ANNUAL REPORT

Darygan Dy.ygacir

2020

2014

St. John Armenian Church of Greater Detroit

Very Reverend Father Aren Jebejian

Pastor

Reverend Father Armash Bagdasarian Assistant Pastor

22001 Northwestern Highway | Southfield | Michigan | 48075 248.569.3405

www.stjohnsarmenianchurch.org

RULES AND REGULATIONS CONCERNING CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

5. All persons who have been baptized and confirmed in the Armenian Church, who accept its doctrine, canons, and rites, and who fulfill their obligations to the Church and community, shall be members in good standing of the Parish Church and shall constitute the Parish Assembly.

6. Every member of the parish, 18 year of age or over, shall pay his (or her) Church an annual dues, the amount of which shall be paid in full by December 31st of the current year.

7. Members in good standing of a Parish Church, who are 18 years of age or over, may participate in the Assemblies of the same Parish and may vote, provided that at least six months have elapsed since they have registered and paid dues at the time of registration as members of the Parish. They may be eligible for office one year after becoming members, provided they have attained the age of 21.

8. Members who fail to pay their dues for one or more years automatically forfeit their right to vote at Parish Assemblies, or to hold elective office within the Parish. Such members may reinstate these rights by payment of their dues in arrears for at least the previous two years.

9. No one may be a voting member in more than one Parish at the same time.

RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING PARISH ASSEMBLY

16. The invitation to a Parish Assembly shall be in writing to each individual member at least one week before the meeting and shall include the agenda of the Assembly. The agenda of the Parish Assembly shall be prepared by the Parish Priest and the Parish Council. Other matters of new business may be added by majority vote of the Parish Assembly.

17. At Parish Assemblies the presence of a minimum of one-third of the eligible voting membership or fifty members shall constitute a quorum, and decisions shall be rendered by majority vote of members present and voting, with the exception of Section A and B of this Article. Should, however, the Assembly fail to form a quorum, the affirmative votes of two-thirds of the members present shall be required to arrive at each decision at such a meeting, provided such decisions are approved and confirmed by the Primate and the Diocesan Council.

A. For the election of a Parish Priest by the Parish Assembly, or for the removal from office of a Parish Priest elected by the Assembly, decisions shall be submitted for the approval of the Primate and the Diocesan Council.

B. For the purchase, for the proposal to sell, to mortgage, to lease or to exchange real estate, or for the construction of a building for a Parish, decisions shall be made by the affirmative votes of the two-thirds of the members present and voting, and shall be submitted for the approval of the Primate and the Diocesan Council.

22. In a Parish Assembly each member shall be entitled to one vote which is not transferable and must be cast in person. In case of a tie vote the presiding officer shall cast the deciding vote or he shall authorize a second balloting upon the same question.

43. The Parish Priest shall preside over the meeting of the Parish Council and the Parish Assembly

Excerpted from The Bylaws of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern Diocese), dated August 14, 2019 (“Diocesan Bylaws”). For parishes who have adopted the Diocesan Stewardship Program, the terms “steward” and “stewardship” shall replace “member” and “membership”, respectively. Likewise, references to “dues” and “paid dues” shall be replaced with “pledge” and “pledge payment.” ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY OF ST. JOHN ARMENIAN CHURCH OF GREATER DETROIT

Sunday, February 28, 2021, 1:30 pm Zoom Video Meeting

AGENDA

1. Invocation and Call to Order 2. Verification of Eligibility and Establishment of Quorum * 3. Approval of Agenda and Call for New Business 4. Approval of the 2020 Annual Parish Assembly Minutes 5. Balloting for Elections: • Election of Parish Assembly Officers, Chairperson and Secretary of the Day • Election of Parish Council (5) • Election of Auditing Committee (1) • Election of Nominating Committee (5) 6. Pastors’ Reports 7. Parish Council Report 8. Armenian Apostolic Society Report 9. 2020 Annual Report – Questions & Answers 10. Review of 2020 Financial Report 11. Review and Approval of 2021 Budget 12. Discussion of New Business 13. Prayer for 2020 Deceased Parishioners and Benediction

* Eligible voters must be in attendance for Roll Call during the Verification of the Eligibility to vote during the elections.

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Elected Members of the Parish Council ...... 1

Elected Members of the Auditing Committee ...... 1

Elected Diocesan Delegates ...... 1 Pastor’s Annual Report ...... 2

Assistant Pastor’s Annual Report...... 5

Parish Council Chairman’s Annual Report ...... 7 Armenian Apostolic Society Report...... 10

Investment Advisory Committee Report ...... 11

Diocesan Delegates Report ...... 12 Church School Report ...... 15

Stewardship...... 15

Youth Coordinator’s Report ...... 16

Basketball Program ...... 17

Catering and Food Services Operations ...... 17

Community Outreach ...... 18

Edward & Helen Mardigian Library ...... 23

Alex & Marie Manoogian Museum ...... 23

Annual Church Picnic Report ...... 24

Bazaar Report ...... 24

Statistical Reports and Financial Statements of Church Auxiliaries --

ACYOA Juniors ...... 26

ACYOA Seniors ...... 28

Komitas Choir ...... 30

St. John Music Guild ...... 32 Men’s Society ...... 34

Fine Arts Committee ...... 36

Armenian Heritage Collection ...... 36 Women’s Guild ...... 37

Church Financials and Proposed Budget ...... 40

Parish Assembly Minutes from 2020 ...... 53

Proposed Slate of Candidates ...... Inside Back Cover

ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE PARISH COUNCIL

In accordance with Diocesan Bylaws, members of the Parish Council shall be elected for a term of two years and their election shall be subject to ratification by the Primate and the Diocesan Council. Members of the Parish Council may serve for a maximum of three consecutive terms, and after the interim of one year may become eligible for election again as a member of the Parish Council.

In April 2020, a joint meeting was held with the outgoing and incoming members of the Parish Council. The officers of the newly constituted Parish Council were elected and assumed their duties following ratification by the Primate and the Diocesan Council and Installation Service in the Church. The following were elected to serve as the 2020-2021 officers:

Chair ...... Michael Toomajian (c)

Vice-chair ...... Kim Terzian Najarian (b)

Treasurer ...... Bob Simonian (d)

Secretary ...... Patricia Fantazian (a)

Assistant Treasurer...... Kazar Terterian (c)

Assistant Secretary ...... Laura Negosian Lucassian (b)

Advisors ...... Correne Akarakcian (a); Marilyn Boladian (d); Lisa Boyadjian (a); Marilyn Dadian (c); Gary Hachigian (b)

Alternates ...... Dn. George Boyagian, 1st Alternate; Anthony Carman, 2nd alternate ______(a) Completing the first year of service in her first term. (b) Completing the second year of service in his/her first term. (c) Completing the first year of service in his/her second term. (d) Completing the second year of service in his/her second term.

ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE AUDITING COMMITTEE

In accordance with Diocesan Bylaws, the Auditing Committee shall consist of three members, with each elected member serving a three-year term.

Edward Bedikian has served his third year on the Auditing Committee. Gary Melikian has served his second year on the Auditing Committee. Dikran Callan has served his first year on the Auditing Committee.

ELECTED DIOCESAN DELEGATES

The following parishioners, elected in February 2019, are completing their second year of four-year terms as Diocesan Delegates:

Howard Atesian, Jr. Dn. Richard Norsigian Roseann Manoogian Attar Dr. Gary Zamanigian Jacqueline Melkonian ElChemmas Dn. Dr. David Aprahamian, 1st alternate Michael Kazarian Sara Andonian, 2nd alternate Edward Korkoian

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PASTOR’S ANNUAL REPORT

“Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required…”. Luke 12:48

No other passage from scripture better describes what God called each and every one of us to do during the past year of 2020. Whether we realize it or not, this community has infinitely been blessed in ways we do not even realize.

The year of 2020 has truly been one of great demand both personally as well as collectively. We have been blessed by God and our response during this past year has been one of, “what else can we do?” Indeed, our community rose to the occasion on many fronts, not because of any one individual, but because of our faithful parishioners living and praying here in the Holy Land we call St. John Armenian Church.

In order to keep this report short, I will not duplicate that which has been reported by our assistant pastor, Rev. Fr. Armash Bagdasarian, nor by our Parish Council chairman, Mr. Michael Toomajian. They have both covered the crux of our ministry during 2020. I wish to simply highlight the pastor’s activities.

Seerov Jash

From the first day of our “lockdown”, and since we have been blessed with a catering operation, we did what other churches could not do on a large-scale basis; provide meals for the most needy and vulnerable, Armenian as well as non- Armenian. Only our faith in God was going to ensure how to financially pay for such outreach. Through individuals’ generosity as well as the keen eye of our parish administrator, we received funding to have paid for the entire program for 2020 to the tune of over 10,000 meals.

Divine Liturgy/Funerals/Sacraments

Probably the most difficult part of the pandemic was the inability to worship “together”. We have been blessed with a young man, Jack Hale, who has kept us together “virtually”. Through a delicate balance of Diocesan Directives as well as state and local guidelines, we were able to safely navigate throughout the year liturgically. I am grateful to our Armenian Medical Advisory Team (AMAT) as well as to our Church School Advisory Team for giving us guidance in navigating throughout this pandemic. Moving forward we will look for the best means to bring our parishioners home to worship.

2017 2018 2019 2020 Baptisms 29 22 38 18 Weddings 11 18 17 8 Funerals 58 49 46 34

Parish Life

Through the many upon many initiatives by our Auxiliary Organizations, we were able to maintain as much normalcy as possible. Creativity was at the heart of our Outreach Programs enumerated in others reports.

Without skipping a beat, we did our best to continue to minister to our faithful through outdoor visits, virtual visits, telephone visits, and Zoom meetings. St. John Armenian Church has been and is truly blessed with a myriad of organizations which offer tremendous opportunities for our parishioners. As we began to understand what was possible, we restarted our outreach to organizations such as World Medical Relief, American Red Cross and Versiti Blood Drives, Capuchin Coat Drive, Toys for Tots, and Alternatives for Girls.

None of our activities could have been possible without creative and innovative thinking. We are truly blessed with numerous talented parishioners. I would also like to thank those parishioners who, throughout the pandemic, have donated personal protection equipment -- masks, shields, gloves, hand sanitizer, etc. - to the Church. These gifts have proven to be invaluable in our efforts to keep parishioners, staff, and our facilities as safe as possible. 2

PASTOR’S ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

Pastoral Activities

Shortly after our Annual Parish Lenten Retreat, led by His Grace Bishop Daniel, Fr. Armash and I began to immediately re-think our ministry in the midst of a global virus pandemic. The list of activities would take pages to enumerate. Socially distant outdoor visits as well as wellness calls were how we maintained our relationships with our parishioners. The worst part was the psychological toll it took on families struggling to navigate a new reality as well as families who were unable to visit loved ones in the hospital or nursing home. We will be dealing with these psychological effects for years to come. For me personally, the most painful was not only telling parishioners that they could not come to church, but the fact that during the beginning months, proper church funerals were prohibited. Standing in a cemetery with less than ten loved ones was a painful experience which shall be with me for a long time to come.

Parish Council

Our community has been blessed with a dedicated Parish Council. Over the past year, they have taken on some difficult projects and not skipped a beat in the midst of this pandemic. Our community owes the Parish Council, as well as the office support of Paul Andonian, credit for the success of our new Stewardship Program, and progress on our renovation and the proposed support organization. With more work, we hope to see more progress in these areas. In the fall of 2020, our renovation began with the replacement of all of the windows, including the lobby doors and windows throughout the entire complex cultural building thanks to the generosity of the Armenian Apostolic Society and is continuing with the replacement of our main kitchen walk-in coolers and freezer. We are grateful for everyone’s participation in these projects.

Outreach To Armenia

During the Fall of 2020, we saw one of the darkest days in the history of Karabagh and Armenia. Knowing how blessed we are as a community; our parish immediately sprang into action and St. John Armenian Church directly sent $500,000 in aid to our brothers and sister. “…to whom much is given, of him will much be required…”.

In addition, a large Ecumenical Service was held at St. John’s sponsored by the four area Armenian churches which brought a higher level of awareness to our fellow Christian Church Leaders.

Office Staff

Our church secretary Tamara Martirosyan moved onto her continued role of mother with the birth of Eva, and we thank her for her dedicated service to our community. Last year we warmly welcomed Anna Tokmajyan who did not skip a beat and has proved invaluable as our church secretary. All of our full-time office staff worked tirelessly during this pandemic to continue the running of the office, pastoral ministry, liturgical, and choir responsibilities as well as youth outreach, not to mention maintaining a clean and sanitary sanctuary as well as complex. You all know who they are, please take a moment and thank them for their tireless and creative work during 2020. The quiet and unsung heroes of our maintenance staff continue to maintain our beautiful facility.

Amongst our many parishioners who are so generous with their donations to our church, I would like to offer special thanks to Westborn Market and the Anusbigian families, and Versacom, Inc. as well as the Shoushanian families for all that they do for the Church. Anytime we call upon them for their assistance they are abundantly generous with how they serve St. John.

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PASTOR’S ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

Conclusion

Indeed, this past year has been challenging. “…to whom much is given, of him will much be required…”. God has given us and blessed us abundantly (which by the way, Abundant is the name of our parish giving app) and as such, much is required. God has blessed me with the honor of this wonderful and beautiful parish, and I have done my best, with all of my faults, to guide and lead our wonderful parish and parishioners in a humble and Christian manner. We have been blessed with much, which God requires us to give back to Him as well as to not only one-another, but to our greater community and to our brothers and sisters in Armenia and Artsakh.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the warm and dedicated assistant pastor we have been blessed with. Fr. Armash Bagdasarian quietly and humbly serves our community with dedication and faith. We ask for God’s continued blessings upon him and his family.

Looking towards 2021, we have faith in God that he will continue to bless each and every one of us. We look towards 2021 with hope as we transition from this pandemic to once again embrace each other in our beautiful sanctuary, within our auxiliary organizations as well as through our Christian fellowship. We came through 2020 blessed with our wonderful community helping and supporting each other. I pray that in the year of 2021, we all, hand in hand continue to serve Him as well as one another.

With prayers,

Fr. Aren Jebejian

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ASSISTANT PASTOR’S ANNUAL REPORT

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

“To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1-5

It has been my privilege to walk with you these past ten months or so. In spite of the pandemic, I have discovered a deep sense of joy and hope as we worshiped together and shared our fellowship time. We have also weathered these past ten months of social distancing and all that we have had to bear with a positive and accepting attitude. I have witnessed great compassion, acts of amazing servanthood, creative collaboration, and so many other ways in which we have used our gifts for the benefit, not only of our members, but for those in the community and beyond. Thank you all! Thanks for allowing the light of Christ to shine through you all!

As we conclude another year here at St. John Armenian Church, we are filled with hope in all that we, as a parish of faith, have accomplished despite dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. We have realized opportunities and new ways to continue our ministry and outreach in this time of uncertainty and isolation. Along with our pastor, deacons, staff, and volunteers, we donned our masks, maintained our social distance, and assessed ways in which we could continue the mission of our parish in a variety of ways including virtually with livestreaming and Zoom. We were up for the challenge of keeping connected as St. John Armenian Church.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, in abidance with state and local orders and CDC guidelines, we were able to reach our flock in many ways. Badarak and Wednesday Vespers were virtual and livestreamed. We held socially distanced visitations and made wellness calls to parishioners. On a weekly basis, we visited residents of Manoogian Manor through the other side of their windows and delivered the weekly church bulletin and mahs to Waltonwood at Twelve Oaks. On Tuesdays and Fridays, through the Seerov Jash program, volunteers distributed meals for the homebound - both Armenian and non-Armenian. Other weekly and bi-weekly programs included virtual Bible Study and Catechism. Monthly virtual events included Little Saints, Women`s Guild, and Men`s Society meetings. Additionally, we successfully carried out our Arts of Armenia program, the annual Bazaar, and Church Picnic. The Men’s Society held their annual outreach programs such as the Capuchin Coat Drive.

The ACYOA Juniors and Seniors also creatively continued their meetings and events. Meetings were held via Zoom and fundraisers, such as Father’s Day meals, took place as drive-thrus. The University of Michigan visitation took place on Zoom and college students virtually met with special guest Dn. Mihran Toumajan of the Armenian Assembly.

My heartfelt gratitude to the Church School teachers and Church School advisory committee, who overcame the challenges of the pandemic, and were able to continue providing Christian education to our children. Worship service is important to our students in order for them to become involved as well as introduce and understand Christianity and receive a pastoral message. We participated in virtual Church School worship assemblies and I was able to visit classrooms as scheduled on a bi-weekly basis. Despite the pandemic, we were able to continue Church School both in person and virtually, as well as livestream worship service. We ended the year with a wonderful Christmas celebration compiled of videos from the students.

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ASSISTANT PASTOR’S ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

I would like to extend my appreciation to our pastor, the Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian, Parish Council chairperson and members, parish administrator, Paul Andonian, parish secretary, Anna Tokmajyan, the security team, the maintenance staff, the ACYOA, the Women’s Guild, the Men’s Society, Church School staff and teachers, deacons and altar servers, Komitas Choir, director Deacon Rubik Mailian, and choir members. Also thank you to Bloomfield Hills High School student Jack Hale for his commitment to assisting us twice a week in our live streaming efforts. A special thank you to Lisa Mardigian, Youth Coordinator, who organized and was involved in most major events - her dedication and motivation is truly inspirational.

