EDITION 10, VOLUME 11

OCTOBER 2011

PA RISH M E SSE N G E R
From the Vicars Desk
A striking example of the contrast between accusation and conviction is found in the lives of Judas Iscariot and Peter. Somehow Judas allowed Satan to deceive him into betraying Devils accusation and Holy Spirits conviction- Part II But if you are sorrowful, because your behavior does not reflect your true identity in Christ, that sorrow is according to the will of God which is designed to produce repentance. Its the Holy Spirit calling you to admit on the basis of 1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The sorrow is gone, and you have a positive new resolve to obey God in the area of your failure. Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Luke 22:3-5). Judas succumbed to the sorrow of the world and hung himself. Was his suicide the result of devils accusation or of Holy Spirits conviction? It had to be accusation because it drove Judas to kill himself. Accusation leads to death; conviction leads to repentance and life. Peter also failed Jesus by denying Him. It apparently began with pride as the disciples argued over who was the greatest among them (Luke 22:24-30).Peter vowed to die with Jesus, but Jesus told him that he would deny Him three times, which he did. The remorse Peter felt was every bit as painful as that which Judas

experienced. But Peters sorrow was from the conviction which led to repentance. When our feeling pound us into the ground and drive us from God, we are being accused by Satan. Resist it. But when our sorrow draws us to confront Christ and confess our wrong, we are being convicted by the spirit. Celebrate it through repentance. May God bless us all!!
With love and care,

Mothy Achen

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth!

www.perthmarthoma.org.au

EDITION 10, VOLUME 11

OCTOBER 2011

Report of Mar Thoma Mandalam and Council Meeting September 2011

1. Introduction

Mar Thoma church is a democratic church. We have about 1200 parishes and congregations making a population 0.9 Million. The parishes are divided into 12 dioceses. Each diocese will have a diocesan assembly with elected people from the parishes. The assembly elects diocesan council. Mandalam is elected representatives from the parishes. We have 1431 representatives in the Mandalam out of this about 500 will be clergy (achens) and the rest is lay people (about 700 men and 300 women). This number is constituted by the constitution. The Mandalam meets just before Onam every year. The church has a council, which is elected from the Mandalam members on diocesan basis. I have been elected to the council unopposed from the diocese of Malaysia, Australia, Singapore and New Zealand. The synod of Mar Thoma Church constitutes only bishops (13 bishops) but the sabha secretary and the senior vicar general will also attend the synod meetings. The decisions of the Mandalam have to be approved by the synod before implementation. 2. Mandalam

The Mandalam meetings were conducted on 6,7 and 8th September 2011. The rst day of the Mandalam will have the opening session. There was a devotional address by Bishop Dr Mathews Mar Makarios, the Metropolitan Dr Joseph Mar Thoma delivered the presidential address, and Manorama reported that Mar Thoma church against alcoholism taking a quote from the presidential address. Thirumeni also spoke against prospective gospel in his address. He has also mentioned the improvements that have been made during the year. The next session is on question and answer. All the questions are to be given earlier and the prepared answers will be read out for each question. There was also time to record condolence to the departure of major church members at the inaugural meeting. One of the main agenda of the Mandalam is to pass the accounts and the reports of the church and the church related institutions. This does not include the independent organizations in the church. All the members of the Mandalam are invited for a communion service on the morning of second day. Rt. Rev Gregarious Mar Stephanos celebrated the Holy Communion.

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth!

www.perthmarthoma.org.au

EDITION 10, VOLUME 11

OCTOBER 2011

Report of Mar Thoma Mandalam and Council Meeting September 2011

There was time allotted for presentation of resolutions previously approved by the council. There were three major resolutions this year. One was regarding approving the senior citizens fellowship as one of the approved organizations of the church. This was discussed but decided to keep the informality of the Senior Citizens Fellowship but each parish should have a representative from the Senior Citizens Fellowship in the parish committee. There was a resolution to start a media channel supported by Mar Thoma Church. This was considered favorably but decided to have more study and data and planning. So it was decided to make a committee with people who are in the media from our church and get further ideas for implementation. There was another resolution to make necessary changes in the constitution. It was informed that a committee is working on the changes for the constitution and a special Mandalam will be called for this purpose. Subjects such as the retirement of bishops and clergy will be one of the reforms. The general discussion a few things, which is of some importance to all the members, was discussed. One question was regarding the participation of women in Holy Communion services. It was informed that where men are not present women would assist the Holy Communion service. There will be no objection for women to assist in the communion service if that is acceptable to the parish. There were concerns expressed regarding the situation of the Mar Thoma people in Kuwait. No nal or satisfactory explanation was given, as there was a case about this in the High Court. But it was informed that the procedure taken from the head quarters has been with due consideration of all aspects. Concern has been expressed about people leaving the church but no discussion has happened in this regard. It was reported that even though people move out of the church there are many people coming back to the church also. There was a time for bible study for the Mandalam. This years subject was Reformation in Malankara Church Relevance and Challenges. A book has been prepared for this study and presented very well. There were discussions about the new challenges that the church faces. There were elections for Sabha Secretary, Clergy Trustee, Lay Trustee and Vaideeka Selection Committee. The voting was peaceful and very democratic, but this can be improved further.

