Bible Readings July 7 Matt. 16:13-17:13 July 14 Matt. 18:10-14 July 21 Matt. 19:3-12 July 28 John 3:13-21 God Bless America, Land that I love. Stand beside her, and guide her Thru the night with a light from above. From the mountains, to the prairies, To the oceans, white with foam God bless America, My home sweet home. Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan July 2013 Question and Answer Professor: You are a Christian, aren t you, son? Student: Yes, sir. Professor: So, you believe in GOD? Student: Absolutely, sir. Professor: Is GOD good? Student: Sure. Professor: Is GOD all-powerful? Student: Yes. Professor: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn t. How is this GOD good then? Hmm? (Student was silent.) Professor: You can t answer, can you? Let s start again, young fella. Is GOD good? Student: Yes. Professor: Is Satan good? Student: No. Professor: Where does Satan come from? Student: From GOD Professor: That s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world? Student: Yes. Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn t it? And GOD did make everything. Correct? Student: Yes. Professor: So who created evil? (Student did not answer.) Professor: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don t they? Student: Yes, sir. Professor: So, who created them? (Student had no answer.) Professor: Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son, have you ever seen GOD? Student: No, sir. Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD? Student: No, sir. Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter? Student: No, sir. I m afraid I haven t. Professor: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student: Yes. Professor: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn t exist. What do you say to that, son? Student: Nothing. I only have my faith. Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem science has. Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat? Professor: Yes. Student: And is there such a thing as cold? Professor: Yes. Student: No, sir. There isn t. (The lecture theater became very quiet with this turn of events.) Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it. (There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.) Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness? Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn t darkness? Student: You re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light. But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn t it? In reality, darkness isn t. If it is, well you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn t you? Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man? Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed. Professor: Flawed? Can you explain how? Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can t even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey? Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do. Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir? (The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going.) Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor. Are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher? (The class was in uproar.) Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor s brain? (The class broke out into laughter.) Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor s brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir? (The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable.) Professor: I guess you ll have to take them on faith, son. Student: That is it sir Exactly! The link between man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and moving. By the way, that student was EINSTEIN. News From Our St. Vartan Family Wedding On June 8, 2013 Fr. Hovel performed the sacrament of Holy Matrimony for Garo Baharyan and Kara Aragon at St. Vartan Armenian Church. Garo is the son of Ohannes and Sahinik Baharyan. Kara s parents are Michael and Yolanda Aragon. Condolences Jim Tulanian passed away on May 25, 2013 after a lengthy illness. Our condolences to Jim s sisters, Arax Kanojoyan and Mary Thompson.
Congratulations Adam Kurkjian received his Eagle Scout Honor on May 26, 2013. He earned 27 merit badges and held four leadership positions. He attends Piedmont High School and will be a senior in 2014. His parents are Nancy and Rick Kurkjian and grandparents are John and Nema Kurkjian and Arax and Myron Kongoyan. Congratulations to Courtney Kezerian, daughter of Robert and Gail Kezerian, who led the San Ramon Valley High School Softball Team to a victory over Amador Valley High School (ranked #2 in the U.S.). Courtney was voted All League and Team MVP, and attainied the highest GPA rank among the athletes. She crowned her season with 146 strike outs! St. Vartan Church Parish Council gratefully acknowledges the following donations: In Honor of Levon and Violet Apelian s 25th