DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY FOCUSES ON STEWARDSHIP

Close to 150 delegates from local parishes throughout the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) gathered April 29 to May 2 for the 102nd Diocesan Assembly. Hosted by the St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of White Plains, N.Y., assembly sessions took place at the Rye, N.Y., Hilton hotel.

During the work sessions, delegates passed the 2005 budget. Throughout the weekend, they also focused on ways to promote stewardship.

STEWARDSHIP: GIVING OF YOURSELF

"It was Christ, through His parables and life example, who really exalted the idea of 'stewardship,' and deepened its meaning as a vocation for man," said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, as he introduced stewardship as the theme of the Diocesan programs for 2004-2005.

"It was Jesus who unforgettably taught us that everything we have was given to us by God. Our talents, our riches, our very lives ultimately belong to Him--and will eventually return to Him. As God's stewards, we have a blessed opportunity to return those gifts back to God: brighter, more beautiful, more productive than when they were given to us."

During his remarks and a Bible study discussion on The Parable of the Talents, the Primate stressed that stewardship is not about having or giving but about being. He told the delegates that stewardship is not about what you have, but it is about using the gifts and resources God has entrusted to you.

"Stewardship is about making your life count. That is an astonishing claim to make, I know. But the world is filled with countless talented, wealthy people who waste their days on this earth by devoting all their energies to themselves. One might as well bury one's talents in the ground. It is sad to say, but such people cast themselves into outer darkness, and end up alone and miserable," the Primate said.

"That is not what God wants for you! That is not why Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself on our behalf! We have been given all our gifts so we can make them flourish, and benefit others around us. And we are assured by our Lord that He has no greater joy, than to be able to one day greet us with the words: 'Well done, my good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of your Master!'"

The overall theme of the 2004 Diocesan Assembly was Stewardship: the giving of one's time, talent, and treasure to build a stronger future for the church community.

"Conferences with universal themes such as stewardship are intended to spark the imagination and encourage us to think broadly and thoughtfully while engaging us in an exchange of ideas followed by action," said they keynote speaker Barbara Tellalian, a member of the Board of Directors of theArmenian Church Endowment Fund (ACEF) and a principal at the firm of Tellalian Consultants for Development and Fund raising.  "And that, I am sure, is happening." People give to institutions like the Armenian Church for a variety of reasons, she said. One is being told that their support will bring about positive outcomes that they can personally benefit from. It is also important that donors see Christian charity from role models, such as parents, clergy, or parish lay leaders.

"Each of us has been influenced by a parent, grandparent, clergy, or friend whose dedication and commitment as stewards of the Armenian Church has inspired us to be stewards, giving greater meaning to our lives and our reason for being," she said.

Giving to the church and supporting its programs is important not just for today's needs, but for the next generation, Tellalian told the delegates.

"Together, our work will provide this legacy of stewardship, one generation to the next," she said. "Stewardship is grounded in the fact that all of human life and experience is a gift--a gift from God--that requires a response of faithful service.'

DELEGATES DISCUSS ASPECTS OF STEWARDSHIP

During one session of the Assembly, the delegates broke out into small groups to discuss various aspects of stewardship with the help of expert moderators. The small groups were clustered around topics such as building year-round stewardship programs, crafting and using strategic plans, and establishing endowments.

One way to ensure that stewardship efforts succeed is to engage children in the life of the church. One of the workshops focused on ways parishes can get children to play a role in the church, such as keeping them in the sanctuary during most of the Divine Liturgy and asking them to serve as altar servers or greeters.

"We are trying to make sure whenever they're in the church, they're doing something appropriate," said delegate Dn. Ara Jeknavorian, from Sts. Vartanantz Church, of Chelmsford, Mass.

When it comes to building and strengthening a parish, plans can be honed to perfection, covering endowments, strategic plans, and year-round stewardship programs. But they still might not be enough to be successful.

"If you have a friendly church, where people love the Lord and love one another, the money comes in. All you have to do is send out an envelope and ask them to send it back," Diocesan Council member Fr. Yeprem Kelegian told participants in a workshop on creating a welcoming church.

"What we're trying to do is empower you to go back to your parish and do the things that have to be done," said Diocesan Council Chairperson Haig Dadourian. "I cannot over emphasize that you here in this room are the ones who are empowered to get things done in the parishes. It's up to you to really see to it that stewardship is happening in your parish." The Diocesan Council will work with the parishes to organize regional follow-up workshops to implement the goals and ideas discussed at the Assembly.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

The Assembly delegates also discussed the 2003 budget and passed a budget for 2005. In terms of finances, 2003 was a significant year for the Diocese, which despite a challenging economy had satisfactory financial results.

The Diocesan budget was reduced by $400,000 in 2003 to a figure of $4.37 million. There was still a year-end deficit of $93,000, mostly related to assisting clergy in need and spiritual outreach.

"The Diocese operated within its means in a prudent and responsible manner, while satisfying the needs and requests of our parish community," said Oscar Tatosian, Diocesan Council treasurer.

When dealing with the upcoming 2005 budget, the delegates saw numbers similar to the 2004 budget. Again next year, more than a third of the budget is focused on youth and education. Next year's budget was accepted as presented.

The officers at this year's Assembly were: chairman- Thomas Ashbahian, from the St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, N.J.; vice chairman - Van Krikorian, St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of White Plains, N.Y.; English-language secretary - Anna Marie Norehad, St. James Church of Evanston, Ill.; and Armenian-language secretary - Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, R.I.

LOCAL STEWARDS

The Assembly was skillfully planned by a group of volunteers from the host parish, St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of White Plains, N.Y. Headed by the pastor, Fr. Karekin Kasparian, and chair Lisa Kouzoujian, the other committee members were: Alice Basmajian, Dawn Kasparian, Betty Salbashian, Ruth Sanossian, Berdj Stepanian, Zaven Tachdjian, and Setta Tavitian.

Along with organizing the meeting space and banquet in the Rye Town Hilton, the parish also welcomed the delegates as guests to their parish for a special dinner and musical night on Friday, April 30.