NEWSLETTER VOL. XLV NO. 9 August stthomasmtcny.org 2025 September 2025
2 Dear Parishioners, Greetings in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Let's thank God for the blessed month of August. Let's welcome Sep- tember - the month of Fall. I appreciate all who attended our parish and organizations picnics held on the 16th and 30th, especially to all the hard - working conveners. We observe the first Sunday as *Education Day*. After a wonder- ful vacation, it's time for our kids to go to school as they begin their new Academic year. Many of our children have left their homes and gone to distant colleges. Let's pray that our children will grow in God's faith and God's knowledge while gaining worldly knowledge. It's also a time to remember those kids who are not able to receive good education due to various circumstances. As we begin our new Academic year of Sunday school too, I request and encourage all parents to pre- pare their kids to attend Sunday School regularly. Along with the nation we celebrate this September 2nd as Labor day, the Federal holiday celebrates the immense contribution of workers in the US, who help in the nation's pro- gress and development. Everyone is invited to attend and participate in the BBQ program organized by our Youth Fellowship on that day. We pray that our youth will be able to work towards the progress of our society and community. The second week is observed as *Sevika Sanghom* week, the theme is ' *Woman: Pro- claimers and Practitioners of change* Let all women in the family, in the church, in the workplace, and in the society be a model. May God help all the programs organized by our Sevika Sanghom to be a blessing to others. Let's glorify God for our Senior Citizens Fellowship. We observe the third Sunday as *Senior Citizen Day*, this year we meditate upon the theme Senior Citizens: models of God's righteousness. May the experience and wisdom of Senior Citizens be an asset to the next generation. Our annual parish convention will be held from September 18th to 21st, 2025 at .Rev. Dr. KA Abraham and Mr.Joy Pullad, will be the main speakers. I humbly request your sincere prayers and participation for the same. Fifth Sunday we meditate upon, Stewardship: faith- fulness and transparency. A gentle reminder, that all our area prayer groups meet regularly, and try to meet in person as much as possible. I request your attention and prayerful participation in the RAC Con- vention to be held on the 26th, 27th, and 28th in various parishes in our region. Wishing all the kids a blessed school year. Let me appreciate all those who worked hard behind our VBS and all those kids who have participated in it, and let me appreciate all those who have attended in the Sunday school and youth Fellowship conferences at Atlan- ta and in St John's University in Long Island. May the Lord bless us all. With Prayers and Love, Rev. John Philip Vicar’s Message
3 Youth Chaplain ’ s Corner Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit - One True God! Amen. Dearly Beloved in Christ, In Philippians 1:9 – 10, we read, “And this is my prayer: that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you determine what is best…” The Apostle Paul, writing from a prison cell, opens his letter to the Philippians not with complaints or self - pity, but with a prayer — gentle, pastoral, and full of affection. Though isolated and suffering, his heart remains with his people. His greatest concern is not his own hardship, but their spiritual growth. This is the mark of a true shepherd: one who intercedes on behalf of his flock even in the midst of his own trials. In this short prayer, Paul lifts up three desires — each of which continues to guide us in our walk with