July 2011 - St. Vartan Armenian Church

Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan
“Not only He, but you also…”
July, 2011
(Continued from the May & June Newsletters)
Bible Readings
July 3
July 10
July 17
July 24
July 31
Matthew 12:1-8
Mathew 12:38-45
Matthew 13:24-30
Matthew 14:13-21
Matt. 16:13-17:13
Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to
the Lord, all the lands.
Serve the Lord with
gladness.
Come into his presence
with singing.
Know that the Lord is
God; it is He that made us,
and we are his; we are His
people and the sheep of His
pasture.
Enter his gates with
Thanksgiving; and his
courts with praise.
Give thanks to him bless
His name.
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love
endures forever,
and His faithfulness to all
generations.
Being delighted by his friends’ advice and having many servants under
his authority, the devil decides to go directly to the Jews and teach them how to
cry out: “Let Him be crucified,” because they were "arguing with each other
without pause,” and they could help him to accomplish his will. By receiving the
response of the Jews: "Put aside your anxiety. We have accomplished what you
had in mind to do; have no care; rest unconcerned…” the devil encourages them
to be strong once again, as they were strong when they denied God after eating
the Heavenly manna and “put the calf before God in honor” and to use their law
to execute Jesus, "He who is everywhere and fills all things.” In reward, the devil
promises the Jews that he will speak to his henchmen on their behalves, saying
that "...you are ours in your entire purpose.” However, they should continue to
carry the law of God on their tongues, not in their thoughts, read Scriptures and
not understand them or even take them in their hearts.
Bringing these examples from the history of humanity, St. Romanos once
again mentions that we are also turning our faces from Him and ignoring Him
Who nourishes us by His Heavenly grace and takes care of us day and night. By
ignoring God, we are separating ourselves from Him and in that way we are taking the role of the evil one in this life. How often have we heard the Word of
God, the Commandments, and never followed them? How often have we read the
Scriptures without understanding them; how often have we closed the doors of
our hearts in front of God? How often have we become the servants of the evil
one?
Being assured that the Jews will serve him and do his job, the devil runs
to his next friend, to Death, to give the "good news" to him. He found many servants to help him fulfill his will and wanted to share his happiness with his
friend: “Arise, and rejoice in what I am going to tell you: Jesus has been denied
and handed over; He has been bound and given to Pilate…” During the conversation with Death, the devil eventually puts down his “weapons” and understands
that The One Who rose Lazarus and others from death and Who cast him out
many times from many of his slaves, that "If He dos not will it, He will not
die…” The Devil understands that he has no authority and dominion over His
death; he understands that not he, but God, willingly chose to die and destroy the
bonds of death. In Jesus’ Passion, the evil one suffers more than Jesus, Himself;
even though, in Jesus “death”, the evil one finds his own end; however, he does
not sleep or rest, but continues his mission: to separate us from God. We should
be ready and awake always: “Then Jesus has not been injured at all from His suffering; and I, more than He,
have increased my groans. O death, you were right in not agreeing with me… take me down below and educate me; for I cannot endure so much shame which He has brought on me through the wood, He Who is everywhere and fills all things.” AMEN
The Ladies Society's June meeting was one not to have missed. Our lunch was scrumptious. The June
committee outdid themselves. The program was coordinated by June Chaterjee and Carmen Toomajian. Our
ladies were treated to a collection of beautiful silk Indian Saris. Some of our ladies even were dressed by
June's friends. A special thank you to Shotu for taking photos of the ladies dressed in their beautiful sari's.
Fr. Hovel and the St. Vartan Deacons, Subdeacons and altar servers met for a dinner and rehearsal
on Friday, May 20. The meal was prepared by subdeacon Zarik Savadians.
Proper Church Service Etiquette
• Please turn off your cell phone in church!
• Please refrain from lighting candles
during the priest’s sermon.
We are on the web:
www.stvartanoakland.org
St. Vartan Church Parish Council gratefully acknowledges the following donations:
Choir Robe Fund—Edward Godoshian
Priest Discretionary Fund—Edward Godoshian
Yughakin—Mary Ann Sievers
Bazaar Donations
Tent Donation—George and Carol Rustigian
Leg of Lamb—Alene Rudy, Ralph & Lillian Kalibjian, Beverly and Bill Nalbandian, Vahram and Dolores
Cherezian
Armenian Coffee and Armenian Beer—Donald and Virginia Tafjen
Games Booth—Don and Lisa Manoogian
ENDOWMENT FUND
The Endowment Fund has received a very
generous bequest from the late Gladys
Tafjen. Dr. Paul and Gladys Tafjen were
early and active members of our Parish.
