August 2009

Dearly beloved in Christ,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Family Conference- 2009 is over. The messages by Paulos Thirumeni and the classes by Abraham Scariah achen were great. The leadership of Theodosius Tirumeni added the blessings. All the participants were enjoyed and were blessed by attending the family conference this year. Next family conference is to be held at Farmers Branch Mar Thoma church and Rev. Minoy Kuruvilla the present vicar invited all,

to attend the family conference-2010. Glad to note that few members registered there itself for the next Conference.

We all know that our Savika Sanghom is hosting the 10th National Conference of the Savika Sanghom. The venue is Holiday Inn, Suffern, NY. Our members are working hard to make it a blessing to our Parish as well as those are attending the same. Rev.Philip George of Philadelphia MTC, an excellent expositor and Mrs. Suma George Cherian, the administrative secretary of

Missions India and Mrs.Shanthi Varghese, the executive committee member of all India council of Christian women are the leaders besides our Thirumeni. Our whole hearted co- operation should strengthen our Savika Sanghom members. Please remember this conference in our prayers.

August 6th Thursday is the transfiguration day. The transfiguration of Jesus provides a hope that we too can have the privilege of Sonship. But this is not a privilege without cost. It is a call to discipleship through sacrifice. But we can be carried away by other worldly phenomena or be tempted like Peter to stay on the mountain top, away from the realities of the valley. Though the cross of Christ was hoisted on a hilltop, the life of the cross is to be lived in the valley, in the midst of the struggle of the people. Let us go down to valley from the mountain top.

May the Almighty bless each one of us.

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