Dearly Beloved in Christ,

Loving Greetings to you all in the matchless name of our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ.

Holy Land Visit Programme arranged by Kuwait Mar Thoma Yuvajana Sakhyam from 3rd July to 11th 2010, was a very Success. Our team consisted 23 members and the programme was so pleasant & well planned. We all have received enough Grace from God, through out our journey.
Appreciations to Yuvajana Sakhyam, convener Mr. Shaji Simon, Participants and the travel agency.

After 12th board exam, all students have gone to mainland, with their parents, for higher education. Many were in tensions, but let us give thanks that God has shown His faithfulness for their admission process.

Since School Vacation has started, many are in their respective home towns. Let God Almighty protect, care and bring them back among us. So that we all can worship together, before His gloriness.

We are really proud of Deacon Prince Varghese, who has ordained on 2nd July at Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, Pazavangadikkara, by our Geevarghese Mar Athanasius Tirumeni. Our Metropolitan is preparing and arranging his Kasseessa ordination, during the first week of September 2010, at NECK Church & Parish Hall. Since it is a rare chance to witness this special & graceful Sacrament, May I request all children, Youths and elders should attend the occasion, prayerfully.

Deacon Prince Varghese got 6 first prizes and 4 second prizes in the B D [Bachelor of Divinity] Course. He got First Proficiency Prize in BD Course. Congratulation to Deacon at the same time appreciation to Mr. Raju Varghese & Mrs Aleyamma Varghese for devoting their elder son for God’s full time ministry. Let Us uphold our Deacon in our valuable prayers, so that he can prepare himself for His ministry.

Members who are residing in Camps & Hostels are actively participating in our parish worhip, fasting prayer and other programmes. Some of them are physically weak and they expects our prayer for their wellbeing. In Kuwait, we all need God’s abundance grace to excist, so we are expected to uphold each other in prayers.

Let us unite ourselves and try to grow in God’s Grace.
May God bless.

In Christ,

Thomas Varghese Achen

Posted on July 30 2010

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

Greetings!

By the time it reaches you most of the vacationers might have left for the homeland. I pray that they all get a very rejuvenating experience in the greenery of our God’s own land. Scorching heat of the summer and frequent power supply failure has already made life tiring. Church attendance might get diminished. God may help all to withstand the crisis. This time I am glad to talk about a very recurrent prayer of our liturgy.

Kyrie Eleison is prayer frequently used in our liturgy. Though we know its literal meaning, how far we’ve gone in its soul? St. Symeon of Thessaloniki writes about the Kyrie Eleison prayer: " 'Have mercy upon us, O God, according to your great mercy, we beseech you ... ' This expression is appropriate, since we should not ask for anything except for mercy, as we have neither boldness nor access to offer anything as our own ...So as sinners and condemned through sin we cannot, nor dare not, say anything to our Loving Master except ‘have mercy’.

"The word mercy in English is the translation of the Greek word ‘eleos’. This word has the same ultimate root as the old Greek word for oil, or more precisely, olive oil; a substance which was used extensively as a soothing agent for bruises and minor wounds. The oil was poured onto the wound and gently massaged in, thus soothing, comforting and making whole the injured part. The Hebrew word which is also translated as eleos and mercy is ‘hesed’, and means steadfast love. The Greek words for 'Lord, have mercy,' are 'Kyrie, eleison' that is to say, 'Lord, soothe me, comfort me, take away my pain, show me your steadfast love.' Thus mercy does not refer so much to justice or acquittal a very Western interpretation but to the infinite loving-kindness of God, and his compassion for his suffering children! It is in this sense that we pray 'Lord, have mercy,' with great frequency throughout the Divine Liturgy."

By its theological richness, spiritual significance, and variety, the worship of the Mar Thoma church represents one of the most significant factors in the church’s continuity and identity. Let’s proudly uphold our great traditions of worship. May God Bless you all.

With love and prayers

Genil Abraham Achen

I am really glad to be with you all, as the 23rd Priest as well as the 9th Assistant Vicar of the Kuwait Mar Thoma Parish. Praises and honour to God for His selection and providence, at the same time, thanks to the Synod for my appointment. Rev. Thomas Varghese, Rev. Genil Abraham and Rev. Thomas P Koshy [Vicar of St. Thomas Church, Salmiya] along with office bearers, committee members and parish members whole heartedly welcomed me at Kuwait Airport. Both Ahamadi & Salmiya Parish office bearers were also joined in reception at Airport. On 10th May, after Holy Communion, Parish has arranged a reception meeting for me. Now Organizations & Prayer Groups are arranging their receptions according to their convenience. Hearty thanks to everybody for your lovable gestures, words & expressions at receptions. Prayerful regards to you all, from my mother parish, Bethel Mar Thoma Church, Thannithode & from my family Sheeja, son Charis and daughter Chalos.

