The mission of the Ladies Guild is to provide support to our Der Hayr, Board of Trustees (BoT) and to our Soorp Khatch community. We do so with a great sense of fellowship, a love for our church and we always give our best to accomplish it. Some of our activities include hosting the annual Lenten Dinner, baking Easter Choreg, preparing Madagh, assisting with the church’s Annual Bazaar and hosting memorial luncheons.
The Ladies Guild also assists the Armenian school, choir, church and youth-oriented organizations of Soorp Khatch Church. With the assistance of the Pastor and BoT, the Ladies Guild also helps those parishioners who are hospitalized, bed-ridden or in mourning.
Members of the Soorp Khatch Church Ladies Guild donate annually to selected charities during the holidays, including: SOAR, Camp Haiastan, the Armenian Eye Care Project, the Children’s Inn at NIH and Syrian Armenian Relief. They have also provided holiday gifts to needy children at the Greentree Shelter in Bethesda. In the past, the Ladies Guild donated food monthly to local area food banks.
The Ladies Guild has organized and hosted The Chefs of Soorp Khatch, a series of cooking demonstration lessons and published a very successful cookbook called Poetry in Portions. When the Soorp Khatch Church Ladies Guild was first started, there were fashion shows and international nights. There was even square dancing at one point!
The Ladies Guild is currently interested in welcoming new members to our outstanding organization. We have a great sense of fellowship, and we genuinely enjoy each other’s company. We welcome women of all ages and backgrounds. There are no qualifications required to join the Ladies’ Guild. The only thing needed is a love for our church and a desire to serve our community. If you are interested in joining our organization please contact the church office at (301) 229-8742.
Our Current Ladies Guild Executive
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Mary Garabadian | Chairwoman |
| Arsha Nourian | Vice Chairwoman |
| Nellie Sarkissian | Corresponding Secretary |
| Annette Berberian Hinkle | Recording Secretary / Treasurer |
| Suzi Tatarian | Advisor |
| Sossy Khatcheressian | Advisor |
| Linda Tatarian | Advisor |
Past Ladies Guild Chairwomen
The BoT acknowledges the dedicated services of the following chair ladies of the Soorp Khatch Ladies Guild starting with the first president in 1959 – Seda Gelenian.
| Name |
|---|
| Mary Garabadian |
| Akabi Atamian |
| Janet Alemian |
| Thelma Kostegian |
| Margaret Dardarian |
| Mary Derderian |
| Ophelia Mnatzakanian |
| Oski Ornadzian |
| Nancy Sharigian |
| Ann Toutlian |
| Yerchanig Loosararian |
| Ardemis Kocharian |
| Alice Najarian |
| Seda Gelenian |
The following members were recognized for their 15 years or more service to the Ladies Guild: Yeretzgin Sirarpi Khoyan, Nyart Sharigian, Angelina Abrahamian, Ophelia Mnatzakanian, Margaret K. Dardarian, Maro Asatoorian, Mary Garabadian, Sossi Khatcheressian, Khonar Tavitian, Bertha Guiragossian, Seda Gelenian, Virginia Garabedian, Ann Atanosian, Mary Srabian, Margaret Dardarian, Yeretzgin Armenouhi Vertanessian, Rosique Aivazian, Doris Minassian, Sossie Arabian, Arax Khachikian, Ann Toutlian, Rose Baboyian, Alice Mukitarian, Margaret Krikorian, Margaret Kamalian, Janet Alemian, Mary Derderian, Zabelle Paul, Akabi Atamian, Alidz Khachaturian, Eleanor Caroglanian, Yerchanig Loosararian, Oski Ornazian, Loosik Mangassarian, Laila Kavaldjian, Helen Fieldson, Julie Hamasian, Ophik Petrossian, Susan Le, Rose Marsoubian, Aghavni Miranian, Rose Balian, Yvonne Miranian, Michelle Mnatzakanian, Barbara Tutelian. The plaques are displayed outside the church office.