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PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch-ed.net
May 21, 2012
_______________________________________________
Following Christ to a More Dynamic Parish Ministry
At the 110th Diocesan Assembly, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian addressed the
delegates with a message outlining the qualities of Christ that we need to
follow. During the morning session on Friday, May 4, on the Diocesan theme
"Vocations: The Call to Serve-Ministry of the Faithful," he emphasized the
importance of humility, outreach, forgiveness, compassion, sacrifice,
tolerance, and a sensitivity to the needs of others.
"Christ came to show us how to come back to God. He came to show us how to
restore God's image in us. He taught us that if we follow his example,
practice his words as recorded in the Gospels, and learn from his parables,
we can restore God's image in us," Archbishop Barsamian said. "It is
important that each one of us, as a leader of the church, fully embraces
Christ's life and follows his example."
George Marootian, who moderated Friday morning's discussion, drew on Bible
passages and lessons from Armenian history to illustrate the meaning of
following Christ. "God allows us to cross over at any time in our life's
walk from eternal death to eternal life through belief in his son, Jesus
Christ," he said.
In small groups, clergy and delegates discussed how they see the church as a
community of believers and how they make Jesus essential in their lives.
They also brainstormed ways to help others come closer to Christ through
parish programs.
Representatives from three parishes presented local models of ministry and
encouraged parish leaders to build personal relationships with parishioners.
Kary Valenziano of St. James Church of Evanston, Ill., told how her
community has been assisting immigrants from the Middle East by offering
them jobs and helping them become involved in community activities.
Ms. Valenziano also spoke about parish programs-such as the annual festival,
blood drive, and homeless outreach-that attract new members and expose the
parish to the non-Armenian community in Evanston.
Shannon Bagdigian of Holy Resurrection Church of New Britain, Conn.,
described a new organization she launched to provide spiritual nourishment
and to promote community involvement among parishioners. Titled "Hye
Angels," the group volunteers in local soup kitchens, collects funds for
food drives, and engages in other service-oriented projects. Ms. Bagdigian
said that it has also given young people an opportunity to find a sense of
purpose and to give back to their community.
Nina Stapan of St. David Church of Boca Raton, Fla., spoke about the work of
parish organizations. She described the dedication of altar servers, as well
as the members of the choir, Women's Guild, ACYOA, Sunday School, and other
groups. She also mentioned that the parish offers Christian education
courses to help adults learn about their faith.
The parish presentations were followed by staff testimonials from Jennifer
Morris, the Diocese's youth outreach coordinator, and Christopher Zakian,
director of communications.
"We are all called to be disciples of Christ and to cultivate discipleship
in others," Ms. Morris said. She went on to speak about how the programs of
the Department of Youth and Education serve as vehicles to bring the
faithful closer to Christ.
Mr. Zakian listed five ways in which the example of Jesus animates the work
of the Diocese's Communications Department: spirituality, beauty and
elegance of expression, respect for the audience, humility before God, and
thanksgiving.
"To be able to spend your days communicating about Jesus, using the powerful
tools at our disposal to work creatively with the artifacts of our
heritage-that's something for which to be grateful," he said.
Before the Friday morning theme session closed, Archbishop Barsamian rose to
make a special presentation to three women who exemplified the spirit of lay
ministry. Tanya Bukucuyan, Lucy Murad, and Anne Terkanian were honored for
their leadership and devoted service to the Children of Armenia Sponsorship
Program (CASP). The program, a collaboration of the Women's Guild Central
Council and the Fund for Armenian Relief, brings aid to Armenia's needy
children.
"Reaching out to children in our homeland brings to life Christ's message
about the special blessing of children," the Primate said, "and I would like
to recognize these three women for sustaining the beautiful ministry CASP
represents."
###
Photos attached.
Photo 1: In small groups, clergy and delegates discuss how they make Jesus
essential in their lives.
Photo 2: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian addresses delegates.
Photo 3: George Marootian moderates the discussion on lay ministry.