In Memory
† Florence Garabedian
Florence Derderian, Dedra Derderian, Donald
Kirkorian, Ph.D., Richard and Judy Sharafian
† Mary Arkelian
Sylvia Alexanian
† Mary Paroonagian
Flora Mirzaian
† Albert H. Kalakian
Joetta and Robert Malkassian
In Memory
† Mary Paroonagian
Charles and Mary Tateosian
† Mary Arkelian
Neva Tavlian, Clara Bousian, Jacob and Susan
Khushigian, Michael and Barbara Bujulian, Richard Fathy, Richard and Julie Matoian, Agavni
Tashjian Hamamciyan, Charles and Mary Tateosian, Jun and Elaine Gamura, Massey Antaramian,
Siran Antaramian, Mark and Margaret Shirin
† Florence Garabedian
Ron Kallan
News From Our St. Vartan Family
Birth Announcement
Mark and Lesley Kamian announce the birth of a daughter, Sachi Siroon Kamian, on February 18,
2011. Sachi joins her brother Max Kamian. Grandparents are Harvey and Janet Kamian and Jack and Gloria
Young.
Condolences
Rev. Fr. Shahe Altounian conducted funeral services for long-time St. Vartan member Mary Arkelian
at St. Paul Armenian Church in Fresno on May 27, 2011. Our condolences to Mary’s daughter and son-in-law,
Barbara and John Mesrobian; her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Nancy Arkelian, and her grandchildren, Daren, Kevin and Karen Mesrobian. The family will be hosting a Hokehankist for Mary at St. Vartan Church during the Church service on Sunday, July 10.
Ponderisms
The best way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.
There are two kinds of pedestrians: the quick and the dead.
All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.
How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
Upcoming Cultural Committee Event
St. Vartan Cultural Committee will have Torange Yegiazarian, director of Golden Thread Productions
visit St. Vartan and inform us of the upcoming play “Night Over Erzinga” along with providing us with a presentation of a few scenes from the play. Lunch will be served prior to the Golden Thread Productions presentation, and following their vignette, a film will be shown. Please stay tuned for more detailed information soon.
Family Night Fun
With the Dolma Cook-off judged by Fr. Hovel, games, performances, the Sunday
School closing program and great food, there was something for everyone at St. Vartan’s
Family Night on May 21.
Pictured from left to right and top to bottom are: Fr. Hovel blessing dinner; Armen
Phelps at the piano, Suzanne Vasgerdsian with Fr. Hovel preparing to judge Dolma; Nora
and Garen Gregorian; Siranouche Apelian and Chuck Dana enjoying dinner; Holly Bazigian on the recorder; Chuck Leonard feeding Chaz Leonard a bottle; Christina, Richard
and EJ Mateosian playing chess; Harout Hagopian and Cliff Kalibjian at the bar; Vatche
Shahveleilian playing Connect Four; and the Dolma Cook-off participants: Seta
Khatchikian, Diana Toomajian, Suzanne Vasgerdsian, Fr. Hovel, Sinan Yazejian, Wartkes
Hagopian, Nadya Cingoz, Carole Chang, and Suzanne Abnous.
St. Vartan Armenian Church Annual Bazaar
The Bazaar Team is in full swing planning and coordinating the multitude of details associated
with the premier event of the East Bay. Yes, the St. Vartan 59th annual Bazaar. Save the
dates: October 7 and 8. Consider being an early supporter of this effort by making one (or many) of our
Wish List items come true. Thank you for your generosity.
The Bazaar Committee
Bazaar Wish List
Donation Items needed
for
the Bazaar
Tent
Leg of Lamb
Case of Wine
Case of Armenian Beer
Case of Tan
Armenian Coffee
Kids Games Booth
Garbage & Recycle Bins
Admission Booth*
Newspaper Advertisements*
Donors
Needed
10
100
10
12
1
1
5
20
1
4
Item
Cost
$250
$40
$50
$30
$65
$30
$75
$20
Already
Received
1
14
1
1
1
$175
$150
Still
Needed
9
86
10
11
1
0
4
20
1
4
* New items for 2011
Save the Date—Bazaar Stuffing Party
Join the Bazaar Committee on August 12
at 6:00 pm as we prepare the Bazaar raffle
ticket mailing. This mailing is sent to about
4,000 people, so the more help we get the
more quickly we can finish. No experience is
necessary. A pizza supper will be served.
