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PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.org
December 8, 2004
___________________
ARCHBISHOP'S ANNUAL APPEAL 2004 SHOWCASED DURING GATHERING OF
BOSTON-AREA PARISHIONERS
On Wednesday, December 1, 2004, more than 70 Armenians from local
parishes throughout the Boston area attended a reception, during which
they were introduced to the Archbishop's Annual Appeal 2004 and the
future plans of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).
The reception, hosted by The Guleserian Family at the Sheraton Commander
Hotel in Cambridge, MA, was one of many regional receptions being
organized to give parishioners a chance to meet with Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate; members of the Diocesan Council; and representatives
from the Diocesan staff.
The evenings are a chance for parishioners to get a better understanding
of what the Diocese does to further the Armenian Christian faith, and
why donating to the Archbishop's Annual Appeal 2004 makes a difference.
"People appreciated the Primate's presence there, and the ability to ask
questions," said John Amboian, vice chair of the Diocesan Council, who
attended the reception. "And they came away saying it was very
informative. They really learned how those funds will be utilized.
Some people think, when they give to something like the Archbishop's
Annual Appeal that it will be used to pay rent or utilities. But the
point is that's not right. We're using those funds to expand our
programs and ministries that serve our parishes."
The discussions on Diocesan programs and ministries focused on efforts
targeting six areas: building a better understanding of our faith,
engaging young people, supporting emerging Armenian communities,
providing continuing education and leadership training for clergy and
lay leaders, finding new ways to communicate with every Armenian, and
building a foundation of stewardship in all our parishes.
"The most encouraging part of the evening was there were a lot of new
faces that hadn't been there in the past and that's encouraging," said
Jim Kalustian, a member of the Diocesan Council and Parish Council
Chairman at the Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, MA. "I believe that
means we're reaching out to a broader cross section of the community and
people are seeing the value in some of the programs and efforts at the
Diocesan level. The message we're trying to get across is the Diocese
is not an institution. It is the parishes and people at the local
level; because that's who the programs are developed for."
One person who spoke at the reception was Christopher Tashjian, a member
of the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) Central
Council. He told the attendees how he personally has benefited from
programs and ministries operated by the Eastern Diocese thanks to the
continuous support of the Archbishop's Annual Appeal.
"He spoke about how he has personally benefited from going on
pilgrimages to Armenia, taking part in our youth training programs,
being at St. Vartan Camp, going to the ACYOA Sports Weekend," Kalustian
said. "It was very sincere and personal, a heart-felt expression of
appreciation to all the people there who supported the Diocese's
programs. He struck a chord with everyone. What better way to
exemplify why people need to support the Archbishop's Annual Appeal than
for someone get up and say how the Diocese has improved their personal
life."
The reception is just one of several planned throughout the Diocese this
winter. The Primate and Diocesan leaders already met with parishioners
in Chicago. They will gather in New Jersey on December 10; at the
Church of the Holy Martyrs in Bayside, NY, on December 16; and at the
St. John Church in Southfield, MI, on January 20. Other events are
being planned. For information on any of these, please e-mail the
Diocese at [email protected].
"We want to meet with the faithful and answer their questions and hear
their suggestions," said Archbishop Barsamian. "We want to show them
how the Diocese, thanks to their support, is working to make the
Armenian Church a vital part of each Armenian's life."
The receptions are not just for donors, but are open to every Armenian.
"The original idea behind the receptions was to thank our donors, and I
think it is still a good way to do that," Kalustian said. "But it's also
a way for people who have not given or may be thinking about increasing
their support to learn more first-hand, rather than just reading in a
pamphlet, why they should support these programs and what good these
programs are doing with their support."
For more information on the Archbishop's Annual Appeal 2004 receptions,
and information on how to support Diocesan ministries and programs,
visit our website at www.armenianchurch.org/support.
-- 12/08/04
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese's website,
www.armenianchurch.org.
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, speaks with Boston area Armenians who turned out for a special
reception held on December 1, 2004, as part of the Archbishop's Annual
Appeal 2004.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Ed Guleserian, who hosted the Boston-area
Archbishop's Annual Appeal 2004 reception at the Sheraton Commander
Hotel, speaks to the attendees on the importance of supporting Diocesan
programs and ministries.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Christopher Tashjian, a member of the ACYOA Central
Council, speaks to attendees on the importance of supporting programs
and ministries aimed at youth.
