ST THOMAS INDIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH NEWSLETTER

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1 ST THOMAS INDIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH NEWSLETTER May 2012 Volume XVI Issue UNRUH AVE PHILADELPHIA, PA Contact Info: stthomasunruh@gmail.com Phone: Fax: And when the Day of Pentecost Came! Vicar s Message Acts 2:1, And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Fifty days after Easter we have a very important event that we look forward to: The Day of Pentecost. The day of Pentecost signifies the arrival of Holy Spirit the third person in the Holy Trinity. Holy Spirit was briefly mentioned in the Old Testament. Several references are available indicating the spirit of God. At least 60 times the usage Spirit of God is seen in the Old Testament but it was generally to indicate the spirit of God rather than the third person in the Godhead Holy Trinity. Holy Spirit as person in the Godhead was not revealed prior to the incarnation of our Lord. The authentic revelation of God as Three in One was made through Jesus Christ one of the persons in the Holy Trinity. In the Early Church especially the Cappadocian Fathers it was a real struggle to define the Holy Spirit. Saint Basil s On the Holy Spirit became the most popular writing that defined the Holy Trinity and the Holy Spirit. Some Facts on the Coming of the Holy Spirit: 1. Full Revelation of the Holy Spirit: As we read in Hebrews 1:1, God was revealed partially to the world till the incarnation of Jesus Christ. In the same way, Holy Spirit was known partially for humans but He was fully revealed at the Pentecost. The Old Testament references are indicative of this fact. From the Book of Genesis we could see the Spirit of God in operation. But its fullness was never revealed because no one knew how to reveal the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus who is one with the Holy Spirit and the Father knew the fullness of the Spirit and thus He promised, when the Spirit comes He will guide to the fullness of truth. John 16:13. The world was given the opportunity to know and experience the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ. Therefore in the Niceno- Constantinopolitan creed we read, we believe in one living Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and with the hope that he/she will the Son is worshipped and be able to live up to the Holy glorified and spoke through Spirit to exhibit that power to the prophets and the apostles Thus the Apostles the world. Unfortunately the present day Christians are living in a way that is too far became fully equipped with the power of the Holy away from the way of the Holy Spirit. St. Paul received Spirit and now the world is this power and he taught confused, is there such a thing authentically about the called Holy Spirit! gifts of the Holy Spirit in 1 2. The Disciples were Corinthians12 and fruit of in One Accord and one place: the Spirit in Galatian 5:22, It is important to note that the love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, good- condition that was pointed out to the coming of the Holy Spirit is unity. It is mentioned that ness, faith, meekness and temperance. For a fullness the apostles and other followers, 120 of them, were in one of life what else does a human being need? Nothing! accord. In other words they But it is impossible to convince the world of today were united at heart. Yes indeed all the people in the Upper Room were waiting for the that these virtues are costlier than the values the values of the world. Believe it Holy Spirit with one goal, to receive the power from Above. or not, the fullness of divine truth is found in the Unity is a condition for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Often we wonder why Holy Spir- life of Christ and its knowledge will be acquired it won t come into our worship ONLY when the Holy with the full power. We know Spirit enters the life of an that we are not united at heart. individual. In the Baptism, Each person comes with a different agenda to worship. Each through the anointing with the Holy Chrism, this power is symbolically imparted person has a different goal in life. People live in discord, to the baptismal candidate Continued on page 4 MAY NEWSLETTER