We thank the members of our community who committed their time and talents in developing plans and strategies as well as goals and action steps. We are truly graced with many gifted and dedicated parishioners. Thank you to all the many, many members of our community who are dedicated to our parish in so many ways. Thank you to the commitment of our administrator, office staff, parish council, and auxiliary leaders in directing our efforts as a parish. How blessed we are to have a committed and gifted parish. Our sincere appreciation and gratitude to all volunteers and in general everybody who supported and have gone out of their way to help our Church with their time, treasure, and talent throughout the year. We look forward to the time when we will be able to have more in-person activities and events that will avail us the opportunity to meet and interact as we did prior to the pandemic.

Prayerfully,

Fr. Armash Bagdasarian

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PARISH COUNCIL CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Dear Faithful Members of St. John Armenian Church,

As we close out a very difficult year, it is still a time to reflect and count our blessings for what God has provided. Not the least of which are vaccines that bring hope to ending a pandemic that has had a substantial human cost on so many.

I couldn’t be prouder of the way the SJAC clergy, administration, staff, and our beloved volunteers have risen to the challenge and, by the grace of God, brought us through a year fraught with adversity. More has been accomplished than any of us could have imagined at the beginning of 2020. Please know that your support of the Church is appreciated beyond measure and I wish we had space to mention everyone by name. Truly, nothing could have been done without you. In the face of such adversity, it would have been all too easy to pause our work until things returned to normal. But there was no “quit” in anybody involved in supporting the Church.

I’m only going to list this year’s successes in bullet form. If you have any questions about the listed items, please contact me or any member of the Parish Council.

2020 ACCOMPLISHMENTS – • Livestream Badarak: Seamlessly brought Badarak into our homes when the pandemic shutdown the Sanctuary. People from all over the country, and even from other countries, continue to join us in weekly prayer. We have nearly 100 people watching live, every week, and over 800 people viewing the recorded version after Badarak. Our clergy, choir and administration has performed amazingly well to make it possible for the rest of us to enjoy.

• Stewardship: The 2020 Pilot Stewardship Program achieved its expectation to be more inclusive than our previous “dues-paid membership” program o Added Over 95 New Stewards!! – the largest influx of new SJAC members in recent memory o Increased Total Church Membership – more total “members-in-good-standing” versus the prior 2019 dues paying process o Additionally, Stewardship pledged gifts exceeded 2019 membership dues, both by family unit (by over 30%) and in total.  Please become a 2020 Steward and also please submit a 2021 Pledge Card, if you haven’t already done so.

• Sunday School: Continued the religious education of our children despite pandemic shutdowns during Spring term. Spring classes continued virtually. Fall classes are now a hybrid mix of virtual/in-person class. (Virtual meetings, though common place now, were totally new back then and added increased stress to daily lives). A Sunday School Board was also established to assist in Sunday School planning and improving participation.

• Seerov Jash (Meals with Love): Bringing comfort, to people shut-in by the pandemic, with over 10,000 meals delivered to parishioners – as well as others, outside our congregation, who were in need.

• First Responder Meals: Delivered at the height of the pandemic, to those risking themselves for our sake.

• College Outreach: Virtually engaging the youth, who are so vital to SJAC’s future, until in-person can resume.

• Assisted Living Outreach: Comfort and Prayers, through the windows, when in-person visits were banned.

• Charitable Outreach: Coat drive + Hats & Gloves, Toys for Tots, World Medical Relief volunteer days, etc..

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PARISH COUNCIL CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (CONTINUED)

• Humanitarian Aid: SJAC, with parishioner support, donated over $500,000 to help alleviate the suffering in Artsakh.

• World Medical Relief: SJAC’s long standing volunteer relationship with WMR was returned manifold with a substantial amount of much needed medical supplies being sent to Armenians in need. The KOV Nareg- Shavarshan Lodge was instrumental in coordinating this effort, with SJAC sponsoring shipping costs.

• COVID-19 Response Efforts: Our Staff has diligently sanitized our facilities and followed all government and CDC health protocols to ensure our facilities meet the highest standards.

• Armenian Medical Advisory Team (AMAT): Established a team of SJAC medical professionals to assist with the development and implementation of Sanctuary attendance and facility usage guidelines, and other consultation.

• Socially Responsible Fellowship: It seemed that there would be little hope for a Bazaar this year, but the amazing work & innovation of our volunteers enabled this cherished event to continue. Though we faced restrictions, the fact that we were able to have a Bazaar at all was a bright spot. The example set by the Father’s Day Lunch, and followed by the Picnic, paved the way for the Bazaar and many other wonderful events to help continue our church fellowship (Including; Bake Sales, Wine Tasting event, Sliders, Christmas Cookie sales, etc.).

• Kitchen Upgrades: Brand new Walk-in Coolers/Freezer are being installed, featuring; better egress (ramp was removed for flat entry), improved storage/shelving layout and improved workspace in front of the coolers.

• Facility Upgrades: A new roof and our beautiful new windows were funded by the Apostolic Society.

• Renovation: We have an outstanding team evaluating our volunteers’ input to improve their working environment within the SJAC facilities. A methodical approach is being taken to consider options before any action is taken.

• Virtual Town Halls: Church communications actually improved with the virtual Town Hall process – twice the attendance and effective meeting discussions! (Thanks to the Women’s Guild for identifying a virtual meeting process that provided a great template for our Town Halls).

• Torchbearer: Our thanks to the dedicated team that succeeded in reinstating the Torchbearer, with 2020 being the first full year of publications. They not only delivered brilliantly crafted editions, but greatly contributed to SJAC’s ability to communicate church events and matters of importance.

• Support Org: Drafting bylaws, for Parish review, per input from the last Town Hall meeting.

• SJAC Auxiliary Organizations: We are grateful to all of our volunteers, for their support and determination in overcoming obstacles, as they diligently worked to continue Christ’s work. Our Auxiliary Organizations also donated more to the Church, versus 2019, despite facing their own challenges this past year.

• Government Grants: A surprising amount of success was achieved by our administrator in obtaining state and county grants awarded for our charitable initiatives. Not to mention obtaining a PPP loan. The additional funds were a Godsend to help our budget shortfall during these difficult times.

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PARISH COUNCIL CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (CONTINUED)

• Budget: 2020 has presented financial challenges for the Church in many areas, and that will be seen when we share our 2020 financial results in early February. Our support of Artsakh relief, the COVID-related loss of our catering business, and the cost of expanded Church ministries (to serve our parishioners and the community during the pandemic) have resulted in significant unbudgeted expenses and losses.

However, we were blessed with the generosity of parishioner gifts and bequests that enabled SJAC to avoid what could have been a very significant budget shortfall. We are very grateful for everyone who has helped us get through this difficult time. We foresee challenges and significant unknowns for 2021 which makes our budgeting process difficult. But if we all work together, as we did in 2020, we can succeed.

Building up the Body of Christ – The above efforts exemplify the challenge Bishop Daniel gave the Diocese to “Build up the Body of Christ” through our good works. Each of the above bullet points deserve much more attention than can be accommodated in this article. If any of these initiatives excite you, please contact the Church to learn more about how you can help play a role in Building up the Body of Christ.

We pray that God will provide and get us through the challenges of the coming year with a return to better times. We look forward to experiencing, once again, the fellowship we all shared before the pandemic. May God bless you all.

Sincerely,

Michael Toomajian

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ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC SOCIETY REPORT

History: The Armenian Apostolic Society holds the unique position as being the facilities ownership arm of the St. John Armenian church complex. Incorporated in 1938 to specifically safeguard the church building and land through this separate entity, it has since evolved into now also encompasses the Manoogian Museum, the Mardigian Library, the Veterans Recreation Center building, and the adjoining AGBU Manoogian School building facilities, as well as the Michigan Home for the Armenian Aged–Manoogian Manor property and building facility, all through this separate corporation. Since its inception, the Apostolic Society, whose members are primarily volunteer church members, has provided the financial means for all land acquisitions, building construction, and major grounds and building expansion, as well as support for renovation and maintenance projects of St. John throughout the years.

2020 In Review: In 2020, the Board continued our practice of meeting among ourselves as well as several times with the Parish Council to discuss the needs of the church complex and the current proposed renovation project, as well as meeting with the architect and having some of our members also on the Church’s Renovation Committee. Some of these discussions centered around the continued need for repairing and replacing roofs; replacing and maintaining HVAC units; an emergency backup electric generator; grounds landscaping and parking lot repairs; needed kitchen, and lavatory renovations; security; and maintenance of the Church Sanctuary and Recreation Center building to ensure their continued longevity. Additional meetings addressed the costs verses the parishioner benefits for Renovation Committee and Parish Council proposed aesthetics and building layout changes. We look forward to continuing working together harmoniously in 2021 for the benefit of all our parishioners.

Toward these joint objectives, in 2020 we continued with our staged, annual replacement plan for both the older roof sections, which in 2020 included all of the Cultural Hall, as well as the normal annual maintenance on newer roof sections and roof drains. We had also scheduled the replacement of the kitchen roof, but have delayed it until 2021 so that it would be after the refrigerators and freezer, which have units on the roof, are replaced. In addition, all the windows, window frames, doors and door frames throughout the entire Cultural Building, except for the newer windows by the Ararat room, were totally replaced. Also, some older HVAC units that were no longer cost effective to repair, were replaced. All being taken on financially by the Armenian Apostolic Society to ensure the longevity of our property and buildings going into the future.

Moving Forward: In 2021, the Armenian Apostolic Society will continue to endeavor to expand its membership by welcoming new volunteer trustees that appreciate the important place the Apostolic Society holds in the financial future and security of our Church Complex. All parishioners must also recognize that as our Church Complex continues to age, this ongoing commitment by the Apostolic Society to the maintaining and updating of our Complex will become an increasing financial burden that must be responsibly addressed by the additional financial support of the Apostolic Society by both the Church as well as individual parishioners. Therefore, it is important the Parish Council and the Apostolic Society Board continue working together for solutions to assure sufficient funds are both obtained and maintained for the long-term financial future as a viable and vibrant Armenian Church community.

Respectfully Submitted,

The Armenian Apostolic Society, Inc.

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INVESTMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT

The Investment Advisory Committee (IAC) was approved and established at the 2000 Annual Parish Assembly. The Committee currently consists of Dickran Kurjian (Chairman), William Messner, John Yavruian, Robert Amboian, Janet Shekerjian, and a non-voting liaison from Parish Council. Marie Vanerian serves as our consultant.

The formation of the IAC was the initial step that St. John Armenian Church took toward a path of responsible investing and properly diversifying church funds. The duties of the IAC as defined by the Parish Assembly include:

• establishment of investment policy • reviewing asset allocation • maintaining a procedure for selecting funds and fund managers • monitoring performance • providing ongoing guidance to the Parish Council on investment issues relating to the church funds

Under its parish-approved structure of checks and balances, no specific investments are selected, only percentages of allocation and investment fund account managers are determined by the IAC, as approved by Parish Council.

The investment objective is total return. We are seeking current income from dividends and interest in addition to capital appreciation, over time. We have established a “moderate” risk factor with a time horizon of 1-5 years. Our return for 2020 was 9.1% (net of all fees), reflecting the strong performance in the overall markets for 2020 combined with our target asset allocations.

2020 Market Returns Large Cap Equity (S&P 500) 18.4% Mid Cap (Russell 2500) 17.1% International (EAFE) 7.8% Fixed Income (Broad Market) 7.6%

In order to better match the strategy with the Church’s objectives, at the end of 2018, we separated the investment accounts into a restricted (endowments) fund and an unrestricted fund. A comprehensive long-term investment strategy is in place with asset allocation targets for each fund. The restricted funds have an asset allocation target of 70% equities / 30% fixed income. The unrestricted funds have an asset allocation of 35% equities / 65% fixed income.

At December 31, 2020, the asset allocation of our two funds is shown below.

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INVESTMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT (CONTINUED)

The Investment Advisory Committee met four times (quarterly) during the 2020 as a Committee and with Parish Council representatives. We reviewed our overall strategy and reiterated our commitment to risk control and total return of the portfolio. We took actions to rebalance our portfolio when required to achieve target and to ensure that asset managers are meeting objectives.

Going forward into 2021, the IAC will continue to develop and monitor asset allocations for both funds in conjunction with the parish’s overall budget and the Parish Council’s strategic objectives, and to review the performance of asset managers. The IAC is committed to work closely with Parish Council throughout the year ahead.

Respectfully Submitted by the Investment Advisory Committee

DIOCESAN DELEGATES REPORT

“Building up the Body of Christ, whether it’s on the Diocese level in New York, the parishes, individually, together in regions and every single organization. Your Parish Councils, Diocesan Council, ACYOA, Women’s Guild, FAR, the choirs, the deacons, clergy, camps, pilgrimages, St. Nersess, all must work together to constitute the Body of Christ. And that focus needs to be very clear in front of our eyes, our minds, and our hearts. Otherwise, we risk falling apart………. Building up the Body of Christ is not a motto. It’s a true transformation at every level, from the Bishop down to everyone out there.” This was just a small part of the inspiring message by Bishop Daniel Findikyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, during his opening of the September 19, 2020 Informational Assembly.

As you would expect, the regular scheduled Diocesan Assembly which was scheduled for April 28th – May 3rd, in Dallas, did not take place. Instead, this year’s assembly, although unconventional, took place over several virtual meetings. The typical 4-day Convention was replaced by an Informational Assembly, breakout sessions, a financial review, and the general Diocesan Assembly, which were all completed via Zoom.

On September 2, 2020, almost 60 delegates participated in a meeting where they were updated with a Facility Assessment and Executive Summary on the buildings which make up our Dioceses and St. Vartan Cathedral. A Conditions Assessment Report was prepared in early 2020 and included the findings of the field investigations and analysis of the facility’s architectural, structural, mechanical/electrical and life safety systems. The assessment of the buildings and grounds included a 10-year construction phasing plan and is estimated to cost $25,387,728.

On September 12, 2020, 153 clergy and delegates attended an Informational Diocesan Assembly. No parliamentary procedures were enforced, and no voting took place. The meeting was informational only and mainly structured to allow the Primate an opportunity to address all the clergy and delegates as an update to the state of the diocese. His main message was, and continues to be, all about Building up the Body of Christ. There was also an update on the Annual Appeal and a brief overview of the 2019 Financials. It was announced that the 2019/2020 Financials would have its own agenda topic at a future meeting. The Annual Appeal brought in $785,690, which is less than the goal of $953,000. However, approximately 10% more than our 2018 actual. We also received an update on Vemkar, including the Website, Newsletter and App.

On September 29, 2020 we came together for the first of three Breakout Sessions, with 51 delegates in attendance. Topics included: The Zohrab Information Center, Fund for Armenia Relief, ACYOA, Youth and Adult Ministries, ACEF and the Ararat Conference and Youth Center. Charles Demirjian reported on ACEF, stating the returns were consistent with the Market. As of December 31, 2019, ACEF was valued at approximately $115.3 million, up from $99.4 million in 2018, an increase of nearly 16%. Aram Hintlian from the Ararat Conf & Youth Center reported that the Center’s focus in 2019 was on cooperation with St. Vartan Camp and Fundraising, which raised $287,000. 12

DIOCESAN DELEGATES REPORT (CONTINUED)

On October 6, 2020, there was the second Breakout Session which included topics on Christian Education, Creative Ministries, Sacred Music Council, and an update from the Women's Guild Central Council.

On October 8, 2020, the last Breakout Session included topics on the Diocesan Legate and Ecumenical Office, Armenian Studies, Communications, and the St. Nersess Seminary.

On January 19, 2021 almost 80 clergy and delegates attended a session dedicated to the 2019 Year-end Financials and 2020-2022 Budget review. 2019 ended with a positive balance of $96,603, not including bequests. 2020 was a balanced budget. 2021 Budget is projected to be in the positive, but only due to a PPP loan we received for $527,900. Otherwise, we were projected to be in the negative by $445,060 (before bequests). 2022 Budget was presented as a loss of $138,060.

On January 23, 2021 approximately 160 participants attended the 118th Diocesan Assembly which reconvened for what we thought would be the last session of the assembly. However, due to a time overrun by more than three hours, we voted to conclude for the day and continue within the next 30 days. A full detailed report of the final session will be provided at a later date. Until then, below are a few highlights of the partial meeting:

• Primates Message: Bishop Daniel appealed to us. “Do God’s will and nobody else’s. Build love to its fullest. Build up the Body of Christ! Everything we do should fill that purpose.”

• The following delegates from St. John Armenian Church were elected to position o Diocesan Board of Trustees – Edward Haic Korkoian o Proposals Committee – Jacqueline Melkonian ElChemmas st o Proposals Committee – Michael Kazarian (1 Alt.)

• Financial Update o 2019 Net total was $209,504. (Net income before bequests was $96,603 + bequests totaling $112,901). Report approved o 2020 Approved Budget was $4,787,472. The year-end was net zero. Report approved. o 2021 Budget has a Net income of $82,840. Due to the pandemic, we are well in the negative, but because of a PPP loan that was received ($527,900) we are expected to be in the black. Report approved. o 2022 Approved Budget is in the negative by $138,060. Report approved. o It was shared that in 2020, many employees at the Diocese were either furloughed or took a pay-cut. We were happy to hear that those employees have returned to work and are back to full pay. o In 2020, The Artsakh Fund for Armenia collected $1,851,851, from 34 Churches within our Diocese.

