Committee Members 2019-2020
President Rev. Saju Chacko
Vice President Mr.Verghese Philip
Secretary Mr. Sam Varghese
Trustee-Accounts Dr.Georgie P Thomas
Trustee-Finance Mr.Joji M Philip
Lay leader 1 Mr. Gaius Thomson
Lay leader 2 Mr. Abey Chandy
Sunday School Mrs. Jinu Varghese
Choir Mr. Mathew K Thomas
Sevika Sangam Mrs. Marykutty Thomas
Edavaka Mission Mrs. Sonia P Mathew
Youth Fellowship Mrs. Sharon Mathew
Couple Fellowship Mrs. Anna Mathew
Mandalam member Mr. Jibu M Cherian
Assembly Member Dr. Susy Jacob
Zonal Treasurer Mr. Thomas Abraham
Charity No: 1137185
www.midlandsmtc.org.uk
For Private circulation Only
Oct – Nov - Dec 2019
From Vicar’s desk
Dearly beloved in Christ,
‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can
use to change the world’ Nelson Mandela.
In the words of Paulo Freire, Education is our
participation in the design, imagination and ministry of
God. Wisdom should always be wrought by a culture of humanity. I
express gratitude and praise God for the success of our children who
have passed their A-levels and GCSEs and congratulate them for their
success. Also, I wish a blessed year for students as they are entering a
new academic year and pray for the kids who start their academic life
this year.
The month of August was a time of unprecedented calamity in Kerala.
The floods have caused untold destruction in the lives of many and
hundreds have lost their lives. Please continue to pray for the flood-
stricken people as they are toiling hard to make their lives get back on
track.
We’ve almost reached the last quarter of 2019. Let us thank God for
all the blessings that we have experienced throughout our life. I praise
God and thank your active participation in the church worship services
and other church activities amidst your busy schedule. Good
participation in the area prayer meetings are appreciable. I
congratulate all who have worked very hard to make all our events a
blessed one.
Skit performed by Hermon MTC for family Conference 2019
Harvest festival September 2019 Cultural fest September 2019
Food Coupon sale inauguration
Bournemouth Trip August 2019
Family Conference August 2019
Picture Corner
Now we are prayerfully preparing and for our Harvest festival, family
retreat and Christmas celebrations. Please pray for these events and
creatively participate in all programmes and make it very much lively
and memorable.
The prayer and unity of the Early Churches have helped them to grow
towards the maturity of Christ and have also helped them to achieve
growth. Let us also prayerfully join and grow together with Christ.
With Love and prayerful regards
Saju Achen
Parsonage Contact:
Rev Saju Chacko 21 Hobs Moat Road Solihull , B92 8PE
[email protected] Ph 01214391700 / 07930710268
Rt.Rev. Joseph Mar Barnabas Episcopa
Happy Birthday
Dear Beloved in Christ,
Give thanks to the Lord for He is great, and his steadfast love endures
forever. (Psalms 136: 1).
Our experiences with our Lord have taught us that through Faith,
anything is possible. We have seen miracles happening and our
prayers being answered. This shows that Our God is an awesome God.
We are planning to publish the newsletter every quarter that includes
lectionary, worship arrangements, prayer meetings, birthdays,
wedding anniversaries, and announcements and so on during that
period. Any suggestions and feedbacks are welcome. Please send any
meaningful articles, cartoons etc for the next newsletter.
Prayers
Mrs . Anvy Mary Thomas
Newsletter Editor
Email: [email protected]
1) The oldest man in the Bible was 969 years old when he died and his
name was Methuselah
2) Two men in the Bible never died, they were Enoch and Elijah
3) The giant Goliath was killed by a young boy named David with one
stone
4) The shortest verse in the bible is Jesus wept
5) There are 66 books in the bible.
6) The shortest book in the bible by word count is 3 John with only
219 words
7) The book in the Bible with the shortest name is Job.
8) The word Bible is from the Greek ta biblia which means the scrolls
9) The shortest book in the Bible is Psalms 117 with 2 verses
10) The bible doesn’t say how many wise men from the East came to
visit baby Jesus bearing with gifts, there could have been more.
11) The last word in the Bible is Amen.