2 Anu S Thomas 5/1 Mini Renji 5/1 Karina Vattasseril5/2 Aneeta Sara Sam5/3 Mathukutty M. George5/3 Arun Mathew Jacob5/3 Sharath M Ninan5/3 Angel A Ninan 5/3 Annamma Jacob5/4 Omana Varghese5/5 Anila T Chacko 5/5 Mathew V Thomas5/5 Mony Babu 5/5 Geo Vaidian 5/5 Liz Pothen 5/6 Anoop T George5/6 Aview Varghese5/7 Ashley E Philip 5/7 Jessy R Padiyara5/8 Jasmin Ann Philip5/8 Mini Jose 5/8 Sibi Varghese 5/9 Jino Jacob 5/9 Jaison Thomas 5/9 Ancy Jins 5/10 Gigi Thomas 5/10 Renji Varghese 5/10 Santosh V Mathew5/10 Rajan Koshy 5/10 Joel Chacko 5/10 Divya Panicker 5/11 Nirmala Thomas5/11 Libin J. Jacob 5/11 Jose V Abraham5/12 Mini George 5/12 Annamma Mathew5/12 Chandini P. George5/12 Anil Panicker 5/12 Anil Panicker 5/12 Usha Jacob 5/13 Bindu Mathew 5/13 Shane Varughese Thomas5/13 Dhanya A Panicker5/14 Saji George 5/14 Christy Joy 5/15 Mary Joseph 5/15 Lincy Ann Philip5/16 George Mathew 5/16 Rekha M Philip 5/16 May Birthdays Prenin P. George5/16 Jibu Vergis 5/17 Aleyamma Daniel5/17 Tinju S Jose 5/18 Thomas Skariah 5/18 Tinu John Biju 5/18 Rajan C Padiyara5/18 Reni Philip 5/19 John P Mathai 5/20 Reena Mathai 5/20 Liziamma Geevarghese5/20 Sunil George 5/20 Abraham Koodathinalil Varughese5/20 Rajan Thundiyeth5/20 Annamma Mathew5/21 Sosamma Benny 5/21 Sathees Easo 5/22 Prince John Puliprath5/22 Molly Mathai 5/22 Jayce J Philip 5/22 Joy G. Vaidian 5/23 Aishwarya Maria Mathew5/23 Anish Thomas 5/23 Shawn Jacob 5/23 Suja Thomas 5/23 Joyce v Raju 5/23 Susamma Mathew5/24 Mary Rajan 5/24 Linda Varghese 5/24 Ninan Chacko 5/24 Anto G Panicker 5/25 Santhosh M Baby5/25 Shibu Varghese 5/25 Joji Thomas 5/25 Samkutty John 5/25 Somi Peediyakkal Jacob5/25 Annamma Thomson5/25 Philip Varghese 5/25 Baby Varghese 5/25 Susamma Thomas5/25 Daniel Varghese 5/25 Anto Panicker 5/25 Bindhu Jiju 5/25 Manju Shibu 5/25 Rinu John 5/25 Sobha P. Biju 5/25 Jeena Elsa Abraham5/26 Jobin Jacob 5/26 Jiju George 5/26 Lizy Sam Kurisinmoottil5/26 Abhilash John 5/27 Micah V Panicker5/27 Robin Philip 5/27 Mariamma P Geevarghese5/27 Anna Varghese 5/27 Anoop John 5/27 Sara Daniel 5/27 George Thadathil5/28 Smitha Robin 5/28 Sanju Varghese John5/28 Boby George 5/28 Rini P Joseph 5/28 Chacko P Chacko5/28 Beena John 5/30 Mariamma Skaria5/30 Rachel Varghese5/30 Aleyamma Thomas5/30 Biji Joseph 5/30 Jessy Saji 5/30 Nathan Philip 5/30 George G Mampallil5/30 Achamma Vaidian5/30 Elizabeth Abraham5/30 Mathew Jacob 5/30 Ponnamma Baby5/30 Alan T Ninan 5/30 Isac P. George 5/30 Ponnachen Geevarghese5/30 Annamma Vaidian5/30 Thomas Vakkayil5/30 Kunjumole Thankachan5/30 Ajan Achamma Thomas5/30 Sheena Vaidian 5/30 Liza Oommen 5/31 Suja Mathew 5/31 Sijo P Mathai 5/31 Suja Koshy 5/31 Bini Thankachan5/31 Philip John 5/31 Shibu M Baby 5/31 Susan John 5/31 Reny Varughese5/31 We wish you all a very Happy Birthday! MAY NEWSLETTER

3 Parish News Obituary: Annamma Jacob, sister in law of Abraham John and Samkutty John passed away. Our prayers are with them always! Guest Priest: H. G. Zachariah Mar Nicholovos Rev. Fr. Wilson Shankarathil Wednesday Prayer Line Prayer-Line dial-in # Access Code: Please Mr. Mathew Samuel, msamue2000@yahoo.com, to add your address for Prayer Line updates. Playback Dial-in Number: Access Code: (Speaker Dr. C.C. John) English Prayer line: Access Code: (Speaker Mr. Binny Cherian) April 26th Recording Access Code: (Speaker Bindu Alexander) April Wedding Anniversaries Mr & Mrs George T Charia 5/4 Mr & Mrs George Varughese 5/4 Mr & Mrs Rev. Fr M K Kuriakose 5/5 Mr & Mrs Rev Dn. Daniel Yohannan 5/5 Mr & Mrs Johnkutty V. K. 5/5 Mr & Mrs Thomas Varghese 5/9 Mr & Mrs Kunjappy Koshy 5/14 Mr & Mrs Oommen Mathai 5/14 Mr & Mrs Raju Markose 5/14 Mr & Mrs Mathew Jacob 5/15 Mr & Mrs Varghese Varghese 5/16 Mr & Mrs Jeff George 5/16 Mr & Mrs Reny Susan Raju 5/16 Mr & Mrs Jerin Juby 5/16 Mr & Mrs Kuncheriah P V. 5/19 Mr & Mrs Aju Jacob 5/20 Mr & Mrs Joy G. Vaidian 5/21 Mr & Mrs Geo Vaidian 5/23 Mr & Mrs Wilson Panicker 5/24 Mr & Mrs Saji Abraham 5/25 Mr & Mrs Joseph M C. 5/26 Mr & Mrs Saji V Mathew 5/27 Mr & Mrs Thomas Skariah 5/28 We wish you all a very Happy Anniversary! Divyabodhanam Divyabodhanam course is on all first Saturdays at our church. Please contact course coordinator Mrs. Elsa Koshy for further details. Announcements Please don t block our parking lot. Be considerate to others. Please sent news, articles and information for June 2012 Newsletter by Sunday, May 27 to the parish secretary or newsletter editor. sam@samjacobk.com, jerinjuby@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. Transform with Christ (Jerin Juby) Take heart, transformation happens as you keep company with Jesus. said Calhoun in the book Spiritual Discipline Handbook. The abundant mercies and grace of our Lord and our God Jesus Christ has brought our lives to this point. Every now and then, I ask a question to myself Am I transformed like Jesus want me to? Isaiah 5: 1-7 says that God planted a vineyard expecting good grapes but instead it yielded wild grapes (v 2). Jesus said, I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (Jn 15: 1-2). Am I a branch that is attached to Jesus Christ? Am I yielding good grapes or wild grapes? Prayer Meetings: Please contact Prayer Meeting Coordinator, Mrs. Susan Mathew, to schedule a prayer meeting at your residence. MAY NEWSLETTER

