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May 2010
Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Greetings to you in the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. At the very outset let me thank you all for the warm welcome, especially the reception we have received at the airport itself. We have landed at the JFK on April 28. It was a cold evening, with a cool breeze blowing everywhere. Some of our members wrapped us with their overcoat. Indeed a warm welcome, literally! I consider it to be a privilege and challenge to be the Vicar of the St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, NY. To be a servant of God is of course an honor and a privilege. But on the other hand it is a great responsibility to be achieved and a task to be accomplished. Hence, I plead for your wholehearted support and relentless prayer in our ministry, without which, I believe, we can do nothing at all.
As St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, we have this ministry as we have received mercy, not by any account my merit. Paul uses a meaningful metaphor- ' treasure in the earthen vessel'. It is very much fitting to every Christian minister. It implies the fragility of the human bearer and the immensely precious treasure of the Gospel. As Theodosius Thirumeni reminded me on my arrival, it's not what we do for the Lord that is important, but what the Lord is doing through us which makes the difference .I thank God for the high calling by which we are entrusted with this divine mission though we are unworthy and unfaithful ."I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who had enabled me for that he counted me faithful ,putting me in the ministry" 1Tim 1:12
As we all know ,we are living in a world of change. Of course, you know it better than I. You have experienced in your situation how the word 'change' has tremendously changed your society and politics. Our ability and willingness to adapt to new trends and settings determines our fitness for survival. To keep pace with the changing world is not an easy thing .It's really trial some and challenging which commands vision and inner impulse, readiness to act ,preparedness to face the worst. In the US, I am in an entirely different situation ,culturally and linguistically , than I have been familiar with. I pray for God's mercy and grace in the coming days to cater to the spiritual needs of each and every one of our community .I hope and pray that your fellowship will be able to encourage and equip us in the ministry of the Lord. Your guidance and correction, assistance and advice are earnestly solicited.
I have heard much about this parish- very active and vibrant , passionately involving in the mission of the Church. Loving and caring community, having concern for others especially for God's servants. You have been fortunate enough to have pioneering leaders with great vision- their presence even today motivate others. Willing and dedicated Youths who are capable of taking up the torch of leadership with great fervor for the activities of the church. You have been fortunate enough to be ministered by Achens who are real luminaries- on that line I am the least and nobody to be reckoned with.
I am in my 15th year of ministry for the Lord as a priest of the Mar Thoma Church. I've been privileged to serve in different parishes in India such as Jamshedpur, Asansol, Durgapur, Bilaspur, Korba and Ambikapur in Northern India; Edamuri(Ranni), Kothamangalam, Kolenchery,Mamala and finally Keezhvaipur in the Kottayam- Kochi Diocese. Each parish experiences were vivid and varied and was really enriching.
My home parish is Puthencavu Mathilakom Asension Church (Chengannur). I am really excited to understand that few of our members have their roots there. My wife, Preetha S Philip, is from Thumpamon Bethel Mar Thoma Church, daughter of Mr. K.M.Philip and Mrs. Molly Philip, Kurumthottathil. She has been a teacher of Mathematics at the SCS Higher Secondary School, Thiruvalla. Our children Eben John Joseph and Reuben Philip Joseph completed 7th and 4th grade respectively and are looking forward to your company. Let us worship together and learn together and glorify our Lord in everything we do. Consider me and my family as one among you. Feel free to call us and visit the Parsonage at any time. It's your parsonage and your achen and family. May God bless us all. With Love and Affection,
Rev. Joseph Johnny Vicar
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Achen is in his 15th year of ministry for the Lord as a priest of the Mar Thoma Church. He had the privilege to serve in different parishes in India such as Jamshedpur, Asansol, Durgapur, Bilaspur, Korba and Ambikapur in Northern India; Edamuri(Ranni), Kothamangalam, Kolenchery,Mamala and finally Keezhvaipur in the Kottayam- Kochi Diocese. Each parish experiences were vivid and varied and was really enriching.
email Rev. Joseph Johnny at |
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Vicars of the Past
Quarter Century |
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Rev. Oommen Koruthu |
(Student
Achen later elevated as |
May 1975 — Aug. 1975 |
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Rev. K. S. Mathew |
(Student Achen) |
Sept. 1975 – Sept. 1977 |
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Rev. Thomas P. George |
(Student Achen) |
Sept. 1977 – Aug. 1979 |
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(Late) Rev. M. V. Benjamin |
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Sept. 1979 – May 1981 |
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(Late)
Rev. M. V. Benjamin |
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Oct. 1980 - Jan. 1981 |
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Vicar |
Jan. 1981 - May 1981 |
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(Late) Rev. K. J. Philip |
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Oct. 1980 - Jan. 1981 |
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Associate Vicar |
Jan. 1981 - Aug. 1981 |
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Rev. N. M. Cherian |
Vicar of
all Mar Thoma Congregations in
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May 1981 - June 1983 |
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Rev. Dr. T. Jacob Thomas |
(Student Achen) |
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Assistant Vicar |
July 1981 - May 1983 |
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Vicar |
June 1983 - Mar. 1985 |
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Rev. George Varghese |
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Mar. 1985 - April 1989 |
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Rev. Johnson Varghese |
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June 1989 - May 1992 |
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Rev. Dr. T. P. Abraham |
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June 1992 - May 1995 |
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Rev. P. M. Thomas |
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May 1995 - April 1999 |
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Rev. K. Y. Jacob |
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May 1999 - June 1999 |
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Rev. Thomas P. Chandy |
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June 1999 – May 2002 |
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Rev. Dr. K. A. Abraham |
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May 2002 - August 2004 |
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Rev. Jojan Mathews John |
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May 2004 - April 2007 |
| Rev. P. E. Mathew | May 2007 - April 2010 | |
| Rev. Joseph Johnny | May 2010 - Present | |