MELBOURNE MAR THOMA CHURCH
OCTOBER 2024 NEWSLETTER
BE A WITNESS TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD
I N T H I S I S S U E
- Vicar message
- Lectionary
- October Services and Events
- Sunday School
- Youth
- Young Family Fellowship
- Sevika Sangham
- Words of Wisdom
- Birthdays and Anniversary
- Circulars and Invitation
Vicar Message
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth".
Acts 1:8
May the name of Almighty God be exalted.
In September, we celebrated Sevika Sangham Day and Senior Citizens Day, with the service led by
these organizations. Mr. A.P. Samuel, Mr. Thomas Vadil, Mr. P.M. John, and Mrs. Saramma John, who
have crossed 90 years, were honored for their leadership and dedication. A stress management
session led by Dr. Kuruvilla George, organized by the Sevika Sangham, was highly informative. The
Onam celebration was a vibrant, self-funded event, showcasing colourful performances and the hard
work of many parishioners. The presence of Bishop Genieve Blackwell and Mayor Carli Lange further
strengthened our ties with the local community. The Senior Citizens Fellowship, though the newest
organization in our church, has been active in many parishes. This reminds us of the sacrificial efforts
of our forebears in the formation and growth of our parishes.
The first executive committee of our parish, held in September, organized the annual calendar for
2024-25. The next notable event is our Parish Convention and Parish Day celebration, scheduled for
the 25th, 26th, and 27th of October. Rev. Fr. Jacob Joseph will be our convention speaker, and Rev. Dr.
Drew Mellor will be our chief guest for Parish Day. As we complete 27 years as a parish in Melbourne,
we gratefully acknowledge the guidance of Late Lamented Bishop Thomas Mar Athanasius, other
Metropolitans, bishops, priests, lay leaders, and committed believers. I urge everyone to dedicate
these days for prayer, as prayer has the power to make everything possible.
As a result of our general body discussion, a new satellite service has been organized in the northern
suburb on the second Sundays of every month, following the direction of the executive committee. I
request your prayerful participation in this initiative. Let us take inspiration from the southeastern
satellite service, which has gracefully completed one year in Blackburn. We must encourage new
migrant families to participate and see this as part of our missionary work, remembering that every
Marthomite is a witness to the kingdom of God—every Marthomite is an evangelist.
October third Sunday will be our Karunya Sunday. Your participation in the Karunya offertory will
strengthen our mission to support those in need both within and outside our parish. On the same day,
Sevika Sangham is organizing a fundraising food sale with delicious dishes, continuing their
compassionate work towards our mission and those who are suffering. I also request your prayers for
the success and blessings of our senior Sunday school camp from the 4th to 6th of October.
A warm welcome to our new members: Meby Susan John, Harriet Mathew, Prinson & Sinju and Toline
& Ligy. May their journey with us be abundantly blessed as they become part of our community.
We offer our heartfelt prayers for the bereaved families of Abhilash & Savitha, and Biju & Saly, as they
mourn the loss of their loved ones. Our thoughts and support are with them during this difficult time. We
also stand in prayer with families facing difficult challenges, especially those dealing with serious
illnesses. We ask that the healing hand of our Lord Jesus Christ surround them with comfort,strength,
and peace, guiding them through their trials with hope and faith. Additionally, we join in the joy and
celebration of families blessed with the arrival of newborns. May the Lord's blessings be upon these
little ones, granting them health, happiness, and a life filled with His grace.
As we reflect on our mission and responsibilities, we are reminded of Acts 1:8: "But you will receive
power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea
and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth". This verse calls each of us to be a witness to God's
kingdom, not only in our words but in our daily actions.
As we move forward in October, let us dedicate ourselves to this calling. Whether through our support
of Karunya Sunday, or the senior Sunday school camp, or the new satellite services, let us be vessels
of God’s love and compassion. Every opportunity we have, every event we engage in, is a chance to
live out our faith. Let us carry this responsibility with prayer, humility, and unwavering commitment,
being true evangelists of the kingdom of God in every corner of our lives.
