An individual has not started living until he can rise above
the narrow confines
of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of
all humanity.
~MLK
We
did it!
$178,000+ collected
From the
children of the starving to the starving children of the world
The
annual 30 Hour Famine, organized by In His Shoes
took place on April 26 and
27 at Glendale Community College. This year over 40 people fasted in what has
become one of the traditions of the In His Shoes campaign to aid world
hunger.
Participants
spent 30 hours fasting and learning about the pain and struggle of the
rest of the world. Under the direction of Fr. Vazken Movsesian, the
Famine participants
heard from various professionals regarding activism in their communities
and their world. The speakers included Dn. Vahe Abovian, Christopher
Armen, Esq., Anush Avejic, David Mgrublian and Richard Melikian. The
evening hours were spent in meditation, song and prayer. Armenian folk
singer Gor Mkhitarian, fasted with the group and gave a very personal
and small recital for the group, inviting members to jam along. Artist
Gregory
Beylerian made the tradition complete by leading the drum
circle.
After 30
hours the famine ended by breaking the fast - breakfast - over the Body
and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Communion was administered
at the St. Peter Armenian Church Youth Ministries Center in Glendale,
where the congregation became the first to hear the announcement:
$125,000 was collected by these amazing people. (Subsequently, the
amount increased to $178,000 through the generosity of new donors.)
Fr.
Vazken, in his sermon, recounted how the Turks had wanted to annihilate
Armenians to the extent of having only one Armenian left, and that one
in a museum. He said, that not only are we now surviving, we are
creating, we are giving. The sons and daughters of the "Starving
Armenians" are now feeding the world with this outreach program which
has collected well over a half-a-million dollars since its inception.
Long time In
His Shoes member Ani Burr, took on the project and organized the famine
this year. At the end of the famine, both Ani and Suzie Shaterevyan, CIO
of IHS, were decorated with the IHS cross, a special symbol of
distinction given to leaders who move the community to action.
Participants
in the famine included Robert Sammis, a member and pilgrim from the St.
Mark's Episcopal Church as well as Rev. Suzanne Commons, from the Church
of Truth in Pasadena.
Join
MyChurch
to read blogs and extensive stories and coverage of the famine. More
pictures to come soon.
Pictured
above - in a victory pose are the participants and three young
participants - Anna, Zarouhi and Yeraz. A moment of escape from hunger -
Karine Armen and Michael Youssefpour dance, while Dolce Wang and Hagop
Seropian music-away some free time.
A
Silent Auction kicked
off the fundraising drive on April 20. Hosted by Margaret & David
Mgrublian, at their Pasadena home, supporters of the Famine gathered for
an afternoon of information gathering and fellowship.
See the pictures on MyChurch.
Famine FAQ's
Donate Now 
Good will always win
over evil; Love will always triumph over hate...
LISTEN!
Directions for Genocide Deliverance - Fr. Vazken's speech at UCSB
An Open
Letter from Fr. Vazken...
Dear Famine Participant/Supporter and Friend,
Whether you’re ‘doing’ the Famine, or you’re
still considering it, I just want to impress upon you how vital and
important your participation is this year.
We are holding the Famine on April 26 to
coincide with the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. While many people
know that 1.5 Million Armenians were slaughtered by the Turks, many people
forget that millions were sent out as refugees, trying to create a life
without any resources. The world looked and dismissed our grandparents as “Starving
Armenians.”
Through the Famine, we, as children of the
“Starving Armenians” are feeding the starving world. 29,000 children die
of hunger and hunger related
diseases every day. These are kids like our grandmothers or grandfathers
– trying to make it in a world that could care less about them. Every dollar
you collect goes to aid them!
Think about it… how many people have the
opportunity to save a life? And you… you get to save 10’s, 100’s and maybe
even a 1000 lives by participating in this year’s 30 Hour Famine. Is there
any greater response to Genocide than this? To be a living testimony to the
power of Love!
No matter what your reason for doing or
supporting the Famine, I believe God has ordained us to do this work. God is
asking us to walk in the shoes of others, especially those children
that are hungry, because we were once hungry.