• Proposals o Proposal 1: Amend Article 65W, 74 and 75C. The Majority Vote by Diocesan Council and the Diocesan Board of Trustees as related to the exchange, lease, or mortgage of real property. In general, it was to add the words “by a separate majority vote of each constituent body” versus the existing words “majority vote of the Council and Board”. A vote took place and Proposal 1 passed. o Proposal 2: Amend Article 62. This proposal adds term limits to the Diocesan Council members. The proposal states, “Members of the Diocesan Council shall serve for a maximum of three consecutive terms, and after the interim of two years may become eligible for election again as member of the Diocesan Council…….” A vote took place and Proposal 2 passed.

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DIOCESAN DELEGATES REPORT (CONTINUED)

o Proposal 3: Amend Article 65W, 74 and 76. To change the Bylaws regarding the meetings of the Diocesan Board of Trustees and its joint meetings with the Diocesan Council. Allowing for the physical, telephonic, or electronic presence of the majority of the members of each group. Members participating by telephone conference or other electronic means shall be deemed present as if physically present and entitled to vote. A vote took place and Proposal 3 passed. o Proposal 4: Amend Article 6, 7 and 8. Proposal to amend the Bylaws regarding dues-paid members and failure to pay dues. This proposal may not be relevant as the Diocese moves towards the Stewardship program. Discussion did not take place as the meeting was adjourned after Proposal 3. o Proposal 5: Amend Article 51. Proposal to amend the article by adding Term Limits to Delegates. The term is 4-years, and the proposal is to limit the delegate to no more than three consecutive terms. o Proposal 6: Proposed resolution to create a Diocesan Subcommittee for Parish Development. That the Diocese under the leadership of the Diocesan Council form a volunteer standing committee for Parish Development to provide guidance, collateral and leverage lessons learned in activities and best practices associated with fundraising and giving programs, donation solicitation and establishing and managing permanent parish endowments.

The assembly concluded without final resolution on Proposals 4, 5 and 6. Those will be addressed when the 118th Diocesan Assembly reconvenes over the next month, at which time a detailed update will be provided.

Respectfully submitted by the Delegates of St. John Armenian Church Howard Atesian Roseann Attar Jackie Melkonian ElChemmas Michael Kazarian Edward Korkoian Deacon Richard Norsigian Dr. Gary Zamanigian 1st Alt. Deacon Dr. David Aprahamian 2nd Alt. Sara Andonian

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CHURCH SCHOOL REPORT

Superintendent: Alberta Godoshian Enrollment: 2020-2021 – 97 students 2019-2020 – 153 students Staff: 20

Major Function This year Church School started with a get together with students, parents, and staff on the church lawn. A light lunch was offered, and students met their teachers and picked up individual bags which contained their book and material for the year. The afternoon was enjoyed by everyone. I thank the volunteers who devoted their time and labor of love to our Church School for an enjoyable afternoon. Fourth grade students received Holy Bibles for Armenian cultural month. High School students prepared and delivered food baskets for needy families for Thanksgiving. A virtual Church School program at Christmas was presented by the students under the leadership of Lisa Mardigian and Karen Kazarian. During Christmas, high school students made choreg with Roseann and delivered them to our seniors. All students and staff participated in the collection of a van full of toys for “Toys for Tots.” Church School Lenten offerings of $1,630 was sent to the Department of Christian Education at the Diocese for the needy children in Armenia.

Curriculum The 2020-2021 academic year marks the 72nd consecutive year the Church School has been providing Christian Education and Fellowship for the children of our parish. Along with attendance and weekly worship, the curriculum encompasses the Holy Scripture, Divine Liturgy, Armenian Church, and national history. Alberta Godoshian has served as superintendent of the Church School since 1997.

Church School Scholarships College-bound seniors who are graduating from St. John Armenian Church School are eligible to apply for these scholarships which were made possible through the generous gift of $50,000 from the Haiganoush Mengushian/Gloria and Robert Ajemian foundation. The 2020 grant was awarded to Sevana Mailian.

Respectfully submitted by Alberta Godoshian

STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

In 2020, SJAC was selected to implement the Diocesan Dues to Stewardship Program which replaced the previous dues membership program. Parishioners pledge the amount that they can give that comes from their heart, rather than the previous $300 per person membership dues. In our first year of the Stewardship Program, the church had 688 individual stewardship donors of record.

15

YOUTH COORDINATOR’S REPORT

St. John’s Youth Coordinator, Lisa Mardigian, continued her responsibilities in 2020 by assisting the Pastors, Parish Council, Church School, ACYOA Juniors, ACYOA Seniors, Little Saints Program, and all other church organization that needed assistance. Lisa also helped coordinate the Church School sponsored Armenian Christmas Luncheon. She helped organize the first three ACYOA Juniors Lenten Fish Dinners. She operated and organized all basketball programs and Orthodox Youth Athletic Association league games.

From January to March, our youth programs continued as usual until we closed our complex due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift in our daily church routines required our parish to join the virtual course of live streaming and Zoom gatherings. Under the conscientious and creative leadership of our church administrator, Paul Andonian, our pastors, church staff and church organizations were able to organize and implement regular Zoom meetings, along with virtual and drive-thru events.

Lisa continued her work with the Little Saints program. we were able to have gatherings in January and February at church and the rest have been coordinated virtually by Fr. Aren, Fr. Armash, and Jennifer Morris. Our Little Saints were gifted a special children’s bible for Christmas to help our children and parents start their spiritual journey and to prepare for some of our monthly lessons.

Lisa coordinated campus visits to our college students in February with Fr. Aren and Fr. Armash attending. They visited Armenian students at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Central Michigan University, and Kalamazoo College. A virtual college Zoom gathering took place this past fall with Armenian Assembly’s, Mihran Toumajan, as the guest speaker. He spoke about the situation in Artsakh and Armenia. Another virtual Zoom was held with the University of Michigan students. We are planning more Zoom and campus visits for 2021!

Lisa worked diligently with the ACYOA to host numerous safe and fun events and fundraisers for our parish and for the causes of Artsakh and Armenia.

Special thanks to our Pastors, Parish Council, office staff, maintenance staff, and church organizations for their dedication to our parish community during this unprecedented year.

BASKETBALL PROGRAM

St. John’s Basketball Program runs from October to March. Monday Night is our men’s league. Tuesday and Wednesday Night Youth Basketball consists of a Junior Girls team, Junior Boys team, and Intermediate Boys team led by Koko Oknayan, Dikran Kurjian, David Najarian, and Aram Cholakian. Thursday Night Youth Basketball, consists of a Biddy A, Biddy B, and Biddy C team, ages 5 – 12 years, led by coaches Rich Apkarian, Dikran Callan, Nubar Gambourian and Armen Arslanian. Special thanks to all the coaches, volunteers and parents who assist Youth Coordinator, Lisa Mardigian to make this an enjoyable activity for the children of our community.

Thank you to Marilyn Dadian, Anita Arslanian, and Susie Mardoyan who operate our Saturday concessions stand and our ACYOA Juniors for Sunday concessions stand which helps offset the costs of the Basketball Program. Thank you to Armen Arslanian, Nubar Gambourian, Kevork Mardoyan, and Armen Oknayan for assisting in scoreboard operations. There was no Orthodox Youth Athletic Association tournament this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Respectfully Submitted by Lisa Mardigian, St. John’s Youth Coordinator

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CATERING AND FOOD SERVICES OPERATIONS

2020 was a challenging year for our catering operations. In the first quarter, our catering operations had the strongest start in 10 years, booking and managing 45 events through the middle of March, grossing almost $86,000, and netting over $22,000 in income. Based on bookings and the activities we had during the first quarter of 2020, we were on track to have a strong record-breaking year.

When the pandemic hit in mid-March and banquet facilities were shut down, we spent the next two months working with cancelations and moving of dates. Parish Council made the decision that clients would not lose their deposit or the ability to book a date in the future due to the circumstances. As the pandemic continued, we had some groups move their date two and three times with the hope that we would be able to have their event. We did lose a few clients to other facilities that ignored the State of Michigan orders and continued to have events. St. John’s, wisely, was not willing to do that; we followed the law and kept the safety of our parishioners, staff, and clients at the forefront. Several proposals were done for clients for spring, summer and fall events outside on the grounds but with tent costs and service charges that the client would need to bare many times it would be beyond their budget. We did host 8 events during the pandemic - either outdoors or small events inside when they were allowed. We also host curb side pickup meals and hors d'oeuvres for weddings, baptisms, and hoke jashes.

During the pandemic, we shifted much of the focus of our catering operations to ministry work, primarily through the Seerov Jash outreach program and working with church auxiliary organizations - particularly the Men’s Society - on events and programs. The facilities were also used in 2020 as two federal election polling precincts for the City of Southfield, and numerous times as blood drive locations for both Michigan Red Cross and Versiti (combined, these two group were able to bring in over 100 pints of blood).

We have stayed in touch with local hotels and banquet halls through the Southfield Chamber of Commerce. Through these communications, we have seen how others have handled problems during the virus pandemic and what they are doing to ready themselves for opening up of their facilities. There are a few local facilities that are opening or reinventing themselves and we are observing their facilities, menus, pricing and promotions to see what may work for us.

Our wine program has been a nice enhancement to the catering department as well as to the Armenian community in Michigan. Two years ago, we were asked to help Armenia’s wine producers promote their product in Michigan. At that time only one Armenian wine was registered in the State of Michigan. We now have 17 wines and 2 beers available to us. Most are available at certain wine and liquor stores as well as some restaurants. And the demand is growing. This has helped our Armenian Community locally by showing what Armenia has to offer the world as well as helping the Armenian businesses in Armenia. You will be seeing more information on these wines as well as others in the future. We plan on continuing to update you on the wines of Armenia throughout the year and the different stores and restaurants you can obtain them from.

We continue to recommend that you support our two caterers, Uptown Catering in Keego Harbor and Steve and Rocky’s restaurant in Novi. Both have seen a decline in business due to the pandemic and need our parishioners’ business.

Respectfully submitted by Paul Yousoufian

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Artsakh Relief

On Tuesday, October 6, 2020, over 80 parishioners gathered in the evening on a Zoom Parish Town Hall Meeting to hear and discuss the status of events in Artsakh and Armenia and the Church's response to the urgent need for financial aid to support our homeland.

Fr. Aren and Parish Council Chair Michael Toomajian informed parishioners that, in response to an urgent and immediate request to all parishes from Bishop Daniel, primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), the Parish Council of St. John Armenian Church on Sunday approved sending $50,000 to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in support of the government’s civilian relief efforts in our homeland as our courageous, faithful, Christ-loving people continue to show incredible heroism, resolve, and sacrifice as they fight an incredible life-or-death battle for the preservation of holy Artsakh and Armenia.

After discussion and based on the overwhelming support of parishioners at the Town Hall meeting, our Church immediately sent an additional $450,000 for humanitarian aid for Artsakh and Armenia.

Our Church is blessed to be in the financial position to provide $500,000 in immediate aid to our homeland - only possible because of the generosity of our parishioners and their continued stewardship to the Church. It was noted by many that such diaspora support for Armenia was not available in 1915. Even now, with the fighting over, there is still much to be done for the rebuilding and humanitarian assistance in Armenia needed as a result of the war.

Seerov Jash Outreach Program

At the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fr. Aren, Fr. Armash, and the church staff gathered in Fr. Aren’s office and began to brainstorm about how best to serve our parishioners and the community’s needs during the State of Michigan Stay Safer at Home order. Immediately, we started planning for what soon was called St. John’s Seerov Jash Outreach Program.

In addition to providing a nutritious meal to those in need during the pandemic, our Seerov Jash program lifts up the spirit of those who are alone or feel dragged down by the isolation of the pandemic, provides another connection for many of our parishioners with our spiritual home, and teach our faithful volunteers the meaning of Christian ministry by being servants to those less fortunate.

Under the leadership and weekly efforts of Lisa Mardigian and Paul Yousoufian, we prepared and delivered over 10,783 Seerov Jash meals in 2020. Although it varies from week to week, approximately 50% of our meals go to Armenian households and 50% to non-Armenians. The non-Armenians are primarily our neighbors in the Magnolia subdivision, former servers from our catering operation (many of which are out of work since the pandemic), a very poor church in Detroit that takes 20 meals each week to feed the needy in their community, and our own maintenance staff.

We serve approximately 280 meals each week. The food and packaging costs average just under $2.50 per meal. Total costs for the program, including food, containers, and preparation costs were $67,850.

We applied for and were blessed to receive two grants from Oakland County/United Way to subsidize the cost of the program. The remaining cost is funded from our church general fund.

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH (CONTINUED)

Special thanks to Steve Allen and his produce company, Del Bene Produce, having too much dairy and produce on hand due to the restaurant closures donated several cases to us rather than letting them spoil. Thanks also to parishioners Jordon Norsigian, chef of Town Tavern in Royal Oak, Dan and Judy Cristiano, George Saboonjian, Armen Mardigian, Lisa Mardigian, and Gary Hachigian for donations of product and food that Paul has found ways to incorporate into the meals. Maintenance employee Iris Sampson has also searched out, picked up, and brought in several federal government- provided surplus produce boxes that we would incorporate into the meals. Thanks to the many, many parishioners and non-parishioners who have made monetary donations to the church.

Thank you also to our drivers who have delivered meals every Tuesday and Friday since the onset of this program. Special thanks to Annette Mamassian for working the pick-up door every week.

Health Fair

Saturday, October 3, 2020 was the 11th Annual Modified Health Fair. Although limited in scope due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to offer the important service of flu shots. The Flu Shot Clinic was again performed by Merriman Drugs’ Pharmacist Hanadi Thomas, along with a student pharmacist. Over 23 shots were administered helping to keep our community safe, especially during these COVID-19 times. This is welcome news, especially during this pandemic, where protection from flu becomes even more critical!

In conjunction with this event, a Blood Drive was held by Versiti (formerly Michigan Blood). Again, because of COVID, the need for blood happened to be greater than ever. As always, our parishioners were encouraged to participate. Our 2020 Versiti Blood Drive was successful with many of our parishioners and surrounding community members rising to this important occasion. On that day 23 pints were donated bringing total blood donated by our community now standing at 99 pints.

Doctors from our community showed their support of a “Healthy Armenian Community” through their generous donations to the health fair and blood drive with the backdrop of the limited 2020 Bazaar. Totals donations were $2,350. This was amazing support. Results were published on the church website, in the church bulletin and Torchbearer. Much thanks to all our doctors!

Capuchin Coat Drive.

The coat drive for the needy at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen continues to be successful and ran for the months of September and October. George Saboonjian, accompanied by Fr. Aren and Fr. Armash, took the coats to the Capuchins at the completion of this drive.

Finally, much thanks to St John Armenian Church Community and especially its Men’s Society for their continued commitment and support.

Respectfully submitted: Greg Baise, Edith Baise and Nancy Bogosian

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH (CONTINUED)

St John’s Volunteer Day at World Medical Relief

Global medical goods supplier and non-profit organization World Medical Relief (WMR) has served the sick and poor locally, nationally, and internationally since 1953. Located in Southfield, less than 3 miles from our Church, WMR has a worldwide outreach in its distribution of medical supplies and equipment -- from bandages and medication to wheelchairs and ambulances, and now including lifesaving harvested and refurbished heart pacemakers. Boxes of medical goods arrive weekly, but the bottleneck is the sorting of these goods for distribution.

Since 2017, St. John Men’s Society has organized quarterly “volunteer days” at WMR. Fr. Aren, Fr. Armash, and many members from the parish volunteered their Saturdays at WMR to participate in the sorting process. Due to the pandemic, volunteering was limited to between 10 and 20 participants each day, but many parishioners were able to participate safely at the five volunteer days we did have in 2020

Please consider joining us at our 2021 WMR volunteer days on:

• Saturday, February 6th, 1:00pm-3:30pm • Saturday, April 17th, 9:00am-11:30am • Saturday, June 5th, 1:00pm-3:30pm • Saturday, August 7th, 9:00am-11:30am • Saturday, October 9th, 1:00pm-3:30pm • Saturday, December 4th, 9:00am-11:30am

Respectfully Submitted by Greg and Edith Baise

Toys for Tots Program

In November and December, the St. John Church School organized and collected new, unwrapped toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program. Toys for Tots distributes toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in our community. With the assistance of all the Church Organizations, the parishioners, and the parish outreach, the Church School collected 19 large boxes and 15 large bags of toys. These items were picked up the week before Christmas and distributed as a part of the Oakland County Toys for Tots Campaign.

Respectfully Submitted by Sara Andonian

Children of Armenian Sponsorship Program

A volunteer project of the Women’s Guild Central Council, the Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program (CASP) was established in 1991 at the request of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, in response to the ongoing recovery of the 1988 earthquake in Armenia. Since that time, CASP has provided over $27,000 per year to the Gavar Orphanage and has sponsored more than 1,300 orphaned children in Armenia.