Shalom
Shojiachen
Vicar
Melbourne Mar Thoma Church
0401311688
'A Pastor'
No one knows
What a Pastor hears,
What he sees,
The secrets he must keep,
The temptations he encounters,
The tears he sheds,
The sorrow he endures,
The loneliness he manages,
The bitterness he experiences,
The Lies levelled against him
by some of the people he serves!
How he accommodates those
who pretend they love him
but behind, they try to destroy him.
How he tries to live more than a human,
The lack he suffers,
The discrimination he must not react to,
The accusations he has to mute at,
The expectations he strives to cope with,
Even a fellow Pastor does not know
what the other goes through.
A Pastor & the Pastorhood is what no one
can fully understand or comprehend!
The Pastorhood is "A Mystery"!
The Pastor is a mystery too!
A mystery is an incomprehensible intelligibility!
SO ALL YOU CAN DO FOR HIM IS DO PRAY FOR HIM
(Poem-Source:*Roger Campbell Ministries.
October is named annually "Pastor Appreciation Month")
Lectionary
October Services and Events
* Changes to any of the above schedule will be intimated closer to the date of each service.
Prayer Meetings
Sunday School
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
Sunday School schedule
6th October 2024:
HC service at Senior Camp (Upper Plenty Conference Centre)
No classes at Parkville
Regular Classes at South Eastern Satellite Service - 3pm
13th October 2024:
Regular classes after youth service in Parkville (VCE dedication and Year 12 graduation during
service)
20th October 2024:
Annual Exam
27th October 2024:
No classes
South Eastern Satellite Service - Sunday School - Expression of Interest
Sunday School classes are held in Blackburn at 3pm prior to satellite service.
We are continuing to invite expressions of interest in attending the Sunday School at South Eastern
Suburbs Satellite service of the Melbourne Mar Thoma Church. Kindly use the link below to register and
it helps us plan.
Register interest - Click here to register
Senior Camp
This year’s Sunday School Senior Camp for grade 7-12 was held at Upper Plenty
Conference Centre on 4th-6th October.
Youth
YFF
Sevika Sangham
SEVIKA SANGHAM EVENTS DETAILS
Online intercessory prayer 8:00 pm on Thursdays
13th October After Service
Bible Discussion at Parkville Focus: Lydia
"Transformative Women in the Early Church"
Food Sale at Parkville 20th October between services
Thankyou for attending Dr. Kuruvilla George's session on Stress Management organised by Sevika
Sangham
Birthdays
Mr. George Giju Thomas
Mrs. Annie John
Mr. Jacob Alexander
Master. Joshua George Thomas
Mr. Adam Easaw Philip
Dr Mrs. Leela John
Ms. Sharnel Anna Mammen
Master. Paul Thomas
Mrs. Rosamma Thomas Vadil
Master. Neil Abram John
Mr. Rohan Verghese
Master. Ethen J Martin
Master. Aaron Cherian Sajeev
Mr. Jithin Cherian
Ms. Ivana Thomas
Ms. Abigail Daniel
Mr. Ankit Koshy
Ms. Joanna Eliza Jerrin
Mrs. Sheela George
Mr. Joseph Philip
Mrs. Nisha Elizabeth George
Ms. Hannah Mariam Jacob
Mr. Ashish Thomas Mathew
Ms. Rachel Richin
Mr. Joji John
Mrs. Liji Augustine
Mr. Jobby John Mathew
Master. Ishan Sharjan
Dr. Asha Mary Alex
Ms. Abigail
