Slideshow image

On most Sundays, many regular church attendees leave right after the priest offers the dismissal blessing at the end of Badarak. However, many attendees stay for the coffee hour, a time for fellowship among congregants after the Sunday service. This gathering is an interesting aspect of our church experience. The “regulars” come together to enjoy meaningful conversations, and newcomers occasionally join this gathering as well.

As the pastor, my perspective during fellowship hour is unique. After I take off my Badarak vestments, give feedback to the Altar Servers, and have quick conversations with those who need to share something with me, I notice that most congregants have gravitated to their usual spots while others are busy helping themselves to food and coffee. 

I make my rounds and greet everyone, becoming attentive to the conversations around me. This is when my congregants share important updates about their health or significant happenings in their families. Others discuss current events in our community and international developments. 

A major topic is often the day's sermon; I receive compliments about how well I spoke, how attendees learned something new, or how the topic resonated with them deeply. However, I also hear complaints—some feel the sermon was too long, that I didn’t cover certain parts thoroughly  enough, that the Armenian portion was shorter than the English, or that I spoke too softly for them to hear. 

I aim to engage with church members during the fellowship hour and better understand their needs. This time is filled with delightful unpredictability, as you never know what heartwarming or thought-provoking stories might arise.

I experienced one of those moments this past Sunday when a senior community member I deeply admire mentioned she wanted to share something about “these two,” referring to two ladies nearby. I jokingly asked, "Did they bother you?" She replied, "No, they came, picked me up from home, and took me out for lunch together." The two women appeared nervous and somewhat embarrassed, but the joy radiating from the senior lady was contagious. I said, “God bless you, ladies,” but I found it hard to say much more because I felt so emotional. The simple act of these two women was a demonstration of thoughtfulness and generosity. It was a true embodiment of putting our Christian faith into practice. This filled my heart with immense joy, reassuring me that we have community members who truly understand and live out the core values of our faith.

Jesus emphasizes compassion as a core value of our faith. We read His words in the Gospel of Matthew 25:34-40 where Jesus says that serving others—especially those in need—is a fundamental way of serving God. In that passage, Jesus teaches about the final judgment, highlighting how acts of kindness toward the vulnerable are seen as acts of love and devotion to Him. The righteous are praised not for grand gestures but for simple acts of compassion and support, underscoring that faith is not merely a belief but something shown through actions that reflect God's love and care for humanity. Jesus identifies with those in need, making it clear that acts of mercy and kindness toward others are recognized and honored by God, promising that such care for the "least" is, in fact, care for Christ Himself.

Additionally, it is important to note that in the tradition of the Armenian Church, we are nourished from the same chalice. We share a meal in the form of spiritual sustenance during Badarak, which makes us members of the same family of faith. This concept is further practiced during the fellowship hour, where we have the opportunity to get to know each other better.

As humans, we belong to a virtually connected world, yet we can feel profoundly disconnected in reality. One of the most unrecognized issues affecting our mental health and overall well-being is the sense of loneliness that many of us experience when isolated. Our churches provide a place for us to gather and embrace the love and care that church members offer to one another.

Talk to you on Sunday at the fellowship hour!

Prayerfully