vol 7 ed 03 - news letter march 2016

7/24/2019 Vol 7 Ed 03 - News Letter March 2016

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THE MAR THOMA PARISH PERTH INC Volume 07 / Edition 03 / March 2016

PARISH MESSENGER

FROM THE VICARS DESK

Dearly beloved in Christ,

Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting? (1 Corinthians 15: 55)

We have come to the middle of yet another season of great Lent. During the lent, wemeditate specially on the wilderness experience, the temptation, the passion, the death andresurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, which explains Divine love, Redemptionand Salvation.

What is the real meaning of the Cross? Why do we observe cross as the symbol of Christianspirituality?

Jesus gave us this beautiful symbol as the centre of our spirituality which always challengeus with the unfailing and unfathomable love of God, which He expresses through the cross.In the Old Testament we see a God who accompanies a murderer, who hears the cry of thelittle child in the wilderness, who loves His people who always prostituted their master, whomarries an unfaithful wife, and finally sending His own son to die to conquer death.This lovecontinues through the symbol of the cross. Once again we are meditating on this unfailinglove which comes from the everlasting#fountain of the cross of Jesus and that is our hope inthis world of individualism and lovelessness. The one thing that takes us forward in theworld of hatred, retaliation, jealousy and selfishness is the love that flows from thisfountain.If God loves us like this,what should be our response to this cross?

##As we walked with Jesus in the path of the cross, we have reached the empty tomb, withheavenly voice why do you look for the living among the dead, He is not here He has risen.In the midst of hopelessness and despair, there is a hope for a better tomorrow. All the fourGospels record the great victory(resurrection), the victory over all forces of evil anddeath.The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the pivot of the christian faith and it is this incidentthat sets christianity apart from other religions. The real proof of the resurrection today is notthe empty tomb or the post resurrection appearances, but the living testimony of Christsfollowers.

During these days church members are expected to renounce special foods which areinevitable to the food code of individuals/families and observe fasting at least one time a

day. The money that we save through our fasting should be collected separately as selfdenial fund to the Evangelistic Association of the church and Receessa (adultmembers contribution) towards the Sabha o$ce. As we move on, Iseek your wholehearted co-operation and support towards ourParish and its activities.

May the crucified and resurrected Lord be with us in our daily lifeand in all walks of life.

With prayerful regards,

Biju Achen%

www.perthmarthoma.org.au [email protected] 1
mailto:[email protected]://www.perthmarthoma.org.au/


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CHURCH SERVICE & AREA ACOLYTES

Date Theme 1stLesson 2ndLesson Epistle Prayer Group

06 Mar 2016(Malayalam)

Transforming theOppressive Structures

Nahum. 1:1-15 Acts. 16:25-34 Acts. 4:32-37 Willetton

13 Mar 2015(English)

Cross-New Model toDiscipleship

Gen. 26:12-33 2 Cor. 11:20-31 2 Cor. 1:3-11 Murdoch


Hosana: Lord Save Us Zech.9:1-12 1 Timo. 4:6-16 Heb. 5:5-10 Fremantle


Passion Week Service -Sandhya Namaskaaram

Isa. 63:7-19 Heb.2:1-18

N/A

Joondalup &North of River


Zech. 21:1-16 Eph. 2:1-10 Canning Vale


Lev. 16:1-28 1 John. 4:7-20 Willetton


Fellowship in the Sufferingof Christ

Gen. 22:1-14 Heb. 5:1-14 1 Cor. 11:23-34 Murdoch

25 Mar 2015(Malayalam)Good Friday

Service

Faith Expression of theMarginalised

Isa. 53:1-12 1 Pet. 1:1-25 First Service Fremantle

Zech. 13:1-9 Gal. 3:1-22 Second ServiceJoondalup &North of River

Num. 21:1-9 Heb. 3:1-19 Third Service Canning Vale

27 Mar 2015(English)

Resurrection Celebratingboundless Transformation

Gen. 23:1-19 Col. 3:1-11 1 Thes. 4:13-18 Willetton

03 Apr 2016(Malayalam)

New Sunday-Empoweredby the Risen Lord

Gen. 28:10-22 Acts. 20:7-12 1 Thes. 1:2-10 Murdoch

AREA PRAYER GROUP MEETINGS - March 2016

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

Canning Vale 20 March @ 6:00PM Dr Ravi K Mr Cibu Jacob

Fremantle 05 March @ 5:30PM Mr Raju Thomas Mr Aby Mathew

Joondalup TBC TBC Mr Soney Titus

Murdoch 13 March @ 6:00PM Mr Jinu Johnson Mr Kurian Parayil

North of River 12 March @ 6:00PM Mr Arun Alex Mrs Binsu Abraham

Willetton 26 March @ 6:00PM Mr Benny K David Mr Mathews Philip

SERVICES
http://www.perthmarthoma.org.au/mailto:[email protected]


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MONTHLY PROGRAM SCHEDULE

DATE SUNDAY SCHOOL HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE

06 March 2016 08:00AM 09:30AM - Malayalam Service

13 March 2016 08:00AM 09:30AM - English Service


21 March 2016 - 07:00PM - Sandhya Namaskaaram



24 March 2016 - 07:00PM - Passover Thursday - Malayalam Service

25 March 2016 - 08:00AM - Good Friday - Malayalam Service

27 March 2016 - 06:00AM - Easter - English Service


PRAYER POINTS

Pray for the Passion Week Services for His blessings and guidance;

Pray for Gods guidance, wisdom and finances as we embark on proposals forbuying a plot to build a worship place;

Pray for the preparations for the 10year Anniversary of our Parish; Pray for the families who are affected by the recent job redundancies and Lord

bless their efforts in seeking employment;

Pray for Almightys abundant blessing in the new year;

Pray for all our children preparing for returning to school and university. Pray thatHis abundant mercy and wisdom be bestowed on our children;

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.