4 Greetings In Christ Christ Is Risen! Ministry-Driven Parish As we approach the Summer of 2012, as a parish we should reflect on how we have grown spiritually. Spiritual growth, beyond all other things, is the most important component of a parish. Recently, you have been hearing about a few new ministries in the parish. First, Young Adults and Couples Fellowship is an attempt to combine Couples Forum and FOCUS on a parish level. Its aim is to bring together FOCUS members and young couples in a common fellowship in Jesus, focusing on the needs and issues of young adults and couples. Second, Discipleship Ministry is a unique ministry where the purpose is to bring together parish believers who are interested in strengthening their relationship with Jesus Christ and serving the church either through leadership, deaconate or priesthood. Third, College Ministry is an integral part of any parish/church ministry. Years ago there was an Indian Orthodox presence on Temple University campus. Unfortunately, for the past four years that has disappeared. Although, nothing concrete has been establish as of yet, we are working on acquiring a room on Temple campus. Once that is done, we will begin having Divine Liturgy once a month, followed by Bible Fellowship. The College Ministry will function as a service to our college students but also as mission of Indian Orthodoxy in the inner city. Finally, many of you have heard of Philadelphia Renewal Convention, which will be held on June 2, 2012, at our own parish, from 9am to 4pm. This is time to renew our faith in Jesus and His Church. At this Convention we will have powerful Spirit-filled speakers who will direct participants in dedicating their lives to Jesus Christ. Two messages will be in Malayalam and one in English. It is a Convention that is directed toward the young and mature. I hope and pray you will be there. All of these ministries exist, not for the sake of having a ministry or simply to say we are active, but rather that the message of the Gospel be revealed in every aspect of parish life. That is the goal. May the name of Jesus we glorified. Let every knee bow let every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord! Indeed He Is Risen! In Christ, Fr. Gheevarghese John Asstistant Vicar Discipleship Ministry St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia, PA Purpose: Time: 3:00PM Where: Green Room Committed Participates are Welcome The purpose of Discipleship Ministry to bring together individuals who have a desire to serve the Orthodox Church, presently, or in the future, in either as a Servant Leader, Deacon or Priest, and provide for them direction on how to live a Christ-like life in the experience and life of the Orthodox Church. Phase 1: Christ The Way, Truth & Life April 15, 2012: Christ God April 29, 2012: Christ the Savior May 13, 2012: Christ the King May 27, 2012: Christ the Friend Continued from page 1 misunderstanding, anger, hatred, disunity and so on. How will the Holy Spirit come into our worship or into our community? Jesus taught the apostles, when two or three people are gathered together in my name, I will be in the midst of them (Matt. 18:20). Rarely our minds are united when we are together. We sometimes gather together with one aim in large crowds in political party style. Definitely Christ cannot be in the midst of them because they are not meeting in His name. So also, our meetings, fellowships, worships etc. are not done in one accord. Thus we never get the experience of the Holy Spirit. The day of Pentecost is going to be on May 26 th this year. Let us remember that the Holy Spirit has been revealed to us in His fullness and that is our duty to obey Him. Also, it is conditional that the Holy Spirit will come in full power to our situations only if we are truly united at heart. Lovingly, Fr. M. K. Kuriakose, Vicar MAY NEWSLETTER

