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PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net/
February 3, 2014
___________________
ACYOA Members Strengthen Faith, Share Ideas at Chapter Workshop
More than 30 young people representing 14 parishes across the Eastern
Diocese gathered in St. Petersburg, Fla., last month for the annual ACYOA
Chapter Workshop.
Over the course of three days, from January 24 to 26, participants built
their faith, discussed the accomplishments and setbacks faced by their local
ACYOA chapters, shared advice, and brainstormed new programming
possibilities.
St. Hagop Church of Pinellas Park, Fla., again hosted this year's event,
with the Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian, parish pastor, serving as the weekend's
chaplain. The sessions were organized by the ACYOA Central Council, with
assistance from Lorie Odabashian, coordinator in the Diocese's Department of
Youth and Young Adult Ministries, who also attended the workshop.
On Friday evening, January 24, participants gathered at St. Hagop Church for
dinner and fellowship. This was followed by a service project during which
ACYOA members made 200 sandwiches for Pinellas Hope, a local charity that
provides shelter and aid to the homeless. An overview of the organization's
work was given by Central Council member Daniel Zalinov and St. Hagop parish
council member Mallory Maslar.
The evening concluded with a vespers service led by the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon
Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar.
On Saturday, the group convened at the St. Petersburg Marriott for sessions
on faith, leadership, and team building.
Fr. Demerjian opened the day with a Bible study on the revelation of Christ.
Central Council members Shant Paklaian and Adrienne Ashbahian led a
discussion titled "ACYOA: Mission Possible," where participants shared
programming ideas and personal skills that fulfill and build on the mission
of the ACYOA. They focused on the organization's key principles of worship,
witness, education, service, and fellowship.
St. Nersess seminarian and former ACYOA Central Council chair Saro Kalayjian
spoke about the founding of the ACYOA and explained how it has evolved in
its seven-decade history.
Small group discussion led by Central Council members Chelsea Kress and
Armen Terjimanian presented problem scenarios ACYOA chapters have
encountered in previous years and challenged participants to consider
various solutions.
Central Council chair Jon Pelaez and vice chair Ani Grigorian presented a
session on strategies for success, during which participants drafted goals
for their chapters and filled out a programming calendar listing events
they hope to implement in the coming year.
The day concluded with dinner at a local restaurant.
On Sunday morning, the young people took part in the Divine Liturgy at St.
Hagop Church and joined the community for an outdoor picnic, which raised
funds for Syrian Armenian relief.
"ACYOA Chapter Workshop is my favorite Central Council-sponsored event,"
said Aras Mermer of St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C. "I always get new
ideas for events, and find out what works and what doesn't work."
Aline Beylerian of St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, N.J., said, "I enjoyed
meeting new people who share the same love and passion for keeping the
Armenian youth connected to their faith and heritage."
The ACYOA Central Council is now preparing to host Lenten regional retreats
in Palos Heights, Ill. and Fair Lawn, N.J. on March 29.
###
Photos attached.
Photo 1: Chapter Workshop participants make sandwiches for Pinellas Hope, a
local charity that provides shelter and aid to the homeless.
Photo 2: ACYOA members during one of the workshop sessions.
Photo 3: Several Chapter Workshop participants assisted Fr. Hovnan Demerjian
on the altar at St. Hagop Church on Sunday, January 26.
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net/
February 3, 2014
___________________
ACYOA Members Strengthen Faith, Share Ideas at Chapter Workshop
More than 30 young people representing 14 parishes across the Eastern
Diocese gathered in St. Petersburg, Fla., last month for the annual ACYOA
Chapter Workshop.
Over the course of three days, from January 24 to 26, participants built
their faith, discussed the accomplishments and setbacks faced by their local
ACYOA chapters, shared advice, and brainstormed new programming
possibilities.
St. Hagop Church of Pinellas Park, Fla., again hosted this year's event,
with the Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian, parish pastor, serving as the weekend's
chaplain. The sessions were organized by the ACYOA Central Council, with
assistance from Lorie Odabashian, coordinator in the Diocese's Department of
Youth and Young Adult Ministries, who also attended the workshop.
On Friday evening, January 24, participants gathered at St. Hagop Church for
dinner and fellowship. This was followed by a service project during which
ACYOA members made 200 sandwiches for Pinellas Hope, a local charity that
provides shelter and aid to the homeless. An overview of the organization's
work was given by Central Council member Daniel Zalinov and St. Hagop parish
council member Mallory Maslar.
The evening concluded with a vespers service led by the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon
Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar.
On Saturday, the group convened at the St. Petersburg Marriott for sessions
on faith, leadership, and team building.
Fr. Demerjian opened the day with a Bible study on the revelation of Christ.
Central Council members Shant Paklaian and Adrienne Ashbahian led a
discussion titled "ACYOA: Mission Possible," where participants shared
programming ideas and personal skills that fulfill and build on the mission
of the ACYOA. They focused on the organization's key principles of worship,
witness, education, service, and fellowship.
St. Nersess seminarian and former ACYOA Central Council chair Saro Kalayjian
spoke about the founding of the ACYOA and explained how it has evolved in
its seven-decade history.
Small group discussion led by Central Council members Chelsea Kress and
Armen Terjimanian presented problem scenarios ACYOA chapters have
encountered in previous years and challenged participants to consider
various solutions.
Central Council chair Jon Pelaez and vice chair Ani Grigorian presented a
session on strategies for success, during which participants drafted goals
for their chapters and filled out a programming calendar listing events
they hope to implement in the coming year.
The day concluded with dinner at a local restaurant.
On Sunday morning, the young people took part in the Divine Liturgy at St.
Hagop Church and joined the community for an outdoor picnic, which raised
funds for Syrian Armenian relief.
"ACYOA Chapter Workshop is my favorite Central Council-sponsored event,"
said Aras Mermer of St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C. "I always get new
ideas for events, and find out what works and what doesn't work."
Aline Beylerian of St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, N.J., said, "I enjoyed
meeting new people who share the same love and passion for keeping the
Armenian youth connected to their faith and heritage."
The ACYOA Central Council is now preparing to host Lenten regional retreats
in Palos Heights, Ill. and Fair Lawn, N.J. on March 29.
###
Photos attached.
Photo 1: Chapter Workshop participants make sandwiches for Pinellas Hope, a
local charity that provides shelter and aid to the homeless.
Photo 2: ACYOA members during one of the workshop sessions.
Photo 3: Several Chapter Workshop participants assisted Fr. Hovnan Demerjian
on the altar at St. Hagop Church on Sunday, January 26.