An annual pledge of $250 supports a child until the age of 18. Every child is screened for eligibility, status, and need by CASP representatives in Armenia. CASP is solely dependent on the generosity of its volunteer supporters, to love and cherish these wonderful children.

In 2020, the combined resources of St. John Armenian Church, including the Church School and the Women’s Guild, sponsored ten children through CASP.

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH (CONTINUED)

Fuller Center for Housing Armenia

Home Sponsors – Elaine and Mark Mardirosian Getap Village, Vayots Dzor Region

The Fuller Center for Housing Armenia (FCHA) has had years of providing the families in housing needs with simple, decent, and affordable homes. Over the years, the organization has supported more than 1,000 families in all the regions of Armenia, as well as in the Republic of Artsakh.

2020 was a sad year for our team, the global pandemic hit and everything was canceled. But, by some luck, our home sponsors Elaine and Mark Mardirosian agreed to send the money for the home despite the cancellation and not being able to go to Armenia and help with the build.

Our 2020 family, Artur Safaryan, Anna Mkrtchyan, and their son Arman, live in Getap Village, Vayots Dzor Region. They have been living in their parental house, 7 people in a small house. In 2011, they started building a new home for their family. Due to financial difficulties the construction remained unfinished. They were only able to build the walls and the roof of the house.

I am happy to report, the house construction is completed. Hopefully in 2021 we will be able to go to Armenia and have the home blessing together with the new homeowners, Artur and Anna and Mark and Elaine Mardirosian.

My thanks to our parish for their support of FCHA and supporting our teams year after year.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to Mr. & Mrs. Edward Mardigian who provided a generous gift to subsidize our team members, for many years.

Our sincerest appreciation and deepest gratitude are given to Mr. & Mrs. Mark Mardirosian, who generously sponsored the cost of the home for our 2020 deserving Armenian family.

The St. John Armenian Church 2021 team of members are in place and ready to leave on our mission trip.

Our 2021 home will be sponsored by: Johnny & Sevana ElChemmas and Family and Raffi & Martha ElChemmas and Family In Honor of Jacqueline Melkonian ElChemmas

“Building a New Armenia – One Home at a Time”

Respectfully Submitted by Jacqueline Melkonian ElChemmas

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH (CONTINUED)

Special Plate Collections

In 2020, St. John Armenian Church had a special plate collection during Western Christmas Eve to benefit Fund for Armenia Relief. Thanks to the generosity of our parishioners, $1,700 was raised for and sent to the Diocese for FAR.

Tuesday Lunch Club

Continuing in its long-standing tradition, senior members of our community met on Tuesdays during January, February, and the first half of March, for lunch and socializing. Due to the pandemic, the lunches were suspended in mid-March through the end of 2020. We look forward to restarting the weekly lunches as soon as it is safe to do so.

Our deep gratitude to the Mardigian family who continue to subsidize the luncheons with St. John’s, to Gary Reizian and his staff for preparing and serving our meals, and to Kenneth Khezarjian for his invaluable service.

Respectfully Submitted by Mary Negosian and Daniel Cristiano

22

EDWARD & HELEN MARDIGIAN LIBRARY

Currently the library houses over 6,000 books and periodicals in Armenian, English, French, Russian, and Turkish including a number of rare and valuable editions. Researchers and the general public utilized the facilities offered by the Edward and Helen Mardigian Library on a limited basis during the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In accordance with mandates from the State of Michigan, the library was closed along with all other libraries from mid-March to mid-June for in person service. Reference material was provided by email and phone by Lucy Ardash upon request.

When the library reopened, all visitors were required to wear masks, stop at the hand sanitizer station, and complete a COVID-19 checklist prior to entering. Books were sanitized with a UVC/LED sterilizer wand after each use.

Over 300 books, periodicals and newspapers were donated by parishioners and friends along with acquisitions underwritten by the Mardigian Foundation. Our sincere appreciation to all of the donors.

St. John Church School’s tenth grade class met periodically in the library on Sunday mornings. Masks were required along with temperature checks. Social distancing guidelines were followed.

ALEX & MARIE MANOOGIAN MUSEUM

This past year has brought countless uncertainties and challenges due to the pandemic. During the first few months of 2020, hundreds of visitors toured the eight galleries. By mid- March, all museums in Michigan were closed until mid-June in accordance with a directive from the State of Michigan. A number of large group tours were postponed and cancelled. When the museum re-opened, individuals and families visited the museum in the summer and fall on a limited basis. Strict protocols were followed to ensure the safety of visitors and staff.

Presently one manuscript and two early printed books are on loan to the Detroit Institute of Arts. Five artifacts were on loan to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art in Indiana from March – September. Our museum has been asked to loan two paintings and four artifacts to the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C. for an exhibition entitled “The Breath of God: Armenia and the Bible” which has been rescheduled to open on March 18, 2022.

In December, a cast bronze sculpture entitled “The Denial of St. Peter” created by internationally acclaimed sculptor Reuben Nakian was presented to the museum by his son Paul Nakian. We extend our appreciation to him for this thoughtful donation.

The museum’s website was accessed by approximately 1200 viewers from the United States, Armenia, Australia, Belgium, China, England, and Turkey.

Featured articles of interest and ancient relics from Armenia’s past continue to provide a unique glimpse of our history and create pride in our heritage.

Respectfully Submitted by Lucy Ardash

23

CHURCH PICNIC REPORT

Our annual Church Picnic was held on Sunday, August 16, 2020. Anahid Dilakian and Sako Ghazarian chaired this year’s picnic. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no on-site seating for this year’s picnic. But the delicious meals consisting of khorovatz pork and chicken barbeque, pilaf, cheese beoreg, and salad were delivered to parishioners’ vehicles and enjoyed in the comfort and safety of their homes.

On the feast day of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, the day began with Divine Liturgy officiated by the Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian. The service culminated with the Blessing of the Grapes, which was performed outside on the field adjacent to the sanctuary. After Divine Liturgy, parishioners who attended Divine Liturgy in person and those who participated at their homes via our live stream, lined up outside our kitchen for ACYOA members to safely place the meals in their vehicles.

Thank you to Joyce Yeghissian, Lucy Ardash, Isabelle Vahratian, Denise Boyagian, Ruzanna Torosyan, Ani Mnacakanian, Anna Tokmajyan, and Lianna Sargsyan for preparations and cooking for the picnic and to Manvel Ghazaryan, Arman Vardanyan, Samvel Badalyan, and Dn. George Boyagian for cutting, skewering, and cooking the khorovods. Also, thanks to Paul Yousoufian for the preparation of the pilaf, and to Lisa Mardigian and the ACYOA for their help in the kitchen and delivering meals to the parishioners’ vehicles.

Our picnic was a huge success because of the support of our parish community!

Respectfully Submitted by Anahid Dilakian and Sako Ghazarian

BAZAAR REPORT

St. John’s annual Bazaar took place on the weekend of October 3rd & 4th. This year’s Bazaar included an ACYOA Bishop’s 5k walk/run, a blood drive and flu shot clinic chaired by Greg and Edith Baise, dinners, baked goods, bookstore, Hye Wine Sale, Woman’s Guild cookbook and DVD sale, and a raffle.

Saturday’s menu consisted of traditional lamb, chicken, or lulu kabob with choice of pilaf. Salad, beoreg, and vegetables were offered a la cart. Sunday’s menu was a traditional khorovods led by Sako Ghazarian and his crew. The Woman’s Guild, under the direction of Joy Callan, provided home-baked cheoreg, khalka, khata, khurabia, simit, and nazoog which was dropped off at church prior to the Bazaar. Spinach and cheese tepsee beoregs chaired by Sara Andonian, yalanchie chaired by Dawn Aginian, and manti chaired by Anahid Dilakian were all prepared at our church facility. An outdoor bookstore was set up and organized by Lucy Ardash and Anahid Dilakian. The outdoor Hye Wine Sale was organized by Paul Yousoufian. Lastly, this year’s raffle was co-chaired by Greg Mamassian and Jimmy Stamboulian.

The Bazaar revenues were approximately $45,000. $22,500 in food sales; $17,800 in raffle ticket sales; $2,350 in health fair donations; $755 in Woman’s Guild donations; and $1,600 in other donations. Special thank you to ALL those who helped make our annual fundraiser a reality.

Bazaar Committee Members: Thank you to ALL those who volunteered their time and talent to make this drive-thru event a success! • Cutting/Skewering: Tricia & Robert Magee, Kris Andonian, Molly Varbedian, Denise & Dn. George Boyagian, Zaven & Marilyn Dadian, Nayiri Misirliyan and Kim Najarian. • Baked Goods: Joy Callan, Marilyn Dadian • Yelanchie: Dawn Aginian • Beoreg: Sara Andonian

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BAZAAR REPORT (CONTINUED)

• Manti: Anahid Dilakian • Matnakash: Anna Tokmajyan • Greeter: Kim Najarian • Kitchen Crew: Nyree Misirliyan, Sarine Misirliyan, Ani Misirliyan & ACYOA Seniors • Soup/Pilaf: Paul Yousoufian • Mezza Platter: Jackie & Fouzi ElChemmas, Farm Grill (Lavash), Elizabeth Oknayan • Vegan Platter: Susie Mardoyan, Nyree Misirliyan, Lisa Mardigian, Farm Grill Baba Ganoush • Saturday Grillers: Alex Alexanian, Matthew Mardigian, Brian Thomas • Sunday Grillers: Sako Ghazarian and crew

ACYOA Bishop’s 5K Walk/Run: • Prayer service by Fr. Aren, Fr. Armash, and Deacon Rubik followed by walk/run in the church neighborhood. • Thank you to Jennifer Morris and Maral Thomas for assisting in registration and course set up. • Apple Cider/donuts/pumpkins for all who attended which were graciously donated by Westborn Market. • Hot Dog cart donated by Bob Kalfayan • Online & walk contributions totaled $4,000 out of the $10,000 that the Bishop’s 5K raised diocese wide.

Blood Drive: Saturday afternoon. Thank you to Greg and Edith Baise for their commitment to this annual health event at the Veterans building.

Bazaar Bake Goods: Thank you to the Woman’s Guild who baked cheoreg, khalka, khata, khurabia, simit and nazoog at home.

Bookstore: Thank you to Lucy Ardash and Anahid Dilakian for weathering the elements and operating the outdoor bookstore!

Hye Wine Sale: Thank you to Paul Yousoufian for operating the “Wines from Armenia” sale.

Raffle: Thank you to the dedicated raffle co-chairs, Greg Mamassian and Jimmy Stamboulian, for doing an excellent job on the annual $100 raffle. Congratulations to our first-place winner, Helen Attar; second-place winner, Jeff and Jessica Aris; and third-place winner, Alice Nigoghosian and Sandra Nigoghosian.

Respectfully Submitted by Lisa Mardigian, Bazaar chair

25

ARMENIAN CHURCH YOUTH ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA (ACYOA) JUNIORS

Co-Chairperson: Cadden Atesian & Sevana Mailian Fall 2020 -present: Mara Najarian Membership: 20+ Number of Meetings: 10

Main Activities:

• Lenten Fish Dinners • Progressive Armenian Christmas Dinner • “Bazaar by Car” runners • World Medical Relief and Pizza Lunch • Father’s Day Drive through lunch runners • Car Wash & Coney’s • Can drive • Blessing of Grapes preparation • Thanksgiving dinner runners • Holiday Market

Remarks:

We extend our appreciation to our parents and volunteers for helping with our Lenten dinners and to all those who support the Junior’s efforts in setting up, preparing, serving, and cleaning up these Wednesday dinners. Thank you to our parents who graciously host our progressive Christmas dinner. Thank you to Fr. Aren and Fr. Armash for their continued love and support.

Respectfully Submitted by Lisa Mardigian

26

ARMENIAN CHURCH YOUTH ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA (ACYOA) JUNIORS (CONTINUED)

Summary Of Receipts And Disbursements Year Ended November 30, 2020

CASH IN BANK NOVEMBER 30, 2019 Checking Account - Flagstar $1,177.17

RECEIPTS:

Lenten Fish Dinners $1,682.00 Can Drive 95.00 Bottle Deposit Donations 1,800.30 Car Wash, Coneys & Blessings 638.00 Holiday Market 1,288.56

Total Receipts 5,503.86

Total Cash To Be Accounted For: $6,681.03

DISBURSEMENTS: Lenten Fish Dinner $1,397.07 Armenia COVID Donation 100.00

Beirut Relief Donation 100.00

Contribution to SJAC 2,333.30

Total Disbursements $3,930.37

CASH IN BANK NOVEMBER 30, 2020 Checking Account - Flagstar 2,750.66

Total Cash Accounted For: $6,681.03

Treasurer: Lisa Mardigian Auditing Committee Representative: Dikran Callan

27

ARMENIAN CHURCH YOUTH ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA (ACYOA) SENIORS

Chairman: Ani Misirliyan Membership: 20

Main Activities • February Chapter Connections • Father’s Day Drive thru luncheon • Monthly Zoom Meetings • Car Wash & Coneys • Church Picnic • Church Bazaar • Thanksgiving Dinner • Christmas Eve Church Service Remarks

The ACYOA Seniors would like to extend their appreciation to Fr. Aren, Fr. Armash, Paul Andonian, our parents, and all the parishioners who supported the ACYOA sponsored events. Our ACYOA was committed to raising money to help Artsakh and Armenia, as well as for the benefit of St. John’s.

Respectfully Submitted by Ani Misirliyan

28

ARMENIAN CHURCH YOUTH ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA (ACYOA) SENIORS (CONTINUED)

Summary Of Receipts And Disbursements Year Ended November 30, 2020

CASH IN BANK NOVEMBER 30, 2019 Checking Account - Flagstar $15,525.43

RECEIPTS: November Dance 2019 $784.00 Neghosian Endowment 468.00 Father's Day Kabob Dinner 6,377.79

Car Wash, Coneys & Blessings 789.00 Bishop's 5K Run 2,505.00 Thanksgiving Dinner 3,931.80

Total Receipts 14,855.59

Total Cash To Be Accounted For: $30,381.02

DISBURSEMENTS: November Dance 2019 $141.11 Chapter Connection Workship 154.38

Father's Day Kabob Dinner 1,965.34 Car Wash, Coneys & Blessings 124.83 ACYOA Chapter Dues 200.00 Armenia COVID Donation 100.00 Beirut Relief Donation 100.00 Bishop's 5K Run 2,505.00 Thanksgiving Dinner 1,331.66 Contribution to SJAC 11,000.00

Total Disbursements $17,622.32

CASH IN BANK NOVEMBER 30, 2020 Checking Account - Flagstar 12,758.70

Total Cash Accounted For: $30,381.02

Treasurer: Lisa Mardigian Auditing Committee Representative: Dikran Callan

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KOMITAS CHOIR

Chair: John Yavruian Membership: 37 Number of meetings: 7 (6 Board, 1 General)

Major Functions:

• Singing the Divine Liturgy every Sunday, on Feast Days, was curtailed in accordance with the direction of the Diocese and state regulations. When the restrictions were lifted, singing on a limited basis was initiated. Our deacons served uninterrupted every Sunday • Manoogian Manor visits continued with modifications. • April 24 service • Church fundraising support: • Serving Dinners at the Festival was not an option this year. • Arts of Armenia - Virtual (One week - 1 hour/day) • Sacred Music Council Festival & Workshop - Virtual (March & October 2020) • Executive body meetings were scheduled virtually on Zoom. • Annual general body meeting and officer elections conducted virtual on Zoom. • Member newsletter and publications were submitted by Linda Jevahirian and Deacon Rubik. • Recruiting was limited this year.

Remarks The ingenuity displayed by our Church organizations, Clergy and Staff has made us all especially proud of our Community as it adjusted to the challenges of the Pandemic and the uncertainty it engendered. The choir expresses its sorrow to the members of our community and their families who suffered loss. When participating in the Badarak on Sundays became untenable, the choir was bereft of its primary method of serving God. When Rubik’s efforts to conduct rehearsals online proved to be technically unfeasible, he quickly moved to organize monthly Zoom meetings (seminars and check in sessions) to improve our moral. He also initiated visitations to our alumni, who were no longer able to actively engage in choir activities. Two or three active members of the choir along with Hayr Aren, Father Armash and Deacon Rubik would visit one or two members on a given day and sing with them in their driveways or backyards. As a member of the Diocese’s Sacred Music Council Rubik helped organize two events, in March and October which were attended by several choir members, virtually. As summer approached a decision had to be made as to whether to conduct the Arts of Armenia Program or cancel it. The decision was made to offer the program online. This allowed the creativity of our choir members to display their brilliance. The possibility of offering the program to children out of state was born and became a reality due to the inspired efforts of Lisa Mardigian. The program was limited to one hour a day for one week. Father Aren, Father Armash, Deacon Rubik, Denise Karakashian, Lisa Mardigian, Marianne Dardarian, Anahit Toumajan and Zabel Belian all contributed their unique talents. The results were a huge success! The Choir’s annual meeting was conducted online. We successfully conducted our elections due to the diligence of our Nominating Committee Chair, Charlene Apigian. Our Zoom Christmas Party was a hit thanks to the originality of Marianne Dardarian.

All in all, the Choir Remains Gratefully Blessed!