Reflection from Family Conference Sinu Mathew
A total of 68 members from our church attended the 37th UK & Europe
Family Conference hosted by Carmel Marthoma Church, Liverpool. The Yarnfield Park Conference Centre was bustling with cheerful people of all ages meeting and strengthening existing friendships as well as making new
friends. The three days from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th August flew by however absolutely counted as profitable time with so much food for our
souls with the theme on the importance of living God, “My Redeemer Liveth”. The days were packed with singing, worship, meditation and prayer. We were privileged with powerful speakers who advocated the importance
of us being prepared for the second coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ. The messages were influential, enlightening, and inspiring to all in attendance reminding that waiting on the Lord does not mean sitting still but rather
keeping busy preparing self for what the Lord has in store for us. The 2019 Family Conference did not disappoint in expectations, with stirring thoughts
on the theme and warm fellowship between meetings. On Saturday afternoon, there were a number of inter-church games and competitions in which Hermon competed very well and proudly brought
home most of the winning trophies and medals. Well done to the whole squad! These were three days well spent, and our sincere thanks to the organisers of the conference, for the fine hospitality provided, as well as to
the speakers for their diligent ministry. It was a great benefit in attending this year’s conference, with the kind of spiritual ministry and warmth of
fellowship we have enjoyed once again this year. We pray that the teaching of God’s Word during the conference days would be a b lessing and greatly encouraging to the people of God.
Date Bible
Reading 1
Bible
Reading 2
Epistle -
Gospel
Worship Assist
06 Oct Deut 26:1-11 Phili 4:10-20 2 Cori 9:1-9
Matt 25:34-46
Ruben Thomas
Georgie P Thomas Ciju Thomas Gauis Thomson
13 Oct 2Sam 9:1-13 Acts 9:32-35 2Cor 12:1-10
Mark 3:1-6
Shiju Abraham
Neetha Alex Austin Alex Abey Chandy
20 Oct Dan 1:1-15 Acts 6:1-7 Titus 2:1-14
Mar10:17-22
Benjamin Thomas
Titus Mathew Thomas Mathew Gauis Thomson
27 Oct 1Sam 1:19-28 Eph 3:14-21 Eph 6:1-9
Luke 2:41-52
Sherry Mathew
Sam Varghese Tanya Sam Abey Chandy
03 Nov Judg 13:1-14 Heb 11:17-27 1John 3:1-10
Luke18:15-17
Mathew Samuel
Aden George Anneka George Gauis Thomson
10 Nov Ezek 37:15-23 1Cor 12:12-27 Eph 4:1-13
John 17:21-26
Jibu Cherian
Dr Shiju Mathew Dr Anu Shiju Abey Chandy
17 Nov 1Chr 24:1-19 Rev 8:1-5 Heb 5:1-10
Luke 1:5-23
Monish Varghese
Ashiq Shibu Thomas Kurien Gaius Thomson
24 Nov Exod 3:1-15 Acts 9:1-15 Heb 2:5-10
Luke 1:26-38
Shajin Varghese
Kurian Thomas Annamma Thomas Abey Chandy
01 Dec Isa 40:1-8 Jas1 :19-25 1 Thess 1:1-10
Luke 1:39-45
Abraham Varghese
Joji Philip Jejo Joji Gaius Thomson
08 Dec 1Kgs 19:1-21 Rev 10: 1-11 Gal 1: 11-17
Luke1:57-66
Sanu P Mathew
Jibu Cherian Anisha Cherian Abey Chandy
15 Dec Isa 7:10-17 1Pet 3:8-16 Titus 2:11-15
Matt 1:18-23
Alfin Alex
Alex John Ajo John Gaius Thomson
22 Dec Isa 9:1-7 Heb 1:1-14 2Tim 2:8-13
Luke 2:1-20
Sherry Matthews
Jonathan
Matthews
Nina Mathew Abey Chandy
29 Dec Zech 14:1-5 Acts 1:6-11 1Thes 4:13-18
Matt 24:32-44
Praise & Worship
Praise and Worship
Place: St Mary’s Hobs Moat, Hobs Meadow Road, Solihull Time: Sunday after 11:30 AM
B92 8PN
1st Sunday Holy Communion Service (English) Leicester, Walsall-Wolverhampton, Stafford
2nd
Sunday
Holy Communion Service
(Malayalam)
Birmingham-Solihull
3rd
Sunday
Holy Communion Service (English) Youth Fellowship
Sunday School
4th
Sunday
Holy Communion Service
(Malayalam)
Coventry, Warwickshire,
Banbury,Burton, Derby,
Nottingham
5th
Sunday
Praise & Worship Service
Sunday school: Every Sunday at 10:30AM in St Mary’s Hobs Moat Hall
Choir Practice: Every Sunday after the service
Christmas Carol Practice: Every Sunday after Service/ Saturdays TBC
Christmas Events
Date Events Time
22/12/2019 Carol Service 16:00PM
25/12/2019 Holy Qurbana 11:15 AM
29/12/2019 Ecumenical service TBC
31/12/2019 Watchnight Service 21:30PM
Before the night temperature drops and frosty nights arrive, move your plants to sheltered locations close to house. If you have herbs, get the herbs
close the kitchen so that it is protected and, at the same time, you don’t have to go out into the cold and wet garden to get a pinch of herbs. Get your houseplants in-door if they were left out in the summer.
