2004 Annual Report of the Women’s Guild Central Council

During the year 2004, the Women’s Guild Central Council continued its work in various parishes.

Saintly Women’s Day: The annual “Saintly Women’s Day” (formerly “Woman Saints Day”) was celebrated by all guilds of the Eastern Diocese (Mar. 13).  This year, Sahagtoukhd of Syunik, was honored; English and Armenian biographies of this 7th-century poet-musician were distributed to all parishes.  Six host churches and three individual parishes participated, with 25% of net proceeds being retained by the individual guilds, the balance going towards the WGCC Saints Day Fund.

Women’s Guild Day: Parishes were encouraged to observe “Women’s Guild Day” on the feast days of (a) Sts. Gayane and Hripseme (Jun.), (b) the Nativity of the Holy Mother-of-God (Sep.), or (d) the Presentation of the Holy Mother-of-God (Nov.).

Youth Outreach: The Children of Armenian Sponsorship Program (CASP) continued to provide assistance to orphans and other children who were victims of the earthquake and the social and economic conditions of Armenia.  Under the leadership of Dr. Sam Mikaelian, Diocesan Executive Director, and Susan Stoneson, CASP coordinator, the program continued its tradition of sponsorship, financial aid, and provision of recreational/educational facilities.  Monies from the sponsors are allocated for the orphans’ use alone.  Year-round running water was provided to the Gamo orphanage thanks to $4,000 obtained from a matured certificate of deposite; 60 students from the Gamo orphanage were funded to attend summer camp for two weeks at a cost of $5,040 from the general fund.

The School Bag Project continued to flourish under the direction of Yn. Violet Kasparian, who has been chairperson since its inception 15 years ago.  Over $125,000 has been raised to date, with $25,000 for Phase VI, which has been completed.  A total of 7,680 filled bags has been sent to schools in Yerevan, Stepanavan, Gyumri, Karabagh, and villages outside of Yerevan.  Presently Phase VII is in operation with $6,234 in the fund.  Each bag includes school utensils as well as a hardcover book of Bible stories written in Eastern Armenian.

Youth summer programs in the U.S. received $500, awarded to Midwest Hye Camp, Ararat Center, and St. Nersess Seminary summer programs.  An additional $308 was donated to the Ararat Center, resulting from a cash overflow when local women’s guilds contributed to the purchase of desserts for the consecration ceremony (Jul. 24).

Fundraiser: The year 2005 Women’s Guild ornament symbolized the “Year of Stewardship,” featuring an image of hands releasing a dove, and is available from parish guilds and the Diocesan bookstore.

18th Annual Women’s Guild Assembly: The Women’s Guild Assembly was hosted by the St. Gregory the Enlightener Church, White Plains, NY, and ran Apr. 30 to May 1, concurrently with the Diocesan Assembly.  Assembly officers were: chair—Adrienne Kachadourian (St. Gregory the Illuminator, Binghamton, NY); vice chair—Joy Callan (St. John, Southfield, MI); recording secretary—Cynthia Messikian (St. George, Hartford, CT); parliamentarian—Mary Selvinazian (Holy Martyrs, Bayside, NY).

Session I had 30 delegates and 19 local guild chairs present, with 23 parishes represented.  Sessions II and III had 49 representatives present: 31 delegates and 18 chairs.  The agenda as well as the financial report were approved; previous minutes and the annual report were approved as corrected.

Dr. Sam Mikaelian, the Diocesan Executive Director, addressed the delegates, expressing appreciation to Julie and Clement Ashekian for their commitment to the CASP program, and to Susan Stoneson, CASP’s new coordinator.  A draft plan of CASP’s structure, personnel, and projected plans was presented.

Keynote speakers were Dr. Roberta Ervine of St. Nersess Seminary, lecturing on “Stewardship for Women”; and Dr. Sharyn Boornazian, past president of the Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA), delivering a speech titled “Pulling Them In.”  The Primate, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, stressed the importance of women to encourage participation in church as stewards.

Among other concerns, suggestions were offered for the Saintly Women’s Day celebration, and the guilds were encouraged to host future symposia.

Meetings: The Central Council met at the Diocesan Center, New York, NY (Mar. 27, Jun. 12, Oct. 2); and in White Plains, NY (Apr. 29 in preparation for the assembly, Apr. 30-May 1, and May 1, post-assembly).

Personnel: Each member of the Women’s Guild Central Council is assigned as a liaison to several local parishes; the WGCC members in 2004 were: chair—Virginia Belemjian, St. Peter, Watervliet, NY; vice chair—Araxy Gokberk, St. Stepanos Elberon, NJ; recording secretary—Cynthia Messikian, St. George, Hartford, CT; corresponding secretary—Anne Terkanian, Holy Trinity, Cheltenham, PA; treasurer—Jacqueline El-Chemmas, St. John, Southfield, MI; assistant treasurer for dues—Lucy Hamalian, St. David, Boca Raton, FL; assistant treasurer for school bags project—Lucy Murad, St. Mary, Washington, DC; ornaments coordinator—Adrienne Riser, St. Sahag and St. Mesrob, Wynnewood, PA; historian—Hourig Tcheurekdjian, St. Mesrob, Racine, WI.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate and WGCC president; Fr. Untzag Nalbandian, Diocesan liaison; Dr. Sam Mikaelian, Diocesan Executive Director; and Diocesan Council liaisons Lillian Chapian and Janet Mardigian all sit on the WGCC Board.