Please consider placing an advertisement in our 2011 Bazaar Booklet. This is a
great way to remember a loved one, express
thanks, celebrate a special event, or advertise
a service. Call the Church office for details.
Food Servers Needed for the Bazaar
If you are at least 16 years old and interested in helping us serve our fabulous delicacies at this year's Annual Bazaar, October 78, please call Sandi Kezerian Capurro at 925377-5800 or email her at scapurro@
sbcglobal.net. Please specify which day you
prefer. Any help is most appreciated!
Thank You!
Sandi Capurro
2011 Bazaar Workday Schedule
Tuesday, July 12
Wednesday, July 13
Tuesday, July 19
Wednesday, July 27
Kufta
Kufta
Luleh (for Church Picnic)
Small Beoreg
Wednesday, August 10
Thursday, August 18
Tuesday, August 23
Wednesday, August 24
Luleh
Small Beoreg
Kufta
Kufta
Wednesday, September 14 Small Beoreg
Friday, September 9
Simit
Saturday, September 10
Simit
Wednesday, October 5*
Thursday, October 6*
Roll Sarma
Plate & Box Sarma
Prepare Shish Kebab
Box Boorma
Everyone is welcome; no experience necessary.
Workdays begin at 9:30 am. Please bring a dish to share
for lunch following the workday.
*Workdays in October begin at 9 am.
His Holiness Karekin II,
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians
On October 27, 1999, the highest administrative body of the Armenian Church, the National Ecclesiastical Assembly, was convened in the spiritual headquarters of the Armenians, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Ordained and lay
Armenian Church delegates from Dioceses around the world gathered for the Catholicosal Elections. Representing Armenians on every continent, His Holiness Karekin II was elected by the nation to serve as the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. He was consecrated in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin on November 4, 1999 as the
132nd Catholicos of All Armenians. November 4, 2009 was the 10 year anniversary of the consecration of His Holiness
Karekin II. Over these 10 years, the Church has strived to continually address the challenges faced by the Armenian nation.
We take the opportunity to reflect on the changes and milestones in the life of the Armenian Church at the Catholicos’ ten
year anniversary.
NUMBERS
225 Priests Ordained, 249 Seminary Graduates, 30 Churches Remodeled, 91
Churches Built, 9 Churches Under Construction, 8 Youth Centers
CHANGES AT THE MOTHER SEE
In 1999, the grounds of the Mother See comprised 7 hectares of land. Today,
the complex of the Mother See contains 49 hectares and a host of new buildings, some completed, some under construction.
Buildings Renovated
Mother Cathedral, Guest House, Publishing House, Old Seminary Building,
Deacons’ Quarters, Gevorkian Seminary, Khrimian Museum, Seminary Dormitories, Administration, Old Pontifical Residence, Cathedral Museum
New Buildings
Baptistery, Chancellery, Monastic Residence Building, Manuscript Depository (Matenadaran), Seminary Chapel, Seminary Gymnasium, Continuing Education Center, Open Air Altar, Vaskenian
Gate.
This series of articles was written by Rev. Father Simeon Odabashian, a member of the Brotherhood of Holy
Etchmiadzin, who is currently on a one-year sabbatical serving in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in the Information
Services Department. The photos accompanying the articles are also the work of Father Simeon, giving us a visual impression of his thoughts and words.
Christian Education a High Priority at the Mother See
The Armenia Apostolic Holy Church is only as vibrant as her people are informed and the ideal place to initiate
this process of spiritual enlightenment is with the children. The Christian Education Center (CEC) of the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin is at the heart of a nation-wide program of religious education for the entire population of Armenia. The
Republic of Armenia like most modern nations follows the principle of the "separation of church and state." In the United
States this policy is carried out to such an extreme in the nation’s public education system that today the very mention of
God or any aspect of religion, including for example the symbols and carols of the Christmas season are forbidden. Lamentably even prayer and the reading of sacred scripture are prohibited. Thus it was most refreshing to learn that the government of Armenia has a genuine respect for the primary and historical role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the religious and moral formation of her citizens. This point is clearly spelled out and affirmed in the Constitution.