Wedding Anniversary Ed & Goldie Minasian, Sylvia Gozurian, Norma Yaglijian (Sunday School Endowment Fund), Diana Toomajian (Endowment Fund) Greg and Laura Mazmanian (Endowment Fund) Yughakin Gay P. Diers, Michael Sanossian Bazaar Donations: Leg of Lamb Ralph and Lillian Kalibjian, Carol and Harry Dokouzian, the Diers Family, Evelyn Tregoning, Patti Rosenthal, Rick and Peggy Magarian, John and Anahid Kerkezian, Armen and Jermen Gollu, Ara and Ursula Kaprielian; Armenian Coffee Tim and Sandra Cadell, Ara and Ursula Kaprielian; Tent Carol and Harry Dokouzian, Vahram & Dolores Cherezian, Richard and Dorothy Demirjian, Barry and Judy Toomajian, Ed and Suzanne Vasgerdsian, Diana Toomajian, Judy & Richard Sharafian; Wine Armen Sahakian; Program Guide Don and Lisa Manoogian; Armenian Beer Fr. Hovel & Yn. Anahit Ohanyan, Donald & Virginia Tafjen, Ara and Ursula Kaprielian; Food and Kitchen Items Ron Kallan Armen Boyd Alice Koenig Jack Papazian Sr. Alice Koenig In Memory George Rustigian Beryl & Ivor Silver, Robert and Gail Kezerian, Donald & Virginia Tafjen, Elizabeth Sempadian, Alice Koenig, Mike Kilijian Jim Tulanian Greg and Seta Tcherkoyan Margaret Sherinian John & Nema Kurkjian, Dorothea Hazarian, Carol Rustigian (Education Fund), Edward and Sylva Manougian, Edward Godoshian, Sylvia Gozurian, Frances Stevens, Margaret Sobajian, Patti and Jim Gold, Charles and Dorris Kezerian, Evelyn Tregoning, Bettie Keyser, Ed and Goldie Minasian, John and Mary Anne Sherinian, Greg Cherezian, Ron Kallan, Ed and Karen Sarafian, Greg and Seta Tcherkoyan (Ladies Society), Lucy Tulanian, the Diers Family, Alice Koenig, The Dorian Family, Frank and Judy Brandes, Mike Kilijian, Don and Jeanne Reid Endowment Fund In Memory Margaret Sherinian Larry and Darlene Gardner, Suzanne and Ed Vasgerdsian, Ralph and Lillian Kalibjian, Diana Toomajian, Gary and Lillian Schmidt, Evelyn C. Boyd, James and Marilyn Stonehouse, Tom and Elizabeth Henry, Archie and Joyce Kamian, Michael and Patricia Prior, Dan and Mary Mazmanian, Paul and Sheila Guess, Robert and Gail Kezerian, Richard and Judy Sharafian, Barbara Morjig, Megan and Jon Leuteneker, Carla Betts, Emma and Lida Mazmanian, Richard & Carole Jouroyan, Suzanne and Razmik Abnous, Beverly Ann Sereda and Family, Lucille Sherinian, Rick and Peggy Magarian, Joan and Carl Arvold, Oakland Triple X Fraternity Harold and Isabelle Magarian Rick and Peggy Magarian, Annabelle Taylor George Rustigian Suzanne and Razmik Abnous Teresa and Harry Gray Annabelle Taylor James K. Taylor Jr. Annabelle Taylor Alice and James K. Taylor Sr. Annabelle Taylor
Congratulations Graduates! Stacey McShane, daughter of Kathi McShane, granddaughter of Greg and Seta Tcherkoyan, received her Master s Degree in Public Administration - emphasis on Non-profit Management. Stacey graduated from Occidental College in Pasadena and then went on to the University of Southern California to complete her graduate work. She is currently an Executive Director of the Philanthropic Society, which raises funds to support work with children and families that have been exposed to violence in Los Angeles County. Krista Juliette Jamgotchian graduated from Chadwick School in Palos Verdes Peninsula. She is the daughter of Jerry and Patti Jamgotchian of Manhattan Beach, and the granddaughter of Greg and Seta Tcherkoyan. Krista will be attending the University of Southern California, majoring in Business and Camera Arts. She has also been involved in musical theatre, as well as engaging in extensive community service. Armen Abnous graduated from the University of Arizona on May 10, 2013. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Political Science and Economics. Armen is the youngest son of Razmik and Suzanne Abnous. Carolyn Kamian, daughter of George and Sally Kamian, graduated from Scotts Valley High School on June 12, 2013. She will attend Cabrillo College s Honors Program in Aptos in the fall. Carolyn is the granddaughter of George and Jackie Kamian and Dee and Mary Thompson. Alek Kargodorian graduated with a Political Science degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Sunday, June 16, 2013. He will be attending Santa Clara Law School in the fall. Alek is the son of Arka and Nelly Kargodorian, and the grandson of Georgette Der Ghazarian of Walnut Creek and Armen and Ayda Kargodorian of Glendale, CA. Religious Humor If all else fails read the instructions the Bible. Prepare for your FINALS. Read the Bible. At an atheist funeral: Here lies an atheist, all dressed up and nowhere to go. A Baptist missionary was walking in Africa when he heard the ominous padding of a lion behind him. "Oh Lord," prayed the missionary, "Grant in Thy goodness that the lion walking behind me is a good Christian lion." And then, in the silence that followed, the missionary heard the lion praying too: "Oh Lord," he prayed, "I thank Thee for the food which I am about to receive."
