St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, NY
Sept
NEWSLETTER VOL. XXxviii NO. 9
34 Morris Street, Yonkers, NY 10705
http://www.stthomasmtc.org
2016
Vicar / President: Rev. Jaisen Thomas
Secretary: P.T.THOMAS
Email: [email protected]
2
WORSHIP SERVICE SCHEDULE
MAR THOMA SYRIAN CHURCH OF MALABAR
LECTIONARY SEPTEMBER 2016
Date Time Worship
Sun, Sept 4 9:30 am
10:30 am
Praise & Worship (Malayalam), Intercessory Prayer
Holy Communion Service, English
Sun, Sept 11 9:30 am
10:30 am
Praise & Worship (Malayalam), Bible Study
Holy Communion Service, English
Sun, Sept 18 9:30 am
10:30 am
Praise & Worship (Malayalam), Bible Study
Holy Communion Service, Malayalam
Sun, Sept 25 9:30 am
10:30 am
Praise & Worship (Malayalam), Bible Study
Holy Communion Service, Malayalam
Date 1st Lesson 2nd Lesson Epistle Gospel
Sun, Sept 4 Neh. 8:1-8 Acts. 18:24-28 Jam. 3:13-18 St. Luke. 4:16-22
Sun, Sept 11 Judg. 4:4-16 Phili. 4:1-7 Rom. 16:6-16 St.Mark 14:3-9
Sun, Sept 18 Gen. 46:1-7 Phlm. 8-22 2 Tim. 1:3-14 St. Luke. 2:25-38
Sun, Sept 25 Amos 9:1-12 Acts/ 10:34-43 Rom. 2:17-29 St.John 12:20-26
Date Importance of the Day
Sun, Sept 4 Education: A ministry of the church- Education Day (16th Sunday after
Pentecost)
Mon, Sept 5 Labor Day. BBQ hosted by Youth Fellowship.
Sun, Sept 11
Remembering & Celebrating Women’s Ministry Sevika Sangom Day
(17th Sunday after Pentecost) First Day of Sunday School Classes.
Mon, Sept 18
Caring & Accepting the Elderly - Senior Citizens Day (18th Sunday
after Pentecost) (Sevika Sanghom Day celebration in our parish)
Sun, Sept 25
One True God & People of Other Faiths- (19th Sunday after Pentecost)
Tue Sept 27
Unity in Service - Inauguration Day of the Church of South India (CSI)
3
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
How do you feel about yourself? Are you confident? Or do you sometimes feel overly self-conscious? How do you define your personality?
The process of personality development is a most complex experience that affects the
direction of one’s growth and progress physically, socially, mentally and spiritually. Thus,
it is very important to develop a clearer understanding of who you truly are in relation to
God, community and the world.
The way people feel about themselves and others is reflected in their chosen “life posi-
tion”. In the famous psychological theory, Transactional Analysis, four life positions or
personality states are considered:
I’m OK – You’re Ok: Basically, this is the position of trust that all individuals
possess initially in life. This is the optimal position that enables one to
develop a positive personality.
I’m OK – You’re Not OK: This is often considered to be a paranoid position
and it is suggested that evolves as a reaction to feelings of I’m Not OK. Thus, it is very hard for such be people to be objective about themselves or
others.
I’m Not OK- You’re OK: This is sometimes understood to be the most com-
monly found among individuals. The people who adopt this position are
constantly feeling unworthy. The constant need to please others often leads
to a productive but unhappy life. Because of the constant pressure, this
position may sometimes lead to depression.
I’m Not Ok –You’re Not OK: This is the helpless position and is often adopted
by rejected children. These people have a hopeless outlook on life and live
only on a day-to-day basis.
Thus, it is absolutely essential that we understand ourselves, our life position and work to
achieve a psycho-social balance in every aspect of our life, if we are to be effective Chris-
tian witnesses.
