance to enjoy a week fostering lasting fellowships and friendships with other Serbian Orthodox children from the eastern U.S. and Canada while deepening their experience and understanding of their faith and heritage. Campers experience daily Orthodox worship and have many opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities, sports and games. Organized hikes, softball, soccer, volleyball, basketball, boating, fishing, swimming, arts and crafts, religious classes, kolo dancing, a visit to a water park, cookouts, talent shows, etc. are just some of the fun things in which the campers are involved.

The last week of camp, referred to as “Tambura Week”, is set aside for learning to perform Serbian music and dance. Campers of this week perform a full set of song and dance at the annual Shadeland picnic.

There is a fee to attend this camp. In past years the Church Board and Klub Karadjordje have assisted monetarily to help defray costs for our church students. Advance announcements will be in the Church Bulletin.

Winter Program

During December, St. Sava Camp hosts a three day Eastern Diocese Nativity Fast Retreat. With the presence and leadership of His Grace Bishop Mitrophan and several clergy, the students explore the meaning of the Feast of the Nativity, focus on a retreat theme and enjoy participating in vesper services and Divine Liturgy. Students also acquire knowledge from various slide shows and videos, listen to talks, participate in discussions, recite prayers and sing songs. Social activities such as basketball, table tennis, crafts, games walks, etc. are enjoyed. In addition all meals are provided.

Participants at the retreat have come as far away as Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Canada and as near as Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Advance notice of this retreat is announced in the church bulletin or one may contact our priest for further information.