Christ today. First, Paul prays that Church love may abound more and more. This is not sentimental or shallow love, but a love shaped by deeper knowledge of Christ and rooted in life within His body, the Church. Christian love is never stagnant. It must grow — expanding in com- passion, deepening in wisdom, and maturing in self - giving action. It is a love that serves, sacrifices, and endures. As we reflect on our own lives, we must ask: Is our love growing colder in a distracted world, or is it becoming more Christ - like with each passing day? Second, Paul desires that the Church grow in discernment and learn to choose what is excellent. It is not enough to settle for what is merely permissible or culturally acceptable. The Christian life invites us into something more: a pursuit of what is best in the eyes of God. Discernment is the ability to recognize the difference between what is simply good and what is holy. When love is rightly formed, it does not blur our vision — it sharpens it. It helps us prioritize with clarity and live with purpose, longing above all to please God. Third, Paul prays that we would live sincere lives. The Greek word translated as “sincere” refers to something tested by sunlight — examined openly, free from hidden cracks or de- ceit. Paul is not calling for perfection, but for authenticity. This is hard. He urges us to cultivate a life that is honest, transparent, and whole. A faith that can be held up to the light and not be found wanting. This leads us to ask ourselves: Are we walking in the truth of God’s presence, or merely maintaining the appearance of faith? Paul’s prayer is not bound to the first - century church in Philippi. It speaks with just as much power to us today. May our lives overflow with love that is active and wise. May our decisions be guided by holy discernment. And may our faith be sincere, reflecting the truth and beauty of the gospel. Let us seek what is excellent. Let us reflect Christ in all that we do. And let us walk blame- lessly in the light of His grace. Yours in Christ, JVarghese Achen
4 Date Time Worship Sun, Sep 7 9:30 AM Praise & Worship English Holy Communion Service Education Sunday: Education that discerns divine purpose Sun, Sep 14 9:30 AM Praise & Worship English Holy Communion Service Sevika Sangham Day – Women: Proclaimers and Practitioners of Change Sun, Sep 21 9:30 AM Praise & Worship Malayalam Holy Communion Service Senior Citizen Sunday – Senior citizens: Models of God ’ s Righteousness. St. Matthew ’ s Day Sun, Sep 28 9:30 AM Praise & Worship Malayalam Holy Communion Service Stewardship: Faithfulness and Transparency Worship Service Schedule Lectionary Date Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Epistle Gospel Sun, Sep 7 Prov 8:1 - 14 Acts 18:24 - 28 Jas 3:13 - 18 Matt 7:21 - 27 Sun, Sep 14 Judges 4:1 - 9 Acts 9:36 - 42 Rom 16:1 - 12 Matt 28:1 - 10 Sun, Sep 21 Lev 19:30 - 37 Eph 6:1 - 9 1Tim 6:7 - 12 Luke 2:25 - 38 Sun, Sep 28 2 Kings 12:4 - 15 Acts 5:1 - 11 I Corin. 4:1 - 5 Luke 19:12 - 24
5 Area Date Location Manhattan/ New Jersey Sat, Sep 6 No Prayer Bronx / Yonkers South / West Sun, Sep 7 6:30 PM Via Zoom Meeting ID: 935 0649 9316 Passcode: 703734 Upper Westchester/ Connecticut Sat, Sep 13 4:00 PM Dr. & Mrs. John Thomas 38 Mckinley Place, Ardsley, NY Queens/ Long Island Sun, Sep 14 No Prayer Yonkers East Sat, Sep 20 No Prayer Parish Convention Rockland Sun, Sep 21 6:30 PM Mr. & Mrs. Aju P. Daniel 72 Old Middletown Rd, New City, NY Yonkers North Sun, Sep 28 6:30 PM Via Zoom Meeting ID: 935 0649 9316 Passcode: 703734 Area Prayer Meetings Message from the Trustees • 7 months accounts was e - mailed and posted on bulletin board, please review and let Trustees know if any discrepancies. • 3rd Quarter will close this month, please submit subscription dues. Send money via Zelle to: [email protected] Trustees