Plan for the spring
Make a mental or paper note of what you want to grow next year, whether it’s garden plants or vegetables. You may get ideas from the previous years’
experience, catalogues, garden centres or supermarkets as you walk around. It is not too early to prepare for spring. You will find bulbs of daffodils,
crocus, hyacinth and tulips in the shops now, may find off-season discounted expensive plants which the shops want to get rid of or slightly damaged plans which can be nurtured back to full health. You may also find discounted off-
season products like fertilisers and grow-bags which will come handy in the spring.
If you enjoy daffodils, primroses and tulips next spring, you need to start now and plant them in the next couple of months. Onions and garlic also can be
planted which will give an early start in the spring.
Your lawn may need some tender loving care after the heavy use in summer. There may be bald patches which may need patching up with lawn seeds after lightly preparing the ground for the seeds. It may also benefit from a
gentle treatment with moss-killer and lawn-feed at least once in the autumn.
Autumn Gardening Dr. Abraham Jacob Having worked hard in the spring and summer, autumn, like the autumn of one’s life, is the time of the year to enjoy the fruits of your hard work and
appreciate the beauty of creation at a slower pace of life than in the hectic spring and summer.
Spring is full of new life, summer is life in its fullness and autumn is full of vibrant colours. Autumn is not the end but the beginning of the end of
growing season when there is still a lot of life left in your garden. And above all, it is harvest time which gives the immense satisfaction of seeing the result of one’s toil. It’s also time to take stock of and learn from the
experience of the previous year and at the same time plan ahead for the new beginning in the New Year.
Plan for the autumn
Although the main growing season is coming to an end, it is not the end of growing before the advent of cold and frosty winter. There are still a lot of plants and vegetables that can be grown in the autumn, mostly plants which
are native to this climate. If you’re keen to do some autumn gardening consider cabbages, cauliflower, sprouts, broccoli, even in a small garden or in a pot. Although it may be too late to start from seeds young plants are
available in garden centres. Imagine having home-grown sprouts for your Christmas dinner! But it does require a lot of hard work to get it ready for the
kitchen when we can get a bag of sprouts for much less than a pound just before Christmas.
Before it’s too cold, tidy up the nooks and corners of your garden, cut out the dead plants, harvest the seeds from the plants you like and may want to propagate. And, by the way, clear the gutters of your house and the space
between your car windscreen and bonnet (where leaves tend to accumulate and block the drainage of rain water) when the trees are shedding leaves!
The following members have joined our church recently. We welcome you all into
our Hermon Family.
