From the
children of the starving to the starving children of the world
The
annual 30 Hour Famine, organized by In His Shoes
took place on April 26 and
27 at Glendale Community College. This year over 40 people fasted in what has
become one of the traditions of the In His Shoes campaign to aid world
hunger.
Participants
spent 30 hours fasting and learning about the pain and struggle of the
rest of the world. Under the direction of Fr. Vazken Movsesian, the
Famine participants
heard from various professionals regarding activism in their communities
and their world. The speakers included Dn. Vahe Abovian, Christopher
Armen, Esq., Anush Avejic, David Mgrublian and Richard Melikian. The
evening hours were spent in meditation, song and prayer. Armenian folk
singer Gor Mkhitarian, fasted with the group and gave a very personal
and small recital for the group, inviting members to jam along. Artist
Gregory
Beylerian made the tradition complete by leading the drum
circle.
After 30
hours the famine ended by breaking the fast - breakfast - over the Body
and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Communion was administered
at the St. Peter Armenian Church Youth Ministries Center in Glendale,
where the congregation became the first to hear the announcement:
$125,000 was collected by these amazing people. (Subsequently, the
amount increased to $178,000 through the generosity of new donors.)
Fr.
Vazken, in his sermon, recounted how the Turks had wanted to annihilate
Armenians to the extent of having only one Armenian left, and that one
in a museum. He said, that not only are we now surviving, we are
creating, we are giving. The sons and daughters of the "Starving
Armenians" are now feeding the world with this outreach program which
has collected well over a half-a-million dollars since its inception.
Long time In
His Shoes member Ani Burr, took on the project and organized the famine
this year. At the end of the famine, both Ani and Suzie Shaterevyan, CIO
of IHS, were decorated with the IHS cross, a special symbol of
distinction given to leaders who move the community to action.
Participants
in the famine included Robert Sammis, a member and pilgrim from the St.
Mark's Episcopal Church as well as Rev. Suzanne Commons, from the Church
of Truth in Pasadena.
Join
MyChurch
to read blogs and extensive stories and coverage of the famine. More
pictures to come soon.
Pictured
above - in a victory pose are the participants and three young
participants - Anna, Zarouhi and Yeraz. A moment of escape from hunger -
Karine Armen and Michael Youssefpour dance, while Dolce Wang and Hagop
Seropian music-away some free time.
A
Silent Auction kicked
off the fundraising drive on April 20. Hosted by Margaret & David
Mgrublian, at their Pasadena home, supporters of the Famine gathered for
an afternoon of information gathering and fellowship.
See the pictures on MyChurch.
Whether you’re ‘doing’ the Famine, or you’re
still considering it, I just want to impress upon you how vital and
important your participation is this year.
We are holding the Famine on April 26 to
coincide with the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. While many people
know that 1.5 Million Armenians were slaughtered by the Turks, many people
forget that millions were sent out as refugees, trying to create a life
without any resources. The world looked and dismissed our grandparents as “Starving
Armenians.”
Through the Famine, we, as children of the
“Starving Armenians” are feeding the starving world. 29,000 children die
of hunger and hunger related
diseases every day. These are kids like our grandmothers or grandfathers
– trying to make it in a world that could care less about them. Every dollar
you collect goes to aid them!
Think about it… how many people have the
opportunity to save a life? And you… you get to save 10’s, 100’s and maybe
even a 1000 lives by participating in this year’s 30 Hour Famine. Is there
any greater response to Genocide than this? To be a living testimony to the
power of Love!
No matter what your reason for doing or
supporting the Famine, I believe God has ordained us to do this work. God is
asking us to walk in the shoes of others, especially those children
that are hungry, because we were once hungry.
If you’re doing the Famine, look forward to
our 30 Hours together. If you’re supporting the Famine – please join us in
Pasadena on Sunday, April 20 for our Wine & Cheese Reception and Silent
Auction. See our website for details. And for everyone, please join us on
Sunday, April 27 for the victory celebration during church services at
11:00AM.
I pray that God give you the strength and
endurance for this great challenge.
Prayerfully ~ Fr. Vazken Movsesian
Thousands
Celebrate Resurrection at Youth Ministries
It was an
Easter season like no other, as thousands of faithful passed through the
Armenian Church Youth Ministries' Center in Glendale throughout Holy
Week. Between Palm Sunday and Easter an uninterrupted flow of people
came to the many services that the church offered, along with some very
prominent and high ranking clergy of the ancient Armenian Orthodox
Church.
On Holy
Tuesday, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the
Western Diocese, officiated and blessed the participants in the 10
Maidens service. He commented that only a handful of Armenian Churches
throughout the world commemorated the service, namely in the monasteries
and on this obscure corner in Glendale. And so too, through the week,
the small outpost in Glendale, known as the Youth Ministries Center
became a focal point for people to connect to their ancient roots while
living the expressions of their faith in the 21st century.
From the
ancient monastery of St. James in Jerusalem, His Eminence Archbishop
Aris Shirvanian was the guest celebrant at mass on Holy Thursday -
recreating the institution of the Last Supper. During the evening
remembrance of the Passion of Jesus Christ, Fr. Vazken, washed the feet
of the youngest of the parishioners, in a gesture to remind the people
of Christ's humility.
On Great
Friday, Fr. Vazken was at the St. Mark Episcopal Church in Glendale. His
sermon is part of our archives. (Click
here)
His Eminence
Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, the highest ranking clergyman in the
Western Hemisphere, was the guest preacher - with his words which
ushered in the message of Good News: Christ is Resurrected.
The Easter
Service at the Youth Ministries created traffic jams both in and outside
of the building. Both levels were filled to capacity. The Parish
Council, anticipating the crowds had set up simultaneous broadcasts
throughout the building.
While you're
there don't forget to subscribe for FREE Podcasts - which
delivers the weekly sermons directly to your computer, iPod or mp3
player.
The Lenten
season gave us a unique opportunity for introspection. At the Youth
Ministries Center, our organization is always evaluated internally to
insure the best in quality
for the
people we serve as well as our workers. Services are held four times a
week, giving workers a chance to enhance their spiritual life with
prayer and mediation.
Equally
important for our center is the virtual community which keeps growing
daily. We have participants from every continent save Antarctica. To
this end, we expanded our electronic outreach by working with
MyChurch.org, a social networking community for churches. The service is
sponsored through the In His Shoes Ministries and sign-up is free to all
who wish to be a part of this growing community. Press on the "MyChurch"
button on the top of this page to sign up.
Currently
there are discussions about the role of the church in issues as
pertinent as the War in Iraq and the Genocide in Darfur. Pictures,
articles, events, dialog and even
Lenten
recipes are all waiting for
you. Here is a sampling of some of the blogs. Follow the links to read
more.
These are only a few of hundreds of blogs,
commentaries and information - check them all out. Stay abreast of the
events in your particular area and be a part of this dynamic community. Its
free, fast and exciting.
Most recently: Preparations for Famine '08 are
underway. Get info Pictured above:
participants of the 2008 MLK Retreat
Also Check out Fr. Vazken's
Sermons -
now available as a PodCast or on the
MyChurch network.
We have begun to
podcast these sermons. You may visit this link:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/FrVazkensSermons
to subscribe to
podcasts of Fr. Vazken's sermons using any of the available podcatchers,
such as iTunes,
Google, MyYahoo!, etc.
China, Religious Freedom, Spielberg,
Darfur & Genocide
At first glance, the weekly question for
"In Theory" might not have made sense for the Armenian Church. China's
freedom and the Armenian Church? But our philosophy of walking "In His
Shoes" is never more pronounced....
Q: Amid China’s rapid economic growth,
the government’s control of religion has reportedly softened slightly.
What does the prospect of a religiously free China mean to you and your
faith?
A:Religious freedom everywhere is important
to me and my faith. In the Armenian Church, we have never taken that
freedom for granted because we’ve had to struggle to attain and maintain
it. But even more, religious freedom in China strikes a reverberating
chord for us in the Armenian Church.
As we know (and has been articulated by the U.S. State Department) there
is a genocide going on in the Darfur region of Sudan. Today, China is
one of Sudan’s largest suppliers of arms, and in return Sudan is China’s
largest overseas oil project. Official data shows that China now takes
40% of Sudan’s oil output. China can and must play a role in bringing an
end to the genocide in Darfur.
In
our particular parish and through our youth ministry, we vigilantly
follow the news from Darfur and campaign for peace in the region. Being
descendants of genocide survivors ourselves, there is a moral
imperative, no less dictated by our faith, that we stand in the shoes of
others who are going through the sufferings we’ve endured.
And our motivation to do so comes from the possibility of what might
have happened had the world disarmed Turkey at the time of the Armenian
Genocide (1915).
With religious freedom in China, I’m hoping that the same Christian
mandate that moves us to search and work for peace will lean heavily on
the government to end the Darfur genocide. George Bernard Shaw reminds
us, “Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.” The
Christian Church, at this vital point in history and the history of the
people of China, cannot bask in its newfound freedom. It must rise to
the occasion and talk the talk of Christ. Religious freedom in China is
only as important as we take this responsibility seriously, in an effort
to bring peace.
Keep pressing... "Luminaries
press Olympic China over Darfur"
12 Feb 08
- US filmmaker Steven Spielberg Tuesday abandoned
his role in the Beijing Olympics, as a host of prominent
figures accused China of not doing enough to press its
ally Sudan to end devastating violence in Darfur.
"Sudan's
government bears the bulk of the responsibility for
these ongoing crimes but the international community,
and particularly China, should be doing more to end the
continuing human suffering," Spielberg said in a
statement.
"I have
decided to formally announce the end of my involvement
as one of the overseas artistic advisors to the opening
and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games."
Champions for justice, equality and
self-determination, Martin Luther King Jr., Hrant Dink and Catholicos
Mugrdich Khrimian were the focus of this year's retreat: "A Call to
Conscience"
January 19 - 21, 2008 ~ Ventura, California
Participants came away from the 5th Annual "Martin
Luther King Retreat" energized and renewed. The theme of the retreat this year
was "A Call to Conscience." By looking at some of the fundamental writings and
speeches of Dr. King, the retreat participants examined their own calling in the
world.
Along
with Dr. King's legacy, the works of Hrant Dink and Catholicos Mgrdich Khrimian
were examined for their direction toward self-determination. During the Sunday
morning liturgy, special requiem prayers were also offered to these giants of
justice, marking the 40th year of passing for Dr. King, the first anniversary of
death for Dink and 100 years since the Venerable Khrimian "Hayrig"'s passing.
The retreat was organized
by the In His Shoes Ministries as part of its ongoing commitment toward peace
through justice. The retreat took place at the Ventura Marriott hotel.
Celebrating 25 years in the priesthood, Fr. Vazken Movsesian served as the retreat master.
It was a time to sit back
and contemplate the miracle of LOVE on Christmas Eve. And the Youth
Ministries' Center became the spot. Worshippers came to sing and watch
as Baby Jesus was laid in the manger. Daron Momjian, son of Shahe & Arpi
Momjian (pictured to the left), played the part of Jesus.
When the wise men came from
the East, though, they were carrying some very rare gifts. Ruby Alice
Geragos, Arlin Jonathan Telimi and Alique Shant Zadoian - were "baby
gifts" for the baby. Representing gold, frankincense and myrrh, these
four babies were brought to the makeshift manger by their fathers
representing the wise men.
Pictured to the right with
their treasurers, Robert Telimi, Mike Geragos and Shant Zadoian.
For more pictures check out
MyChurch
or follow this
link.
Peace on
Earth: A Worthy News Item?
In
this week's "In Theory" section, columnist clergy were asked about the
top religion stories of 2007:The
Religion Newswriters Assn. picked evangelicals’ struggle to select a
presidential candidate as the top religion story of 2007.What do
you think was the top religion story of the year?
A:
Sadly, the top religion story is a non-story.
For me, the top religion story is the amazing silence of the Christian
church, across denominational lines, regarding the war in Iraq and all of
its ramifications. This includes, but certainly is not limited to, the
stories out of Guantanamo Bay, misinformation and intelligence
discrepancies, the refugees of Iraq and now, the saber-rattling toward Iran.
Second, it’s the silence toward Darfur and the Sudan by the Christian
church. And I only place it second, because the Iraq war is so much more
visible and prominent as a news story.
I’m not talking about the politics of war, nor am I trying to champion a
partisan platform; rather, I’m critical of the almost nonexistent moral
conscience that the Christian church can and should provide to the war
conversation. If there is one thing that all Christians agree on; it is that
the central figure of our religion is called the “Prince of Peace.” Yet,
apart from a few exceptions, that message of peace is being stifled in the
back pews of our churches.
If you take a look at the top 10 news items according to the Religion
Newswriters Assn., there is not one item that even points to Iraq.
Throughout the year, we talk about the relevancy of religion and the church;
can we find a better indicator of the church’s irrelevancy than this? The
war is front-page news, yet it doesn’t even score on the “religion top 10”?
I can only think of the millions of cards that are being exchanged this week
with the holiday wish for “Peace on Earth.” Before it was adopted by
Hallmark, it was the voice of the angels at the Birth of One, whose love for
humanity overpowered humanity’s ability to destroy itself. Peace on Earth is
achievable. To me, that was, is and always will be the greatest news story.
- Fr. Vazken Movsesian
Read More - In Theory Articles
This
is it! Hear the NEXT STEP... a Sermon on Luke 4:17,
CLICK HERE
We're out of room! Last Friday,
as donations kept coming in for the Christmas feed and toy distribution, St.
Peter Secretary Armine Kazarian called Fr. Vazken, "There's so much stuff, I'm
scared we're going to crash through the floor!"
And rightly so, local Clark
Magnet High School had their food drive and chose In His Shoes to be the avenue
by which the food should be distributed. Trucks of food arrived from the school.
A very success Thanksgiving food drive was followed immediately by the
Christmas/New Year dinners program. On December 17, a group of dedicated members
of our ministry went downtown Los Angeles, passing out food and supplies to
the homeless. Making stops directly on the streets, several trucks and cars joined
the caravan to deliver the much needed food and supplies. Read all about
an
encounter with God!
