Messenger Feb 2011

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and My God”. (St. John 20:28)

Issue No. 2 Vol. V

February 2011

A Monthly publication for the St. Thomas Mar Thoma Parish, Kuwait

We take this opportunity to express our Hearty Congratulations to H.H the Amir and the People of Kuwait, on the occasion of the Country’s 50th Anniversary of sovereignty, & 20th Anniversary of Liberation

P.O. Box 25562 Safat 13116 Kuwait Tel : 2563 5253 (Res.) Mob : 6603 0775 St. Thomas Centre Tel: 2564 7060 E-mail: st.thomasmtcq8@gmail.com www.st-thomasmtckuwait.com

Rev. Thomas Koshy Panachamoottil Vicar

frpanacha@yahoo.in fatherpanachi@gmail.com (For Private Circulation only)

Parsonage Location Salmiya, Street 10, Bldg No. 20 1st Floor, Flat No. 14 Al-Dhahok Bin Qays Street Opp. Bestow Super Market

Dear Beloved in Christ, “God in your grace, transform the world” was the theme of the 9th assembly of the W.C.C. It is a beautiful prayer to God. We, as God’s children pray to God for transformation. In Christ, we have direct access to God. Prayer is communion and communication with God. Its shows our dependence on God, and through prayer, one gets attuned to the will of God. Prayer prepares the ground for personal and social transformation. It provides the inner strength for that mission.

Transformation is an ongoing process of total re-orientation of life with all its aspirations, ideologies, structures and values. It is primarily God’s activity. Therefore the main agenda in our prayer must be personal and social transformation.

Our Maramon Convention is scheduled to be held from February 13th to 20th. Let us pray for the successes of the convention. May this convention enable us to lead a transformed life in our personal and social lives.

The State of Kuwait, the nation which we live and earn our livelihood is celebrating on 25th and 26th the 50th National Day and 20th Liberation day respectively. We must be grateful to the leaders and people of this nation for their kindness and supports. We, the St. Thomas community should pray for the betterment of this nation.

Our Harvest Festival will be held on 18th February. It will be a time of joy, honor and gratitude to the Almighty God. The theme of this year’s festival is “Celebrate the harvest by sharing” the word “HARVEST” contains four hidden words - starve, have, share and rest. The word ‘Starve’ reminds us of the starvation that millions of people suffer in this world. So, it is a time to remember our unfortunate brethren in our prayers. The word “HAVE” reminds us of the blessings that God has showered upon us. It is a time of thanksgiving for the ‘haves’ in our lives. The word ‘Share’ reminds us of our responsibility as Christians; as we are called stewards by our Lord. We need to share our haves with our brethren. The ‘Rest’ reminds us of the assurance of the reward from God when we share our haves with the starved. Let us celebrate our Harvest Festival by sharing our haves with needy brethren.

May Lord help us to transform the world through the little difference we may make.

Yours in Christ Panachamoottil Achen Our Vicar’s family kochamma Lovely, daughter Gargi & son Gautham arrived in Kuwait on 11/11/2011. Gargi and Gautham have joined ICSK to continue their studies. Let us remember the family in our prayers and wish them a blessed and pleasant family life in Kuwait.

New Members Member No. 0396

Member No. 402

Prayer Group: Ephraim

Prayer Group: Emmaus

Name: Ginu Mathews K. Varghese

Name: Sam Mathews

Mother Parish: Thelliyoor Salem

Mother Parish: Kumbanadu Salem

Contact No. : 97917378

Contact No. : 99280938

Member No. 0397

Member No. 403

Prayer Group: Canaan

Prayer Group: Ephrath

Name: Tobby Mathew Varughese

Name: Moncy Abraham

Mother Parish: Elanthoor Salem

Mother Parish: Karimba St. Thomas

Contact No. : 99550591 / 25632957

Contact No. : 99718537

Member No. 404 Member No. 0398

Prayer Group: Canaan

Prayer Group: Canaan

Name: Thomas Mathew

Name: Tinku Abraham Mathew

MothEr Parish: Kozhencherry St.

