Blog Archives
St. David Armenian Church to Host 2013 Diocesan Assembly
Last month, the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar, and Michael Guglielmo, the Diocese’s Executive Director, traveled to St. David Church in Boca Raton, Florida where they met with members of the 111th Diocesan Assembly Committee to discuss plans for next year’s gathering of Diocesan clergy and delegates. The entire Florida Armenian-American community is excited to play host to the 2013 Diocesan Assembly.
Along with a very full and exciting schedule of activities for the 2013 season, St. David Armenian Church has the honor of having been selected to host the 111th Annual Diocesan Assembly taking place from April 29 through May 5, 2013. The Assembly proceedings will be held at the newly renovated Boca Center Marriott Hotel on Military Trail in Boca Raton. “This undertaking is being ably chaired by Carol Norigian, Chairman of the Parish Council, and a very enthusiastic committee,” stated Very Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian, Pastor of St. David Armenian Church.
The Assembly will be preceded by the Annual Clergy Conference beginning Monday, April 29, 2013 at Our Lady of Florida Conference Center in Palm Beach, and ending Thursday, May 2, 2013.
The Women’s Guild will hold its 27th Annual Assembly concurrent with the Diocesan Assembly from Thursday, May 2, 2013 through Saturday, May 5, 2013. On Saturday, the Women’s Guild Central Council will sponsor the 4th Annual “WOW” (Woman of Wonder) Luncheon at the Marriott Hotel. This year’s Women’s Guild Assembly will include a new session with clergy present, exciting mini-workshops and dynamic speakers.
Parishioners and friends are invited to join the Assembly participants at the gala Banquet and program on Friday evening, May 3 in the Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel where the presentation of the “Friend of the Armenians” and “Armenian of the Year” will be announced.
The Assembly sessions will culminate on Saturday evening with a dance also held at the Marriott Hotel. On Sunday, May 6, the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at St. David Armenian Church followed by a Farewell Brunch.
This undertaking is being ably chaired by Carol Norigian, Chairman of the Parish Council and an enthusiastic committee; however, with so many categories to cover, we will be depending on your kind assistance and cooperation to make this a very successful Assembly. We are anxious to share our “southern hospitality” with our friends from all over the Eastern Diocese with warm hearts, welcoming smiles and a friendly hand.
To contribute and/or volunteer please contact St. David Armenian Church at (561) 994-2335.
Compiled from multiple sources.
Jacksonville Parishioners Continue Progress in Building New Center
Jacksonville, FL – Over the Veterans Day weekend, Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, the Diocese’s director of Mission Parishes, visited the mission parish of Jacksonville, Florida, where parishioners are continuing the work of renovating a new property that the parish purchased in the summer of 2011. The two-story, 3,600-square-foot building, located on two acres of land, will serve as a community center where local Armenians can gather for worship and for cultural and social programs.
Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian with altar servers
Sooren Vardanian and members of the Parish Council are overseeing the team of volunteers who are dedicating their time to the project. Fr. Abdalian met with Mr. Vardanian to discuss the project’s progress.
On Saturday evening, Fr. Abdalian led a Bible study session focusing on Sunday’s Gospel reading. During services the next day, the reading was given in Armenian, English, and Russian. Following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, the community enjoyed a Thanksgiving celebration, and honored its veterans as well as members who are celebrating birthdays and anniversaries this month.
Establishing An Active & Permanent Armenian Student Presence At USF
Tampa, FL – On Wednesday, November 14 over 25 Armenian students, faculty and staff of the University of South Florida (USF) met for the first time at the main Tampa campus to get acquainted and discuss forming an active and permanent Armenian presence at USF.
The event began with introductory remarks by event organizer, Fr. Hovnan Demerjian, group introductions and wonderful Mediterranean food generously provided by Harout Topsacalian and Dennis Mousouris of Go Go’s Greek Grille in Tampa.
Armenian students, faculty and staff of the University of South Florida (Photograph courtesy of Teresa Haidarian)
The group then went on to learn about basic resources for being Armenian in and around USF. They heard from long time mathematics professor and Armenian-American activist Dr. Manoug Manougian, followed by Dr.Mark Greenberg from the USF Library Armenian Studies Program. Dr. Greenberg announced an endowment solicited by Dr. Manoug on behalf of the library, which will offer academic and financial help to USF students wishing to study Armenian issues.
[See more photos of USF Armenians here]
Fr. Hovnan Demerjian, pastor of St. Hagop Armenian Church in nearby Pinellas Park, offered the full resources and blessings of the church community in support of Armenian students, echoed by the presence of parish council representatives Chuck Sarkisian and Teresa Haidarian. He then spotlighted several programs and events at St. Hagop and beyond to get the most out of being an Armenian student at USF.
Fr. Hovnan also facilitated the final discussion, soliciting student ideas and enthusiasm for establishing a permanent Armenian presence on campus, and then handing over the establishment of the club to four capable student volunteers with faculty assistance from Dr. Manoug Manougian. The group hopes to file as an official USF organization by early next semester. If you are interested in joining the USF Armenian Student Club please contact us today!
Florida Armenians 