Meanwhile, under the tree, toys
are piling up. A steady group of people (and kids) have been placing toys for
the annual Toy Drive. Pictured to the
righ - Sevana Zadoian, makes sure the toys she delivered are in order, waiting
for the In His Shoes Santa to deliver by Christmas. Pictured above - Christmas
caroling at Glendale Adventist Hospital.
We're accepting clothes,
sweaters and food for our homeless program. There is a continual need for these
items. The toys, however, are only for the Christmas holiday. We're accepting
non-wrapped, new toys until December 20.
But the big problem of space
restrictions continues to be the main difficulty at the Youth Ministries'
Center. Currently, church services are held on Sundays to a standing-room-only
crowd. The offices are stacked and stuffed with donated foods and clothing. "Its
really a good kind of problem," said Fr. Vazken, trying to calm volunteers who
coming to relieve some of the tension caused by the over crowding.
Immediately there are two major
programs on-hold because of space limitations - the mentoring/tutoring program
and the internet broadcasts. If you have space - rooms or offices in the
Glendale, California area - please let us know so that we can grow and tend to
the need of our local community.
Advent...
Christmas Season...
Getting Ready and
Living
Montrose Parade
- The In His Shoes Mission was represented on the St. Peter Armenian
Church Youth Ministries' Truck - graciously donated by Peggy & Mike Geragos
(driving with Ruby Alice on board). The Montrose Parade is the largest outdoor Christmas gathering for the
Glendale community.
We kicked off our "Feed a Village
Project" that evening. Watch for details as we tackle the needs of
post-Genocide Rwanda. Pictured (left) goats for Rwanda through our partner
Solace Ministries. Learn more -
Give a Goat this Christmas – and your gift will keep on giving.
United we stand:
Children's Memorial Service - December 9 -
Download the flyer
Prayers in preparation for Christmas - Download
Advent Vespers
"...and its only the giving that makes you what
you are..." - sweater drive for orphanages in Armenia, and a goat drive (yes
you heard right) for families in Rwanda. How about some food and
toys for kid in our own
neighborhood too - its all part of the massive Christmas campaign going on
at the Youth Ministries' Center.
This week's "In Theory" Question: U.S.
Catholic bishops reportedly approved new moral guidelines for
Catholic voters warning that their political choices could impact a
person’s salvation.
Read Fr. Vazken's opinion
click here
Celebration Gala - Christmas dance -
Tickets available now. RSVP today.
Download the flyer.
Christmas
Caroling at the Hospitals, Christmas Eve Services, New Year's with the
Archbishop and more...
Download the Entire Schedule.
That their light may shine...
Children’s Memorial Day
was commemorated in Los Angeles County on Sunday, December 9, 2007 at the
St. Peter Armenian Church & Youth Ministries Center, 632 W. Stocker St.,
Glendale.
The service began at 7:00PM with remembrances, prayers and
meditations. A candle lighting ceremony followed in front of the church building,
all to honor infants, teenagers and young adults who have left us before their
time.
Archbishop
Hovnan Derderian, the Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, was
present to offer words of comfort to the bereaved families and friends. He
passed out candles from Etchmiadzin to begin the candle-light vigil. Recording
star Gor Mkhitarian favored those in attendance with two musical selections
(pictured), in his usual moving manner.
The remembrance is part of a
worldwide event organized by the Compassionate Friends, a bereavement support
group. In each time zone throughout the world, candlelight services will take
place that day, creating a wave of light that circles the globe. The Glendale
portion is organized by the In His Shoes Mission, a faith based organization
which focuses on outreach through the St. Peter Armenian Church Youth
Ministries’ Center.
"This
is one part of our ministry that we hoped would not grow," said event
organizers, "but sadly it has.” Accidents, illness and war are all claiming the lives of the
innocent.
The church began participating
in the commemoration following the death of Cathia Hamparian, a young girl
tragically killed in an auto accident. Following a memorial service Cathia's
mother, Maria Hamparian admitted, “For a fleeting second, every memory we have came flooding
back to us as we saw the flame through tears, distorting it into something
magical. This is as close as we can get to our child now.” Others have confessed
that the presence of friends at a time like this gives strength and reassurance
to family members and emphasizes the power of love.
All
families who have suffered through the loss of a child – whether
through illness, accident, violence or war were invited.
The Giving Season: Extending One's Handouts ... Question
of the Week:
Steve Burger, a former director of the
Assn. of Gospel Rescue Missions, says Americans should not hand out money to
homeless people on the street, but to rather donate to local food or shelter
agencies. Burger reportedly believes that giving handouts promotes
destructive behavior among the homeless. In Theory
Over $15Million collected at Armenia
Fund Telethon
On November 22, 2007, Armenians across the
world united under one mission: to help rebuild Armenia's impoverished
rural regions. Armenia Fund's 10th International Telethon celebrated 15
years of successful development and highlighted the Fund's outlook for the
years to come. The live telethon aired internationally from Los Angeles
and featured musical performances, documentary segments, special guests, and
many surprises.
Your continued support helps further Armenia
Fund's nation building initiatives. Proceeds from Telethon 2007 will benefit
Armenia Fund's new beneficiary project – the Village Development Program.
More info:Click here.
Pictured to the Right - Archbishop Barkev
Mardirossian, Primate of Artzakh, with Fr. Vazken and Ludwig Barska, after
discussions about the In His Shoes Mission in Amaras. During the last two
years the In His Shoes Mission provided much needed supplies to the the Amaras region of Artzakh and in the last two years raised $25,000US toward
the needs of the community. Archbishop Mardirossian meets with IHS reps
annually, as he did this week, to discuss on-going projects.
Walking in the shoes of the Homeless
This week has been eventful
for the In His Shoes Mission, with various activities drawing attention to
the alarming stats that is prevalent throughout the world and tragically in
the modern world.
Ned and Anush Avejic
(pictured) walked throughout the Los Angeles area in a march to aid
homelessness. Walking in the shoes of the homeless men and women, they were
given a chance to feel and share the challenges of the growing problems and
discuss solutions.
An on-going program of the
Youth Ministries' "Questions in Faith" is feeding the homeless at Los
Angeles' "skid row." Since Summer, this program takes much needed food and
clothing to the individuals and families living on the streets of Downtown
Los Angeles. Members of the Questions in Faith group physically tend to the
homeless, by driving cars filled with soup, food and clothing. Check out the
blogs written on
MyChurch
for more information. Better yet, come by and join the efforts.
The food drive and the toy
drives are in full-gear this year. The Thanksgiving drive yielded food and
supplies for the local shelters and the toy drive continues on through the
end of the year. Check for regular updates here on this site.
The Limits of Free Speech?
Picket Fences Built Hatefully
Despite a $10.9-million
jury award against him this week for picketing at a funeral of a soldier who
died in Iraq, Pastor Fred Phelps and his church in Kansas will reportedly
not be deterred from picketing military funerals with anti-gay slogans —
claiming that deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan are God’s punishment for
homosexuality. They
hold up signs that say things like “God hates fags,” which Phelps says is a
way to continue his struggle against what he and his followers say is an
immoral lifestyle. Others say Phelps is practicing a “hateful ideology.”
The question is asked for
Fr. Vazken in this week's "In Theory."
Click here to read
Must see & must attend
DARFUR NOW
“Movies have the power to inspire. You have the power to act.” – that’s the
call for the new movie, “DARFUR NOW” and it opens this weekend.
DARFUR NOW is a story of hope in the midst of one of
humanity's darkest hours – a call to action for people everywhere to end the
catastrophe unfolding in Darfur, Sudan. In this documentary, the struggles
and achievements of six different individuals from inside Darfur and around
the world bring to light the tragedy in Sudan and show how the actions of
one person can make a difference to millions.
Fr. Vazken answers with a reflection on the
"bait-and-switch" tactics of recruiting youth to church, which is so
prevalent in many congregations. Read his answer along with the implications
for true sincerity in the ministry. Click Here
It's not as menacing as Pandora's Box, but
certainly the consequences can be as lasting. That was the feeling in the
room after members of the Questions in Faith group met with Ojig Yeretsian,
founder of Opening the Mountain, for an enlightening evening to discussion
on Wednesday, October 24 at 7:30PM at the
Youth Ministries' Center.
Opening the
Mountain was formed in April 2007 in response to the lack of communication
between Armenians and Turks. The monthly meetings are facilitated by non
Armenian and non Turkish members of the group, who create a safe space for
sharing personal experiences. The goal is to raise an understanding of the
self and others through effective communication. The group practices
listening and presenting perspectives about selected discussion topics, like
the importance of resolving history, family stories, invisibility, cycles of
oppression, etc.
Why is the Armenian Genocide Resolution so
important today? What is the intrinsic value in reconciliation?
Gita
Saraydarian, Founder and President of TSG Foundation and TSG University,
blogs on the Armenian Genocide Resolution, now before
congress. Here's a unique perspective which centers on the spiritual.
By affirming the atrocities of the past, Gita writes, "we do very important
spiritual acts." How does the seemingly political transcend to the spiritual
realm? Read this blog:
http://gitasblog.blogspot.com
Gita is a
teacher and lecturer on the Ageless Wisdom Teachings. She has established a
worldwide audience as a creative educator for progressive ideas,
transformation, and goodwill. The Foundation’s headquarters is in Cave
Creek, Arizona with affiliates in Peru, UK, and Germany. Learn more by
visiting:
http://www.tsgfoundation.org
"No lie can live
forever..."
This week's Vesper Services at the Youth
Ministries' Center is dedicated to the justice and righteousness. The
Armenian Genocide resolution will soon come before the House of
Representatives. See below for way to make your voice
heard.
From
one of the readings by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "...Each
of us must keep faith in the future. Let us not despair. Let us realize that
as we struggle for justice and freedom, we have cosmic companionship. This
is the long faith of the Hebraic-Christian tradition: that God is not some
Aristotelian Unmoved Mover who merely contemplates upon himself. He is not
merely a self-knowing God, but an other-loving God forever working through
history for the establishment of His kingdom..."
~Excerpt
from
"Give Us the Ballot" ~ Address at the Prayer Pilgrimage for
Freedom
17 May 1957 ·
Washington, D.C.
Amid
congressional debates over the Armenian
Genocide Resolution, His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, made a stop
at the US Capital, Washington DC. He led
Congress in prayer (October 11) and
called the civilized world to understand
and remember the atrocities of the
Armenian Genocide (1915).
At the
nations capital, leaders from various
religious faiths, including His Holiness
Karekin II, took a tour of the Jefferson
Memorial (photo) before a news
conference on
religious freedom. The news
conference came the day after the US
House of Representatives Foreign Affairs
Committee approved a resolution calling
the killings of Armenians by the Turks
during WWI as genocide.
Read Catholicos Karekin's message at the
Jefferson Memorial.
(Photo:
Reuters/Jason Reed)
Armenians have an expression, "Chilami hokepanootiun"
which translates literally, "Ostrich Psychology": pretend its not there and
maybe it'll go away.
President
George W. Bush adopted the saying but not the history. Turkish denial of the
Armenian Genocide continues, this time through the power of the Presidency
of the United States of America! Regarding the Armenian Genocide Resolution
before Congress, the President said, "This resolution is not the right
response to these historic mass killings." Such a move, already taken
by France's parliament, would do "great harm" to US relations with Turkey,
Mr. Bush added.
View Video
"The first
25 years are the difficult ones..." -
Rev. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian in comments directed to Fr. Vazken at the
conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, marking 25 years of priesthood in the
Armenian Church.
Listen to the sermon -
Go to Podcast
and listen to September 30, 2007 Sermon
Watch for comments - this week.
This week's vespers dedicated to Leadership and
Karekin II: Quick
download.
Glendale Newspress
"In Theory" Q&A:
Toys of Biblical Proportions
Wal-Mart is test-marketing biblical action
figures - Jesus, Moses, Mary, Noah, David and Samson among them. And Target will
do the same on its website. There is at least some concern, however, among
consumers - parents - that such figures may prompt children to equate biblical
heroes and heroines with secular figures. And while some may see the action
figures as a learning tool, others may see them as gag gifts. What do you think
of the idea of biblical action figures?
Fr. Vazken: There are few things that
irritate me more than a plastic Jesus. I can't speak for the other "action
figures" but when it comes to Jesus, I wish they would leave him alone. It's
bad enough that most people have an image of God as an old man in the sky
ready to swoop down to save us from ourselves, smack the bad guys on the
head and reward the good with homes behind pearly gates. He's become a
combination of Superman and Santa Claus. And when He doesn't deliver, watch
out! We become unforgiving and ....
Click here to READ the entire
answer as well as other In Theory articles.
PEACE NOW!
Adhering to the Social Gospel is the cornerstone of our ministry and
philosophy, whether through the Center in Glendale or the In His Shoes
movement which is growing as more and more people accept the challenge.
The
Questions in Faith program switched gears to "outreach" mode this week
as part of our commitment to the community. Fund raising took place last
Sunday to meet the needs of the homeless in the LA area. Walking "In His
Shoes" the group fed the homeless of the inner-city directly on the
streets. Others in the group focused on the alarming abortion rate,
alternatives, as well as the young prison population that is in need of
attention and support. Wednesday evening - 7:30 is when the gears start
moving, immediately following
vespers.
Friday evening, In His Shoes participated in the World Council of
Churches sponsored International Day of Prayer for Peace (coinciding
with the United Nations 25 year commitment to an International Day of
Peace). The prayer service was a call to end local violence and a call for
world peace. At the sidewalk of Broadway and Brand (Glendale) from 5 to 8PM
is where in took place.
Quote of the Week:
You never change things by fighting the existing model.
To change something, build a new model which makes the
old model obsolete.
-R.
Buchminister Fuller
Gor releases "About God" music
video
Features In His Shoes 7x77 Forgiveness Conference
Questions in Faith: Education,
Worship, Action,
is a new program of the Youth Ministries in Glendale initiated to bring a
balance to the life of the Armenian Christian. The first session took place
on September 5 and fittingly was dedicated to Mother Teresa who passed away
on that day 10 years ago.
Each session of Questions in
Faith (QnF) begins with a 10 minute vesper service, written for the
occasion. Class leader, Fr. Vazken explained that Orthodoxy is not stagnant.