St. Vartan Bazaar and Food Festival The St. Vartan Church Annual Bazaar and Food Festival is just around the corner. This year s Bazaar will be Friday and Saturday October 4 and 5. We need your help to make it a success! Please consider helping out at a cooking workday or making a donation to support the Bazaar. The ever-popular Grandma s Attic is back, so we are also taking donations of your gently-used household items to sell. Items Number Item Donations Still Requested of donors Cost Received needed Leg of Lamb 100 $40 19 81 Tent 12 $250 7 5 Admission Booth 1 $250 0 1 Newspaper Advertising 4 $100 0 4 Case of Wine 10 $50 2 8 Case of Armenian Tan 2 $50 0 2 Game Booths 5 $50 0 5 Case of Armenian Beer 12 $30 4 8 Armenian Coffee 2 $30 2 0 Program Guide 5 $25 5 0 Please note: Bazaar Schedule Changes Kufta workdays are now one day, instead of two. We do not need workers to cut the meat, but we still need volunteers to make the kufta. Also, several days have been added to the schedule to prepare items for the Hye Café. BAZAAR ALERT! Grandma's Attic is back from retirement! Grandma s Attic can use your gently used household items, glassware, pottery, china, pictures, rugs, furniture (small pieces only), toys, jewelry, books, CDs, misc., etc. So, almost anything! Please NO computers, monitors, printers, TVs, or broken or non-working items, clothing or shoes. Thank you for your donation! Donations can be dropped off at church Monday through Friday between 9:30 am and 1 pm or any Sunday after Church Services. For large donations pick-up service can be 2013 Bazaar Workdays Thursday, July 11 Kufta 9:30 am Thursday, July 25 Simit 9:30 am Friday, July 26 Simit 9:30 am Tuesday, July 30 Small Beoreg 9:30 am Thursday, Aug. 8 Large Beoreg 9:30 am Saturday, Aug. 10 Luleh Kebab 9:30 am Thursday, Aug. 15 Kufta 9:30 am Thursday, Aug. 22 Small Beoreg 9:30 am Tuesday, Sept. 12 Luleh Kebab 9:30 am Sunday, Sept. 8 Meat Beoreg 1-3:30 pm Saturday, Sept. 14 Imam Bayildi 9 am-2 pm Saturday, Sept. 28 Imam Bayildi 9 am-2 pm Wednesday, Oct. 2 Roll Sarma 9 am Thursday, Oct. 3 Plate & Box Sarma, 9 am Prepare Shish Kebab, Box Boorma, Peel/Chop Vegetables 9 am-evening Friday, Oct. 4 Misc. Food Prep 9 am-1 pm Friday & Saturday, Oct. 4 & 5 BAZAAR arranged. If you have any questions, please call Lida Mazmanian at 925-254-9021 or the church office at 510-893-1671.
