St. Peter’s Mar Thoma Church Issue No.29

East Area London, UK

NEWS LETTER

March 2013 - May 2013

Place of Worship Vicar: Rev. Sabu C Mathew

St. Luke’s Church 58 Cobham Road, Seven Kings

Baxter Road Ilford IG3 9JP

Ilford Phone: 020 8491 4049- 07825 988 500

Essex IG1 2HN Email: revsabumathew@yahoo.com

A Parish of The Mar Thoma Syrian Church in the Diocese of North America and Europe

Member of the Churches Together in England

Member of the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland

Registered Charity No. 1123807

(For private circulation among members only)

REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES:

REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES

Carol Service: Church carol service was conducted on 16th of December 2012

Ecumenical carol: We participated in the ecumenical carol service organised by Asian

Adventist Community church on 15th of December and on 29th of December 2012 at

St.Johns Marthoma church , Hounslow.

General body meeting: General body meetings were conducted on 6th of January and 3rd

of February 2013 to elect Authorising officer/Key contact person with UKBA and new

office bearers for the year 2013-14 respectively.

On behalf of the Executive Committee, St. Peter's MTC, London

Secretary, Varghese Abraham , Tel. 020 36092854 – 07988 640 291

Email: vinuaby@gmail.com

Kindly note that our church website is live and is being updated regularly

http://www.marthomachurchlondon.com

Regular Programmes

Sunday School- classes are held on Sundays after Worship Service

Youth League – meetings are held after Church Service on Sundays

Choir – practices are from 2.00 pm on all Sundays.

Sevika Sangham – meetings are held on Sundays after Worship Services. Prayer

is arranged on every Fridays.

Edavaka Mission- Bible study is conducted by Rev.Sabu C Mathew on Fridays at

7.30 pm at willing members’ residences.

Cottage Prayers: Cottage prayers can be arranged on 1st & 3rd Saturdays. Please

contact Achen/Area Representatives or Secretary to arrange prayer at your

residence.

Chadwell Heath & Dagenham Area- Prayer is conducted on Tuesdays at 7.30 pm

Condolence: The following relatives of our members went to be with the Lord:

Mr.M.A Abraham (Samson Abraham’s father) 16th of December 2012

Mr.Philip George (Mrs.Mary Mathew’s brother )8th of January 2013

Rev. TM Varghese (Mrs.Omana Daniel’s brother) 3rd of February 2013

Mrs.Sosamma Philip (Mr.Sheelo Varghese’s grand mother) 9th of February 2013

MESSAGE FROM THE VICAR

Dearly beloved in Christ,

“O Son of God, by your death you have turned our death into life. Raise us from the dust that we may ever proclaim your praise. May God the Father, the Son and the Spirit, who is worthy of glory and worship forever, be praised from generation to generation. Hallelujah.” This is a prayer in our Qurbana. During the liturgical season of Lent we meditate seriously on the mystery of Cross and the salvation that is being extended to us through the vicarious suffering of our Lord. Let the celebrations, meditations and the worships may lead us all to a renewal of life in the light of resurrection. Let the Holy Spirit helps us to realize that all these things (Christ’s Passion, death and resurrection) are happened for each one of us.

On this occasion as I am completing my three years ministry in St.Peter’s Mar Thoma Church, may I take this opportunity to thank God for all His blessings and guidance especially for the grace of persistence. I thank the Church, Diocese and the Diocesan Bishop for the help and guidance. I thank all who have helped and co-operated in the ministry in various ways.