Being a Mar Thoma Community, growing in Christ should be our main thrust in the midst of Contemporary situation. Let us uphold the same as a challenge and try to grow until His head. There are many ups & downs, tensions, crises etc. in our life experience. Let us face the situation with God's presence. If we can follow the foot steps of Jesus, as role model, we can grow until His head. Let our mind, be the mind of Jesus. If God will allow, I will be here for 3 years among you all and I seek your Prayer & co-operation. 

May God bless you all,

In Christ, 

Rev. A. Y. Varughese

Assistant Vicar.

Posted on May 30 2010

 My beloved Parishioners

"Not To Be Served But To Serve"


I am extremely happy to address all my Parish members on behalf of the Office-bearers of the year 2010 - 2011. As we have come to a new financial year of the Parish, the new Office -bearers are in need of your valuable prayers and participation in all the programmes of the Parish. By God's grace, we have three Achens to guide and lead us efficiently. Let's be proud of our Parish, which is one of the unique parishes of Mar Thoma Church, in membership, number and strength of the Parish organizations, number of worship services, number of prayer groups and in terms of the financial assistance we provide every year for the upliftment of the poor and needy, being part of our Christian commitment. When we look back to the history of our Parish, anybody can realize the abundant mercy, grace and guidance of our Lord Almighty, which protected and sustained our Parish in this country.

At this juncture of 47 years of existence of our Parish, we cannot claim that we have fulfilled or taken care of all our responsibilities and duties. What we have done or have been doing is only a small part. Major challenges yet remain unaddressed when we look at the immense potentials given by God Almighty to our Parish. When the Parish is referred as a "community within the community", we should grow up to the stage of the community, including everyone, respecting, caring and serving everyone, which is the model shown by our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are proud of the qualitative and quantitative growth of our Parish, even then we all must join hands to strive for further excellence in every aspect. Prayer groups and the Parish organizations are the strength of the Parish and hence expected to be under the same umbrella of the Parish with more discipline and more commitment. Let all our programmes be for His Glory and for the expansion of His Kingdom.

Please do not hesitate to convey your valuable suggestions and innovative proposals for the betterment of our Parish. WE ARE AT YOUR SERVICE. May God bless us all.

With prayerful regards
Adv. P. John Thomas
Vice President
 

Posted on May 30 2010

Dearly Beloved in Christ, 

Greetings to all in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

This year's our VBS ended very well. The final day programme held on 26th June was a memorable event. This year's VBS Director was our Thomas Varghese Achen. Achen led well. I am coming in to the main theme of our VBS. Radiance of Virtues (Mt. 5:16). This was the main theme of our VBS. It was a life touching theme. I know that the classes based on this theme really influenced our children. This theme has been taken from the Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount is a vivid description of the noble values in a Christian life. What is virtues? The real virtue is our Jesus. It is something that shines involuntarily. It is a manifestation of the wonderfully bright inner state. See an experience from the life of Mother Theresa. 

"I once picked up a woman from a garbage dump and she was burning with fever; she was in her last days and her only lament was: 'My son did this to me.' I begged her: You must forgive your son. In a moment of madness when he was not himself, he did a thing he regrets. Be a mother to him, forgive him. It took me a long time to make her say: 'I forgive my son.' Just before she died in my arms, she was able to say that with a real forgiveness. She was not concerned that she was dying. The breaking of the heart was that her son did not want her. This is something you and I can understand." 

We a group of 22 members visited the Holy Land from July 3-10. It was an unforgettable event in our life. We visited the 'Sermon on the Mount Church' near the Sea of Galilee. Really we experienced the presence of Jesus there. He taught about the virtues in life from this mount. In Holy Land we celebrated Holy Communion near the tomb of Jesus. We stayed in Nazareth and Olive Mount. This trip was arranged by our Savika Sangam. We express our sincere thanks to those who prayed for us. 

With love and prayers  

Raju Thomas Achen

Posted on July 26 2009

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

`Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.'[ Mat 5:16J.

Mar Thoma Sunday School Samajam, has selected the above mentioned verse as the common memory verse for the 2009 KUVBS. By God's grace, our Parish got wonderful chance to conduct KUVBS, at NECK Church and Parish Hall. As you all know, the thematic presentation is from Jesus's sermon on the mount. The theme demand and calls us to be a shining light before others. VBS family in Kuwait got very precious time for dedicating themselves before the noble values of Jesus Christ. Let us all try to apply the beatitudes in our lives through the relationship with the Almighty.

Summer vacation has started and many members had gone to India at their respective places. Some parents with their children are still on the process of 'search programme for higher education admission'. Don't be tensed. He will never forsake you. Surely our God will do miracle for you. God never allow, not even a single child, to loose his/ her academic venture. He will keep His promises according to His faithfulness. So, with hope, let us continue the matter in our intense prayer.

