PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Media Relations Specialist
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
Website:

June 18, 2007
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YOUTH ORGANIZATION LOOKS AT BUILDING ONE SPIRIT BETWEEN CHURCH AND HOME

The newly-elected ACYOA Central Council convened for the first time on
Saturday, June 10, 2007, at the Diocesan Center in New York City.

The Council set the organizational goals each year. This year they are
focusing on chapter development and sustainability initiatives; increasing
communication with members through the use of networking websites such as
Facebook.com and publication of its newsletter, Hye Hokin; and hosting two
regional conferences in the Southern and New England regions.

The Central Council members are: Chair John El Chemmas of the St. John
Church of Southfield, Michigan; Vice Chair Ani Tovar of the St. Sarkis
Church of Dallas, Texas; Secretary Sarine Zenian of the St. Mary Church of
Washington, D.C.; Treasurer Alex Derderian of the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob
Church of Wynnewood, Pennsylvania; Programming Coordinator Talin Hitik from
the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Chicago, Illinois; Public
Relations Coordinator Danielle DerAsadourian of the St. James Church of
Evanston, Illinois; and Chapter Relations Coordinator Stan Sheridan of the
St. Mesrob Church of Racine, Wisconsin.

The meeting was presided over by Diocesan Vicar Haigazoun Najarian. Joining
the ACYOA leaders at the meeting were Diocesan Council member Fr. Mardiros
Chevian; ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy Basmajian; Diocesan Director of
Finance and Administration William Casey; and Diocesan Director of
Stewardship & Development Michael O’Hurley-Pitts, Ph.D.

On Sunday, June 11, 2007, the Central Council members attended badarak at
St. Vartan Cathedral. Following badarak, they met with Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern), to discuss fundraising and forthcoming events.

With regards to the Diocesan theme of "Church and Home: One in Spirit," the
Primate suggested that the Central Council members encourage discussion
around questions that may soon arise for ACYOA members who might start
families in the near future. "For instance, discuss ‘Do you want to create
an Armenian Christian home?’" he said. "You have to talk about these things
so they don’t become a problem later."

The next meeting of the ACYOA Central Council will take place September 8,
2007, in Washington, D.C.

— 6/18/07

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): ACYOA Treasurer Alex Derderian and Public Relations
Coordinator Danielle DerAsadourian during the new ACYOA Central Council’s
first meeting at the Diocesan Center in New York City.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): ACYOA Chair John El Chemmas, right, and Chapter
Relations Coordinator Stan Sheridan take part in a discussion of the
organization’s plans for the year during a meeting in New York City on June
9, 2007.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Members of the ACYOA Central Council, including
Secretary Sarine Zenian, left, and Programming Coordinator Talin Hitik, join
clergy and Diocesan staff in discussing the organization’s goals for the
coming year during the new Central Council’s first meeting at the Diocesan
Center in New York City on June 9, 2007.