An Interview with Mrs. Maral Deyirmenjian, Today's Youth

Depression, aggression, drop-outs, drugs, indifference are some of the traits that we see in a-not-so-small number of our youth today. We raised this important issue, and had an interview with Mrs. Maral Deyirmenjian, the principal of the Armenian Evangelical Central High School, to give answers to our questions and provide us her professional feedback.

(Interview by Raffi)

Raffi - Can you tell us about the differences that you see in the teenage students 10 years ago and the teenage students today?

Maral - Teenage students today have more distractions than what they had ten years ago: the accessibility of the internet at homes, ipods, MP3s, etc. come to entertain and distract the teenagers; these also interfere with their sleeping patterns. We often encounter students who have not slept more than four hours and come to class out of focus and exhausted.

The teenagers today are living in a hedonistic society; meaning, they are surrounded by a society that values pleasure over other personal values; this is a major obstacle in their pursuit of academic excellence, which is often the result of self-discipline and hard work.

Raffi - What are the needs of the teenagers and what kind of of challenges do they face today?

Maral - Teenagers need guidance, in my opinion. As Rousseau has stated, adults have to be “loving distant guardians”. We need to help them to develop their personalities and become independent individuals.

Raffi - What do the schools and churches do and need to do more, to help our teenagers regarding these challenges and needs?

Maral - The schools and churches have to be aware about the problems and challenges our youth are facing. We need to get to know them more intimately and give them the assurance that we understand their problems and are here to help them to find their own solutions for the problems they are facing.

Raffi - The Amish community is know that the parents allow their teenagers to try the outside life for a year, after which they ask their sons and daughters whether they want to stay in their community or leave. Do you agree that we need to leave the teenagers to try the life they want for themselves?

Maral - Whether we leave them to try or not, they will be trying it to find their own way. The experimentation is a normal process in the path of maturation in the stage of adolescence. What we can do is to keep an eye on them, let them know that we are here when they need us and we are praying or them. There is a verse in the Bible that I treasure: “Put all things to test: keep what is good and avoid every kind of evil.” 1 Thess. 5: 21

Raffi - What kind of suggestion and advice would you give the youth workers and leaders who work with the teenagers?

Maral - My advice to the youth workers is love your youth, love them, love them…

Raffi - What would you like to say to the teenagers today?

Maral - You are not alone, God is nearer to you than you think!

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Rev. Megerdich Karagoezian, President of UAECNE, Receiving Congratulating Delegations

On January 6, 2011, the president of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, received congratulating delegation, on the occasion of the Christmas celebrations, in the hall of the Armenian Evangelical First Church, Beirut.

http://faeclb.blogspot.com/

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Անկախութեան 19 Գարունները (The 19 Springs of Independence)

Click on the image to view the report.

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Փոքրիկ Սրտեր (Little Hearts) CD

Nor Yerk members: Rev. Nerses Balabanian and Rev. Hrag Karagoezian, from USA, and Mr. Garbis Deyirmenjian, from Lebanon, have coordinated in the production of the CD.

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Հայ Հայրերը

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The Computerized Western Armenian Bible

Ari Topouzkhanian and the Alsacian Bible Association are happy to present you the computerized version of the Armenian Bible driven by the Biblia Universalis software.

Material Included in the CD-ROM

• Western Armenian Reference Bible (Bible Society of Lebanon 2001)
• Louis Segond (French Bible 1910)
• Darby (French Bible (c) Editions Bibles et Litérature Chrétienne 1991)
• King Jame (English Bible 1611)
• Luther (German Bible 1912)
• La Nuova Diodati (Italian Bible (c) Edizione La Buona Novella 1991)
• La Santa Biblia NVI (Spanish Bible (c) International Bible Society 1999)
• Biblia Sagrada NVI (Portugese Bible (c) International Bible Society 1993, 2000)
• Vulgate (Latin Bible)

Configuration: Mac OS 7.5 or higher, Windows 95 or higher
Armenian Bible (c) 2002 - Alsacian Bible Association

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President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan Visiting the Central Committee of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East