6 Date Program / Location Fri, Sep 5, 12, 19 10:00 AM Friday Meeting @ Church 34 Morris St, Yonkers, NY 10705 Sat, Sep 13 10:00 AM Sevika Sangham Retreat @ Church 34 Morris St, Yonkers, NY 10705 Fri, Sep 26 10:00 AM Friday Meeting via Zoom Zoom Meeting ID: 935 0649 9316 Passcode: 703734 Sevika Sangham & Edavaka Mission Senior Citizens Fellowship Sunday School Date Location Thu, Sep 4, 18 6:30 PM Via Zoom Zoom Meeting ID: 935 0649 9316 Passcode: 703734 Date Program / Location Sun, Sep 7 • Teacher and Student Dedication (during service) • Sunday School Anniversary (after service) • First Day of Sunday School Sat, Sep 27 8:00 AM Talent Festival 2025 Long Island Mar Thoma Church 2350 Merrick Ave, Merrick, NY Date Program / Location Mon, Sep 1 10:00 AM Labor Day Community BBQ Venue: @ Church Youth Fellowship
7 Parish Convention Date Location Sep 18 & 19, 6:30 PM Sep 20, 6:00 PM Sep 21, 9:30 AM Church 34 Morris St, Yonkers, NY 10705 Main Speakers: Rev. Dr. K.A. Abraham Evg. Joy Pullad Evangelist Joy Pullad September 18, 19 Rev. Dr. K.A. Abraham September 20, 21
8 Lay Education & Development 2025
9 Altar Boys & Covenant Girls Program
10 Episcopal Visit Date Program Sun, Oct 5 9:00 AM • English Holy Communion Service • First Communion Service • Senior Citizen Recognition for those: • Completed 70 years in Age • Completed 50 years in Marriage • Completed 50 years in this Country • Felicitation and Memento Presentation • Lunch Thu, Oct 9 6:00 PM Parish Retreat - Day 1 (Evening Session) Meals: Dinner Fri, Oct 10 9:00 AM Parish Retreat - Day 2 (Full Day Session) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner Sat, Oct 11 9:00 AM Parish Retreat - Day 3 (Morning Session) Retreat will conclude with Holy Communion Service Meals: Lunch Our former Vicar Rev. Saju C. Pappachan, now Rt. Rev. Zacharias Mar Aprem Episcopa will be with our Parish starting Saturday, October 4, 2025. (Program details below)
11 Life Skills for Teens
12 Bible Quiz Winners 1. Thankamma John 2. Sosamma Varghese 3. Mariamma Thomas 4. Sherly Vaidyan 5. Susan John 6. Sosamma Abraham, Yonkers 7. Annamma Mathew 8. Sosamma Abraham, Rock land 9. Celine George 10. Saramma Thankachan 11. Mercy Rajan Bible Quiz Answers 1. Descendants of Lot (2:19) 2. Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites (7:1) 3. Aaron (10:6) 4. Valley of Eshkol (1:24) 5. Thirty - eight years (2:14) 6. Og king of Bashan (3:11) 7. Baal of Peor (4:3) 8. A good land or Canaan (8:9) 9. Jair, a descendant of Manasseh (3:14) 10. Jephunneh (1:36) Obituary Mr. Raju V. George (73), the brother of our member Mrs. Rosamma K. Mathew, residing at 37 Headden Dr, Spring Valley, NY, went to be with the Lord on August 9, 2025 in Vaduthala, Thumpamon. Funeral Services were held in India. Mrs. Mariamma Thomas , the sister of our members Mr. N.J. Mathai, Mr. N.J. Mathew, and Ms. Saramma John went to be with the Lord on August 9, 2025. Funeral Services were held in India. On behalf of the Parish, we extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the bereaving families. May the Lord provide peace and comfort dur- ing this difficult time. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 Deuteronomy :1 - 10
