Archbishop’s Annual Appeal

Help our Diocese continue to foster leadership

Message from the Primate

Over the years, I have met countless individuals whose support and leadership of their parishes — and of our Diocese — know no boundaries. They give generously of their time, talent, and treasure. I am so grateful for these wonderful gifts — and indeed, we all should be grateful.

Today, I am asking each of you to support the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal 2004, a program of annual giving to support programs which benefit our parishes. If you have supported the Appeal since its inception two years ago, I thank you for your commitment. If you are a first-time supporter, I want to welcome you — and thank you for your participation.

The funds raised through the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal enable more than sixty local parishes and mission parishes to benefit from our programs. Best of all, as response to this Appeal increases, so does our ability to broaden our reach to local parishes. In 2003, we increased funds raised by 55%, and increased supporters by 51%. This year, our aim is to broaden that base of support even further!

I look forward to seeing your name among the supporters of this Appeal. I deeply appreciate your stewardship of our church. Our parishes — and our children and grandchildren — are the ultimate beneficiaries.

With Prayers,

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
Primate

“We appreciate the many gifts of time, talent and treasure. In-kind contributions and volunteer leadership add immeasurably to our programs. We ask that you all ‘lead by example’ with your support of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal 2004, and encourage your family and friends to also support this annual appeal.”

Haig Dadourian, Chairman
Diocesan Council
Delegate, St. Mary Armenian Church, Livingston, New Jersey

Your Gift Supports…

Through your gift to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal 2004, you are supporting programs which benefit our Diocese, its local parishes, and its affiliated organizations. You are also helping to determine the future growth and development of the Armenian Church in America.

Your support builds programs focusing on...

WORSHIP - Deepening our understanding of the Armenian Church’s faith, and nurturing those with a calling to serve.

YOUTH - Engaging children, teens, college students and young adults; bringing them into the life of the church, and responding to their spiritual and educational needs.

OUTREACH - Reaching out and supporting emerging Armenian communities, and helping them grow as communities of faith.

LEADERSHIP - Focusing on continuing education and pastoral excellence for the clergy, while promoting workshops and materials for lay leaders and parishes.

COMMUNICATIONS - Reaching out to every Armenian family, and bringing them into the life of the Armenian Church.

STEWARDSHIP - Encouraging parishioners of all ages to contribute gifts of time, talent and treasure.

Contributions help build stronger leadership

Your financial contribution to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal 2004 will ensure that every parish has a strong leadership team. Your gift will further recent efforts by the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) to bring important tools, training, and resources to local parish leaders.

This fall, for example, the Eastern Diocese brought parish leaders together at regional workshops to discuss the idea of “stewardship.” During the sessions, hundreds of parish council chairs, diocesan delegates, and clergy focused on building stewardship programs for their parishes.

Your support of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal 2004 enables the Diocese to help local leaders who are stepping forward to serve as stewards of your parishes.

“The concept of stewardship is very good. It’s very important. It sends a message we’re concerned about our church, both in the present and the future,” said Fr. Diran Bohajian of the St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, N.J. “To me, stewardship says we’re actively working to strengthen the church spiritually, not just financially.”

Similar regional workshops were held in the next few months for the Mid-Atlantic and Southern parishes. With your participation we can do even more to give leaders tools to strengthen your parish and your local stewardship efforts.

This fall’s regional meetings followed a historic gathering of parish council chairmen last year in New York City’s Diocesan Center made possible by continued support of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. That discussion focused on leadership techniques and gave participants a chance to share ideas on common problems.

“It allowed face-to-face meetings for parish council chairs with each other, with the Diocesan Council, and with the staff of the Diocese organization,” said Paul Ketchoyian, parish council chairman from the Sts. Vartanantz Church of Chelmsford, Mass. “This new personal connection will enhance future communication.”

Along with increased face-to-face communication with local leaders, the Diocese this fall published a new Parish Council Member Handbook, which will benefit new parish council members by giving them a better understanding of their roles. It is the type of publication made possible by your gift to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal 2004.

“The Diocese is there for our local leaders. We want to make sure each one of them feels supported and empowered to ensure their community grows and prospers,” said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese. “It is just one of the many ways the Diocese is working to fortify all our parishes. Your continued support of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal 2004 will allow us to reach further and to provide more resources and tools for your leaders in your community.”

Act now to support efforts to provide strong leadership to our local parishes by answering the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal 2004. For more information or to contribute today, contact the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) by e-mailing info@armenianchurch.net; calling (212) 686-0710; or writing 630 Second Ave., New York, NY, 10016.