Message of Fr. Vazken Movsesian, parish priest of St. Andrew Armenian Church, Cupertino, from the Nakhagoch Newsletter. Electronic version archived on: SAIN-- St. Andrew Information Network -------------------------------------- c. 1988 Fr. Vazken Movsesian Address comments to: dervaz@sain.org -------------------------------------- May 1988 Some thoughts on the building We're moving!!! The building is coming and we're making way for construction. On May 1st we will celebrate the Holy Divine Liturgy for the last time within our cozy and humble church building. The building project is about to start!!! The Building Committee along with the Parish Council have been busy over the past few weeks making final preparations and negotiations between City Hall, the Diocese and construction companies. All systems are GO! And now we are moving so that construction can begin. We will be renting offices (1133 Sunnyvale-Saratoga Rd.) for daily Church operations. Our Sunday Church services will be held at the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church Hall beginning May 22. The Serbian Church community has been most generous in offering their help in housing us temporarily. Of course it is with mixed emotion that we leave our building. We have many fond memories in our building. Yet it is ever-apparent that we have outgrown the present facility. Even though it will be difficult over the next few months, moving, changing from church to church, we know the end result will be worth all our troubles. We are not the first nor will we be the last Church community to move our people. Even the Mother See of Etchmiadzin was moved ten times between the 5th and 15th centuries until it returned to Etchmiadzin. In the book of Exodus we see the people of Isreal being lead and moved out of their house of bondage. Surely we are not in any type of bondage, yet we do feel the restraints of our small building practically every day. It is time for us to move on. The current church property was purchased in 1974. By 1976-77 construction began on the current addition that we enjoy as our church/hall. Ladies groups, youth groups, senior citizens and all have enjoyed many hours within those walls. In fact, the ACYO would look for excuses to have their "sleep-overs" at their church. What more can be asked from a church building than for it to welcome all. Within that small kitchen (one stove-top, two ovens) huge meals were prepared. Dinners, food-fairs, and picnics were served. Classes and instruction took place in almost every corner of every room. Yes, it is more than evident that the time has come for us to move on to bigger facilities. However, some happy memories remain from our old building. On May 1st we will say farewell in a very special way. We hope the entire congregation will be present to say good-bye to our old home as we make way for our new one. The months ahead will be difficult, but with God's help and our hard work we will soon realize our building. Let us renew our vows to unite behind this building project. By now you should have received the memorial booklet "In the Footsteps of the Fathers." Please review this book carefully. Discuss your donation with your family, brothers and sisters. Now is the time to leave a lasting memory in honor of your loved ones or family name. Do not be afraid to give. You will be joining many others who have unselfishly given. In the months ahead, I ask for all of your prayers. May God direct and guide us on this difficult path. Please stay close to the activities of the church. We may be here or there, but we will always be somewhere. The Nakhagoch will serve to inform our community of recent developments and where activities will take place. Our telephone number stays the same, during our move. You're a call away from the latest information. Let us thank God for our home--that small, humble and cozy building we enjoyed so much. Let us ask God for the strength to patiently pass these next few month until our new building is built. --Father Vazken -------------------------------------- c. 1988 Fr. Vazken Movsesian Address comments to: dervaz@sain.org --------------------------------------