NEWSLETTER VOL. XLV NO. 10

October

2023

Vicar: Rev. John Philip [vicar@stthomasmtc.org]

Secretary: Mr. Josen Joseph [secretary@stthomasmtc.org]

2

Greetings in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Let's thank God for the

blessed month of September and welcome October the month of Fall.

Let's praise God for our newly installed Rambans. It is a proud moment for both

our Church and Parish, as our former Vicar, Rev. Saju. C. Pappachen is going to

be elevated as the Bishop. May the Lord help the Rambachans carry out their

ministry faithfully and according to the will of God.

Our Sunday school regional talent fest was held in our church on 30th Septem-

ber . I express my sincere gratitude to all the teachers and parents, especially I

congratulate our students who participated in the fest and for qualifying for over-

all championship .

I thank God that our Parish Retreat was organized most beautifully. I appreciate

all those who worked effortlessly to make it a great success. May Lord help us to

express and live in new insights that we received from the retreat.

We observe the first Sunday as Voluntary Evangelistic Association day and medi-

tating on Christian presence in different life spaces. May God grant us to live our

lives as evangelists in the conviction that every Marthomite is an evangelist. Sec-

ond week we observe the day of the differently abled. Let us respect and care for

all God's creations. Third Sunday we observe it as Youth Sunday. I pray that all

our young people spend and nurture their youth with Christ. Parents are requested

to encourage youth to attend Youth Fellowship Meetings and Yuvajana Sakhyam

Meetings regularly. On the Fourth Sunday we observe as Christian Family dedica-

tion day. May Lord bless our families to be replicas of the kingdom of God and

the space of experience of heavenly joy. Fifth Sunday we meditate on confession,

our confession should lead us to reconciliation with God and humans.

I request your prayerful participation in our Annual Convention which is to be

held on the 5th to 8th of this month. The theme of this year's convention *"The

Uniqueness of God's Call"* . Rev. V T. Thomas, Vicar, Salem MTC, Long Island

and Rev. George Abraham, Diocesan secretary will be the main speaker.

NERAC Convention will be held on 27th to 29th of October. On

28th the Convention Venue will be our Church.

I hope you all generously contribute to the special need of our

Parish these days. May God bless us all with His mercy.

With Prayers,

Rev. John Philip

Vicar’s Message

Youth Chaplain

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Youth Chaplain’s Message

Dearly beloved in Christ,

Let us thank God for enabling us to enter the 10

th

month of the year. The weather is

getting a bit chilly by the day, but never be disheartened but live life thankfully to

God. October is a month for us to enjoy the fabulous foliage of Autumn. One thing

we tend to enjoy throughout this season is when trees change colors. It is always

enjoyable to go on a long scenic drive to see the leaves turn orange, brown, and

yellow. Kids also love stopping on the leaves to hear the satisfying crunching

sounds that they make. As much as we enjoy the season and its colors, we should

be reminded that the colors are enjoyable only when the leaves die. That is where

its beauty is realized more. Christ has given us His life while living and, in His

death, burial, and resurrection. He had shown us in His perfection, how perfect He

is to us and how we can enjoy being with Him. In all seasons of our lives, we can

abide in His beauty of holiness. As we go through the season by season let us never

forget God has given us the precious gift of being life on this earth, to exist for

Him. Let us do that to the fullest.

October 15

th

we are celebrating Youth/ Yuvajana Sakhyam Sunday. Let us thank

God for the ministry of the growing generation of our church. One thing I would

like to emphasize to our parents is to invest in the future of our church for the grow-

ing generation and to teach our youths to own the church and invest in the ministry

as well. It should be passed down with passion instead of our spiritual journey go-

ing into a slumber. We are blessed in this nation and fought so hard to make ends

meet and to make sure we are secure. While I had the blessed opportunity to sit one

-on-one with Fr. Davis Chiramel, he spoke about his burden for the growth of our

spirituality. One thing we need to remember is that it is easy to care and nurture for

the security of our flesh, but often we forget to nurture the security and health of our

soul. The flesh is temporal and the soul is eternal. As we think about the commem-

oration of Youth Sunday, let us all be challenged to invest in the eternal things and

pass them on for generations to come.

It is indeed a joy for me to use this month to visit college campuses for the Fall Se-

mester. Please pray for the college students of our church as well as help in direct-

ing the Campus ministry for the growth of our students to personally connect with

the spiritual community and ultimately and importantly to God.

Wishing everyone a blessed October!

