How you can get involved

Communication

Visit the website often.  Let us know what you like and what you want to see in the future on the website.  Send your email address to info@armenianchurch.org, to be added to our growing weekly email bulletin, of Armenian Church news.  See a sample of the bulletin

Help your parish create an email newsletter or website.  It doesn't have to be fancy, just simple information that people on the Internet might want to know about your parish.  Ask your kids or other young people if they would be willing to help.  You can get guidance on building your parish website by emailing the Diocese at info@armenianchurch.org.

Organize regular Armenian Cafe nights, so your fellow parishioners can practice their Armenian.  Get together either after church or on any other day that's convenient.  Provide some snacks, Armenian-English dictionaries, and a few people fluent in Armenian to act as coaches.  Then ban English for the rest of the afternoon.  Make sure to encourage those who are not fluent to attend.  See more ideas on learning Armenian

Help the next generation stay active in the life of our church.  If you have children, grandchildren, or other loved ones heading off to college this year, send the Diocese their names, college addresses, and email addresses so we can stay in touch with them.  College can be a tough time for a young student, but feeling connected to the Armenian Church makes it a little easier.  The only way we can ensure they stay connected is to keep their contact information current.  Email their updated contact information to info@armenianchurch.org.

Worship

Help yourself and others to really understand the Divine Liturgy.  You can arrange for an "instructed liturgy" to be performed at your parish.  During this exercise, the various parts of the liturgy are explained as you go through the whole service.  Or you can organize a lecture with a speaker knowledgeable on the development and meaning of the badarak or an expert on other aspects of the church, such as its architecture, the music, or saints.  Your parish priest or the Diocese can help you organize such events; email info@armenianchurch.org for more information.  Learn more about the badarak

Contact your local public or community radio station.  Ask them if you could do a broadcast about the badarak.  You can use the Diocese's new badarak CD as music on your radio show, and have your parish priest talk about the importance of the Divine Liturgy.  Don't forget to share your personal thoughts on the importance of the liturgy during the program.  Don't forget to spread the word about the upcoming broadcast.  Such a program would be a way to reach homebound Armenians in your community, and also to educate the community-at-large about the Armenian Church.  Order a badarak CD

Worship is not only a static noun; it's also an active verb.  Take part in your weekly Divine Liturgy.  You can sing in the choir, or sing along with the sharagans from your pew.  Think about serving on the altar.  If you feel you don't have time to serve on the altar, check with your priest, he might welcome you serving every other week or even monthly, as long as you are committed to the responsibility.  If you would like more information on serving on the altar, contact your parish priest or email the Diocese at info@armenianchurch.org.

Leadership

The next generation of leaders needs your support.  The Armenian Church Youth Organization of America, along with the Diocese's Department of Youth Ministry, holds an annual conference for young leaders, giving the next generation the tools needed to serve on their parish councils.  To encourage maximum attendance, the ACYOA offers funding to help smaller parishes send representatives.  Support these efforts by either providing financial support or by identifying future leaders in your parish and encouraging them to attend.  Learn more about Youth programs

Teach Sunday or Armenian School in your parish.  You don't have to be a parent to take on these responsibilities; you just have to care about transmitting and strengthening our faith and heritage.  If your parish lacks a Sunday or Armenian School, your parish pastor or the Diocese can help you to organize one.  Email info@armenianchurch.org for more guidance.

"Adopt" a sister mission parish.  Often without their own facilities or a pastor, mission parishes can benefit from the advice and support of larger, established parishes.  Whether donating pew books or offering deacon or choir training, the time you put in will help a new Armenian Church community and cement a lasting friendships between your parishes.  For more information on "adopting" a mission parish, email the Diocese at info@armenianchurch.org.  Learn more about Mission Parishes

Youth

What's the best way to bring young people into the church family? Get involved with kids, get involved with kids, get involved with kids!  Contact your pastor and ask about serving as a youth advisor for your parish.  The advisors are adult volunteers who take time out of their lives to work with the youth of the church.  As an advisor, you can organize events, serve as a chaperone, or help educate the youth about the Armenian Church.  Your parish might offer tips and training for youth advisors, and you can contact the Diocese for more by emailing info@armenianchurch.org.  Find activities for kids

Our kids need Armenian Christian role models, so serve as a mentor to a young member of your parish.  You can either establish an official mentoring program at your church, or just take someone under your wing.  You can educate them about your job, help them stay in school, or show them how you serve on the altar.  It doesn't matter, as long as you show an interest in their lives.  Christian mentors are especially important in the lives of teenagers.

Send your kids to St. Vartan Camp or Hye Camp.  Not only will they spend the summer surrounded by other Armenians and the Armenian "spirit", but they'll also have a blast!  From games to solemn celebrations, the Diocese's summer camps provide wholesome fun for children and teens.  And with all those new friends, your children will feel a closer bond to the Armenian Church.  Learn more about our camps

Stewardship

Spearhead efforts to establish an endowment fund for your parish.  By investing in the Armenian Church Endowment Fund, you give your local parish a gift that will last forever.  None of your principal investment is spent, only the interest it earns.  You can designate the money to go to your local parish, St. Nersess Seminary, the Diocesan programs or any number of beneficiaries.  For more information on how to establish an endowment fund email the Diocese at info@armenianchurch.org.

Participate in the Archbishop's Annual Appeal.  This yearly membership involves regional committees, and needs organizers across the Diocese.  Its goal is not just to raise money, but also to raise awareness of the benefits each parish receives from Diocesan programs.  So volunteer to organize events in your region.  If you have any questions about the Diocesan programs and their benefits, please ask us by emailing info@armenianchurch.org.

To spread the understanding of the Armenian Church, invite non-Armenians to your parish for the Divine Liturgy.  Talk to your pastor about whom to invite: consider local ecumenical leaders, religion reporters from your newspaper, politicians, or educators.  Assign a knowledgeable volunteer to sit by the visitors and answer any questions they might have as the service progresses.  During the social hour following badarak, ask them to say a few words about their experience to your parish.