Throughout the Scripture, we find numerous instances of how Christ raised the weak,
hopeless and needy to a life position of “I’m OK – You’re OK”. For example, in the gos-
pel of St. John 5:6-9, it reads: “When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had
been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’.
‘Sir’ the invalid replied, ‘I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred.
While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.’ Then Jesus said to
him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’” In the very depths of his hopelessness, Christ
came to Him and made a way for him to be restored to the full potential and purpose for which He gave him life.
We may have or may be going through various and painful experiences that have directed
us along a path which is not necessarily the will of God. However, be strong and under-stand that Christ is near and is calling you to “Get up!” and walk the path of “I’m Ok –
You’re OK” in order to greater fulfill His purposes for your life.
May God Almighty strengthen us as His witnesses in all things!
Your brother in Christ,
Jaisen Achen
4
Fasting Prayer
Event Date & Time Location
Fasting Prayer Sat, Sept 17
10.00 AM
Mr. Thomas P John
Yonkers NY 10705
Area Date & Time Location
Manhattan /New
Jersey TBA
Yonkers South
(McLean Ave) /
Bronx
Sun, Sept 4
6.30 PM TBA
Upper Westches-
ter/CT
Sat, Sept 10
6.30 pm
Mr. Philip Kayalvarathu
North White Plains NY
Queens / Long
Island Sun, Sept 11
6:00 pm TBA
Yonkers East
Sat, Sept 17
6.30 pm
Mr. Abey Varghese
Yonkers, NY 10710
Rockland Sun, Sept 18
6.30 PM
Mr. John K. Abraham Spring Valley NY 10977
Yonkers West Sat, Sept 24
6.30 pm
Mr. Varghese Jacob
Yonkers NY 10710
Yonkers North Sun, Sept 25
7 PM
Mr. Samuel K. Samuel
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
Area Prayer Meetings
5
Organizational Meetings
Event Date & Time Location
Friday Prayer Fri, Sept 2 10:00 am
Mrs. Mariamma Thomas
Yonkers NY 10701
Friday Prayer Fri, Sept 9 10:00 am
Mrs. Mariamma Thomas
Yonkers NY 10707
Friday Prayer Fri, Sept 16 10:00 am
Mrs. Annamma Thomas
Spring Valley NY 10977
Friday Prayer Fri, Sept 23 10:00 am
Mrs. Sosamma Abraham
Spring Valley Ny 10977
Friday Prayer Fri, Sept 30 10.00 am
Mrs. Rachel George
Yonkers, NY 10710
Sevika Sangham
Friday Prayer Meetings
Edavaka Mission
Event Date & Time Location
Prayer Wed, Sep 7 PM Mr. John Kurian Spring Valley NY 10977
Prayer Wed, Sept 14 7 PM
Basement of the Parsonage
Prayer Wed, Sept 21 7 PM
Basement of the Parsonage
Prayer Wed, Sept 28 7 PM
Basement of the Parsonage
6
Youth Fellowship
Event Date & Time Location
Bibles and Breakfast
Sat, Sept 10 TBA
Iron Men Group
Fri, Sept 16 7 PM
TBA
Event Date & Time Location
Girls Night Out
TBA TBA
Young Family Fellowship
Wonder Wom-
en Group
Fri, Sept 23
7 PM
TBA
Yuvajana Sakhyam
Fellowship Meeting
TBA TBA
Boys Night Out
TBA TBA
Event Date & Time Location
Youth
Meeting
Sat, Sept 3
4.30 PM Basement of the parsonage
Youth
Meeting
Sat, Sept 17
4.30 PM Basement of the parsonage
7
Parish activities and Conveners for the year 2016
NEW BORN
Rohan and Roman born on August 11, 2016 to Renny Mathew and
Norman Jones; proud grandparents Mathew Abraham and
Annamma Mathew, 6 Glen Ave, Portchester, NY 10573 .