Much love

Rev. Jess George

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Date Time Worship

Sun, Oct 1 9:30 am

Praise & Worship: Youth Fellowship

English Holy Communion Service

(Live Stream will be available)

Sun, Oct 8 9:30 am

Praise & Worship: Edavaka Mission

English Holy Communion Service

(Live Stream will be available)

Sun, Oct 15 9:30 am

Praise & Worship: Yuvajana Sakhyam

Malayalam Holy Communion Service

(Live Stream will be available)

Sun, Oct 22 9:30 am

Praise & Worship: Sevika Sangham

Malayalam Holy Communion Service

(Live Stream will be available)

Sun, Oct 29 9:30 am

Praise & Worship: Edavaka Mission

Divine Service

Worship Service Schedule

Date

Thematic Meaning

Oct 1

Christian Presence in Differing Life Spaces

(Voluntary Evangelist’s Association Day)

Oct 8

Difference and Dignity of all creation;

Day of the Differently abled.

Oct 15

Youth with Christ

(Youth Sunday)

Oct 22

Family, an expression of the Kingdom of God

( Christian Family Dedication Sunday)

Oct 29

Confession: Sacrament of Reconciliation with

God and humans

Important Days

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Leconary

Sunday, October 1

Lesson 1 Isa 49: 1-6

Lesson 2 Acts 16: 19-34

Epistle Gal 1: 11-17

Gospel

Luke 12: 41-48

Sunday, October 8

Lesson 1 Isa 35: 1-10

Lesson 2 Acts 14:1-10

Epistle 1 Thess 5: 12-22

Gospel Luk 14: 12-14

Sunday, October 15

Lesson 1 Dan 1:11-17

Lesson 2 1 Pet 3:13-18

Epistle 1Tim 4:: 11-16

Gospel Matt 7:21-27

Sunday, October 22

Lesson 1 Josh 24:14-22

Lesson 2 Acts 10:1-8

Epistle Eph 5:21-33

Gospel Luke 10:38-42

Sunday, October 29

Lesson 1 Gen 45: 1-15

Lesson 2 I Cor 6: 1-11

Epistle 2 Cor 5: 16-21

Gospel Matt 22:34-40

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Area Prayer Meengs

Area Date & Time Location

Bronx/

Yonkers South

Sun, Oct 1

6.30 pm

Zoom

Manhattan/ New

Jersey

Sat , Oct 7

7:00pm

Cancelled due to

Parish Convention

Queens/

Long Island

Sun, Oct 8

6.30 pm

Thomas Oommen

313 Old Westbury Road

East Meadow, NY 11554

Upper

Westchester/CT

Sat Oct 14

7:00pm

Zoom

Rockland

Sun, Oct 15

6.30 pm

Rajan Chacko,

5 Lester Drive,

Orangeburg, NY

Yonkers East

Sat, Oct 21

7:00pm

Zoom

Yonkers North Sun Oct 22 Zoom

Yonkers West Sat, Oct 28

Cancelled due to

Regional Convention

Senior Cizen Fellowship

Date Location

Thurs, Oct 5

10:00 AM

Zoom

Thurs, Oct 19

10:00 AM

Zoom

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Date Location

Wed, October 4

7:00 PM

Zoom

Wed, October 11

6:00 PM

Church

Wed, October 18

7:00 PM

Zoom

Wed, October 25

10:00 AM

Fasting Prayer at Church

Edavaka Mission Prayers

Date Location

Fri, Oct 6

10:00 AM

Zoom due to Parish Convention

Fri, Oct 13

10:00 AM

Church

Fri, Oct 20

10:00 AM

Church

Fri, Oct 27

10:00 AM

Church

Sevika Sangham Prayers

Yuvajana Sakhyam

Date Location

Fri, Oct 20

7:00 PM

Church

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Bronx/Yonkers South

Jessa Ann Thomas 34 Morris Street 8

Ms. Nimmy Varghese 133 Van Cortland Pk. Ave. 9

Johan Joy Anuj 30 Leroy Place 29

Mr. Reji Thomas 15 Intervale Place 30

Manhattan/New Jersey

Mrs.Michelle Mary Philip 29 High Mountain Dr 3

Mrs. Mini Easo 701 Plympton Street 7

Shane Abraham Thomas 327 Merritt Drive 8

Ms. Suzanna Marie Mathews 10 Freeman St 14

Mr. Jonathan Andrews Easo 257 Bradley Ave. 20

Queens/Long Island

Jordan Thomas 12 Nassau Drive 11

Talia Marie Varghese 17 Wendell St 17

Amelia Rachel Varghese 17 Wendell St 30

Rockland

Alyssa Cherian 3 Stern Place 3

Mrs. Sruthi Edison 9 Dade Rd 3

Ms. Jocelyn Chacko 161 Laurel Rd 6

Ms. Nisha Susan Thomas 30 Phyllis Drive 6

Mrs. Shirley Issac Chacko 51 Alexander Drive 8

Mrs. Tessy Idiculla 112 RENEE LANE 10

