Volume XVII Issue 4 ST THOMAS INDIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH 1009 UNRUH AVE, PHILADELPHIA, PA MAY 2013

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1 Volume XVII Issue 4 ST THOMAS INDIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH 1009 UNRUH AVE, PHILADELPHIA, PA stthomasunruh@gmail.com I Phone: I Fax: NEWSLETTER MAY 2013 MAY NEWSLETTER

2 Assistant Vicar s Looking Forward to Holy Pentecost A few weeks have passed since we celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. So often we consider the post-resurrection days to be days of relaxation and unwinding after such a long period of fasting and praying. Seldom do we consider the days after the Resurrection--the days leading up to Pentecost--as important or needing our spiritual consideration. Basically, our experience is reduced to a grueling three-hour Pentecost service and nothing more. On the contrary, after the Resurrection our eyes should be fixed on receiving the amazing power of the Holy Spirit. In other words, Easter is not the end; it s just the beginning. In the lives of the disciples of Jesus Christ, not one, with the exception of maybe John the beloved disciple, (John 19:25) was transformed at Cross, at the Tomb, or even at the appearance of the resurrected Christ. For example, in the accounts of the post resurrection appearances, the Gospels clearly demonstrate that the disciples couldn t recognize Jesus. (John 21: 1-14; Luke 24: 13-35)Further, they were afraid and did not know what to do next. It was only on the Feast of the Pentecost that the disciples received power and were able to fulfill all that they had experienced with Christ. (Act 2) If this is true for the disciples, then how come it is not true for us? If we feel that Holy Week and the Resurrection is somehow the end or the completion of a great race, then we are far from the truth. This unfortunately is how most Orthodox Christians think which explains why we lack Holy Spirit power. The Resurrection should lead us to receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit. If we stop at the Resurrection then we have failed; and in fact, we never really resurrected with Christ in the first place. But let this not be our predicament, for we are called to be truly Orthodox. Let us stand with confidence looking toward Holy Pentecost with great expectation, knowing that will be filled the Holy Spirit. Amen. Praise the Lord! Fr. Gheevarghese John Asst. Vicar Parish News From Treasurer's Desk Members donated more than $6500 towards Holy week and I want to thank each and everyone for their generous contribution. Please bring remaining Catholicate day contribution Youth League Hosted CPR training on April 28th. Couples Forum Hosted special session on current rules and regulations of OCI Card and Passport details by GM Panicker Special Announcement HG Dr Gheevarghese Mar Ivanios, Metropolitan of Kottayam Diocese went to his heavenly abode. Church as a parish request his intercessory prayers. Wednesday & Thursday Prayer Line Prayer-Line dial-in # Access Code: Please Mathew Samuel, msamue2000@yahoo.com, to add your address for Prayer Line updates. Wednesday 9AM-10AM; Thursday 8PM-9PM Announcements Please send news, articles and information for June 2013 Newsletter by Sunday, May 19 to the parish secretary or newsletter editor: stthomasiocsecretary@gmail.com, stioc.newsletter@gmail.com. Please contact the parish office for any updates in contact information, addition in the family etc. to be added to the database. Please update your telephone numbers for Message Broadcast. Please visit our Web Site for information on upcoming events. Please collect your payment receipt after Holy Qurbana from the office. Please pay your subscription monthly or quarterly for the smooth running of the Church. Prayer Meetings: Please contact Prayer Meeting Coordinator, Mr. Joseph Vakayil, to schedule a prayer meeting. Prayer meetings may be hosted in your home or in Church. MAY NEWSLETTER