Respectfully Submitted by John Yavruian

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KOMITAS CHOIR (CONTINUED)

Summary Of Receipts And Disbursements Year Ended November 30, 2020

CASH IN BANK AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2019: Checking Account - Flagstar $17,696.69

RECEIPTS: Arts of Armenia Receipts $200.00 Christmas Event 1,910.00

Funeral Service 200.00 Gifts & Memorials 1,050.00

Investments Income 1,433.25 Total Receipts 4,793.25

Total Cash To Be Accounted for $22,489.94

DISBURSEMENTS: Arts of Armenia Expense $411.22 Bank Fees 30.00 Christmas Concert 1,412.82

Christmas Eve 150.00 Christmas Event Expense 1,821.27

Continuing Education 1,138.03 Donation 1,300.00 Gift to SJAC 5,000.00

Total Disbursements $11,263.34

CASH IN BANK AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2020: Checking Account - Flagstar 11,226.60

Total Cash Accounted for $22,489.94

Treasurer: Christine Matoian Auditing Committee Representative: Edward Bedikian

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ST. JOHN MUSIC GUILD

Chair: Dn. Rubik Mailian Membership: 9 Number of Meetings: 2 face-to-face also in addition to Zoom meetings & e-mail correspondences Major Functions

• Planning to present the 2020 Concert Series • Music Guild meetings to discuss concert dates, musicians, advertising details, task assignments, underwriting opportunities, and project completion status updates • Electing a new Chairman and discussing prospective Guild members

Remarks

The Music Guild planned two exciting concerts for its 2020 concert series. The Cadence Ensemble was planned to have a concert on Sunday April 26, 2020 and the Naghash Ensemble on October 25, 2020. Flyers were printed and sent to parishioners, contracts were signed, but due to the pandemic, travel bans, and government restriction on gatherings, both concerts had to be cancelled.

In keeping with the mission of the organization, which is to foster an understanding and appreciation of Armenian music, the Music Guild has sponsored past concerts with artists from Michigan Opera, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Sima Trio of NY, Ida & Ani Kavafian, the Affinity Strings and Dr. David Wagner. Young Armenian musicians were also invited to perform with the professionals.

The Music Guild will plan its 2021 concert season once the pandemic restrictions are lifted.

Respectfully Submitted by Dn. Rubik Mailian

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ST. JOHN MUSIC GUILD (CONTINUED)

Summary Of Receipts And Disbursements Year Ended November 30, 2020

CASH IN BANK NOVEMBER 30, 2019: Checking Account - Flagstar $ 15,348.15

RECEIPTS: Gifts 235.00 In Lieu of Flowers 4,255.00

Total Receipts 4,490.00

Total Cash To Be Accounted For: $ 19,838.15

DISBURSEMENTS: Printing - Cancelled 2020 Concerts 1,346.73 Contribution to St. John Armenian Church 3,000.00

Total Disbursements $ 4,346.73

CASH IN BANK NOVEMBER 30, 2020: Checking Account - Flagstar 15,491.42

Total Cash Accounted For: $ 19,838.15

Treasurer: Bob Simonian Auditing Committee Representative: Edward Bedikian

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MEN’S SOCIETY

Chair: Ara Belian Membership: 39 Number of Meetings: 6 meetings (4 of them Zoom Meetings)

Major Functions: • Church Retreat • Welfare Check - phone calls by 6 or 7 members to all Men’s Society Members during the pandemic • 11th Annual Health Fair and Blood Drive • Capuchin Men’s Coat Drive • Participation in Curbside Bazaar • January and February Pancake Breakfast; September, October, November, and December Curbside Pickups • St. John’s Volunteer Day at World Medical Relief (4 times)

2020 was a challenge for the Men's Society as it was for the rest of the church due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From March onward we were not able to hold any in person meetings at the church. However, starting in August, we did hold Zoom meetings that saw increased participation over what we had typically seen at our in-person meetings.

We continued to have strong and dedicated support from a core group of 5-10 members of the Men's Society throughout the year. While the number of "active" members is not as high as we would like, we are still extremely grateful for the time that we were able to spend together and participate in Men's Society related activities.

During the pandemic we needed to adapt our situation for fund raising for the Church and keeping our membership engaged. Many of our members like to cook, and we all wanted to get together, so we came up with five curb-side meals that were a little different than the norm: First, in September, a scrambled egg, basterma, and cheese sandwich brunch serviced with spinach pie, eech, cheoreg, and grapes. Second, in October, a lamb chop dinner which garnered great reviews and inspired us to keep moving forward. In November, we served a comfort lunch of matzoon soup and luleh kabob or grilled sujec sandwich. In early December, we hosted a virtual wine tasting of six Armenian wines. We had 17 volunteers throughout the week preparing a variety of food parings for the wines including grilled vegetables, salmon salad, bacon wrapped apricots, cheeses and smoked meat, barbecued chicken, and fresh fruit. Finally, on New Year’s Eve, the men prepared a meal consisting of a mezza platter of hummus, basterma, eech, cheese, sarma, olives and pickles, and main courses of grilled loin of lamb chops or pomegranate glazed salmon. We prepared and delivered 74 dinners and 27 mezza platters on New Year’s Eve; we think we closed 2020 and started 2021 the right way. The Men’s Society did incredible work on all these meals.

My personal thanks to all those members who put forth so much of themselves to make the year an enjoyable one. We had a wonderful year in terms of redirecting our meals to curbside, as well as continuing our efforts for Capuchin coat drive and World Medical Relief events.

Financial contributions to SJAC were $4,072 including over $2,000 from our Health Fair.

Future Projects: Continue to enhance our Curbside meal programs during the pandemic. World Medical Relief volunteering, Capuchin Coat Drive and special gatherings for Men’s Society members and their families in the future. Continue to hold successful Men’s Retreats.

Respectfully Submitted by Ara Belian

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MEN’S SOCIETY (CONTINUED)

Summary Of Receipts And Disbursements Year Ended November 30, 2020

CASH IN BANK NOVEMBER 30, 2019: Checking Account - Flagstar $ 5,380.47

RECEIPTS: Men's Society Dues $ 280.00 January Breakfast 745.00 February Breakfast 748.20 September Brunch 1,753.26 Lamb Chop Lunch 3,664.85 Soup & Sandwich Lunch 699.96

Total Receipts 7,891.27

Total Cash To Be Accounted For: $ 13,271.74

DISBURSEMENTS: January Breakfast $ 352.00 February Breakfast 291.92 September Brunch 1,753.26 Lamb Chop Lunch 3,659.85

Total Disbursements $ 6,057.03

CASH IN BANK AS OF NOVEBMER 30, 2020: Checking Account - Flagstar 7,214.71

Total Cash Accounted For: $ 13,271.74

Treasurer: Daniel Cristiano Auditing Committee Representative: Dikran Callan

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FINE ARTS COMMITTEE

Chair: Dr. Raffi Belian Membership: 10 Number of meetings: 1

Major Functions:

Two exhibitions were scheduled for 2020. However, both were cancelled due to the pandemic. We are optimistic that at least one exhibition will take place in 2021. The mission of the Fine Arts Committee is to promote Armenian art and culture.

The Fine Arts Committee had no receipts or disbursements in 2020.

Respectfully Submitted by Dr. Raffi Belian

THE ARMENIAN HERITAGE COLLECTION

Chair: Paulette Apkarian Membership: 4

Remarks

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no performances by The Armenian Heritage Collection in 2020.

The Armenian Heritage Collection had no receipts or disbursements in 2020.

Respectfully Submitted by Paulette Apkarian

36

WOMEN’S GUILD

Chair: Denise Karakashian

Remarks:

I think it is safe to say it has been a year like no other! Under some very unusual circumstances, the Women’s Guild managed to continue its good works, always keeping in mind Bishop Daniel’s charge that all we do should Build Up the Body of Christ.

The Guild is extremely grateful for the leadership and support of our priests, Very Reverend Fr. Aren Jebejian and Reverend Fr. Armash Bagdasarian who encouraged and guided us through all the changes and challenges that 2020 and the COVID-19 virus brought. Gratitude is also extended to Paul Andonian who was so instrumental in helping Women’s Guild navigate the technical end of our virtual meetings and online sales. With their help, the Guild continued to hold regular monthly executive board meetings and general membership meetings using the Zoom platform.

The year began as usual. The Women’s Guild again sponsored a luncheon following the Armenian Christmas service on January 6. Bake days began in preparation for the yearly Palm Sunday bake sale. The Guild held a Women Saints Day observance on March 4, honoring Saint Khosrovitookt and Saint Junia with a short church service and luncheon followed by a meeting. Nothing was at all usual about what happened next.

When the stay-home order was instituted, the board began to look at ways to stay in touch with the membership during a time when gatherings and activities were suspended. By May, several new initiatives were instituted by the board. Personal outreach phone calls began immediately to all 224 Guild members as a way to keep in touch, check on their well- being, and share what was happening with Women’s Guild. By the end of 2020, 6 rounds of calls had been made. Knowing how important outreach is, the Women’s Guild continued its visits to Manoogian Manor 5 times to coincide with the 5 major feast days of the Armenian Church. These visits usually consisted of a short service with priests, deacons, Guild members and Komitas Choir members. This year, more than ever, these visits took on a new importance to offer the residents some contact with people outside the Manor and provide something for them significant to the occasion (choreg, Easter eggs, basil, blessed water, etc.). Though participation was understandably low, the visits were no less valued. In addition to the new initiatives, we continued to publish our monthly newsletters and kept in touch with frequent email announcements and reminders to share information with the membership.

One of our most ambitious initiatives this year was the development of a series of creative videos recorded by volunteers and published on YouTube under the title Guild Gatherings. The intent of the videos was to offer tutorials and information on a variety of topics during a time when people were homebound. By the end of 2020, Guild Gatherings contained 14 videos which had been viewed nearly 3,000 times. New videos are planned to continue through 2021. The success of this initiative is due to co-chairs Paulette Apkarian and Denise Karakashian and all the volunteers who graciously taped themselves to share their knowledge and expertise.

In June, members were honored for their years of service in Women’s Guild, typically, during a membership dinner meeting which did not take place this year. In order to maintain the tradition, board members personally delivered gifts to members being honored. Additionally, members turning 90 received a bouquet of roses to mark their new status as honorary members who are exempt from paying dues.

Fundraising this year basically consisted of two bake sales. The annual Palm Sunday bake sale turned into a Mother’s Day bake sale using the baked goods that the Guild was able to produce before the shutdown. Marilyn Dadian stepped up to organize the first successful drive-up sale which was the forerunner of many more drive-up sales to come at St. John. The last fundraiser was the holiday cookie sale co-chaired by Joy Callan and Carol Cholmakjian who worked very hard

37

WOMEN’S GUILD (CONTINUED) researching recipes, organizing bakers, and coordinating the assembly process of the beautiful homemade cookie boxes. The success of this sale depended heavily on the participation of Guild members who baked at home or helped with the assembly. Many thanks to those who worked on the fundraisers or gave monetary donations toward the sale. Some additional income was also made from the sale of cookbooks, aprons, and “High Dining” USBs sold during the Bazaar and holiday cookie sale.

As the Bazaar approached, Women’s Guild began a “first time ever” method of producing the baked goods so much in demand. Under the very able direction of Joy Callan, 37 Guild members and parishioners produced choreg, katah, khalkha, nazoog, simit, khorabia, and yalanchee from their own homes and donated it all to the Bazaar. In addition to the baked goods, monetary donations from Women’s Guild members yielded a total profit of $5,377 in what became the first ever drive-up Bazaar. A great deal of thanks to all who contributed to this huge effort to benefit St. John Armenian Church. Additionally, the Women’s Guild donated $10,000 to the Parish Council to support St. John in its mission to serve the parish and community.

A number of our ongoing committees were able to continue their work. The Mahs committee, chaired by Renee Apkarian, met to make a huge pre-COVID batch of mahs that will last through Easter. The committee typically meets 2-3 times a year yielding about 3,000 mahs bags each time. Two outreach programs were able to continue their work as well, making an impact on the community during a time of great need. The knitting group donated a large number of items to Covenant House in Detroit and our annual donations to Alternatives for Girls continued thanks to the efforts of Sue Vian who coordinated the collection and delivery of items.

As the year came to a close, the Women’s Guild held a successful election where members voted by mail and the annual Christmas dinner meeting was replaced with a Zoom meeting and some holiday Bingo fun. Membership standings for the year total 224 members consisting of 203 paying members, 21 honorary members, and 6 new members.

Many thanks to the wonderful ladies of the Women’s Guild who participated in Zoom meetings, chaired or helped with events, or supported our endeavors to keep the organization alive in 2020. Special thanks to members of the 2020 Executive Board: Dawn Aginian, Paulette Apkarian, Edith Baise, Denise Boyagian, Marianne Dardarian, Jackie ElChemmas, Nyree Giragosian, Denise Karakashian, and Alice Mekjian. Their hard work and willingness to embrace new ideas kept the Guild moving forward. It was a pleasure to serve the Women’s Guild the past year.

Respectfully Submitted by Denise Karakashian

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WOMEN’S GUILD (CONTINUED)

Summary Of Receipts And Disbursements Year Ended November 30, 2020

CASH IN BANK - FLAGSTAR BANK - NOVEMBER 30, 2019 $ 25,728.33

RECEIPTS: Dues $ 4,760.00 Cookbooks/DVDs 1,005.00 Aprons 200.00 USBs 90.00

November Bake Sale 445.00

Palm Sunday Bake Sale 3,600.00 Saintly Women's Day 430.00 Armenian Christmas 753.00 Advent by Candlelight 1,475.00 Mer Doon Donations 2,050.00 Misc. Donations 65.00 Total Receipts 14,873.00

Total Cash To Be Accounted For: $ 40,601.33

DISBURSEMENTS:

Women's Guild Central Council Dues $ 724.00

CASP Sponsorship 500.00 WGCC - Santly Women's Day 245.00 In Lieu of Flowers/Hokehankist (SJAC) 210.00 WG Wow Luncheon 50.00 Armenian Christmas 400.00 Mer Doon Donation 2,550.00 Palm Sunday Bake Sale 455.19 Advent by Candlelight 1,223.69 Donation to Armenia COVID 1,200.00 Donation to St. Nersess Seminary 200.00

Membership Expense 699.00

Bank Service Charges/Fees 112.00 Gifts 1,195.58 Administration, Supplies, Postage and Mailing 209.00 SJAC Donation 10,000.00 Total Disbursements $ 19,973.46

CASH IN BANK - FLAGSTAR BANK - DECEMBER 1, 2020 Funds Available for Use $ 2,276.89 Temporarily Restricted Funds 18,350.98 * 20,627.87

Total Cash in Bank

$ 40,601.33

Total Cash Accounted For:

* Memorial Contributions and Bequests (2016 - 2019)

Treasurer: Jacqueline Melkonian ElChemmas Auditing Committee Representative: Gary Melikian 39

CHURCH FINANCIALS

St. John Armenian Church Balance Sheet December 31, 2020 Assets Current assets:

Cash $ 377,942 Unrestricted investments (Note 1) 6,518,556 Receivables 410 Accounts receivable - catering 7,006

Inventory - bookstore 1,900

Total current assets 6,905,814

Endowment asset investments (Note 1) 3,839,354 Liquor license 58,000

Total assets $ 10,803,168

Liabilities and Net Assets

Liabilities: Paycheck Protection Program loan (Note 2) $ 138,400 Custodial funds 5,700

Total liabilities 144,100

Net assets: Without donor restrictions 5,812,755 With restrictions for use 1,006,959 Endowment assets 3,839,354 Total net assets 10,659,068

Total liabilities and net assets $ 10,803,168

Changes in Net Assets

Change in net assets: Net total revenues less expenses - from Statement of Revenues and Expenses $ 267 Unrealized net gains on unrestricted assets (Note 1) 188,979 Realized and unrealized investment earnings on endowment assets (Note 1) 362,662 Increase in endowment assets during the year 32,350

Net expenditures from assets with restrictions for use (123,882)

Total change in net assets $ 460,376

Net assets - January 1, 2020 $ 10,198,692 Change in net assets 460,376 Net assets - December 31, 2020 $ 10,659,068

The accompanying notes on pages 45 - 49 are part of the financial statements.