It is believed that the growth and maturity of a church or parish can be measured by the number of people who are dedicated to the work of the Kingdom of God through the ministry in the church. In that respect I think it is high time for us to think and act with this specific aim. Our church is basically Kerala based, but we are now in Europe and so in western culture. So the ministry that we get from our mother church will have a Kerala style and nature to certain extend. The people who are born and brought up in Malayali situation and culture will have the limitations in many ways, to come and act according to the standard and pattern, as some of us expect. It is quite natural. In my view, the solution to have ministers according to our need, suited for our culture and standard is to send our own children who are very well brought up and trained in this situation. If our children are send for this ministry we will have naturally ministers who are influenced and modelled by our developed culture which they have adapted from our own families and European situations. In that situation we will have a better feeling towards the church and the clergy. Then there will be no scope for any complaints and then we will naturally seek solutions rather that issues. All the procedures, formalities of UK visa and expenses related to these all can very well be avoided. Please remember the solution is with us and within our families. Also it is good to remember without sweat and blood there in no growth and development for any church. So let us pray and act for this blessed situation in our European Mar Thoma Community.

Rev. Vinoj Varghes (Palakkad) is appointed as the new Vicar for the St.Peter’s Mar Thoma Church East Area London. The procedures for visa of Achen and family have started and we are thankful to Mr.Binoy Peter for serving the parish as the Authorizing Officer in this hour of need. The last synod of the church which has taken place after the Marmon Convention has confirmed the posting of Achen and we will be getting the appointment letter soon. Achen will be accompanied by Reeba Kochamma and two children; Niveditha Susan and Arppitha Elizabeth. Hope that they will be here by May 2013. We wish Achen and family all God’s choicest blessings. Here I remember with gratitude the Achens who served here before me; Rev.Benu John and Rev.Abraham Mathew.

As per the arrangement of the Church, I am going back to Kerala at the completion of my term here as the vicar on 28th of April 2013 along with my family. According to decision of the Synod we are assigned to Kozhencherry St.Thomas Mar Thoma Parish of Niranam Marmon Diocese. My family also joins me in thanking you all and request your prayers. This parish is in many ways memorable to us. We assure our prayers. May the Risen Christ bless us with renewed vision.

With Easter Greetings,

Yours in His Service,

Sabu achen.

BIRTHDAYS

DATE NAME AREA DATE NAME AREA

March May

2 Arlene Abraham Upper Cambourne 3 Aswin Cherian Walthamstow 3 Sunitha Thomson Liverpool 6 Fiona Jimmy Romford 5 Ashish Samson Chelmsford 6 Saumya Leenas Southend 12 Sibin Philip Chadwell Heath 10 Thomas Mathew East Ham 16 Varghese

Abraham Dagenham 10 Jobbi Varghese Chelmsford

20 Jacob George Ilford 11 Jasmine Mathews Ilford 25 Suresh Thomas Chadwell Heath 13 Mekha Skariah East Ham 29 Aji Abner Cambridge 13 Bincy Varghese Dagenham

April 14 Jaison Mathew Chelmsford

4 Kunjamma Mathews

Forest Gate 14 Joy Thomas Cambridge

8 Saro John East Barnet 15 KP Babukutty Chadwell Heath

8 Susan Shekhar Chadwell Heath 15 Elizabeth Varghese East Ham

11 Nicole Varghese Dagenham 15 Deepa Cherian Cambridge

13 Bibin Christopher Epsom 15 Leenas Varghese Southend

14 Aiden Mathew Chelmsford 17 Roji Davidson Epsom

16 Eamil Eaby Chigwell 20 Alex Lukose Chelmsford 19 Neil Varghese Dagenham 20 Omana Koshy Hainault 20 Thomas John East Barnet 20 Sunitha Anil Walthamstow 23 Lissamma Baby Romford 21 Reji Thankachen Romford 25 Lissy John Dagenham East 24 Kevin John East Barnet 25 Suma Varghese Chelmsford 25 Zoe George Ilford 26 Raju Paul Dagenham 25 Benoy Peter Dagenham 30 Aby Kiran Enfield 26 Sharon Thomas East Ham 27 Siju Thomas Enfield 27 Gracykutty