SERVICES


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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 theYouth 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 RetnaraMar.

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
mailto:[email protected]://www.perthmarthoma.org.au/mailto:[email protected]


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Australian Government recognition for our church

and requirements for Marriage Registration

You may have heard from our Achen that the Australian Government has

proclaimed our Church, Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar, as a

recognised denomination to conduct marriages using our own rites in

accordance with Marriage Act 1961.

In Australia, marriage is regulated by the Marriage Act 1961which sets out the

process for getting married and the legal requirements of a valid marriage.As a

recognised denomination by the Australian Government, our Church is

permitted to nominate our Priests in Australia to the state and territory Registrarof Birth, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) for authorisation as Marriage Celebrants.

Our Achen is now registered with the BDM and is authorised to conduct

marriages anywhere in Australia using the marriage order of service approved

by our Church.

Background to the Government Recognition

About three year ago, a meeting held at the Melbourne Mar Thoma Parsonage

of our Achens and Mandalam representatives of our Parishes in Australia in the

presence of our Diocesan Episcopa Rt. Rev. Joseph Mar Barnabas elected a

subcommittee comprising Rev. Mathews A. Mathew, then Vicar of the Bethel

Mar Thoma Church Sydney, Mr. George P. Paniker, Sydney, Dr. Kuruvilla

Mathew, Perth and Mr. Varughese Komattu Mathews, Perth, to correspond with

the Attorney-Generals Department (AGS) in Canberra to get recognition for

our Church to conduct marriages in Australia.

After a long period of correspondence and discussions with the AGS, the

Attorney General Hon. George Brandis QC, on behalf of the Australian

Government, approved our application. This was further approved by the

Governor Generals representative and the approval was published in the

Commonwealth of Australias Gazette on 29thOctober 2015.

Let us thank God for this recognition as our Church is one of the two Christian

Churches from India who are privileged to have this approval from thegovernment.


NEWS


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Requirements for Marriage Registration in Australia

Our Achens, as authorised Marriage Celebrants approved by the Government,

are required to follow certain process for a valid marriage. These legalrequirements are in addition to any other rules of the Church.

The legal requirements and the process to register a marriage in Australia are

given in brief below:

The bride and bridegroom need to complete a Notice of Intended

Marriage form which must be given to the Achen at least 31 days (and

up to 18 months) before the wedding day;

The bride and bridegroom must provide Achen with evidence of their

date, place of birth and identity. The two documents that will satisfy

this requirement are the passport and the birth certificate original

documents are required;

The bride and bridegroom must sign a Declaration of no legal

impediment to marriage. By signing the Declaration, they declare that

they are of marriageable age (18 years or more), and that there is no

legal impediment to their marriage;

On the wedding day, at the end of the wedding service, the married

couple must sign three marriage certificates, witnessed by two

people over the age of 18 years (nominated by the couple) in the

presence of the Achen (one certificate for the couple, one to send to

the government department for registration and one to keep in our

church as a permanent record);

After the wedding, Achen will send the forms to register the marriage to

the BDM in the State or Territory where the marriage took place.

If any of your family members are planning to get married in Australia, please

contact your Achen.

George P Paniker

Dr Kuruvilla Mathew

Varughese K Mathews


NEWS


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KIDS ONLY


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%


KIDS ONLY

COLO

URME


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BIRTHDAY - March 2016

Jaic Antony (2 March)

Jeffy Koshy (6 March)

Julie Mathew (7 March)Susan George (9 March)

Rekha Anna George (9 March)

Anish P Varghese (12 March)

Jubin Koshy (13 March)

Prisha Elizabeth Shibu (14 March)

Ginsu Jacob Ninan (15 March)

Nivi Varghese (17 March)

Tiara Kovoor (18 March)

Deepu Abraham (20 March)

Smitha Thomas (21 March)

Annie Manjaly Itteera (24 March)Austin Viji (27 March)

Hanna Mathew (28 March)

Anil George (29 March)

Mathew Oommen (29 March)

Jaisel Varukunnel Mathews (29 March)

Nissi Mathew (30 March)

Abigail Anil (31 March)

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 - March 2016

Jac Joseph & Tisha Thomas (1 March)

Shibu Jacob & Anita Mathews (5 March)

Joby Varghese & Jeni Joby (22 March)

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

WISHING ALL CELEBRANTS HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!

GREETINGS

NEW ARRIVALS

Our Parish members Aby Mathew and Beena Abyhave been blessed with a baby boy. He isnamedNoah Aby.

The Parish congratulatesthem on the new addition to the family. Lets continue to

upholdthefamily in our prayers.


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Messenger Notes

Please 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 canwrite 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 FAMILYCONTRIBUTIONACCOUNT DETAILS

the National Australia Bank

BSB - 086 136Account# - 865 285 498

PARISH BUILDINGFUNDACCOUNT DETAILS

the National Australia Bank

BSB - 086 136Account# - 195 940 763

PARISH GIFT FUNDACCOUNT DETAILSthe 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
mailto:[email protected]://www.perthmarthoma.org.au/mailto:[email protected]?subject=mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

vol 7 ed 03 - news letter march 2016

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