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CHURCH FINANCIALS (CONTINUED)

St. John Armenian Church Analysis of Revenues & Expenses - General Fund

Line # Revenues 2019 Actual 2020 Budget 2020 Actual 2021 Budget

Contributions & Gifts 1 Membership Dues & Stewardship (Note 3) $ 207,536 $ 230,000 $ 242,349 $ 250,000 2 TST Stewardship Society 40,380 25,000 14,248 15,000 3 In-Lieu-Of-Flowers Donation 137,486 100,000 49,483 75,000 4 Requiem (Hokehankist) 42,307 30,000 26,421 30,000 5 Unrestricted Gifts and Bequests (Note 4) 24,041 30,000 746,311 30,000 6 Sacraments 33,125 20,000 15,100 20,000 7 Yughakin Gifts 4,744 4,000 9,817 4,000 8 Summer Campaign Fundraiser 15,756 - - - Total Contributions & Gifts $ 505,375 $ 439,000 $ 1,103,729 $ 424,000

Program Revenues 9 Church School Program (Note 5) 16,995 12,600 5,638 8,200 10 Youth Progams & Ministries (Note 6) 23,109 33,700 8,382 27,350 11 Worship - Plates & Candles 54,708 48,000 38,710 35,000 12 Social Concern Fundraising (Note 7) 12,700 10,000 16,610 12,000 13 Tuesday Senior Lunch Contributions (Note 8) 15,448 16,000 3,176 8,000 14 Sunday Fellowship Contributions 50 - - - Total Program Revenues 123,010 120,300 72,516 90,550

Event Net Income 15 Catering Operations $ 297,707 $ 220,000 $ 2,414 $ - 16 Bazaar (Note 9) 82,356 80,000 31,176 35,000 17 Picnic 4,844 4,000 3,005 4,000 18 Cultural & Educational Events (Note 10) 3,100 2,000 3,023 2,000 19 Special Events (Note 11) 2,007 1,500 2,650 1,500 20 Rental Other Organizations 17,200 17,000 15,400 12,000 Total Event Revenues $ 407,214 $ 324,500 $ 57,668 $ 54,500

Investment Income 21 ACEF Endowment Income $ 70,523 $ 74,000 $ 72,373 $ 72,000 22 Investment Income (Note 1) 249,175 292,000 292,688 309,000 Total Investment Income $ 319,698 $ 366,000 $ 365,061 $ 381,000

Other Income 23 Armenian Apostolic Society Allocation $ 80,500 $ 80,500 $ 80,500 $ 80,500 24 Bookstore 19,307 18,000 14,064 18,000 25 Grant Revenues and Loan Forgiveness (Notes 2 and 12) - - 65,800 138,400 26 Church Auxiliary Group Contributions (Note 13) 24,500 34,000 36,088 34,000 27 Reward Income 1,038 - 479 - Total Other Income $ 125,345 $ 132,500 $ 196,931 $ 270,900

Total Revenues $ 1,480,642 $ 1,382,300 $ 1,795,905 $ 1,220,950

The accompanying notes on pages 45 - 49 are part of the financial statements.

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CHURCH FINANCIALS (CONTINUED)

St. John Armenian Church Analysis of Revenues & Expenses - General Fund (Continued)

Line # Expenses 2019 Actual 2020 Budget 2020 Actual 2021 Budget

Program Services 28 Church School Program (Note 5) $ 16,995 $ 16,600 $ 5,638 $ 13,250 29 Youth Progams & Ministries (Note 6) 21,408 38,250 6,054 29,950 30 Worship - Plates & Candles 9,737 10,000 13,046 14,500 31 Social Concern Outreach (Note 7) 12,700 10,000 16,610 12,000 32 Tuesday Senior Lunch Program 15,448 16,000 3,176 8,000 33 Sunday Fellowship 3,530 5,000 1,181 1,000 34 St. Nersess Seminary 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 35 CASP 1,800 1,250 - 2,000 36 Contributions and Outreach (Note 14) 2,640 2,500 585,829 10,000 37 Religious Publications 812 - - - Total Program Services $ 90,070 $ 104,600 $ 636,534 $ 95,700

Personnel Expenses 38 Salaries (incl. Payroll Taxes) (Note 15) $ 564,001 $ 580,000 $ 569,234 $ 524,350 39 Benefits 34,245 40,000 35,296 40,000 40 Auto Expense - Pastors 10,196 13,000 15,159 13,500 41 Employee Medical Testing 152 400 243 300 42 Travel Expense - Pastor 5,987 7,000 168 3,500 43 Visiting Clergy 1,810 2,000 - 1,000 Total Personnel Expenses $ 616,391 $ 642,400 $ 620,100 $ 582,650

Admin & Communication Expenses 44 Payroll and Bank Processing Fees $ 10,240 $ 10,500 $ 11,209 $ 11,000 45 Computer Services 3,878 5,000 5,933 7,000 46 Printing, Office Supplies, and Technology 19,669 21,000 20,619 16,000 47 Offsite Printing 3,548 3,500 2,060 2,100 48 Postage & Freight 5,152 6,000 3,797 4,000 49 Professional Services 6,769 6,000 12,737 6,000 50 Subscriptions & Dues 80 200 80 200 51 Website - 1,000 - 1,000 52 Telephone 8,879 9,500 8,874 9,000 Total Admin & Communication Expenses $ 58,215 $ 62,700 $ 65,309 $ 56,300

Facility Expenses 53 Building/Kitchen Maintenance $ 49,114 $ 50,000 $ 30,635 $ 40,000 54 Building/Kitchen Supplies 52,008 50,000 43,957 40,000 55 Equipment Lease 8,262 9,000 7,721 6,500 56 Rent (Note 16) 66,250 75,000 75,000 75,000 57 Ground Maintenance 23,436 25,000 16,988 20,700 58 Insurance 57,951 58,000 52,781 52,000 59 Property Security (Note 17) 21,974 30,000 22,424 26,600 60 Sanctuary Maintenance 1,262 1,500 445 600 61 Utilities 145,057 145,000 110,775 120,000 Total Facility Expenses $ 425,314 $ 443,500 $ 360,726 $ 381,400

The accompanying notes on pages 45 - 49 are part of the financial statements.

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CHURCH FINANCIALS (CONTINUED)

St. John Armenian Church Analysis of Revenue & Expenses - General Fund (Continued)

Line # Expenses (Continued) 2019 Actual 2020 Budget 2020 Actual 2021 Budget

Event & Fundraising Expenses 62 Cultural & Educational (Note 10) 2,860 2,000 816 2,000 63 Special Events (Note 11) 1,482 1,500 2,650 1,500 64 Summer Campaign 500 - - - Total Event & Fundraising Expenses $ 4,842 $ 3,500 $ 3,466 $ 3,500

Other Expenses 65 Investment Fees $ 29,792 $ 30,000 $ 35,012 $ 30,000 66 Bookstore 5,199 6,000 6,332 6,000 67 Diocesan Assessment 64,940 64,400 64,390 64,400 68 Furniture & Fixtures -3 1,000 - 1,000 69 Staff Recognition 47 - - - Total Other Expenses $ 99,975 $ 101,400 $ 105,734 $ 101,400

Transfers to (from) Reserves 70 Building Maintenance Reserve (Note 18) $ 57,486 $ - $ - $ - 71 Kitchen Maintenance Reserve (Note 19) 29,771 22,000 - - 72 Organ Maintenance Reserve 1,325 1,200 - - 73 Gym Maintenance Reserve (Note 20) - - 3,769 - Total Transfers to Reserves $ 88,582 $ 23,200 $ 3,769 $ -

Total Expenses $ 1,383,389 $ 1,381,300 $ 1,795,638 $ 1,220,950

Net Total Revenues less Expenses $ 97,253 $ 1,000 $ 267 $ -

The accompanying notes on pages 45 - 49 are part of the financial statements.

43

CHURCH FINANCIALS (CONTINUED)

2020 Restricted Fund Activity

The following accounts contain funds which have been either restricted by the donor or designated by St. John Armenian Church to be used for specific purposes.

January 1 December 31, Restricted Funds 2020 Increases Decreases 2020

Ajemian Furniture Reserve Fund $ 1,063 $ - $ - $ 1,063 Ajemian Scholarship Fund 40,725 (1,500) 39,225 Albert Kabak Reserve Fund 15,000 - - 15,000 Armenia Build Fund Reserve 13,462 1,493 (1,468) 13,487 Assistant Pastor Reserve Fund 189,246 - (1,049) 188,197 Baku/Sumgait Monument Reserve Fund 1,833 - - 1,833 Building Maintenance Reserve Fund (Note 18) 198,927 5,000 (98,273) 105,654 Chimes Maintenance Reserve Fund 6,230 - (3,455) 2,775 Church School Reserve Fund (Note 5) 125,245 1,390 (9,240) 117,395 Cultural & Educational Programming Reserve Fund 17,814 263 (80) 17,997 Dyana Kezelian Educational Fund 7,896 - - 7,896 Future Intern Priest Reserve Fund 10,000 - - 10,000 Gym Maintenance Reserve Fund (Note 20) - 4,769 (276) 4,493 Hon. Y Gladys Barsamian Assistance for Needy Non-Armenians Fund (Note 7) 1,830 3,071 (2,500) 2,401 Hon. Y Gladys Barsamian St. Nersess Scholarship Fund 4,500 - - 4,500 Kitchen Maintenance Reserve Fund (Note 19) 270,820 - (40,217) 230,603 Laktzian Lobby Renovation Reserve Fund 25,210 - - 25,210 Mardigian Agency Account 9,488 14,000 (2,273) 21,215 Mosaic Maintenance Reserve Fund 57,924 - - 57,924 Museum Artifact Reserve Fund 18,466 450 - 18,916 Mutevelian Family Reserve Fund 2,000 - - 2,000 Organ Maintenance Reserve Fund 26,215 175 - 26,390 Pew Sponsorship Fund 236 - (236) 0 Ramela Carman Priest & Deacon Training Reserve Fund 628 - (628) 0 Religious Publication Fund 3,461 168 - 3,629 Sanctuary Renovation Fund 500 - 500 Social Concern Fund (Note 7) 31,599 582 (85) 32,096 St. John Retreat Reserve Fund 8,027 1,390 (1,338) 8,079 St. Nersess Scholarship Fund 13,428 - - 13,428 Stewardship Maintenance Reserve Fund 1,707 832 - 2,539 Torchbearer Reserve Fund 2,000 - - 2,000 Youth Activities Reserve Fund (Note 6) 25,362 6,159 (1,006) 30,515

Total Restricted Funds $ 1,130,842 $ 39,742 $(163,624) $ 1,006,959

The accompanying notes on pages 45 - 49 are part of the financial statements.

44

CHURCH FINANCIALS (CONTINUED)

Notes to the Church Financials

Note 1. Investment Assets and Income

In accordance with the Investment Advisory Committee (IAC) Guidelines, each year the budget assumes a 3% return of the previous year-end balance of total investments.

Unrestricted Investments. In 2020, interest, dividends, and realized net gains earned on our unrestricted investments totaled $292,688, approximately equal to our 2020 budgeted amount of $292,000. Unrealized net gains on our unrestricted investments totaled $188,979. Although these unrealized amounts increase the value of the investments shown on the Balance Sheet, we do not reflect them in income until they are drawn upon in the future. Cumulative unrealized net gains on our unrestricted investments as of December 31, 2020 is $647,299.

During 2020, SJAC withdrew a net $292,857 from its unrestricted investment accounts; an amount approximately equal to the income amount described above. The net withdrawal amount consists of withdrawals of $500,000 for the Artsakh relief donation and $135,341 from our kitchen and building maintenance reserve for capital expenditures and renovation costs (primarily costs to replace the kitchen walk-in coolers and freezers and initial deposits with an architecture firm for design renovation work), offset by the investment of $342,484 in unrestricted bequest gifts received during the year (see Note 4).

Endowment asset investments. In 2020, investment earnings on our endowment asset investments totaled $362,662. These earnings were not drawn upon in 2020 and were reinvested. Although these reinvested amounts increase the value of the investments shown on the Balance Sheet, we do not reflect them in income until they are drawn upon in the future. Cumulative reinvested earnings included in the endowment asset investments on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 is $1,691,136.

Note 2. Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan

The PPP was established by the 2020 U.S. Federal government Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to help businesses, including nonprofit organizations, continue paying their workers. The loans may be partially or fully forgiven if the business keeps their employee counts and employee wages stable.

On May 8, 2020, SJAC received a $138,400 PPP loan from the Federal government. The loan amount was equal to 2.5 times the Church’s average monthly payroll cost for 2019. The loan proceeds were used to pay payroll, rent, and utility costs for the 8-week period ending June 28, 2020. We received notice in late January 2021 that the U.S. Small Business Administration had accepted our application for forgiveness and paid off the loan amount in full.

Note 3. Stewardship

In 2020 SJAC was selected to implement the Diocesan Dues to Stewardship Program which replaced the previous dues membership program. Parishioners pledge the amount that they can give that comes from their heart, rather than the previous $300 per person membership dues. Total pledges for the 2020 Stewardship program were $242,034.

Note 4. Unrestricted Gifts and Bequests

During 2020, SJAC received three unrestricted bequests totaling $666,582. Even without these unbudgeted bequest gifts, unrestricted gifts and donations received in 2020 more than doubled the expected budget, due primarily to many gifts received by the Church from parishioners and others for its good works during the pandemic, such as our Seerov Jash program. 45

CHURCH FINANCIALS (CONTINUED)

Notes to the Church Financials (continued)

Note 5. Church School Program

Church School revenues and expenses in 2020 include donations, weekly offerings from students, books, senior class graduation gifts, Christmas dinners for the parish, and various miscellaneous costs incurred in the operation of the school. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Church School did not have an Easter or Thanksgiving dinner and incurred higher than anticipated costs for books and supplies as we provided each child a backpack and individual supplies.

During 2020, expenditures from the Church School Reserve Fund were $6,740 to cover the net expenses of the school and $2,500 for the Church’s 2020 donation to CASP (from the previous year’s Thanksgiving Dinner proceeds). Increases in the Church School Reserve Fund were $1,390 from endowment earnings. At December 31, 2020, the Church School Reserve Fund had a balance of $117,395.

No student registration fee was charged for the 2020/2021 school year.

Note 6. Youth Programs & Ministries

Youth Programs revenues and expenses in 2020 include SJAC Basketball Program and travel expenses related to the youth coordinator’s attendance at the Orthodox Youth Camp Conference in January. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the SJAC Day Camp, Diocesan Youth Camps, ACYOA Armenia Studies Program, and the Diocesan Jerusalem Trip did not occur in 2020.

Income from Armenian Church Endowment Fund (ACEF) endowments and donations increased the Youth Activities Reserve Fund by $6,159 in 2020. Expenditures decreased the reserve fund by $1,006 to cover the expenditures of the Little Saints Program and College Outreach Program. At December 31, 2020, the Youth Activities Reserve Fund had a balance of $30,515.

Note 7. Social Concern

Throughout the year, the pastor and the assistant pastor will often provide assistance to needy Armenians and non- Armenians in our community. In 2020, the total cost of this assistance was $19,195. Donations from parishioners for social concern in 2020 were $16,610. In addition, $85 and $2,500 was used from the Social Concern Reserve Fund and the Hon. Y. Gladys Barsamian Assistance for Needy Non-Armenians Fund, respectively, to cover the cost of the 2020 expenditures.

Note 8. Tuesday Senior Lunch

The expenses of Tuesday Senior Lunch are subsidized by Edward and Janet Mardigian. Due to the pandemic, the weekly lunches were suspended in mid-March through the end of 2020.

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CHURCH FINANCIALS (CONTINUED)

Notes to the Church Financials (continued)

Note 9. Bazaar

Due to the pandemic, the traditional Bazaar events in 2020 were replaced with a two-day curb-side carryout event. Total earnings of $31,176 resulted from the following:

Revenues: Dinner and ala cart item sales $ 17,901 Raffle ticket sales 17,800 Baked good sales 4,622 Health fair contributions 2,350

Donations 2,355

Total Revenue $ 45,028

Expenses: Food expenses $ 5,425 Raffle prizes and expenses 7,170 Ordering and credit card processing fees 885 Other 372

Total Expenses $ 13,852

Bazaar Net Income $ 31,176

Note 10. Cultural & Educational Events

Cultural & Educational Events revenue and expenses in 2020 consists of the Western Armenian Language Classes taught (via Zoom) in the spring and the fall.

Note 11. Special Events

In 2020, Special Events revenues and expenses relate to the Fr. Diran and Yn. Rosalie Papazian Parish Retreat held in February.

Note 12. Grant Revenues

In 2020, SJAC applied for and received four separate grants from Oakland County ranging in amount from $2,500 to $35,000. The grants were funded through the CARES Act and were specific to our operations during the pandemic.

Two of the grants totaling $50,300 were to support our efforts to benefit the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as our Seerov Jash Outreach Program. The other two grants totaling $15,500 were specific to helping businesses restart, recover, and pay for certain expenses during the shutdown or partial shutdown of their operations.

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CHURCH FINANCIALS (CONTINUED)

Notes to the Church Financials (continued)

Note 13. Church Auxiliary Group Contributions

During calendar year 2020, Church Auxiliary Groups made the following contributions to the Church’s General Fund:

ACYOA Seniors $ 11,000 Women's Guild 10,000 Komitas Choir 5,000 Men's Society 4,694 Music Guild 3,000 ACYOA Juniors 2,394 $ 36,088

Note 14. Contributions and Outreach

Contribution and Outreach expense in 2020 consist primarily of a $500,000 contribution through the Diocese for Artsakh relief and $67,850 in food, container, and preparation costs for the Seerov Jash program. The cost of the Seerov Jash program was partially offset by grants received by Oakland County (see Note 12) and, additionally, by donations made by parishioners and non-Armenian recipients of the meals.

Note 15. Salaries

SJAC started the year with 15 employees. We added one new maintenance employee in February, specifically to focus on the cleanliness of the Sanctuary and other church areas. In June, two of our maintenance employees resigned. We ended the year with 14 employees.

From March 16 through June 19, 2020, the State of Michigan was under a “Stay Safe, Stay Home” executive order due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, SJAC employees were told to stay home except when participating in liturgical services or performing essential worker tasks, such as our Seerov Jash Outreach Program. We continued to pay our salary employees their full pay and paid our hourly employees for their normal shifts. This excess amount paid to our employees totaled $21,571 and was reimbursed to us by the PPP loan (see Note 1).

