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The history of the Mar Thoma Church in the North American and European continent rep-

resents the dreams and aspirations of the faithful members of the Church. Commencing as a

small prayer group in Queens, New York, in 1972, the first approved parish was recognized

in New York in 1976. From this humble beginning, the Mar Thoma Church began to im-

measurably grow within the last 30 years. In terms of functionality, the churches in this part

of the world were grouped as a Zone of the Mar Thoma Church in 1982. The leadership of

the late Suffragan Metropolitan. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasius guided the

church in its new socio-cultural and geographical habitus. Upon Thirumeni's unfortunate

demise, the late Metropolitan, The Most Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma, presided over the

Zone. However, as per the decision of the Episcopal Synod, the churches in North America

and United Kingdom became constituents of the newly formed "Diocese of North America

and United Kingdom". The Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom, took charge as Dioce-

san Bishop. Due to the expansion of the church, the nomenclature of the Diocese has

changed slightly to its current name, "Diocese of North America and Europe". As the need

to truly ground the church into the reality of the socio-economic situation of the "Western"

world was felt, the Diocesan Assembly took the step to permanently house the Diocese.

Hence, the Diocesan Assembly purchased property in Richboro, PA, in 1994, from which the

Headquarters has subsequently moved to its current location at 2320 South Merrick Avenue,

Merrick, N Y. Since the young diocese needed to be nurtured and developed, the Episcopal

Synod appointed the first resident Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus with

effect from October 1993.In October 2000, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos took

charge as the Diocesan Episcopa. Thirumeni serves the Diocese till December 31, 2008. Jan

01, 2009 onwards the Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa serves as the Dioc-

esan Bishop.

The church was initiated by various factors. The mission and vision of strong lay leadership

as well as the aforementioned Bishops, the Diocesan Secretaries, Treasurers, Councils, As-

semblies, have contributed and continue to contribute towards the molding of the Diocese.

The following have served as Diocesan Secretaries: Rev. N.M. Cherian, Rev. A.G. Mathew,

Rev. Dr. P.J. Philip, Rev. Jayan Thomas, Dr. P.V. Cherian (Recording Secretary), Rev. P.J.

Alex, Rev. Dr. T.P. Abraham, Rev. Dr. P.G. George, Rev. Oommen Philip, Rev. K.Y. Jacob,

Rev. Dr. John Joseph, Rev. Dr. K. A. Abraham. Rev. Joseph Oommen, Rev. Biju S. Cherian,

Rev. Vinoy Daniel, Rev. K. E. Geevarghese and presently Rev. Binoy Joseph Thomas hold

the post as Diocesan Secretary.

The Church's possibilities in this country are immense. She is grounded in the vision of

providing identity while contextualizing to the dynamic realities of its living situation.

For Private Circulations among Church members Only

History

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St Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Bristol - Quarterly Newsletter 2019

DATE SERVICES 1st LESSON 2nd LESSON

Saturday,

06-Jul-19

Coffee Morning @ 8am—10am in the Church Hall

Fasting Prayer @ 10:00am in the church

07-Jul-19 HC Communion Service in Malayalam @09:30am Micah 3:7-12 Phil 4:10-20

Giving without counting the cost - Tithe Offering Siby Mathews Amy Siby

Thursday,

11Jul 19 North Bristol House Prayer @ 6:30pm

Reisdence of Mr Alan B John,

30 Jenner Blvd, Emersons Green,

Pucklechurch, Bristol, BS16 7JS.

13-Jul-19 Gloucester/Swindon House Prayer @ 6pm To be notified

14-Jul-19 HC Communion Service in Malayalam @09:30am Exo 29:1-21 Eph 5:1-14

Priests- Called to face shame for Christ's sake Chacko Mathew Mary Chacko

19-Jul-19 Night Prayer starts @ 9pm Saji John, 16 Morgan Way,

Peasedown, St John, BA2 8TT

20-Jul-19 Yeovil/Tauton House Prayer @ 4pm K V Oommen John, 12 Mitchelmore Rd,

Yeovil, BA21 4BA

21-Jul-19 HC Communion Service in Malayalam @09:30am Joshua 4:1-9 1 Cor 10:1-11

Theological Education that forms the Faith Community Ashish Jaffey Joanne Jaffey

Saturday Bath House Prayer @ 10am Residence of Mr Abraham George,

3Kennet Rd, Devizes, SN10 5BG

27-Jul-19 South Bristol House Prayer @ 6pm Saji Yohanan, 278 Two Mile Hill Road,

Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 1AT.

