New Initiatives Unveiled at Central California Regional Meeting

Parish leaders discuss how to move from vision to action

FRESNO (November 23, 2024)—A spirit of enthusiasm and forward-looking thinking filled St. Paul Armenian Church in Fresno on November 22 as Parish Council members, Diocesan delegates, and pastors from Central California came together to discuss innovative ideas for the future of their communities.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, presided and addressed the leadership of the five parishes in the region­—St. Gregory, Fowler; St. Mary, Yettem; St. Paul, Fresno; St. Sahag-Mesrob, Reedley; Holy Cross, Turlock—and underlined that the Diocese has taken bold steps to become an institution that could thrive in our exponentially changing world.

“This is a pivotal moment for our parishes,” said Archbishop Derderian. “Through these innovative approaches, we aim to inspire a renewed sense of purpose and mission, uniting generations in Christian faith and service.”

He then invited Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian, Director of Institutional Innovation, to provide an update about the new initiatives of the Diocese that have been launched in the last five months. He spoke about, among others, the Ideas Lab, the Leadership Hub, and the newly established Armenian Church Theological Society.

Dr. Tchilingirian then provided an in-depth presentation on “Innovating Our Parish,” a new initiative aimed at invigorating parish life and expanding outreach efforts. He discussed a series of practical steps to help local communities embrace the initiative. One of the approaches is built around youth-focused engagement. It is designed to empower and inspire the next generation to engage with their Christian faith and Armenian heritage. Through worship, education, and service, the goal is to foster a sense of belonging while equipping young people to shape the future of the church.

The meeting featured lively discussions as parish leaders explored local challenges and opportunities, sharing ideas to strengthen their parishes and communities. Topics ranged from addressing generational gaps to practical strategies for youth engagement and community outreach.

This regional gathering held special significance for Central California, the birthplace of the Western Diocese, which was established in 1927 by Armenian immigrants who had settled in the San Joaquin Valley starting in the late 19th century. The Western Diocese will be celebrating the centenary of its founding in 2027.

“This initiative is about more than preserving our traditions; it’s about building a dynamic and welcoming church for generations to come,” remarked Dr. Tchilingirian. “The San Joaquin Valley is where our Diocese began, and it’s only fitting that we lead the way in innovating our parishes here.”

Other regional meetings throughout the Western Diocese will be taking place in the coming weeks and months. The second meeting of the Los Angeles area parishes will take place on December 7. This will be followed by regional meetings in North California and other regions, including Arizona and Washington State.

The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church in July of this year launched a visionary long-term institutional innovation initiative under the leadership of the Primate. The ultimate vision of this innovative project is to make Christian faith and Armenian culture living experience for communities in the western United States.