The faith is living and therefore creating. Each of the vesper services will
be unique to the prayer needs of the day. The vesper services will be
archived here on this site.
A
highlight of the evening was the premiere of the new music video, "About
God" by Gor Mkhitarian. The In His
Shoes 7x77 Forgiveness Conference serves as an appropriate backdrop for this
video. The artist was gracious enough to allow a sneak preview of the video
this evening - and of course, now it can be viewed on the net:
Click here to view
The intention of
the new QnF program is to offer participants a
taste of Armenian Orthodoxy from an educational, worshipping
and practical perspective. Each session will tackle issues that speak to
today’s life. Classes are taught by Fr. Vazken Movsesian and are free of
charge. Each class builds on previous sessions, therefore,
regular attendance is encouraged.
These new sessions are guaranteed to bring you to a
closer understanding of life through
the ancient mysticism that we call Armenian Orthodoxy.
ANC Professional Network -
The Armenian National Committee kicked off a new
series of lectures and
gatherings on Wednesday, August 29, for young professional. The first
speaker of the ANCPN series was Fr.
Vazken Movsesian who spoke about the Armenian Genocide from the perspective
of his trips to Rwanda and IHS Ministry's work with the Darfur community. In
a presentation accented with stories and pictures of the Rwandan Genocide,
Fr. Vazken emphasized the importance of action in the world today. He
commented the ANCPN for organizing this
group of professional who will be making a difference in the community. The
ANCPN was created to develop the next generation of Armenian American
leaders. More
information
is available at www.ancpn.com.
Why is this man in jail? Why should he be out?
He needs our help!Click here to
learn more
St.
Nersess Seminary held their annual summer conferences once again
this year with hundreds of young people coming to the New Rochelle, NY
seminary to learn and grow in the Christian fellowship. At the
invitation of the Dean of the Seminary, Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan
and the Director of Recruiting, Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, the In
His Shoes Mission was invited to present a talk to the college students.
Fr. Vazken and Susan Movsesian attended the conference and presented a
talk on Genocide and the Christian Response. Using lessons learned in
Rwanda and from the 7x77 conference, Fr. Vazken challenged the students
to think beyond the conventions of the church and their faith. Pictured
to the right are the participants of the conference in a photo with
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese.
News of the Anti-Defamation League's
acceptance of the word "genocide" in regard to the Armenian Genocide
brought mixed reaction from throughout the world. The LA Times gives a
quick look at the issues and how it was handled.
Click here for article.
Congratulations!
Good news: Over $4 Million dollars
was collected in the
AVON Walk for Breast Cancer - in Long Beach this past weekend.
Bad news: Breast Cancer is still one
of the leading causes of premature death for women. True to the philosophy of In
His Shoes, our team was out in force this week as support crew and medical staff
during the two day even.
Pictured here is our team from last year (left to right): Anita
Papazian, Ani Burr, Anush Avejic and Susan Movsesian. You can donate to the walk directly at the
AVON website. This is a time to
celebrate life and accomplishments, its also a time to remember those who have
been stricken by this deadly disease.
The Breast Cancer walk is one of
many programs in which the In His Shoes Mission is participating this week
dedicated to the Holy Cross (September 16 is the feast).
Weekend of Blessings - Grapes to $50K for IHS
There are times in life when things come
together and fall into place just right. The weekend of Assumption was one
of those times. It began with a meeting with Congressman Adam Schiff at the
law-maker's Pasadena office. A small delegation of In His Shoes workers had
been invited to share with the congressman information about the latest
projects of the organization. They discussed local
events such as the 7x77 conference as well
as global concerns such as Darfur. The congressman suggested avenues of
funding for In His Shoes activities. Most importantly, the commitment to
Genocide issues and prevention were emphasized by all.
Sunday morning the feast of
Assumption was celebrated with an over-flow crowd at the Youth Ministries'
Center. In his weekly address to the people, Fr. Vazken spoke of the need to
be united in Love. Referencing the Gospel of John, chapter 15, he brought
the message home asking for the congregation to be united and tied to Love.
"'I am the Vine and you are the branches' says Jesus. You cannot bear
fruit unless you're united to the branch. And if we are to understand that
Jesus is Love, then it only follows that we have to be united to Love so that we can give
fruit." Love is the blessing that comes from this ministry.
And blessings continued into the cool
star-filled night as supporters of the Youth Ministries and In His Shoes met
at the home of Paulette & Mark Geragos for a
Dinner Concert featuring the
music of Gor Mkhitarian. The
traditional grape blessing
took place in the family's backyard surrounded by the natural wonders of the
foothills. As night fell the folksy melodies of Gor filled the evening air.
Host Mark Geragos, surprised the group by revealing that $50,000 from the
New
York Life Settlement would be awarded to In His Shoes for the on-going
work it is doing in the community.
Along with all the blessings
of the weekend, came an important one: an opportunity to move faith to works
by supporting a plea for justice. Warren Goodman.
Click here to
learn more and how you can help.
Sossi Latchinian Receives
Jizo Peace Scholarship Award
The
Jizo Peace Center (Pine Mountain, California) sponsors the annual WZM Award
for Compassion. High School seniors write essays about their experiences
demonstrating love, kindness and compassion. Congratulations to Sossi
Latchinian who received the award/scholarship for her essay and thoughts on
In His Shoes. Her essay is printed in LA Yoga (August 2007)
magazine.
August USA Armenian Life
features a cover story about the Youth Ministries Center and Fr.
Vazken, written by Fr. Vartan Dulargarian, senior priest and
prolific writer. Click
Here to Read
Sudan accepts UN resolution on
Darfur force
From the AFP: Sudan
ended months of stonewalling on Wednesday by
accepting a UN resolution approving a joint African
Union-UN peacekeeping force in Darfur where more
than 200,000 people have died in four years.
"We announce our
acceptance of the resolution," Foreign Minister Lam
Akol told journalists the day after the council
unanimously approved the 26,000-strong force.
After months of
diplomatic wrangling aimed at replacing an
under-equipped AU force of 7,000, the resolution
authorized the world's largest peacekeeping force
for what the UN has called the world's greatest
humanitarian catastrophe.
by Susan
Ounjian, participant in the 7x77 Forum on Forgiveness
(pictured with Stephanie Uwumuremyi at the
conference)
On July 7,
2007, I experienced Peace! The Forum on Forgiveness was a beautiful day full
of joy and deep-down inner Peace. There were times of sorrow and pain in my
heart for Ben Kayumba and Leticia Aguirre, after hearing their stories of
unbelievable hurt, but it was what they did that pain that made me know that
they were Saints! Yes, we were at All Saints Church in Pasadena and
I felt like we were all in Heaven!
The In His
Shoes Ministries brought love and forgiveness to our souls! After
our group sharing occurred, we were definitely touched, moved, and brought
together by God. We were all strangers with different backgrounds and all
different races, and yet we felt a closeness toward each other.
Each story
of anger, hate, or pain, has stayed with me as I remember how wonderful
everyone felt after they had forgiven. It was like learning a magic recipe
of healing and yet our Father has told us to ask Him to forgive our
trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us in The Lord’s
Prayer. I also learned that forgiveness is freedom for you! Don’t be
weighted down-You must forgive first.
Jesus said,
“Forgive them for they know not what they do." The Voice of God said,
“Revenge is Mine," "God will give you compassion for He is all powerful" and
“LOVE IS ALL POWERFUL!"
After all
of these experiences at the conference, we were invited outside only to hear
beautiful sweet music (from Gor Mkhitarian) and to form circles where our
palms would form the number seven with each other and a lovely Mandala with
rose petals would release our forgiveness. Linda Maxwell said it would be
sent into the universe in the form of love and beauty. To me the setting of
bright sunshine, smiling faces, rose petals and the sweetest music being
played live was one of being at a wedding full of joy or just like I said
before, I felt like we were all in Heaven.
Pictured to the right, participants in the 7x77
Forgiveness Conference ceremonially release the flower petals to the wind as
cares, worries and hurt are forgiven. Photographed by Don Miller 07/07/07,
Pasadena
Blogs /
Thoughts / Photos / Comments - to follow (please come back soon)
The 7x77 formula began with one word: Peace. Can peace ever be attained?
Every day, peacekeepers armed
with guns and weapons of war, are sent to resolve conflicts and clashes.
On a personal level, we try to find stability in our lives and achieve
‘peace’ using various means of destruction.
Jesus battled evil with different weapons. He taught and lived the truth
that good is more powerful than evil; that love does conquer and
overcome hatred. He challenged humanity to forgive without limits: “Not
only seven times, but seven times seventy seven times.”
Ancient orthodox teaching has pointed to forgiveness through the 7’s. We
find the 7’s in nature and structure. And surprisingly, the nations that
have survived and built have done so not with weapons of destruction,
but by adopting the policy of the 7’s. They’ve tapped into the power of
reconciliation, tolerance and understanding. That is, the key is to walk
“in the shoes” of others.
07/07/07 is a mark and opportunity in time to challenge us to become
instruments of peace through forgiveness. As the 7’s line up on the
calendar we line our sights on forgiveness and its power to heal and
bring about peace.
We welcome you to this forum and
invite you to ‘embody’ the 7’s through the many dimensions of the
formula that we present today.
- Fr. Vazken Movsesian, Founder
In His Shoes Ministries
The LATimes
referred to it as a "rare
trifecta on
the calendar" but at In His Shoes
Ministries' we've been referring to it
as the Global Day of Forgiveness. To be
sure, a special Forum on Forgiveness
took place at the All Saints Church in
Pasadena. Speakers, discussions, films
were all part of the agenda, as
participants looked at "Local Reconciliation~ Global
Peace."
The day,
07/07/07, was
used to draw attention to Jesus'
command to forgive, "not only seven
times, but 7 x 77."
"It seems
that the only language people speak
these days is that of war," said Fr.
Vazken in his weekly message. "We need
to change our metaphors. If we are to
imagine a world with peace, we must
speak a language that includes
forgiveness, as much as it does
tolerance and understanding."
Get the
Details
Among the
featured speakers were Benjamin Kayumba
from Rwanda. Kayumba traveled
with his wife Stephanie to
participate in the forum. They represent
Solace Ministries, a Kigali-centered
outreach to the widows and orphans of
the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. Also speaking
were
Leticia Aguirre, Fr. Vazken
Movsesian and Linda Maxwell.
Paul Freedman's new documentary
on Darfur was screened at the Forum.
The film, narrated by George Clooney
is powerful in content and message. A
question and answer session with the
producer took place afterwards.
Get the
Details
Art and
Song to Flow the Melody and Form of
Forgiveness
Featured
artists Gregory Beylerian and Gor
Mkhitarian brought their talent to accent the
importance of forgiveness at the July 7
forum. For
Beylerian, this is his second round
with the 7x77 formula. In 2005, he
composed the picture of Armenian youth
standing in the desert, in a symbol of
solidarity and lasting forgiveness. (See
and read) The photo-artwork, which
was strategically produced on Armenian
Genocide Commemoration day that year,
will be exhibited throughout the Forum.
For
Gor this was an opportunity to
reflect and be a voice for peace. The
7x77 event speaks close to his heart and
he brought his unique style of
song and inviting lyrics to the art
project that day.
Beylerian produced two separate
art projects this year and everyone
attending the Forum had an
opportunity to be a part of it.
IRAQI
REFUGEES:
WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY ARE
THEY?
The question is being asked and rightly so.
Nearly 4 MILLION Iraqis have fled their homes since the start of the war,
making this the world's largest refugee crisis. Refugees of Armenian
background have added difficulties and dilemmas to face because of their
ethnic and religious minority status in the Middle East.
Read/Listen to PBS Religion & Ethics for more.
Earlier this year, we committed ourselves to the
plight of the Iraqi refugees by walking in their
shoes. Prayer services have been
organized at the St. Peter Armenian Church & Youth Ministries' Center.
Massive letter-writing campaigns were waged to law makers and world leaders.
In May, In His Shoes Mission expanded its work by providing a legal services
to process paper work refugees and their families. The special office of immigration
is at St. Peter, 632 W. Stocker St., Glendale 91202 and will be
open every Wednesday evening from 7:30pm on. Paralegal Artin Torossian,
J.D., will be on site to handle all application and form questions as well
as give hands-on assistance in filing. Help is free but does require a reservation.
Call the church office at 818.244.9696.
Download a flyer.
According to Fr. Vazken, "We've made a
commitment to the community that is struggling with refugee conditions and
issues created by the Iraqi war. We're pleased to offer this service to
further meet the needs of this growing community."
The Sunday School of the St. Peter Youth
Ministries' Center concluded another
successful year of instruction and
service to the community on June 3.
Following the Divine Liturgy and the
reception of Holy Communion, the
congregation met at a local park for a
commencement picnic. A couple of hundred
family and friends of the students
shared in the fun of the afternoon.
"We're building a community here," said
Fr. Vazken, who remembered that the road
has been bumpy, but the result makes us
forget those difficulties. "People don't
want a cold institution. They are
looking for a community. I'm so glad
we're opting to give the latter." The
school meets every Sunday morning,
September through May. Yn. Susan
Movsesian leads the Sunday School and
insuring proper education based on
Armenian Orthodoxy. The picnic was
organized by Taline Kedjidjian.
Photo above: taken by Richard Jorouyan.
Copies may be ordered by clicking on the
following link:
share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0BbNXDhoybMXKw
Facing History hosts evening with Don Cheadle
and John Prendergast
Thursday, April 26, a group
from In His Shoes attended the open forum with Don Cheadle and John
Prendergast at the Wilshire Theater in Beverly Hills. The event, which
brought together over 1600 community activists, teachers and students was
sponsored by Facing History and Ourselves and The Allstate Foundation.
Cheadle and Prendergast talked about their experiences in Darfur and
strategies to end genocide outlined in their new book,
Not on Our Watch: The Mission to End Genocide in Darfur and Beyond.
Facing History and Ourselves
prepares educators to develop informed, thoughtful, and compassionate
members of society. We have been active in providing resources for teachers
on the growing humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region. Those resources are
available at
www.facinghistory.org/Darfur. They have also created a document of
local and global resources for students (.pdf) to implement the six
strategies to end genocide that Don Cheadle and John Prendergast describe in
Not on Our Watch: The Mission to End Genocide in Darfur and Beyond.
