April 2010

Dearly beloved in Christ,

This month we celebrate the Easter. “He is not here; he has risen from the dead”. This is what the angel said to Mary Magdalene when she went to see the dead body of Christ. (Matt.28:5ff) Many Christians observe Easter and got through the religious exercises. But they behave and live as if he were dead. The resurrection of Jesus becomes real to us only when we undergo the experience of being risen with Christ. Only one who undergoes the experience of being crucified with Christ will experience the power of his resurrection. Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me; the life now I live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal: 2:20) The real proof of the resurrection is the living testimony of Christ’s followers. During this Easter, let us take new decisions. May the almighty help us to live it.

This is my last message in the Monthly Bulletin as the Vicar of St Thomas MTC. I am thankful to God and to you all for His mercy towards us through the members of St Thomas MTC. It is not my might or merit but it is His grace. Every day I am praying for you that you may grow in God’s Grace and be protected under His wings. I and Laly are thankful to you for your love and concern and co-operation during our three years ministry here in St. Thomas. Special thanks to all those who have visited us in Parsonage and spent time with us.

May God Almighty bless us now and forever. Amen.

Yours in His Service,

Rev. P. E. Mathew

Vicar

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 

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