If you’re doing the Famine, look forward to
our 30 Hours together. If you’re supporting the Famine – please join us in
Pasadena on Sunday, April 20 for our Wine & Cheese Reception and Silent
Auction. See our website for details. And for everyone, please join us on
Sunday, April 27 for the victory celebration during church services at
11:00AM.
I pray that God give you the strength and
endurance for this great challenge.
Prayerfully ~ Fr. Vazken Movsesian
Donate to the Famine
now! (Secure)
April events - for the In His Shoes Mission
Complete list on Diocesan Website
April 4 - Burbank High School;
April
12 - CSULA;
April 16 - Calabasas High School;
April 20 - Seattle Armenian Church;
April 21 - Homeless Feed;
April 22 - Glendale Community
College; April 23 - UCLA; April 24 - USC
Armenian/Episcopal Commemoration - April 23
Thousands
Celebrate Resurrection at Youth Ministries
It was an
Easter season like no other, as thousands of faithful passed through the
Armenian Church Youth Ministries' Center in Glendale throughout Holy
Week. Between Palm Sunday and Easter an uninterrupted flow of people
came to the many services that the church offered, along with some very
prominent and high ranking clergy of the ancient Armenian Orthodox
Church.
On Holy
Tuesday, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the
Western Diocese, officiated and blessed the participants in the 10
Maidens service. He commented that only a handful of Armenian Churches
throughout the world commemorated the service, namely in the monasteries
and on this obscure corner in Glendale. And so too, through the week,
the small outpost in Glendale, known as the Youth Ministries Center
became a focal point for people to connect to their ancient roots while
living the expressions of their faith in the 21st century.
From the
ancient monastery of St. James in Jerusalem, His Eminence Archbishop
Aris Shirvanian was the guest celebrant at mass on Holy Thursday -
recreating the institution of the Last Supper. During the evening
remembrance of the Passion of Jesus Christ, Fr. Vazken, washed the feet
of the youngest of the parishioners, in a gesture to remind the people
of Christ's humility.
On Great
Friday, Fr. Vazken was at the St. Mark Episcopal Church in Glendale. His
sermon is part of our archives. (Click
here)
His Eminence
Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, the highest ranking clergyman in the
Western Hemisphere, was the guest preacher - with his words which
ushered in the message of Good News: Christ is Resurrected.
The Easter
Service at the Youth Ministries created traffic jams both in and outside
of the building. Both levels were filled to capacity. The Parish
Council, anticipating the crowds had set up simultaneous broadcasts
throughout the building.
Did you miss
anything? Not if you're here on this website... just click here for
SERMONS or sign up for ALL the action at
http://www.mychurch.org/StPeterArmenianChurchGlendale
While you're
there don't forget to subscribe for FREE Podcasts - which
delivers the weekly sermons directly to your computer, iPod or mp3
player.
The Lenten
season gave us a unique opportunity for introspection. At the Youth
Ministries Center, our organization is always evaluated internally to
insure the best in quality
for the
people we serve as well as our workers. Services are held four times a
week, giving workers a chance to enhance their spiritual life with
prayer and mediation.
Equally
important for our center is the virtual community which keeps growing
daily. We have participants from every continent save Antarctica. To
this end, we expanded our electronic outreach by working with
MyChurch.org, a social networking community for churches. The service is
sponsored through the In His Shoes Ministries and sign-up is free to all
who wish to be a part of this growing community. Press on the "MyChurch"
button on the top of this page to sign up.
Currently
there are discussions about the role of the church in issues as
pertinent as the War in Iraq and the Genocide in Darfur. Pictures,
articles, events, dialog and even
Lenten
recipes are all waiting for
you. Here is a sampling of some of the blogs. Follow the links to read
more.
Skid Row - The Movie by Anush Avejic
Women in the Church - part II by Linda Zadoian
Take two Nareg and call me by Fr. Vazken Movsesian
Lent and the Texas Giant by Jeff Andonian
These are only a few of hundreds of blogs,
commentaries and information - check them all out. Stay abreast of the
events in your particular area and be a part of this dynamic community. Its
free, fast and exciting.