Program Tentative Dates Convener(s)
Senior Citizens Recognition Day
Sunday October 2 Mr. John K Abraham
Thanksgiving November 24th John P Varghese
Christmas Carol Service
December 24th Nobin Vaidian
Sosamma Abraham
House Caroling December weekends Aju Daniel
Parish Day 2017 January 22nd 2017 P.T. Thomas
Food Committee
Cherian Varghese
Geevarghese Thanka-chan
Varughese George
Ushers John K Abraham Cheruthone Mathai Samuel Ninan
Sosamma Abraham
Mission P.T. Thomas M. C. Chacko Thomas Oommen Josen Joseph Litten Thomas Aju Daniel Dr. Binil Varghese
P A System Aju Daniel
8
Obituary
Mrs. Achiamma Benny, mother of Mrs. Aleyamma Thomas
(Kunjumol) 107 Westminister Dr, Yonkers, NY 10710 went to her heavenly abode on August 14, 2016. Funeral Services were held at St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church on Wednesday August 17th at 9.30 AM led by Rt. Rev. Dr. Issac Mar Philoxenos and Internment was followed at Mount Hope Cemetery, 50 Jackson Ave, Hastings-On-Hudson, NY 10706. Ammachi’s brother Rev. Mathews Mathunny was visiting the United States and was blessed to see her alive.
Mr. M .T. Philip, brother of our members Eapen Meppurathu, Koshy M
Thomas (Roy) and Thomas Varghese Meppurathu (Prakash) went to his heavenly abode in India this morning. Funeral services were held at Maramon Mar Thoma Church on Tuesday August 30th in the morning.
Mr. Shalu Meppurathu (now in Texas), our former member is the son of Mr. M. T.
Philip. Mrs. Suja Thomas (now is Florida), our former member is the sister of Mr.
M. T. Philip.
Please pray that the Lord be comfort and strength to the families at this difficult time.
On behalf of St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, I express our sincere condolences to
the bereaved families and pray that God give them sufficient courage and strength
to face this difficult times.
—————————————————————————————————
Choir Thattukada
Malayalam Choir will be hosting a Thattukada
On Sunday September 4, 2016 immediately after
the Service in the basement of the church. Kerala
9
Convention and Retreat
In the month of August, our parish held two important events; the Convention and the Retreat. Our Annual Convention was held from August 4 to 7, 2016 in the church. Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Theethos was the main speaker. Thirumeni spoke about convention for Conversion, Convention for Confession and Convention for Commitment. He spoke about the concept of “Ethics is
Optics” and “love is painful exodus”. He also challenged us to be the Holy Communion meaning to be ready for sacrifice as Christ died for us. Our Parish Retreat was held from August 26 to 28 at Eddy Farm Retreat and Conference Center. Rev. Baiju Markose was the main speaker. The theme of
the retreat was “Awake, Arise and Act”. Rev. Baiju Markose called upon the participants to celebrate possibilities in the midst of limitations. He encour-aged us to “agairo” a Greek word with the meaning “stand up” and “resurrect”.
Both events were well organized and was blessing to all those who partici-
pated. A word of Thanks to our Vicar Rev. Jaisen Thomas and Mr. Thanka-
chan Geevarghse, the Convener of the Convention and Mr. T. P. Jacob, the
Convener of Retreat and all the volunteers and office bearers who worked
hard to make these events blessed and successful.
================================================
Sevika Sanghom
Family Night will be held on Saturday October 22nd in the church.
Sevika Sanghom Regional Kalamela will be held on
October 29th at Epiphany Mar Thoma Church.
2016 Diocesan Sevika Sanghom Conference will be held from Oct 6- 9, 2016 at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suits, St. Catharines Confer-ence Centre hosted by St. Mathews Mar Thoma Church Toranto.
Please contact Sevika Sanghom Secretary Mrs. Sosamma Abraham
10
11
12
Sunday School 1. If any Sunday School students or teachers are interested in
donating school supplies for Labor Day BBQ, please contact Mil-
lie Matthews or Mr. T.P Jacob. Supplies that are needed are as
follows: notebooks, folders, rulers, pencils, pens, highlighters,
markers and so forth. The goal for this year is 250 bags of sup-
plies. We are kindly requesting the help of everyone to reach this
goal!