News story on Channel 13
Full interview with Don Cheadle and John Prendergast;
Facing History Website
Looking
ahead - beyond April 24
The month of
April gave the In His Shoes mission
plenty of opportunities to speak out
against the Genocide in Darfur. Student
rallies at UCLA, USC, UCSB brought
together a new energy and meaning to the
Armenian Genocide. April 15 to 30 was
designated as a Genocide Awareness
period by the In His Shoes mission and
every night during that period events
and rallies brought crowds together to
contemplate and work for peace.
"It was the
first time I heard it in those terms,"
said Ida Ayrapetian, a graduate student
attending the ALL-ASA gathering at USC.
"I can see the Armenian Genocide as a
point of reference... from which I can
engage in activism for other Genocides."
The IHS
theme has been consistent and has been
hammered from rally to event to program:
there is an obligation to being
survivors of Genocide - to reach out to
others.
"Darfur is a
Genocide that has a comma at the end of
it," said Fr. Vazken in a gathering in
Glendale. "All the other genocides have
periods. Armenia. Cambodia. The
Holocaust. Rwanda. Bosnia. They are
finished. But Darfur is happening right
now and we have an opportunity to do
something about it." Darfur is Genocide
happening right now. Place after place,
the April 24 commemoration was tied in
with the Darfur genocide and the
listeners reacted.
"We have
received an unusual number of hits on
our website over the past few weeks,"
said Sossi Topjian-Heinz. "Its all part
of a greater campaign to heighten
awareness about the atrocities occurring
in Darfur."
On Sunday,
April 29, Fr. Vazken presented a
sermon: "Looking beyond April 24" at the
Youth Ministries' Center in Glendale in
the morning and followed up, by way of
interactive discussion at the Armenian
Youth Association in the evening.
Watch this
site for new features with posting of
speeches and video clips of events and
happenings. On May 6, we'll be at a
Darfur coalition rally at UC Irvine at
noon.
April 18 – (+)
“Man’s Inhumanity”
presentation by Fr. Vazken –
Glendale Police
Department at 6:00 PM –
Check
Glendale Web for details
April 19 - (+)
UCSanta Barbara Genocide
Commemoration - (Embarcadero Hall) 8:30PM
April 21 –
Youth Bringing Global
Peace is hosting a peace conference. In His
Shoes will be one of the presenters.
Burbank High - 902 N. 3rd St. 91502,
Opening at 9AM - speeches and
presentations.
April 23 -
(+)
UCLos Angeles
Genocide
Commemoration -
with Taner Akcam, Prof. Von Blum, ANCA &
Fr. Vazken Movsesian.
7:00PM - {Pictured to the right are
students from the gather, from left to right: Fanto, Narek, Nora, Fr.
Vazken, Alisa & Jacqueline.}
April 24 – Genocide Commemoration
(+)
Glendale Adventist Hospital – 9:30AM
Monument – Montebello (throughout
the day)
Alex Theater – 6:30PM (opens)
(+)
In His Shoes in Portand Oregon
April 25 – Armenian & Episcopal
Churches come together for a
commemoration and worship. Deacon
Dr. R. Hrair Dekmejian, will be the
homilist. St. Mark’s Church (Brand
Blvd.) at 7:00PM.
Download Flyer
April 26 - Community Conversation
with Don Cheadle & John Prendergast
- Wilshire Theater. SOLD OUT -
WAITING LIST ONLY
April 28 – Parliament of World
Religions – In His Shoes
participation.
Find
out more.
(+)
April 29 – Armenian Youth
Association (Glendale) Fr. Vazken’s
presentation
Thousands Participate in Easter Week Activities @ SP Youth Ministries Center
"You need to respond to the Empty Tomb,"
was the call made by Fr. Vazken at the
Divine Liturgy on Easter Morning. He
challenged the congregation to answer
the tomb and gave a tried and
true
method of responding. "Look at Good
Friday from the perspective of Easter.
Look at your crosses, your difficulties,
your pain and suffering from the empty
tomb...
The Empty Tomb is waiting to be found by
every heart. Crucify your fears and doubts and stand
tall in the resurrection."
Since the first Easter the resurrection
has been questioned. Recently, with
movies and documentary-type
investigations searching for things like
the Tomb of Christ, the Resurrection has
been the focus of inquiry. (See this
week's
In Theory - Fact or Metaphor.) "You
either believe or you don't," said Fr.
Vazken in his sermon. "The stone was
rolled away from the tomb of Christ, not
so he can come out, but for us to go in.
And once you're in and you realize the
tomb is empty, you need to come to terms
with this reality. Love is more powerful
than hate. Good is ever stronger than
evil."
"Easter says you can put truth in a
grave, but it won't stay there."
(Clarence W. Hall)
The
St. Peter Armenian Church & Youth
Ministries' Center is home to a growing
community of people who are finding the
strength and courage in the Christian
faith. Unique to the expressions of
Armenian Orthodoxy is the opportunity to
not only remember the Passion of Christ
but to experience it. Each one of the
services throughout Holy Week was filled
with ways to participate with Christ,
from his entry into the human heart on
Palm Sunday, to his Last Supper, his
betrayal, passion, crucifixion, burial
and RESURRECTION on Easter morning.
Happy Easter: Christ is Resurrected!
IGEFA Benefit: An Afternoon
of music, purpose and memories
In His Shoes' newest project
is a partnership with IGEFA - the Irene Gyulnazarian Educational
Fund for Armenia. The fund provides for scholarships at Yerevan
University, primarily for students studying psychology.
Sunday afternoon, a special
benefit concert took place featuring the music of Gor Mkhitarian.
The afternoon was hosted by the Board of Directors of IGEFA and Drs.
Jerry & Mariam, who opened their spacious home for the scores of people
who came to support the scholarship program.
Fr. Vazken Movsesian offered
some short welcoming remarks on behalf of IHS and remembered the young
lady, Irene, for whom the fund was named. He emphasized how Irene lives
in the lives of those students who are receiving the scholarships.
Gor Mkhitarian gave an
outstanding concert. He played many of the songs from his repertoire,
providing brief comments and explanations of the poems-turned-songs. He
was accompanied by Jay and together, they brought a unique blend of
steel and nylon sounds.
Watch for more information
about the IHS/IGEFA partnership coming soon...
"Complimented by wonderful vocals, reflective lyrics and tasteful
arrangements, GOR's melodies are simple, yet beautiful and fresh to the
ears" - Yatrika Shah-Rais, Host and Producer of Global Village (KPFK).
Photo by Alec Gevorkyan
IHS Walking... ANTI-WAR PROTEST
This is the
4th Anniversary of the War in
Iraq!
We joined thousands of protesters in Hollywood and walked in the shoes
of the suffering.
To the left (position of the picture that is) is peace activist,
attorney Christopher Armen being interviewed by LA Times reporter.
Pictured to the right, two young demonstrators hold "Peace" cards near
the make-shift caskets. The protest march went down Hollywood Blvd. and
culminated at Highland where speeches and entertainers rallied the crowd
to work for Peace.
“Blessed are the Peace Makers, for they shall be called Children of
God.” – Jesus (Matt. 5)
Second Phase of Letter Writing Campaign is Launched.
SEND IMMEDIATELY!
The second phase of the letter writing campaign
to world leaders, asking for attention and assistance to the thousands of
Armenian Christian refugees of Iraq, is underway.
Download NOW. Write letter,
emails, phone calls. Let them know there is a silent side to the war that is
being missed by most of the media.
Sample Letter & Addresses.
"Peace Cannot Come with a Gun"
Community
Prays for Peace in Iraq
A call for "Prayers for Peace" was made by the In
His Shoes mission this week. It coincided with the start of Lent. In Glendale,
the weekly Lenten service at the St. Peter Armenian Church & Youth Ministries'
Center was dedicated to Iraq and the plight of the Armenian refugees.
Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, former Primate of the
Diocese officiated at the service where he emphasized the need to find peace
through prayer and a return to God. "Peace cannot come by means of guns," was a
theme the archbishop repeated to over 250 people, many of whom had refugees in
their families and had gathered at the church in a show of solidarity. The
archbishop's message was followed by a candle-light vigil and prayers.
Political analyst and professor of Political Science
at USC, Dr. Deacon Hrair Dekmejian, addressed the gathered group about the value
of "witnessing" at times of conflict and controversy. He sited the recent
dismissal of Ambassador John Marshall Evans for his comments on Genocide. "He
risked his job and lost it, because he stood up for the truth." (The USC
Armenian Institute will be honoring the former Ambassador on March 4).
A letter writing campaign is underway.
Continued...
Newspress Columnist Ani Amirkhanian comments on In His Shoes Mission
Read Here
Writing Competition Winners Awarded
The rain didn't keep anyone away this Sunday as
winners of the Writing competition were announced and awarded. A new expression
was at the focus of the celebrations Congratulations to the winners who
articulated the voice of a generation. The top prizes were an Apple Macbook®; Apple iPod®; along with gift
cards to Abril Books, all furnished through a
grant from the Jerry & Mariam Manoukian
family. Authors of "The
Other Side of Ararat," Mariam Manoukian and Elize Manoukian were on
hand to make the presentation.
(photograph: Authors Elize & Mariam Manoukian,
the winners, Talar Kakilian, Tamar Barsoumian, Ari Filian, Marineh Yesayan,
Nvard Baytaryan & Fr. Vazken)
A cure for depression:
"Ten cures
for depression are to go out and do something for someone else and repeat it
nine times." - Martin Luther King Jr.
Sing Halleluiah!
It's the IHS - 4th Annual MLK Retreat
The 4th Annual Martin Luther King
Retreat took off with song and praise at the House of Blues in Anaheim,
California. Dr. King was remembered with a special rendition of the "Battle
Hymn of the Republic." But it wasn't until our members walked "in the shoes"
of the gospel singers and joined a spectacular chorus of thanksgiving.
Pictured to the left, Paul Karapetian and Anush Avejic prime the audience
for Mike Geragos, who raised the roof with his unique brand of old-time Satchmo-pleasing gospel.
Sponsored by the In His Shoes
Mission,
the MLK retreat is a yearly event that brings
together members for candid and open discussion about matters that are
essential for growth as an organization. The House of Blues was the opening
venue, with more of an introspective retreat taking place on Monday, the day
of the national holiday. This year's theme was "A Direction
from Prison: The Birmingham Letter." Programs focused on Dr. King's
monumental critique of Christianity and the Church from a cell at Birmingham
jail.
"Every day I meet young people
whose disappointment with the church has turned into outright disgust, "
writes Dr. King as he notes the silence of "Christians" in the face of
injustice. "But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If
today's church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early
church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and
be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning ..."
The words of Dr. King have been
inspirational to the formation and development of the In His Shoes Mission
and the annual retreat gives one more opportunity to assess and align the
course of the program.
The Retreat took place at the
Canyon Creek Recreational Area in Southern California. Download Flyer
(pdf)
New Parish Council Elected at St. Peter
Annual elections took place at the St. Peter
Armenian Church on Sunday, February 11. The new governing board for the ministry
and parish officers were elected as part of regular business.
Click here for results.
Hrant Dink, a writer and journalist, was
one of the most prominent voices of Turkey's shrinking Armenian
community. The 53-year-old editor of the Turkish-Armenian Newspaper
Agos, was convicted in 2005 for writing
about the Armenian Genocide on a charge of threatening nationalist by
writing history and speaking the truth. He was among a group of
writers charged under the controversial laws against insulting 'Turkishness.'
He was threatened by nationalists and targeted by the courts of Turkey.
Dink was gunned down outside his offices in Istanbul on January 19, 2007.
The
news of Dink's murder has reverberated around the world where Armenian
communities mourn the loss of a valiant defender of the truth.
Demonstrations are being organized around the world. Check the links below
for more information and join us for a special discussion of Dink's legacy
on Wednesday, January 24 at 7:30 at the Youth Ministries' Center and
on January 25 at USC - Fishbowl Chapel, 5PM.
Thanks to all of you who make the
trek to the St. Peter Youth Ministries' Center to get your cheek swabbed.
Over one hundred samples were delivered to the City of Hope and entered in
the Bone Marrow Registry.
"All I want for Christmas is to be well." Its a wish that you don't hear in the malls and shopping centers. Its the wish
that comes from the mouths of children in hospitals and sick beds all over.
Its a powerful wish that demands a powerful answer - from us.
Steve Kechichian, pictured to the right,
spent Christmas in the hospital - the
City of Hope to be exact. He has
leukemia. He has struggled with this dreaded disease since the age of seven.
After extensive chemotherapy, Steve enjoyed a brief period where the cancer
seemed to be in remission. Unfortunately, the cancer has returned and has
now consumed 98% of his good blood cells. Steve is 12 years old. He began a
new round of chemotherapy on December 20 and is aggressively
fighting the cancer through Christmas and New Year.
The prayers of the community are with Steve and
his father, Vahe, during this very critical time. A bone-marrow transplant
will make a difference in Steve's case and therefore, we're calling on
everyone to sign up with the National
Marrow Donor Program. Thirty percent of all patients needing a bone marrow
transplant will find a suitable donor within his or her family. The other
70% of patients rely on unrelated volunteer donors.
To a standing-room only crowd, the long-awaited
murals at the Youth Ministries' Center were unveiled Christmas eve morning.
"This is one of the nicest Christmas presents we could have asked for," said
Bob Galustian, a member of the congregation as he and his family
participated in the worship service. The mural which spans the 50 foot
western wall of the building has been in the works for close to a year.
Indeed, it's been a labor of love for artist Arpine
Shahkhbandaryan, as she pulled the covers off of her creation.
The painting features
angels, the saints Peter, Hripsime and Gayane and the Armenian
Family walking with Christ.
This mural had a special commissioning
and was funded by an assortment of donors at the church. It will serve as
the centerpiece for the church which attracts thousands every week.
