Category: Annual Appeal

2013 Annual Appeal

11/25/2013

At this time of thanksgiving and new beginning, we ask for your support of the ongoing operation at St. Nersess. Please help us continue to expand our important mission of providing quality education and training to our growing group of seminarians, current clergy, and to the community. Together we can help St. Nersess realize its full potential.

If you haven't received an Annual Appeal letter in the mail, please see below images to make a donation.

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St. Nersess Annual Appeal Campaign Underway

12/12/2012

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December 12, 2012

NEW ROCHELLE, NY – St. Nersess Armenian Seminary’s annual Direct Appeal campaign is well underway as the Board of Directors plan for an exciting future of expanded programming and a new location to ensure the future of this vital institution.

As members of the Board clearly stress, it is critical that the Armenian community collectively support the programming and work of St. Nersess, especially during this time of exciting and beneficial transition.

“St. Nersess has a proven and proud history of serving the Armenian Church in America,” said Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Seminary Dean. “We plan to build upon that to offer even more to the Armenian community, and our new facility will allow us a better opportunity to achieve this,” he explained

The St. Nersess Summer Conferences continue to be
successful in planting the seed of priesthood and
lay leadership in young Armenians.

Training seminarians to become parish priests is the Seminary's first and foremost mission. Current St. Nersess students are seen here with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese (front center).

Seminary Mission Remains StrongThe ongoing mission of the Seminary includes the training of parish priests, providing continuing education to existing and newly-arrived clergy, offering public lectures, producing theological publications, sponsoring Deacons’ Training Programs, building vast online resources, and organizing youth conferences. In summary, St. Nersess has been effectively preparing leaders for the Armenian Church since 1961, and plans to offer the same quality of higher education for another 50 plus years.

As Dn. Justin Ajamian, a 2010 Seminary graduate now serving at the St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Dallas, TX, and prepares for ordination, noted, “Thanks to my education at St. Nersess, and through the Grace of God, I feel equipped with the tools to effectively pastor my flock in America.”

St. Nersess, and through the Grace of God, I feel equipped with the tools to effectively pastor my flock in America.”

Direct Appeal GoalIt is hoped that this year’s Direct Appeal campaign surpasses last year’s totals thanks to the ongoing generous contributions of loyal friends and supporters.

“Our goal for this year’s campaign is to approach $100,000,” stated Stephen Mekenian, Board Treasurer. He further explained that until the Seminary is settled into its new location in Armonk, NY, and ultimately rebuilds its financial model, a vast majority of the operating funds still comes from direct donations. The St. Nersess Direct Appeal campaign is the Seminary’s largest annual fundraisers.

“I kindly ask individuals of the Armenian community to make a contribution to support the only Armenian Seminary in the Western Hemisphere,” said Mekenian, adding, “I even encourage parishes to add a line item to their annual budget in support of the Seminary, especially if your pastor was trained through St. Nersess.”

Make a tax-deductible contribution towards the 2012 Annual Appeal and help secure the Seminary’s exciting future.

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Seminary's Annual Appeal Launched. Asking Supporters to Refer a Friend

11/30/2011

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November 30, 2011

“We look to you, our long-time friends, to support this year’s direct appeal campaign, which serves to not only sustain, but also allows us to further develop our beloved St. Nersess Armenian Seminary,” encouraged Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Dean and Professor of Liturgical Studies.

Over the past five decades, the Seminary has served the Armenian Church and people in a variety of ways, including educating future priests and lay leaders; offering continuing education programs to currently ordained priests; expanding upon online liturgical resources available to the public; and rooting young people more deeply into the life of the church by means of the popular youth conferences.

“St. Nersess has a proud history of providing the Armenian Church in America with invaluable resources and will continue to do so in the years to come,” affirmed Fr. Findikyan, “However, we need your assistance.”

“The Seminary has made progress in managing costs, though the long-term financial model still needs some improvement,” said Stephen Mekenian. The Board of Directors is diligently working towards this. One option being researched is the possible relocation of St. Nersess. “The current facility in New Rochelle, NY, has served us well, but it is now time to consider making a move to a property that will be more functional and allow us to expand our work while having a more solid fiscal foundation,” explained the enthusiastic treasurer.

Mekenian, an actuarial consultant from Pleasantville, NY, continued, “Until that objective is realized, a vast majority of our funding comes directly from donations by the community. Therefore, I encourage you and especially those of my generation whose lives have been impacted by St. Nersess, to contribute towards this year’s annual appeal campaign.”

The St. Nersess Board of Directors hopes to surpass last year’s record-breaking annual appeal and also to secure a wider support base. To achieve these goals, they are asking current supporters to help spread the word and good works of the Seminary by reaching out to friends and family, encouraging them to make a donation towards this effort.

“Our ability to effectively educate our future priests and to inspire our young people for the next 50 years depends upon friends like you,” said Mekenian.

To do your part to help grow the Seminary and ultimately strengthen the Armenian Church in America, you may mail in your tax-deductible contribution to St. Nersess Armenian Seminary at 150 Stratton Road, New Rochelle, NY 10804 with “2011 Appeal” marked in the memo; or make a secure online donation at www.stnersess.edu/support/donate/. For more information about St. Nersess and the many programs it offers, visit the website or contact the Seminary at info@stnersess.edu.