2. First Day of Sunday School begins September 11, 2016. Sun-
day School Sing A Long will begin at 9:00am. Classes will start
promptly at 9:30am. We encourage all children to attend classes.
3. Sunday School Anniversary will be held on September 11,
2016 after worship service. We kindly request the attendance of
all parents and students especially to receive their prizes from
the past Sunday School year.
4. Regional Sunday School Competitions will be held in our
church on September 18th after the Service.
——————————————————————————————————-
Senior Citizens Fellowship How to Improve your memory
Will be held on Thursday September 8th and September 22nd at 10.00 AM in the Church. We will continue to have our classes on “How to Improve your memory.” If you are experiencing any problem with your memory, please come and get benefited.
13
OFFICE BEARERS Vicar/President Rev. Jaisen Thomas (914) 376-6530 Vice President Mr. M.C. Chacko (845) 356-1848 Secretary Mr. P.T.Thomas (845) 826-1110 Treasurer Mr. Thomas Oommen (516) 796 2672 Accountant Mr. Josen Joseph (914) 346-8644 Lay Leader - Malayalam Mr. Varghese George . (914) 207-6465 Lay Leader - English Mr. Nobin Vaidian (914) 337-2470
AREA PRAYER GROUP REPRESENTATIVES
Manhattan/NJ Mr. Varkey Uthup (201) 225-9796 Queens/LI Mr. Daniel Geevarghese (516) 243-9581 Rockland (Spring Valley) Mr. John K. Abraham (845) 426-2327 Rockland (Outside Spring Valley) Mr. P.T.Thomas (845) 826-1110 Upper Westchester/CT Mr. Cheruthone Mathai (203) 797-1076 Upper Westchester/CT Mr. John P. Varghese (914) 939-0064 Yonkers East Mr. Joseph Eapen (914) 237-6594 Yonkers North Mr. Cheriyan Varughese (914) 965-0969 Yonkers South/Bronx Mr. M. J. George (914) 376-7185 Yonkers West Mr. Varghese Jacob (914) 968-3569
MANDALAM & DIOCESAN REPRESENTATIVES
Sabha Mandalam Mrs. Sosamma Joseph (914) 237-6594 Diocesan Representatives Mr. Samuel K. Samuel (914) 693-8490 Mr. Samuel Ninan (201) 692-0649
ORGANIZATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
Choir Mrs. Shirley Thomas (516) 796-2672 Edavaka Mission Mr. Geevarghese Thankachan (914) 939-0282 Sevika Sangham Mrs.Sosamma Abraham (845) 426-2327 Sunday School Mr. T.P. Jacob (516) 365-3570 Youth Fellowship Dr. Binil T. Varghese (914) 968-3531 Young Family Fellowship Mr. Litten T. Thomas (845) 290-9962 Yuvajana Sakhyam Mr. Aju Daniel (914) 255-8478
AUDITORS
Mr. Thomas Oommen (914) 329-1746 Mr. Geevarghese Kochumman (914) 948-2363
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - 2016
Position Full Name Home Phone
14
If undelivered
FO
R P
RIV
AT
E C
IRC
UL
AT
ION
Please return to:
Anil A
braham
138 Candlew
ood Drive
Yonkers, N
Y 10710
F
IRST
CL
ASS M
AIL
St. T
ho
mas M
ar T
ho
ma C
hurc
h
34 M
orris S
treet
Yonkers
, NY
107
05
ST
AM
P!
TH
AN
K S
FOR
P
ICK
ING
UP
N
EW
SLE
TT
ER
S.
YO
U A
RE
H
EL
PIN
G T
HE
C
HU
RC
H S
AV
E.
EV
ER
Y P
EN
NY
C
OU
NT
S.