August 2010

Dearly beloved in Christ,

Greetings in the matchless name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

While I write this letter our children are getting ready to attend this year’s VBS. Our Sunday School teachers and other volunteers are working hard to make it a meaningful program for our children. I take this time to whole heartedly appreciate all those involved in the VBS ministry of our parish. VBS is an exciting experience to all the children. It is the time for studying the word of God, time for  fun, games, singing... indeed  a real time of

rejoicing! 
 

It is the bounden duty of the parents to teach and train our children. Teaching must starts at home. Of course it must begins from the womb. God commanded to Moses, to instruct the parents to teach his commandments diligently to the children and to talk about it to them while sitting the home, lying down, and rising up, and on their way while they are walking. (Dt.6:6, 7). Our responsibility as parents in nurturing and training our children is of paramount importance. In this fast moving world many parents seldom find time to impart God’s commandments to their children in their busy schedule. Some parents are scared of their children and could not control them. Apostle Paul says to the fathers, “Provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Eph.6:4)

Understanding the changed context of our children is also important. We live in a changing situation where values and life principles are molded by mass media and the wide opened web world. Children are forced to receive the ethos and perverted values promoted by these agents rather than parents and teachers. In matters of information and knowledge children are far above their parents. Many parents feel inferior to their children. Although the IQ level of the children is on the high, emotional and spiritual quotient of many such children are far below. In this context it is a difficult task to train and teach our children in Godliness and in good character.

Let us love our children by giving them our quality time and present ourselves as good examples in their life. Let us try our best not to give them a chance to see the contradictions in our behavior and statements. May God bless you all.

With Love and Prayers,

Johnny Achen

Rev. Joseph Johnny (Vicar)

We are blessed to be under the pastoral guidance and leadership of Rev. Joseph Johnny as our new Vicar of St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church NY. Achen's native place is Chengannur and Pretha Kochmma is from Thumpamon. They have two sons, Eben and Reuben, who are in seventh and fourth grades respectively.

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
revjosephjohney@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. Dr. G. 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