Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar,
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Rev. Raju Thomas

Raju Thomas Achen

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

 

Rev. Thomas Varghese

Thomas Varghese Achen

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

Rev. Genil Abraham

Genil Abraham Achen

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

Rev. Thomas Varghese

Thomas Varghese Achen

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

With Prayers and Love

Thomas Varghese Achen.

Posted on March 2009

Rev. Raju Thomas

Raju Thomas AchenDear Beloved in Christ,

Greetings to you all in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. “Make good use of every opportunity you have because these are evil days” Eph 5:16.

Time and Tides are same. It will not wait for us. What is the value of time? To know the value of one year, ‘ask a student who has failed in his examination’. To realize the value of one month, ‘ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby’. To realize the value of one week, ‘ask the editor of a weekly’. To realize the value of one day, ‘ask a daily wage laborer’. To realize the value of one hour, ’ask the lover who is waiting to meet. To realize the value of one minute, ‘ask the person who has missed the train’. To realize the value of one second,’ ask a person who has survived an accident’. To realize the value of one milli-second, ’ask a person who has won silver medal in Olympics’. Time is very precious. Time and days are the gift of God.

Perilous times, evil days, end times are some of the words used by the scriptures to describe the time that we live. One needs no deep interpretation to relate our time that we live. One needs no deep interpretation to relate our times with the description we see in the pages of the Bible. The word of God not only makes us aware of the nature of the times we live but also instructs how we should live in these days. Paul writing to the Ephesian church exhorts to redeem the time. He says “Be very careful, then how you live – not us unwise but wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil Ephesians 5:16.

Be conscious of the brevity of time.

Days, weeks and years move very swiftly. Redeeming the time becomes a priority once we are aware of the shortness of human lifespan. The psalmist compares our life to the grass in the field and apostle James compares life to vapor. We not only have one life but have a brief one. No wonder apostle Paul tells believers to redeem the time.

While the entertainment would screen “today’s show” tomorrow in real life missed opportunities rarely return. God’s word teaches us to work while it is still day and make the commitment while it is yet today. “Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.

Much can be accomplishes by saving the fragments of time we waste. Many of world’s great men have achieved great things not in their normal work schedule, but by redeeming the spare time they found during their daily occupation. John Wesley read books during the long hours of travel on a horse. One of God’s chosen men who brought countrywide revival in southern India was an ordinary farmer who studied God’s word while his oxen rested.

The scripture teaches us to be on the watch out for “little foxes that spoil the vine”. Some of our activities may not be harmful and evil in themselves but unnecessary and unproductive in building a vibrant spiritual life. Learn to say “No” to those things that steal our precious time.

Let’s use our times very cautious. We have only few weeks ahead of us to complete this financial year. One of the important programme, Parish Festival is in our doorsteps. May this be a great experience in our life.

Again wish you all a “Happy New Year”
Raju Achen

Posted on February 2009

Zachrias Mar Theophilus Saffragan Metropolitan

Zachrias ThirumeniDear Beloved in Christ,
Really glad that I have got one more chance to be with you all, specially at the advent season. I appreciate the Vicars. Officials, Executive committees and parishioners for colorful growth in both spiritual and social spheres.

A familiar year is passing out and an unknown future is approaching us. Already the past was horrible, distasteful and painful. No one like the reputation of terrorism, pity wars, piracy and religious conflicts. We look forward a joyful, Peaceful and Fruitful year. It could remain merely a hope and a dream. But CHRISTMAS seems to make a difference. The Angels sings from the heaven “joy to the world, the LORD is come”. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests”.

This suggest, peace is not a handy work of any human being, but Gift of God the Almighty. Joy comes, not from the pleasure of the world, but by the presence of God, god with us. In the New Year, we need to look for the eternal contemporary God in Christ, through in Spirit. Seeking God is wisdom. God looks down from heaven to see: who search God ?[Psalms 53]

Seeking pleasure is foolishness. New world has to renew it’s value system and way of action to include all in the periphery and share with all who are deprived off and marginalized. The joy of the world is through share. When we follow God’s call and challenge, we will create a new earth and new heaven.

Let the new earth enable us to generate and disseminate Peace, Joy and Prosperity in and around the world in which we live and move.

With best wishes, prayers and blessings

Zachrias Mar Theophilus Saffragan Metropolitan
OLIVET ARAMANA, CHENGANNUR


Posted on January 2009

Rev. Raju Thomas

Rev Raju Thomas“So then, anyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on a rock” Mt 7:24

Family, for ages, has existed as an extensive and influential social outfit. Its universal nature has impacted almost all cultures. Sociologists suggest that, family is a sociocultural institution. Anthropologists argues that, in ancient days there were no families and most probably lived in groups and they were promiscuous. Karlmax says family is the production unit of tomorrows lab our force. Others have different opinions. But Bible says family is God’s creation. Created by God and sustaining by God. Our Valiya Metropolitan, Chrysostum Thirumeni says “family is the place where the secular and the sacred meet each other, the one where relationships are kept intact with God and man. It is the field of love, a centre of service, the workshop where character is formed and a place where one finds the meaning of life”. A family can be compared to an orchestra where there are different voices but the harmony is achieved through proper co-ordination. As the blending of voices brings out the beauty of the music, the differences in the family through proper co-ordination can enhance its aroma. Let’s share few thoughts in this connection.

Family is the basic unit of the society. Family is the place where spiritual, moral and ethical values are handed down to the next generation. It is a nursery where childres are grown trained and disciplined in good Christian values.

Family is the unit of the Kingdom of God. Kingdom of God declares the message of love, sharing, respect, hope and togetherness. This we can see in Christian family lif. If not, it become a hell.

Family is an altar of God. A Christian family is built around Jesus Christ. He is the head of the family, the unseen guest and a silent listener to every conversation. The house is set apart for God and for the use of the family. Family is an altar. The fire of prayer should continue to burn in this altar.

Family is a place of worship and fellowship.Precilla and Acquilla in their house held worship and fellowship meetings which St. Pauls greatly appreciated and participated. In their house there were space for other believers and for the people with needs. In the houses of Philemon and Precilla, many people got consolation and comfort.

Family is a place of relation. Relation is always the base of existence. Family is the best example for it. Relation with God and each other.

But today family system is in danger in many societies. Sweeping changes in several fields, technological advancements, new ideas, social sanctions and new social structures have changed the pattern of family as a whole. Let’s keep the serenity of our families. Be a good family bases on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

With love and prayers

Raju Achen

Posted on January 2009
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Messages Raju Thomas Achen July 2009 Thomas Varghese Achen June 2009 Genil Abraham Achen May 2009 Thomas Varghese Achen Mar 2009 Raju Achen Feb 2009 Zachrias Thirumeni Raju Achen Jan 2009 Thomas Varghese Achen Previous Messages 2007-2008
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