Faith, Family & Fun Reported by: Mrs. Lara Milian - Bardizbanian
About 15 families participated in the Faith, Family & Fun event at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, last Saturday. Each guest was assigned to either the Parent session, Teenager session or Children session. Mrs. Sonya Nenejian taught 35 children in the children session, ages 5-10, about the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Following an arts and crafts project, the children were encouraged to remember the nine attributes and act them out on a daily basis.
Yn. Annie Terterian led eight children, ages 11-14, in a discussion focusing on our relationship with God. They explored their relationship with their earthly parents and drew parallels to their relationship with our Heavenly Father. Topics of discussion included the importance of prayer and living a God-centered life while embracing virtue and humility.
The Parent session took place in Pagoumian Hall. Fr. Nareg led an insightful presentation and discussion about marriage, enmeshment vs. a happy individual, individual identity and boundaries for personal happiness. Guests explored setting emotional boundaries to strengthen their relationship with themselves and within their marriage. This was the first part of five of marriage enrichment programs that focuses on the following topics: Marriage as a Process, Intimacy, Compatibility, Communication and Commitment.
Families then joined together for a pizza lunch and some home-made delicacies. Guests then went to church to pray and the children were guided on what happens during Lent. They were reminded to think about what they would give up as part of their Lenten journey, to pray and to do good deeds daily. The event concluded with altar servers Hovsep Terterian and Vahan Gostanian closing the curtain on the altar, marking the beginning of Lent. Many attendees felt that this was a great way to connect spiritually, with themselves and with each other, and are looking forward to the next Faith, Family & Fun event!
Yn. Annie Terterian led eight children, ages 11-14, in a discussion focusing on our relationship with God. They explored their relationship with their earthly parents and drew parallels to their relationship with our Heavenly Father. Topics of discussion included the importance of prayer and living a God-centered life while embracing virtue and humility.
The Parent session took place in Pagoumian Hall. Fr. Nareg led an insightful presentation and discussion about marriage, enmeshment vs. a happy individual, individual identity and boundaries for personal happiness. Guests explored setting emotional boundaries to strengthen their relationship with themselves and within their marriage. This was the first part of five of marriage enrichment programs that focuses on the following topics: Marriage as a Process, Intimacy, Compatibility, Communication and Commitment.
Families then joined together for a pizza lunch and some home-made delicacies. Guests then went to church to pray and the children were guided on what happens during Lent. They were reminded to think about what they would give up as part of their Lenten journey, to pray and to do good deeds daily. The event concluded with altar servers Hovsep Terterian and Vahan Gostanian closing the curtain on the altar, marking the beginning of Lent. Many attendees felt that this was a great way to connect spiritually, with themselves and with each other, and are looking forward to the next Faith, Family & Fun event!