3 Mini Renji Anu S Thomas Karina Vattasseril Mathukutty M George Arun Mathew Jacob Sharath M Ninan Aneeta Sara Sam Angel A Ninan Annamma Jacob Mony Babu Omana Varghese Geo Vaidian Mathew V Thomas Anila Jose Anoop T George Liz Pothen Ashley E Philip Aview Varghese Jasmin Ann Philip Jessy R Padiyara Mini Jose Jaison Thomas Jino Jacob Sibi Varghese Rajan Koshy Gigi Thomas Renji Varghese Ancy Jins Joel Chacko Divya Panicker Libin J Jacob Nirmala Thomas Annamma Mathew Chandini P George Mini George Jose V Abraham Anil Panicker Shane Varughese Thomas David Philip Usha Jacob Dhanya A Panicker Saji George Christy Joy Mary Joseph Prenin P George George Mathew Rekha M Philip Lincy Ann Philip Jibu Vergis Aleyamma Daniel Tinju S jose Thomas Skariah Rajan C Padiyara May Birthdays Tinu John Biju Reni Philip Abraham Koodathinalil Sunil George Liziamma Geevarghese John P Mathai Rajan Thundiyeth Reena Mathai Sosamma Benny Annamma Mathew Molly Mathai Satheesh Easow Jayce J Philip Prince John Puliprath Joyce V Raju Suja Thomas Joy G Vaidyan Shawn Jacob Sosamma Benny Annamma Mathew Molly Mathai Sathees Easow Jayce J Philip Prince John Puliprath Joyce v Raju Suja Thomas Joy G. Vaidian Shawn Jacob Anish Thomas Linda Varghese Ninan Chacko Mary Rajan Susamma Mathew Bindhu Jiju Shibu Varghese Somi Peediyakkal Jacob Manju Shibu Daniel Varghese Philip Varghese Joji Thomas Baby Varghese Annamma Thomson Susamma Thomas Anto G Panicker David Thomas Rinu John Santhosh M Baby Sobha P. Biju Jobin Jacob Lizy Sam Kurisinmoottil Jiju George Jeena Elsa Abraham Robin Philip Micah V Panicker Abhilash John Anna Varghese Anoop John Mariamma P Geevarghese Joshua Ajo Raju Sara Daniel Chacko P Chacko Smitha Robin Varghese Philip Boby George Sanju Varghese John George Thadathil Rini P Joseph Biji Joseph Biju Varghese Aiden George Achamma Vaidian Nathan Philip Annamma Vaidian Alan T Ninan Jessy Saji Thomas Vakkayil Mathew Jacob Elizabeth Abraham Kunjumole Thankachan Ajan Achamma Thomas Rachel Varghese Ponnamma Baby George G Mampallil Sheena Vaidian Beena Sabu Isac P. George Mariamma Skaria Aleyamma Thomas Ponnachen Geevarghese Philip John Suja Mathew Susan John Sijo P Mathai Bini Thankachan Liza Oommen Suja Koshy Shibu M Baby Reny Varughese We wish you all a Happy Birthday! May Wedding Anniversaries Mr and Mrs Rev Fr M K Kuriakose Mr and Mrs Rev Dn Daniel Yohannan Mr and Mrs George Varughese Mr and Mrs George T Charia Mr and Mrs Johnkutty V K Mr and Mrs Don Davy Mr and Mrs Kunjappy Koshy Mr and Mrs Raju Markose Mr and Mrs Oommen Mathia Mr and Mrs Mathew Jacob Mr and Mrs Jerin G Juby Mr and Mrs Jeff George Mr and Mrs Varghese Varghese Mr and Mrs Renu Susan Raju Mr and Mrs Kuncheriah P V Mr and Mrs Aju Jacob Mr and Mrs Joy G Vaidian Mr and Mrs Geo Vaidian Mr and Mrs Wilson Panicker Mr and Mrs Saji Abraham Mr and Mrs Varghese Philip Mr and Mrs Joseph M C Mr and Mrs Saji V Mathew Mr and Mrs Thomas Skariah We wish you all a Happy Anniversary! MAY NEWSLETTER

4 Sunday School News Preparation for Final Exam Submitted by Oommen Kappil, Principal (Tel.: , As we get closer to the end of the school year, the teachers are busy preparing the students for the final examination. A few teachers have covered the prescribed syllabus already, and now doing the review. For the Grades that have centralized examination (Grades 5, 8, 10 and 12), question papers from previous years are available for reference. Some teachers have started going over these questions to prepare the students better. Some teachers are planning to conduct review on Saturday afternoons. Parents are encouraged to check with the class teachers of their children to find out how they can help the students to prepare. Assigned competitions Parish-level Assigned Competitions (Essay and Drawing) are being held on May 5th. (Those students who are unable to compete on May 5th due to personal reasons or unavailability are requested to contact Liz Pothen, the Coordinator, for possible alternate arrangement.) The best two entries in each category will be selected, and the winners from this competition will represent our church at the Area Level competition on May 19th. For further details, please contact Liz Pothen, Assigned Competition Coordinator (Tel.: , lizpothen@hotmail.com) Talent Competitions Children can compete either in Malayalam or English (not both) in song, story and Elocution. Time limit: Song and Storytelling: 3 minutes; Elocution: 5 minutes. All students are eligible to compete in team events (Quiz and Group Song) For further details, please contact Suja Abraham, Talent Competitions Coordinator (Tel. : , sujaabe2000@gmail.com) Group & Grades (All Grades as of 1/1/13) Eligible Competition Events Group 1: Grades Pre-K & KG Solo Song Story Telling Group 2: Grades 1 & 2 Solo Song Story Telling Group 3: Grades 3 & 4 Solo Song Story Telling Group 4: Grades 5 & 6 Solo Song Elocution Group 5: Grades 7 & 8 Solo Song Elocution Group 6: Grades 9 & 10 Solo Song Elocution Group 7: Grades 11 & 12 Solo Song Elocution Group & Grades Group 4: Grades 5 & 6 Group 5: Grades 7 & 8 Group 6: Grades 9 & 10 Group 7: Grades 11 & 12 Elocution Topics Elocution Topics Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own. (1 Corinthians 6:19) 2. Describe the importance of prayer in the life of an Orthodox Christian. 1. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Corinthians 13:1) 2. Describe the importance of Scripture in the life of an Orthodox Christian. 1. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, (James 1:19) 2. How does the Tradition of the Church preserve the Orthodox Faith? 1. Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return; the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. (Job 1:21) 2. What is the importance of the Holy Trinity within Christian Orthodoxy? Bible Quiz Reference for Bible Quiz: (RSV Bible Version) 1. Ezra 2. Job 3. Gospel of St. John MAY NEWSLETTER