Check here for the full text of the sermon and
explanation of the icons. Check the artists website for more:
Art by Arpine
SCREAMERS
- A MUST-FEEL
Internationally known director Carla Garapedian follows the rock band System
of a Down as they tour Europe and the US pointing out the horrors of modern
genocide that began in Armenia in 1915 up though Darfur today. Fr. Vazken &
Varoujan Movsesian were invited to the early screening where they met with
Garapedian as well as members of
System of a Down. Along with other advocates for human rights and those
expanding genocide awareness, the In His Shoes team viewed a
documentary/movie which is a novel and fresh approach to the reoccurring
problem that is hangs as a plague over humanity. "SCREAMERS is an urgent and
vitally important new film that serves as a stirring call to action for a
new generation... an extraordinary movie that dares to say... Never Again!"
- Pete Hammond, Maxim
Screamers examines the history and politics of
genocide in the 20th and 21st centuries. Through the System of a Down's
personal campaign to stop all genocide, Pulitzer prize winner Samantha
Power, survivors and whistleblowers, the film examines the Armenian genocide
in 1915 and its links to the Holocaust, Rwanda, Bosnia, the Iraqi Kurds and
today's genocide in Darfur. The film shows how successive Presidents and
corporate interests have conspired to turn a blind eye to genocides as they
are happening.
Photo: System's Serj Tankian with In His Shoes
Varoujan Movsesian at movie premiere.
In His Shoes Activities highlighted at Montrose Parade
The
Big Red Truck drove down the two-mile stretch of Honolulu Blvd. on Saturday,
December 2, carrying a message of love from the In His Shoes Mission.
"Transforming Hatred into Acts of Love" was the theme of the float which was graciously
donated by Michael & Peggy Geragos.
(Parade photos courtesy of Berj Djamian)
The season of Thanksgiving began early this
year at the Youth Ministries' Center. Food collections are continuing
through New Year. The first boxes of food supplies will be delivered to
local families for Thanksgiving. A toy drive, benefiting children in Los
Angeles County Children Shelters, begins next week. Pictured above are
scenes from the Thanksgiving Eve distribution. Over 150 families were
fed from the collection by the local Armenian community, walking "In His
Shoes."
December 17 - Sevana Zadoian Baptism - a
celebration of community love. This baptism will take place during
the Divine Liturgy in the sanctuary at the Youth Ministries' Center.
It will be celebrated according to all the traditions and the
Armenian Orthodox faith. This unique event will be webcast, check
here for details on how to logon.
December 21 - Collection of food and
toys - distribution. Caroling in hospitals
December 24 - Christmas eve service
January 1 - Divine Liturgy celebrated by
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese
January 5 - Eve of Theophany services
January 6 - Divine Liturgy and Water
Blessing. Special guest preacher, Rev. Fr. Mark Weitzel, of the St.
Mark Episcopal Church in Glendale.
January 15 weekend - Fourth Annual
Martin Luther King Jr. Retreat. Newberry Springs, California
THANKSGIVING: THE SPIRIT OF THANKS AND OF GIVING
DARFUR - CANNOT GO UNNOTICED! The
grave situation in Darfur continues to dominate the work and focus of
the In His Shoes Mission. Please take a moment to visit the
Save Darfur and the
Our Pledge sites to sign
petitions during this Thanksgiving season. This is one
genocide that can and must be stopped.
We invite you to take a walk in the shoes of
others. In particular the people of Darfur, Rwanda, Cambodia, Germany and
Armenia... the 20th century was one of the bloodiest periods of history because
of Genocide - the organized and systematic annihilation of a group of people. It
began in the early part of the century in Armenia and continued until the 1990's
in Rwanda. Today, the new century brings with it the same, orchestrated type of
mass killings - it the Genocide taking place in Darfur - the Western province of
the Sudan. There's one difference in this Genocide - different from all the
others that came before it - in that we can do something about it! The
In His Shoes mission is built on the
foundation that evil can be conquered through the power of the good. We invite
you to our activities, services and events to be a part of this growing mission
and movement. Contact us at
info@inhisshoes.com(to the left:
Pasadena Star News Cover 04.Nov.06 -
Article)
"Between 1915 and 1918 there was
more written in the NY Times about the Armenian Genocide than there has been
about Darfur in the past few years. Yet, the world turned its head, shut its
mouth, closed its eyes and ears. Let's not make the same mistake today.
Darfur is a Genocide in the happening. Do something about it today. Walk
- Run, if you can - in the shoes of these victims..."
-Fr. Vazken Movsesian (Rally for Darfur, UC Irvine, September
2006)
It is with deep
sadness and regret that we inform our members and visitors of the
passing Harout
Mekhdjian, in a
motorcycle accident on November 5. Harout was 21 years old. He was a truly happy and caring person,
loved by everyone. He
served others through the church as a Deacon and through the Homenetmen
Scouting program. He walked in the shoes of others by
participating in our planned Famine.
On Sunday, November 12
at theIn His Shoes Cavalcade of Steps a special requiem
service was held in his honor. On December 10 – Children’s Memorial
Service - will be dedicated to him. This is a big loss for our
community. Please remember Harout's family in your prayers. (Harout's My-Space)
USC
students Anna Grigoryan and Dolce Wang lived inside a Chevy Aveo for
five days. They ate, slept, studied, blogged, partied and hosted events…all from
a new, makeshift home. USC (the only campus from the west coast) competed against seven other schools across the nation.
Thanks for all of you who voted for Anna & Dolce! Two cars will be given to
the two winners. But both girls are donating their winnings to the
educational opportunities of children in third world countries.
Governor Schwarzenegger Signs AB2941 Divesting from
Darfur!
The Need to Divest from Darfur...
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation divesting California from Darfur. This
came after vigilant rallying and lobbying throughout the state. See
Sudan Divestment Task Force
for details.
The In His Shoes
mission was part of the effort - collecting signatures and rallying Armenian
attention to a Genocide that should be stopped immediately!
Since February 2003, the Sudanese government’s genocidal
campaign in Darfur has claimed over 400,000 lives and driven two million
people from their homes. Communities around the United States are mobilizing
to stop the genocide in Darfur because we know that “never again”
must not be an empty slogan, and that there is much more the United States
can do to save Darfur.
Over the last weekend, scores
of Armenians walked "in the shoes" of others by participating in
Global Day for Darfur
throughout the country. On September 17 in New York
and San Francisco, thousands of voices
came together at the Save Darfur Now: Voices to End Genociderally and concert – which was one of the largest gatherings in the world for the Global Day for Darfur.
At the invitation of
Jewish World Watch, Fr. Vazken
participated in a "Caravan
for Peace," which was held in Los Angeles on Sept. 15th, in which
representatives of communities that have been victims of 20th-century
genocides (Armenians, Jews, Rwandans, Cambodians, Kosovars, Darfur) visited with Consuls General of U.N. Security
Council states to enlist their support for an international
peacekeeping action.
In May, Assembly Bill 2941
passed the CA Assembly 72-4, and
made its way through the CA Senate.
Thursday, September 14,
theSudan Divestment Task Force
presented Governor Schwarzenegger with over 4,000
postcards, signed by Californians from across the state. Academy Award
Nominated Actor,
Don Cheadle spoke at the rally and participated in the conference with the
governor's staff.
·
Targets the worst offending companies in Sudan, companies who significantly
aid the government of Sudan while providing minimal benefit to the country's
disaffected.
·
Safeguards balance the need to take action with the equally important need
to preserve the health and returns of California's pension funds.
·
Despite the government of Sudan’s indifference to political and diplomatic
pressure, the regime has shown a
historic positive response to economic
pressure.
We were pleased to welcome Lisa Kalustian, Chief
Deputy for California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, last Friday evening at
the St. Peter Armenian Church & Youth Ministries' Center. The event
focused on making a change through activism. Ms. Kalustian's comments and
insights were appreciated by all who attended A Q&A session followed.
Click here for more details
& flyer.
Team
"In Her
Shoes" Completes Walk
39miles later, $3Million+ collected for Breast Cancer Aid
From Left to Right: Anita
Papazian, Ani Burr, Anush Avejic and Susan Movsesian participated in the Avon
walk for Breast Cancer. With over 1,000 participants in the Los Angeles area
walk, they walked as team "in her shoes"
this weekend! - remembering cancer victims and survivors.
The St. Peter Youth Ministries' Center was the site of the first
annual Armenian Festival for the Glendale community. Young and old enjoyed a day
of great food, games and company.
Azad Der Bedrosian, event coordinator, remarked, "People from all over stopped by and were amazed at our sense of
community in this little corner in Glendale...."
Bringing the message home, one of the event planners Suzie
Shatarevyan said, "Its a privilege to serve our church." And so it was, as was
evident by the attitudes of the young and energetic members of the church, who
planned, executed and delivered a memorable afternoon.
Rwandan Briefing at St. Nersess Seminary Summer Conference
by Antranig Dereyan (St. Mary Armenian Church, Livingston, NJ)
and Jaclyn Tudor (St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Charlotte, NC) (pictured:
conference participants with Primate of the Eastern Diocese, Abp. Khajag
Barsamian) It began just like any other morning session at a
St. Nersess summer conference, but after a few minutes, it was clear that this
morning’s topic would be unlike any other session of the week.
Participants of the St. Nersess Post High School “B” Session had the privilege
of hearing Fr. Vazken Movsesian of St. Peter Armenian Church Youth Ministries
(Glendale, CA), give a presentation about the Genocide--not the Armenian
Genocide, but the Genocide that occurred in Rwanda ten years ago.
Mesmerized by the images appearing in Fr. Vazken's slideshow, the participants
listened for more than an hour to details ...
click here to read the entire story
Assumption of Holy "Mother of God" in Glendale
Holding up a bunch of juicy grapes in one hand and
some dried raisins in the other, Fr. Vazken challenged the audience to opt for a
life that is robust and full of blessings, rather one that is dry and dead. His
sermon developed analogizes for the
metaphor of life lived on "the vine" (John 15).
It was the feast of the
"Assumption of the Holy Mother of God" - one of the five major feast days of the
Armenian Church - where St. Mary is remembered as the bearer of Life and Love.
It was a chance for people to renew their commitment to 'bear love" through
their deeds and actions. Glendale California is home to one of the largest
populations of Armenians outside of Armenia. It is here that St. Peter Armenian
Church & Youth Ministries' Center is reaching out and making Christ real in the
lives of the people. The community is reacting, as is evident by the large number
of people attending this and other services organized at the church.
Click here to hear Fr. Vazken's sermon
from the feast (Armenian). Also:
this week's Glendale Newspress commentary points to the spirit of giving
found in the grape blessing ceremony.
Prayers
for Peace brings Community Together in Vigil
Flashing
across the electronic bulletin board at the Youth Ministries' Center were famous
reference to war and peace. As people came
into the sanctuary, Wednesday, the intent was clear - pray for peace. A special
prayer service was dedicated to the Middle East, with a focus on Lebanon and
Iraq. Deacon Dr. R. Hrair Dekmejian offered a homily which flowed over into a
Q&A session. Dr. Dekmejian is
professor of Political Science at the University of Southern California. Whether
in Iraq, Lebanon, Iran or Sudan, the need for harmony and understanding has
never been greater. The call for peace continues.
Download a flyer for more info.
A Question of Conscience
Exercise your conscience. The situation in the
Middle East is worsening. The tragedy in Africa continues. We're looking for
people who want more out of life than shopping in a mall. If you're ready to
walk in the shoes of others, join us for rallies and support. Check out this
week's Glendale Newspress where Fr. Vazken writes about the value of protest.
Conflicts of Conscience
Power in Action: A group of Armenian Students @CHS raise awareness and money for
Genocide relief in Darfur
Genocide-relief can be
overwhelming. After all Genocide is beyond belief. Even the roughest and
toughest of people will melt when confronted with the realities and stories of
Genocide. But its always noteworthy when a group of people can rise to the
occasion and take action against the odds. Such was the case recently at
Calabasas High when a group of Armenian students got involved for Darfur aid.
Read the story and thoughts of
student, Sophia Armen. In His Shoes salutes the students at Calabasas for
their actions. Click Here for
story.
One Millionth Postcard Signed!
On the morning of June 29, we reached the goal of
one million postcards to President Bush to take stronger
action on behalf of the suffering people of Darfur! We've been working on this
goal since the beginning of the year. In April, all of our cards were delivered
to Washington DC by Fr. Tateos Abdalian (read below).
In a ceremony at the
U.S. Capitol, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) and Senator Hillary
Clinton (D-N.Y.) became the 999,999th and one-millionth postcard signers.
Click here to read the details in a
letter written by David Rubenstein of the Save Darfur Coalition.
We do not inherit the earth from our parents. We
borrow it from our children. "The earth is
the common denominator for all traditions because it is tangible and yet
very sacred. From the tiniest seedling to the largest mountain, all of
nature reflects the splendor of God. Armenians have had the added
responsibility..." Read Fr. Vazken's response to this week's
question about the
Environment in the Glendale Newspress
"It is a powerful movie!"That was the feeling around the room at the
Youth Ministries' Center where over 70 people gathered for a screening of
"Crash" (2005 Best Picture of the Year, Academy Awards). What followed
was just a powerful. A group of young people discussing issues of racism,
prejudice, religion, ethnicity, anger and ignorance. The event was part of
an ongoing dialogue between the Armenian and Episcopal Churches. The
screening of Crash was organized between the St. Peter Armenian Church Youth
Ministries' Center in Glendale and the All Saints Episcopal Church in
Pasadena. Facilitators for the discussion included Ilean Rogers from All
Saints, Attorney Christopher Armen, Linda Maxwell and Jose Quintenar from We
Care for Youth. All agreed that this will be the beginning of further
opportunities to bring these communities together. "Moving at the Speed of
Life... We are bound to collide with each other." View the flyer:
PDF
Format; JPEG Format
Fathers? Jesus from Heaven? And what
about us? The latest in a series of sermons
focusing on ethical and moral dilemmas facing Armenian Americans in their
quest for self-identity. In this installment, Fr. Vazken reflects on
Fathers' Day from an interesting angle - as it coincides with the feast of
Holy Etchmiadzin.
