THE DIOCESAN CLERGY CONFERENCE APRIL 15 & 16, 2010

ATLANTA MAR THOMA CHURCH, GA

CHRISTIAN WITNESS: RETHINKING THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH

The Diocesan Clergy conference was held at Atlanta Mar Thoma Church, GA on April 15th, and 16th, 2010.  The theme of the conference was Christian witness: Rethinking the Mission of the Church.   The conference began at 4:00 PM with an opening worship led by the Achens from Florida and Atlanta regions.

The Diocesan secretary Rev. Vinoy Daniel welcomed everyone to the conference. Especially Thirumeni, senior retired Achens, first time attendee Achens and all other Achens gathered from all over the Diocese. 

Rev. Philip George from Philadelphia gave the biblical exposition based on Acts: 20: 18 -35 under the title Christian Witness: Revisiting the Mission mandate of the Church. He emphasized the importance of self- sacrificing Christian witness, based on the life and mission of St. Paul.

Thirumeni gave the Inaugural address reminding the clergy in this Diocese that these meetings should be a time of refreshing, rethinking mission, educating, revitalizing, reenergizing, and empowering each other for ministry, not just to view these meetings as simply a get together. Thirumeni reminded everyone that the church is the people of God.

The building up of the people of God is the mission of the church. Worship is the link that unifies the people in the Mar Thoma Church in North America. He stressed that we need to make our liturgy more meaningful and relevant; especially to review the Sunday morning worship culture. Thirumeni emphasized that mere charity is not a mission work, we need to be genuinely involved in people’s lives; we need to strengthen our ecumenical ties in this land. 

Rev. P. J. Varghese, Epiphany Mar Thoma Church presented the study material of ‘Sabha Pratinidi Mandalam’ entitled Christian Witness: Revisiting the Mission Mandate of the Church. Rev. M.P. Yohannan from Detroit was the moderator for this session.  Many Achens participated in the discussion.

On the second day, the conference started with morning worship, led by San Francisco and the Western Region Achens.  Rev. Jaisen A. Thomas, youth chaplain from Dallas Area made a thematic presentation entitled Christian witness: Rethinking the Mission of the Church.
 

Christian witness and its contemporary challenges were discussed in depth.  All students’ chaplains participated in the discussions.

The following matters were updated and discussed:

LEAD PROGRAM, Jeevamruthum, First Communicants Class, & PRAYER BOOK PUBLICATION.

The missions of our Diocese were also discussed including Mexico Mission, Native American Mission and Neighborhood Ministries.

There was also a general discussion regarding the parish concerns.  The Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Vinoy Daniel, made a few announcements pertaining to the Diocese and a farewell meeting was arranged to the outgoing clergy from this Diocese.

Representing clergy, Rev. Varghese Mathai offered felicitation and Rev. P.J. Varghese offered the reply speech.  Rev. V.T. John led the singing session and Rev. M.P. Yohannan, intercessory prayer.  

The Diocesan Secretary expressed gratitude to the Vicar and members of the Atlanta Mar Thoma Church for hosting this conference. 
 

Rev. Regi Zachariah expressed the general vote of thanks for Thirumeni and attending clergy.  

Reported by
Rev. Vinoy Daniel
Diocesan Secretary