August 2008

 

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

American Independence day was celebrated on July 4th. India is going to celebrate the Independence Day on August 15th. We got emancipated from some worldly powers but still we are in bondage of sin. Bible says "our citizenship is in heaven" (Philip: 3:20) Only God can give us real freedom.

The Junior/Senior Conference is over. It was a great blessing to all our children. I am glad that more children from our parish attended this year. Thanks to the parents and the teachers who labored behind it. Since the leaders are of Child Evangelism fellowship it was more contributory to the children.

The VBS also went on very good. Rev. Biju Simon, the Youth chaplain has inaugurated it and our children enjoyed VBS very much. Thanks to the parents who sent their children. Also thanks to all who have worked behind it to make the VBS a successful one.

The Youth Retreat also is fast approaching. The youngsters are trying their level best to raise some funds so that the retreat expenses may not be a burden to parents. Let us cooperate with them and encourage them so that their effort will be fruitful.

By the time this letter reaches you this year's Family Conference also will be over. The dictionary meaning of family is, all those descended from a common ancestor. We are of one family. We are related to each other. Jesus said all who does the will of God is my family members. With this in mind we are attending the Family Conferences each year. It should help our spiritual life through learning the word of God. In the Book of Hebrews we read the word of God is alive and active. It judges the desires and thoughts of the man's heart.

Let our conferences and retreats during this season transform our lives to a new creation. Let us serve the Lord with heart full of devotion (Rom. 12.11) May the Almighty God be with us in this eighth month of 2008.

Yours in His service,

Babu Achen

 

Rev. P. E. Mathew

 

Rev. P. E. Mathew (Vicar)

We are blessed to be under the pastoral guidance and leadership of Rev. P. E. Mathew as Vicar of St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church NY. Achen's native place is Kallooppara and Laly Kochmma is from Varikkadu, Tiruvalla. They have one son, Eby, who is finishing his BSc in Mangalore.

Achen and family had been in the Karnataka Missions Field (Hoskote, Mundugod, Sirsi Sankeshwar, Kunta) for several years and then served in Kerala. The last parish they ministered at was in the Sultan Bathery and Nilambur area.

 

email Rev. P. E. Mathew at
babuachen@yahoo.com
 

 

 

 

Click here to view the message archive

 

Vicars of the Past Quarter Century
(including Vicars of the Mar Thoma Congregation of Greater New York)


Mar Thoma Congregation of Greater New York

Rev. Oommen Koruthu

(Student Achen later elevated as 
Bishop Zacharias Mar Theophilus)

May 1975 — Aug. 1975

Rev. K. S. Mathew 

(Student Achen)

Sept. 1975 – Sept. 1977

Rev. Thomas P. George  

(Student Achen)

Sept. 1977 – Aug. 1979

(Late) Rev. M. V. Benjamin  

 

Sept. 1979 – May 1981


St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, New York

(Late) Rev. M. V. Benjamin

Co-Chairman Ad-hoc Committee Church in formation   

Oct. 1980 - Jan. 1981

 

Vicar                                     

 Jan. 1981 - May 1981

(Late) Rev. K. J. Philip

Co-Chairman  Ad-hoc Committee Church in formation

 Oct. 1980 - Jan. 1981

 

Associate Vicar                    

Jan. 1981 - Aug. 1981

Rev. N. M. Cherian

Vicar of all Mar  Thoma Congregations in New York

May 1981 - June 1983

Rev. Dr. T. Jacob Thomas    

(Student Achen)

 

 

Assistant Vicar

July 1981 - May 1983

 

Vicar   

June 1983 - Mar. 1985

Rev. George Varghese

 

Mar. 1985 - April 1989

Rev. Johnson Varghese      

 

June 1989 - May 1992

Rev. Dr. T. P. Abraham  

 

June 1992 - May 1995

Rev. P. M.  Thomas

 

May 1995 - April 1999

Rev. K. Y. Jacob         

 

May 1999 - June 1999

Rev. Thomas P. Chandy   

 

June 1999 – May 2002

Rev. Dr. K. A. Abraham     

 

May 2002 - August 2004

Rev. Jojan Mathews John

 

May 2004 - April 2007

Rev. P. E. Mathew   May 2007 - Present