Mother Parish: Anamala St. Thomas

Thomas

Contact No. : 66421904

Contact No. : 99398297 / 25660857

Member No. 405 Member No. 0399

Prayer Group: Shekam

Prayer Group: Ephrath

Name: Jibu Chacko Vurghese

Name: Jerry George Oommen

Mother Parish: Kuttappuzha Jeru-

Mother Parish: Venmony Sehion

salem

Contact No. : 66545961

Contact No. : 97682203 / 24731745

Member No. 406 Member No. 400

Prayer Group: Ephraim

Prayer Group: Eden

Name: Jimmy Cherian Varghese

Name: Simon Abraham

Mother Parish: Kuttappuzha Jeru-

Mother Parish: Ayroor Salem

salem

Contact No. : 66890925

Contact No. : 99967590

Member No. 401

Member No. 407

Prayer Group: Ephrath

Prayer Group: Eden

Name: Eappen P. Mathew

Name: Sabu George

Mother Parish : Chengannoor Valiyapalli

Mother Parish: Rajagiri Mar Thoma

Contact No. : 90076484

Contact No. : 66174259

Member No. 408

Member No. 412

Prayer Group: Mizpah

Prayer Group: Mahanaim

Name: Roni Thomas John

Name: Biju Thomas

Mother Parish: Mangalam St. Thomas

Mother Parish: Othera Ebenezer

Contact No. : 55041085

Contact No. : 67094578

Member No. 409 Prayer Group: Emmaus

Member No. 413

Name: Blesson Daniel Philip

Prayer Group: Kadesh

Mother Parish: Kizhakkenmuthoor

Name: Valliya Thazhel Sajan

St. Pauls

Mother Parish: Hyderabad Ascension

Contact No. : 66035539 / 25638325

Contact No. : 99039701

Member No. 410

Member No. 414

Prayer Group: Mizpah

Prayer Group: Mahanaim

Name: Sunil Kurien

Name: Santhosh John Varughese

Mother Parish: Punnavelly St. Thomas

Mother Parish: Mangalam St. Thomas

Contact No. : 66605358

Contact No. : 94465675

Member No. 411 Prayer Group: Olivet Name: Vince Varghese Mother Parish: Pulikkayam Immanuel Contact No. : 55108344

We wholeheartedly welcome all the new members to St. Thomas Family First Communion Two youngsters of our Parish, received 1st Communion on Friday 21st January. Our Diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Paulose blessed the First Communicants, during the Special Service conducted for the same.

3rd Parish Festival.

Our 3rd Parish Festival will be held on Friday 18th February 2011 at the Indian Community School, Salmiya from 9.00am to 5.00pm. There will be lots of Fun, Games and Interesting Programs on that day. Please come prepared for the Fun and Frolic. For more details, contact the fest convener Mr. Roy Varghese, Mob No 97862061.

History of Maramon Convention 2011 Maramon Convention will be held from February 13th to 20th. Let us pray to God for the successful conduct of Convention and those who attend may get blessed.

Maramon Convention today has assumed global significance as the world’s largest annual Christian gathering launched in 1895. It has all along remained a perennial source of spiritual vigor and inspiration in Kerala, India and abroad.

The origin and growth of this annual get together for one week at a stretch can be traced to the great revival movement which gathered momentum along with the reformation in the ancient Syrian Church of Malabar under the pioneering leadership of Abraham Malpan about 165 years ago. This brought about the resurgence of the ancient apostolic Church in Kerala founded in AD52 by St. Thomas, who later became a martyr in Mylapur Madras for the sake of the gospel.

This convention is meticulously organized every year under the auspicious of the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association, the missionary wing of the Mar Thoma Church.

World renowned speakers address the gathering besides our Reverend Bishops and illustrious lay leaders, from India. The Convention has the unique distinction of being the largest of the Christian annual gathering in the world.

Distinguished world renowned speaker who addressed this convention in the past Include Rev. T. Walkers, Dr. G. S. Eddy , Sadhu Sundersingh ,Dr.Kagawa, Bishop Steephen Neel, Rt.Rev.Paul More, Dr.Stanley Jones, Bob Pipers, John R. Reed , Dr. Paul Rees, Rev.Dr.George Carey, the Canterbury Arch Bishop, Rev.Dr.Sam Kamalesen, and a host of others. Bible study classes, main talks by Guest Speakers, and Bishops for all categories of people are orderly conducted.

Discourses at the convention are mainly aimed at self – purification dedication, commitment and cultural uplift. Greater emphasis is now laid on communal harmony, unity and peace. The Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association (MTEA) attaches greater importance to a crusade against social evils, alcoholism and drug-addition. Besides, there are special sessions to focus attention on the ecumenical concerns, dalit activities, women’s issues and children’s programs.

