Vicar's Desk

Dear beloved in Christ, 

Greetings to one and all in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Summer is finally here.

After the dreary months of winter, the spring and summer seasons are much awaited and welcome by one and all. Being in the New England region, we are especially witness to a quick and beautiful transformation. The land goes from bleak white to a riot of beautiful colors. Within a span of few days the trees put on life and flowers bloom. Sunny days are here again and it’s a great time to go out on events with family and friends. There is a general spirit of joy and expectation that drives away the melancholy of the dark winter. Living in this part of the world makes us appreciate every season, more so the spring-summer season. Spring, summer, fall or winter – every season and its change in time is important to sustain life on our planet. As much as change is a difficult process, it is necessary because it sustains life. Ecclesiates 3 beautifully remarks on a time and season for everything to happen. 

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted…

Thank God for the timely change of seasons and the opportunities to plan for various activities accordingly. The month of April was a time to solemnly reflect on the passion of Christ and be co-travelers with him on the way to the cross. Our beloved Valiya Metropolitan Crysostom Thirumeni celebrated his 102nd birthday on 27th April, 2019. Praising God for His benevolence upon Thirumeni. It is noteworthy that a documentary made on Thirumeni’s illustrious life by the critically acclaimed Malayalam movie director Blessy has entered the Guinness book of records for the longest documentary ever made. 

This year our Diocesan Clergy conference and Assembly was held in one of the newest and most beautiful properties brought by the Mar Thoma Church – the Carmel Mar Thoma Center at Atlanta. This Center is a fruit of the vision of our Diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Isaac Mar Philoxenos and the sacrificial giving of our members. It is a testimony of the path of growth that has been chartered by the immigrant Mar Thoma community that has made this land their home and is here to stay. Another feather in the cap was the honoring and commemoration of the Mar Thoma Church in the New York State Senate on the 183rd anniversary of its reformation. History stood witness to the struggles, growth and achievements of the Mar Thoma community as Philoxenos Thirumeni prayed in Malayalam and then in English in the august assembly. It is also a joy that the Mar Thoma Church is able to produce members like Senator Kevin Thomas among many others who hold public service responsibilities and are rendering great service to this nation.

Mother’s Day was celebrated in church on May 12th with a beautiful video by our parish members followed by flowers and special lunch by the fathers for all the mothers in our parish. The Young Families Fellowship of our parish had its first camp at La Salette camp center and it was a beautiful experience, both for the young couples as well as for their children. It was also a nostalgic time for the senior couples who attended and relived their old memories of camps organized at the center. The young families of our parish are a vibrant group and, if properly channelized, have a great potential to lead our parish into the future. 

Last two months were also a time of being witness to answered prayer, whether it was for couples expecting the birth of their baby or struggling with sickness, career, relationships or the loss of a loved one. Truly, whenever we stand with tears in worship, God hears our unsaid words and burdened hearts and harkens to our call. As a family we pray every day for all who have requested our special prayers. As we step into June and July there are a host of summertime events like our VBS, parish picnic and Sevika Sangham hike organized by the parish. May God bless our parish this season to enjoy the fruit and fellowship of summer.

Yours in Christ

Rev. Thomas John

Vicar

Day of Feast of Ascension

May 30, 2019