ACYO Update On Mother s Day the mothers received homemade gifts from St. Vartan ACYO, which were passed out during coffee hour. All the mothers were happy to receive recognition from their youth. After the coffee hour we helped serve for the Mother s Day brunch. The attendees enjoyed some lovely performances. Our St Varton ACYO participated in this year s Armenian Sports Weekend 2013 in Fresno, CA. In attendance were Sevan Jindoian, Tanya Jindoian, Alexandra Shartzer, Victoria Shartzer, Andrew Yagjian, Talin Azizian, Maral Tatoian, David Ojakian, Brian Randal. Kevin Kestekyan and Carmen Kestekyan from St. John also joined our chapter. The sport of choice that our ACYO participated in was dodge ball, and a few participated in tennis and tavloo. On Saturday we spent all morning playing dodge ball and supporting other teams. That evening we attended the evening dance in the church hall. The following morning we attended church and then attended the evening awards ceremony. St. Vartan ACYO was awarded Best Sportsmanship and Kevin Kestekyan and Carmen Kestekyan both won first and second place in tavloo. On June 15 the ACYO put on a BBQ to celebrate all the hard work over the year, hosted by the Jindoian family. There was lots of good food, music, conversation and dancing. The following morning ACYO hosted a Fellowship Hour Brunch for Father s Day and handed out homemade mixed CD s of Armenian music for all the fathers. On July 20 th our ACYO has planned a Great America event and hopes to collaborate with other local chapters for the day. St. Vartan ACYO
Northern Regional Meeting held at Holy Resurrection Armenian Church in Seattle Every year, the Primate presides over three regional meetings in order to discuss diocesan issues and to update each respective region about the current activities taking place at the Western Diocese. On June 4, Holy Resurrection Armenian Church in Seattle was host to this year s Northern Regional Meeting. Following a prayer service, His Eminence consecrated side altar icons of the Ascension and Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Rev. Fr. Yeghia Isayan, pastor of the host parish, served as chair of the meeting. The Rev. Fr. Datev Harutyunian, Pastor of St. Andrew Armenian Church in Cupertino and Vicar of the Northern Region, Rev. Fr. Asoghig Jamgochian, Pastor of St. James Armenian Church in Sacramento; Rev. Fr. Yeremia Khachatryan, Pastor of St. Kevork Armenian Church in Portland, Oregon; Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, Pastor of St. Vartan Armenian Church in Oakland; and Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash, Pastor of St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco participated in the meeting. Archbishop Derderian briefed the clergymen of the present activities and missions at the Western Diocese. His Eminence stressed the importance of the regional parishes working in collaboration with the diocesan headquarters in realizing the missions. The clergy exchanged views and ideas. In his report, Father Hovel presented an extensive overview of the preparation the young couples for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Father Mesrop suggested to actively involve the ecumenical circle, including ecumenical prayers, in the commemoration of the 100 th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. He introduced the benefits of Fellowship One, an interactive web-based software which allows pastors to easily manage the administrative tasks of ministry. Father Datev spoke about various approaches to conducting parish council meetings. In his remarks, the Primate thanked the clergymen for their committed service to the Western Diocese and stressed the importance of a cohesive relationship between each parish and the Diocesan Headquarters. The meeting concluded with the Primate s closing prayer. Beloved Sunday School Teacher, Cliff Kalibjian, Moves to Houston, TX After serving St. Vartan Church for 19 years as a Sunday School teacher, Cliff Kalibjian will be moving to Houston, TX, with his company. Many of his past students, who are now adults, have benefited from his strong Christian faith and his overall dedication to St. Vartan Church. The Sunday School will miss his commitment to his students and the expression of his faith he has displayed through his teaching these many years. On Sunday, June 9, 2013, the Parish Council and Sunday School presented Cliff with a gift in appreciation of his many years of service, dedication, devotion, and commitment to the St. Vartan Sunday School and Parish. He also received a blessing from Fr. Hovel. When asked about his involvement, Cliff said he felt moved to do something to make a positive difference in the lives of children; and I learn just as much from the kids, as they do from me. There was a four year period, during the last 19 years, when Cliff was alternating between the classroom and the church sanctuary, as he was also serving on the Parish Council at the same time! Cliff has been a member of the Bazaar Committee heading up the admission booth for many years as well. We have been fortunate to benefit from Cliff s devotion and love of God. We will all miss him immensely. We wish him well in this new chapter of his life.
St. Vartan Delegates at Diocesan Assembly on May 1-4, 2013 Fr. Hovel and Norma Yaglijian celebrated their birthdays at Fellowship Hour after church on May 26, 2013.
