vol 6 ed 12 - news letter december 2015

THE MAR THOMA PARISH PERTH INC Volume 06 / Edition 12 / December 2015

www.perthmarthoma.org.au [email protected] �1

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

THE PARISH WISHES

YOU A MERRY

CHRISTMAS AND BLESSED

YEAR AHEAD. GOD BLESS YOU.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.perthmarthoma.org.au


PARISH MESSENGER

FROM THE VICAR’S DESK Dearly beloved in Christ

For many of us the motto in life is “I need to be always in the centre of the universe.” To be in the centre of the universe, I always need to be in the limelight or to be the centre of attraction. This is becoming very rampant in the life style of many individuals. These are the kind of people who want to be “the baby during the baptism, the bride during the wedding, and the dead body during the funeral service” – wanting everybody’s attention on themselves. This kind of behaviour and goal shows hard and painful truth about how certain people today are concerned only about their image, their position, popularity and their prospects. People who are willing to go to any extend, willing to do the most heinous acts or stoop down to any derogatory level as long as they are able to achieve fame, position, money and popularity that will boost their ego, even if it means trampling on the feelings and privacy of others.

This advent season, as we celebrate the birth of our Lord, one of the important changes that we all could do is to consciously crucify ourselves, crucify the sadistic desire for fame and popularity and consciously create a life style that is centred on others than us. In St. Mathew 2:26-18 where we find the character of Herod who display similar qualities. A person who was an egomaniac, who was only concerned about his fame and popularity and moreover someone who wanted to hang on to power either through hook or crook. When he hears the news about the birth of a baby boy who would be the future king, he is very cool and calculative, and schemes the devilish plan to hold on to power and kingdom – the devilish act of exterminating infants. A king who is worried about infants, a king who feels threatened by birth of infants, goes to the cruel extend of murdering hundreds of infants, with the evil intention that he needs to be king for the rest of his life and have absolute power throughout his life. As someone said “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”.

Looking into our world I think we have lots of modern day Herod-s. The mad craze of power, fame and popularity transcends language, culture and religious barriers. I think we are sometimes more horrifying and hypocritical than Herod. Herod publicly acknowledged that he will not submit to the authority of the King that was born – Jesus Christ, but we Christians who claim loyalty and commitment to our Lord have the subtlest way to keep the Lord away from our life and focus all out attention, authority and power on ourselves. Though we claim verbally that Jesus is the Lord of our life, our actions show that it is only “I” who is the lord of my life and I will not allow anyone to control me neither will I submit or humble myself to another.

This Christmas let us remove from our life the attitude of Herod, where life is not all about fame and popularity. Life is not about trying all the means to keep ourselves on the centre of the universe and attraction. It is when we learn to crucify ourselves, learn to humble ourselves, that our Lord is truly born in us and He becomes the Lord of our lives. Merry Christmas!

With prayers.

Biju Achen


……“the baby during the baptism, the bride during the wedding, and the dead body during the funeral service”……





CHURCH SERVICE & AREA ACOLYTESDate Theme 1st Lesson 2nd Lesson Epistle Prayer

Group

06 Dec 2015(Worship Service)

Word of God Inspired to Inspire - Bible Sunday

1 King. 19:1-21 Rev. 10:1-11 Gal. 1:11-17 Murdoch

13 Dec 2015(English)

Annunciation to Joseph Isa. 40:1-11 Acts.

20:17-25 Phil. 4:4-9 Fremantle

20 Dec 2015(Malayalam)

Sunday before Christmas - Our Lord Comes

Isa. 11:1-10 1 John. 5:1-12 Rom. 1:8-16

Joondalup & North of River (combined)


Yaldo - Feast of Nativity - A New Dawn

Micah. 5:1-9 Col. 1:15-20 1 Tim. 1:14-17

Canning Vale


Our Lord is Coming Again Zech. 14:1-5 Col. 1:6-11 1 Thes.

4:13-18 Willetton


Year Ending - Watch Night Service

1 Sam. 7:5-17 Heb. 13:7-21 1 Pet.

5:6-11 Murdoch

03 Jan 2016(Malayalam) TBC TBC TBC TBC Fremantle

AREA PRAYER GROUP MEETINGS - December 2015

Area Prayer Group Date & Time Venue (residence of) Representative

Canning Vale No prayer meeting - Mr Cibu Jacob

Fremantle No prayer meeting - Mr Aby Mathew

Joondalup No prayer meeting - Mr Soney Titus

Murdoch No prayer meeting - Mr Kurian Parayil

North of River No prayer meeting - Mrs Binsu Abraham

Willetton No prayer meeting - Mr Mathews Philip

SERVICES





MONTHLY PROGRAM SCHEDULEDATE SUNDAY SCHOOL HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE

06 December 2015 Closed 08:00AM - Worship Service

13 December 2015 Closed 08:00AM - English Service

20 December 2015 Closed 08:00AM - Malayalam Service

25 December 2015 - 06:30AM - English Service

27 December 2015 Closed 08:00AM - English Service

31 December 2015 - 10:00PM - Watchnight Service

PRAYER POINTS• Pray for Your guidance, wisdom and finances as we embark on proposals for

buying a plot to build a worship place;• Pray for the families who are affected by the recent job redundancies and Lord

bless their efforts in seeking employment;• Pray all the families and members preparing for travel during the school holidays;• Pray for Almighty’s abundant blessing in the new year;• Pray for the arrangements of the house carolling, Parish Carol service and

Christmas services, so that these services will help to bring the real joy of Christmas to the hearts of our people;

• Pray that the new year will be a blessing for the Parish and for its members; and• Pray for the young families in our Parish and the recently married couples.

