Summer's Over

It's back to the office for me, after a rewarding summer spent at camp. It's hard to imagine that seven weeks could go by so quickly, but they did. Through our Diocesan Summer Camp Programs, Hye Camp and St. Vartan Camp, more than 500 youth and young adults were impacted this summer. As many of you know, each year our camp curriculum focuses on one of the five major feast days in the Armenian Church. This year's focus was on the Transfiguration of Our Lord. Take a moment to read the Bible passages included in this month's HYE-mail and think about ways that your experiences this summer have transformed you. In what ways have you changed? Who or what has made the greatest impact on you and your choices? How have you impacted others? And what kind of changes do you still want to make? I pray that each of you return to classes this fall, renewed, refreshed, and ready to take on the many challenges you are certain to face in the upcoming school-year.

Be well,

Jenni

Jenni's Journal

Blessed Home Life

This month I have been busy traveling from Boca Raton to Dallas for Regional Parish Meetings to talk about our Diocesan theme of "Church and Home: One in Spirit." In HYE-mail this month, the Clergy Corner and the Did You Know sections both focus on the Home Blessing Service. I hope you will find the information interesting and that it encourages you to ask yourself, "Has my home been blessed?" Talk to your parents and find some time in your busy schedules to invite your parish priest over so you can bring the Armenian Church into your home.

I had a very rewarding experience when I traveled to Upstate New York this past Wednesday and served at a local soup kitchen with the ACYOA Juniors of Watervliet, NY. Later that evening, I was invited to speak to the parishioners at the conclusion of their Lenten Service. Some of the questions Der Stepanos asked me to speak about were:

1. What did you give up during Lent? Why did you give it up?

2. What is your favorite part of the Badarak (Divine Liturgy) and why?

3. What is your favorite Bible passage and why?

4. What is one practice or tradition that best exemplifies your faith in the home?

5. Write a creative prayer which should include the following: family, those in need, Thanksgiving, and a wish/hope for the people in our communities.

Take a moment and think about how you would answer these questions. I would love to hear your thoughts and share them with your peers for next month’s HYE-mail.

Here are some photos of my recent trip:

The ACYOA at the St. David Church of Boca Raton, FL.

Volunteering at a soup kitchen with the ACYOA Juniors of St. Peter’s Armenian Church in Watervliet, NY.

Meeting with ACYOA at the St. Sarkis Church in Dallas, TX.