A Franciscan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort


At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships


So that you may live deep within your heart.


May God bless you with anger




At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,


So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.


May God bless you with tears




To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war,


So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and


To turn their pain into joy.




And may God bless you with enough foolishness


To believe that you can make a difference in the world,


So that you can do what others claim cannot be done


To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.


Amen.

Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church's Banquet

On Sunday, 20 November, after the worship service, the banquet of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church took place in the church hall. Ms. Vartoug Balekjian welcomed everyone and emceed the event. Participating in the program were:
- Ms. M. Khoshafian, playing 2 spiritual songs on the piano
- Ms. R. Der Sarkissian, playing a song on the piano
- Mr. G. Aroyan, recited a poem
- Mr. H. Gojigian's visual poetry was displayed
- Mr. M. Chilingirian, led the "Who Will Be the Millionaire?" game with questions from the Bible



Mr. and Mrs. Gojigian





Mr. and Mrs. Bakalian




Mr. and Mrs. Missakian


Mr. and Mrs. Boynerian


Rev. and Mrs. Sabounji


Rev. and Mrs. Karagoezian


Dr. and Mrs. Karageuzian and Mr. and Mrs. Mamigonian


Mr. and Mrs.Karageuzian




Mr. and Mrs. Geyikian



Churches in the Middle East re-affirm their commitment to peace

14.12.11

At the significant event of the 10th General Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Christians in the Middle East renewed their commitment to unity, dialogue and peace amidst varied political developments in the region, as well as elected a new general secretary.

The assembly was held from 20-30 November in the ancient city of Paphos and was hosted by the Orthodox Church of Cyprus.

Participants addressed the theme “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart” (Acts 4:32) relevant to the churches in Middle East and beyond.

“In these critical historical moments, which your region and churches are going through, you could not have found a more pertinent and inspiring theme for your assembly, than the one you have chosen, which expresses diversity in unity,” said the World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, in his message for the MECC assembly.

Churches from various Christian traditions, including Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, Evangelical and Catholic churches participated in the assembly.

Together they elected Fr. Dr Paul Rouhana from the Maronite (Catholic) Church in Lebanon, as general secretary to serve for the next four years. Rouhana was the former dean of the Faculty of Theology at the Holy Spirit University in Kaslik, Lebanon.

A communiqué issued at the end of the assembly also highlighted “churches’ commitment to participate in the building of a new future for the Middle East.”

“Churches call upon all the faithful to hold steadfast to their hope in the peaceful coexistence of the peoples of the Middle East. Thus they support the recent and ongoing movements of reform, change and development for the common good of humanity,” states the communiqué.

While expressing solidarity with the Middle Eastern churches, Tveit also stressed that, “ecumenical family has always regarded your region with a special interest because the faith that it holds has its roots here.”

“Your continuous presence and active participation in the life of the different societies to which you belong have been a remarkable witness to the Christian faith,” he added.

Source: WCC