28-Jul-19 HC Communion Service in English @ 09:30am Hosea 2:16-23 Eph 5:20-33

Holy Matrimony: To be established in Faithfulness Alan Chandi Rosemary Annamma

Birthday July 2019

2nd July Shone Varghese Biju

3rd July Jaison Eby George

5th July Neena Ann Jacob

5th July Neha Sunu

9th July Alan S John

10th July Georgen Kurilose Abraham

13th July Miriam Elizabeth Abraham

15th July Simcy Ani Ninan

20th July Sosamma Thomas

21st July Jibu Abraham

22nd July Bincy Mary Philip

23rd July Nathan George Sunu

24th July Dr Genu Cherian

26th July Emily Renoy Kurien

26th July Anjali Mariam Philip

27th July Jibu George Abraham

28th July Joshua Abraham

28th July Rion Thomas Sunil

29th July Alan Oommen Abraham

30th July Rosemary Annamma

31st July Saji Mathew

Wedding Anniversary July 2019

3rd July Mr.& Mrs. Chacko Mathew

7th July Mr & Mrs. Siby Mathews

19th July Mr & Mrs. Jaffey Chacko

31st July Mr. & Mrs. George Philip

31st July Mr. & Mrs. Renoy John Kurien

For Private Circulations among Church members Only

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St Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Bristol - Quarterly Newsletter 2019

Coffee Morning @ 8am—10am in the Church Hall

Fasting Prayer @ 10:00am in the Church Saturday

03 Aug 19 North Bristol House Prayer @ 6pm Sunil Daniel, 133 Willowherb Road,

Bristol, BS16 7FP.

04-Aug-19 HC Communion Service in Malayalam @ 09:30am 1King:17:1-15 Jude:17-25

Gospel form Everyone to Everywhere Ashish Majaladi Sharon Ashish

10-Aug-19 Gloucester/Swindon House Prayer @ 6pm P.S.John, 18 Marsh Farm, Wiltshire,

Swindon, SN1 2GL.

11-Aug-19 HC Communion Service in Malayalam @09:30am Gen:8:1-14 Col:3:1-11

Holy Baptism Renoy J Kurien Blessy Jacob

17-Aug-19 Yeovil/Tauton House Prayer @ 4pm Reji Abraham, 32 Mitchelmore Rd,

Yeovil, BA21 4BA

18-Aug-19 HC Communion Service in Malayalam @09:30am Exo:7:1-7 2Tim:3:10-17

Church Reformation - The Power of the Word of God Jaison George Sneha Jaison

Saturday Bath House Prayer @ 10am No Prayer Meeting Scheduled

24 Aug 19 South Bristol House Prayer @ 6pm Aby Thomas, 106 Station Rd,

Filton, BS34 7JJ

25-Aug-19 Divine Service @ 09:30 am Exo:12:1-14 1Cor:11:23-33

Holy Qurbana Celebration of Salvation Donna Analyse Renitta Ray

Birthday August 2019

2nd Aug Angela T Varghese

3rd Aug Lydia Rachel Manoj

4th Aug Manoj Chacko

7th Aug Sam John

7th Aug Jolly Binu Varghese

8th Aug Steffna Ann Ray

8th Aug Anna Abraham

9th Aug Meriyam T Reji

13th Aug Nidhi Mary Cherian

13th Aug Abraham George

14th Aug Ashish Chacko Jaffey

14th Aug Suzanna Elizabeth John

15th Aug Ranjay John Cherian

17th Aug Lizy John

19th Aug Sona Mary Giju

23th Aug Alexy Elizabeth John

23th Aug Rianne Angel Ray

24th Aug Esther Mariam Alex

25th Aug Dona Annalyse

26th Aug Edwin Abraham Alex

27th Aug Shaun Sam

31st Aug Sibil Ray

Wedding Anniversary August 2019

01st Aug Mr & Mrs. Jithin P John

2nd Aug Mr. & Mrs .Jesvin Johnson

08th Aug Mr & Mrs. Agish George

17th Aug Mr. & Mrs. Nixon T Samuel

19th Aug Mr. & Mrs. Biju P Abraham

20th Aug Mr. & Mrs. Jaison Eby George

22nd Aug Mr. & Mrs. Sunil K. Daniel

27th Aug Mr. & Mrs. Sunil Thomas

28th Aug Mr. & Mrs. Abraham Chacko

28th Aug Mr & Mrs Abbey John Thomas

Carmel Mar Thoma Church, Liverpool

37th Mar Thoma Family Conference 2019

Date: Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th August 2019

http://www.carmelmtc.org.uk/familyconference2019/

Email: familyconference2019@gmail.com

Theme: My Redeemer Liveth

For Private Circulations among Church members Only

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St Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Bristol - Quarterly Newsletter 2019

01-Sep-19 HC Communion Service in Malayalam @ 09:30am Neh:8:1-8 Acts:18:24-28

Education Sunday Jacob George Ancy Jacob

Saturday

07 Sep 19

Coffee Morning @ 8am-10am in the Church Hall

Fasting Prayer @ 10:00am in the church

North Bristol House Prayer @ 6pm Ashish Majaladi, 24 Stanley Mead,

Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS32 0EG.

08-Sep-19 HC Communion Service in Malayalam @09:30am Judg:4:4-16 Phili:4:1-7

Sevika Sangham Sunday Annamma Saji Annie Cherian

14-Sep-19

Coffee House—Meet & Greet Neighbours in the Church Hall

Gloucester/Swindon House Prayer @ 6pm Daniel P Mathew, 154 North House Road

Cirencester, Gloucester. GL7 1DX

15-Sep-19 HC Communion Service in Malayalam @09:30am Gen:48:8-22 Phile:8-22

Senior Citizens Sunday Santosh Cherian Genu Santosh

21-Sep-19 Yeovil/Tauton House Prayer @ 4pm Riju John, 84 Smithfield Road, Exeter,

EX2 8YN.