13 1. അധികം കുതിര സമാദികേണതിന എവികേേ് മേങികപാകുവാൻ ഇേവരരുത? 2. മരിചവന കവണി എനെല്ാം നെയരുത? 3. ആണുങന ാനേ യക ാവ നതരനെേുേുന സലത് എനനല്ാമാണ വകരണത? 4. ഒരു പടണകതാട യുദം നെയുവാൻ അേുത് നെല്ുകമാൾ എൊണ വി ിചു പറകയണത? 5. ഭൂമിയിൽ ഇരിേുനിേകതാ ം ആനര ഉകപകിോതിരിോൻ സൂകിേണം എനാണ പറയുനത? 6. കനാൻ കദശകതേ് കേനകശഷം എവിനേവചാണ ശാപം പപസതാവികേണത? 7. എപത ആണ് കൂേുകമാഴാണ വികമാെനം ആെരികേണത? 8. രകം എൊകുനു എനാണ പറയുനത? 9. താകന െതതിനന ആർേു വിൽോം? 10. ഭൂമി വാപി ർന് വിഴുങി ക െത ആരുനേ മേന യാണ? 1. Where should you not go to earn more horses? 2. What should you not do for the dead? 3. When should all the men go to the place that the Lord chooses? 4. What should you shout when you approach a city to fight? 5. Whom is it said to be careful not to abandon as long as one is on earth? 6. Where should the curse be pronounced after entering the land of Canaan? 7. When are debts canceled? 8. What is blood? 9.To whom can one sell what is dead? 10. Whose children did the earth open its mouth and swallow? Bible Quiz Deuteronomy :11 - 20
14 Bronx/Yonkers South/West Mrs. Milita Alice Sumitra 655 East 228 St, Apt #4F 13 Mr. Raju Varghese 133 Van Cortland Pk. Ave. 17 Mr. Joby K. Chacko 68 Linn Avenue 18 Mrs. Santhamma George 396 Beleuve Ave 18 Mr. Thomas P. John 46 Leroy Avenue 19 Mr. Anson Joseph 30 Post Street. Apt 5G 19 Mr. Mathew David 14 Sunset Dr 22 Mr. Idiculla Daniel 245 Rumsey Road, Apt #6G 30 Manhattan/New Jersey Mr. Alexander Philip Thomas 40 Haggerty Drive 5 Ms. Sara Mary Koshy 33 Third Avenue 15 Mr. Simon Ninan 829 Derius Drive 20 Mr. Ryan Patrick Curran 39 Hickory Hill Ct 29 Mrs. Sara Mathews 10 Freeman St 29 Queens/Long Island Mr. Alen Abraham 1421 Alpha Street 9 Mrs. Silgi Philip 17 Wendell St 15 Rockland Mrs. Aleyamma Thomas 248 Betsy Ross Dr 4 Ms. Angela Cherian 3 Stern Place 10 Mr. Nevin Binu 22 Old Brick Road 11 Mrs. Annamma Thomas 26 N De Baun Ave Unit 308 12 Mr. Victor Isaiah Chacko 51 Alexander Drive 13 Mr. Vinay Chacko Joseph 9 Spray Court 14 Mrs. Annie Varughese 3 Blithe Ct. 15 Mr. Domy Philip 29 North Park Terrace 20 Ms. Anu Varghese 6 Mayfield Street 20 Mr. Joel J. Oommen 892 Route 9W 25 Ms. Rebecca Abigail Kurian 29 Rosewood Drive 29 Mr. P. T. Thomas 10 Carbery Court 29 Upper Westchester/CT Mrs. Leelamma Kuruvilla 5 Overhill Road 3 Mr. Johnson S. Parayil 232 Carol Avenue 3 September Birthdays
15 Mrs. Jimmy Parie 5 Overhill Road 4 Mrs. Susy A. Mathew 6 Glen Avenue 5 Mr. Christin K. Mathews 18 Bradhurst Ave 7 Mrs. Annamma Kochumman 288 Fisher Ave 11 Annie Binoy 288 Fisher Ave 15 Mr. Babu Kurian 1822 Morris Lane 18 Mr. Nathaniel Thomas Paulose 1 Walnut Ave 21 Mrs. Chachy J. Parayil 232 Carol Avenue 22 Mrs. Juhi George 111 Centre Ave Apt 725 24 Mrs. Aleyamma E. Chacko 16 Vincent St 28 Mrs. Timble M. Mathew 135 Linn Ave 28 Yonkers East Ms.Sheryl Merrin Johnson 5 Sandhauge Drive 1 Mrs. Jane Josen 189 Round Hill Drive 7 Ms. Keria Rosalie Varghese 108 Cook Ave 9 Mrs. Laura Beth Fitzsimmons 108 Cook Ave 17 Mrs. Sofi George 55 Patton Drive 18 Mr. Ashin Eapen Shaji 70 Juana Street 19 Mr. Thomas V. Varghese 1055 Dobbs Ferry Rd. 23 Mr. Jayden Jacob George 55 Patton Drive 27 Ms. Ashley Madathil Alexander 23 Linda Lane 30 Yonkers North Mr. Samuel K. Samuel 63 Price Street 2 Mrs. Mariamma C Thomas 385 Prescott Street 8 Mr. Thomas Mathew 65 Curtis Lane 12 Mr. Varghese M. Yohannan 10 Hudson view Drive 13 Mr. Chacko Arun Andrews 17 Argyle Terrace 14 Mrs. Sarah Mathew 194 Osmun Place 14 Mr. Johann V. Mathew 2 Nassau Rd Apt 1 16 Mr. Jonathan V. Mathew 2 Nassau Rd Apt 1 16 Mr. Robin George 36 Lawrence Dr Apt B 17 Ms. Hannah Easow 55 Old Mill Rd 22 Mr. Alan George Daniel 29 Woodrow Dr. 24 September Birthdays
16 Bronx/Yonkers South/West Mr. Saji Jacob & Mrs. Susan Jacob 7 245 Rumsey Road apt 2L Mr. Samuel George & Mrs. Sosamma Samuel 8 26 Post Street Apt. 4A Mr. Mathew David & Mrs. Mariamma Mathew 11 14 Sunset Dr Mr. Thomas Chacko & Mrs. Marykutty Chacko 26 181 Devoe Avenue Manhattan/New Jersey Mr. Johnson Varghese & Mrs. Jasmine Chennikara - 6 Varghese 1758 W 5th St Queens/Long Island Mr. Benjie Varghese & Mrs. Silgi Philip 1 17 Wendell St Rockland Mr. Richard James Kalita & Mrs. Sophia Varghese 2 6 Walnut Ct Mr. Jacob Oommen & Mrs. Lali Jacob Oommen 17 892 Route 9W Mr. Sony Mathew Jacob & Ms. Lincy Marie Jacob 19 306 Quidor Court Mr. Joseph Koshy & Mrs. Susamma Koshy 20 86 Susan Drive Mr. Monzy Daniel & Mrs. Annie Monzy 22 10 Edison Court, Apt G, BLDG 1 Mr. Sujin Samuel & Mrs. Liya S. Samuel 29 5 Spruce Drive Upper Westchester/CT Mr. Saji Kochumman & Mrs. Reni Saji 3 288 Fisher Ave Mr. Bejoy Chacko & Mrs. Elizabeth Chacko 4 52 High Street Mr. John C. Thomas & Mrs. Shuba Thomas 23 90 Mayfair Road September Wedding Anniversary