5 A Report on the Mission Trip to Dulac (Our parish members, Mr. Regi Mathai and Mr. Binny Cherian, were blessed with an amazing experience on their mission trip to Dulac, Louisiana. Below is a brief report on their experience, prepared by Mr. Binny Cherian) Greetings to all in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Recently, both Regi Mathai uncle and I were part of a small group of volunteers, numbering ten, from different churches in Philadelphia and Delaware, under the Umbrella of Ecumenical Churches of Philadelphia, that went on a Mission trip to Dulac, Louisiana, led by Mr. O.C.Abraham of the Mar Thoma Church in coordination with the local United Methodist Church, to help rebuild homes, of the Native American Indians that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina in the year Now, if you are wondering whether there is a typo in the year mentioned earlier, sad but true that is indeed a very long time to stay out of your own home. Dulac is home to the Native American Indian tribe Houma that has lived there for hundreds of years. It is situated below the sea level with Bayou around it and is considered a wetland, which makes it a nightmare for the people during a heavy downpour, let alone the storm Katrina which was very strong. Close to 30 percent of the population there live under the poverty line. After Katrina damaged all the homes in the area, the United Methodist church set up the Dulac Mission Center to help the needy. Applications are accepted, addressed based on the severity and most importantly the manpower available, volunteers like us who go there and help in the task. During our stay there for the two days, our God gave us the strength to work on two separate homes, time and effort was split among the ten of us. The first home was damaged by the storm and left it in an uninhabitable condition, hence was unoccupied for the last six years. The owner, Annie was staying with her relatives all the past years. She always wanted to return home but the needs of other people that made requests was more critical, hence she had to wait for her turn all this time to get it addressed. To avoid water entering the homes again, most of the homes in the area have been lifted off the ground and placed on ten foot tall wooden structure that support it, by other mission teams earlier. Our tasks for Annie s home included, clearing up all the rooms that was full of unwanted and damaged items, removing the damaged vinyl from the living room, kitchen and the two bedrooms, laying the laminate floor, fixing the walls for minor damages, painting the walls, adding crown molding in the living room, adding 3 new doors, 1 doorway, and re-finishing the front door and installing a water heater. The second home, a trailer belongs to Linda, her husband who is ill, children and grand children. Their home was repaired a long time ago by one of OC uncle s earlier mission teams that made it livable, however the plywood on the floor now started to crack and chip. This home was not in our plan for the work schedule, however at the dinner that was arranged for us and the natives, this family made their request, it was then decided that we would surely try to help them. Though our schedule was very tight we were able to finish the task of laying the laminate in the living room, hallway and one of the bedrooms in the home. They are waiting for us to come back and do the same in the kitchen and the other bedroom in their home. It is very important that we involve ourselves, hands on, rather than send money to missions like we normally do, we shy away because a personal experience needs sacrifice of our money, time and vacation. But believe us when we say, the end result definitely changes our perspective on life, the blessings we have in our lives, that leads to thankfulness to God and contentment in our lives. We went to Dulac thinking we were going there to help others, however when we returned, we came back helped ourselves and pictures in our hearts of the smiles and happiness of the families that we could reach, will be cherished all our lives not including a resolve now, to reach out to our brothers and sisters in need. Closing this report with the following verses that is intended for us, the children of God taken from St. Mathew 25, Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me Thanking God Almighty for this opportunity Binny Cherian MAY NEWSLETTER