Most recently: Preparations for Famine '08 are
underway. Get info Pictured above:
participants of the 2008 MLK Retreat
Also Check out Fr. Vazken's
Sermons -
now available as a PodCast or on the
MyChurch network.
We have begun to
podcast these sermons. You may visit this link:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/FrVazkensSermons
to subscribe to
podcasts of Fr. Vazken's sermons using any of the available podcatchers,
such as iTunes,
Google, MyYahoo!, etc.
China, Religious Freedom, Spielberg,
Darfur & Genocide
At first glance, the weekly question for
"In Theory" might not have made sense for the Armenian Church. China's
freedom and the Armenian Church? But our philosophy of walking "In His
Shoes" is never more pronounced....
Q: Amid China’s rapid economic growth,
the government’s control of religion has reportedly softened slightly.
What does the prospect of a religiously free China mean to you and your
faith?
A:Religious freedom everywhere is important
to me and my faith. In the Armenian Church, we have never taken that
freedom for granted because we’ve had to struggle to attain and maintain
it. But even more, religious freedom in China strikes a reverberating
chord for us in the Armenian Church.
As we know (and has been articulated by the U.S. State Department) there
is a genocide going on in the Darfur region of Sudan. Today, China is
one of Sudan’s largest suppliers of arms, and in return Sudan is China’s
largest overseas oil project. Official data shows that China now takes
40% of Sudan’s oil output. China can and must play a role in bringing an
end to the genocide in Darfur.
In
our particular parish and through our youth ministry, we vigilantly
follow the news from Darfur and campaign for peace in the region. Being
descendants of genocide survivors ourselves, there is a moral
imperative, no less dictated by our faith, that we stand in the shoes of
others who are going through the sufferings we’ve endured.
And our motivation to do so comes from the possibility of what might
have happened had the world disarmed Turkey at the time of the Armenian
Genocide (1915).
With religious freedom in China, I’m hoping that the same Christian
mandate that moves us to search and work for peace will lean heavily on
the government to end the Darfur genocide. George Bernard Shaw reminds
us, “Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.” The
Christian Church, at this vital point in history and the history of the
people of China, cannot bask in its newfound freedom. It must rise to
the occasion and talk the talk of Christ. Religious freedom in China is
only as important as we take this responsibility seriously, in an effort
to bring peace.
-Fr. Vazken Movsesian
(GNP - In Theory) 9Feb 08
Keep pressing...
"Luminaries
press Olympic China over Darfur"
12 Feb 08
- US filmmaker Steven Spielberg Tuesday abandoned
his role in the Beijing Olympics, as a host of prominent
figures accused China of not doing enough to press its
ally Sudan to end devastating violence in Darfur.
"Sudan's
government bears the bulk of the responsibility for
these ongoing crimes but the international community,
and particularly China, should be doing more to end the
continuing human suffering," Spielberg said in a
statement.
"I have
decided to formally announce the end of my involvement
as one of the overseas artistic advisors to the opening
and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games."
And
there's more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080213/ts_afp/uschinasudanunrestdarfuroly_080213040036
In His Shoes 5th Annual
Martin Luther King Jr.
RETREAT focuses on THREE
Champions for justice, equality and
self-determination, Martin Luther King Jr., Hrant Dink and Catholicos
Mugrdich Khrimian were the focus of this year's retreat: "A Call to
Conscience"
January 19 - 21, 2008 ~ Ventura, California
Participants came away from the 5th Annual "Martin
Luther King Retreat" energized and renewed. The theme of the retreat this year
was "A Call to Conscience." By looking at some of the fundamental writings and
speeches of Dr. King, the retreat participants examined their own calling in the
world.
Along
with Dr. King's legacy, the works of Hrant Dink and Catholicos Mgrdich Khrimian
were examined for their direction toward self-determination. During the Sunday
morning liturgy, special requiem prayers were also offered to these giants of
justice, marking the 40th year of passing for Dr. King, the first anniversary of
death for Dink and 100 years since the Venerable Khrimian "Hayrig"'s passing.