17 Vicar Rev. John Philip & Mrs. Ansa Ann Thankachen 15 34 Morris St Yonkers East Mr. Varghese Jacob & Mrs. Mini Jacob 19 28 Montclair Road Mr. Abey Varughese & Mrs. Mini Aby Varughese 30 2210 Central Park Ave. #2 Yonkers North Mr. Samuel K. Samuel & Mrs. Mary Samuel 8 63 Price Street Mr. Mathew V. Zacharia & Mrs. Elizabeth R. Zacharia 13 11 Lake View Ave, September Wedding Anniversary
18 Event / Committee Convener(s) Date / Notes Organizational Retreat Sunil M. Varughese Sun, April 27th Graduation Recognition Sajan Abraham Sun, June 29th Organizational Picnic (Senior Citizens, Edavaka Mission, Sevika Sangham) Organizational Representatives Sat, August 16th Ridge Road Park - Hartsdale, NY Parish Picnic Sunny P. Ninan, Varghese E. Oommen Sat, August 30th Haverstraw Bay Park Parish Convention John K. Abraham Sep 18, 19, 20, 21 Senior Citizens Recognition George M. Varkey October 5th Parish Retreat T.P. Jacob October 9, 10, 11 Thanksgiving Cheruthone Mathai, Manoj Mathew Sun, Nov 30th Christmas Carol Service Shirley Thomas, Sean Thannickal, Shyju Varughese Sat, Dec 20th Christmas House Caroling Sunny P. Ninan TBD Parish Day (2026) Sunil M. Varughese Sun, Jan 25th Food Committee Thomas John (Sajan), John Abraham (Joe) Prayer Group and Organiza- tions will be assigned monthly Ushers K.C. Thomas, George M. Varkey, Aleyamma Varughese — Mission Sean Thannickal, Shyju Varughese, Sajan Abraham — Audio Video John Abraham (Joe) — 2025 Program and Sub - Committees
19 Executive Committee 2025 Position Name Home Phone Vicar / President Rev. John Philip (914) 450 - 3162 Vice President Mr. John Abraham (914) 772 - 8824 Secretary Mr. Sunil M. Varughese (845) 598 - 3994 Treasurer Mr. Biju P. Varughese (845) 596 - 0537 Accountant Mr. Ullas P. Thannickal (845) 300 - 5810 Lay Leader - Malayalam Mr. M.J. George (914) 924 - 7774 Lay Leader - English Mr. Sean Thannickal (845) 499 - 8976 AREA PRAYER GROUP REPRESENTATIVES Manhattan/NJ Mr. Uthup Varkey (201) 637 - 5890 Queens/LI Mr. T.P. Jacob (516) 554 - 1809 Rockland Mr. Varghese Oommen (845) 300 - 8153 Rockland Mr. Sunny P. Ninan (845) 634 - 4925 Upper Westchester/CT Mr. Manoj T. Mathew (914) 229 - 1433 Yonkers East Mrs. Jessy Kuruvilla (914) 582 - 0710 Yonkers North Mr. K.C. Thomas (914) 374 - 7180 Yonkers West/South/Bronx Mr. Thomas John (914) 662 - 7535 MANDALAM & DIOCESAN REPRESENTATIVES Sabha Mandalam Mr. Cherian Varughese (914) 316 - 2439 Diocesan Representatives Mrs. Sherly Thomas (914) 523 - 0535 Mr. Levan G. Thomas (917) 406 - 1149 Mr. Samuel K. Samuel (914) 693 8490 ORGANIZATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES Choir Mr. Joseph Oommen (914) 343 - 4652 Edavaka Mission Mr. John K. Abraham (845) 309 - 2965 Senior Citizen Fellowship Mr. George M. Varkey (845) 641 - 4754 Sevika Sangham Mrs. Aleyamma Varghese (914) 572 - 9173 Sunday School Mr. Sajan Abraham (917) 304 - 2121 Youth Fellowship Mr. Shyju Varughese (845) 461 - 4421 Young Family Fellowship Mr. John Abraham (914) 772 - 8824 Yuvajana Sakhyam Mr. Jishu Samuel (914) 690 - 4868 AUDITORS Mrs. Liza Abraham ( 845) 641 - 1050 Mr. Jacob M. Varghese (201) 384 - 0041
20 St Thomas Mar Thoma Church, NY 34 Morris Street Yonkers, NY 10705 STAMP! THANK S FOR PICKING UP NEWSLETTERS. YOU ARE HELPING THE CHURCH SAVE. EVERY PENNY COUNTS.