NEWS ELSEWHERE: St. Vladimir’s Seminary, New York, New Jersey, Minnesota, Pennsylvania

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YONKERS, NY: Registration Opens for St. Vladimir’s Seminary Summer Programs

SVOTS

As announced earlier, from May 26 to June 26, 2013, Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary will be offering six continuing education programs, of varied and unique interest, including a class for academic credit. Register before May 15, 2013 to have the $50.00 registration fee waived! For a complete listing of programs, registration, and related information, please visit www.svots.edu/events/save-date-summer-programs-svots on the seminary web site.

DIX HILLS, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Octet to sing at Liturgy, Sunday Mission Vespers

The Octet Choir of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, under the direction of Hierodeacon Herman, will visit Saint Andrew Church, 1095 Carlls Straight Path, Dix Hills, NY, for “an extraordinary day of immersion into the musical traditions of the Orthodox Church” on Sunday, March 31, 2013. Choir members will remain at the church after the Sunday morning 9:30 Divine Liturgy, offering the faithful an opportunity to engage with the seminarians. At 5:00 p.m. the choir will sing the responses at Mission Vespers, sponsored by the New York City Deanery. Archpriest Dr. Chad Hatfield, seminary Chancellor, will preside and deliver the homily. A concert of select liturgical pieces will follow, and the seminary bookstore will be available.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN: OCA Youth Department Lenten Retreat for Teens, Young Adults and 20-Somethings

Saint Mary Cathedral, 1701 Fifth Street NE, Minneapolis, MN, will host a lenten retreat for teens, young adults, and 20-somethings on Saturday, April 13, 2013. Andrew Boyd, OCA Youth Director, and the cathedral’s Deacon Jason Ketz, will lead the retreat, titled “The Gospel We Preach.” Sponsored by the OCA’s Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministries, the retreat will focus on the core message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how to share it in our time and place. Participants will be exposed to brief videos of what the Gospel is—and what it is not!—to gain a better understanding of the Gospel we are called to preach to the nations. The retreat also will include interactive exercises and opportunities for participants to practice their public speaking, writing, and rhetorical skills. The afternoon will end with a capstone session that summarizes the core message of the Gospel in the Orthodox Christian tradition and writings of the Church Fathers. There is no cost to attend, but registrations should be sent to Deacon Jason at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) by April 10.

WAYNE, NJ: NY/NJ Diocese to Host Overnight Lenten Youth Retreat

The Diocese of New York and New Jersey will sponsor an overnight youth retreat at Holy Resurrection Church, 285 French Hill Road, Wayne, NJ, for students in grades seven through twelve April 19-20, 2013. The retreat theme is “Keeping It Real: Isaiah 41:10.” The registration fee, which includes all costs, meals and materials associated with the event, is only $35.00 per participant. No youth will be turned away due to financial considerations. His Grace, Bishop Michael hopes to be present during the retreat. Orthodox Christian attendees are encouraged to invite non-Orthodox friends. Youth in NY/NJ Diocese parishes may obtain registration forms and waiver/agreements—deadline for registration is April 12—from their parish priests. Others may obtain forms and further information by contacting Priest Jason Vansuch, Retreat Coordinator and Chair of the Diocese’s Department of Youth Ministry, at 609-393-1234 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

MECHANICSBURG, PA: Growing Mission Purchases 14 Acres of Land

With the blessing of His Grace, Bishop Melchisedek, Locum Tenens of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, and His Grace, Bishop Mark, Administrator, the faithful of Holy Apostles Mission, Mechanicsburg, PA, officially purchased 14 acres of land on which they plan to build their own church building. After a process that lasted nearly two years—through many meetings, tests, and plan revisions—Priest Timothy Hojnicki, Rector, signed the papers for the purchase on March 15, 2013. At the end of the Divine Liturgy on Forgiveness Sunday, a Service of Thanksgiving was celebrated to offer thanks to God for the many gifts with which the community has been blessed. The Mission Council also has called a for a special meeting in May to discuss a potential future building project on the new property. Please keep Father Timothy and the faithful of Holy Apostles Mission in your prayers as they enter into a new and exciting time for their growing parish community.  Visit the parish’s web site.