Members of the St. Nersess Alumni Association gathered at the Seminary on Monday, October 18, for a retreat and meeting, one of the many such occasions the Association has organized over the years.
Little did they know they were about to get "down and dirty."
Entitled Seeking the Living Among the Dead?? (a reference to the question the angel asked the women at Jesus' tomb), the retreat was conducted by Dr. Roberta Ervine, Associate Professor of Armenian Studies at St. Nersess. She began the day by polling participants as to how they were feeling.
Little did they know they were about to get "down and dirty."
Entitled Seeking the Living Among the Dead?? (a reference to the question the angel asked the women at Jesus' tomb), the retreat was conducted by Dr. Roberta Ervine, Associate Professor of Armenian Studies at St. Nersess. She began the day by polling participants as to how they were feeling.
"Committed," "energized," "exhausted," "frustrated," "excited," and "confused" were some of the words elicited. Setting these words aside, Dr. Ervine sent alumni off with Gospel in hand to read, reflect upon, and visualize the four accounts of how Jesus' followers discovered His empty tomb.
Participants were then provided finger-paints and asked to depict the concepts of "life" and "death" (and, as it developed, everything in-between). What members had intended to convey through their colors and shapes and what their colleagues ended up seeing launched an animated discussion on ministry and witness.
Participants were then provided finger-paints and asked to depict the concepts of "life" and "death" (and, as it developed, everything in-between). What members had intended to convey through their colors and shapes and what their colleagues ended up seeing launched an animated discussion on ministry and witness.
"If your ministry is all about helping people see," noted Dr. Ervine, "It's so important that you be able to visualize the Good News yourselves and be aware of the independent power of that vision. So often what others see in our vision is more on target than our intention."
As they spoke, participants became aware of how much the emotions of those long-ago people on Resurrection morning had in common with those they had shared at the retreat's opening session.
As they spoke, participants became aware of how much the emotions of those long-ago people on Resurrection morning had in common with those they had shared at the retreat's opening session.
In the final hour, participants viewed a number of medieval Armenian illuminated manuscript paintings of the Jesus' resurrection and explored, with Dr. Ervine's guidance, the details and subject matter that revealed each artist's underlying message.
"This was wonderful," commented Fr Stepanos Doudoukjian, pastor of St. Peter Armenian Church in Watervliet, NY. "I don't think I had ever really learned before now how to see what a painting might be telling me."
"This was wonderful," commented Fr Stepanos Doudoukjian, pastor of St. Peter Armenian Church in Watervliet, NY. "I don't think I had ever really learned before now how to see what a painting might be telling me."
The retreat was capped by a brief meeting and then dinner at a local restaurant where members enjoyed the fellowship, good advice, and the sympathy and understanding of colleagues in ministry.
St. Nersess Seminary alumni, men and women who have attended the degree program for a minimum of a year, now number 60. Many are now serving or living at a distance from the Seminary and are not always able to participate in alumni programs at the Seminary. Future gatherings in other regions are being considered.
Alumna Nancy Basmajian, A.C.Y.O.A. Executive Secretary, expressed the views of all who attended when she contentedly observed: "I really enjoy these alumni gatherings--whether it's a formal retreat or just an informal conversation over dinner. I always leave feeling refreshed and less alone in my ministry. There is a special bond between us."
St. Nersess Seminary alumni, men and women who have attended the degree program for a minimum of a year, now number 60. Many are now serving or living at a distance from the Seminary and are not always able to participate in alumni programs at the Seminary. Future gatherings in other regions are being considered.
Alumna Nancy Basmajian, A.C.Y.O.A. Executive Secretary, expressed the views of all who attended when she contentedly observed: "I really enjoy these alumni gatherings--whether it's a formal retreat or just an informal conversation over dinner. I always leave feeling refreshed and less alone in my ministry. There is a special bond between us."
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