Ponnachen Cambridgeshire

28 Zephan Varghese Chelmsford 28 Neetha Jaison Chelmsford 28 George Varghese Southall 29 Andria Rinosh Chadwell Heath 29 Mini David Enfield 30 Sally Babukutty Chadwell Heath 30 Sijimol Pretty Walthamstow 30 Susamma Thomas East Ham 31 Blessan Abraham Enfield 31 Sudeep Mathew Chadwell Heath 31 Sheelo Varghese Dagenham

Congratulations:

Kurain John and Asha were blessed with a baby boy

Pretty George and Sijimol were blessed with a baby girl

Heartiest Greetings

to all those who are

celebrating their

Birthdays !

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES DATE NAME AREA DATE NAME AREA

April May

8 Jacob Abraham & Chintu Eapen

Croydon 3 Anil Cherian & Sunita Anil

Walthamstow

10 Koshy Abraham & Omana Koshy

Hainault 7 Suresh Thomas & Jaya Thomas

Chadwell Heath

22 Gracykutty & Ponnachen

Cambridgeshire 7 Varghese Mathew & Shiny Mathew

Chelmsford

24 Benoy Peter & Mary Benoy

Dagenham 11 David Augustine $ Mini David

Enfield

26 Mathew Chacko & Sajini Johnny

Chelmsford 12 Sam P George & Mariamma Eapen

Newbury Park

15 Binu George & Bindu Binu

East Ham

16 Siju Thomas & Reny Mathew

Enfield

25 Varghese Abraham & Elizabeth Abraham

Dagenham

29 Alex Lukose & Alice Alex

Chelmsford

Congratulations to Anisha Marin John (John K John &

Omana John’s daughter) and Jibu Cherian who

entered into Holy Matrimony on 3rd of December

2012 in India. Best Wishes !

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

March: 03(Sunday): Holy Communion 08(Friday): Area Prayer; East Ham: Mr.Santhosh George 10 (Sunday): Divine Service (English). Message: Sibin Philip 15 (Friday): Area Prayer; Ilford: Mr. Eaby Baby 16 (Saturday) : 3.00 P.M. Holy Communion at Chelmsford. : 6-30 P.M. One day retreat during Lent Massage by: Rev.Sajeev Thomas. Venue: St.Luke’s church. 17 (Sunday): Holy Communion 22 (Friday) : Area Prayer; Enfield: Mr.John K.John

24 (Sunday) : Hosana Sunday; Rt.Rev. Joseph Mar Barnabas Episcopa. 25 (Monday) : Sandhya Namaskaram;Mr.George Thomas East Ham 26 (Tuesday) : Sandhya Namaskaram; Mr.Benoy Peter, Dagenham. 27 (Wednesday) : Sandhya Namaskaram; Mr.Koshy Abraham, Haninault. 28 (Maundy Thursday) Sandhya Namaskaram; Mr.Regi Thankachan ,Romford. Message: Mr.Shaji Abraham. 29 (Good Friday) : Good Friday Service. 31 (Sunday) : Easter Sunday Service at 7.00 A.M.

April: 07 (Sunday) : Holy Communion , Parish day & Sunday School Annuversay Chief Guest & Message: Rev.K.P.Johnson. 12 (Friday) : Area Prayer; Chelmsford; Mr.Jaison Mathew 14 (Sunday) : Divine service(English). Message: Mr.George Varghese 21 (Sunday) : Holy Communion. 28 (Sunday) : Divine Service (Malayalam). Message: Mr.Eaby Baby.

May: 05 (Sunday) : Holy Communion 12 (Sunday) : Divine Service (English).Message: Master Rogin George. 19 (Sunday) : Holy Communion 26 (Sunday) : Divine Service (Malayalam). Message:Mr.Reji Thankachan

Thank you Sabu Achen and family for your support

and service to St.Peter’s Marthoma church London.