On 21 August, 2010 President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan visited central committee of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East in the city of Beirut and met with its representatives at the head of the central committee's chairman Soghomon Kilaghbyan.
Bako Sahakyan rated high the role of the church in providing national education and maintaining Armenian national identity in the Diaspora pointing out Haigazian University, which is one of the leading Armenian higher educational establishments, as the best example of that.
The Head of the State expressed his gratitude to the Armenian Evangelical Church for carrying out different projects in Artsakh expressing hope that the circle of the projects would be enlarged.
Adviser to the President of the Artsakh Republic Armen Isagoulov, minister of education and science Vladik Khachatryan, head of the Central Information Department of the Office of the Artsakh Republic President David Babayan, permanent representative of the Artsakh Republic in Lebanon Karo Kebabjyan accompanied the Head of the State. Minister of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia Hranoush Hakobyan and ambassador of the Republic of Armenia in Lebanon Ashot Kochartan partook at the events too.

http://www.president.nkr.am

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Bourj Hammoud - A Busy Town Longing to Breathe

Bourj Hammoud


A Busy Town Longing to Breathe


2010 has been declared the International Year of Biodiversity. The Armenians have also chosen this year to be the Year of the Woman.


The two vital elements, the female and biodiversity, are important pillars of the existence and development of all kinds of life on our planet: the female creates and shapes lives; biodiversity ensures the sustainability of life. It is these two important facts that are behind the grand decision of the Bourj Hammoud artisans to celebrate and participate in the Garden Show & Spring Festival 2010.
Nature, much like a fertile woman, carries the secret and the power to generate life. The interactions between factors that transfuse life into nature play an important role in regenerating life and ultimately in the preservation of the biodiversity. This requires the protection of animal and plant species as well as the sustainable development of cities, while also respecting the cultural heritage of such life.


With the rapid expansion and development of Bourj Hammoud and its neighboring areas, almost all the cultivated green areas – the wild plants and large trees, such as mulberry – have all but disappeared. The blue of the sea and the flowing river have been shunned from the urban landscape. The area itself has become densely populated and human activity in all of its guises, from coastal industries to urban decay and traffic, has imposed negatively upon the environment. Yet, the area itself and its people have managed to retain an atmosphere of hospitality.
To this very backdrop and keeping in mind the very people for whom it is responsible, the Municipality of Bourj Hammoud has adopted the following action plan:
• Reintroduction of nature into the city by creating playgrounds for children, planting the sidewalks and the beautification of central squares.
• Establishing a sustainable development strategy that addresses socio-economic and environmental issues.
• Development of a comprehensive master plan for the seafront and the coastal area to avoid the development of polluting industries and to provide quality public spaces for leisure, cultural and touristic activities to the inhabitants of the region.
In this spirit, our exhibition area at The Garden Show & Spring Festival 2010 emphasizes the importance of factors which contribute to the preservation of biodiversity. It includes spaces for animal and vegetal world as well as the cultural heritage of Bourj Hammoud district which carries aesthetic and moral values and is where the Armenian woman acquires an essential place.


Arpi Mangassarian
Chief of Technical & Urban Planning Office
Bourj Hammoud Municipality

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The Exchange Program Between the French and Lebanese Youth

During the month of August 2010, a group of French young men and women came to Lebanon as part of the Exchange Program between French and Lebanese youth.
This program was organized by the EUL (Equipes Unionistes Luthériennes) in partnership with the ACO (Action Chrétienne en Orient). A team of four coaches were responsible for the organization: Annelise Deiss (Director), Marion Heyl, Anne-Catherine Weiss, Gauthier Feuga (facilitators).


The group worked at Kchag, cleaning the area next to the playground. They also visited the various Armenian Evangelical churches and their corresponding youth groups; they also had lots of touristic acitvities like going to Chouf, Beiteddine, Cedar Reserve in Chouf. They visited Tripoli, Byblos, Jeita, Farayya, Harisa... as well as universities in Beirut, like Haigazian Univerisity, NEST Theological School and the American University of Beirut.


At Kchag with Badveli Sebouh Terzian

At NEST (Near East School of Theology)

With the chanitz youth of the Armenian Evangelical Marash Church


With the chanitz youth of the Armenian Evangelical First Church

Visiting Beiteddine

Visiting the Cedar Reserves









At Kchag, with the big Armenian Evangelical family

At kchag, during sharing time and discussions

The French group cleaning the area next to the playground at Kchag

* Photos courtesy of Betty Kechejian and Luder Artinian

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What Haigazian University Went Through During Its Years of Service

This is a very interesting article that sheds some light on the troubles that Haigazian University went through, coming out of the ashes to rebuild itself again in the cosmopolitan area of Beirut.



You can read the article (originally written in French) at: Université Haïgazian - La grande aventure
The English translation can be found at: Haigazian University - A great adventure

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Getting to know each other - UCJA (Union Chrétienne de Jeunes Arméniens)

The Christian Union of Young Armenians (UCJA) is founded in 1949. As part of the Armenian Evangelical Churches of France (EEAF), it aims to follow the development of youth in a spiritual point of view, physical, cultural and social development.


Each year we organize camps for teens and youth in both summer and winter. We offer sporting events, cultural activities, trips, spiritual retreats. Within each church, youth also meet every weekend.


Through each of these activities, we take time apart to study the Bible together, but also topical. We also wish to promote and share our Christian faith through evangelism.

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Chanaser (Ջանասէր) Nov-Dec 2010 Issue

This is the corrected version

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Announcement: Armenian Evangelical Churches Christian Endeavor Union - Yearly Banquet

Armenian Evangelical Churches C.E. Union


YEARLY BANQUET


Armenian food, HiBar dance show, games, prizes and surprises


Armenian Evangelical First Church's Hall.
27 February 2011, 1:00pm

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The Ekmekjians and Kabakians from USA Visiting Emmanuel Church

(L to R): Mr. Manoug Kabakian, Mr. Samuel Svadjian, Mr. Koko Ekmekjian, Mr. Hovhanness Ekmekjian, Mrs. Sela Ekmekjian, Mrs. Rita Nashalian, Ms. Armig Kazezian, Mrs. Madlen Bedigian, Mr. Levon Bedigian

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EQUIP Leadership Training, Volume II, Notebook 6 - TALENT IS NEVER ENOUGH

October-2010: For the third consecutive year, the International EQUIP training took place in the beautiful town of Harissa. The participants came from Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, and they all completed this last leadership training and received their diplomas.
Mr. Tom Atema, the speaker presented most of the lessons, and assisting him was Rev. Khalil, from Jordan, who presented some of the lessons.

The title of the Chapters:
1- Become a Talent-Plus Person
2- Talent Plus Initiative and Focus
3- Talent Plus Preparation and Practice
4- Talent Plus Perseverance and Courage
5- Talent Plus Teachability, Character and Responsibility
6- Talent Plus Relationships and Teamwork

Participating from Lebanon:
Ms. Shake Geocherian (Emmanuel Church),
Mr. Serop Ohanian (Emmanuel Church),
Mr. Mano Chilingirian (Emmanuel Church),
Mr. Raffi Chilingirian (Emmanuel Church),
Ms. Silva Chilingirian (Marash Church)

Participating from Syria:
Pastor Datev Basmajian (Damascus Church),
Mrs. Sirag Karagoezian-Basmajian (Damascus Church).




(L to R): Silva Chilingirian, Serop Ohanian, Shake Geocherian, Raffi Chilingirian, Sirag Karagoezian, Mano Chilingirian, and Badveli Datev Basmajian at the back.








The worship leaders

The participants received Tom's newly published book: Leadership in Blue Jeans

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Ցկեանս Նահատակութուն 2 - Աղբարի՜կ, Ափիկ Մը Ջո՛ւր... (Գէորգ Աբէլեան)

Forever Martrydom 2 - Brother, a Palm of Water... (Kevork Apelian)

This is the continuation of the first book, whose heroes are also from various geographical places. The Kurdified Armenians feel proud of their Armenian identity, even though they have gone far from their roots.

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Who is the Fisherman?

Luke 5:1-11

I don’t know anything about fishing. Once I tried it with a friend in Beirut and I realized it was not my gift. You have to sit calm for hours in order to possibly get a small fish. They say it is relaxing. For me it was frustrating and time wasting!

That was not the case with Peter. He loved fishing and spent most of the time fishing. Jesus knew that fishing had a special place in Peter’s life so he approached Peter from a fisherman’s perspective.

Jesus got into Pater’s boat. Jesus will use whatever you have. Each of us has something, a craft, a talent, a gift, a job, a family, anything. God will use anything you have.

“He (Jesus) got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat” (3). Teaching was usually done in the Temple or at the synagogue. On that day, Jesus used the boat as his pulpit. Jesus used such an unusual setting for his teaching.

Offer whatever you have to be used for God’s Kingdom. Use whatever you have to spread the Good News.

One thinks that the climax of the story is the miracle that Jesus performed. Yes, Jesus took the boat to an unusual place for fishing. Everyone who fishes knows that one cannot find fish in deep waters, yet Jesus said: “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” (4)

“They caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break,” says Luke. It is like, “We made it. We hit the jackpot!” Some see the climax in this event but I see it in the events following this one.

What was Peter’s response? He said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”(8) “I cannot handle this, Lord. I am a sinful person face to face with God. Fish don’t matter to me anymore.”

This was a very important turning point in Peter’s life. Peter went fishing, instead he was caught! He met the Lord and became a fisher of men.

The invitation of Jesus is always there. It could be your “boat”, which means your heart, your talent, your passion, everything. The problem is that we are frightened when we face the “sea” or the world. God is ready to use anything that you have. The young boy had two fish and five loaves of bread. Anything you have can be used.

Have you offered your boat to Jesus?

Rev. Nerses Balabanian,

Calvary Armenian Congregational Church, San Francisco

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Bible Bookshop's 24th Anniversary Announcement

Spreading God's good news since 1987.

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Հայուն Գոյապայքարի Ճանապարհը (The Armenian's Path Of Struggle For Existence, By Hrayr Jebejian)

The book is an anthology of articles written by the author over 30 years, from 1979 to 2010. These articles appeared in Armenian newspapers and magazines published in Lebanon and Diaspora. As the title suggests, the articles highlight the national, cultural, political, social, and economic challenges of the Armenians in Lebanon, Armenia, and the Diaspora. The articles are compiled under the following main headings:
- National Thinking
- A Diasporic Perspective
- Christian Identity
- Lebanese Belongingness
- A Denominational Understanding



Evidently, these captions underscore the author's thoughts, concerns and outlook on some of the issues, beliefs, opinions, and perspectives Armenian communities in Beirut, the Gulf, England and the United States of America hold and struggle with each in its own context. His genuine interest and subsequent writings about the challenges and aspirations of the Armenian communities in these countries and many others demonstrate the author's awareness and understanding of the significance of these communities and their struggle for the preservation of the Armenian culture, identity and faith in a globalized world.

The bulk of the articles, though, deal mainly with the Armenian community in Lebanon where he was born, educated and lived until 2005. Presently, Hrayr Jebejian is the General Secretary of the Bible Society in the Gulf whose headquarters are in Nicosia, Cyprus. He is married to Dr. Arda Boyneria Jebejian. They have two children, Vahe 17, and Alik 16.

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Մաքուր Հայրենինք (Clean Homeland)

Click on the image to view the report.

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Street vs. School Education, by Shushan Artinian

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A Call to Prayer for Egypt

Click on the image to read the prayer request.

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A Visiting Church from Norway

On Sunday, 17 October 2010, a group of Christians from Norway, with Tom Hoglind, participated in the worship service at the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church. Rev. J. Meland shared about his previous visits to Lebanon and about the church in Norway, after which they presented a famous Norwegian worship song.

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Rev. Dr. Movses Janbazian Hall Dedicated in a Special Ceremony

Mr. Kevork (George) Apelian

On Sunday, August 18, on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the Armenian Village of Ainjar in Lebanon, a special ceremony was held at the Armenian Evangelical Secondary School (AES) to dedicate a newly renovated multipurpose hall in memory of Rev. Dr. Movses Janbazian, on the 10th anniversary of his passing.
Rev. Megrdich Karagoezian, President of the UAECNE, was present at the ceremony where the ribbon-cutting was done by Mrs. Sona Janbazian Koucharian, sister of Rev.
Janbazian.
The new Janbazian Multipurpose Hall includes a sound system and LCD projector and will be used for workshops, lectures and other meetings as well as for a chapel for the elementary students.
Ainjar was the hometown of Rev. Dr. Janbanzian, former Executive Director of the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA). He received his elementary and high school education at the AES School of Ainjar. He was also a member of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Ainjar and had served the congregation as a Sunday School teacher and a youth group director.

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