December 2009
Dearly beloved in Christ,
Trusting in God, who blesses the years with his grace, we bid goodbye to the first decade of the 21st century and we enter the next decade. Though we accomplished major milestones in the areas of science and technology, in the social sphere there were painful experiences. Some of them were man made and others were natural calamities. Terrorism, ever increasing Maoist and Naxal attacks, natural calamities like the earth quake, tsunami, devastated us. Above all these, we were frightened by the world economic crisis. These events undermined our achievements. However, in the new decade people of India understood the need for a stable government and voted for the same. As a result when the world completes the second decade of the 21st century hopefully India will be in the 3rd position among other nations. Let us be proud about it and let us pray to the Lord, who controls the history to develop a national leadership to achieve this goal.
As a church let us enter this new decade with hope. I congratulate people for their overwhelming support to overcome economic crisis. In the second decade, we have tremendous possibilities. Let us strive for our goal among the obscurities. In the last decade our education institutions excelled in many areas. Our colleges obtained ‘A’ grade in the accreditation test of the UGC. Six of our colleges got 80 lakhs each for their hostels from UGC. Several departments are being modernized. I wish in the new decade both the teaching and non teaching staff together with students may work for excellence in our institutions.
In this decade four of our colleges started vocational training, and they maintained good standards. Ayor college of science and technology and MCA under the Trivandrum Kollam diocese are offering several degree programs under Kerala university. M.T. College of management, Perumbavoor, started by Evangelistic association is making progress in its growth. I am happy to see that the dreams of the founding members of the Ashram like late Mathews Mar Athanasius and others are coming to reality. I pray and wish that this may bear more fruits in the days to come.
Our hospitals in Kumbanad and Kattanam are making progress in its service to humanity. Nursing school admitted second year students and are hoping for full recognition from the university. For the infrastructure development of the college, financial support and service of the people are needed. Parishes and individuals can help by taking corporate membership, sponsorship membership and ordinary membership in the society of the Nursing school. A corpus fund can be formed and this will help us to meet the immediate needs of the college. We can later pay back and maintain this fund. If you support this noble cause then we will be able to admit students without capitation fee, and we can serve the people by taking only prescribed fees of the government.
The society of the Nursing College will continue to administer the college and the Hospital under Mar Thoma Medical mission can be used for the practical training of the Nursing students. If we get approval for any new Para-medical course then we can use these facilities if only these are under one society. Hospital will be under the control of the medical mission and the respective diocese should help in the work of the hospitals.
Kindly uphold in your prayer our church assembly to be held in February. Let us pray to the Lord for his guidance as a church to face difficulties which we are going through. May God guide us to take the proper decisions by seeing the church as one, beyond regionalism and vested interests. Let us pray for the formation of an Episcopal nomination committee beyond divisions. Let us work beyond personal humiliation and not yield to the gossips. Let us believe that God, who is in control of history, will help us overcome these difficult times.
We are completing the third quarter of the financial year. In order to complete the work passed in the Church budget, please send the contribution from the parish on time. It is understood that at the next parliament meeting, government is going to present the Direct tax bill, which will affect churches and other service oriented social organizations. These organizations have given a memorandum to the finance ministry to resolve the problems if this bill becomes a law. Please remember this also in your prayer. Months ahead are convention months. Government has instructed not to use loud speakers to avoid sound pollution. We all should cooperate with government as we try to make the convention a blessing.
In the October issue of the Tharaka, Sabha Secretary has talked about the collection of two funds namely, Sabha corpus fund and Medical aid to Chronic diseases to draw the attention of all the organizations and parishes for this cause. Kerala Council of Churches (KCC) is celebrating 70 years and Mar Thoma students conference is celebrating its centenary. For the celebration and completion of the project taken on this occasion your co operation is needed.
In the Gulf region, what we thought impossible some time back is becoming possible now. Dedication of Al Ayn and Ra’sal Khaymah churches will be held this month. In the gulf region, the cross was not permitted on top of the church building, but happy to know that now Al Ayn church got permission to do so. Happy to inform you all that Rev. Mothy Varkey Achen, who is serving in Malaysia got one year extension in his visa. I thank God for all the blessings we have been receiving.
Brother of our Most Rev Dr Philipose Mar Chrysostam Valiya Metropolitan and the famous surgeon Kalamannil Dr. Jacob Oommen (89) died on November 24, 2009. With his demise, we lost a great friend of our church. He was a missionary and a visionary. Kumbanad fellowship hospital is the fulfillment of his vision. He served in India and abroad. We express deep condolences of our church to Valiya Metropolitan and his family members and pray for their consolation.
We observe 25 days of lent as we prepare for the advent of Jesus. Lent observation is not only abstaining from certain foods, but also a time of self examination. God came down for the distorted humanity in order to transform us to the beauty of God, and he lived among us as one who is full of grace and truth. Jesus is the rising sun, which renews the world. John the Baptist was the morning star who proclaimed the coming of this rising sun. We observe December 6, Sunday as the Bible Sunday. Let this observation help us to study, meditate and practice the word of God. Announcement to Joseph is an exhortation to join the salvific act of God. We celebrate December 21 as Mar Thoma Sabha day.
Birth of Christ is the festival of dawn. Priest Zachariah, father of John the Baptist said “Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven.” Based on this, in the church tradition Christmas is also known as YELDO (dawn) festival. “Baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger” is a symbol of godly hope in all situations. On the beach we see, as soon as the young turtles come out of the egg, they go to the sea. Even the small baby turtle can do so, but we should remember that among the living beings human child is the most helpless. By saying wrapped in clothes and placed him in a manger, it emphasizes the protection to be given to a human child. God is protecting us by wrapping us in his grace; this understanding should make us humble and trusting in God.
On December 27, Sunday, we endorse church’s solidarity with the poor. We bid farewell to this year with the thought that God is our help and redeemer. Let us prayerfully prepare ourselves to welcome New Year with the faith that God is faithful in his promises.
Grace be with you all,
Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan,
Poolatheen.
November 11, 2009