The second meeting of the current Women’s Guild Central Council (WGCC) took place on the evening of July 22, as an online meeting with Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan and Vicar Fr. Simeon Odabashian.
After leading the group in prayer, Bishop Mesrop gave opening remarks in which he encouraged WGCC members to strengthen women’s ministry in the churches, by taking on leadership roles and encouraging other women in their parishes to do the same.
Bishop Mesrop noted the many good works of Women’s Guilds that he has witnessed during his pastoral visits to parishes. He asked the WGCC leaders to compile a list of “best practices” from the guilds to be shared across the Diocese.
The meeting, led by chair Nancy Kassabian, reviewed the missions of worship, witness, service, education, and fellowship, which are the framework for the work of guilds in each parish. It was announced that the yearly “Saintly Women’s Day” will take place on Saturday, March 22, 2025, commemorating St. Gayane.
Some discussion was also devoted to revamping the annual Women’s Guild Assembly, and to having local guilds meet formally with the Primate during his pastoral visits.
The roster of the 2024-25 Women’s Guild Central Council includes Nancy Kassabian (chair), Serena Gostanian (vice chair), Donna Hortian (secretary), Hasmig Minassian (treasurer), Sara Andonian (dues treasurer), Lena Kupelian Neau (advisor for fundraising) Louisa Baghsarian (advisor for the Vanadzor Old Age Home project), Dawn Papalian and Lauren Kayaian (advisors for Saintly Women’s Day).