Salt & Light Youth Ministry Annual Retreat

On November 7–8, 2026, the youth of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church gathered at Camp DeWolfe in Wading River, NY for the annual Salt & Light Youth Ministry Retreat—a weekend of spiritual reflection, fellowship, and personal discovery centered on the theme “Faith, Identity, and Relationships.”

Through engaging presentations, thoughtful discussions, prayer, music, and shared experiences, the retreat encouraged our youth to reflect on who they are, what they believe, and how their faith and Armenian heritage can guide the people they aspire to become.

The retreat began on Saturday afternoon with a shared lunch, followed by the opening session on Faith, led by Der Nareg Terterian and Deacon John Megerian. Using the powerful imagery of a tree, they explored how faith forms the roots of our lives, nourishing our character, shaping our choices, and providing the spiritual foundation upon which we grow.

The second session, Identity, was presented by Dr. Annita Nerses, Deacon Krikor Arabatlian, and Mr. Veh Bezdikian. Dr. Nerses introduced the key tenets of identity, starting with ten remarkable Armenian historic and modern-day heroes, each exemplifying a defining virtue of our Armenian Christian heritage. Through their stories of faith, courage, wisdom, perseverance, service, and sacrifice, the youth were invited to consider the timeless values that have sustained the Armenian people across generations.

Building upon these examples, Deacon Krikor encouraged participants to reflect on their own God-given gifts, the virtues they admire, and the character they wish to cultivate. The session concluded with a lively Armenian history trivia competition led by Mr. Bezdikian, bringing enthusiasm, laughter, and friendly competition to the afternoon.

Following a refreshing break at the beach, the youth reconvened for the third session, Relationships, presented by Mrs. Seta Megherian and Dr. MarieAnne Tatiossian. This session explored the importance of building meaningful relationships and the role that faith, character, and mutual respect play in our connections with others.

Following dinner, everyone gathered in the chapel for an intimate Vespers service and a moment of spiritual reflection.

Drawing together the lessons of the day, Der Hayr returned to the symbolism of the tree, offering a beautiful illustration of the retreat's central message: that Faith is our roots, grounding and nourishing us. Identity is our trunk, giving us strength and stability. Relationships are our branches, reaching outward and bearing the fruits of who we are.  Just as a tree cannot flourish without strong roots, our lives cannot fully blossom without a foundation of faith. It is through knowing who we are, embracing our spiritual and cultural heritage, and nurturing our relationship with God that we are better equipped to build meaningful relationships with one another.

The evening continued with arts and crafts led by Mrs. Jeanette Nenejian, while others shared their musical talents on the piano and other instruments. The atmosphere was filled with creativity, laughter, and friendship—a joyful conclusion to a meaningful day.

Sunday morning began with breakfast and hymn rehearsals as the youth prepared to participate in the Divine Liturgy.  By 11:00am, the community gathered for the celebration of Badarak.   In the intimate setting of the camp chapel, the youth took an active role in the service, participating at the altar and lending their voices to the sacred hymns. Joined by their parents, the congregation shared a beautiful experience of worship and spiritual communion.

In his sermon, Fr. Nareg reflected on the Gospel account of Jesus raising a young girl from death, drawing a profound distinction between physical death and spiritual death.

He reminded the congregation that spiritual death can occur even as we go about our daily lives—when we become disconnected from God and lose awareness of His presence within us.

Recalling the words of St. Paul, Der Hayr encouraged everyone to live with wisdom and purpose, making the most of every opportunity to deepen their relationship with God. He emphasized that participation in Badarak is not simply a religious obligation, but a living encounter with Christ, drawing us into the mystery of His life, death, and resurrection.

His message to the youth was especially meaningful: Come to church not because you have to, but because you want to be with God.

Following the Divine Liturgy, participants gathered for a final hour of fellowship before departing for home.

The annual Salt & Light Retreat was more than a weekend away. It was an opportunity for our youth to deepen their faith, discover the richness of their Armenian Christian identity, strengthen their friendships, and reflect on the values that will guide them throughout their lives.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our presenters, facilitators, volunteers, and parents whose dedication made this retreat possible, and we look forward to continuing to grow together in faith, identity, and our relationship with God and one another.