The Church is constantly challenged through this convention to fulfill its missionary responsibilities and to spread its service activities from Tibetan Boarder extreme northern end of Upper Pradesh and Ittanagar in Arunachal Pradesh in the North to Cape Comarine in the South. Destitute homes, Ashrams, mission centers hospitals, leprosy clinics, schools, colleges have been started in and outside Kerala, thereby creating a congenial atmosphere fort the moral, social and spiritual upliftment of the masses and for the social and economic emancipation of the poorer sessions of the community. Schemes for homes for the homeless, land for the landless, marriage aid schemes etc. have been started through the inspiration and challenges at the convention, long before such schemes were initiated by the Government. It was in this way that the Mar Thoma Church was made known the world over through the Maramon Convention.

Parish Convention.

The 4th Parish Convention was held from Jan 25th to Jan 28th at St. Thomas Center. The theme for the convention was “Encounter with God brings transformation”, Our Diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Paulose inaugurated the Convention. Rev. Thomas Mathew, Acharaya and Vicar of Ankola Ashramam, Karnataka was the main Speaker.

Unarvu Yogam.

Edavaka Mission conducted an Unarvu Yogam at St Thomas Centre on 22nd January 2011. Sannadha Suvishehsa Sangham Asst. Secretary Mr. Babu Narakathani delivered the message. Rev. Thomas Varghese, Vicar St. Peters Church, Kuwait and Mr. P. E. Thomas, Treasurer, Sannadha Suvishesha Sangham were also present.

Inter Prayer Group Football Match.

Good Bye ……………..

Yuvajana Sakhyam conducted their First Inter Prayer Group Football Tournament “Kick in’ for Glory” on 21st January 2011. Six Prayer Groups participated in the competition. Eden Prayer Group was the winner and Emmaus Prayer Group was the Runners up. Mr. Reji Philip (Emmaus) was adjudged as the Best Player. Prizes were distributed by our Diocesan Episcopa.

Our member Mr. Varghese Ninan, Member # 101 (Mahanaim Prayer group) has decided to go back to India after 14 years of service in Kuwait. Let us thank Mr. Ninan and his family for their valuable service to our parish and remember them in our prayers. Parish gave a farewell to him on 21st January 2011.

CONDOLENCES. St Thomas family conveys our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Jose Kutty Kunjappan, (Ararath Prayer Group) on the demise his mother Mrs. Thankamma Kunjappan (83) Kizhakke Veedu, Kaithakodu .P. O.Kollam.

St Thomas family conveys our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Mathew George Abraham, (Cananan Prayer Group) on the demise his mother Mrs. Kunjamma George (93) Vellarathu, Naranganam West. P. O, Kozhencherry..

TIME

VENUE

The Creation which 'God has seen Good'

THEME HOLY COMMUNION

PROGRAMME

Col. 1: 15-23

EPISTLE

St.Luke 12: 22-31

GOSPEL

2 Kings 5: 1 - 14

Gen. 1: 26-31

FIRST LESSON

Acts.

3: 1 - 10

Rev. 21: 1-17

SECOND LESSON

WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR THE MONTH OF FEB. 2011 DATE DAY HALL OF PEACE

St. Mark 7:31-37

7:30 PM

Jam. 5: 13-18

1

HOLY COMMUNION HOLY COMMUNION

Fasting Prayer

Isa 18: 1-10

Phile.

8 - 22

Acts.

20: 17-28

Jam 1: 19-27

St. Mat. 9: 9-13

Jer. 18: 1-10

Gen. 4: 1 - 15

2 Cor. 2: 12-18

St. John 3:16-21

St. Mat. 5:43-48

HOLY COMMUNION

Eph. 2: 1-10

Rom. 15:1-9

God's pain about the people to be saved (End of Maramon Convention)

HOLY COMMUNION

HOLY COMMUNION

'God's Redeeming Love'

"Repent and Return" (Beginning of 116th Maramon Convention)

"Jesus the Healer" (Medical Missaion Sunday)

ST. THOMAS CENTRE

HALL OF PEACE

7:30 AM

7:30 PM

4

8

ST. THOMAS CENTRE

HALL OF PEACE

7:30 AM

7:30 PM

11

15

HALL OF PEACE

ST. THOMAS CENTRE

7:30 PM

ST. THOMAS CENTRE

7:30 AM

22

7:30 AM

18

25

Assistance by (Laymen, Lesson Reading & Offertory collection)

Canaan

Emmaus

Olivett

Edavaka Missaion

Mispah

Mahanaim

Ephraim & Ephrath

Eden

Prayer Groups are requested to select and assign appropriate persons as Laymen to assist, Lesson Readers and to collect offertory at Worship and Holy Communion services, both at St. Thomas Center and Hall of Peace. Please co-ordinate with Lay Readers.