. Ðñ³ï³ñ³ÏáõÃÇõÝAMAA ²Ù»ñÇϳÛÇ Ð³Û ²õ»ï³ñ³Ýã³Ï³Ýnews ÀÝÏ»ñ³Ïóáõû³Ý Publication of the Armenian Missionary Association of America January/February 2012 - XLVI No. 1 (ISSN 1097-0924) Sunday School Children of Armenian Evangelical Bethel Church - Aleppo, Syria Editorial Message Joseph Zeronian, Ed.D. ur founders, meeting in Worcester, MA in 1918, may have been vision- Oaries. But just as likely they were practical immigrant Armenians who gathered to take action to help the families of their coun- Christmas Celebrations in Yerevan, Armenia trymen who had been killed and disbursed throughout the Near East and the world in the first genocide of the bloodiest century in his- tory. Their aim was to organize themselves to help the survivors rebuild their lives mate- rially and spiritually in new lands. To those AMAA NEWS ends, our Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) has is a publication of been striving for the past ninety-four years as the missionary arm of our The Armenian Missionary Association of America evangelical churches around the world. 31 West Century Road, Paramus, NJ 07652 Tel.: (201) 265-2607; Fax: (201) 265-6015 Now, as then, our emphasis is on strengthening the spiritual lives E-mail: [email protected] of our people while supporting their physical needs. While our people Website: www.amaa.org and churches are all over the world, our emphasis until the tragic 1988 earthquake which devastated Armenia was the Near East because of The AMAA is a Tax Exempt, not for profit the large population of survivors. The 1988 earthquake required the organization under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3) collective effort of most Armenian groups to help. The major work of Levon Filian, Executive Director the AMAA since that time has been assisting our people in Armenia with Armen Beylerian, Field Director their physical and spiritual needs. Phyllis Dohanian, Director of Development and Our emphasis in Armenia today is on building — building churches. Marketing Each Sunday in Armenia, approximately 1,600 people worship in the 32 Director of Finance David Aynejian, meeting places that have been established. Some meet in old movie houses, others have new church facilities. Our goal is to continue OFFICERS building churches and repairing existing facilities until we have the Joseph Zeronian, Ed.D., President buildings to meet the needs of these our fellow Christians. The AMAA Nazareth Darakjian, M.D., Vice President is currently beginning or in the process of constructing six churches in Vice President Peter Kougasian, Esq., Armenia and planning the renovation/repair of additional churches. Thomas Momjian, Esq., Recording Secretary Arsine Phillips, Esq., Recording Secretary Another major emphasis is the work in education and with youth. Nurhan Helvacian, Ph.D., Treasurer Not only are we operating two camps in Armenia and Karabagh for Anita Buchakjian, Assistant Treasurer youth, but also several kindergartens in each area. We also support the outstanding Avedisian School with grades kindergarten through ninth EDITORIAL BOARD grade. The school, under the principalship of Mrs. Melania Keghamian, Levon Filian, Editor Louisa Janbazian, Associate Editor, Art Director has earned the highest awards in the country for the performance of Jane Wenning, Contributor its students. Plans are now underway for the construction of a new Phyllis Dohanian, Advisor high school in Yerevan to expand the learning opportunities through the twelfth grade. Specific information about how you can help with this CHANGE OF ADDRESS In order to keep our mailing list up to date, please outstanding project will be forthcoming. send all corrections, along with the old address, to: With so much activity in Armenia, it is important for our AMAA to AMAA NEWS continue to do all that we can for our Armenian evangelical churches 31 West Century Road and schools around the world. As I am writing these thoughts, I am Paramus, NJ 07652 mindful that our people in Syria are now enduring a time of stress and E-mail: [email protected] uncertainty. We support eleven churches and six schools in Syria and PRINTING we must be mindful of their needs as the political and violent actions Printsolutions.info taking place are brought to us on our living room televisions daily. Let Englewood, NJ us keep them in our prayers and help with their physical needs. Tel.: (201) 567-9622 I ask for the support in prayer, effort and substance of every person reading this. Your support will help a dedicated staff and the many volunteers who work daily for the success of the AMAA in all its Now you can join us on Facebook (AMAA) manifestations all over the world. May God bless you and your family and follow us on Twitter (AMAATweets) and may He guide the efforts of the AMAA. q Armenia Christmas Joy Comes To Children in Armenia and Karabagh