Clergy Corner
Church is Over Song
By Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian

I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall at all times be in my mouth.
(Psalm 43:1)

Orhnetseets uz Der hamenayn zham;
Hamenayn zham orhnootyoon nora ee peran eem. (55)

Growing up as a youngster, I remember calling this song "the Church is over song". I would be so happy that the long service was over. In time I came to realize the special importance of singing this hymn and psalm at the conclusion of the Badarak.

(Click here for more)

Words to Think About
Why were the saints, saints? Because they were cheerful when it was difficult to be cheerful, Patient when it was difficult to be patient; And because they pushed on when they wanted to stand still; And kept silent when they wanted to talk; And were agreeable when they wanted to be disagreeable. That was all. It was quite simple and always will be.
-- Author Unknown

Did You Know?
Did you know that on the first Sunday of November we celebrate the Feast of All Saints. Saints' Day, to commemorate those who have been canonized because they have lived exemplary lives of Christian virtue and sanctity.  Click here for more.

Upcoming Events
November 8, "My Space.com or MyFaith.com: Is it a Choice?" St Nersess Evening at St.
George Church, Hartford, CT, at 6:30 PM

2007 St. Vartan Camp
Staff training: June 20 - June 24
Session A: June 24 - July 7
Session B: July 8 - 21
Session C: July 22 - August 4

2007 Hye Camp -- TBD

2007 St. Nersess Summer Conferences -– TBD

If you have an upcoming event you want posted in HYE-mail, e-mail me at: jenniferm@armeniandiocese.org.

www.learnarmenian.com is a website to enhance your Armenian language skills. Most of the text is in Armenian.

Welcome back to HYE-mail, a monthly e-newsletter of the ACYOA Juniors sent out to young Armenian Orthodox Christian teens throughout the Eastern Diocese to help keep you connected to the Armenian Church. Thank you for helping us continue to grow. If you know of anyone that might want to receive HYE-mail, let me know. I welcome your thoughts and ideas for upcoming HYE-mails. Please feel free to contact me.
-- Jennifer E. Morris, Youth Outreach Coordinator

JENNI'S JOURNAL -- FALL HAS ARRIVED

For me, October is the month when I know fall has arrived, and that winter isn’t too far behind.

For some of us, it is the month that ACYOA Juniors gather together during Columbus Day Weekend for some sports, fun and fellowship. Earlier this month, close to 180 participants gathered from 18 different parishes in Cambridge, MA, for the ACYOA Juniors Sports Weekend.  Want to learn more and see photos? Click here.

For others, this is the month we dress up in costumes, go trick-or-treating and yell “boo” to try and scare our friends.

Whatever the month of October is for you, I hope that you take a few minutes to sit down at your MAC or PC and read through HYE-mail. Take some time to learn about what else is celebrated by Christians as we leave October and head into November, and don’t forget to stay warm. 

With Love and Prayers,
Jenni

THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Last Friday, I had the opportunity to walk from the Diocese to Times Square with my colleagues and a group of dedicated young adults who have walked for more than 3,000 miles from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. for Journey for Humanity.

Our walk was for a purpose. The purpose was to bring attention to the people we encountered about genocide. For us as Armenians, genocide is not a term we are unfamiliar with. It immediately brings to our minds the tragic events that our forefathers endured in 1915.

However, I learned that for many people, the term genocide is an unknown word. As the 14 of us walked slowly for more than a mile through heavily crowded streets and intersections, I couldn't help but overhear pedestrians murmuring, "Genocide. What's that?" I was shocked. How could educated people of the 21st century not know what is genocide is? But, they didn't!

It is my hope that through the efforts of these young adults, more people will become informed. Not just about the Armenian genocide, but also about genocides that have occurred and are still occurring today. For more information about this worthy cause visit www.journeyforhumanity.com.

Click here to see photos from our walk.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

You Are God's Pumpkin
by Kelly McFadden
from www.homeword.com

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, "If you boast, boast only about the Lord." —1 Corinthians 1:30-31

For most of the country, the crisp cool air of autumn is upon us. A sure sign of autumn is that Christmas decorations are popping up everywhere in retail stores. Halloween costumes and disguises are sold out from shops as trick-or-treaters are ready to take over the streets. A popular symbol of both harvest time and Halloween is the pumpkin. I was thinking recently that being a Christian is a lot like being a pumpkin. Perhaps you are visualizing this orange, round vegetable and wondering how you could ever be compared to one of these squashes! Simply put, like a child chooses a pumpkin to carve and mold an image upon, so God carves and molds His own unique design in you.

The Scriptures tell us that the Lord chooses us. He lifts us up and washes the dirt from our skin. Then he opens us, connecting deep inside to scoop out all the slimy, yucky stuff, including seeds of doubt, spite, lies, fear, etc. Then He carves a new creation, and makes our faces shine by putting His light inside for all to see.

Sometimes I feel like I don't want my light to shine because I am ashamed of a thought or action or pattern in my life. I try to hide the light Christ has put in me, and blend in with the crowd. What I forget is that when God carved me, created me, and gave me His Son, I no longer had to count on my own strength. I can count on the Lord's. It is He who washes me clean; it is He who gives me a spirit of strength and perseverance; it is He who makes me pure; it is He who frees me from sin; and it is He who gives me hope. When I realize that my part of the equation is to rely on His strength and power, then I can do as Scriptures say, and shine His light through the power of the Holy Spirit.

What starts as an everyday squash turns into a lantern of light. What starts as an everyday person turns into a beacon of hope for all to see. At times, it is hard to imagine that we can be cleansed through Jesus. As the Scripture says, Christ has made us right with God. He has purified us and freed us from sin. Through our union with Christ, we are given the light and wisdom of the Holy Spirit who enters and dwells in our lives. It is He who picked you out and carved you just the way He wants you. So make sure you keep your lantern lit for all to see.

What sins are in your life that you need to release and allow the Lord to scoop out for you?

Each time you see a pumpkin this autumn, think through why it is so important for you to be a vessel of light representing our Lord.

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