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: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
Website:
September 11, 2006
___________________
SUNDAY SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS ATTEND MARDIGIAN INSTITUTE TRAINING WEEK AT
DIOCESAN CENTER IN NEW YORK CITY
By Jake Goshert
They came from front-line communities all across the U.S. to New York City
to learn new tactics and strategies, and be introduced to new tools for
accomplishing their vital mission.
They were 14 Sunday School educators from nine parishes, stretching from New
Jersey to Texas, visiting the Diocesan Center for the 29th annual Mardigian
Institute, a week-long session of workshops and classes designed to
strengthen the skills of local volunteer educators.
"Armenian Church Sunday School teachers are on the front lines of
transmitting our faith to the next generation, and we need help," said
participant Cheryl Ohanesian. "This outstanding program provided it all:
information on church doctrine, rituals, and tradition, presented by
knowledgeable lecturers and Armenian priests. Most important, everything
presented was practical, designed to be replicated in our own parishes, so
everyone could benefit. We are returning to our home parishes with a wealth
of usable, creative ideas and new materials. Every Sunday School teacher
should attend this program."
FOCUS ON CHURCH AND HOME
The first few days of the Mardigian Institute featured classes at the
Diocesan Center in New York City. Each day began with a morning service in
St. Vartan Cathedral, allowing teachers to participate in traditional
Armenian worship.
Sessions focused on the Diocesan theme for the year: "Church and Home: One
in Spirit." Participants heard from experts in the field of Christian
education who aimed to give the teachers the tools needed to better reach
their students. In the core lecture on faith development, Dr. James Morgan
set the tone for the week by reminding teachers that "Christian education is
all about that beautiful trilogy of ‘information – formation
-transformation’ and that unless we were leading people to truly changed
lives, the information is irrelevant."
Several clergymen led sessions during the week-long program, teaching and
challenging the group with such topics as "How Our Divine Liturgy Came To
Be," "Ten Things Every Teacher Should Know About Scripture," "Ways of
Prayer: The Psalms," "New Testament Perspectives on the Church," "The How’s
and Why’s of Blessings" and "Saints: A Gift of Witness."
"I felt like a sponge taking in extremely beneficial information as much as
possible to take home with me," said participant Patrick Rabbot.
Along with the academic discussions, the teachers experienced several
hands-on sessions. In one, they attempted three craft ideas for the
upcoming feasts of The Exaltation, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. They also
scripted and performed skits based on Scripture stories. These exercises
were designed to give the Sunday School educators new ideas to take back to
their students.
"I have wanted to attend Mardigian Institute for years – and finally this
year I had the opportunity," said participant Deborah Onanian. "It has been
a truly enlightening experience. I will be able to return to my home parish
with renewed strength and enthusiasm."
Participants also had a chance to spend time with Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese. During a dinner at the Diocesan
Center, they had a frank and open discussion about the Armenian Church, its
mission, teachings, and future.
"It is energizing to meet these men and women who are giving of their time
and skills to serve their local communities and the Armenian Church. I am
glad they are able to attend this important program to gain new ideas,
tools, and resources to strengthen their Christian education efforts," the
Primate said. All of us — from priests and parents to community and parish
leaders — must join our Sunday School educators in nurturing the souls of
the next generation. "
BUILDING BONDS
This year’s Mardigian Institute saw several "firsts" among participants. It
was the first time an entire family attended, with Shnorig Bashian, the
superintendent of the Sunday School at St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, NJ,
taking part in the program along with her husband John and their son Aram,
both teachers for the school. There were also two parishes that sent their
first participants: the St. Peter Church of Watervliet, NY, and the mission
parish in Nashville, TN.
An unprecedented number of superintendents (five) were present, allowing
organizers to hold an impromptu superintendents meeting. One idea discussed
was the scheduling of a national superintendents’ convocation to coincide
with next year’s Diocesan Assembly.
After several days of intense workshops at the Diocesan Center, the
participants attended a two-day retreat at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary,
led by Rev. Ginna Minasian Dalton. Titled "A Home-Grown Faith: Developing
Habits of the Heart," the retreat sessions allowed participants to track
their faith journeys and share the tears and joy of spiritual
self-discovery.