CHURCH SERVICE SCHEDULE

DATE DAY SERVICE/PRAYER IMPORTANCE MESSAGE BY:-

03/03/2013 Sunday Holy Communion - Malayalam

Rev Sabu C Mathew

10/03/2013 Sunday Divine Service - English Sibin Philip

17/03/2012 Sunday Holy Communion- English

Rev Sabu C Mathew

24/03/2013 Sunday Holy Communion - Malayalam

Hosanna Sunday

Rt.Rev. Joseph Mar Barnabas Episcopa

31/03/2013 Sunday Holy Communion - Malayalam

Easter Sunday 7am

07/04/2013 Sunday Holy Communion - Malayalam

Parish day & Sunday School Anniversary

Rev.K.P.Johnson

14/04/2013 Sunday Divine Service – English

George Varghese

21/04/2013 Sunday Holy Communion - English

Rev Sabu C Mathew

28/04/2013 Sunday Divine Service - Malayalam

Eaby Baby

05/05/2013 Sunday Holy Communion - Malayalam

12/05/2013 Sunday Divine Service – English

Rogin George

19/05/2013 Sunday Holy Communion - English

26/05/2013 Sunday Divine Service - Malayalam

Reji Thankachan

St.Peter’s Mar thoMa ChurCh

East Area, London, UK

Place of Worship Vicar: Rev. Sabu C Mathew St.Luke’s Church, Baxter Road Ilford, IG1 2HN 58, Cobham Road, Seven Kings,Ilford,

IG3 9JP Ph: 2028414049 - 07825988500 E-mail:revsabumathew@yahoo.com

Issue No.26

DATE DAY ASSISTING EPISTLE FIRST READING

SECOND READING

03/03/2013 Sunday Kurian John Binu George

Gala:3:23-29 Isaiah:45:1-13 Acts:13:44-52

10/03/2013 Sunday Suraj Alex Neil Varghese

2Cor:1:1-11 Isaiah:6:1-8 Sibin Philip

Acts:16:19-34 Sneha Skariah

17/03/2013 Sunday Aneesh John Sajjin George

Phil.1:3-11 Exodus:17:8-16 Joshua George

Acts.20:28-38 Charlotte Benoy

24/03/2013

Sunday Binu George Reji Thankachen

Phil.2:5-11 Zech.9:9-17 Anil Cherian

Col.1:15-23 Lizzy John

31/03/2013 Easter Sunday Reji Thankachen Raju Paul

1Cor.15:1-19 Isaiah.52:7-15 Binu George

Rev.21:1-8 Bindumole Skariah

07/04/2013

Sunday Binu George Sheelo Varghese

1Thes.1:3-10 Zeph.3:14-20 Jacob Abraham

James.1:1-8 Chintu Eapen

14/04/2013

Sunday Suraj Alex Anish John

Gal.1: 6--10 Gen.5:18-24 Koshy Abraham

Acts.11:19-26 Omana Koshy

21/04/2013 Sunday Sajjin George Rogin George

1Thim.1:12-17

Gen.3:1-14 Benoy Peter

2Thim.4:9-18 Mary Benoy

28/04/2013

Sunday Reji Thankachen George Varghese

1Peter.5:1-11 Num.11:23-30 Mathew Chacko

Acts.8:25-40 Sajini Johnny

05/05/2013 Sunday Binu George Reji Thankachen

2Cor.8:1-9 Deut.24:14-21 Anil Cherian

Acts.4:32-37 Sunitha Anil

12/05/2013 Sunday Suraj Alex Neil Varghese

Acts.1:12-14 Isaiah.40:25-31 Sam P George

Acts.1:1-8 Mariamma Eapen

19/05/2013 Sunday Mathew Mathai Roshan George

Gala.5:16-24 Gen.2:1-15 Siju Thomas

Acts.2:1-11 Reny Mathew

26/05/2013 Sunday Binu George Eaby K Baby

2 Cor.13:11-14 Gen.18:1-15 Alex Lukose

Eph.1:1-14 Alice Alex