6 This poem is the prayer of all volunteers and myself returning from the Dulac Mission field after witnessing the devastation and suffering in all these years,regretting being not able to do anything until now,but thanking God for giving the opportunity to help ease the pain of a person or a family, experiencing the love and gratitude of the Dulac people, and hoping that more will be done. A Volunteer s Prayer God of Glory and Grace, We give Thee many thanks For bringing us to Dulac And for our fellowship, love and fun, But most of all for the work that s been done. We ask your blessings for the people we ve met And for the work here to be done yet. We ask for your protection as we go on our way And ask guidance for our foot steps everyday. Please forgive us when we miss our mark And lift us up when the moments seem dark. You said when we serve others, we serve You. Let us continue to serve as there is much more to do! Amen (a poem by Mr. Reji Mathai, on his experience at the Mission Trip to Dulac, Louisiana) Sunday School News (Oommen Kappil, Principal)(Tel.: , kappil1@yahoo.com) OVBS Picture Drawing Winners, Parish Level Upper Pre-K KG Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Overall winner: Sheena Vaidian Jayden Mathew Lucas Philip Hannah Thomas Joshua Mathew Nathaniel Mathew Lambert Thomas Leona Thomas Remya Brown Sheena Vaidian Reshma Padiyara Sarah Samuel Meenu Mathews Sneha Jose (Sheena s winning entry has been submitted to the Diocese as per the Diocesan-level guidelines.) Teachers Conference, OVBS Planning Meeting and TTC Refresher Course -Held on April 28, 2012 at St. Mary s Cathedral. Several teachers from our Sunday School participated in the Teachers Conference. Rev Fr. V. M. Shibu led a workshop for teachers. Steve Kurian (Coordinator, OVBS) led the planning meeting on OVBS. Teachers Training Certificate (TTC) Refresher Course was conducted for the Teachers. Instructors from our parish included Jessie Jacob, Oommen Kappil and Mathew Samuel. Those who are interested in getting a copy of the TTC Study materials should contact Regi Mathai. Orthodox Vacation Bible School (OVBS) News OVBS for 2012 will be held on August 2nd through 4th at our parish. Time will be 9am - 4pm each day Theme: "We are One in Christ"- Galatians 3:28 Registration Fee: $25 per student; $10 per guest students; $10 per teacher/volunteer College students have registration fee waived. Teachers/Volunteers Needed: The Coordinators are looking Teachers and Volunteers for OVBS. If you are interested, please contact Steve Kurian. MAY NEWSLETTER

7 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 Mrs. Omana Varghese 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 Meetings are held every Sunday after the Sunday School. Regular bible studies are part of their mission. For more information, contact Secretary Ms. Christina Thomas (tina_thomas1131@yahoo.com) for more details. Discipleship Ministry The purpose of Discipleship Ministry to bring together individuals who have a desire to serve the Orthodox Church, presently, or in the future, in either as a Servant Leader, Deacon or Priest, and provide for them direction on how to live a Christ-like life in the experience and life of the Orthodox Church. More details are on page 3. Young Adults and Couples Fellowship Couples Forum is very active in our Church. The meetings are held every other Sunday. Please contact Mr. Sneha Reynold (snehareynold@gmail.com) for the weekly schedule. OCYM OCYM meets on alternate Sundays after Holy Communion. OCYM is conducting the Faith Study Series. Please check the flier on page 8.Please contact Secretary Mr. Jobin Abraham (jobin.abraham@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. N. V. Thomas. 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 Mr. Steve Kurian (stevekurian@yahoo.com) for more details. MAY NEWSLETTER

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10 Sunday School Calendar Event Date & Time Venue Comments Assigned Competition Sunday, May 6 St. Thomas IOC Parish-level Centralized Exam 12 th Grade Sunday, June 3 St. Mary s Cathedral Diocesan-level Area level SS Picnic Saturday, June 9 To be announced Area-level Bible Quiz Sunday, June 10? St. Thomas IOC Parish-level Felicitation of Graduates Sunday, June 17 St. Thomas IOC Parish-level Assigned Competition Sunday, June 17 To be Announced Area level Centralized Exam- Grades 5, 8, 10 & TTC Exam Sunday, June 24 St. Gregorios Bensalem Diocesan-level OVBS August 2-4 St. Thomas IOC Area-level Talent Competition Saturday, Sept. 15 St. Thomas IOC Parish Level Talent Competition Saturday, Sept. 29? St. Thomas IOC Area level Talent Competition Saturday, Oct. 13? TBA Diocesan level MAY NEWSLETTER