AMAA holds 90th annual meeting, celebrates 20th anniversary of Armenian Children's Milk Fund

by Ani Janbazian

Published: Tuesday November 17, 2009

Providence - The Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) held its 90th annual meeting in Providence from October 16 to 18, marking a significant milestone not just for the missionary organization, but also for the Armenian Children's Milk Fund, which is celebrating its twentieth anniversary. 

The Armenian Children's Milk Fund, an all-volunteer organization, which works in partnership with the AMAA, has been sending infant formula to Armenia since 1989 and was AMAA's highlighted affiliated organization at this year's annual banquet.

Over 100 people attended the AMAA meeting, including AMAA board members, Armenian Evangelical ministers, church representatives, chapter delegates, worldwide mission partners and friends from all over the world. 

On Friday, October 16, all were welcomed by Rev. Mgo Mekredijian, pastor of the host church, The Armenian Euphrates Evangelical Church of Providence, with introductory greetings by Dr. H. Steven Aharonian, president of the AMAA. 

A seminar, "Investing and Financial Stewardship," was presented by Harold Nahigian, President of Nationwide Investments & Insurance, and Todd Polyniak, principal and director of accounting and auditing at Sax, Macy, Fromm & Co., AMAA's independent auditors. Following the seminar, the AMAA Board of Directors meeting began where all who were present heard the updates and reports of the activities as well as a discussion of future plans. 

The 90th annual meeting began on Saturday, at 9:30 am at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, R.I., with reports from officers and administrators as well as from the numerous committees, affiliated boards, organizations, churches, and chapters.  The names of the newly elected members were announced as follows: H. Steven Aharonian M.D., Charles Bilezikian, Rev. Ara Guekguezian, Berjouhy Gulesserian, Lucy Janjigian, Aram R. Minnetian, Robert Messerlian, Carol Bezirganian Perez, M.D., and Michael Voskian, D.M.D. 

The annual meeting banquet was held that evening in The Bristol Ballroom at the Crowne Plaza where all members and guests were welcomed by Andrew Torigian, executive director of AMAA, followed by an invocation by Rev. Mekredijian. Guests of the evening and the participants in the program were introduced by the master of ceremonies, Melanie Zeitounian of the host church. Warm greetings were given by Dr. Aharonian, Rev. Joseph Matossian (minister to Armenian Evangelical Union of North America), Rev. Joel Mikaelian (Armenian Evangelical Union of France President), Rev. Harout Selimian (Armenian Evangelical World Council President) and Rev. Dr. René Leonian (AMAA Armenia Representative).

The highlight of the evening was the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Armenian Children's Milk Fund, where the organization's chair, Jeanmarie Papelian, acknowledged the fund's milestone with a video presentation that depicted the 20 years of bringing infant formula to the children of Armenia. 

In addition to the video presentation a special guest, Lilit Galstyan, from Vanadzor, Armenia was introduced. Ms. Galstyan was one of the thousands of infants from Armenia who received the infant formula during the first few years of her life when she was unable to breast feed because she and her mother were both suffering a life-threatening infection from tainted well water.

[Although public-health experts strongly encourage extended breastfeeding over bottle feeding, in Ms. Galstyan's particular case, the formula may have saved her life.]

Now 17 years old and healthy, Ms. Galstyan gave an emotional testimony and thanked the AMAA and the Milk Fund for their support. 

A beautiful musical program followed with soloist Gohar Manjelikian and pianist Levon Hovsepian. 

Andrew Torigian presented to Dr. Albert Phillips and his wife Sue a certificate of appreciation for all their work in coordinating and leading a medical team to Armenia in July 2009. They gave a presentation of the work accomplished there and shared their appreciation for the hard work of their entire team. 

A letter from Henry Morgenthau to Stephen Philibosian from 1916 and picture of Mr. Morgenthau were beautifully mounted and presented by Mr. Torigian to Joyce Stein in honor of the generosity of her father, Mr. Philibosian, in both time and finances to assist needy Armenians.

A benediction by the Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian concluded the evening's banquet.

The 90th Annual Meeting Worship Service and Installation of AMAA officers were held the next morning at the Armenian Euphrates Evangelical Church.  Rev. Avedis Boynerian, moderator of the AEUNA, presented the Armenian sermon with Rev. Greg Haroutunian delivering the English sermon.  

Mr. Torigian gave a service of remembrance "to those AMAA members who concluded their earthly pilgrimage during the past year and joined the heavenly audience." The service was concluded with the installation of the newly elected AMAA Board members by the Rev. Dr. Tootikian, executive director of the Armenian Evangelical World Council.

The entire weekend would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of the AMAA staff, The Armenian Euphrates Evangelical Church, their minister Rev. Mekredijian and the Church Council for hosting the meeting and the ladies of the church for preparing the lunches and dinners, as well as Carlos and Nancy Taraktzian of the host church for playing a key role in handling the weekend's logistics.