Pictured Left to Right: John Jamian, Kristi Rogers, Wife of Candi- date Mike Rogers, Ron Keurajian, David Dolik, Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian, Pastor of St. John Armenian Church, MI US Senate Candidate Mike Rogers, Corinne Khederian
BY CORINNE KHEDERIAN
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — The State of Michigan Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers and his wife, Kristi, joined pa- rishioners and members of the Armenian community Saturday evening at St. John Armenian Church in South- field for the church’s annual Bazaar. The couple was greeted by the Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebe- jian, Pastor of St. John Ar- menian Church, along with John Jamian and Corinne Khederian, Co-Chairs of the Michigan Chapter of the Ar- menian Assembly of Amer- ica, David Dolik and Ron Keurajian. Rogers and his wife first met with Very Rev. Fr. Jeb- ejian and the committee be- fore joining the festivities in the Church Hall. Father Jebejian welcomed the couple, saying, “As a Church, our doors are al- ways open to everyone. It is nice seeing you and Kristi again.”
Rogers responded, stating, “We are grateful to Father Jebejian and St. John’s for welcoming us back. The Armenian American community reminds us why it is so important to fight for our freedoms, our faith and our families. I look forward to continuing our partnership when I am in the U.S. Sen-ate.”
Once inside the Bazaar, Mike and Kristi spent the evening visiting with parishioners and guests. Attendees had the opportunity to speak personally with Rogers, ask questions and discuss issues important to them and to the Armenian American com-munity.
“Despite an incredibly busy schedule during the final month of the campaign, Mike took the time to stop by our Bazaar and meet with our community,” said John Jamian. “Mike and his wife received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from the crowd, and we were very pleased to have them join us.”
Corinne Khederian said the amount of time Rogers and his wife spent speaking with attendees was especial- ly meaningful. “The fact that Mike and Kristi spent the entire eve- ning meeting with every- one impressed us and made it clear how important the Michigan Armenian com- munity is to Mike’s candida- cy,” Khederian said. “It also demonstrated his commit- ment to working with us on issues important to our com- munity if elected.” During their visit, Mike and Kristi also stopped to meet volunteers and visit the many Bazaar booths featur- ing traditional homemade Armenian foods, delicacies, crafts and other specialties. Before departing, the cou- ple thanked parishioners and volunteers for their warm welcome and hospitality. “Mike and I had a fabu- lous time visiting with our friends at St. John’s,” Kristi Rogers said. “We do not take the community’s support for granted and are always ex- cited to join them for great food and even better fellow- ship.” The St. John Armenian Church Bazaar is an annual tradition that brings parish- ioners, families and friends together to celebrate Arme- nian culture, food, music and dance. Volunteers devote countless hours throughout the year preparing tradition- al foods and specialties for the event. Proceeds from the Bazaar support the Church and its programs.