NEWS





SABHA MANDALAM 2015I was privileged to attend the Sabha Mandalam held at Thiuvella from September 1 to 3, 2015. It is the yearly assembly of the whole church members representing Marthoma parishes all over the world.

The first day meeting started with a hymn and prayer. Rev. Dr.Hielke Walters, the associate General Secretary of the World Council of Churches led the devotion and gave the message. He referred to the contribution the Marthoma church has made to strengthen WCC through our bishops, from time to time and thro’ Dr. M.M. Thomas, a great theologian who served as its moderator. Of a total of 1457 mandalam members 70% were present when the meeting started. “ Faith and Witness in the Public Space “ was the topic of Study this year. Rev. Hielke stressed the need for continued transformation in this area. Deep devotion and true worship to take us closer to God; and only then can we go out to serve and witness in the world that is the ‘public space’.

Then, the Metropolitan, Most Rev. Joseph Marthoma welcomed the assembly ; all the bishops sitting on the stage, the clergy and the mandalam members sitting in their assigned places allotted for the 13 Diocese. Thirumeni detailed the socio-political cultural deterioration in the universe with particular reference to India and Kerala and how it affects our church and its functions. Also what the church is doing to rehabilitate the people who are affected by liquor , drugs and other maladies and by natural disasters.

The new Pulatheen [Metropolitan’s official residence]was consecrated the same day in the presence of a large crowd of mandalam members , bishops from sister churches and invitees. The building is mostly finished and will be ready for occupation by the next 3-4 months.

The second day started with holy communion service followed by felicitation of the clergy retired from active service in the current year. In business session there were questions about functioning of the different organizations ,institutions , retirement of our bishops , salary and pension of the clergy and other relevant matters; discussed and answered. People who made outstanding achievements and students who excelled in examinations were given awards.

Last day when the special mandalam was held amendments to constitution were discussed. Then the assembly was closed with prayer and benediction.

Mrs. Mary John

Mandalam Member NEWS




YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

Youth Fellowship meets fourth Saturdays of every month at 04:00pm at the residence of a parish member.

Encourage all youngsters of our parish to participate in the activities of the Youth Fellowship. For further details, please contact Mr Sujin Soloman ([email protected]).

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Regular Sunday School on all Sundays before the Holy Communion Service. Contact: Mrs Babbin Mathews or Mrs Sheba Thomas for further details ([email protected]) or visit the Sunday School website (www.school.perthmarthoma.org.au).

EDAVAKA MISSION

Edavaka Mission meets at the residence of a parish member every month.

An intercessory prayer is held on first Friday of every month at the residence of a parish member. For further details, please contact Mr Joji Varghese.

PARISH CHOIR

Parish Choir meets for practice every Sunday after the Holy Communion Service at Murdoch Worship Centre. For further details please contact Mr Abraham Kurien ([email protected]).

SENIOR CITIZENS FELLOWSHIP

Senior Citizens Fellowship meets fourth Saturdays of every month at 12:00pm at the residence of a parish member. For further details, please contact Mr J Retnarajan.

SEVIKA SANGHAM

Sevika Sangham meets once every month after the Sunday service.

Encourage all women in our parish to participate in the activities of the Sevika Sangham. For further details, please contact Mrs Aswathy Joji ([email protected]).


MINISTRIES






PARISH CAMP 2015A weekend camp we’ve been planning for a long time happened on October 16th to 18th. It is a milestone in our journey as a parish going to be ten yrs old very soon. An ideal venue, the Children’s seaside holiday home in Rockingham had been booked; good enough for our purpose with large outdoor and indoor space. The rooms , dormitories and verandas moderately convenient with easy access to toilet facilities. The hall cum dining room with a stage was suitable for our programmes, worship and other activities. The adjacent kitchen and pantry were well equipped for our men folk who volunteered to cook and serve all the meals, not an easy task. The programme had been charted out and leaders contacted long time back. The coordinators did a good job.

