ST. JAMES PARISH COUNCIL

We were able to hold indoor church services on Sunday, September 27, implementing and following the state and county guidelines. Security concerns were expressed for the safety of our parishioners due to the large-scale war launched by Azerbaijan against Artsakh/Nagorno Karabakh early Sunday morning. In the interest of time, Eddie der Aprahamian provided access to Deputy Sheriff Joseph Grigorian if the need arose. Thankfully, there were no problems and 22 parishioners peacefully and safely attended church services.

We hope and encourage our Armenian faithful to continue to attend church services now that we are able to open our doors. Hope to see you next Sunday.

Lily Balian
Chair, Parish Council

It was another beautiful sunny day when approximately 100 parishioners attended outdoor church services on Sunday, September 20, 2020. We were honored with the presence of Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian and Archpriest Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian.

Parishioners were carefully screened, wore masks and observed social distancing. They remained after church services and enjoyed the fellowship and camaraderie.

Lily Balian  

Chair, Parish Council

Even though we have a record breaking heatwave, we also  had a  record breaking outdoor Church service on August 16 when we celebrated the  Grape Blessing Ceremony.  Approximately 107 parishioners attended the outdoor church service, exceeding the number of parishioners who attended in 2019.  We are blessed with accessible and large church grounds to accommodate our parishioners.

It is heartening and comforting to know that even in these unpredictable and difficult  times we must pause and appreciate that we can still come together and worship our Lord.  

We follow the state and county guidelines to make sure our parishioners are safe.  Our parish council members assist with screening, offering sprays and hand sanitizers and making sure they practice social distancing.  We thank Michael Tachejian, Ann Iskenderian, Yeghia der Aprahamian, Fimi and Vartan Zerounian, Jenia Baghdanian, Karine Baghdanian and our secretary Linda Kalayjian for their assistance.  

Special thanks to Danny Akarakian at the piano; our choir director Manik Manukyan and to the five Deacons at the altar.  Our sincere appreciation to the Ladies Society, chaired by Seta Yanikian, for washing and bagging the grapes.  We are grateful to our parishioners for donating the grapes as well as their financial assistance during these  uncertain times.  

Hope you will join us next Sunday, August 23, for a wonderful and unique outdoor church service.

Lily Balian
Chair, Parish Council.  

Dear St. James Parishioners:

It was another beautiful sunny day as approximately 40 of our parishioners attended our outdoor church services on Sunday, August 9.  We are pleased that during these difficult and uncertain days, many of us turn to God and to his word for comfort, direction and peace. 

We are blessed at St. James with inviting and expansive church grounds to hold our service.

We continue to be cautious and our Parish Council members follow every safety measure, including screening, masks, sanitizers, hand sprays and to adhere to social distancing.,  

We look forward to next Sunday, August 16, when we celebrate the Assumption of the Holy Virgin and Grape Blessing.  We invite our faithful and friends to attend our outdoor service and participate in the Grape Blessing ceremony. Grapes will be distributed respecting the California Covid-19 safety guidelines.  As in previous years, we welcome donations of grapes and respectfully request they be delivered by Friday August 14.  Members of our St. James Ladies Society will be meeting on Saturday, August 19 to wash and bag the grapes.

Please join us this next Sunday to celebrate Grape Blessing Day and for a unique and wonderful outdoor service.

Lily Balian

Chair, Parish Council

Dear St. James Parishioners:

It was a beautiful sunny day with a light breeze as approximately 35 parishioners attended St. James church service on August 2 held outdoors on the church grounds. Fr. Haroutioun celebrated the Holy Badarak with five deacons and choir director Manik Manukyan, ably

assisted by Ted Hayrapetian.

We were heartened and encouraged by the presence and support of our loyal and faithful parishioners. As Fr. Haroutioun stated in his sermon: "There is no denying the impact this pandemic is having on all of us, mental health, fear, depression, loneliness, feelings of isolation,

financial worries and job security are just a few of the challenges people are facing. Human beings are social creatures who need one another, personal interaction, hugs, human touch and conversation. We need to feel love and express love.

Special thanks to Michael Tachejian, Ann Iskenderian, Yeghia der Aprahamian, Karine Baghdanian and our erstwhile secretary Linda for their assistance. Parishioners are required to wear a mask or face covering for the duration of their attendance. In addition, hand sanitizers and sprays are made available as well as adhering to social distancing.

These are extraordinary times but the support and presence of our parishioners allows us to continue limited operations and to guarantee that we are able to make a successful return to our previous operations after this crisis has passed.

We invite our parishioners and friends to join us next Sunday for an unusual and wonderful outdoor service.

Lily Balian

Chair, Parish Council

Dear St. James Parishioners:

I hope that this message finds you and your families safe and well.

We have strictly followed the directives from the Governor and the new restrictions that have impacted on our lives, as well as places of worship.  On Sunday, July 19 we held our first Badarak outdoors and will continue to do so until we are informed that we can return to the inside of our sanctuary.

Parishioners are required to wear a mask or face covering during their attendance and to practice social distancing.  In addition, screenings and hand sanitizers are provided by the members of the parish council.  

These are extraordinary times, but we are proud that with the support of our clergy, deacons, choir members and parishioners we are allowed to continue limited operations until we are able to make a successful return to our regular church operations after this crisis has passed.

Please join us this coming Sunday, August 2 for a heartwarming and wonderful outdoor service.

God be with you and your families.

Lily Balian

Chair, Parish Council

Please take a moment to look at our church website (https://stjamesla.net) and you will get a complete history, record, and recognition of St. James since its establishment in 1942. Our special thanks to Pauline Mukhalian for her initiative in creating the website. Dr. Jeffrey Bogosian has worked diligently with Pauline and helped guide and assist her in bringing it up to date and providing useful and informative information.

We need to continue to acknowledge Dr. Bogosian and express our thanks and appreciation for all he has done in the short time he has been on the parish council. He has redone the computer financial program and worked with our secretary in adopting more efficient methods. In doing so, we did not have to buy a new computer or hire a bookkeeper. He has been successful in applying and receiving an SBA loan during these uncertain and difficult times; he purchased a new cell phone for the church in order that checks can be deposited without going to the bank.

It is apparent that he is constantly looking for new innovative ways for us to be part of the 2lst Century. Dr. Bogosian has earned and deserves recognition from our parishioners and parish council.

Lily Balian

Chair, Parish Council

As approved by the Parish Council, our church is open for worship on Sundays .

We have been diligent in preparing our church with adequate safety measures for the protection of our parishioners.

We will have available in the Narthex the State and Los Angeles County Guidelines which we have implemented in order to safely reopen.
Members of the Parish Council will be serving in the Narthex and assisting parishioners in following the guidelines to insure their safety. In these difficult and uncertain times, we respectfully request your patience and understanding.

St. James Parish Council