In 2002 a historical agreement was sealed between the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the government of the
Republic of Armenia, making the subject Armenian Church History a required course in all public schools. The agreement
was re-confirmed in 2005 by the Catholicos of all Armenians and the Prime Minister. In the academic 2003-2004 year the
course was introduced into grades 4 – 5 and in 2005 it entered the state list of
required subjects for the 4th – 10th grade curricula. Currently the course runs
from grade 5 – ll. The publishing of the complete set of textbooks and curriculum, which have received raving reviews for content and design, were generously underwritten by benefactor Louise Simone-Manoogian.
Starting in September 2005 the CEC assumed the oversight of all issues related to the teaching of the Armenian Church History course. Thanks to
an agreement with the ministry of education, CEC personnel visit public
schools, familiarize themselves with teacher preparations, and assess student
responses to the curriculum. CEC staff members also gather suggestions and
recommendations, which are taken into consideration for future revisions in the
curriculum. The CEC, the Ministry of Education, the Institute of National Edu-
cation and the Bible Society of Armenia conduct on-going supplemental enrichment training courses for the teachers. In
2008 His Holiness Karekin II appointed the Very Rev. Fr. Vardan Navasardyan to head up the Christian Education Center
at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Observing Father Vardan’s hectic daily routine and enthusiasm towards his responsibilities one can truly understand the wisdom and deep thought used in making this appointment. Father Vardan
works tirelessly for this most crucial mission of the Mother See and is not afraid to burn the midnight oil. Often when most
lights are out in the monastery, the lights of the Christian Education Center are on. Father Vartan is daily on the road visiting schools and conducting seminars for teachers. I decided the best way to get a grip on the pulse of this mission was to
see Father Vartan and some of his assistants in action.
I accompanied two deacons working within the department, Deacons Tsolak Harutunyan and Stepanos Shakhgyan,
who were assigned to present lectures to a group of fifty public school teachers in the Armavir Marz. The seminar was
hosted at the diocesan center in the city of Armavir. These teachers are charged with presenting the Armenian Church history curriculum on various levels in the public schools. The goal of such seminars, which are held in every school district
throughout Armenia, is to equip teachers with additional information on the theology, piety and practices of the Armenian
Church. The deacons were assigned that day to present the theology of the Holy Trinity. The deacons gave very well prepared lectures on the meaning of this fundamental mystery of the faith. It was obvious that the information was new to
most of the participants. The question that stood out was: How can the teachers of Armenian Church history make an impact on their students if their background and experience of the Armenian Church is superficial at best?
Thankfully, this is where the Mother See’s CEC makes a significant difference by offering on an on-going basis
seminars and enrichment courses throughout the Republic of Armenia. The CEC office at the Mother See has seven employees in house and fifteen representatives covering 15 of the 36 regions of the country. These regional coordinators report directly to the CEC and plan the implementation of CEC programs with regards to the Armenian Church History
classes of the schools in their area. Coordinators offer support, supervise and organize seminars and pilgrimages for the
teachers as well as special exhibitions. They also maintain ties with local school departments and the dioceses. Father Vardan has enlisted the help of over fifty clergy, deacons and qualified lay people to deliver lectures on every aspect of the
Armenian Church, particularly its theology, liturgical practices and ethical teachings. Interestingly Father Vardan, following our Lord’s method of sending out the disciples in two’s, also prefers to have two presenters for each seminar. I was
able also to attend a seminar in Yerevan for teachers of private schools, which also by law teach the Armenian Church History course. This time the instructors were Bishop Sahag Mashalian, dean of the Gevorkian Seminary, and Father Vartan
himself. In most eloquent style Bishop Sahag presented the fundamentals of the history of salvation, the process begun at
the time of creation, through biblical times and to the second coming of Christ and where we fit in to this. In a relatively
brief talk Father Vartan succinctly explained the major aspects and beautiful logic
of the Church Calendar, delving into some interesting intricacies as well.
Though I must admit that my favorite experience of CEC took place the
week after Easter, when I had the opportunity to visit six kindergartens in the city
of Etchmiadzin. For the first time, Hasmik Aprahamyan, the coordinator of preschool education for CEC, developed an Easter pageant "hantess" titled, "Holy
Easter through the Eyes of Children" for use on the kindergarten level. Thanks to
the cooperation of local municipal authorities, this truly imaginative program was
implemented in over 100 kindergartens throughout Armenia. The program’s success can be attributed on the one hand to its teaching the children the most essential
facts about the Sundays of Great Lent, the meaning of Palm Sunday and Easter and
the inspiring traditions and symbolisms of the season, while on the other hand providing enough flexibility to teachers to insert age appropriate songs and dances.