The retreat was organized
by the In His Shoes Ministries as part of its ongoing commitment toward peace
through justice. The retreat took place at the Ventura Marriott hotel.
Celebrating 25 years in the priesthood, Fr. Vazken Movsesian served as the retreat master.
To receive one of the study guides, write to
info@inhisshoes.org
Read what they're saying - on the
MyChurch blogs.
Martin Luther King Jr. Retreat -
Download the Flyer
Hear Now:
Fr. Vazken's Theophany (Christmas) Sermon - Streaming Audio
Christmas
Eve Service
It was a time to sit back
and contemplate the miracle of LOVE on Christmas Eve. And the Youth
Ministries' Center became the spot. Worshippers came to sing and watch
as Baby Jesus was laid in the manger. Daron Momjian, son of Shahe & Arpi
Momjian (pictured to the left), played the part of Jesus.
When the wise men came from
the East, though, they were carrying some very rare gifts. Ruby Alice
Geragos, Arlin Jonathan Telimi and Alique Shant Zadoian - were "baby
gifts" for the baby. Representing gold, frankincense and myrrh, these
four babies were brought to the makeshift manger by their fathers
representing the wise men.
Pictured to the right with
their treasurers, Robert Telimi, Mike Geragos and Shant Zadoian.
For more pictures check out
MyChurch
or follow this
link.
Peace on
Earth: A Worthy News Item?
In
this week's "In Theory" section, columnist clergy were asked about the
top religion stories of 2007:The
Religion Newswriters Assn. picked evangelicals’ struggle to select a
presidential candidate as the top religion story of 2007. What do
you think was the top religion story of the year?
A:
Sadly, the top religion story is a non-story.
For me, the top religion story is the amazing silence of the Christian
church, across denominational lines, regarding the war in Iraq and all of
its ramifications. This includes, but certainly is not limited to, the
stories out of Guantanamo Bay, misinformation and intelligence
discrepancies, the refugees of Iraq and now, the saber-rattling toward Iran.
Second, it’s the silence toward Darfur and the Sudan by the Christian
church. And I only place it second, because the Iraq war is so much more
visible and prominent as a news story.
I’m not talking about the politics of war, nor am I trying to champion a
partisan platform; rather, I’m critical of the almost nonexistent moral
conscience that the Christian church can and should provide to the war
conversation. If there is one thing that all Christians agree on; it is that
the central figure of our religion is called the “Prince of Peace.” Yet,
apart from a few exceptions, that message of peace is being stifled in the
back pews of our churches.
If you take a look at the top 10 news items according to the Religion
Newswriters Assn., there is not one item that even points to Iraq.
Throughout the year, we talk about the relevancy of religion and the church;
can we find a better indicator of the church’s irrelevancy than this? The
war is front-page news, yet it doesn’t even score on the “religion top 10”?
I can only think of the millions of cards that are being exchanged this week
with the holiday wish for “Peace on Earth.” Before it was adopted by
Hallmark, it was the voice of the angels at the Birth of One, whose love for
humanity overpowered humanity’s ability to destroy itself. Peace on Earth is
achievable. To me, that was, is and always will be the greatest news story.
- Fr. Vazken Movsesian
Read More - In Theory Articles
This
is it! Hear the NEXT STEP... a Sermon on Luke 4:17,
CLICK HERE
We remember Tiffany Johnson
(slain in Colorado, December 9, 2007) - at this week's
Vesper Service
Quick
Links
Annual Christmas
Letter to all of our friends
Download our Christmas Schedule
Now
'Tis the
Season to Discuss Semantics - not again!
Read on...
Confused? December 25 or
January 6 - Which shall we celebrate?
Nahabed Melconian writes
about the "Imponderable Christmas
Tree"
Read all about
an
encounter with God!
Warren Goodman and the case for justice
A Good Kind of "Problem"
We're out of room! Last Friday,
as donations kept coming in for the Christmas feed and toy distribution, St.
Peter Secretary Armine Kazarian called Fr. Vazken, "There's so much stuff, I'm
scared we're going to crash through the floor!"
