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: [email protected]
Website:
August 17, 2007
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WOMEN’S GUILD CONTINUES MOMENTUM WITH SEVERAL PROGRAMS
The Women’s Guild Central council is continuing to gain momentum on a number
of programs and initiatives.
After a successful Annual Assembly, hosted by Sts. Vartanantz, the Central
Council held its quarterly meeting at the Diocesan Center in New York City
on June 22 and 23 to firm up program ideas and outline new initiatives.
One of the major points of discussion was exploring ways to incorporate the
Diocesan theme — "Church and Home: One in Spirit" — into the activities
and programs of local guilds. Joining the Central Council members to
further the discussion were Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate; Diocesan
Vicar Fr. Haigazoun Najarian; Elise Antreassian, Diocesan coordinator of
Christian education; and Gilda Buchakjian Kupelian, coordinator of Armenian
studies for the Diocese.
"The Women’s Guild is an important channel to bring the teachings of Christ
into our homes, into the daily lives of our families," Archbishop Barsamian
said. "So I was pleased to see all the good work being done by these women
who have chosen to serve their Church by giving their time and skills to the
Women’s Guild organization."
A program is being developed to include "Church and Home" related workshops
or lectures for Lenten retreats as part of the Saintly Women’s Day
celebrations, which can be held in local parishes or regionally. All local
guilds are being encouraged to participate, as a percentage of the proceeds
will go to the WGCC Saintly Women’s Day Fund. Once the goal of $10,000 is
achieved, these money will be given to the Diocese to offset the cost of a
second printing of "The Holy Bible, Armenian Church Edition," which is
currently out of print.
WOMEN’S SYMPOSIUM
The Women’s Guild will also soon host the third annual Women’s Guild
Symposium, focusing on the "Mind, Body, and Spirit," of participants. The
session will be held at the Ararat Center in Greenville, New York, from
September 21 to 23, 2007.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to get away for the weekend and enjoy
learning, fellowship, and laughter with other women from the Diocese and
beyond," said Women’s Guild Chairman Lucy Murad.
This year, the schedule includes presentations by psychotherapist Dr. Anie
Kalayjian, who will speak on "Healing the Body and Spirit." Literature will
be discussions in a session led by Georgianne Ensign Kent, author of
"Vartanoush: My Grandmother’s Story," and through a book club led by Yn.
Roberta Kochakian, whose participants will discuss "The Bastard of
Istanbul."
Many sessions are designed to foster fellowship and tap creativity. Yn. Pat
Butero will lead classes in dance, Carol Loshigian will help participants
tap into their artistic selves to create collages, and Fr. Stepanos
Doudoukjian will show how to make Nishark and teach participants about its
significance and meaning. Additionally, participants will find ways to
enhance their beauty with help from licensed esthetician Betty Ajamian. Yn.
Violet Kasparian will also teach participants how to see with their hearts
and not their eyes.
All the programming, food and lodging costs only $145. For more information,
visit the Ararat Center website at:
CHILDREN OF ARMENIA
The Women’s Guild is helping many children in Armenia through its Children
of Armenia Sponsorship Program (CASP). During the Central Council meeting,
members were told that 140 new children are on the waiting list to be
sponsored and efforts are underway to identify new sponsors to help those
children. Through a $220 annual donation, sponsors are able to provide
direct financial help to a child who has lost one or both its parents.
To learn more about CASP, visit the program’s new website:
Some money will be raised for CASP during a raffle, with the prize being a
trip for two to Armenia. The drawing will be held the weekend of the
symposium. For more information on sponsoring a child or donating to the
CASP program, contact Tanya Bukucuyan at [email protected] or (516)
939-6175.
BUILDING HOMES
During the quarterly meeting, Central Council members also discussed plans
to raise money for Habitat for Humanity’s work in Armenia.
During the course of the year they will be working with local parish guilds
to embark on a fundraising campaign. The goal is to raise enough money for
the Women’s Guild to fund the construction of a house in Armenia to
commemorate the October visit of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians, to the Eastern Diocese.
JOIN THE GUILD TODAY
To get involved in these and many other efforts, join your local women’s
guild today. If your parish does not have an active guild, talk to your
parish priest or contact Louise Demirjian via e-mail at
[email protected] or by calling (440) 331-1668.
— 8/17/07
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Members of the Women’s Guild Central Council meet with
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate; Diocesan Vicar Fr. Haigazoun Najarian;
and members of the Diocese’s Department of Youth and Education to explore
ways to create Women’s Guild programming that builds off of the Diocesan
theme: "Church and Home: One in Spirit."
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Members of the Women’s Guild Central Council, Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, Primate, and Diocesan Vicar Fr. Haigazoun Najarian,
outside St. Vartan Cathedral in New York City following the WGCC quarterly
meeting on June 22 and 23, 2007.