Dear St. Mary Parishioners and Friends,
St. Mary ACYO is excited to invite our youth, ACYO members, Hye Camp campers, and friends to a special weekend of faith, leadership, fellowship, and fun on September 5–6, 2026.
The weekend begins Saturday morning at St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church in Costa Mesa with a special ACYO-WD Leadership Workshop led by Central Council and clergy, followed by an overnight ACYO Lock-In. On Sunday, everyone will attend Divine Liturgy together before heading to Newport Beach for our annual ACYO Beach Party.
Saturday, September 5
ACYO Leadership Workshop & Lock-In
10:00 AM – Leadership Workshop
ACYO-WD Central Council will lead an informative and interactive workshop for ACYO members from across the Western Diocese. Participants will explore:
Leadership and service within the Armenian Church
ACYO’s mission and purpose
What it means to be an active ACYO member
How young people can serve and lead within their parish and Diocese
The day will also include cultural and faith-centered activities such as icon painting, ceramics, Armenian dance, Bible discussions, and other hands-on workshops.
Following the workshop, St. Mary ACYO will host an overnight Lock-In at the church featuring dinner, fellowship, games, activities, group discussions, and a night prayer service.
What to bring for the Lock-In:
Sleeping bag
Pajamas
Church clothes for Sunday Badarak
Change of clothes for the beach
Swimsuit
Sunscreen
Toiletries and personal hygiene items
Beach towel, chair, and other beach essentials
Any additional personal items needed for the weekend
Lock-In RSVP:
https://forms.gle/kSsVF4oc5ABN2Rje8
Sunday, September 6
Divine Liturgy & Annual ACYO Beach Party
The group will attend Divine Liturgy (Badarak) at St. Mary at 10:00 AM.
Following Badarak, everyone will head to Newport Beach – Lifeguard Tower 22, with the beach gathering beginning around 1:00 PM.
The annual beach party is open to all ACYO members and Hye Camp campers from every week, and friends and newcomers are encouraged to join us as well.
Bring your:
Swimsuit
Sunscreen
Bodyboard
Towel and beach essentials
Anything else you need for a fun afternoon at the beach
Beach Party RSVP:
https://forms.gle/FLm4arT2KjUXqFQg7
Please RSVP as soon as possible so our ACYO can obtain an accurate headcount and properly plan for the Lock-In and Beach Party potluck.
We hope many of our St. Mary youth will take part in this special weekend. It is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with Hye Camp friends, meet ACYO members from throughout the Diocese, strengthen friendships, grow in faith, and learn more about serving and leading in the Armenian Apostolic Church.
We look forward to a memorable weekend together!
With love in Christ,
St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church
St. Mary ACYO
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