Start of Reports

Michael Yapchaian was elected vice chairman of the Assembly.

Following the initial business of the Assembly, delegates began hearing various reports of the past year's activities and plans for next year.

First up was the Diocesan Legate's office.

Michael Haratunian, a member of the Legate Committee, told the delegates that it was important to note that Bishop Vicken Aykazian, legate, was elected president-elect of the National Council of Churches (NCC).

"To show the breadth and depth of the activities," he outlined the activities of the Legate's Office this year, which included a high profile Presbyterian trip to Armenia, activities with Habitat for Humanity, and efforts to build a larger ecumenical organization, "Christian Churches Together."

Along with being president-elect of the NCC, Bishop Aykazian was recently elected to the executive committee of the World Council of Churches.

"Thanks to the role the Primate has given to Bishop Vicken, we all have to be very aware and supportive of these efforts," Haratunian said.

Bishop Aykazian welcomed leaders from Habitat for Humanity, including Dr. Rev. Ken Benson, president of Habitat for Humanity in Michigan. Bishop Aykzaian and Rev. Benson recently returned from Armenia where they met with the Catholicos to discuss the new Karekin II Work Project, which will be an annual drive to build homes in Armenia for needy families. The first one will be this fall.

So far Habitat has helped build homes for 1,000 Armenians. The Habitat representatives told the Delegates that 500,000 people could use better housing.

"He sees the opportunity to help the people in Armenia who have been living in these trailer trucks," Rev. Benson said of the Catholicos. "We have come here today to ask for you help, this is going to be an annual event."

He outlined six ways the delegates could help. One way was to raise the $7,000 it costs to build a house in Armenia. "You can make a difference for a family's entire lifetime if your churches can put up $7,000," he said. He also encouraged the delegates to go to Armenia and work on a build.

"These are your brothers and sisters, and you have an opportunity to change their lives forever," Rev. Benson said. Delegates then stood to express their support of Habitat's efforts in Armenia, and in the United States.

"It's two pronged, it's not just helping the motherland but helping the people here in the U.S.," said Fr. Garabed Kochakian, pastor of the St. John Church of Southfield, MI, who noted that it is important for Armenian Church members to serve not only in Armenia but in poor areas of the United States.

Posted by Jake at May 4, 2006 04:31 PM