Through these hantesses thousands of kindergarteners learned the meaning of the feast of our Lord’s glorious resurrection through recitations, prayers, songs, dances and even riddles. As part of the curriculum the children with the help
of parents and teachers constructed various displays involving Easter scenes, unique foods and symbols of the season.
What was most striking is how well the children imparted the Easter message to the adults. It was also heart-warming to
see representatives of the department of education of the City of Etchmiadzin present at the various hantesses together with
Kyulnaz Grigoryan of the CEC, overseer of the religious education programs for the city. Their presence and encouragement meant a lot to the kindergarten directors and faculty and demonstrated once again the great strides that the Mother
See has made vis-à-vis working together with local governmental authorities. My impression is that similar phenomena are
evident in other parts of the country.
The original intent of the CEC was to develop a uniform curriculum for Sunday schools or one day a week (to be
more accurate) programs in each of the diocese. Despite the attention given to teacher development in the public school
arena, the one day a week schools continue to be a priority for CEC and flourish thanks to the encouragement of diocesan
primates, clergy and committed volunteers. While the one day a week schools operate under the aegis of the diocese, CEC
provides curriculum and supplemental resources such as the texts on general Christian teaching recently sponsored by
World Vision. This summer CEC will organize a week-long workshop for 120 religious education teachers, which will be
also be underwritten by World Vision. CEC is also involved with the planning of
teacher recognition days. In November awards are granted for the "Best Teachers" in the public schools in the following areas: History of the Armenian
Church, History of the Armenian People, Armenian Language and History, and
Natural Sciences. The awards which are of a monetary natural are presented by
the Catholicos and ministry of education. On the feast of the Holy Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew the Catholicos recognizes outstanding religious education
teachers at a special event at the Mother See. Another recent development is a
general teacher recognition held on the Feast of the Holy Translators in October.
A few benefactors in the Diaspora, such as Sylva and Irma Der Stepanian of New
Jersey, have made this possible. Past achievements of the CEC are notable and include: the creation of a system for one
day a week schools; and teacher enrichment courses in Etchmiadzin, Yerevan, the Armavir, Artashat, Aparan, Massis regions, as well as in the Syoonik, Googarats, and Shirak dioceses. Teaching plans and textbooks were prepared and printed
for 2nd-8th grades. CEC has also published religious literature for the general public desirous for information on the faith
and has printed and made available pamphlets on the church feasts, lives of the saints, sacraments and rituals of the church.
In the summer of 2006 with the blessing of the Catholicos of All Armenians, the Center together with the Ministry
of Education conducted an enrichment-refresher course for some 70 diasporan teachers. A special series of programs is
also conducted for special schools and orphanages. CEC directors in the areas of special education and orphanages and coworkers as well as volunteers (seminarians of the Gevorgyan Seminary, students and graduates of the University of Yerevan’s department of theology) periodically make visitations to these facilities. Among the CEC’s immediate initiatives is
the periodic organizing of seminars, festivals, educational events and pilgrimages; the distribution of supplemental materials to educational facilities, and encouragement for the creation of "spiritual corners" (i.e. prayer areas) in public and private school classrooms. CEC also is planning a complete updating of the one day a week religious education texts to in part
avoid duplication of topics covered in the public school curriculum.
The CEC works in close cooperation with the Republic of Armenia’s Ministry of Education and Science, the Institute of National Education, the Bible Society of Armenia, as well as benevolent organizations and individual benefactors.
Going forward Father Navasardyan feels that the CEC’s "first goal is to recruit more professional staff and volunteers for
the various regions in Armenia (note: only 15 of the 36 regions are now covered), to better oversee educational activities in
the public schools and in the one day a week schools in each diocese for the purpose of increasing teachers’ knowledge,
excellence and faith. This will transform the general educational environment and give the Armenian Church History
course its due importance in the educational system. This will also positively alter the attitude of parents and society for
Christian education. For our mission to progress we need publications, more religious books and resources as well as funding for teacher pilgrimages and the preparation of more motivating and attractive programs for the teachers. I believe that
with hard work and faith you can succeed in anything."
ST VARTAN’S LADIES SOCIETY RUMMAGE SALE
Saturday, July 23 — 9 am to 5 pm
Sunday, July 24 — 1 pm to 5 pm
We are accepting donations to the Rummage Sale.
Call the church office for drop-off times.
We will gladly accept the following items.