From: A. Papazian
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch-ed.net
May 21, 2012
_______________________________________________
Following Christ to a More Dynamic Parish Ministry
At the 110th Diocesan Assembly, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian addressed the
delegates with a message outlining the qualities of Christ that we need to
follow. During the morning session on Friday, May 4, on the Diocesan theme
"Vocations: The Call to Serve-Ministry of the Faithful," he emphasized the
importance of humility, outreach, forgiveness, compassion, sacrifice,
tolerance, and a sensitivity to the needs of others.
"Christ came to show us how to come back to God. He came to show us how to
restore God's image in us. He taught us that if we follow his example,
practice his words as recorded in the Gospels, and learn from his parables,
we can restore God's image in us," Archbishop Barsamian said. "It is
important that each one of us, as a leader of the church, fully embraces
Christ's life and follows his example."
George Marootian, who moderated Friday morning's discussion, drew on Bible
passages and lessons from Armenian history to illustrate the meaning of
following Christ. "God allows us to cross over at any time in our life's
walk from eternal death to eternal life through belief in his son, Jesus
Christ," he said.
In small groups, clergy and delegates discussed how they see the church as a
community of believers and how they make Jesus essential in their lives.
They also brainstormed ways to help others come closer to Christ through
parish programs.
Representatives from three parishes presented local models of ministry and
encouraged parish leaders to build personal relationships with parishioners.
Kary Valenziano of St. James Church of Evanston, Ill., told how her
community has been assisting immigrants from the Middle East by offering
them jobs and helping them become involved in community activities.
Ms. Valenziano also spoke about parish programs-such as the annual festival,
blood drive, and homeless outreach-that attract new members and expose the
parish to the non-Armenian community in Evanston.
Shannon Bagdigian of Holy Resurrection Church of New Britain, Conn.,
described a new organization she launched to provide spiritual nourishment
and to promote community involvement among parishioners. Titled "Hye
Angels," the group volunteers in local soup kitchens, collects funds for
food drives, and engages in other service-oriented projects. Ms. Bagdigian
said that it has also given young people an opportunity to find a sense of
purpose and to give back to their community.
Nina Stapan of St. David Church of Boca Raton, Fla., spoke about the work of
parish organizations. She described the dedication of altar servers, as well
as the members of the choir, Women's Guild, ACYOA, Sunday School, and other
groups. She also mentioned that the parish offers Christian education
courses to help adults learn about their faith.
The parish presentations were followed by staff testimonials from Jennifer
Morris, the Diocese's youth outreach coordinator, and Christopher Zakian,
director of communications.
"We are all called to be disciples of Christ and to cultivate discipleship
in others," Ms. Morris said. She went on to speak about how the programs of
the Department of Youth and Education serve as vehicles to bring the
faithful closer to Christ.
Mr. Zakian listed five ways in which the example of Jesus animates the work
of the Diocese's Communications Department: spirituality, beauty and
elegance of expression, respect for the audience, humility before God, and
thanksgiving.
"To be able to spend your days communicating about Jesus, using the powerful
tools at our disposal to work creatively with the artifacts of our
heritage-that's something for which to be grateful," he said.
Before the Friday morning theme session closed, Archbishop Barsamian rose to
make a special presentation to three women who exemplified the spirit of lay
ministry. Tanya Bukucuyan, Lucy Murad, and Anne Terkanian were honored for
their leadership and devoted service to the Children of Armenia Sponsorship
Program (CASP). The program, a collaboration of the Women's Guild Central
Council and the Fund for Armenian Relief, brings aid to Armenia's needy
children.
"Reaching out to children in our homeland brings to life Christ's message
about the special blessing of children," the Primate said, "and I would like
to recognize these three women for sustaining the beautiful ministry CASP
represents."
###
Photos attached.
Photo 1: In small groups, clergy and delegates discuss how they make Jesus
essential in their lives.
Photo 2: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian addresses delegates.
Photo 3: George Marootian moderates the discussion on lay ministry.
From: A. Papazian