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It was an on and off sunny and rainy day as the young children gathered in the little yellow room to meet for this weeks lesson. It seems our group of students is growing in the younger age level quickly. Each child is so very precious, contributing their own ray of light to fill our morning with the greatest, most colorful sunshine in town. The gift is ours when we see one of our youngest, Sara, who may be briefly distracted suddenly being drawn over to the group of students when they begin to sing the hayr mer, or when Harout, one of our first grade students share that sometimes he prays for us at night when it is quiet.
Vartan, our 5th/6th grade teacher read a letter sent by St. Vartan and the Armenian prince to Persian King Hazgert in 451 AD, as recorded by historian Yeghishe to familiarize all about the power of commitment in faith. St. Vartan’s faith was so great he was willing to die for it. The Sunday school joined our faithful in receiving Holy Communion in commemoration of our Lords last supper, after Der hayr’s inspiring sermon. Der hayr shared the message of our faithful forefathers namely St. Vartans spiritual strength and courage. He also covered the purpose of the upcoming Lenten journey & how this is a time for reflection and self decipline.
Although it was Super bowl Sunday and the weather was as it was, we had just less than 70 join together for our Parigentan fellowship meal. We enjoyed the delicious meatball sandwich meal coordinated and prepared by Annie Siminoff and her team. From the little details of heart shaped candy’s to accent the napkin wrapped utensils to sweet valentine centerpieces, to the youth opening our meal with prayer, the afternoon was met with warmth and love. Siminoff family and to all who tirelessly supported this days meal, thank you, we appreciate you and your love.
May everyones Lenten journey be met with spiritual growth, & through this strengthening in faith lead you to greater compassion and understanding of others.
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An Evening of Fun, Love & Walking in His Shoes: Many were present. Many walked in His shoes. Speaking of presents, the children and many of our faithful were the first gift to be shared this Christmas season. We did it yet another year. We not only marched in the Montrose Christmas Parade (in a hugh beautifully decorated red truck stacked with hay to sit on), we also used this evening to kick off a different kind of shopping. We spread awareness of the needs of our brothers and sisters on the other side of the globe. Children of our same Father who are in need of food, in a need of rebuilding humanity, who should be given support in knowing that they have a right to exist as we had that right after something was striped away from us. As we know, recovering from Genocide is something that doesn't heal and dissappear overnight. So the shopping we did was to purchase gifts of love. We are only at the warm up phase, but we have raised enough money to purchase 17 goats to "Feed a Village" in Rwanda. As we have learned as parishoners of St. Peter Armenian Church and members who hold strong the philosophy and mission of In His Shoes, where helping feed our brother's and sister's physical needs is actually the smaller part of our offerings. Our friends in Rwanda know that they are not alone, they know we pray for them and ask for God to continually watch over them as we know they do for us. Like Mary who said yes to God, a young family said yes to opening their home for our fellowship gathering where all present shared of themselves by bringing food to eat and voices to sing. Like Mary said yes to God our young Sunday School families, our beautiful Bible Study group, our faithful (from 6 mos to 86 years old), said yes to purchasing the greatest gift of all. Sharing the love of Christ in a very fun filled, crispy, magical evening. Merry Christmas Christ, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
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