The 2021 budget amount reflects that we do not plan to replace the two maintenance employee positions until our catering operations resume. In addition, through at least the first half of 2021, we anticipate that some of our hourly employees will be working less hours and some of our salary employees are working at reduced pay compared to 2020.

Note 16. Rent

In accordance with the lease agreement between SJAC and the Armenian Apostolic Society, SJAC paid rent of $75,000 per year ($6,250 per month) in 2020. Rent is paid each month in advance.

Note 17. Property Security

Property Security expense consists primarily of costs associated with security guards and building security systems. For 2020, we did not have security guards on Sundays from mid-March through July when parishioners were not allowed to attend Divine Liturgy.

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CHURCH FINANCIALS (CONTINUED)

Notes to the Church Financials (continued)

Note 18. Building Maintenance Reserve Fund

In accordance with church policy, in lieu of flower donations received in excess of the budgeted amount are transferred to the Building Maintenance Reserve Fund. In 2020, due to the decrease in funeral attendance as a result of the pandemic, there was no excess amount contributed to Building Maintenance Reserve Fund. The increase to the Building Maintenance Reserve Fund was a $5,000 donation from a parishioner.

Decreases to Building Maintenance Reserve Fund consisted of costs incurred for capital expenditures and renovation costs ($86,330), building improvements related to a donation received in 2019 for minor repairs and improvements ($6,286) major HVAC repairs ($2,208), new microphones/sound system repairs in the Sanctuary ($1,693), water heater replacement ($1,350), and pew repairs ($407).

At December 31, 2020, the Building Maintenance Reserve Fund had a balance of $105,653.

Note 19. Kitchen Maintenance Reserve Fund

In accordance with church policy, 10% of income from Catering Operations is transferred to the Kitchen Maintenance Reserve Fund. In 2020, due to the pandemic, this amount was zero.

Decreases to the Kitchen Maintenance Reserve Fund related to capital expenditures and renovation costs ($36,712); City of Southfield permit for walk-in cooler/freezer installment ($2,156), and dough mixer repairs ($1,350).

At December 31, 2020, the Kitchen Maintenance Reserve Fund had a balance of $230,603.

Note 20. Gym Maintenance Reserve Fund

In 2020, the Gym Maintenance Reserve Fund was established in 2020 for accumulation of funds to be spent on the long-term maintenance needs of the Gym (painting, bathroom remodel, etc.). Basketball programs in 2020 reported net income of $3,769, which was transferred into the Gym Maintenance Reserve Fund. In addition, a $1,000 parishioner donation was made to the Fund.

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CHURCH FINANCIALS (CONTINUED)

Endowments and Endowment Earnings

Endowments are gifts made to St. John Armenian Church with the restriction that the principal amount of the gift remain intact. The investment earnings can be either designated for a specific purpose or used by the Church in its general operations. At December 31, 2020, the principal amount of endowment gifts received by the Church is $2,090,594 (shown on the following pages). Investment earnings on these endowments of $1,691,136 have been reinvested by the Church, bringing the total of these endowment investment to $3,781,730. The Edward and Helen Mardigian Library Fund of $57,424 is segregated in a separate investment account and the income is used to purchase books for the Library.

With the following exceptions, earnings generated from the endowments are dedicated to support the general operations of the Church. These exception endowments were accepted with the understanding that the income generated from these funds would only be used to support specified purposes.

Endowment Amount Credited to:

James Dolik $ 925 Komitas Choir Garo & Rose Yeghissian 509 Komitas Choir Hovagim & Zabel Kalajian 450 Museum Artifact Reserve

Helen Kashian 225 Social Concern Fund

Amelia Boladian 357 Social Concern Fund

Richard Vahratian 616 Youth Activities Agnes Yarmain 225 Youth Activities Very Rev. Fr. Paren Avedikian 225 Cultural & Educational Kora & Edward Jamian 38 Cultural & Educational Rev. Fr. Diran and Yn. Rosalie Papazian 1,390 Retreat Fund Rev. Fr. Diran and Yn. Rosalie Papazian 1,390 Church School Beatrice Paul 338 Stewardship Edward & Catherine Zwinck 338 Stewardship

Sirvart Mezian 158 Stewardship

Sarkeis & Maritza Negohosian 468 ACYOA Seniors $ 7,650

Endowments Gifts made in 2020 were as follows:

Gift Endowment Amount Harry and Elaine Kalajian $ 30,000 Martin and Ann Manoogian 1,050 Amelia Boladian 1,000 Garo and Rose Yeghissian 500 Total $ 32,550

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CHURCH FINANCIALS (CONTINUED)

Endowment Gifts As Of December 31, 2020

NAME TYPE GIFT AMOUNT ALEXANIAN, NEVART MEMORIAL $36,700 ALJIAN, ARSHAG MEMORIAL $1,000 AMBOIAN, GUY & ELIZABETH PERSONAL $1,000 ANUSBIGIAN, KHOSROF MEMORIAL- GEORGE ANUSBIGIAN $1,374 APRAHAMIAN, DR. RAFFI MEMORIAL $5,000 APRAHAMIAN, ELIZABETH PERSONAL $5,000 APRAHAMIAN, SOUREN & ARMINUHE MEMORIAL $5,000 ARTINIAN, DR. CHARLES & KAREN MEMORIAL- FRANK ARTINIAN $6,000 ARZOIAN, SAMUEL MEMORIAL $1,000 ATESIAN, HOWARD & CATHY PERSONAL $4,000 AVAKIAN, ROSE MEMORIAL $2,000 AVEDIKIAN, FR. PAREN PERSONAL $5,000 AYDENIAN, MARY MEMORIAL $125,000 AZNAVORIAN, ARAM MEMORIAL BEQUEST $111,753 BAGDASARIAN, MYRENIE MEMORIAL- ARMENAG BAGDASARIAN $1,000 BAHARIAN, EDWARD & VICTORIA PERSONAL $100 BAHLAVOONI, HENRY MEMORIAL $32,500 BALIAN, EDWARD MEMORIAL $205 BALIAN, JOHN & JULEE MEMORIAL $4,000 BEDROSIAN, MENDOUHI MEMORIAL $500 BOGOIAN, SUSIE MEMORIAL-SUSIE BOGOIAN $1,004 BOHIGIAN, HANZANT MEMORIAL BEQUEST $3,000 BOLADIAN, AMELIA MEMORIAL - SOCIAL CONCERN $9,940 BOODAKIAN, LEO MEMORIAL BEQUEST $5,000 BOUDAKIAN, ARTHUR MEMORIAL $300 BYNDRIAN, PAUL MEMORIAL BEQUEST $1,000 CARMAN, MASA & RAMELA PERSONAL $4,259 CHACKER, GEORGE & LENA MEMORIAL $1,000 CHERKEZIAN, A. MEMORIAL- MUSEUM ENDOWMENT $165 CHIEFGIAN, MELKON & SOORPOOHI MEMORIAL $4,000 COUYOUMJIAN, NEVART MEMORIAL $3,000 DAKHLIAN, FAMILY MEMORIAL- STEPHAN, ZAROOHI, & ANDREW DAKHLIAN $4,000 DANIELIAN, CEDRIC MEMORIAL $300 DEMIRJIAN, HELEN MEMORIAL $50 DERDERIAN, VAGHARSHAG & TUGHSHOOG MEMORIAL $500 DOLIK, JAMES MEMORIAL - KOMITAS CHOIR $24,905 DRESSLER, MRS. PEARL MEMORIAL - ROSE & SAMUEL BOYIAN $1,000 DULGERIAN, SARA MEMORIAL $4,523 EGHIGIAN, PAUL & ROSE MEMORIAL $10,000 ELIAN, GEORGE & MARIAN PERSONAL $1,000 EVARIAN, NICK & ROSE MEMORIAL $5,125 GENERAL ST. JOHN'S $3,550 GODOSHIAN, GEORGE & NEVART PERSONAL $1,155 GOPIGIAN, BERT MEMORIAL $500 GREGORY, ANDRE MEMORIAL $100 HEKIMIAN, JACK MEMORIAL BEQUEST $100,000 HORASANIAN, GEORGE MEMORIAL-DADOUR DIROUHI & HARITOUN HORASANIAN $15,000 HOVSEPIAN, JANE & PAUL PERSONAL $850 JAMIAN, KORA & EDWARD MEMORIAL - CULTURAL & EDUCATIONAL $9,840 JANIGIAN FAMILY MEMORIAL - DR. ARAM JANIGIAN $30,000 JANIGIAN, NISHAN & ARSHALOUS MEMORIAL $8,000 JANIGIAN, SUSAN MEMORIAL - DR. ARAM JANIGIAN $8,000 JINGOZIAN, SULTAN MEMORIAL - SEMON JINGOZIAN $2,000 JOBOULIAN, ARAM MEMORIAL $250 JOBOULIAN, ARAM & MEMORIAL - ALEXANDER & OVSANNA JOBOULIAN $2,000 JOBOULIAN, MIHRAN & ROSE JOBOULIAN, ARAM & MEMORIAL - HARRY & VICTORIA OJOOZIAN $2,000 JOBOULIAN, MIHRAN & ROSE JOBOULIAN, ARAM & MEMORIAL - MANUEL & SARA BAJAKSOUZIAN $2,000 JOBOULIAN, MIHRAN & ROSE JURJURIAN,ARAM MEMORIAL BEQUEST $5,613 KALAJIAN, HARRY & ELAINE PERSONAL $30,000 KALAJIAN, HOVAGIM & ZABEL MEMORIAL- MUSEUM ARTIFACTS FUND $10,000 KALAJIAN, SONA MEMORIAL $10,100 KAPREALIAN, PARNAG & HEGHINE MEMORIAL $19,786 KARAKASHIAN, ROSE MEMORIAL $6,521 KARAMANIAN, EDWARD MEMORIAL -CHARLES GARBIS & MARY KARAMANIAN $400 KASHIAN, HELEN MEMORIAL - EDNA KASHIAN - SOCIAL CONCERN $5,000 KASSABIAN, ARMEN MEMORIAL $125,000 KAZANJIAN, JACK PERSONAL $175 51

CHURCH FINANCIALS (CONTINUED)

Endowment Gifts As Of December 2020 (Continued)

NAME TYPE GIFT AMOUNT KAZANJIAN, LUCINE MEMORIAL $1,000 KAZAROZIAN, EDWARD PERSONAL $50 KECHECHIAN, SIMON MEMORIAL $22,345 KEMS, DR HARRY & MARY PERSONAL - 50TH ANNIVERSARY $10,000 KEOLIAN, ARTHUR MEMORIAL $50,050 KETEYIAN, RODNEY. PERSONAL $50 KEURAJIAN, KHATCHADUR & MARITZA MEMORIAL $10,000 KHORASANIAN, SARKIS & SHOGHER MEMORIAL $191,500 KOCHAKIAN, FR GARABED & PERSONAL - ON THE OCCASION OF THE 25th ANNIVERSERY $4,300 KOCHAKIAN, YERETZGIN ROBERTA OF HIS ORDINATION KOLOIAN, BEDROS & BAIDZAR MEMORIAL $5,000 KRIKORIAN, GEORGE A. MEMORIAL $12,000 MANOOGIAN MANOR ST. JOHN'S $500,000 MANOOGIAN, ALEX MEMORIAL $353 MANOOGIAN, MARTIN M. & ANN L. MEMORIAL $27,670 MARCH, NORA MEMORIAL-EDWARD F. MARCH $1,000 MARCH, NORA MEMORIAL-MARY TOOVALIAN $1,000 MARCH, NORA & MEMORIAL-MUGERDITCH & MARIE SEVIAN $25,000 TOOVALIAN, MARY MARCH, NORA & MEMORIAL - PANOS, PARANTZEM & PAUL TOOVALIAN $3,000 TOOVALIAN, MARY MARCH, NORA & MEMORIAL- HAGOP A. & ARDAMEAS JANOYAN $2,000 TOOVALIAN, MARY MARDIGIAN, EDWARD & HELEN MEMORIAL - ST. JOHN'S MARDIGIAN LIBRARY $57,466 MARDIGIAN, EDWARD & JANET PERSONAL $25,400 MARGOSIAN, JACK & ANN PERSONAL $1,735 MEKJIAN, JACK & HELEN PERSONAL $10,000 MEKJIAN, SARKIS MEMORIAL $38,000 MELKONIAN, BYRON MEMORIAL $575 MEZIAN, SIRVART PERSONAL - STEWARDSHIP $3,500 MUGERIAN, GEORGE & MARY MEMORIAL - DIKRAN & YEVPIME TOROSIAN $5,000 NALBANDIAN, RICHARD & MARY PERSONAL $2,000 NEGOHOSIAN, SARKEIS & MARITZA PERSONAL - ACYOA SENIORS $10,400 NICHOLAS, MITCHELL & VANOHE, MEMORIAL- MICHAEL JOHN & MARK BRIAN NICHOLAS $5,000 MAZZARA, DAVID & ANGELA MAZZARA, JOSEPH & ANTHONY NORAIAN, GEORGE PERSONAL $250 NORAIAN, JOHN & LUCILLE PERSONAL $300 OHANESIAN, ARAM MEMORIAL- CHARLES & MARY OHANESIAN $10,000 FR DIRAN & YN ROSALIE PAPAZIAN ENDOWMENT MEMORIAL - RETREAT & CHURCH SCHOOL $62,060 PAUL, BEATRICE MEMORIAL - STEWARDSHIP $7,500 PERINJIAN, AZNIV; PERINJIAN, ANN; MEMORIAL- ALICE Y. PERINJIAN $7,000 REISH, MARY A& GEORGE MEYER, CHARLENE & ANDREW RYAN, MARY MEMORIAL $1,000 SALAGIAN, MARGARET MEMORIAL $1,000 SALAGIAN, MARGARET MEMORIAL- MARGARET SALAGIAN $71,673 SARKISIAN, L.M. PERSONAL $50 SEMIZIAN, JOHN & ALICE PERSONAL $1,000 SEMIZIAN, JOHN & ALICE MEMORIAL- SETRAG & PEPRON SEMIZIAN $1,000 SEMIZIAN, JOHN & ALICE MEMORIAL- MANOOG & MARY SAHAGIAN $1,000 SHERKERJIAN, DR ARMEN & SUE PERSONAL $500 SHERMAN, LUCILLE MEMORIAL $450 SIMONIAN, RICHARD & MARY MEMORIAL $10,000 SIMONIAN, MARY PERSONAL $10,000 SRABIAN, G.K. PERSONAL $1,000 ST. JOHN ARMENIAN CHURCH ST. JOHN - MARDIGIAN LIBRARY FUND $1,789 STAMBOULIAN, THOMAS & LINDA PERSONAL $500 TERZIAN, HARRY & ALICE PERSONAL $6,690 THOMASIAN, KHOREN & FLORA MEMORIAL $1,000 TORIGIAN, LUCY MEMORIAL $1,000 VAHRATIAN, RICHARD MEMORIAL-YOUTH PROGRAMS $13,696 VAPORCIYAN, KIRAKOS MEMORIAL $100 VARTANIAN, ROSEMARY & RICHARD MEMORIAL $100 WILLIAMS SARAH MEMORIAL - HARRY AND ALICE DERDERIAN $100 YARMAIN, AGNES MEMORIAL - YOUTH PROGRAMS $5,000 YEGHISSIAN, GARO & ROSE MEMORIAL - KOMITAS CHOIR $11,800 ZARIKIAN, RUPEN PERSONAL $100 ZWINCK, EDWARD & CATHERINE PERSONAL - STEWARDSHIP $7,500 TOTAL $2,090,594 52

ST. JOHN ARMENIAN CHURCH OF GREATER DETROIT ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY MINUTES SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020

I. INVOCATION AND CALL TO ORDER The 2020 Annual Parish Assembly of St. John Armenian Church was convened at 12:53 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, 2020. 2019 Chairperson of the Day, Patricia Fantazian called the meeting to order and Very Reverend Fr. Aren Jebejian offered the invocation. Minutes were recorded by the 2019 Secretary of the Day, Nicole Papelian Matthews.

II. VERIFICATION OF THE ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERS AND QUORUM Patricia Fantazian reviewed the rules and regulations governing Membership and the Parish Assembly as outlined on the inside cover of the 2020 Annual Report. Only paid members may vote. There were 97 members present; thus, the Chairperson declared a quorum.

III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR NEW BUSINESS Patricia Fantazian presented the Agenda. An amendment to change the order of agenda was proposed by Michael Kazarian. “In the letter dated February 3rd from Michael Toomajian it mentions that Parish Council will be presenting under “discussion of new business” a proposal for a newly-created support organization. Knowing the importance of this topic, I would like to propose an amendment to the agenda and move this topic to between number 6 & number 7 on the agenda.” Amendment seconded by George Boyajian. Discussion included looking at parish vulnerabilities, and agreement on an implementation plan, related to I.A.C details. Amended Agenda voted on and approved.