Sermon
(mp3) English Translation (Sermon delivered at the St. Peter Youth Ministries'
Center on 18 June 2006, translated by Anush Avejic)
Over 2,600 students
hear the message about Darfur
At the invitation of Congressman
Adam Schiff, over 2,600 students
heard information and stories at Pasadena and Glendale High Schools about
the Genocide taking place in Darfur. Cong. Schiff had invited a panel
made up of Professor Edward (Ned) Alpers, UCLA, Suad Mansour, a
Darfurian refugee, Adam Sterling, UCLA Darfur Action Committee and Fr.
Vazken Movsesian, In His Shoes Ministries. (Short bios of the
four person
panel)
Speaking as the grandson of
Genocide survivors, Fr. Vazken reflected on the two genocides which had
immediately impacted his life - "The First and Last Genocides of the 20th
Century" (Armenia and Rwanda).
As with all the gatherings
and meetings Fr. Vazken has been speaking at during the last several months,
he noticed the keen interest the youth are showing toward this global
problem and their desire to get involved. In fact, at Pasadena High on June
1 and Glendale High on June 2, the interest was so great that students
remained in the auditoriums past the recess bells! (Read
Press Release)
This type of discussion will
continue at the regular In His Shoes meeting scheduled throughout the
summer.
"A national
discussion of our role in stopping the genocide is long overdue." - Cong.
Adam Schiff On May 25, a National
Town Hall Meeting focused on the dire situation in Darfur. Read the
transcript from the discussion:
Click here.
Staying faithful to the
mission of In His Shoes, our members
have been bringing attention and rallying support for divestment, political
action and humanitarian assistance.
Since the beginning of 2006, In His Shoes has
organized fund raisers, educational programs, rallies, letter writing
campaigns in concert with many other organizations and the world is
reacting!
In his remarks to the group, Fr. Vazken has
emphasized that "In 1915 the New York Times wrote about the Genocide of the
Armenians and the US Ambassador Morgenthau sent reports of atrocities from
the Turkish interior. Still the world did not pay attention. Just 12 years
ago, again the world ignored the genocide in Rwanda. Today, we cannot be
part of the problem by remaining complacent and silent. As Christians and as
Armenians we have no other alternative than to react with support and
assistance to our brothers and sisters in need."
Read below about all the events taking place.
Bring your support to the In His Shoes mission.
Camp Darfur raises Awareness of Genocide
Camp Darfur came to a close on Tuesday evening with a visit by California
State Controller Steve Wesley who toured the camp. It was a bittersweet ending
to the five day session of the mock refugee camp. It was clouded with the
realization that in Darfur the Genocide continues and real refugees can't close
their camps and go home. But for the organizers participants of Camp Darfur
there was satisfaction in knowing that a small bit of noise had been made.
Under the thunders of jets landing at
LAX, visitors to Camp Darfur received lectures, videos and information about
Genocide. Amnesty International, Jewish World Watch and
Darfur Action Committee were in attendance as was the In His Shoes
mission. At the In His Shoes tent visitors could learn about the Armenian
Genocide and the need for remembrance. The Armenian Film Foundation gave
documentaries which were shown as a backdrop to the tent/info center.
Hasmig Tatiossian was the "resident"
of the tent, bringing her passion for human rights and genocide issues to play
at the event. On Sunday evening Varoujan Movsesian led the camp in a drum circle
which emphasized the need for a united beat among people of all colors and all
tragedies. Fr. Vazken had an opportunity to address the gathering that evening
bringing to focus his recent travels to Rwanda.
There are over 35Million refugees in
the world today! In Darfur millions have been displaced by the genocide and tens of thousands are dying each month as
the situation worsens. Camp Darfur is one of a series of events organized to
stop the genocide. Time is not waiting for anyone or for anything. The time to act
is now. In 1915 the world heard about the Armenian Genocide and said, "So What?"
Don't repeat the same mistake... Next Stop: In His Shoes will be at the Washington DC & San
Francisco rallies later this month.
Pictured above (clockwise): Camp Darfur director
Gabriel Stauring addresses the camp; Suzie Shatarevian and Ani Burr bundle up on
a cold night; Sossi Latchinian, Nazo & Araxie Ashkharian greet visitors at the
IHS tent; Azad DerBedrosian informs visitors about the Armenian Genocide;
Lauren, Anita, Ani & Sevan drumming at the circle; Hasmig Tatiossian meets with
a group of school students; Controller Steve Wesley meets with Varoujan
Movsesian at the IHS tent.)
"These
weapons are within the grasp of each person here, so long as we have the
courage, the resolve, the faith to uphold that light and shine it to the dark
places of our world."
- Rev.
Fr. Tateos Abdalian at Darfur Rally, Washington DC.
Pictured: Yn.
Margaret Abdalian, Actor George Clooney and Fr. Tateos at the rally.
"END
GENOCIDE NOW! END GENOCIDE NOW!" The chant
resonated from 5,000 mouths Sunday afternoon. We stood on Chrissy Field in San
Francisco, just overlooking the Bay. We had just stood in silent vigil on the
Golden Gate Bridge, spanning the engineering masterpiece between San Francisco
and Marin County. Likewise, we spanned the breadth of the nation, our land of
Peace and
Freedom, as we were joined by our brethren 30,000 strong in Washington, D.C.
along with the countless others nationwide, standing in solidarity with the
victims of the current genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan....Read
Varoujan's reflections for the San Francisco Trip
This is ONE genocide we can do
something about. Read more and pictures, including link to the George Cloony
interview. Click here.
Pictured to the right, spanning a section of the Golden Gate - In
His Shoes
"KNOW
GENOCIDE" is a program taking
place where a diverse group from many ethnic backgrounds are stepping up to
put an end to Turkish denial of the Genocide. Included in this group are
Turkish scholars. Watch an 8 minute video on New England Cable.
Click Here
Celebrate the
Feast of Sts. Hripsime & Gayane June 12 & 13 are the feasts of two of the most
important saints on the Christian Calendar. Listen in to the sermon about
their exemplary lives. Hrispsme_Gayane
Sermon (mp3) English Translation (Sermon delivered at the St. Peter Youth Ministries'
Center on 11 June 2006, by Fr. Vazken Movsesian translated by Anush Avejic)
Through Heaven's
Eyes - Baccalaureate 2006
The Burbank PTA invited Fr. Vazken to Keynote
the 2006
Baccalaureate ceremony. It was an Inspirational Event asking the blessing of God, Family and
the community upon the Graduates from John Burroughs High and Burbank High
Schools.
Download the Speech or
View flyer.
Wondering about the Da
Vinci Code? OK, we've heard the Roman Catholic Church's take on the
matter, but what about the Armenian Church's perspective? Listen in to this
week's Bible Study discussion given on the eve of the opening of the DaVinci
Code movie. Fr. Vazken Movsesian leads this interesting discussion.
Download the audio file
Did you have a Happy Mother's Day? This will
brighten up any day... Sunday's Sermon
Hasmik Hakobyan sends her most recent NLI
report. Part of our outreach mission to Armenia, Hasmik updates us on the
different activities taking place in the field of Christian education and
preparing the next generation of leaders.
Read here.(pictured
to the right: Hasmik presents the Last Supper icon to Fr. Vazken)
Rwanda 2006 ~ "Armenia 1927"
She asked
me, “Father, I give you this basket of peace to store love. I know that God
loves the widows and orphans. Please remember us during your mass.” I made a
promise that the basket would find its way to our altar where she, AVEGA and all
the widows of Genocide would be remembered in our prayers...
The Sanctuary at the Youth Ministries'
Center is getting a face lift
with the addition of a mural. Artist
Arpine Shakhbandaryan has designed a visual continuum of Armenian Christian
history which will adorn the westward wall of the church. In the picture to the
right, the artist paints the entrance angels. Donations are being accepted for
the mural. Come by
the church and see the progress of this unique artwork.
D R U M S D R U M S .
. . We were featured on Al Gore's own
Current TV
. Check out the clip
DRUM CIRCLE
produced by Ari Macht.
30 Hours- WE DID IT!!! - $70,000
The
30 Hour Famine is over and we're hovering around $70,000 (still counting and looking for a few
more dollars). Forty young men and women got together for a 30 Hours - fasting,
praying, and LEARNING about hunger in countries hit by the horrors of Genocide
and disease. Under
the direction of Fr. Vazken Movsesian, the annual planned famine met its
goal of raising awareness and money for the hungry children of the world.
This year, the targeted area for aid is Darfur,
where 10's of 10,000sare dying each month.
The Famine has now
become a tradition at the Youth Ministries' Center and it draws people from all
over to participate and make a difference in the lives of others. Azniv
Ajemian, traveled from Fresno to be part of the event. Onnig Panossian
left extra early Saturday morning, coming in from Diamond Bar, he made it in
time before the lock down for 30 hours. Parents saw the value in having children
learn this type of responsibility. Mr. Chavdarian not only brought his
daughter Zarouhi but donated 40 beautiful finger-rings to the
participants, to encourage them for their valiant gesture. And there were the
supporters... Ivy Grashian who donated and also contacted her friends to
do the same. Vartouhi Yaghlegian, watching the enthusiasm of her
grand-niece, cooked up a luncheon making sure that all the proceeds from ticket
sales went toward hunger relief. Azad Der Bedrosian brought his nephew to
the fast and ended up
fasting
with the group and raised the collection amount.
And then there's
Richard Melikian, from Arizona. After reading our website, he called in and
announced a matching fund up to $20,000! Mr. Melikian has been a long time
activist for peace and justice in the third world. His contributions have been
many and have inspired the work at our Youth Ministries Center. The fasters rose
to the challenge. They were determined to collect the first $20,000!
By Saturday
morning, this small group of young men and women, organized under the "IN HIS
SHOES" banner had raised close to their goal. But it wasn't over there. At
Sunday service, they broke their fast by participating in the Divine Liturgy.
The first thing to enter their hungry bodies - to break the fast - was the
Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, as experienced in the Holy Eucharist. Fr.
Vazken emphasized the power that was in them at that point - a power that could
allow them to take
control of their lives and make a difference in the world. He compared the needs
of children dying of hunger with the needs of Armenians in post-Genocide times.
The money collected
during the Famine will be sent through World Vision to aid children dying in
areas of Africa. Specifically, the money will aid children in Darfur, which is
the site of a genocide in the works. It is important to make the connection
between Armenians and ALL PEOPLE who travel the path of genocide. "Because we
Armenians were the first people to experience Genocide, we have an obligation to
be the first to reach out, to make noise and have the world focus on these
barbaric acts," said Fr. Vazken. "When you realize that after Armenia
(1915) there was the Holocaust, then Cambodia, then Ethiopia,
then Rwanda and now Darfur, you realized that we as a human
species have not evolved very well."
Following his call
for assistance, more donations have been coming in.
During the Famine
the fasters had an opportunity to hear from many speakers who were invited to
offer information and ideas for action. The list of speakers included local
businessman, David Mgrublian (on Christian responsibility),
Marthe Geiser from SHELTER,
Becca Trost from Habitat for Humanity,
Karen Peterson from Vitas Hospice,
Christopher Armen, Esq. (on Truth in Media, peace and justice),
and
Gabriel Stauring from Stop
Genocide Now.
Throughout the
Famine the participants constructed a painting "Love One Another" under the
artistic direction of Anush Avejic. The painting is one of several annual
art projects coordinated by Anush and displayed at the Youth Ministries' Center
in Glendale. This year's project focuses on the Love Commandment as expressed in
a multitude of languages.
The Famine had an
early kick-off this year, when Ara Arzumanian took off to Wounded Knee
South Dakota on February 18. During the week prior to the Famine, Ara blogged
from the road. His journal and adventures were read by the fasters and is
archived at his blogspot.
In the evening, the
group came together in perfect harmony as they organized a Drum Circle, led by
Varoujan Movsesian. Drumming a simple beat, he invited every participant
to accent the beat uniquely but also in concert with all the others. It made for
a perfect way to keep moving together as a group.
(Gregory was off this evening on baby duty!)
In church,
organizers Hosanna Aroyan and Nayiri Gharibian made the
presentation to the community of their achievement, to which Fr. Vazken awarded
them with the IHS cross - the first order of service in the In His Shoes
Mission. A wonderful breakfast was sponsored by Peggy & Mike Geragos
and their morning crew.
This year's Famine
comes to an end, only to leave the door open for more activities and events in
the coming months to walk in the shoes of others who are hurting. Because of the
growth experienced by In His Shoes in the last two years, it was necessary to
host the famine in a larger facility. We thank the Azatyan family for
offering us the use of the Friendly Adult Heath Care Center in Tujunga, and to
Sonig Ashkharian for the arrangements there.
In His Shoes was created in response to acts of the
1915 Genocide perpetrated against the Armenian nation.
In His Shoes believes
that people who have suffered evil have a responsibility to others, especially
those who share their plight. As such, In His Shoes organizes rallies,
information programs and fund raisers for victims of inhumanity. Through a variety of programs individuals are challenged to stand and walk in
the shoes of the downtrodden.
If you'd like to
make a donation toward this year's famine, make a check payable to St. Peter
Armenian Church Youth Ministries Center, 632 W. Stocker, Glendale, CA 91202.
In
Theory -
Comments on
Religious topics, as presented in the Glendale Newspress. Read comments on the
latest in the religious world. What's all the fuss over cartoons? Preaching in
the Military? And what about Pat Robertson's 'curse'?
Read it all here.
Walking in Shoes... toward Bliss
Unlimited!
Bliss
Unlimited, opened its doors to the shopping world in November in the Burbank
Mall next to Macys (or is that Masis?) Its an outlet for young people to learn
ETHICAL business skills while providing an unusual line of items that help those
in developing countries. Visit Bliss - we're open during Mall hours and located
on the lower level next to Macys.
Quick
Question & Answer:
Q: Is this what a
Church should be doing? A: Yes. (In reference to what you
read here on this site.)
Is it true?
Can't believe we finished the last year with so much stuff
happening. Visit the collage of archive stuff - All the events and activities,
a click away.
IHS Martin Luther
King Retreat takes place in Newberry Springs
"You see, the church is not a
social club, although some people think it is. They get caught up in their
exclusivism, and they feel that it’s a kind of social club with a thin veneer of
religiosity, but the church is not a social club. The church is not an
entertainment center, although some people think it is. ... Monkeys are to
entertain, not preachers. But in the final analysis the church has a purpose.
The church is dealing with man's ultimate concern. And therefore it has certain
guidelines that it must follow." - Martin Luther King,
Jr. (from Guidelines for a Constructive Church,
Delivered at
Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, on 5 June 1966)
The third annual Martin Luther King
Retreat organized by
the In His Shoes Mission took place in Newberry Springs, California,
on the King Holiday weekend. This year's focus was "Understanding
the power of non-violence in bringing change for yourself and the world." The
teachings and philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was studied under the
direction of Fr. Vazken Movsesian. The group was the guest of Ron & Mary
Ektarian, who opened their desert oasis to group. In the high desert, under
spacious skies, with the wild peacocks and a calming lake, 30 members of the In
His Shoes mission participated in what has become a tradition for the group. The
philosophy of Martin Luther King Jr. has become a cornerstone to the type of
outreach organized by the group. The In His Shoes mission is based on the social
Gospel as taught by Jesus Christ.
Watch
this website for pictures and full coverage in the next few days...
A
Crime in the Happening:
Azerbaijani Cultural Genocide Against Armenians Exposed
On December 14, 2005, an Armenian film crew on the
Nakhichevan border documented the systematic destruction of the historic
Armenian cemetery and stone crosses (khatchkars) in the Djulfa region of
southern Nakhichevan.
Watch the devastating 12 minute video
Divine Liturgy CD by Winds of Passion is Available!
A new recording of Komitas Vardapet's Divine
Liturgy has been released this month by the Los Angeles based Armenian Arts
organization. The recording is unprecedented in the history of Armenian music as
it features the music of the Divine Liturgy performed completely on duduk by
world-renowned Winds of Passion. Read
more.
The "Rwandan
Connection" continues
Fr. Vazken's presentation regarding genocide
and assistant projects continues. The next event is:
May 30 - UC Irvine - 8PM - Public event at the
campus library (UCLA
flyer) The presentation focuses on
"Rwanda 2006" as a parallel to "Armenia 1925."
Encore presentations of "Man's Inhumanity to
Man" is being show which features exerpts from the Rwandan trip. It is
available through Glendale Cable 6 or by dropping us an email (click
here).
By special
arrangement with the producers of Hotel Rwanda, the Academy Award nominated
film was screened at the In His Shoes "30 Hour Famine"
organized by In His Shoes. During the planned fast, participants discussed means by which
they can further their outreach to the suffering of the world. Marty Katz,
Executive Producer of the film congratulated the group.
Merry
Christmas!!!
You may find some people hesitating to say "Merry
Christmas" but in the Armenian Church its not because they're opting for "Happy
Holidays."
The
Nativity of Christ in the Armenian Church is celebrated on
January 6 as was in ancient
times. But at the Youth Ministries' Center we're celebrating Christmas on
December 25 as well as on January 6. In fact, we celebrated Christmas in March,
July and August too! According to our priest Christmas is not a question of
date, rather its a celebration of a message. "For the Christian, Christ is born
every single day, in our relationships with one another. When we love and
respect each other, when we extend aid and comfort to those in need, at those
moments Christ is being born, because Love is revealed."
The Toy Drive was a huge success! Congratulations
to all of those who brought those toys to our Christmas tree - we're sure your
Christmas has already been blessed with the spirit of giving! We literally
packed a truck with toys and stuffed animals all of which are being distributed
to children in shelters and foster care.
This Christmas season began with the first Sunday
of Advent in November. Fr. Vazken challenged the community with the story from
Luke 14 - giving to those who cannot "return the
favor." (Read the passage) "It was Christ's call to
responsibility that the community is reacting to," said Fr. Vazken. We are
giving and God's abundance continuing to be poured out.
The In His Shoes mission of the Youth Ministries'
Center is based on this simple system of Christian giving and love. The days
between December 25 and January 6 are known as the 12 days of Christmas. Join in
the celebration and oneness that is special this time of year by bringing your
participation and support to the Center. Supplemental reading:
Dec. 25 or Jan. 6?
Neighborhoods & Prayer - a Poetry
Workshop
Thanks to everyone who made this happen! We will be
publishing the poems that were written and share them here on the next.
2nd Annual Knitting Project-
Over 120 blankets were delivered to the Ararat Home and other elderly in the
area. Learn more here.
Walking in Shoes... toward Bliss
Unlimited!
Bliss
Unlimited, opened its doors to the shopping world on Wednesday as it celebrated
the Grand Opening of its newest store in the Burbank Town Center. We're
pleased and proud to be an an official partner with Bliss
Unlimited. In His Shoes
will host a product line that brings together Armenian ethnicity with the spirit
of harmony and peace, as is the hallmark of the Bliss project. Bliss is located
in the Burbank mall, next to Macys on the lower level. Visit and Shop at Bliss Unlimited.
Dr. R. Hrair
Dekmejian Honored for Lifetime Achievement
The
Armenian Educational Foundation honored Dr. R.Hrair
Dekmejian with the AEF LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD on Sunday, December 4,
2005 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Dr. Dekmejian is Professor of Political Science
and the Director of the Institute of Armenian Studies at the University of
Southern California.
Dr. Dekmejian's love for the church began at an early age. Coupled with his
commitment to young people, that love allowed him to put together the blue
print for the youth ministries. He established the chaplains position for
the ASA at USC back in 1997. In 2003, he became one of three Board members
to the Youth Ministries and began work on what he referred to as “Ground
Zero” – an area in Glendale, populated with at-risk kids, “that had been
abandoned by Armenian organizations and certainly the church.” He helped
establish the Youth Ministries
Center and has been the choir master, head deacon, and advisor to the
operation ever since.
Last year he and his wife, Anoush
(who currently serves on the Church Board) stood as one of the godparents
for the newly consecrated St. Peter Church which houses the ministry. Every
Sunday you’ll find him leading the choir, blasting those who would attempt
to stifle the youth, and giving directions on how to make the Christian
experience an uplifting one. He’s been an advocate for liturgical reform,
and on Sunday mornings he demonstrates how the Liturgy can come alive by
leading the entire congregation to praise. He’s the only choirmaster that
actually leads the entire congregation rather than a select group of “choir
members” making the Liturgy at the Youth Ministries’ Center a participatory
act of praise.
Dr. Dekmejian's strength of
character has been proven over and over during these last few years during
these early formative years at the Youth Ministries. Against tremendous odds
and pressure, he’s put his reputation on the line to make the church work
for kids and young people. He’s been a strength to all of us, because his
commitment to the project has always been with the youth as the only goal
worth pursuing.
"'If anyone would come after me,' says our Lord, 'He must deny himself and
take up his cross and follow me.' (Luke 9) I think this characterizes Prof.
Dekmejian. He believes in Christ in a very real and practical manner. The
Christian expressions of faith, hope and love are found in the rich
tradition of the Armenian Church. He’s convinced that there can be
redemption for the new generations if the essence of the faith can be
offered. He believes this so much that he’s given his all to make this work.
He’s picked up his cross for Christ." (Fr. Vazken)
We salute Dr. Dekmejian as he receives this
honor. His regular presence and
counsel to the Youth Ministries have been a blessing to all those served by
the church.
The proceeds from the luncheon renovated a school in Armenia in honor of Dr. Dekemejian.
Click here for the AEF ad.
Toy Drive - A community event to help
children get through the Christmas season. More details
Children's
Memorial Service - Sunday, December 11
Tears from Heaven - A wave of light circled the
globe this Sunday evening as we remembered our most difficult losses. Thanks for
joining us at the Children's Memorial.
DRUM CIRCLE is
spotlighted on Current TV upcoming broadcast
Sunday,
October 9 - over 50 members of In His Shoes united in a Drum Circle at Barnsdall
Park. Under the beautiful clear skies, the Hollywood sign in the distance and
LA's "Little Armenia" sign greeting the group on the way up to the grassy knoll,
the group drummed a beat for peace and harmony.
Ari Macht, a producers at Current TV approached
us to spotlight how drumming has been used within the In His Shoes mission. The nation-wide
broadcast will take place later this month.
John
Lacques facilitated the drum circle and challenged the participants to
express themselves through various beats. John works with students in the
Glendale Unified School District and facilitates circles throughout the
community.
Renowned artist
and friend of the Youth Ministry, Gregory
Beylerian led another portion of the circle, emphasizing the spiritual necessity
to be united in harmony with others.
Arpine Shakhbandaryan art work featured at exhibit
celebrating the alphabet
Everything's
coming up roses!
Congratulations
to Rachel Geragos on being selected as one of the seven members to
the 2006 Tournament of Roses Royal Court! The group was selected from over 1000
young women in the Pasadena area. Selections were based on a range of qualities
including public speaking ability, poise, academic achievement, community
involvement and personality.
Rachel (pictured standing on far left) is a member
of the In His Shoes Mission of the Youth Ministries. As ambassadors of the
Tournament of Roses, the Royal Court members will attend more than 150 community
and media functions during their reign, leading up to the 117th Rose Parade on
Monday, January 2, 2006 and the National Championship Rose Bowl Game on
Wednesday, January 4, 2006. Congratulations and best wishes! Read more at the
Tournament of Roses Page
Christian Education classes for our youngest kicked off with a record
registration of students for Sunday School.
Under the guidance of Yn. Susan Movsesian, the program has been attracting kids
to the church and parents to support and participate. Last weekend a fellowship
picnic kicked off the new school year. It was a success on many levels,
primarily by bringing people together in Christian fellowship.
"Glendale needed this," said Matt Markosyan, who attends regularly with his
young family. "There are many churches and many ways of finding fulfillment,
but for the first time I feel my children are receiving a solid Armenian Church
education. If it was good enough for our people for the last 2000 years, its
good enough for my kids."
Mr.
Markosyan's zeal has spilled over to others. Sunday mornings the St. Peter
sanctuary is filled to capacity. Young families who are returning to the
Armenian Church and their children are benefiting from all the good we have to
offer.
For more
information on the Christian education program, Sunday School and all the events
at the center, stop by on Sunday morning. The Divine Liturgy begins at 10:30.
In commemoration of the 1600th
Anniversary of the founding of the Armenian Alphabet, Catholicos Karekin I
has issued a pontifical encyclical, which was read in churches on October 2. On
this occasion, the Rev. Fr.
Vartan Dulgarian celebrated the Divine Liturgy and was the guest preacher during at
the St. Peter Youth Ministries' Center.
The Armenian alphabet was
invented for the sole purpose of translating the faith to the Armenian people.
After the acceptance of Christianity in Armenia in 301, it became necessary and
vital to translate the Holy Scriptures into Armenian. Early
in the fifth century, the monk Mesrob Mashdotz, commissioned by Catholicos
Sahak, found the alphabet of 36 letters. The first 'test' came with the
translation of the Book of Proverbs:
To know
wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding,
To receive
the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity;
To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion—
A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will
attain wise counsel,
To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and
instruction.
The Bible - known to the
Armenian Church as the "Breath of God" - was translated in its entirety and
became the foundation for countless other writings and expressions of faith
throughout the centuries.
Join the celebration of the
founding of the Armenian alphabet throughout the month of
October.
Back to School & Back to Work!
Summer is traditionally a time to vacation and
retreat. Not for the In His Shoes mission. After successfully producing a
FIVE DAY FORUM on Violence, the members got together
last week to lay the schedule for their coming year. Over 60 members assembled
and welcomed a new group of members (pictured below: Zarouhi, Yeraz and
Anna are welcomed by Nairi, Zepure and Van).
The highlight of the evening was a video
presentation by member Araxie Ashkharian, who just returned from Artzakh.
There, she and her family, met with Archbishop Barkev Mardirossian
(pictured here with Araxie and brother Nazo). The archbishop, who is the
Primate of the Artzakh Diocese, thanked the In His Shoes mission for providing
$14,000 to the needs of the orphans in the Diocese as well as to projects to
rebuild the infrastructure at the Amarass monastery. In a videoed message to the
group, Apb. Barkev outlined the uses of the funds within his Diocese.
On this occasion, the archbishop sent a hand-woven
rug displaying the Lord's Prayer to Fr. Vazken, who received it on behalf of all
the members.
Osan Aroyan, who had briefed the group in
August, also spoke on
behalf of the children in Vanadzor who have been helped by the In His Shoes
mission. She initiated a letter-writing and penpals project between youth in
Armenia and Glendale. On this a occasion a declaration was read announcing that
the Vanadzor School #12 has elected IHS member, Varoujan Movsesian as a
member of the Board of Trustees. He accepted this honor, which was extended to
him from Hasmik Hovsepyan, Principal of the school and Anahit Pogosyan,
School Board President.
Presentations were made by Fr. Vazken to all
the members. The schedule for the coming months was discussed, which will
include a drum circle on October 9. This will be filmed for
Al Gore's Current TV.
Local and global hunger feeds, a dance, retreat and of course the Famine were
announced. This year, Fr. Vazken announced that he will be organizing the famine
in other areas, while the Glendale famine would be run by IHS leadership. He
emphasized the need for experienced IHS-ers to work with all the new members. He
cited the enthusiasm of the youngest to get involved in helping people through
Christian charity.
Fr. Vazken was especially encouraged with the work
being done through the mission and ministry in light of Hurricane Katrina.
During the previous week, the Glendale cable TV commentators organized a relief
telethon for the devastated area. This reaching out beyond the bounds of
ethnicity was a echo of the IHS call. He recalled the past few years and the
changing attitudes within the community. "You should feel good that people are
seeing your work, listening to our message and are doing the same!" Most
importantly, these actions signaled the need to continue with drive and
determinations for the principles that are the foundation for the IHS mission.
The evening came to an end with dinner and Armenian
dancing. And of course... walking In His Shoes.
Hasmik
Hakobyan returns to Armenia
During the last two years, Hasmik Hakobyan has been
studying at the Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena. In June she received
her Master of Theology degree and returns to Armenia this month to work with
youth throughout the country.
During her time at Seminary, Hasmik endeared
herself to the members of the Youth Ministries - with her talents in the church
choir, and even a creative performance for the Sunday School students.
"We need to be supportive of Hasmik's ministry back
in Armenia," said Fr. Vazken and promised our community's support - both through
prayer and by monetarily participating in her expense. "Her ministry is our
ministry." If the spirit moves you to be a partner in this ministry, please drop
us a note and we'll give you more details.
Yes, I'd like to support Hasmik in her ministry!
Pictured to the left: Hasmik presents a hand
painting of the Last Supper to Fr. Vazken. The picture will adore the walls of
St. Peter Youth Ministries' Center as a reminder of our commitment to Hasmik.
DISASTER
RELIEF - HURRICANE KATRINA
Hurricane Katrina has blazed a
trail of devastation throughout Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Across the
Gulf Coast, Katrina engulfed thousands of homes and decimated the landscape of
what could become the most destructive storm in U.S. history. Victims are
stranded and in need of immediate medical care, food and water, and tens of
thousands of people will need temporary housing for months. Help people affected
by this storm by making a donation either at our church or directly through the link below.
The
streets were jammed and the crowds went beyond the courtyard at the St. Peter
Armenian Church & Youth Ministries' Center. The traditional grape blessing
service took place at the conclusion of the service. A steady flow of people
continued throughout the day to offer prayers and meditate on the Assumption.
According to orthodox tradition, the Holy Mother of God, St. Mary, was assumed
into heaven following her physical death. The Armenian Church celebrates and
commemorates this event on the Sunday closest to August 15. The blessing of
grapes is an opportunity to thank God for His blessings. In his sermon, Fr.
Vazken elaborated on the metaphor of the vine and branches explained by Jesus
Christ in the Gospel of St. John, chapter 15.
We're pleased to announce that
four members of our Youth Ministries received the four minor orders of the
Armenian Church on Sunday, August 7. They are: Hrair Nalbandian, Sevak
Ohanjanian, Vatche Bahudian and Steve Kechichian. The sacrament of
ordination was administered by the Diocesan Primate, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
at the St. Peter Armenian Church and Youth Ministries' Center. Following the
ceremony there was light luncheon featuring Margaret Aroyan who just returned
from Armenia where she distributed $14,000 collected by the In His Shoes Group
to aid kids in Vanadzor. Mrs. Aroyan gave an accounting of her activities along
with pictures and commentary.
Archbishop Derderian was
pleased to witness the growth of the youth ministry.
His Eminence makes the center part of his regular
schedule of visitations in the ever expanding reaches of the Western Diocese.
The community in Glendale is appreciative of his special care for the youth and
await his next visit on New Year's Day.
The
forums lived up their name: they were truly REAL!
Day 1
brought four panelists from Haven House who shared the horrors of domestic violence.
Day 2 included mothers who shared the painful realities in gang violence. Day 3
had an officer and suicide counselor talk about violence to the self. There was
no winding down on day 4 as the liveliest discussions took place regarding
"institutional violence" - in the schools and community.
Each
evening began with a walk-through maze - explaining all aspects of abuse.
The maze has been constructed in the hall of the church, while the talks took
place in the main sanctuary. Friday night included an open-mike session followed by a candle-light
peace vigil and drum circle. (Download:
WHO REPORT) The
forums were open to all members of the
community, bringing together a host of experts and professionals on the subjects
of violence,
relationships and assistance. Sponsored by In His Shoes &
We Care for Youth,
the conference is being organized by youth in an expression of their concern for
matters around them.
Watch
for follow-up story.
List of Featured
Guests/Presenters at the Forum
Monday: Domestic
Violence
Rose Curtis,
Outreach II Supervisor
Vanessa Martin,
Outreach II Youth Educator
Cecilia Walker,
Outreach Housing Specialist
Susama Zumbado,
Bi-Lingual Housing Specialist
Tuesday: Gang Violence
Jason Alfonso
Honorable Cynthia
Loo, Los Angeles County Superior Court
Lieutenant Ralph
G. Ornales
Gwendolyn Steward
Singleton
Reverend Benjamin
Shortridge
Wednesday, Violence to
the Self
Officer David
Abdalian, LAPD Vice Unit
Richard Lieberman,
LAUSD Suicide Specialist
Thursday,
Institutional Violence
Linda Maxwell,
Executive Director, We Care for Youth
David Sarabia,
Whittier College Title IV Coordinator
Interview on KPFK
(90.7FM) with We Care for Youth and In His Shoes, Broadcast: July 14, 2005.
If you missed it, hear the broadcast of
"Morning Review" with riKu Matsuda.
Click Here
Quick Links to Activities & Events -
In His Shoes:
Vem Recordings is pleased to
announce the release of the album of Armenian sharakans, performed by the
acclaimed Hover Chamber Choir. “The Way” is the first volume in a series to
be produced soon. The album features various genres of Armenian sacred
music. Traditional arrangements of Armenian spiritual chants by the
venerated composer and ethnomusicologist Komitas Vardapet (1869–1935) are
displayed in the Hover Chamber Choir’s superb and unique interpretation. The
album also includes two modern arrangements by composer Vaché Sharafyan.
Remember in your prayers
Arlene Titizian, who recently was
diagnosed with
Myelofibrosis, a proliferation of fibroblastic cells in bone
marrow, causing anemia and sometimes enlargement of the spleen and liver. Learn
more about the disease and how you can help. Visit:
www.arlenetitizian.com
Martin Luther King
Jr. - Weekend - Thanks for attending!
"In
deep disappointment I have wept over the laxity of the church. But be
assured that my tears have been tears of love. There can be no deep
disappointment where there is not deep love. Yes, I love the church. How
could I do otherwise? I am in the rather unique position of being the son,
the grandson and the great-grandson of preachers. Yes, I see the church as
the body of Christ. But, oh! How we have blemished and scarred that body
through social neglect and through fear of being nonconformists."
- Martin Luther King
Jr. from Birmingham Prison.
Read the entire
letter.
In 1988 the world
came to the aid of Armenia following the devastating earthquake which claimed
25,000+ lives. Today, we're asking Armenians to walk in the shoes of the victims
of the Tsunami in Indonesia. Donate generously by making a check payable to
Youth Ministries
(100% of your donation will be donated to the Red Cross' tsunami relief effort
or
click here for vital links to send your help.
Interview on KPFK
(90.7FM) with We Care for Youth and In His Shoes, Broadcast: July 14, 2005.
If you missed it, hear the broadcast of
"Morning Review" with riKu Matsuda.
Click Here
Quick Links to Activities & Events -
In His Shoes:
Remember in your prayers
Arlene Titizian, who recently was
diagnosed with
Myelofibrosis, a proliferation of fibroblastic cells in bone
marrow, causing anemia and sometimes enlargement of the spleen and liver. Learn
more about the disease and how you can help. Visit:
www.arlenetitizian.com
By special
arrangement with the producers of Hotel Rwanda, the Academy Award nominated
film was screened at the In His Shoes "30 Hour Famine"
organized by In His Shoes. During the planned fast, participants discussed means by which
they can further their outreach to the suffering of the world. Marty Katz,
Executive Producer of the film congratulated the group.
Mentoring Program
The new Semester is
here and the mentoring program opened its doors to the youth of the community
and the nearby schools. We need tutors and mentors! Read
on . . .
ARCHIVES
We
did it! 
Beylerian made the tradition complete by leading the drum
circle.
Participants
in the famine included Robert Sammis, a member and pilgrim from the St.
Mark's Episcopal Church as well as Rev. Suzanne Commons, from the Church
of Truth in Pasadena.
olce Wang and Hagop
Seropian music-away some free time.
Thousands
Celebrate Resurrection at Youth Ministries 
In
our particular parish and through our youth ministry, we vigilantly
follow the news from Darfur and campaign for peace in the region. Being
descendants of genocide survivors ourselves, there is a moral
imperative, no less dictated by our faith, that we stand in the shoes of
others who are going through the sufferings we’ve endured.
Along
with Dr. King's legacy, the works of Hrant Dink and Catholicos Mgrdich Khrimian
were examined for their direction toward self-determination. During the Sunday
morning liturgy, special requiem prayers were also offered to these giants of
justice, marking the 40th year of passing for Dr. King, the first anniversary of
death for Dink and 100 years since the Venerable Khrimian "Hayrig"'s passing.
Christmas
Eve Service
In
this week's "In Theory" section, columnist clergy were asked about the
top religion stories of 2007:The
Religion Newswriters Assn. picked evangelicals’ struggle to select a
presidential candidate as the top religion story of 2007. What do
you think was the top religion story of the year?
Meanwhile, under the tree, toys
are piling up. A steady group of people (and kids) have been placing toys for
the annual 
Ministries' Truck - graciously donated by Peggy & Mike Geragos
(driving with Ruby Alice on board). The Montrose Parade is the largest outdoor Christmas gathering for the
Glendale community. 
The Giving Season: Extending One's Handouts ... Question
of the Week: 
Armenian
Patriarch at the Jefferson Memorial
The first
25 years are the difficult ones..." -
Rev. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian in comments directed to Fr. Vazken at the
conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, marking 25 years of priesthood in the
Armenian Church. 
7x77 Forgiveness Conference serves as an appropriate backdrop for this
video. The artist was gracious enough to allow a sneak preview of the video
this evening - and of course, now it can be viewed on the net:
gatherings on Wednesday, August 29, for young professional. The first
speaker of the 
summer conferences once again
this year with hundreds of young people coming to the New Rochelle, NY
seminary to learn and grow in the Christian fellowship. At the
invitation of the Dean of the Seminary, Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan
and the Director of Recruiting, Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, the In
His Shoes Mission was invited to present a talk to the college students.
Fr. Vazken and Susan Movsesian attended the conference and presented a
talk on Genocide and the Christian Response. Using lessons learned in
Rwanda and from the 7x77 conference, Fr. Vazken challenged the students
to think beyond the conventions of the church and their faith. Pictured
to the right are the participants of the conference in a photo with
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese.
Congratulations!
events such as the 
force
one of being at a wedding full of joy or just like I said
before, I felt like we were all in Heaven. 
Featured
artists Gregory Beylerian and Gor
Mkhitarian brought their talent to accent the
importance of forgiveness at the July 7
forum. For 
shoes. Prayer services have been
organized at the St. Peter Armenian Church & Youth Ministries' Center.
Massive letter-writing campaigns were waged to law makers and world leaders.
In May, In His Shoes Mission expanded its work by providing a legal services
to process paper work refugees and their families. The special office of immigration
is at St. Peter, 632 W. Stocker St., Glendale 91202 and will be
open every Wednesday evening from 7:30pm on. Paralegal Artin Torossian,
J.D., will be on site to handle all application and form questions as well
as give hands-on assistance in filing. Help is free but does require a reservation.
Call the church office at 818.244.9696.
Facing History hosts evening with Don Cheadle
and John Prendergast
Ministries Center
true
method of responding. "Look at Good
Friday from the perspective of Easter.
Look at your crosses, your difficulties,
your pain and suffering from the empty
tomb...
The Empty Tomb is waiting to be found by
every heart. Crucify your fears and doubts and stand
tall in the resurrection." 
Download
the Lenten Primers - with all kinds of insight.
The 4th Annual Martin Luther King
Retreat took off with song and praise at the House of Blues in Anaheim,
California. Dr. King was remembered with a special rendition of the "Battle
Hymn of the Republic." But it wasn't until our members walked "in the shoes"
of the gospel singers and joined a spectacular chorus of thanksgiving.
Pictured to the left, Paul Karapetian and Anush Avejic prime the audience
for Mike Geragos, who raised the roof with his unique brand of old-time Satchmo-pleasing gospel. 
The
Big Red Truck drove down the two-mile stretch of Honolulu Blvd. on Saturday,
December 2, carrying a message of love from the In His Shoes Mission.
"Transforming Hatred into Acts of Love" was the theme of the float which was graciously
donated by Michael & Peggy Geragos.
(Parade photos courtesy of Berj Djamian)
At the invitation of
Jewish World Watch, Fr. Vazken
participated in a "Caravan
for Peace," which was held in Los Angeles on Sept. 15th, in which
representatives of communities that have been victims of 20th-century
genocides (Armenians, Jews, Rwandans, Cambodians, Kosovars, Darfur) visited with Consuls General of U.N. Security
Council states to enlist their support for an international
peacekeeping action.
Team
"In Her
Shoes" Completes Walk
Flashing
across the electronic bulletin board at the Youth Ministries' Center were famous
We do not inherit the earth from our parents. We
borrow it from our children. 
, as we were joined by our brethren 30,000 strong in Washington, D.C.
along with the countless others nationwide, standing in solidarity with the
victims of the current genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan....
"KNOW
GENOCIDE" is a program taking
place where a diverse group from many ethnic backgrounds are stepping up to
put an end to Turkish denial of the Genocide. Included in this group are
Turkish scholars. Watch an 8 minute video on New England Cable.
Rwanda 2006 ~ "Armenia 1927"
Sermon:
This year, the targeted area for aid is 
fasting
with the group and raised the collection amount. 
control of their lives and make a difference in the world. He compared the needs
of children dying of hunger with the needs of Armenians in post-Genocide times.
and
Gabriel Stauring from 
(Gregory was off this evening on 
$114,000+ COLLECTED FOR HUNGER RELIEF
The
Nativity of Christ in the Armenian Church is celebrated on
The
Armenian Educational Foundation honored Dr. R. Hrair
Dekmejian with the AEF LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD on Sunday, December 4,
2005 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. 
Sunday,
October 9 - over 50 members of In His Shoes united in a Drum Circle at Barnsdall
Park. Under the beautiful clear skies, the Hollywood sign in the distance and
LA's "Little Armenia" sign greeting the group on the way up to the grassy knoll,
the group drummed a beat for peace and harmony. 
Congratulations
to Rachel Geragos on being selected as one of the seven members to
the 2006 Tournament of Roses Royal Court! The group was selected from over 1000
young women in the Pasadena area. Selections were based on a range of qualities
including public speaking ability, poise, academic achievement, community
involvement and personality.
Interview on KPFK
(90.7FM) with We Care for Youth and In His Shoes, Broadcast: July 14, 2005.
If you missed it, hear the broadcast of
"Morning Review" with riKu Matsuda.
Now
Available: The Way CD!