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth!

www.perthmarthoma.org.au

EDITION 10, VOLUME 11

OCTOBER 2011

Report of Mar Thoma Mandalam and Council Meeting September 2011

3. Sabha Council

The rst Sabha Council meeting was on Tuesday 13th September 2011. This is my rst council meeting. Very Rev K S Mathew gave the message. He spoke on blessed are those who are weeping you will be consoled. He has explained this very clearly and asked whether we are unhappy about our situation personally as a church, as a community, as a member of the nation and as an international citizen. If we nd we are not fullling the will of God, and working with Him for the Kingdom values we will be blessed. I was asked to pray after the devotional talk. There was time to reect about the Mandalam and a good number of people including me expressed our opinion to make Mandalam better. 4. Conclusion

I have been to the Mandalam before. This years Mandalam was very peaceful, democratic and graceful. It looked like people are concerned with the church in a deeper way and try to see what we can do to improve the situation. This is the rst time I am involved in the council. So I have many challenges and opportunities to do a few things for the period of three years. I present this for your support and prayers.

1) There could be some improvements in the election procedure of the ofce

bearers of the church. There need not be any propaganda if we send the details about the people to the Mandalam members earlier.

2) There will be serious discussion about the constitutional changes of the

church. There will be special Mandalam to discuss this. This needs lots of prayer and preparation to go through the special Mandalam.

3) Even though the diocese of Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand
has been in existence for many years we do not have any administrative structure such as assembly or council for this diocese. So it is important to take necessary steps to make some possible solution for this situation.

4) It may be necessary to start a diocesan journal, as soon as possible.

Coordination of church organization such as Youth League has to be organized on diocesan level as soon as possible. I like to thank you all for electing me to the Mandalam. I also request that you may give your suggestions prayers and support for me to do my responsibilities effectively. Dr. Kuruvilla Mathew Mandalam and Sabha Council Member

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth!

www.perthmarthoma.org.au

EDITION 10, VOLUME 11

OCTOBER 2011

Parish Activities and Events

Sunday School Sunday school on all Sundays before the Holy Communion Service. Venue: Murdoch University Worship Centre (Near Car park # 5) Time: 9:00 AM Sevika Sangham The Sevika Sangham members get together for fellowship once in every three months. This month on 23rd October 2011 at 9:00 AM before the Holy Communion service. Please contact Ms. Shushana George for more details. Edavaka Mission Edavaka Mission meetings are held on 4th Saturdays of every month. Please contact Mr. Sam Koshy for details. Senior Citizens Fellowship Senior Citizens Fellowship meetings are held on 4th Saturdays of every month. 23rd October will be observed as Senior Citizens Sunday. Please contact Mrs. Mary John for more details. Picnic at Piney Lakes, Winthrop on 2nd October 2011 from 3:30PM to 6:30PM. Please contact Mr. Shaji Mathews for more info. North of Leach Highway At the residence of Mr. Gijohn George on 16th October 2011 at 6:00 PM. Please contact Mr. Jinu Johnson for more info. Freo & Others Prayer Group meeting at Araluen Botanical Garden on 1st October 2011 for prayer and fellowship. Please contact Mr. Raja Gopal for more info. Prayer meeting conducted fourth Sunday of every month at 6:00 PM. Please contact Mr. Sajan Jacob for more info. South of Leach Highway Youth Meeting Please contact youth group Secretary Mr. Vitty Jacob for more details. Parish Choir Regular practice sessions of the Parish Choir are conducted after the Sunday service at Murdoch University Worship Centre. Those interested in joining our Parish Choir may please contact the Choir Co-coordinator Mr. Philin M Philip. Area Prayer Meetings North of River

SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday School on all Sundays at 9:00AM before the Services. 02 October 2011 Divine Service in Malayalam 10:00AM 09 October 2011 Divine Service in English 10:00AM 16 October 2011 Divine Service in Malayalam 10:00AM 23 October 2011 Holy Communion Service in English - 10:00AM This Sunday will be observed as Senior Citizens Sunday. 30 October 2011 Worship Service in English lead by Yuvajana Sakhyam Members - 10:00AM Venue: Murdoch University Worship Centre (near Car Park 5) VBS 2011 - 27 - 30 October 2011. Visit parish website for more info.

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth!

www.perthmarthoma.org.au

EDITION 10, VOLUME 11

OCTOBER 2011

Birthdays October 2011

Sapna Abraham (2 October) Ansu Merin Soney (2 October) Ethan John George (3 October) Abraham Kurian (Bobby) (3 October) Susan Philip (8 October) Susan Abraham (10 October) Dr Roy Varghese (12 October) Alan Roy (13 October) Sheen Jinu (18 October) Sunila Nair (18 October) Libin Francis (20 October) Anjali Rachel Mathew (20 October) Susan Solomon (23 October) Liya Mariam Francis (24 October) Jane Sarah Mathews (25 October) Joshua Thomas Ninan (25 October) Philip Kurian Parayil (28 October) Amacia Mathews (29 October) Ecclecia Mathews (29 October) Verghese Jacob (Joji) (October) 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 Anniversaries October 2011

Solomon Jacob & Susan Solomon (7 October) Ben Komattu Mathews & Viji Komattu Mathews (17 October) Bijoe Thomas Varghese & Babbin Susan Mathews (19 October) Dr Kuruvilla Mathew & Valsa Mathew (20 October) Alex Varghese & Preeya Alex (23 October) Mathew John & Renu Mathews (24 October)

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 THE CELEBRANTS HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth!

www.perthmarthoma.org.au