2018 General Membership Meeting of Saint Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church

Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, Pastor of St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of Merrimack Valley

​     The 2018 General Membership Meeting of Saint Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of Merrimack Valley convened on Sunday, March 11, 2018, the Sunday of the Judge. Following the Divine Liturgy, Sunrise and Requiem services, the parish's membership congregated in Jaffarian Hall where a delicious Lenten luncheon was provided by the Board of Trustees. The meeting commenced precisely at 12:30 PM and the more than thirty members who were in attendance got down to work.
      This meeting, convened annually, is mandated by the By-Laws of our Prelacy and usually takes place in February or early March. It's purpose is to review the pastoral and administrative activities of the parish for the previous year, hear reports of the activities and finances of the church's organizations, review the annual operating budget and adopt a new proposed budget for the current fiscal year (2018). In addition, elections are held for positions on the Board of Trustees and delegates to the National Representative Assembly of the Prelacy. It also affords our members the opportunity to ask questions, make suggestions or express concerns about certain aspects of the church's life and ministry for consideration by the pastor, membership and Board of Trustees.
      Representing the Prelacy's Executive Council this year was Mr. Mark Philips of Providence, Rhode Island, a member of the Executive Council and the National Representative Assembly. During the meeting, on behalf of the Prelate and Executive Council, Mr. Philips greeted the Pastor, Board of Trustees and Membership of the church and congratulated them for another successful year of ministry. He also relayed the Council's full confidence and anticipatory sentiment for our parish's hosting of the 2018 National Representative Assembly, which will take place from May 9-12 of this year.
         Elected to serve on the Executive (Tivan) of this year's meeting was Mr. Richard Shahtanian Esq. as Chair and Mrs. Kim Almasian as Secretary. Serving on the Nominating Committee (elected at the previous year's meeting) were Christine Kourkounian, Lelsie Boloian and Olga Sarkisian. We thank them all for their role in this year's meeting and for their service to Saint Gregory Church in general.
       A special item on this year's meeting agenda was an update on the plans for the National Representative Assembly made by NRA Steering Committee chair Christine Kourkounian. During the presentation, she reminded everyone of the great honor our community would have to host the Prelate, Councils and National Representatives at this year's Assembly and also of the great amount of assistance and manpower that would be required of the community in order to plan and execute it successfully. Amid an optimistic and excited atmosphere, she received a thunderous round of applause.

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