St. Mary's ACYOA Chapter Hosts Assembly and Sports Weekend in Nation's Capital

Communication Was the Focus of 2003 ACYOA Assembly

The damp weather didn't dampen the spirits of participants at the 2003 Armenian Church Youth Organization of America General Assembly and Sports Weekend.

Hosted by the ACYOA chapter from St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C., the General Assembly brought together young representatives of 23 parishes, 13 clergy, and members of the staff of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). The General Assembly ran from May 22 to 23, 2003, with the Sports Weekend following on May 23 and 26. More than 400 people participated in the Sports Weekend.

"I was impressed with the caliber of these young people," said Fr. Daniel Findikyan, dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, who participated in the assembly. "They have a sharp sense of vision and mission. If we support them, I'm sure that with their creativity and talents, they will realize that vision."

Diran Jebejian was elected chairman of the assembly, while Lorig Kachadourian served as secretary.

Election of ACYOA Leadership

One of the key pieces of business the ACYOA delegates undertook was an election for the Central Council, the day-to-day governing body of the ACYOA. Elected were Diran Jebejian, from St. Leon in Fair Lawn, N.J., former member of the ACYOA Central Council; Tammy Bagdigian of the Church of the Holy Resurrection in New Britain, Conn.; and Christopher Tashjian of the Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, Mass. Reelected was Jennifer Morris of St. John Church in Southfield, Mich., who currently serves as the Central Council treasurer.

Later that evening the new Central Council met to select new officers. The new officers are: chairman Diran Jebejian; vice chairman Rita Akaraz of St. John Church of Southfield, Mich.; treasurer Jennifer Morris; recording secretary Tammy Bagdigian; public relations Maria Derderian from Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Wynnewood, Pa.; programming coordinator Daron Bolat of St. Mary Church in Washington, D.C.; and newly-elected Chris Tashjian will be responsible for chapter relations.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian thanked the outgoing members of Central Council for their hard work: Saro Kalayjian, Nadine Yavru-Sakuk, and Armen Jesralyan.

"It's been an honor and a privilege to serve on Central Council and I believe that as long as this organization is focused on Christ, we can never fail," Mr. Kalayjian said. "While we may confront short and long term obstacles, nothing should deter us from achieving our mission: the ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Short Trip to Armenia, Visit to Capitol Hill

The ACYOA delegates held one session and attended a reception at Armenia's Embassy in Washington, D.C. Armenian Ambassador Arman Kirakossian welcomed them all to the embassy, which is technically Armenian soil.

"This is the cheapest trip to Armenia I ever heard of," said Dr. Ara Minassian, ACYOA delegate from St. Sarkis Church of Dallas, TX.

The reception was a chance for the young adults and clergy to interact and get reacquainted.

Another unique venue ACYOA took advantage of was Capitol Hill. During the second day of business meetings the delegates met in the Senate Banking Committee Hearing Room, inside the Dirksen Senate Office Building, thanks to the efforts of Dean Shahinian, a parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Washington, D.C., who works for the Senate Committee chairman, Maryland Senator Paul Sarbanes.

Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.) visited the delegates in the morning. He spoke to them about his Greek background, his affection for Armenians, and his commitment to the Armenian cause. He mentioned the Catholicos' visit to the Senate in 2001, and the prayer with which he opened the Senate.

"His prayer was inspiring in the Senate and I hope it will inspire you in your meetings," Senator Sarbanes said.

"Being at the Armenian Embassy on Thursday and then at the Senate on Friday was very special. It reminded me of our people coming from the old world to the new," said Karen Khatchadourian, ACYOA member from St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, N.J. "And the meetings illustrated, I think, just how healthy our organization is. Little by little we're getting stronger. Each year, there are more chapters and more young adults involved in the church."

Communication Inspiration

In his opening remarks, Archbishop Barsamian stressed the importance of communication to the young leaders.

"Your ministry is one of communication, of reaching out to the next generation of Armenian faithful and bringing them into a loving relationship with our Lord and with our Church," said the Primate, who later in the day was available for a question-and-answer session with the young participants.

The delegates broke up into small groups for a Bible study focusing on the Lord's message of love and outreach. Members of Central Council and clergy served as moderators for each group.

"I was very impressed with the comments I heard; they were very perceptive and showed just how serious our young people are about their faith," the Primate said.

The importance of communication was also the focus of the assembly's keynote speaker, Arda Nazerian Haratunian, managing director of global corporate communications for Citigroup's Global Corporate and Investment Bank and former press office director for former New York State Governor Mario Cuomo. Ms. Haratunian is an active member of Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, N.Y.

She spoke about the importance of being organized and knowing your audience. Through small group discussions, she led the ACYOA delegates in brainstorming communication and outreach strategies, working with them to focus their ideas into workable solutions.

"I thought her presentation was practical advice that I can use back in my parish where I'm trying to revive our ACYOA," said Patyl Oflazian from Holy Trinity Church of Cheltenham, Pa.

After Business, Fun and Fellowship

Following two days of business meetings, the ACYOA delegates were joined by more than 400 young people for the sports part of the weekend. The young Armenians participated in a variety of sports and activities, including basketball, volleyball, chess, ping pong, and tavloo.

A special badarak was celebrated Sunday, May 25, by Fr. Daniel Findikyan. Young adults from all over the Eastern Diocese participated by serving at the altar, reading Scripture, initiating the Kiss of Peace, and leading the congregation in confession.

"I am inspired by the creativity, intelligence and dedication of our youth," Archbishop Barsamian said in his sermon. "I enjoy seeing our youth in fellowship with one another. Nothing is impossible if we believe in God and in ourselves. I believe that we are in good hands. We're in a period of transition. We live in uncertain times, but I feel deep in my heart that our future is solid and we're going in the right direction."

The 2004 General Assembly and Sports Weekend will be hosted by St. Sarkis Church of Dallas, TX.