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:
March 8, 2005
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ACYOA LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON FELLOWSHIP
For each of the past six years, at a modest conference center just north
of New York City, the future of the Armenian Church has been shaped.
Since 1999, dozens of young people from parishes throughout the Diocese
attended the Young Adult Leadership Conference hosted by the Armenian
Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA). This year 49 young
people, with an average age of 22, attended the conference at the Don
Bosco Retreat Center in Stony Point, NY, from February 18 to 20, 2005.
On the agenda for the conference: Building future leaders for the
Armenian Church.
“There are times, I’ll admit, that my hopes for the future of Armenian
youth in our church is low, but after this weekend, I am reassured,”
said participant Karinne Hovnanian from the Holy Trinity Church of
Cheltenham, PA. “The leadership instilled in this weekend will,
prayerfully, lead our youth back to Christ.”
LAYING THE FOUNDATION
The goal of the ACYOA is to give participants in the Young Adult
Leadership Conference the tools, drive, and determination to be
dedicated and knowledgeable leaders to their Armenian Church
communities. Since it was invigorated, the weekend has led a number of
young people to seek leadership positions in their home parishes.
“The ACYOA has shown itself to be the training ground for our future lay
and ordained leaders and ministers,” said Fr. Daniel Findikyan, the dean
of St. Nersess Seminary who served as chaplain for this year’s
conference and lead an open question-and-answer session for
participants. “These young men and women — so creative, so energetic,
so devoted to Christ and to our church — reminded me once again that
the future of our church and people in America is bright.”
Each year, the ACYOA Central Council asks parishes in the Diocese to
send two representatives to the free conference, the cost of which is
covered by ACYOA. This year, 22 parishes in 14 states sent delegates to
take advantage of the workshops, seminars, worship services, and
fellowship opportunities.
“Every year it never ceases to amaze me how, gathered in Christ’s name,
strangers can form bonds and learn so much from each other in such a
short period of time,” said Karen Khatchadourian, an ACYOA Central
Council member who helped design this year’s program. “I hope
participants maintain the energy from the conference and create similar
opportunities for Christian fellowship in their own ACYOA chapters.”
FOCUS ON FELLOWSHIP
This year the Young Adult Leadership Conference focused on “fellowship”,
with the theme, “A Common Life in Christ.” “Fellowship” is one of the
five “Circles of the Cross,” which represents the platform of the ACYOA.
Previous conferences have focused on the other ideas represented in that
cross: worship, service, education, and witness.
Highlights of the weekend included a session facilitated by St. Nersess
seminarian Daron Bolat entitled, “Church Fellowship: Charting Our
Experience,” during which participants were asked to reflect on and
share their experiences of fellowship in their local parish. Also, a
role-playing session lead by Saro Kalayjian, from the ACYOA Chapter at
the St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C., asked participants to exchange
ideas on ways to foster fellowship in their local parish.
“Every year, this weekend renews my spirit and gives me new ideas to
return to my parish. This year only enlightened me further,” said
Maggie Merdjanian, a participant from the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob
Church of Wynnewood, PA.
Six members of the clergy joined the young adults during the weekend,
with many leading sessions. An interactive Bible study was lead by Fr.
Yeprem Kelegian, pastor of the St. Mesrob Church of Racine, WI, who
focused on themes of love in the New Testament. Another informative
Bible-based presentation was organized by Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian, pastor
of the Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY, who discussed membership,
friendship, partnership, and kinship as the requirements for fellowship,
with examples from Scripture and daily life. Also participating in the
weekend were Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese; Fr.
Aren Jebejian from the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Chicago,
IL; and Fr. Untzag Nalbandian of the Church of the Holy Ascension in
Trumbull, CT.
“The weekend provided a comforting environment for us to reflect on our
faith, both within ourselves and among our peers,” said Ani Tovar from
the St. Sarkis Church of Dallas, TX.
Several members of the Diocesan staff also helped lead sessions during
the weekend, which was organized by ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy
Basmajian. Jason Demerjian, the Diocese’s college ministry facilitator,
led a multi-media workshop on the many dimensions of love: family
affection, friendship, erotic love, and the unconditional love of God.
Yn. Arpi Kouzouian, coordinator of youth outreach ministry, delivered a
thought-provoking PowerPoint presentation, designed especially for young
audiences, dealing with the challenges of morality in the 21st century.
“The weekend made me think about what it really means to be a young
Christian Armenian and how important it is for us to be part of the
church because we are the church,” said participant Sarine Zenian from
the St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C.
The Primate had lunch with the group and later spoke to them, saying he
was pleased and proud to see so many young people.
“I can see the fellowship here in this room as you share your thoughts,
ideas, and even your frustrations as Armenian Christians,” the Primate
told the young participants. “You are here to receive knowledge and
guidance this weekend, but you are also here to give, you are here to
give of yourselves as leaders. Each of you has the gifts you need to be
leaders in your own parishes and in the Diocese. It is in your hands.
Now your turn is coming. In you, I see the quality of leadership. I am
very proud of the youth of our Diocese.”
NEW EFFORTS
During the Young Adult Leadership Conference, members of the ACYOA
Central Council announced two new initiatives for 2005.
The first is a major fundraising effort, which will be launched this
month: a raffle with 500 tickets, each to be sold for $100. The money
will benefit new and existing ACYOA projects. A portion of the proceeds
will benefit relief efforts to help victims of last December’s Asian
tsunami.
The second initiative is called Giving the Bread of Life: ACYOA Fast for
Armenia. The Central Council wants local ACYOA chapters to commemorate
the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide by holding a group fast
from Saturday, April 23, until the Divine Liturgy on April 24.
Additionally, ACYOA members on the East Coast were encouraged to come to
New York City on April 24 and participate in the large joint
commemoration of the anniversary.
The ACYOA Central Council includes Chair Jennifer Morris (St. John
Church of Southfield, MI); Vice Chair Dn. Diran Jebejian (St. Leon
Church of Fair Lawn, NJ); Treasurer Rita Akaraz (St. John Church in
Southfield, MI); Secretary Tammy Bagdigian (Church of the Holy
Resurrection in New Britain, CT); Public Relations Coordinator Maria
Derderian (Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Wynnewood, PA); Programming
Coordinator Karen Khatchadourian (St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, NJ); and
Chapter Relations Coordinator Christopher Tashjian (Holy Trinity Church
of Cambridge, MA).
“I fondly remember attending the first National Young Adult Leadership
Conference six years ago as a participant,” ACYOA Chair Morris said. “I
came away from that conference with a yearning to strengthen my faith as
an Armenian Christian and to create Christ-centered programming within
my own parish. That first conference, and others since, laid the
foundation for me and many other young adults throughout the Eastern
Diocese, who have become successful leaders within in their own
communities.”
— 3/8/05
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Fr. Yeprem Kelegian, pastor of the St. Mesrob Church
of Racine, WI, addresses the attendees of the 2005 ACYOA National Young
Adult Leadership Conference.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Fr. Aren Jebejian from the St. Gregory the
Illuminator Church in Chicago, IL, speaks with a small workgroup during
the 2005 ACYOA National Young Adult Leadership Conference, held from
February 18 to 20, 2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Members of the ACYOA Central Council join some of
the participants of the 2005 ACYOA National Young Adult Leadership
Conference, organized each year by the ACYOA to promote leadership in
the next generation.
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