Ladies Society Central Council Hosts Inaugural Town Hall Meeting

Under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, the Ladies Society Central Council (LSCC) organized its first town hall meeting on August 15, 2018 at the Hampar Family Room of the Western Diocese. 

It was attended by various Ladies Society chairladies and members from the Southern California region.  The Cathedral’s Pastor Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazian delivered the opening prayer after which LSCC Vice-Chairlady Belet Shahbazian read a prayer which glorified the Virgin Mary on the day of her assumption into heaven.

The Diocesan Primate expressed his gratitude to the LSCC for organizing the event and stressed the importance of all the Ladies Society members working hand in hand for the purpose of glorifying God.  "You are the ambassadors and modern-day apostles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” stated His Eminence. “The townhall meeting is a forum which encourages discussions pertaining to the role of women in the life of the Armenian Church. Concerns and issues are solved as a family,” continued Archbishop Derderian.   

The attendees who traveled from far flung cities such as Victorville and San Diego expressed their desire to increase membership, raise community awareness and encourage other church members contribute to the overall mission being accomplished by the ladies society of each respective parish. 

Many of the ladies present shared their views of the many benefits of belonging to Lady Societies including the bonding and the establishment of lifelong friendships that arises from fellowship.

Numerous ideas were brought forth, including extending invitations to newlywed brides in the ladies societies, the instruction of liturgical hymns (sharagans), strengthening connections between neighboring parish ladies societies, “adopting” sister parish ladies societies in their infancy or beginning stages of establishment to help them flourish.

LSCC Chairlady Gladys Saroyan expressed her gratitude to Archbishop Derderian for his thoughtfulness and support as well as the LSCC Executive board members for their impeccable hosting skills.