Sunday, August 19, once again St. John picnic committee organized a Sunday Day, Fun Day picnic at Coyote Point Park in San Mateo.

Fr. Mesrop Ash along with Dn. Daron Kapeghian conducted a short service and delivered a spiritual message, followed by the blessing of the food.

The menu was St. John’s famous pilaf and BBQ prepared by Cherezian brothers and friends. Over 200 people came together to enjoy the beautiful weather, delicious food, and friendship. The highlight of the event was the Ice Cream bar, which everyone enjoyed immensely.

On Wednesday, June 27, 2018, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, travelled to San Francisco, where he presided over the Northern California Clergy Regional meeting at St. John Armenian Church. The planning of an inter-community retreat and the re-organization of the region’s mission parishes was discussed. The Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, Pastor of St. Vartan Armenian Church of Oakland, the Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash, Pastor of St. John Armenian Church of San Francisco and the Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Ksachikyan, Pastor of St. James Armenian Church of Sacramento participated in the meeting.

To strengthen the ecumenical ties and dialogue between the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco, the Diocesan Primate and Bay Area clergy Archpriest Fr. Datev Harutyunian, the Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan and the Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash visited His Eminence Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco on Thursday, August 9, 2018.  

The clergy sought to explore areas of cooperation through joint prayer services and other ecumenical events.

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.

Students studied the eight Sundays of Great lent from Poon Paregentan (much like Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday) to Easter. Abstinence this year was also part of the Pre-K students teaching, and for Lent, they diligently gave up M&M’s and Lollypops!

They celebrated by attending a special Children’s Badarak together on Lazarus Saturday followed by a breakfast and the annual Easter Egg Hunt.

St. John has identified raising awareness about dementia and dementia-related issues as an important goal. For that reason St. John invited representatives of Alzheimer’s Care Armenia to make a presentation to the community. Unfortunately, Dr. Jane Mahakian, Gerontologist, and co-founder was not able to appear and speak to the attendees; however, Vic Mazmanian longtime Alzheimer advocate, educator, and speaker was with us. Vic is a facilitator for several Alzheimer support groups.

While we fasted for Lent, we consumed with our eyes a thought-provoking art exhibit by artists Armine and Suren Vardanyan.  Armine was a graduate of Mer Hooys Orphanage in Yerevan. While there she studied at Terlemezyan Fine Art College, where she met art partner and now husband, Suren.

Leading up to Easter is a time of lent and this year as in past years the Lenten Prayer Vigil Services (Husgoom) were held on Wednesday evenings.  Parishioners are invited to come and pray along with participating in the readings. Afterward, a potluck meal was held for all to enjoy.

As with past Christmas holidays we once again celebrated with a number of engaging activities for not only the children but the young at heart. We lead off with an assemblage of gracious volunteers to come in and decorate the hall, tree and also the church as well. Everyone gets to participate in either hanging the lights or the little ones bringing an ornament to place on the tree.  

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.