Some parishioners are preparing themselves for moving to India for enjoying with their kith and kin during this vacation. When you are with dear ones, try to remember His wonderful providence and mercy. Let you not forget to sing a new thanks giving song, altogether.

We Achens are happy that many are participating in our parish worship services whole-heartedly. Even then, some youths and children are still away from our parish programmes. They give much concentration for their studies. Please note that wisdom comes not through education only, but through God's grace too. For that we need to spend time with Jesus. Just for evaluation: all our active Sunday school senior students, got high score in +2 result, upto 94.5%. In 10th, for subject, one student got 100%. May I congratulate them for their wonderful and God fearing experience. Shall I request to all children and their parents to give more importance for Jesus's virtues, which He taught from His life style. If so, we will be blessed.

Our Parish Office Bearers and Committee [2008-'09] have executed their duties faithfully. My sincere thanks to them, personally. At the same time, Wishes to the Office Bearers and Committee for the year 2009-2010.

Organizations have already started their yearly planned programmes and they are really active at their own respective ground. My wishes to you all, for bear good fruits. Now we have 9 organizations in our Parish. All parish members are free to join in any one of the above mentioned Organizations, according to your willingness. Any how, my ambition is all my parishioners should grow in Christ.

Let God Bless you all.

In Christ,

Thomas Varghese Achen

Posted on June 30 2009

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

We take delivery of June with a Holiday mood in Kuwait due to closure of schools for summer vacation. Many of us go to visit their dear ones in home land. Holiday is a relief from busy and hectic activities of life. But it is not just an escape. One can utilize it for total revitalization of his/her life.

In St. Mark 1:35 we see Jesus taking such a withdrawal.

No one could ever accuse Christ of laziness! The Son of God was no sloth. Yet, with all His activity-we see Him retreat to a solitary place to engage in His most important of all activities... that He could fellowship and commune with the Father undisturbed.. and truly prepare for what was ahead! This experience was probably the favorite part of His life. VBS is such an opportunity for the children. We pray that your summer is going well and that is a time for rest and renewal.

After the Easter the church almanac focuses on a flurry of mission themes .

Mission starts from an attitude of confession. A prayer goes like this:

We confess before you and all people:

We have been unworthy servants.

We have misused and abused the creation.

We have wounded one another by divisions everywhere.

We have often failed to take decisive action against environmental destruction, poverty, racism, caste-ism, war and genocide. We are not only victims but also perpetrators of violence. In all this, we have fallen short as disciples of Jesus Christ who in his incarnation came to save us and teach us how to love. Forgive us, God, and teach us to forgive one another. God, hear the cries of all creation,

the cries of the waters, the air, the land and all living things;

the cries of all who are exploited, marginalized, abused and victimized, all who are dispossessed and silenced, their humanity ignored, all who suffer from any form of disease, from war

and from the crimes of the arrogant who hide from the truth,

distort memory and deny the possibility of reconciliation.

God, guide all in seats of authority towards decisions of moral integrity.

Let us meaningfully participate in this prayer and take our part in His mission.

With Love and Prayer

Genil Abraham Achen

Posted on May 2009

By the Grace of God, we are entering into a new financial year, i.e from 1st April onwards. New Office Bearers and Executive Committee are eagerly waiting to begin their tenure. Let us join together and co-operate for the well being of our parish.

As you all know, we are in the Valiya Mombu(Great Lent), and many are spending much time for prayer and fasting. We are expected to practice prayer and fasting in our homes throughout the 50 lent days. Isaiah 58:6-7 says, "The kind of fasting I want is this, remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppresses go free. share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless and poor.Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your relatives'. "Let not our Lent period deteriorate into a mere ritual but, instead, sensitively respond to the needs of the downtrodden brethern around us".May this lent period help us to rededicate our lives before our Lord, who emptied. Himself of all heavenly Glory and descended to earth to accomplish the great mission, "Salvation of mankind".

At this Academic year, 10th and 12th standard students have done good attempt in their Board Examinations. Almighty God haas showered abundant Grace towards our Children. Even if our Board Exams are over, both parents and children are in tension, due to next admissions. Let us hope thaat God will never forsake His children and do wonders according to His faithfulness

Now the Parish and Organizations are preparing annual reports and accounts to publish their respective gatherings. I an really proud of all organizations and its activities, because all have done their duties well.

Now, we have 3 achens to serve. We achens are planning to have a systematic house visit programme within the Parish. Please continue to cope with achens, so that the ministry will be blessed for all.

Our Office Bearers and Executive Committee Members (2008-2009) have done their duties very well. All parishioners have given much support for them and participated in all parish programmes and worship. Parishioners fiancial support was highly appreciable.

Since we are about to close the current financial year, shall I extend my hearty thanks for Raju Thomas Achen and family. Genil Abraham Achen and family, Office Bearers, Executive committee Members and all parishioners for their sincere co-operation.

Let us hope in good and blessed future of Christ

Posted on March 2009