And rightly so, local Clark
Magnet High School had their food drive and chose In His Shoes to be the avenue
by which the food should be distributed. Trucks of food arrived from the school.
A very success Thanksgiving food drive was followed immediately by the
Christmas/New Year dinners program. On December 17, a group of dedicated members
of our ministry went downtown Los Angeles, passing out food and supplies to
the homeless. Making stops directly on the streets, several trucks and cars joined
the caravan to deliver the much needed food and supplies. Read all about
an
encounter with God!
Meanwhile, under the tree, toys
are piling up. A steady group of people (and kids) have been placing toys for
the annual Toy Drive. Pictured to the
righ - Sevana Zadoian, makes sure the toys she delivered are in order, waiting
for the In His Shoes Santa to deliver by Christmas. Pictured above - Christmas
caroling at Glendale Adventist Hospital.
We're accepting clothes,
sweaters and food for our homeless program. There is a continual need for these
items. The toys, however, are only for the Christmas holiday. We're accepting
non-wrapped, new toys until December 20.
But the big problem of space
restrictions continues to be the main difficulty at the Youth Ministries'
Center. Currently, church services are held on Sundays to a standing-room-only
crowd. The offices are stacked and stuffed with donated foods and clothing. "Its
really a good kind of problem," said Fr. Vazken, trying to calm volunteers who
coming to relieve some of the tension caused by the over crowding.
Immediately there are two major
programs on-hold because of space limitations - the mentoring/tutoring program
and the internet broadcasts. If you have space - rooms or offices in the
Glendale, California area - please let us know so that we can grow and tend to
the need of our local community.
Advent...
Christmas Season...
Getting Ready and
Living
Montrose Parade
- The In His Shoes Mission was represented on the St. Peter Armenian
Church Youth
Ministries' Truck - graciously donated by Peggy & Mike Geragos
(driving with Ruby Alice on board). The Montrose Parade is the largest outdoor Christmas gathering for the
Glendale community.
We kicked off our "Feed a Village
Project" that evening. Watch for details as we tackle the needs of
post-Genocide Rwanda. Pictured (left) goats for Rwanda through our partner
Solace Ministries. Learn more -
Give a Goat this Christmas – and your gift will keep on giving.
United we stand:
Children's Memorial Service - December 9 -
Download the flyer
Prayers in preparation for Christmas - Download
Advent Vespers
"...and its only the giving that makes you what
you are..." - sweater drive for orphanages in Armenia, and a goat drive (yes
you heard right) for families in Rwanda. How about some food and
toys for kid in our own
neighborhood too - its all part of the massive Christmas campaign going on
at the Youth Ministries' Center.
It was more than "Turkey Day" - Download the
Thanksgiving Vespers
This week's "In Theory" Question: U.S.
Catholic bishops reportedly approved new moral guidelines for
Catholic voters warning that their political choices could impact a
person’s salvation.
Read Fr. Vazken's opinion
click here
Celebration Gala - Christmas dance -
Tickets available now. RSVP today.
Download the flyer.
Christmas
Caroling at the Hospitals, Christmas Eve Services, New Year's with the
Archbishop and more...
Download the Entire Schedule.
That their light may shine...
Children’s Memorial Day
was commemorated in Los Angeles County on Sunday, December 9, 2007 at the
St. Peter Armenian Church & Youth Ministries Center, 632 W. Stocker St.,
Glendale.
The service began at 7:00PM with remembrances, prayers and
meditations. A candle lighting ceremony followed in front of the church building,
all to honor infants, teenagers and young adults who have left us before their
time.
Archbishop
Hovnan Derderian, the Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, was
present to offer words of comfort to the bereaved families and friends. He
passed out candles from Etchmiadzin to begin the candle-light vigil. Recording
star Gor Mkhitarian favored those in attendance with two musical selections
(pictured), in his usual moving manner.
The remembrance is part of a
worldwide event organized by the Compassionate Friends, a bereavement support
group. In each time zone throughout the world, candlelight services will take
place that day, creating a wave of light that circles the globe. The
Glendale
portion is organized by the In His Shoes Mission, a faith based organization
which focuses on outreach through the St. Peter Armenian Church Youth
Ministries’ Center.