# # #
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.org
December 8, 2004
___________________
ARCHBISHOP'S ANNUAL APPEAL 2004 SHOWCASED DURING GATHERING OF
BOSTON-AREA PARISHIONERS
On Wednesday, December 1, 2004, more than 70 Armenians from local
parishes throughout the Boston area attended a reception, during which
they were introduced to the Archbishop's Annual Appeal 2004 and the
future plans of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).
The reception, hosted by The Guleserian Family at the Sheraton Commander
Hotel in Cambridge, MA, was one of many regional receptions being
organized to give parishioners a chance to meet with Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate; members of the Diocesan Council; and representatives
from the Diocesan staff.
The evenings are a chance for parishioners to get a better understanding
of what the Diocese does to further the Armenian Christian faith, and
why donating to the Archbishop's Annual Appeal 2004 makes a difference.
"People appreciated the Primate's presence there, and the ability to ask
questions," said John Amboian, vice chair of the Diocesan Council, who
attended the reception. "And they came away saying it was very
informative. They really learned how those funds will be utilized.
Some people think, when they give to something like the Archbishop's
Annual Appeal that it will be used to pay rent or utilities. But the
point is that's not right. We're using those funds to expand our
programs and ministries that serve our parishes."
The discussions on Diocesan programs and ministries focused on efforts
targeting six areas: building a better understanding of our faith,
engaging young people, supporting emerging Armenian communities,
providing continuing education and leadership training for clergy and
lay leaders, finding new ways to communicate with every Armenian, and
building a foundation of stewardship in all our parishes.
"The most encouraging part of the evening was there were a lot of new
faces that hadn't been there in the past and that's encouraging," said
Jim Kalustian, a member of the Diocesan Council and Parish Council
Chairman at the Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, MA. "I believe that
means we're reaching out to a broader cross section of the community and
people are seeing the value in some of the programs and efforts at the
Diocesan level. The message we're trying to get across is the Diocese
is not an institution. It is the parishes and people at the local
level; because that's who the programs are developed for."
One person who spoke at the reception was Christopher Tashjian, a member
of the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) Central
Council. He told the attendees how he personally has benefited from
programs and ministries operated by the Eastern Diocese thanks to the
continuous support of the Archbishop's Annual Appeal.
"He spoke about how he has personally benefited from going on
pilgrimages to Armenia, taking part in our youth training programs,
being at St. Vartan Camp, going to the ACYOA Sports Weekend," Kalustian
said. "It was very sincere and personal, a heart-felt expression of
appreciation to all the people there who supported the Diocese's
programs. He struck a chord with everyone. What better way to
exemplify why people need to support the Archbishop's Annual Appeal than
for someone get up and say how the Diocese has improved their personal
life."
The reception is just one of several planned throughout the Diocese this
winter. The Primate and Diocesan leaders already met with parishioners
in Chicago. They will gather in New Jersey on December 10; at the
Church of the Holy Martyrs in Bayside, NY, on December 16; and at the
St. John Church in Southfield, MI, on January 20. Other events are
being planned. For information on any of these, please e-mail the
Diocese at [email protected].
"We want to meet with the faithful and answer their questions and hear
their suggestions," said Archbishop Barsamian. "We want to show them
how the Diocese, thanks to their support, is working to make the
Armenian Church a vital part of each Armenian's life."
The receptions are not just for donors, but are open to every Armenian.
"The original idea behind the receptions was to thank our donors, and I
think it is still a good way to do that," Kalustian said. "But it's also
a way for people who have not given or may be thinking about increasing
their support to learn more first-hand, rather than just reading in a
pamphlet, why they should support these programs and what good these
programs are doing with their support."
For more information on the Archbishop's Annual Appeal 2004 receptions,
and information on how to support Diocesan ministries and programs,
visit our website at www.armenianchurch.org/support.
-- 12/08/04
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese's website,
www.armenianchurch.org.
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, speaks with Boston area Armenians who turned out for a special
reception held on December 1, 2004, as part of the Archbishop's Annual
Appeal 2004.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Ed Guleserian, who hosted the Boston-area
Archbishop's Annual Appeal 2004 reception at the Sheraton Commander
Hotel, speaks to the attendees on the importance of supporting Diocesan
programs and ministries.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Christopher Tashjian, a member of the ACYOA Central
Council, speaks to attendees on the importance of supporting programs
and ministries aimed at youth.
# # #
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress