Women s Guild News March 2019 St. John Armenian Church 22001 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, MI 48075 (248) 569-3405 A Message from Our Chair Are you an optimist? Are you surviving the Polar Vortex? It s hard to believe that it has affected so many of us the past few weeks with cancellation of school, the Tuesday Luncheon, Women s Guild Tuesday bake, as well as postal service for two days. I do not remember it ever being this cold for so long. We just turned the calendar page to March. Remember, March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. A few more weeks of this cold weather and I pray it will warm up very soon. I am being optimistic along with the stores I frequent during the week. They already have the potting soil, the big pots, along with the Preen and grass fertilizers ready for you to purchase. Even the blue jays and the red cardinals have come to visit as I look out my kitchen window. Perhaps they know something too. Spring is coming soon! With optimism comes renewed energy. My hope is to reenergize each of you to get involved with your Guild. We have so many old and new activities for you to become a part of. Consider joining us for Saintly Women s Day March 23 rd. A special one-woman play will depict the life of Jesus through the eyes of his mother, Mary. Take an hour out of your day to celebrate Easter at the Manoogian Manor April 27 th. Be charitable with your time and make a difference in their lives. None of us wants to be forgotten. Before you know it, June will be upon us. When I think of June, I think of the Membership Dinner. So many of our members look forward to that day when we honor those achieving their milestones. We are scheduled for June 5 th and are still in need of a chair and committee. Consider co-chairing this event with a friend. In July, we are venturing out into new territory with an overnight trip to Grand Rapids to visit Meijer Garden and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. Mark your calendars for July 19 and 20 th! August brings us to the Church Picnic August 11 th. As a Guild, we support the church by manning the hot foods tent and by running a bake sale. Again, volunteers and chairs are needed for the Church Picnic. Yes, I am optimistic because I know that we belong to a 51-year-old organization that is part of the backbone of the Church and that our members are dedicated, thoughtful and committed to making a difference. Please step forward to take an active role in your Guild. We are stronger together. ~ Lisa Derderian
2 The Women s Guild sends our sincere sympathy to Sandra Jack, on the passing of her dear father, Alex Sadoway. We wish to extend our condolences to Julie Couyoumjian, on the loss of her brother, Harry Kazanjian. It is with sorrow that we announce the passing of our dear member, Rachenii (Rachel) Ekizian. Our deepest sympathy to her beloved husband, Steve, and her sons, Tyler and Brian. We express our condolences to Diane and Ara Ekizian on the loss of their cherished daughter-in-law. Asdvadz Hokeen Loosavoreh Congratulations to Lori and Greg Avdoian, on the birth of their son, Bennett Hagop Avdoian who was born on January 30 th in Chicago. He was happily welcomed to the family by big brother Zachary and grandparents Bob and Denise Karakashian. March 9 th (Saturday) March 23 rd (Saturday) March 30 th (Saturday) World Medical Relief 9:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Saintly Women s Day 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Fr. Diran and Yn. Rosalie Papazian Parish Retreat During the Season of Great Lent, Women s Guild meetings will be held on the 1 st Wednesday of the month at 8 p.m. Our Executive Body has decided to keep our General Body Meetings on the first Wednesday of the month. Come and join in fellowship at the ACYOA Lenten Fish Dinners, Vigil Service, and following afterwards at 8:00 p.m. Women s Guild Meeting. There will be no speakers, just a brief business meeting. Tea and coffee, no desserts. Please make a note on your calendars, we have changed back to Wednesdays CHANGES DURING THE SEASON OF GREAT LENT March 6 th Wednesday (General Body) March 20 th Wednesday (Executive Board) March 23 rd Saturday (Saintly Women s Day) April 3 rd Wednesday (General Body) *PLEASE DISREGARD THE SCHEDULE THAT WAS DISTRIBUTED AT A PRIOR MEETING!!!
3 Time to Pay Your 2019 Guild Dues Make your check of $25.00 payable to St. John Women s Guild to our Assistant Treasurer & Membership Chair: Diane Nolff 3262 Lacosta Ct. Commerce Township, MI 48382 *We would appreciate receiving your dues by March 1 st. Thanks to all the ladies that faithfully paid your dues for 2019. I am asking that the rest of you please do your part, and get in your dues by March 1 st. Your membership dues help support all the wonderful activities we contribute to including bake days, Saintly Women s Day, the Palm Sunday bake sale and Easter tea, our membership dinner, the church picnic, the church bazaar, the Christmas dinner and Advent. I look forward to seeing those checks rolling in! Thank you so much. ~ Diane Nolff, assistant treasurer (membership) Thank you to Fr. Aren and Fr. Armash for the meditation in the sanctuary prior to our February meeting. Those attending enjoyed a quiet meditation for 30 minutes through the guidance and assistance of our pastors. This was followed by Carol Hovsepian s uplifting presentation about the benefits of meditation. The Guild meeting looked very festive with scattered heart cut-outs provided by Dawn Aginian and the lovely table of desserts orchestrated by Cathy Zwinck.
4 Palm Sunday Bake Sale Schedule. Please join us! March 5 th (Tuesday) 9:00 a.m. Noon Sou Beoreg March 12 th (Tuesday) 9:00 a.m. Noon Cheoreg Loaves *March 18 th (Monday) 6:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Small Cheoreg March 19 th (Tuesday) 9:00 a.m. Noon Cheoreg Loaves March 26 th (Tuesday) 9:00 a.m. Noon TBD *Evening date Women s Guild Members Palm Sunday Bake Sale Sunday, April 14, 2019 Don t forget! Your bake good donations are needed and a guild membership obligation. *Armenian baked goods are preferred, but all donations are welcomed. We especially need your small Armenian items (such as simit and nazoug) since bake days are being dedicated to large items such as Cheoreg, Khalkha, Katah, and Sou Beoreg. Please label with your name, description & package individually or 6-12 items per bag as appropriate for sales (also note if nuts are present). Thank you, Denise Boyagian & Diane Nolff
5 After several years chairing the Mahs Ministry, Charlene Apigian has passed the chairmanship to Renee Apkarian who graciously accepted the position. Our sincere appreciation to Charlene for her time, dedication and leadership over the past several years. Many thanks to Guild member, Renee, for volunteering her services. Charlene Apigian, Carole Hovsepian, Renee Apkarian and Gary Javizian
6 A Visit from Fr. Norayr Kazazian The Executive Board was graced with a surprise visit from Hayr Norayr Kazazian who joined us for our meeting on February 20. Fr. Norayr was born and raised in Lebanon. At 12 years old, he went to Jerusalem and attended the seminary. After being ordained Vartabed, he was made principal of Sts. Tarkmanchatz Armenian School of Jerusalem and the Gulbenkian Libaray. At that point, Hayr Norayr sought the help of an educator to serve as a consultant while he ran the school. That was when he was connected to our Women s Guild member, Barb Haroutunian. Women s Guild was happy to participate with one of the projects spearheaded by Diane Ekizian and Barb Haroutunian by sending over one thousand library books for the school in Jerusalem. Fr. Norayr is visiting Detroit to see how a large parish works and is currently living at St. Nersess. ~ Denise Karakashian If you have something you would like to include in our newsletter, please contact Diana Vosganian at (248) 661-1875 or email: pasadenapenapenguin@gmail.com.
7 SAINT JOHN ARMENIAN CHURCH VOLUNTEER DAYS AT WORLD MEDICAL RELIEF 2019 CALENDAR JOIN US AND HELP SORT BADLY NEEDED MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT TO BE USED LOCALLY AND AROUND THE WORLD NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! WORLD MEDICAL RELIEF 21725 MELROSE AVENUE SOUTHFIELD, MI 48075 (OFF LAHSER, BETWEEN 8 & 9 MILE ROADS) SATURDAYS 9:00 A.M. 11:30 A.M. MARCH 9 TH JUNE 8 TH SEPTEMBER 14 TH DECEMBER 14 TH CONTACT EDITH BAISE WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE AT (313) 673-3325 OR ebaise@umich.edu DRESS IN CASUAL AND COMFORTABLE CLOTHES. SHORTS ARE FINE, BUT SHOES MUST BE CLOSED TOE FOR SAFETY REASONS. *FRIENDS & FAMILY ARE ALSO WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE. *AGES START AT MIDDLE SCHOOL AND UP AND ARRANGMENTS CAN BE MADE FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE CREDIT
8 The Women s Guild of St. John Armenian Church invites you to join us for a Saintly Women s Day Program Saturday, March 23, 2019 10:00 am- 2:00 pm Because of My Son A one-woman play presented by Naomi (Abajian) Rogers in the role of Mary, the Mother of Jesus Morning Service Readings Performance Lenten Luncheon The readings are from the scriptures pertaining to the remembered Saintly Women. St. John Armenian Church 22001 Northwestern Highway Southfield, MI 48075 248.569.3405 Reserve your place at this event by sending a check for $20 made payable to "St. John Armenian Church Women s Guild" by March 9, 2019 to Jackie El Chemmas, 5784 Inkster Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323 Questions? Contact: Judy Parks, Chair at 248.227.7637 or Jackie El Chemmas at 248.762.1312 or Jackieelch@gmail.com We welcome all women of our parish and neighboring parishes. Invite a friend and join us! Name: RESERVATION FORM Address: City: State: Zip Code: Email address: Best phone number: INFORMATION FOR OUR "OUT-OF-TOWN FRIENDS" Parish/City/ State: Arriving Friday night: YES NO *If you plan to arrive Friday Night, check the box Yes!, We would love to plan a fun event! A block of hotel rooms has been secured until March 9, 2019 at: Comfort Suites 24977 Northwestern Highway Southfield, MI 48076 248.357.9990 Call the hotel directly and mention "Saintly Women s Day" St. John Armenian Church Special Rate: $109.00 plus tax!
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