Furniture
Kitchen appliances - except for microwaves
Kitchen utensils, including pots and pans
Dishes
Household decorative items—-including lamps
Books
Records
CD's
Cameras
Toys
Women's Accessories - belts, purses, jewelry,
watches
We cannot accept the following items:
No baby furniture or equipment including: playpens,
high chairs, Infant car seats, cribs
No electronics – tv’s, stereos, computers, printers
No clothing or shoes
No microwaves
No mattresses, box springs and bed pillows
No batteries or light bulbs
No waterbeds, hide-a-beds
No Venetian blinds or shutters
No gas powered yard tools
Non-working electrical equipment
No pianos & organs
Library Blessing
On May 29 after Badarak Fr.
Hovel blessed the new St. Vartan
Church Library located downstairs
in the Church Hall Building. Fr.
Hovel also blessed and thanked the
volunteers who made this beautiful
new room possible: Koko Cingoz
and the Cingoz family, Wartkes
Hagopian, and Harry and Margaret
Sherinian. Please feel free to visit
the new library and check out our
Armenian and English books.
Electronic Newsletter
Would you like to receive your monthly St.
Vartan Voice newsletter
by e-mail rather than by
traditional mail? If so
please contact the church
office at [email protected] and we
will add you to the e-mail
list.
Happy Birthday
Fr. Hovel and Norma Yaglijian celebrated their birthdays at Fellowship Hour
on May 29.
Church Pew Donation
This church pew located at
the Diocesan Mother Cathedral
in Burbank, was donated by St.
Vartan Church.
Deadline for August issue of the Voice: July 15 @ 1 pm
Bazaar Book for Library
Do you have a copy of
the 1993 St. Vartan Bazaar Book that you would
be willing to donate to the
library? If so, please contact the church office. The
Church Library needs a
copy of this book to complete the collection.
St. Vartan Church—July, 2011
Sun
3
Morning
Service 9:30 am
Divine Liturgy
10 am
ACYO Meeting
after church
10
Morning
Service 9:30 am
Divine Liturgy
10 am
Club Hye 2nd
Sunday
17
Morning Service
9:30 am
Divine Liturgy
10 am
24
Morning
Service 9:30 am
Divine Liturgy
10 am Rummage
Sale Church Hall
1 pm—5 pm
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
11
12
13
14
15
16
21
22
23
Independence
Day
Bazaar Workday
Kufta 9:30 am
18
19
Bazaar Workday
Kufta 9:30 am
Parish Council
Meeting 6:30 pm
20
Picnic Workday
Luleh 9:30 am
25
26
Rummage Sale
Church Hall
9 am—5 pm
27
28
29
30
Bazaar Workday
Small Beoreg
9:30 am
31
Morning Service
9:30 am
Divine Liturgy
10 am
St. Vartan's Church Choir NEEDS MEMBERS!!!
Do you love to sing? Can you "carry a tune"? Can you read a little music? Here is
YOUR opportunity to sing with others who, like you, love to sing and praise God with their voices.
Join us Sundays at 10 am in the choir loft. No pressure! Reading music is not a must. We will
even teach you one on one! Your church needs you. Come on! Give it a try!
The Voice Newsletter is published once a month by St. Vartan Armenian Church
650 Spruce Street, Oakland, CA. 94610, Phone (510)893-1671, Fax: (510) 893-2102
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.stvartanoakland.org
The deadline for all articles is the fifteenth of each month.
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate
Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan
Parish Council Chair: Harry Sherinian
Parish Assembly Chair: Don Manoogian
Choir Director: Beverly Nalbandian
Organist: Virginia Madajian
ACYO Chair: Adam Nikssarian
Church School Superintendent: Marie Hagopian and Virginia Alexanian
Ladies Society Co-chairs: Suzanne Abnous and Suzanne Vasgerdsian
Athletic Committee Chair: Mike Boloyan
Cultural Society Chair: Liz Ojakian
Club Hye Chair: Sako Soghomonian
Hokejosh: Nora Hanoian and Pat Barsamian
Sunshine: Dorris Kezerian
Church Maintenance: Vartan Hovsepian
Newsletter Editors: Arlene Hovsepian and Rachel Harger
Wedding Coordinator: Carol Rustigian
Visiting Committee: Virginia Ratcliff
Church Secretary: Rachel Harger
Altar Flowers: Diana Toomajian and Sue Barsamian
Church Custodian: Wartkes Hagopian