As we joyfully ushered in 2018 we have been keeping busy by the weeks and months as faithful and devoted members of our community.  Our cross generations of members and friends helping in many different ways provide each of us an experience one can only understand when immersed in these various activities and events. Whether it’s sitting in church in worship, socializing at a luncheon or working on a project, our connections with each other are strengthening our character, community and faith.

For the first time St. John conducted an installation of the officers of the Parish Council, the Ladies Society, and the Armenian Church Youth Organization in one service.

This event became an expression of the unity of purpose and vision for cooperation that our parish is cultivating with leadership. 

Following the installation ceremony, newly elected Parish Council Chair Kathy Kapeghian expressed her gratitude to be able to serve the church and to do so along with so many devoted parish members, from across generations.

As we reflect on 2017 we have so much to be thankful for. Our regular gatherings throughout the year were well attended and continually filled with a bond of special friendship, wisdom and cheer from our longtime standing members, new members, and friends. Like our 75th Anniversary Gala that celebrated the good days from the past and honored the present,  Ladies Society aims to continue to embrace this amongst all who connect with the Ladies Society and St. John Church.  It’s a place we make friendships spanning generations, in our spiritual home.

Nested in the San Francisco Bay Area, we all cherish our Armenian culture in a multitude of ways - one being our food.  As we approach St. John’s 75th Anniversary Celebration, we’d like to document, share, and treasure the foods that connect our families, and friends to what our identified Armenian culture represents.  Whether it’s your favorite mezza to pilaf to sweet dessert recipes, we want you to share the food that fills your kitchen aroma and table.

Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring mothers. There is simply no way we can ever really thank mothers for all they do for us. Around the world, people follow different traditions of celebrating Mother’s Day.  Here in the United States Mother’s Day is one of the most important holidays, and it always falls the second Sunday of the month of May.

January, our meeting welcomed our new slate of officer’s.  We had a cozy meeting in the Ashjian Room.  We warmed up the chilly winter day with lunch brought in from the Olive Garden, and we enjoyed their minestrone and their signature salad and bread while surrounded by friends. Those who stayed to the end of the meeting enjoyed the surprise of having a chance at winning a door prize.  Three lucky attendees took home a ceramic magnet from Jerusalem.

In November our general meeting resumed. We talked at length about how we can stay more connected with our members and host special speakers at our upcoming meetings in 2017.  Some great ideas and suggestions were exchanged.  We look forward to planning our 2017 calendar.

On December 15 (in lieu of a meeting), 22 members and friends braved the rainy day and enjoyed lunch at the Opera House followed by an enchanting performance of the Nutcracker performed by the San Francisco Ballet. 

Happy New Year from Ladies Society

Ladies Society Chair, Paula Boghosian, organized a fun day for ladies from St. John’s Ladies Society on Tues. Aug. 30.  Of course, it started off with curbside coffee and choreg before we hit the road!  Things got even better when Paula spilled some coffee and Hrantouhi announced that in Armenian tradition that meant, “Good Luck!”

The proverb proved true as our van got us there and back without traffic or incident. Before we knew it, we were all sitting on stools sipping wine and tasting chocolate at Farrari-Carano Tasting Bar and Boutique in downtown Healdsburg.

On May 21st, the Ladies Society hosted Paul Tour-Sarkissian of Tour-Sarkissian Law Offices (TSLO) for a Basic Estate Planning Seminar. The TSLO provides full-service domestic estate planning in California as well as international estate planning.