Parish News

Over the years we have observed that many families in our community would like St. John to organize a weekly Armenian Language School to supplement their children's Armenian education. We would like to report that after sending a questionnaire to our families last spring we determined that it would be ideal to organize this school on Saturday mornings, with classes for both Eastern and Western Armenian.

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.

For over two years St. John has run a seasonal Bible Study program focusing on various biblical and ecclesiastical topics. Fr. Mesrop Ash would like to announce that the program will be on hold until Spring 2019 when it will resume with an all-new course. 

On July 27, 2018 St. John Armenian Church hosted a community briefing by the Armenian Assembly of America. Community members gathered for the informal wine & cheese reception, followed by the briefing, and a lively Q&A. After welcome remarks by Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash, Western Director Mihran Toumajian and Executive Director Bryan Ardouny made an in-depth report of the Assembly's activities. The Armenian Assembly was excited to invite everyone to their upcoming advocacy event on September 24-25, 2018. For more information visit aimhye.com.

Whether a child is the next violinist for a major orchestra or they just like to sing songs in the car, there’s no denying that music has many benefits for children. Among the many studies, many say learning music improves test scores, focus, listening skills and memory.

Sunday, April 29, St. John organized a Singalong Concert for Children following the church service, at Paul Family Hall. With the participation of many children along with their parents, Karen Chutjian Presti and Stephanie Chutjian Betjemann put on a fantastic show. The duo sisters presented an interactive performance designed to entertain children while exposing them to live instrumental and Armenian folk music.

It was a fun afternoon especially seeing children singing and dancing Armenian songs together.

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.

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.