Ms. Saira Susan Philip
Ms. Annah Sarah Joshua
Mrs. Emely John
Mr. Roy Jacob
Mr. Joel Kurien
Mrs. Seena Parappat
Master. Hardik Happy
Mrs. Lee Ann Abraham
Miss. Ashley Alexander
Mr. Jino Cherian
Miss. Lis Meriam Thomas
Master. Anugrah Tom Manoj
Mr. Jeryn Mathew Ninan
Mr. Christard Thomas
Master. Aben Sony
Mr. Sailesh George Mathew
Mr. Stany Simon
Mrs. Fincy Rachel Varughese
Mr. Roshan Sam Thomas
Mr. Sajan Samuel
Master. Aiden K Martin
Mr. Binsu Benny
Ms. Rebecca Alex Mathews
Master. Jerome Biju
Mr. Visal John
Mr. Benny Thomas
Ms. Aksa Mary Aby
Mr. George Thomas
Ms. Andrea Susan Thomas
Master. Jordan Joseph
Master. Zachary George Samuel
Mr. Varghese John
Master. Aaditya Kunnutharayil
Mrs. Maneesha Jacob
Master. Nivin S Shaiju
Master. Dion Abraham Philips
Mr. Vineeth George Varughese
Master. Aashil John Kochathu
Dr. Rohit Varghese Samuel
Master. Noel C Abraham
Mr. Saju K Skaria
Mrs. Ann Mary Ninan
Mr. Nathan Abraham
Mrs. Meera Mathew
Mr. Chris V Mathew
Mrs. Rinju Martin
Mis. Anusha Rebecca Philip
Master. Darren Jerin Abraham
Mrs. Joemol Thomas
Master. Ayden Eapen Tony
Ms. Evelyn Elsa Thomas
Dr Mrs. Benita S Samuel
Master. Elijah Senthil
Master. Joel Jacob
Master. Ryan Raji George
Mrs. Elizabeth Zachariah
Master. Kenneth Manoj Mathews
Master. David Daniel
Master. Sanjay Parappat
Ms. Leah Kurian
Master. Matt George
Ms. Rebecca Sarah Mathew
Mr. Jobin George
Master. Janoah Prinu Philip
Master. Dylon Cheryian Bobby
Master. Jonathan Samuel Vinodh
Master. Ethan Samuel Varghese
Ms. Naomi Ann George
Mrs. Jincy Chacko
Mrs. Jemeni Elizabeth Thomas
Ms. Angela Rebecca Thomas
Mr. Jiso Abraham Philipose
Mr. Ajan Joseph
Mrs. Chantelle Marie Mellor
Ms. Persis Shibu Varghese
Mrs. Anna Anushya Alex
Ms. Samantha Sunil
Mr. Roshan David Koshy
Ms. Joveen Elsa Jacob
Master. Jordan Joji John
Mr. Rony K Iype
Wedding Anniversary
Mr. Abhay George Thomas, Mrs. Lee Ann Abraham
Mr. Surgie Thomas, Mrs. Geetha Susan Philip
Mr. Jacob Mathew, Mrs. Rebecca Poon
Mr. Shaiju Soman, Mrs. Shinju Shaiju
Mr. Thomas Mathew, Mrs. Rekha Sara Philip
Mr. Thomas Oommen C, Mrs. Shiny Susan John
Mr. Dennis Mathen Koshy, Mrs. Vidya Susan Jacob
Mr. David C Mathew, Mrs. Anju E David
Mr. Cherian Thomas, Mrs. Leena Cherian
Mr. Tom Thomas, Mrs. Emelieta Thomas
Mr. Samuel Varughese, Mrs. Mary Samuel
Mr. Joseph George, Mrs. Reina Eugene Cordeiro
Mr. Alan Mathew Abraham, Mrs. Neetu Abraham
Mr. Rejo Varghese John, Mrs. Kavitha
Mr. Daniel Thomas Valayil, Mrs. Blessey Daniel
Mr. Dale George, Mrs. Esther M Philip
Circulars
Circular No. 139 - 27 October 2024 is set apart as Family Sunday
Circular No. 519/10/24-25 - Transfer Notification for Rev Shoji Varghese Achen to India on 1 May
2025. Appointment of Rev Philip Mathew Achen as the new Vicar of Melbourne Mar Thoma Church.
Church Consecration Invitation
St. Alphonsa Syro Malabar Cathedral Consecration Ceremony will be held at 9:30am on Saturday, 23rd
November 2024. Members of Melbourne Mar Thoma Church are invited for the event at 53 McKeller
Way, Epping, Vic. 3076
Church Consecration Invitation
Our mailing address is:
10 Layton Place, Mill Park, VIC 3082
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