Name Home Parish Prayer Group
Mr. Anoop V Zachariah
Mrs . Soji T Abraham
Trinity MTC,
Mekozhoor, Kerala
Leicester
Mr. Jibu Varghese Raj
Mrs.Elsa Mathew
Irene Susan Varghese
Ivyn Ryan Varghese
Salem MTC
Kayamkulam
Leicester
Mr. Jiji K. Kurian
Mrs. Chrsitus Wincy.K. Thomas
Jasper E.Kurian
Jenz E. Kurian
Canterbury MTC
Kent
Burton-Derby
Nottingham
Mr. Koshy John
Mrs. Bija Koshy
Ms Soncy Merin Koshy
Sam Johns Thiruvathilil
Sreya Susan Koshy
Nellikala MTC
Kerala
Burton-Derby
Nottingham
Mr. Sam Mathew
Mrs. Anisha Mary Alex
Jerusalem MTC,
Anna Nagar
Chennai
Coventry-
Warwickshire,
Banbury
Mr. Siby Punnoose
Mrs.Glossy Siby
Michelle E Siby
Marvelle Mariam Siby
Ebenezer
Marthoma Church,
New Delhi
Leicester
Walsall – Wolverhampton, Stafford Every 1st Sat at 4:30 PM
October 05/10/2019 16:30 PM Gaius Thomson
November 29/11/2019 19:00 PM Abraham Varghese
December Advent season Christmas Carol rounds
Birmingham – Solihull Every 2nd Fri at 07:30 PM & Special prayers on Sat AM
October 11/10/2019 19:30 PM Dr Reggie John
18/10/2019 19:00 PM Mathew Thomas
November 30/11/2019 16:00 PM Alex Kachora
December Advent season Christmas Carol Rounds
Burton – Derby – Nottingham Every 2nd Sat at 4:30 PM
October 12/10/2019 16:30 PM Shajin Varghese
November 16/11/2019 10:30 AM John Philip
December Advent Season Christmas Carol Rounds
Coventry – Warwickshire, Banbury Every 3rd Sat at 4:30 PM
November 16/11/2019 16:30 PM Sam Varghese
December Christmas celebrations
Leicester Every 4th Sat at 10:30 AM
October 04/10/2019 19:00 PM Biju Mammen
November 23/11/2019 10:30 AM K.A Varghese
December Christmas celebrations
Sevika Sangham Fasting Prayer Every 2nd Sat at 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
October 12/10/2019 11:00 AM Baby John
December Advent Season Christmas Carol Rounds
He tries to make sure that her immediate needs are taken care of and does it in a way that does not make her feel like an object of his pity. This shows a
random act of kindness, or to be more precise, a random act of graceful, soulful kindness.
How do we make our faith visible in everyday life? A small, spontaneous act of kindness, I think, is a fantastic way to do that. In Jesus’ story of the judgement of nations in Matthew’s Gospel, the King says to the righteous,
“.I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink…” Life gives us plenty of opportunities to be kind; we need to be mindful, aware and alert at all times
to recognize those opportunities. If you think you do not have any ideas on how to be kind, half an hour on the internet is all you need, to make a list if you wish. Have you considered buying produce from a small vendor on your
local high street, rather than one of the superstores? Or take 15 minutes to listen, really listen to someone who you think is a moaner? Or give up your pre-booked window seat on a flight to a child? Or if you are the more
adventurous kind, look up the story of the ‘Birmingham Spider- Man’ on the internet for some inspiration.
You are a child of God, the One who made the heavens and the eart h; be an
angel to someone today
Random Acts of Kindness Aju Varghese
“Let her glean even among the standing sheaves, and do not reproach her.
You must also pull out some handfuls for her from the bundles, and leave them for her to glean, and do not rebuke her.”
Few months back, a story was reported from the U.S.A.: Mr. Robert F. Smith, a very wealthy man, announced that he was going to pay off the full university debts for all the 2019 graduates of Morehouse College, Atlanta.
The total debts covering fees and expenses for the nearly 400 graduates of the College would amount to about $10 million; I am not sure who was more
stunned, the graduates themselves, their parents or the general public. Being the parent of a University student myself, I was speechless for a while after reading the news. The donor had no need for such generosity; it was a
random act of kindness by a stranger to a group of aspiring young men. Some of you may have come across the phrase ‘Random acts of kindness’; I am sure all of you have practiced as well as experienced it at some point in
your life. The phrase "practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty" was written by an American, Anne Herbert on a placemat in 1982.
From such humble beginnings, this catchphrase has become the motto of groups both formal and informal around the world, who are involved in acts of spontaneous kindness in everyday life. The random acts may be very
simple ones, such as carrying someone’s grocery bags to their car, or allowing someone to cut in front of you in a busy queue; it’s not meant to make news or go viral on Twitter, it is to practice the spirit of kindness and
generosity in everyday life, to light a candle in the midst of darkness, to make the world a happier, gentler place.
The theme verse, as you may have recognized, is from the Old Testament story of Ruth and Boaz. There was no need or obligation on Boaz to be kind to Ruth, a foreigner. But, in a world where every grain of wheat was precious
and famine something just around the corner, he went the extra mile in serving the needs of an ‘immigrant’ woman. He tells his servants to allow her to pluck grain not just from the ground as was normally permitted, but from
standing wheat sheaves as well, and as if that were not enough, asks them to pull out handfuls of grain from the bundles they had gathered themselves.