Mrs. Anamma John 73 Oakland Place 10

Mr. Sony Mathew Jacob 306 Quidor Court 11

Mr. Thomas John 99 Union Road, Apt. H44 11

Anaya Ann-Marie Mathew 576 ROUTE 304 12

Ms. Soumya Ann Varughese 3 Blithe Ct. 12

Shawn Mathew Varughese 161 Laurel Rd 12

Allen Daniel 72 Old Middletown Rd 13

Mrs. Susan Philip 29 North Park Terrace 14

Mrs. Liya S. Samuel 5 Spruce Drive 14

Ms. Merin Sara Sabu 4 Michael Drive 24

Mr. Jofy Thomas 248 Betsy Ross Dr 24

Mrs. Lovely Simon 5 Spruce Dr 25

Sherin Ann Mathew 280 Cottage Rd 27

Naomi Beth Chacko 137 Lake Region Blvd 28

Ms. Anisha Varghese 6 Mayfield Street 28

Mr. Snehith Thomas Abraham 8 Birret Drive 30

Dhanya James 833 Concorde Cir Unit 5202 31

October Birthdays

October Birthdays Conn-

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Mr. P. M. John 73 Oakland Place 31

Ms. Meena K. Mathew 37 Headden Drive 31

Mr. Mampatteth Mathews 14 New Holland Village 31

Upper Westchester/CT

Mrs. Elizabeth Chacko 52 High Street 3

Naina Rose Jacob 181 Weed Ave 4

Ethan Joseph Kurian 20 Paradise Dr 5

Aaron Thomas Abraham 6 Glen Avenue 9

Dr. Sam G. Cherian 288 Spring Rd. 17

Mrs. Suja E. George 18 Bayberry Lane 20

Chris Skariah Niresh 368 Pine Brook Blvd 21

Mr. Cheruthone Mathai 10 Lilac Lane 22

Ms. Nileena Johnkutty 36 Archer Ave. 23

Abigail Abraham 4 Salk Dr 24

Dr. Premila Abraham 20 Harriman Keep 27

Mr. Bejoy Chacko 52 High Street 28

Mrs. Saramma Thomas 131 Harvard Drive 29

Mr. Manoj T. Mathew 5 Wayne Way 30

Yonkers East

Mr. Varghese A. Thomas 108 Cook Avenue 3

Mrs. Mary Varghese 108 Cook Avenue 19

Mr. Josen Joseph 189 Round Hill Drive 20

Ms. Neethu Kuruvilla 28 Balmoral Cress 21

Albin Eapen Shaji 33 Shoreview Drive Apt-2 25

Yonkers North

Ms. Saramma John 201 Shonnard Terrace 1

Mrs. Sunitha Varghese 7882 Crescent Park Dr. 11

Mrs. Mary Joseph 149 Greenvale Ave. 17

Mr. George Yohannan 105 Midland Terrace 19

Mrs. Mariamma Mathunni 71 Nimitz Road 21

Mr. Thomas Varghese 107 Westminster Drive 23

Mr. Jerry John 17 Argyle Terrace 28

Mrs. Sosamma Thomas 360 Edwards Place 31

Yonkers West

Anika Leila Thomas 5020 Goodridge Ave 13

Mrs. Thankamma John 172 Vrendenburgh Ave. 15

Joshua Sawan Mathew 80 Riverdale Ave, Apt #8K 15

Mr. Aarush Phil John 34 Morris st 16

Leila Thomas 5020 Goodridge Ave 31

October Birthdays Conn-

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October Wedding Anniver-

Bronx/Yonkers South

Mr. Nithin M. Varghese & Mrs. Jessy Varghese 6

1086 Walnut Woods Pl

Queens/Long Island

Mr. Thomas Oommen & Mrs. Sherly Thomas 4

313 Old Westbury Road

Rockland

Mr. Samuel John & Mrs. Mariamma John 5

144 Brewery Road

Mr. Abey Cherian & Mrs. Libby Cherian 16

3 Stern Place

Mr. Abraham P. Jacob & Mrs. Cecily Abraham 20

56 Millspaugh Ln

Mr. K. M. Thomas & Mrs. Annamma Thomas 21

5 Eckerson Lane

Mr. Michael Price & Ms. Listy Price 23

3517 John Paul Jones Lane

Mr. George Byju Koshy & Mrs. Sruthi Edison Vallikunnal 26

9 Dade Rd

Upper Westchester/CT

Mr. Pallickal Easo Koshy & Mrs. Mariamma Koshy 9

7 Bonnie Meadow Rd

Mr. John Mathai & Mrs. Timble M. Mathew 19

135 Linn Ave

Yonkers East

Mr. Thomas V. Varghese & Mrs. Susan Thomas 25

1055 Dobbs Ferry Rd.

Yonkers North

Mr. Raju George & Mrs. Annie Raju George 3

194 Osmun Place

Mr. Abraham George & Mrs. Sosamma Abraham 12

23 Etville Avenue

Mr. N. J. Mathai & Mrs. Aleyamma Mathai 14

201 Shonnard Terrace

Yonkers West

Mr. Joseph Oommen & Mrs. Molly Joseph 23

30 Post Street. Apt 5G

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October Wedding Anniver-

Condolences

Family Sunday

Mr. Evans Christopher Sumitra, member of our Church, (655 East 228

St, Apt 4F, Bronx, New York 10466) went to be with the Lord on

09/19/2023, in Udupi, Karnataka at the age of 77.

