From the Editor's Desk

Dear Readers,

With the same excitement that charged the atmosphere at our recent 102nd Diocesan Assembly, this issue of the Armenian Church magazine is proud to present the newest addition to the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)--the Ararat Youth and Conference Center.

The picture on our cover shows a portion of the camp and conference facility the Diocese acquired as a result of persistence by a group of Armenian Church stewards. This group and others who nurture and grow our church with zeal embody the Diocesan theme for this year--Stewardship.

As you will read in the pages that follow, Stewardship - The giving of one's time, talent and treasure--was the focus of the Diocesan Assembly and Clergy Conference in May. The term was accurately defined for delegates and attendees, who may have believed that stewardship was merely a program to raise cash. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocese leaders and guest speakers demonstrated that while stewardship means giving, the vitality of our church requires not only financial support, but also our time and our special talents in order to remain vital and grow.

Several of our articles present the pioneering and innovative programs individuals and various Diocesan departments have partnered together to expand the borders of our Diocese and our parishes. Armenian Christian communities in the South and on college campuses are growing, and individuals are taking extraordinary steps to meet the needs of those areas.

Also in this issue is a new feature, the St. Vartan Bookstore catalog. In each issue, we will feature several catalog pages of merchandise, music and books available for purchase at the bookstore, by phone and via the new bookstore website: www.stvartanbookstore.com, where you will find the entire catalog online.

Yours truly,

Arpie Nakashian McQueen

Editor