"This
is one part of our ministry that we hoped would not grow," said event
organizers, "but sadly it has.” Accidents, illness and war are all claiming the lives of the
innocent.
The church began participating
in the commemoration following the death of Cathia Hamparian, a young girl
tragically killed in an auto accident. Following a memorial service Cathia's
mother, Maria Hamparian admitted, “For a fleeting second, every memory we have came flooding
back to us as we saw the flame through tears, distorting it into something
magical. This is as close as we can get to our child now.” Others have confessed
that the presence of friends at a time like this gives strength and reassurance
to family members and emphasizes the power of love.
All
families who have suffered through the loss of a child – whether
through illness, accident, violence or war were invited.
Download the flyer
The Giving Season: Extending One's Handouts ... Question
of the Week:
Steve Burger, a former director of the
Assn. of Gospel Rescue Missions, says Americans should not hand out money to
homeless people on the street, but to rather donate to local food or shelter
agencies. Burger reportedly believes that giving handouts promotes
destructive behavior among the homeless.
In Theory
So why is there a Christmas Tree in our
Sanctuary - Read Nahabed
Melconian's Story
Over $15Million collected at Armenia
Fund Telethon
On November 22, 2007, Armenians across the
world united under one mission: to help rebuild Armenia's impoverished
rural regions. Armenia Fund's 10th International Telethon celebrated 15
years of successful development and highlighted the Fund's outlook for the
years to come. The live telethon aired internationally from Los Angeles
and featured musical performances, documentary segments, special guests, and
many surprises.
Your continued support helps further Armenia
Fund's nation building initiatives. Proceeds from Telethon 2007 will benefit
Armenia Fund's new beneficiary project – the Village Development Program.
More info:
Click here.
Pictured to the Right - Archbishop Barkev
Mardirossian, Primate of Artzakh, with Fr. Vazken and Ludwig Barska, after
discussions about the In His Shoes Mission in Amaras. During the last two
years the In His Shoes Mission provided much needed supplies to the the Amaras region of Artzakh and in the last two years raised $25,000US toward
the needs of the community. Archbishop Mardirossian meets with IHS reps
annually, as he did this week, to discuss on-going projects.
Walking in the shoes of the Homeless
This week has been eventful
for the In His Shoes Mission, with various activities drawing attention to
the alarming stats that is prevalent throughout the world and tragically in
the modern world.
Ned and Anush Avejic
(pictured) walked throughout the Los Angeles area in a march to aid
homelessness. Walking in the shoes of the homeless men and women, they were
given a chance to feel and share the challenges of the growing problems and
discuss solutions.
An on-going program of the
Youth Ministries' "Questions in Faith" is feeding the homeless at Los
Angeles' "skid row." Since Summer, this program takes much needed food and
clothing to the individuals and families living on the streets of Downtown
Los Angeles. Members of the Questions in Faith group physically tend to the
homeless, by driving cars filled with soup, food and clothing. Check out the
blogs written on
MyChurch
for more information. Better yet, come by and join the efforts.
The food drive and the toy
drives are in full-gear this year. The Thanksgiving drive yielded food and
supplies for the local shelters and the toy drive continues on through the
end of the year. Check for regular updates here on this site.
The Limits of Free Speech?
Picket Fences Built Hatefully
Despite a $10.9-million
jury award against him this week for picketing at a funeral of a soldier who
died in Iraq, Pastor Fred Phelps and his church in Kansas will reportedly
not be deterred from picketing military funerals with anti-gay slogans —
claiming that deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan are God’s punishment for
homosexuality. They
hold up signs that say things like “God hates fags,” which Phelps says is a
way to continue his struggle against what he and his followers say is an
immoral lifestyle. Others say Phelps is practicing a “hateful ideology.”
The question is asked for
Fr. Vazken in this week's "In Theory."
Click here to read
Must see & must attend
DARFUR NOW
“Movies have the power to inspire. You have the power to act.” – that’s the
call for the new movie, “DARFUR NOW” and it opens this weekend.
DARFUR NOW is a story of hope in the midst of one of
humanity's darkest hours – a call to action for people everywhere to end the
catastrophe unfolding in Darfur, Sudan. In this documentary, the struggles
and achievements of six different individuals from inside Darfur and around
the world bring to light the tragedy in Sudan and show how the actions of
one person can make a difference to millions.
More information is available at
http://www.participate.net/darfurnow/learnmore
MY CHURCH Blog:
http://www.mychurch.org/blog/89644/DARFUR-NOW---Connect--Participate
MSN:
http://entertainment.msn.com/movies/movie.aspx?m=2118930&mp=syn
IMDb:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0988102/
For
show times
Churches say
Halo to kids
Fr. Vazken answers with a reflection on the
"bait-and-switch" tactics of recruiting youth to church, which is so
prevalent in many congregations. Read his answer along with the implications
for true sincerity in the ministry.
Click Here
It's not as menacing as Pandora's Box, but
certainly the consequences can be as lasting. That was the feeling in the
room after members of the Questions in Faith group met with Ojig Yeretsian,
founder of Opening the Mountain, for an enlightening evening to discussion
on Wednesday, October 24 at 7:30PM at the
Youth Ministries' Center.
Opening the
Mountain was formed in April 2007 in response to the lack of communication
between Armenians and Turks. The monthly meetings are facilitated by non
Armenian and non Turkish members of the group, who create a safe space for
sharing personal experiences. The goal is to raise an understanding of the
self and others through effective communication. The group practices
listening and presenting perspectives about selected discussion topics, like
the importance of resolving history, family stories, invisibility, cycles of
oppression, etc.
Learn more and
download the flyer: Click Here
Vesper Service
Take another look at the same question
Why is the Armenian Genocide Resolution so
important today? What is the intrinsic value in reconciliation?
Gita
Saraydarian, Founder and President of TSG Foundation and TSG University,
blogs on the Armenian Genocide Resolution, now before
congress. Here's a unique perspective which centers on the spiritual.
By affirming the atrocities of the past, Gita writes, "we do very important
spiritual acts." How does the seemingly political transcend to the spiritual
realm? Read this blog:
http://gitasblog.blogspot.com
Gita is a
teacher and lecturer on the Ageless Wisdom Teachings. She has established a
worldwide audience as a creative educator for progressive ideas,
transformation, and goodwill. The Foundation’s headquarters is in Cave
Creek, Arizona with affiliates in Peru, UK, and Germany. Learn more by
visiting:
http://www.tsgfoundation.org
"No lie can live
forever..."
This week's Vesper Services at the Youth
Ministries' Center is dedicated to the justice and righteousness. The
Armenian Genocide resolution will soon come before the House of
Representatives. See below for way to make your voice
heard.
Armenian
Patriarch at the Jefferson Memorial
The first
25 years are the difficult ones..." -
Rev. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian in comments directed to Fr. Vazken at the
conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, marking 25 years of priesthood in the
Armenian Church. 
7x77 Forgiveness Conference serves as an appropriate backdrop for this
video. The artist was gracious enough to allow a sneak preview of the video
this evening - and of course, now it can be viewed on the net:
gatherings on Wednesday, August 29, for young professional. The first
speaker of the 
summer conferences once again
this year with hundreds of young people coming to the New Rochelle, NY
seminary to learn and grow in the Christian fellowship. At the
invitation of the Dean of the Seminary, Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan
and the Director of Recruiting, Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, the In
His Shoes Mission was invited to present a talk to the college students.
Fr. Vazken and Susan Movsesian attended the conference and presented a
talk on Genocide and the Christian Response. Using lessons learned in
Rwanda and from the 7x77 conference, Fr. Vazken challenged the students
to think beyond the conventions of the church and their faith. Pictured
to the right are the participants of the conference in a photo with
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese.
Congratulations!
events such as the 
force
one of being at a wedding full of joy or just like I said
before, I felt like we were all in Heaven. 