Funeral services were held on September 24 at Udupi, Karnataka.

Mr. A. V. Varughese (Pulickal Cottage, Venmony), father of our former

Vicar Rev. Johnson Varughese went to be with the Lord on Wednes-

day September 27th, 2023 in Venmony, Kerala at the age of 97.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday October 3

rd

at 1.30 pm, at Se-

hion Mar Thoma Church, Venmony.

On behalf of St Thomas Mar Thoma Church, I express our

sincere condolences to the bereaving families and pray that God give

them sufficient courage and strength to face this difficult time

Family, an expression of the Kingdom of God.

Family Sunday will be observed on October 22nd, 2023

(Christian Family Dedication Sunday)

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Parish Convenon

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Regional Convenon

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Sunday School

On Saturday, September 30

th

, our church hosted the Sunday School

North East Regional Talent Festival. Our children participated in

showcasing their talents through songs, storytelling, elocution, and

Bible reading. Our children earned 4 Bronze, 8 Silver, and 5 Gold

medals in individual competitions. For Group Events, we won for

Gold for English Group, Silver for Malayalam Group and Gold for

Bible Quiz. St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church earned the overall

championship of The Sunday School Northeast regional talent festi-

val. Congratulations to all participants, their teachers, and parents!

Special Prayer

Date Location

Tue, Oct 24

7:00 PM

Mr. P. T. Thomas

10 Carberry CT.

Pomona, NY 10970

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Execuve Commiee -

Position Name Home Phone

Vicar/President Rev. John Philip (914) 450-3162

Vice President Mr. T. P. Jacob (516) 365-3750

Secretary Mr. Josen Joseph (914) 346-8644

Treasurer Mr. Biju P Varughese (845) 596-0537

Accountant Mr. Sajan Abraham (917) 304-2121

Lay Leader - Malayalam Mr. M.J. George (914) 376-7185

Lay Leader - English Mr. Nikhil Thomas (224) 814-9018

AREA PRAYER GROUP REPRESENTATIVES

Manhattan/NJ Mr. Jacob Varghese (201) 384-0041

Queens/LI Mr. T. P. Jacob (516) 365-3750

Rockland Mr. John K Abraham (845) 426-2327

Rockland Mrs. Leena Daniel (914) 441-8233

Upper Westchester/CT Mr. Mathew Abraham (914) 939-8194

Upper Westchester/CT Mr. Thankachen Geevarghese (914) 939-0282

Yonkers East Mr. K.G. Varghese (914) 202-7093

Yonkers North Mr. Cheriyan Varughese (914) 316 2439

Yonkers South/Bronx Mr. M.J. George (914) 376-7185

Yonkers West Mr. Joseph Oommen (914) 343-4652

MANDALAM & DIOCESAN REPRESENTATIVES

Sabha Mandalam Mr. Cheriyan Varughese (914) 965-0969

Diocesan Representatives Mrs.: Sherly Thomas (516) 796 2672

Mr. Levan George Thomas (917) 406 1149

Mr. Samuel K. Samuel (914) 693-8490

ORGANIZATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

Choir Mr. Samuel K. Samuel (914) 693-8490

Edavaka Mission Mr. K.C. Thomas (914) 963-3499

Sr Citizens Fellowship Mr. George Varkey (845) 268-0812

Sevika Sangham Mrs. Jessy Kuruvilla (914) 582-0710

Sunday School Dr. Premila Abraham (914) 304-2121

Youth Fellowship Mr. Joshin Johnkutty (914) 510-3421

Young Family Fellowship Mr. Sunil Varughese (845) 598-3994

Yuvajana Sakhyam Mr. Jishu Samuel (914) 690-4868

AUDITORS

Mr. Thomas John (845) 290-1652

Dr. Geevarghese Kochumman (914) 948-2363

, our church hosted the Sunday School

showcasing their talents through songs, storytelling, elocution, and

Bible reading. Our children earned 4 Bronze, 8 Silver, and 5 Gold

medals in individual competitions. For Group Events, we won for

Gold for English Group, Silver for Malayalam Group and Gold for

championship of The Sunday School Northeast regional talent festi-

val. Congratulations to all participants, their teachers, and parents!

16