ince the early days of its Ar- shown in the “Oktober” menia ministries, the Evangeli- theater stage. The program cal Church of Armenia (ECA), began with carols followed by with the support of The Arme- the Artik office drama group’s Snian Missionary Association of America theatrical presentation. (AMAA) Armenia office, has organized The play focused on Christmas programs throughout Armenia three important characters and Karabagh for thousands of children, to who meet each other in the bring them all the joy and hope that Christ- forest: Santa Claus, Snow mas has to offer. Man and Snow Maiden. The During the 2011-12 Christmas season, animals of the forest decide AMAA Armenia organized 55 Christmas to celebrate Christmas but an Christmas Celebrations in Tumanyan, Armenia programs in 42 towns and villages old woman from the forest throughout Armenia and Karabagh. wants to spoil the joyful Over 8,500 children and 2,000 parents celebration. After a long participated this year. These programs story, the animals, Santa and were organized not only for the children the Snow Man uncover the from the AMAA sponsorship programs evil intrigue of the witch. and those who attend Sunday schools, but They manage to find the most also for others who graduated from the beautiful fir tree in the forest program in order to proclaim the meaning and put the Lambent Star and importance of Christ’s birth. on top of it. In the middle Christmas programs were held of the play, Santa asks the with the help of the Christian Education animals if they know about workers and volunteers who did not spare the Lambent Star. Santa any effort preparing for them. They also then tells the story of Christ’s included talented children who did their miraculous birth. Christ’s best in decorating, acting in theatrical birth from the movie “Jesus Christmas Celebrations in Vardenis, Armenia programs, singing, dancing and reciting Christ in the Gospel of Luke” Bible verses. was shown on the wall with Each Christmas program was creative, the video projector. joyous, colourful, funny and instructive in At the end of the program, proclaiming the meaning of Christ’s birth. gifts that the AMAA and ECA It is impossible to choose which was the prepared for the children and best Christmas program. These programs young people of the Shirak are designed to bring Christmas cheer region were distributed. In and to educate the children who otherwise general, about 25 volunteers would have no opportunity to participate and employees collaborated in such events. Those living in remote on this Christmas activity to regions are rarely exposed to the arts or the present to the children and Gospel. The programs consist of dramas teenagers in the three centers. that captivate the children, songs that they We give glory to God for such enjoy hearing, and the eagerly awaited occasions and opportunities Santa Claus. where we can celebrate the AMAA Gyumri and Evangelical wonderful birth of Jesus Church of Armenia prepared a Christmas Christ with our children. fairy tale entitled “Christmas Messy” In Yerevan, the ECA the- for children and teenagers. The play was atrical group named “Hayasa” Christmas Celebrations in Vanatzor, Armenia 3 - AMAA NEWS, JAN/FEB 2012 presented a performance called “The Gift magazine and educational of Heavenly King.” The play, produced by materials at these programs. Noune Abrahamyan, was given four times. Most important, both parents Nearly 1,200 children and their families at- and children saw, heard and tended the program. experienced the Christmas The performance was about an message of God's love. orphaned little girl, Rose, who was a In most Christmas pro- waitress at the house of a rich lady. The grams, there were guests from lady had everything but a good heart the state authorities who also and her daughter, Agnes, a spoiled child, contribute by providing the was disabled. Rose did whatever Agnes halls, palaces of culture, and wished because she had a very kind heart playhouses. as she knew Jesus Christ as her personal All of the photos and vid- Savior. One day, Rose told Agnes about eos from the Christmas pro- Christmas Celebrations in Sevan, Armenia Jesus Christ and His wonderful birth and grams are kept in the Christian miraculous life story. After hearing the Education Department so that story, the heart of Agnes changed. She it is possible to share them turned into a kind and lovely girl and and to help organize similar she gave all of her Christmas gifts to the programs in other towns. orphaned children of the neighborhood. On behalf of the staff When she changed her mind and heart, and volunteers of AMAA God healed her disabled legs. Agnes Armenia, and on behalf of stood up and started jumping for joy. At the thousands of participat- the end of the play, the family celebrated ing children, we thank those Christmas together.