Armenian Folk Singer, Hasmik Harutyunyan, Joins the Cultural Committee in a Dolma Demonstration and Armenian Wine Tasting Event On Saturday, June 1, 2013 internationally renowned Armenian Folk Singer, Hasmik Harutyunyan, demonstrated how to prepare two types of cabbage dolma, and had the audience participate in traditional Armenian folk songs and dance. Guests had an opportunity to watch Hasmik prepare her family s traditional Moush-style cabbage dolma, along with a vegetarian cabbage dolma. Elo Markarian also demonstrated how to prepare mixed vegetable dolma. During the evening, guests enjoyed appetizers and had the opportunity to taste 5 different Armenian wines two dry red wines, two semi-sweet red wines, and one white wine. Areni of Vernashen, a red semidry wine, is matured in oak barrels and made from Areni grapes of the Vayots Dzor region. Arcruni Kapnisto, is a dry red wine. Royal Smoked is a smoked wine made of red grapes, Kakhet, Areni, and Karmrahyut, grown in the Ararat Valley, Armenia. It is matured in smoke oak barrels and this method is the reason for naming this wine smoked. Nanar, a red semi-sweet wine, is made from the native grape Areni. Aspeti Nur, a pomegranate semi-sweet wine, is made of grapes from certain areas of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and regions of Armenia from Aspet pomegranates. The Armenia, white dry wine, is made from the Kangoun type of grape rigorously selected from vineyards of the Ararat Valley and high-quality classic grape varieties from the most prestigious mountain regions of Armenia. Following the wine tasting and cooking demonstration, everyone enjoyed a delicious dolma dinner prepared by Hasmik and Cultural Committee members. After dinner, Hasmik enthusiastically led everyone in song and dance. It was an enjoyable evening for all. We wish to extend a great big thank you to Ayda Mansourian for preparing and donating the delicious coconut cake for dessert, Elo Markarian for her exceptional culinary talent in preparing the delicious vegetable dolma, and to all the Cultural Committee members for their overall assistance with food preparation and event management. A sincere thank you to Hasmik Harutyunyan for her time, effort, and astonishing energy in single-handedly preparing the majority of both cabbage dolmas. She is a gem and absolutely amazing!
July 2013 St. Vartan Church July 2013 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 Independence Day 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Transfiguration Morning Service 10 am Divine Liturgy 10:30 am 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Deacon Service 10:30 am Armenian Language Class 7 pm Bazaar Workday Kufta 9:30 am ACYO to Great America 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Morning Service 10 am Divine Liturgy 10:30 am Armenian Language Class 7 pm Bazaar Workday Simit 9:30 am Bazaar Workday Simit 9:30 am 28 29 30 31 Deacon Service 10:30 am Bazaar Woprkday Small Beoreg 9:30 am Armenian Language Class 7 pm St. Vartan offers Armenian Language Class Several students join Hasmig Cingoz every Tuesday evening at 7 pm for Armenian Language Class in the Parish Assembly Room. There will be no Armenian Language Class July 2 or 9. Class will resume July 16.
The Voice Newsletter is published once a month by St. Vartan Armenian Church 650 Spruce Street, Oakland, CA. 94610, Phone (510)893-1671, Fax: (510) 893-2102 Email: stvartanoakland@aol.com Website: www.stvartanoakland.org The deadline for all articles is the fifteenth of each month. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, Parish Priest and President of All Church Organizations Parish Council Chair: Jack Papazian Jr. Parish Council Treasurer: Anto Cingoz Parish Assembly Chair: Don Manoogian Choir Director: Beverly Nalbandian Organist: Virginia Madajian, Ida Mazmanian, A. Rodriguez ACYO Chair: Sevan Jindoian Sunday School Superintendent: John Eknoian Ladies Society Chair: Lisa Manoogian Athletic Committee Chair: Mike Boloyan Cultural Society Chair: Liz Ojakian Club Hye Chair: Paul Dermenjian Hokejosh: Nora Hanoian Church Maintenance: Jim Taylor, Zaven Kannaian and Arto Yagjian Newsletter Editors: Arlene Hovsepian and Rachel Harger Wedding Coordinator: Carol Rustigian Church Secretary: Rachel Harger Altar Flowers: Diana Toomajian and Sue Barsamian Church Custodian: Wartkes Hagopian Divine Liturgy Service Sundays 10:30 a.m.