October November December
02 – Neil Chandy Abraham
04 – Albert Biju Chacko
14- Bija Koshy
15 – Vinoj George
16 – Merina Kurian
17 – Micah Thomas Mathew
19 – Anisha Cherian
23 – Elizabeth Mathew Patteril
23 – Sam Johns Thiruvathilil
23 – Benjamin Georgie Thomas
24 – Haniel Abraham Jacob
27 – Sajini M Abraham
28 – Aby Mathews Anil
29 – Monisha Mathew
29- Jonathan Mathews
29 – Aiden Shajan
31 - Elizabeth M Varghese
02- Jiji K Kurian 03- Vineet George 04- Anisha Thomas 07- Aidan Shajan
07- Asha Alex 08- Christy George 08- Jimmy George
09- George Varghese 10- Sherin J George 11- Ashlynn M Mathew
11- Mathew P Daniel 15- Sinu Mathew 15- Evin Mathew John 18- Mathew Samuel( Shibu)
18- Freya M Thomas 19- Vrinda P Ninan 20- Jenisha Joji
21- Kayban V Abraham 21- Alok A Mathew 22-Uthara M Shaju 22- Gaius Thomson
23- Neha S Varghese 24- Nishant Thomas 26- Christus Wincy K
Thomas 30- Austin Alex Jo
01- Maria Ann Abraham
01- Shiju Abraham
07- Soji T Abraham
09- Annie Alex
10- Alfin Alex Jo
12- Juanita Joji
15- Sivin Viji George
15- K A Varghese
17-Thomas Kurian
18- Daisy Saji
20- Annu Mathew
21 - Bijumon Chacko
22-Malika John
24-Winston Lalan
24- Joel James Chacko
24- Michelle Elizabeth Siby
27-Minu Sherry
28-Isabel Mathew
30- Ribi Sam Varghese
31 – Nithin Mathew Abraham
October 11 – Sam Thomas & Bobby Thomas
November
02 – Kurian Thomas & Annamma Varghese
11 – Joji M Philip & Jejo Joji
12 – Abraham Varghese & Asha Alex
12– Varghese Philip & Bai Kuriakose
14 –Tito John & Gincy Tito
19-- Jiji Kurian & Christus Wincy .K.Thomas
23- Anoop V.Zacharia & Soji .T. Abraham
26 – K A Varghese & Molly Varghese
December
03– Jibu M Cherian & Anisha Cherian
28- Sam Mathew & Anisha Cherian
28– Ribi Sam Varghese & Tania Sam Varghese
29– Shaajan V Abraham & Liji Shajan
29 – Thomas Koshy & Sonia P Mathew
• Mr. K A Valsan (87) F/o Dr Darly Mathew, Nottingham passed away on 3rd July
• Mr. C A Thomas 96) F/o Dr Abraham Thomas Wolverhampton passed away on 27th July
• Mrs. Rachel Samuel (96) M/o Dr Jacob Samuel, Burton, passed away on 23rd August.
• Mr. Bobby Kuriakose (47), B/o Dr Bai Kuriakose, Coventry passed away on 31st August
We express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. May God
Almighty give you comfort and strengthen to bear the loss.
Shiju Abraham 39 Newmarsh Road, Walmley, Sutton Coldfield B76 1XP
Sherin Mathew 9 Regan Drive Oldbury B69 2GB
• ‘Manna’ (packed meals): The Sevikasangham has started a new initiative of
bringing number of ‘pothichoru’ to be auctioned in church once in every
month. Sevikasangham members voluntarily prepare these packets. This
fundraising event goes towards our Church Development Fund.
• Harvest Festival: This year the harvest festival will be held on the 6 th
October. Pre- paid coupons available for the food/snacks were inaugurated
on Sevika Sangam Day (8/8/2019). Please contact the area representatives
for each area for more information.
• Hermon MTC Retreat & Family Sunday: The retreat has been planned for
the 25th/26th and 27th October which will be held at Smallwood Manor
School, Uttoxeter, and Staffordshire. The conveners are Mr. Mathew
Thomas (Toby), Mrs. Baby John and Mr. Thomas Koshy. Please keep the
retreat in your prayers. There will be Bible quiz based on Nehemiah and
St. Mark. It will be a family competition. Please also note that 27th October
will be held as Family Sunday.
• World Sunday School Day: This year the World Sunday School day will be
held on November 2nd, 2019 at Didcot Girl’s School, Manor Crescent,
Oxfordshire OX11, 7AJ. Timings will be decided soon. Please pen the date in
your diaries and pray for this event to be a successful one.
• Committee Retreat & meeting: On November 9th, there will be a retreat
followed by committee meeting, to discuss the events for the next year. All
committee members are requested to note the dates in your diaries.