The serene setting of St. Nersess Seminary was much appreciated —
especially by first-time visitors who thought it was "the most beautiful
spot on earth." And the friendships built among the participants will
surely last a lifetime.
DIVERSE PARTICIPANTS
The 2006 Mardigian Institute concluded with an uplifting Assumption Day
liturgy and grape blessing at St. Vartan Cathedral, followed by a farewell
luncheon, distribution of certificates, and reluctant goodbyes.
"I know we are supposed to allow others in our Sunday Schools the
opportunity to come to the Mardigian Institute, but I would love to come
back every year," said participant Celine Sirinoglu. "This was such a
wonderful experience. I am leaving not only with an abundance of
information, but also with a new support system and great friends."
The Mardigian Institute is sponsored by the Department of Youth and
Education, and organized by staff members Elise Antreassian, Coordinator of
Christian Education, and Nancy Basmajian, ACYOA Executive Secretary. But
most importantly, it is made possible by Helen and the late Edward Mardigian
as a gift of love to the Sunday School they themselves cherished. "Without
them, concurred the organizers, "this very real and very inspiring week
would still be just a dream."
* * *
Participating in this year’s Mardigian Institute were: Deacon Sarkis
Altunian and Celine Sironoglu (St. Sarkis Church, Carrollron, TX); Shnorig,
John, and Aram Bashian (St. Thomas Church, Tenafly, NJ); Barbara Chamberjian
and Gail Pelaez (St. Mary Church, Livingston, NJ); Liza Dorian (Holy Trinity
Church, Cambridge, MA); Cecile Guekjian and Shake Potoukian (St. David
Church, Boca Raton, FL); Ruzanna Hovsepyan (St. Gregory Church, White
Plains, NY); Cheryl Ohanesian (St. Peter Church, Watervliet, NY); Deborah
Onanian (Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church, Providence, RI); and Patrick Rabbot
(Armenian Church Mission Parish of Nashville, TN)
— 9/11/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Students at the Diocese’ Mardigian Institute with Fr.
Daniel Findikyan, dean of the St. Nersess Seminary, who spoke during the
week-long session on the Divine Liturgy.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): During the Diocese’s Mardigian Institute, Suzanne
Anoushian Froundjian demonstrates a craft project the Sunday School
educators can use to discuss the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Two participants in the Mardigian Institute — Debbie
Onanian of Providence, RI, and Sarkis Altunian of Dallas, TX — happily
display "sandwich board table prayer" crafts they made during one of the
many hands-on workshops organized by the Eastern Diocese to help provide
ideas and resources to local Sunday School educators.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): After speaking about the Psalms during the Mardigian
Institute, Fr. Tateos Abdalian, pastor of the Holy Trinity Church of
Cheltenham, PA, meets with one small group of Sunday School teachers tasked
with writing their own psalm, an exercise they could then use in their own
classes.
PHOTO CAPTION (5): Fr. Shnork Souin, pastor of the St. Mary Church of
Livingston, NJ, demonstrates a "Home Blessing" service to Sunday School
educators during the 2006 Mardigian Institute, organized and hosted by the
Eastern Diocese in New York City.
PHOTO CAPTION (6): After learning how to use originally written skits to
teach about church history and teachings, participants of the Mardigian
Institute perform their original creation on the life of St. Vartan for the
other Sunday School teachers attending the week-long session at the Diocesan
Center in New York City.
PHOTO CAPTION (7): Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian, pastor of the Church of the Holy
Martyrs in Bayside, NY, gathers with participants of the Mardigian Institute
after speaking on Scripture during one of the sessions.
PHOTO CAPTION (8): To close the Mardigian Institute, Rev. Ginna Minasian
Dalton, seen here speaking to participants, led a retreat at the St. Nersess
Armenian Seminary in New Rochelle, NY.
PHOTO CAPTION (9): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, presents participants of the Mardigian Institute with the book
"Frequently Asked Questions of the Armenian Church."
PHOTO CAPTION (10): Sunday School educators from throughout the Eastern
Diocese who took part in the Mardigian Institute — joined by Institute
organizers Elise Antreassian, coordinator of Christian education for the
Diocese, and ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy Basmajian — with Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese.