NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.—Some 80 delegates representing each of the seven New England churches under the Eastern Prelacy turned out in full force March 16 for a conference hosted by St. Gregory Church of North Andover.
The strong show of support inside a newly rehabilitated church drew accolades from the crowd, which included Der Hayrs, trustees, and National Representative Assembly (NRA) delegates. The conference was a prelude to the NRA Convention being hosted by Washington, D.C., during the week of May 13.
A number of programs took place throughout the day, aimed at strengthening parishes and revitalizing memberships. Executive Chairman Stephen Hagopian kicked off the conclave with an overview of the seminar, citing purpose, process, and payoff, after which a number of agenda items were addressed, including communication inside a multi-generational church community by Hagop Antranigian; a Raise Your Voices survey conducted in North Andover by Karen Aznoian and Armen Kourkounian; spiritual health check and parish development by John Daghlian; and Syrian relief and financial overlay by Raffi Ourlian.
Hagopian looked to the different generations enhancing church life, each with a specific mission of vitality and commitment. “A key component is respect for one another,” he told the gathering. “Each generation has its own way of serving and inspiring one another. Together, we will succeed.”
A scrumptious luncheon was prepared by the St. Gregory Ladies Auxiliary.
His Grace Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan applauded the gathering for its insight in turning the church into a stronger spiritual foundation, particularly with greater focus on youth. “We’re reaching out to newer generations with a progressive attitude toward the future,” said the Prelate. “The challenge is evangelization in an Armenian sense. We must learn from the current generation and apply that wisdom to the overall welfare of our church communities.”
The survey compiled by St. Gregory trustees Karen Aznoian and Alex Movsesian received widespread appeal and will be adopted by other parishes.
The previous evening, Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, vicar general, presided over the Lenten service at St. Gregory Church, marking the coveted saint’s feast day.
Tom Vartabedian
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History shows that Armenians are good preachers but not good listeners.
Respect is part of Faith, not the other way around.
We are so involved in coiming and doing that noone focussed on the actual process of why we come to church, (the what, the why, the who) and what are the benefits of coming to faith in the 21st century. The average person is struggling financially, emotionally, socially and culturally. the question is how does the leadership convey that servant, simple, and honest message that Christians have cherished for 2000 years. Christ trained 12 disciples who further testified, sanctified, trained Support groups who could learn to sustain each other in any kind of environment and that is what Armenians crave.