Amendment to the Assembly agenda proposed by Dr. Gary Zamanigian regarding the process of election at our assembly. Dr. Zamanigian proposed that the minutes of the agenda include in the voting results, how many votes each person received. Amendment was seconded by Jim Berryman. Discussion included points to support transparency by Dr. Zamanigian. Kim Najarian, Denise Karakashian and Marilyn Dadian raised concerns in opposition citing this may be a deterrent to individuals considering to run for office, and placing a burden on the nominating committee when asking potential candidates to run. Dn. Rubik Mailian asked that we place a time limit on discussions in the interest of time. Rev. Fr. Aren offered point of information that all ballots are available for review by dues-paid members for one year, and there is no limit to the access. Amendment was withdrawn, and Agenda remained approved, as amended.

IV. APPROVAL OF THE 2020 ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY MINUTES Motion made by Alice Mekjian to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Marilyn Boladian. So passed.

V. ELECTIONS Patricia Fantazian introduced the 2019 Nominating Committee Chairperson, Laura Lucassian to preside over elections. Ms. Lucassian announced that all candidates’ eligibility had been verified.

Chairperson of the Day Nominating Committee Chairperson Laura Lucassian announced the slate of candidates for Chairperson of the Day, Secretary of the Day, Parish Council, Auditing Committee, and Nominating Committee. Ms. Lucassian asked for nominations from the floor for each position and candidates were offered to complete the slates. Motions were made, seconded and carried to accept the slates of candidates.

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2020 ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY MINUTES (CONTINUED)

The nominees for Chairperson of the Day were (1 to be elected): 1. Patricia Fantazian 2. Michael Kazarian

The nominees for Secretary of the Day were (1 to be elected): 1. Dikran Callan 2. Lisa Boyadjian

The nominees for Parish Council were (6 to be elected): 1. Correne Akarakcian 2. Dr. Vincent Baylerian 3. Lisa Boyadjian 4. Dn. George Boyagian * 5. Anthony Carman 6. Marilyn Dadian * 7. Patricia Fantazian 8. Kazar Terterian * 9. Michael Toomajian *

The nominees for Auditing Committee were (1 to be elected): 1. Dikran Callan * 2. Mary Negosian

The nominees for Nominating Committee were (5 to be elected): 1. Edith Baise 2. Greg Baise 3. Peter Egigian 4. Jacqueline Melkonian ElChemmas 5. Gayle Sarkisian-Hoplamazian 6. Laurie Reizian 7. Peter Toukhanian 8. Ida Varadian

* - Incumbent. According to Nominating Committee guidelines, the word “Incumbent” should be used only for offices of Parish Council and Auditing Committee.

VI. NEW BUSINESS - SUPPORT ORGANIZATION Michael Toomajian, Parish Council Chairperson, spoke about the general framework of a proposed new Support Organization for St. John Armenian Church that was discussed at a January 2019 Town Hall meeting. Mr. Toomajian presented a proposed governance structure for the new Support Organization. Mr. Toomajian stated that it was Parish Council’s desire to ask the Assembly for its approval to move forward, in principle, with this structure. He stated that before Parish Council proceeds with additional time and money to have bylaws and corporate documents drafted for this new entity, it is only prudent to ensure that the Assembly supports the proposed structure. After the bylaws and corporate documents have been drafted and made available for review, a formal vote on the establishment of this entity will occur at a later Parish Assembly.

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2020 ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY MINUTES (CONTINUED)

There was considerable discussion and concerns were raised by parishioners regarding (i) the exclusive powers of the members and the pastor to appoint or remove directors and to amend articles or bylaws without approval or acknowledgment by the Church Parish Assembly; (ii) the public charity status of the new organization under Internal Revenue Code sections 501 and 509; and (iii) the dissolution of the new entity and its impact on or requirement from the dissolution of the Church. There were suggestions that the Parish Assembly should be allowed to vote on such matters for the Support Organization or that the member group should be expanded to include additional members, perhaps members voted on by the Parish Assembly. A suggestion was made by Anthony Carman that the Parish Council consider hiring a second law firm to review the work being performed by Bodman LLC.

A proposal was made by Howard Atesian that the Parish Council form a committee of one or more volunteer parishioners who are attorneys to work with and review the work being performed by Bodman LLC before it is brought back to the Parish Assembly. There was no discussion since Fr. Aren stated he was already planning on forming such a committee.

A motion was made by Howard Atesian and seconded by Dr. Gary Zamanigian to table the discussion and Parish Council’s request for approval to move forward with the proposed Support Organization until such matters were resolved to the satisfaction of the Parish Assembly. Motion passed.

A second motion was made by Howard Atesian and seconded by Dr. Zamanigian to form a committee of Diocesan Delegate members to assist the Parish Council in their work to structure the Support Organization. Parish Council advised against such a motion and the motion was defeated.

Mr. Toomajian stated that Parish Council will determine the next steps for a potential Support Organization for the Church.

VII. ELECTION RESULTS FOR CHAIRPERSON AND SECRETARY OF THE DAY Nominating Committee Chair Laura Lucassian announced the elected Chairperson of the Day, Patricia Fantazian and the elected Secretary of the Day, Dikran Callan. She congratulated the Officers and turned the duties over to Patricia Fantazian. (111 voting members)

VIII. PASTOR’S REPORT Der Armash Bagdasarian provided brief remarks on his written report. Hayr Aren welcomed questions on his written report. There were no questions.

IX. PARISH COUNCIL REPORT Michael Toomajian, Parish Council Chairperson, summarized his written report. He specifically mentioned the status of the Security team, progress of the Stewardship Program and Renovation Committee.

X. ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC SOCIETY REPORT Dr. Harry Kezelian presented on behalf of the Apostolic Society. He welcomed questions, of which there were none.

XI. INVESTMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT Dickran Kurdjian presented on behalf of the IAC. The summarized written report – 2019 was a good year, restricted vs unrestricted assets were organized, and expressed confidence in the handling of donations to the Church. No questions were raised.

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2020 ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY MINUTES (CONTINUED)

XII. DIOCESAN DELEGATES REPORT Dn. Richard Norsigian presented on behalf of the Diocesan Delegates. Paul Andonian, asked for update on the Primate’s theme of “Building the Body of Christ”. Fr. Aren answered that the Primate’s message was each entity of the Church, no matter big or small, must have the purpose of Building up the Body of Christ. Locally, church auxiliary organizations will be working toward this goal of focusing on the religious aspects. More messaging from the Diocese is to come throughout the year. No additional questions were raised on the Diocesan Delegates’ Report.

XIII. 2019 ANNUAL REPORT – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Review of the 2019 Annual Report as presented by the Chairperson asking for questions. No questions were asked.

XIV. AUDITING COMMITTEE REPORT Gary Melikian presented on behalf of the Auditing Committee. Stated that Church record keeping is accurate and all organizational reports are fair & accurate.

XV. REVIEW OF 2019 FINANCIAL REPORT Bob Simonian presented as Parish Council Treasurer. Mr. Simonian asked for questions on the 2019 Revenues and Expenses. Edward Zwink questioned lines 45 & 52. Out-of-date items on our website should be updated. If website has $0 expenditure, it might need more expenditure. Mr. Simonian answered that web services are on a volunteer basis which is why it incurs no cost. Mr. Zwink questioned line 70, what is included / not included in staff recognition. Mr. Simonian answered that staff recognition for 2019 consisted of a lunch for the staff. Follow-up question regarding what line item would include employee bonuses. Mr. Simonian answered that employees are part of Salary line item.

Dr. Gary Zamanigian motioned to accept 2019 Financial Report as printed. Seconded by Kazar Terterian. Motion Approved.

XVI. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF 2020 BUDGET Bob Simonian, as Parish Council Treasurer, presented and asked for questions on the 2020 Proposed Budget --- none asked.

Dr. Gary Zamanigian motioned to accept 2020 Proposed Budget. Seconded by Marianne Dardarian. Motion Approved.

Mr. Simonian offered closing comments thanking auditors & office staff.

RUNOFF FOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE - 5TH PLACE TIE It was announced the Assembly must vote in a runoff for Edith Baise and Gayle Sarkisian-Hoplamazian

Dr. Harry Kezelian asked whether both candidates can be added to the Nominating Committee instead of conducting runoff. Fr. Aren answered by stating that the bylaws require that only five (5) members be elected.

Nominating Committee held a runoff vote.

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2020 ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY MINUTES (CONTINUED)

XVII. UPDATE ON SECURITY COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES Patricia Fantazian presented on behalf of the Security Committee. Dikran Callan raised concern and asked whether -- considering the rate of accidental gun deaths in the US, considering the extremely low rate of domestic terrorism, considering that the majority of domestic terrorism is done at the hands of people who look like they would fit in at our church and would not necessarily be stopped at the doors by security -- are guns necessary? Ms. Fantanzian responded by explaining the roles and backgrounds of our trained security guards.

XVIII. UPDATE ON RENOVATION COMMITTEE John Shekerjian presented on behalf of the Renovation Committee. Reviewing facilities with a broad scope. Talked with auxiliary organizations, Clergy, and parishioners. Hired architect, lighting designer, kitchen designer. Aim of putting together a master plan, short & long-term goals. Developed preliminary design with changes to space, parking, and accessibility between both sides of campus. Preliminary budget and design in process. Phases and timing will be worked out in future as we work through the process. It has been 20 years since last round of renovations. Parish Council must come up with coherent plan that will last into the future another 20-30 years.

XIX. STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM Taleen Baldwin presented. 189 pledge cards representing 292 individual stewards. 25 new stewards. 84 (44%) of pledges were for more than 2019 dues. 27 (14%) paid less. 78 (42%) have paid the same as last year. Following current trend for 2020, expected revenue of $230,000.

Next step –- expand Committee, and send second mailing to those who have not pledged.

Comments were offered from Fr. Garabed Kochakian, a member of the Diocesan Stewardship Pilot Program Committee. Fr. Garabed reminded the Parish Assembly that St. John’s is one of six pilot programs in the Eastern Diocese. This is a theologically based program. Stewardship is a return to our roots – financially and by doing good work. With a Stewardship Program, versus a dues-based system, increases potential for members to be elected to committees. The intent of the Stewardship Program is to be more inclusive of our community.

XX. DISCUSSION OF NEW BUSINESS New Business Proposal, Anthony Carmen – Motion that an additional legal firm be hired to review the Bodman, LLC’s Support Organization proposal, present findings to Parish Council, in turn PC relates findings to Parish Assembly. The Chairperson allowed this new business to be presented.

The count of voting members present was 66 to assure a quorum still existed. Vote to add Mr. Carmen’s motion to new business –- denied

(Note: Patricia Fantazian had to leave and Michael Kazarian took over Chairperson of the Day duties)

Denise Karakashian asked can the tabled Support Organization motion be reviewed in the future. The answer by the Diocesan Council was yes. For clarity, Gary Javizian asked if the original motion was to table the Support Organization motion, or to table it until the parishioner’s questions are addressed, then to be reviewed again. The Assembly decided that the approved Motion was to table the Support Organization with no further discussion.

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2020 ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY MINUTES (CONTINUED)

New Business Diocesan Proposal - Dn. Richard Norsigian, on behalf of the Diocesan Delegates, presented a proposal to make at the next Diocesan Assembly. This proposal would put a limit on terms in office for diocesan delegates, where a delegate would be limited to three (3), four (4) year consecutive terms and then must skip one (1), four (4) year term before they would be eligible to run again. Where possible, this would be staggered so that not all delegates within a parish would be new at any one time.

Dn. George Boyagian – questioning whether 12 years is too long for one person to potentially be a delegate.

Additional discussion regarding staggering of term limit expiration. Dn. Norsigian answered by explaining how the proposal specifies the staggering of term limit expirations.

Dn. Boyagian – proposed to remove the words “to rerun” from the last paragraph. 2nd by Marianne Dardarian.

Motion by Kim Najarian to vote on amended proposal – 2nd by Marianne Dardarian -- Proposal approved

XXI. ELECTION RESULTS Nominating Committee Chairperson Laura Negosian Lucassian announced in alphabetical order the election results for the Parish Council, Auditing Committee, and Nominating Committee.

ELECTED TO PARISH COUNCIL: Correne Akarakcian Lisa Boyadjian Marilyn Dadian Patricia Fantazian Kazar Terterian Michael Toomajian First Alternate - Dn. George Boyagian Second Alternate - Anthony Carman

ELECTED TO AUDITING COMMITTEE: Dikran Callan Alternate - Mary Negosian

ELECTED TO NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Edith Baise Greg Baise Peter Egigian Jacqueline Melkonian ElChemmas Laurie Reizian First Alternate - Gayle Sarkisian Second Alternate - Peter Toukhanian

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2020 ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY MINUTES (CONTINUED)

XXII. PRAYER FOR 2019 DECEASED PARISHIONERS AND BENEDICTION. The Very Reverend Fr. Aren Jebejian thanked the presenters and all those involved in the Annual Parish Assembly or who contributed to the 2019 Annual Report. Fr. Aren then offered a closing prayer.

Move to close the 2020 Annual Parish Assembly was made by Jennifer Morris. Seconded by Alice Mekjian. Assembly concluded at 5:05 p.m.

/s/ /s/ ______Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian Patricia Fantazian Chairperson of the Day

/s/ ______Dikran Callan Secretary of the Day

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NOTES

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ANNUAL PARISH ASEMBLY OF ST. JOHN AREMENIAN CHURCH OF GREATER DETROIT 2021 ELECTIONS PROPOSED SLATE OF CANDIDATES

Candidates for Chairperson Of The Day (1 to be elected) Jim Stamboulian Peter Toukhanian

Candidates for Secretary Of The Day (1 to be elected) Charlene Apigian Dickran Callan

Candidates for Parish Council (5 to be elected) Richard Apkarian, Jr. Marilyn Boladian * Dn. George Boyagian Sarkis Sako Ghazarian Lora Kazanjian Matthew Mardigian Kim Terzian Najarian * Bob Simonian * Donn Vahratian

Candidates for Auditing Committee (1 to be elected) Ed Bedikian * Nicholas Boyadjian

Candidates for Nominating Committee (5 to be elected) Dr. Anne Marie Ameriguian Greg Baise Nancy Bogosian Yerchanig Joy Callan Peter Egigian Laura Negosian Lucassian Karen Movsesian Cathy Zwink

* = Incumbent

According to Nominating Committee Guidelines, the word “Incumbent” should be used only for offices of Parish Council and Auditing Committee.

Nominations for additional candidates will be accepted from the floor at the meeting.

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St. John Armenian Church – 202 1 Calendar RELIGIOUS FEASTS, HOLIDAYS, AND CHURCH SPONSORED EVENTS

February 11 Feasts of Sts. Vartanantz July 14 Poon Paregentan 5 Independence Day Holiday – Church Complex Closed 14 Presentation of the Lord to the Temple 12-16 Arts of Armenia Summer Fine Arts Program 15 First Day of Great Lent 11 Feast of Transfiguration of our Lord – Vartavar 15 Evening Bible Study

17 Lenten Vigil Service / ACYOA Fish Dinner 20 Little Saints Program August 24 Lenten Vigil Service / ACYOA Fish Dinner 7 Volunteer Day at World Medical Relief 28 Annual Parish Assembly; 15 Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God March Annual Church Picnic 1 Evening Bible Study 3 Lenten Vigil Service / ACYOA Fish Dinner September 10 Lenten Vigil Service / ACYOA Fish Dinner 6 Labor Day; Church Complex Closed 15 Evening Bible Study 12 Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross 17 Lenten Vigil Service / ACYOA Fish Dinner Church School Opens 20 Little Saints Program 26 Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak 24 Lenten Vigil Service / ACYOA Fish Dinner 28 Palm Sunday; Opening of the Altar Curtain; October ACYOA Youth Day; Women’s Guild Palm Sunday 1-3 Annual Church Bazaar Bake Sale 2 Health Fair & Blood Drive 29 Evening Bible Study 9 Volunteer Day at World Medical Relief 30 Holy Tuesday: Remembrance of the Wise & 24 Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross Foolish Maidens November April 11 Veterans Remembrance 1 Holy Thursday: Divine Liturgy; Feet Washing 25-26 Thanksgiving Holiday – Church Complex Closed Service; Betrayal & Passion of our Lord 2 Holy Friday: Order of the Crucifixion of Christ; December Entombment of our Lord 4 Volunteer Day at World Medical Relief 3 Holy Saturday: Reading of Scriptures, 24 Western Christmas Eve Service Divine Liturgy, Jrakalooyts 25 Western Christmas; Church Complex Closed

4 Easter – Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of January 2022 our Lord Jesus Christ 1 New Year’s Day; Church Complex Closed 5 Merelotz – Remembrance of the Dead 5 Armenian Christmas Eve Services: Vespers and 12 Evening Bible Study Reading of Prophesies, Divine Liturgy, Jrakalooyts 17 Volunteer Day at World Medical Relief 6 Feast of Nativity and Theophany of Jesus Christ 18 Little Saints Program 24 Feast of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide 26 Evening Bible Study

May 13 Feast of the Ascension of our Lord -Hampartsoom 16 Church School Graduation 23 Pentecost 31 Memorial Day; Church Complex Closed Due to the ongoing pandemic, planning for Grave Blessings at area cemeteries events during 2021 is difficult and subject to change. Please subscribe to the Church emails June for announcements of all programs and events. 5 Volunteer Day at World Medical Relief 6 Feast Day of Holy Etchmiadzin