5 News from Spiritual Organizations Martha Mariam Samajam (MMS): MMS meets alternate Sundays at the church auditorium after Holy Communion for prayer, Bible Study, learning songs and more. For more details of their activities please contact Secretary Saji Philip for more details. Women s Fellowship: Women s Fellowship meets on a regular basis for prayer and meditation. Contact Mrs. Bessie Mathew (bessie334@yahoo.com) for more details. MGOCSM: Our young men and women who are in high school and college have been engaged in Apostolic Bible Study, thought-provoking discussions and relevant group projects. For more information, contact Secretary Mr. Alvin Panicker (rmsalvin@gmail.com) for more details. Middle School Fellowship (CAYA): CAYA (Come As You Are) is geared towards middle school students! All middle school children (children in grades 6, 7, or 8) are welcome and encouraged to attend this Middle School Fellowship, or CAYA. This ministry is unique, because it allows the children to provide feedback and ideas, which encourages them to take an active role in the church. Please contact our Vicar, Asst. Vicar or coordinator Ms. Meenu Mathews (meenuamathews@yahoo.com) for more details. Discipleship Ministry: Over the past month and a half a select group of young men have been fully engaged in learning the essential of becoming a disciple for Christ. We are proud of the young men who have dedicated their time for this ministry. Please contact our Assistant Vicar for more details. Couples Fellowship: This fairly new ministry in our parish has been explained in detail in the previous edition of this newsletter, that is, it's formation and structure. More of our men must contribute their time for this ministry. Please contact Mr. Jacob Chacko(Reji) and Mrs.Susan John Varghese for more details. OCYM: During the past month OCYM has been examining the Malankara Orthodox church and its apostolic roots. Please contact Secretary Mr. Paul John (pjohn_19446@yahoo.com) for more information. Men s Forum: Men s Forum fellowship is going very strongly in our Church. The format of this session includes prayer, songs, bible reading, teaching followed by discussions. For more information please contact Mr. Thomaskutty Varghese (thomaskuttyv62@yahoo.com) for more details. FOCUS: FOCUS, Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in the United States is an organization intended for young adults, married and single, post-graduate students and professionals, from the ages of 23 and up. Contact our Assistant Vicar for more details. Middle School Fellowship (CAYA) This month the Middle School Fellowship had its meeting on April 20. The theme was Expectations. The children discussed the different types of expectations that different groups of people had for them and how they can fulfill them through God. The next meeting is to be announced, and all children in grades 6-8 are requested to attend. If you have any questions, Gheevarghese Achen atgheevarghesejohn@gmail.com or Meenu Mathews at meenuamathews@yahoo.com. MAY NEWSLETTER

6 Sunday School Calendar Event Date Contact Comments Area Teachers Meeting, TTC Coaching Saturday, April 6 Santhosh Baby St. Gregorios Church Assigned Competition Sunday, May 5* Liz Pothen Parish Level Assigned Competition Sunday, May 12 Liz Pothen Area Level, St Mary's Devereux Bible Quiz Sunday, May 19* Suja Abraham Parish-level Area Picnic Saturday, June 8 Renju Padiyara Area-level Centralized Exam 12 th Grade Sunday, June 2 Jessie Jacob St. John's Church Felicitation of Graduates Sunday, June 15 * Santhosh Baby Parish-level Centralized Exam- Grades 5, 8, 10 & TTC Exam Sunday, June 30 Class Teachers St. Mary's Cathedral OVBS Aug 1, 2, 3 Jenni Raj Location: Our Church Field Trip Monday, Sept 2 Santhosh Baby Area-level,Northeast Adult Daycare Talent Competition Saturday, Sept. 14 Suja Abraham Parish Level Talent Competition Saturday, Sept. 28 Suja Abraham Area Level, St. John's Church Talent Competition Saturday, Oct. 12 Suja Abraham Diocesan Level, NY/NJ Area *Tentative dates only Parish Calendar Date Event/Time Location Time June 15 MMS Diocesan level Couples Forum Church TBA July Family & Youth Conference NY OCYM Calendar May 19, 2013 Bake Sale June 08, 2013 One Day Trip to Poconos June 30, 2013 Summer Bar-B-Q September 7, 2013 (Tentative) Fishing Trip 2013 Family & Youth Conference Dates: July 10 to July 13, 2013 Location: Honor's Haven Resort and Spa 1195 Arrowhead Road Ellenville, NY Theme: "Offer ourselves as a living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1) Speakers: Rev. Fr. Dr. Baby Varghese Professor, Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam Rev. Fr. John Parker For more information, please familyandyouthconference@gmail.com. MAY NEWSLETTER