The theme “Life and Witness” seemed appropriate . In our day to day busy life, we hardly have a thought about any thing other than ourselves. So a pause, a retreat from our mundane chores to find out what is God’s purpose for ‘my life’ is very important. Stepping back and seeing our reflection in a mirror [which does not lie] as individuals, as families and as a parish, evaluating our strength and weakness is very important for growth in the right direction. Both the Speakers who spelt out the different aspects of the theme, were Syrian Christians from Kerala with the same background, roots and culture as ours. The challenges we all face as a migrant community, how amicably we cope, the better opportunities we and our children have in this land, that we are accountable to God for this and should not take it for granted; it is futile if we boast about our origin as St.Thomas Christians but do not show it in our life and witness. How do we fit into a multicultural society, are we inclusive or exclusive? Do we imbibe some good traits of the people we move with; these were all topics discussed.

The music team with young and adult participants playing instruments, had done their home work well so the worship times were meaningful . The session on Ayurveda reminded us the age old healthy life style and to depend on modern medicines discreetly.

The lighter side of the camp was thoroughly enjoyed by every one.

A beach with shallow waters gave the little ones opportunity to wade thro’ the water as long as they wished. Young men and women played games running round and using a lot of their energy, while some others managed to catch few fish which was fried for barbeque. A number of them went swimming others walking, thanks to the sunny weather.

Expressions of talents by many and the Queen of Sheba who demanded exotic things made all of us laugh whole heartedly. The evening prayers led by achen reminded us it was bedtime.

Finally, what is the outcome of our family camp, is it mere enjoyment? On a Sunday morning we see each other in our best clothes and best behaviour; when we lived together for two days, we got to know each other a little better. Every one young and old contributed to the success of the camp.

May this experience make us more tolerant, forgiving ,supporting and encouraging towards each other. We have to go a long way to be truly a worshipping and witnessing community when others look at us. The positive attitudes that we discussed about should ‘bind us together’ to march ahead.

By, Mrs Mary JohnNEWS





KIDS ONLY





KIDS ONLY

COLOUR ME





BIRTHDAY - December 2015Angela John (2 December)Dr Lekha George (3 December)Sharon Joby (3 December)Joji Varghese (3 December)Abel Varukunnel Mathews (4 December)Feaba Mariam (4 December)Ken Cibu Jacob (4 December)Kevin Cibu Jacob (4 December)Simon Mathew (5 December)Shibu Jacob (7 December)Sarah John (8 December)Nancy Philip (10 December)Annie Jenu Thomas (11 December)Smitha Jacob (13 December)Joel Suraj Raja (15 December)Sarath P Thomas (15 December)Vitty Jacob (15 December)

Mabel Mathew (16 December)Reny Elizabeth Mathews (17 December)Sneha Elizabeth (19 December)Sharlynn Simon (19 December)Reemamol Cibu Jacob (20 December)Asha Susan Titus (20 December)Alara John (21 December)Reny Thomas Varkey (21 December)Allen Anil George (22 December)Shradha Mariam Shibu (22 December)Tintu Sara Mathew (23 December)Jancy Thomas (24 December)Jerry Cherian (27 December)Binu Jacob (27 December)Shalaka Thomas (28 December)

“God Created You with his own hands; He Knows your name and your thoughts; He Blesses you with life, with love; And the joy of another year to know him.”HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY - December 2015Benz Mathew & Anila Benz (9 December)

Prince Babu & Smitha Thomas (14 December)

Reny Thomas Varkey & Rekha Anna George (17

December)

Jinu Johnson & Sheen Mathew (19 December)

Ninan K Thomas & Elizabeth Joshua Ninan (20

December)

Toms M John & Mary Toms (27 December)

Philip Ramacha & Nancy Philip (28 December)

James R Rajesh & Dhanya Rajesh (29

December)

Abraham Kurien & Prinsu Ann Mathew (29

December)

May the Almighty God continue to bless your family more and more in the coming years. May you be an inspiration and example for others in the days to come.

WISHING ALL CELEBRANTS HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!

GREETINGS





Messenger NotesPlease feel free to drop in your comments and suggestions regarding our Parish

Messenger at [email protected].

We are looking for articles to be published in our monthly newsletter. Those who can

write articles, poems, drawings (kids) please contact the Webmaster at

[email protected]. This is another opportunity to use our God given

talents for the Glory of God.

PARISH FAMILY CONTRIBUTION

ACCOUNT DETAILSthe National Australia Bank

BSB - 086 136Account# - 865 285 498

PARISH BUILDING FUND

ACCOUNT DETAILSthe National Australia Bank

BSB - 086 136Account# - 195 940 763

PARISH GIFT FUNDACCOUNT DETAILS

the National Australia Bank

BSB - 086 136Account# - 848 646 298

preferred transaction mode is electronic transfer to the Parish account.

For more information, please contact

Rev Biju George(Vicar)Mob: 0406 485 240Landline: 08 6161 6797email: [email protected]

Mr Sam Koshy(Secretary)Mob: 0406 689 139email: [email protected]

Webmasteremail: [email protected]

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth, P.O. Box 3104, Shelley, WA 6148

for private circulation only





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vol 6 ed 12 - news letter december 2015

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