April 2008

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

February- March season was a time of great festivity for Christians all over the world. February was the season for conventions. By the grace of God some of our members were able to attend the Maramon Convention and share the blessings, as well as learn some conventions songs. Last month, we celebrated the World day of Prayer at our Church, where members from our neighboring Mar Thoma churches and Hudson valley C.S.I church along with their vicar Rev.Mathew P George participated. Lunch was served to all who attended, and the credit goes to our Sevika Sanghom members for hosting it. We also celebrated Palm Sunday, commemorating the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. We had Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday evening and “Pesaha appam” was served as a snack. Let me extend my sincere thanks to the people who donated the snack. On Good Friday we had worship services. Again le me extend my sincere thanks to all those who donated for the fellowship lunch as well as to those who worked so hard to serve the Kanji after the service.

The North East Regional Youth Fellowship Spring One-Day Conference was hosted by our youths in our parish. About 325 youths attended the conference and I appreciate as well as congratulate our enthusiastic youths for hosting such a big group and arranging the programs. During the Altar call, almost all rededicated their lives to the glory of God. We celebrated resurrection on Easter Sunday. Jesus said ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He also promised, “I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am” (Jn.14:3) We are all children of God. He cares for us. Seek first the kingdom of God and all blessings will be given to us. (Mat: 6:33). Don’t forget: God is bigger than our problems. The worries that presses upon us today, put them in His hands and leave them there. May the resurrected Lord give us a wonderful and blessed new month.

Yours in His service,

Babu Achen

Rev. P. E. Mathew

Rev. P. E. Mathew (Vicar)

We are blessed to be under the pastoral guidance and leadership of Rev. P. E. Mathew as Vicar of St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church NY. Achen's native place is Kallooppara and Laly Kochmma is from Varikkadu, Tiruvalla. They have one son, Eby, who is finishing his BSc in Mangalore.

Achen and family had been in the Karnataka Missions Field (Hoskote, Mundugod, Sirsi Sankeshwar, Kunta) for several years and then served in Kerala. The last parish they ministered at was in the Sultan Bathery and Nilambur area.

email Rev. P. E. Mathew at
babuachen@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. George 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