PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
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. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
November 17, 2006
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REGINOAL RETREATS FOR YOUTH BEGIN IN MIDWEST
The focus was personal, as participants explored their own relationships
with Christ. It was also communal, as they plotted a future for youth in
the Armenian Church. The 50 young people came together at the St. James
Church of Evanston, IL, on Saturday, November 11, 2006, for the first of two
ACYOA regional conferences this year.
"It’s always empowering to gather with my fellow Armenian youth and discuss
our faith and culture," said participant Elise Marifian, a parishioner at
the Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat Church of Belleville, IL.
Participants came from parishes in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Most were college students.
NEXT GENERATION OF STEWARDS
They heard from several speakers, including Julie Hoplamazian, college
ministry facilitator of the Diocese, who was in the Midwest to visit several
colleges in the area. She spoke about the habits required to be a
Christian. Using biblical passages and excerpts from the Divine Liturgy,
she talked about the ways in which we, as disciples of Christ, can come to
know God.
She also spoke of several disciples beyond Jesus’ original twelve, such as
St. Paul, Tabitha, Priscilla and Aquila, and Mother Teresa. She challenged
participants to join the list.
"This session really moved me to think about things that I hadn’t thought
about before," said Lilit Asatryan, a parishioner at the St. Mesrob Church
of Racine, WI. "I think everyone grew in their faith; I know I did."
MAKING THE CHOICE
Another of the speakers, Fr. Aren Jebejian, pastor of the St. Gregory the
Illuminator Church in Chicago, IL, spoke about why individuals need the
church?
"We’re not God’s puppets. He didn’t create us to control us," he said. "He
gave us free will to decide yes and no, up and down, in and out, and right
and wrong."
He told participants that making the decision to go to church was their
decision, and that being a Christian meant being a part of the body of
Christ, of gathering together as the people of God.
"Sometimes in life we forget our true goals and priorities because of
outside distractions," said Shant Paklaian, a parishioner at the St. Gregory
Church in Chicago. "But by keeping the faith and believing in God’s will,
everything will fall into place."
STEPING INTO LEADERSHIP
ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy Basmajian guided participants through an
assessment tool to identify their individual leadership styles. Called the
"Task-People Leadership Questionnaire," it enabled participant to discover
something about their individual leadership style. Discussing the results
were a chance to reflect on different leadership styles and their
appropriateness in any given situation. The group was also asked to think
about Jesus and his leadership style in the Gospel.
A productive session for the ACYOA Central Council was one in which they
tested survey questions which the Central Council hopes will assist them in
planning for the future of the organization. It enabled the representatives
of the Council to hear first-hand some of the issues ACYOA members and
chapters struggle with everyday.
The last session of the day was the ever-popular "Hot Topics," during which
participants had an opportunity to ask clergy questions about the church,
faith, moral issues, and doctrine. The expert clergy panel included Fr.
Jebejian, Deacon Levon Kirakosyan of the host parish, and the
newly-appointed Deacon-in-Charge of the St. Gregory of Narek Church in
Cleveland, OH, Deacon Artak Khachikyan. The questions, and the answers,
provided for a very lively and interactive session.
"I am very inspired to see the potential for Christ’s Church — the Armenian
youth — being ready to think, act, and speak according to God’s will," Dn.
Khachikyan said.
NEXT STOP D.C.
The conference in Evanston was hosted by the St. James ACYOA chapter, led by
Arda Paylan. Central Council members Johnny El Chemmas, Stan Sheridan, and
Talin Hitik attended the program.
The Central Council will sponsor another regional conference, this time for
Mid-Atlantic region parishes, on Saturday, December 2, 2006, at the St. Mary
Church of Washington, D.C.
To register, or for more information, contact ACYOA Executive Secretary
Nancy Basmajian at [email protected] or 212-686-0710 (ext. 143).
"Not only did the participants get a lot out of this last conference, but so
did the Central Council members," said Stan Sheridan, ACYOA Central Council
Chapter Relations Coordinator. "We had a great discussion and feedback on
how the ACYOA is doing. We all learned a lot and took a great deal from the
day. I hope to see more of these in the future."
— 11/17/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Fr. Arten Jebejian, pastor of the St. Gregory the
Illuminator Church of Chicago, IL, speaks to participants of the ACYOA
Midwest Regional Conference on November 11, 2006, at the St. James Church of
Evanston, IL.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Deacon Artak Khachikyan, deacon-in-charge of the St.
Gregory of Narek Church of Cleveland, OH, speaks with participants of the
ACYOA Midwest Regional Conference on November 11, 2006, at the St. James
Church of Evanston, IL.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