22-Sep-19

HC Communion Service in English @ 09:30am Jere:4:1-14 1John:1:1-10

Confession - The Sacrament of Forgiveness Jenson G Philip Jessica Philip

Harvest Festival & Harvest Feast

Saturday

28 Sep 19 Family Retreat—@ the Church

29-Sep-19 Divine Service @ 09:30am 2King:20:1-11 Rev:22:1-15

Anointing the Sick - The Sacrament of Healing Alex P Abraham Asha Alex

Birthday September 2019

1st Sep Stejo Mohan

2nd Sep Reba Ann Abraham

3rd Sep Joel Binu Varghese

4th Sep Thomas George (Saju)

5th Sep Evan Anish Mathew

5th Sep Asha Elizabeth George

6th Sep Godlee Sanu Samuel

7th Sep Shaun Daniel Sunil

9th Sep Megha T Reji

10th Sep Priya Achu Abraham

11th Sep Ashish George Majaladi

12th Sep Shiny Daniel

13th Sep Janet Jincy Moni

14th Sep Eric Cherian Mathew

15th Sep Binu Baby Varghese

16th Sep Richa Saji

17th Sep Divya Lisa Cherian

18th Sep Riya P Raji

19th Sep Sehen Varghese Biju

20th Sep Suja B George

22nd Sep Amelia Sarah Riju

Wedding Anniversary September 2019

01st Sep Riju John

10th Sep Mr. & Mrs. Saji Mathew

10th Sep Mr. & Mrs. Binu B Varghese

11th Sep Mr. & Mrs. Jacob George

12th Sep Mr. & Mrs. Varughese Mathew

13th Sep Mr. & Mrs. Alex Prasad Abraham

15th Sep Mr. & Mrs. K Mathewkutty Mani

16th Sep Mr. & Mrs. Reji Abraham

23rd Sep Mr. & Mrs. Abraham K Cherian

For Private Circulations among Church members Only

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MIRACLE A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured the

change out on the floor and counted it carefully. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes.

Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way

6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.

She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted

her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster.

No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!

"And what do you want?" the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. "I'm talking to my brother from Chi-

cago whom I haven't seen in ages," he said without waiting for a reply to his question.

"Well, I want to talk to you about my brother," Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. "He's really, really

sick...and I want to buy a miracle."

"I beg your pardon?" said the pharmacist.

"His name is Andrew, and he has something bad growing inside his head, and my Daddy says only a miracle can

save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?"

"We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry, but I can't help you," the pharmacist said, softening a little.

"Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs."

The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, "What kind of a mira-

cle does your brother need?"

"I don't know," Tess replied with her eyes welling up. I just know he's really sick, and Mommy says he needs an

operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money."

"How much do you have?" asked the man from Chicago.

"One dollar and eleven cents," Tess answered barely audibly. "And it's all the money I have, but I can get some

more if I need to."

"Well, what a coincidence," smiled the man. "A dollar and eleven cents--the exact price of a miracle for little broth-

ers."

He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said "Take me to where you live.

I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need."

That well dressed man was a surgeon specializing in neurosurgery. The operation was completed free of charge, and

it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well.

Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place.

"That surgery," her Mom whispered. "was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?"

Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost...one dollar and eleven cents...plus the faith of a little child.

For Private Circulations among Church members Only

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Visit Our Website for the latest programme schedule / news.

A CALL FROM GOD One Saturday night, a priest was working late and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was

about 10:00 PM, but his wife didn't answer the phone. The pastor let it ring many times. He thought it was

odd that she didn't answer but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes. When he

tried again, she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn't answered before, and she said that it had-

n't rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry ways.

The following Monday, the priest received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he'd used

that Saturday night. The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he'd called on Saturday night. The

pastor couldn't figure out what the man was talking about.

Then the man said, "It rang and rang, but I didn't answer."

The pastor remembered the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he'd intended to call

his wife.

The man said, "That's okay. Let me tell you my story. You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday

night, but before I did, I prayed, 'God if you're there, and you don't want me to do this, give me a sign now.'

At that point, my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, 'Almighty God'. I was afraid to

answer!"

The church that the pastor attends is called Almighty God Tabernacle.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

AFTER THE HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE IN THE SMALL HALL approx. @ 12:30HRS

SEVIKA SANGHAM

AFTER THE HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE IN THE CHURCH approx. @ 11:45 HRS

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

AFTER THE HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE IN THE CLASS ROOM approx. @ 12:30 HRS

Edavaka Mission—Prayer Request

Edavaka Mission leads an Intercessory prayer every Friday. If you have any

prayer requests kindly inform Achen on 07412684278 or

Mr. Saji John (Mob.07830019707/ sajipunthala@yahoo.co.uk )

For Private Circulations among Church members Only

NEW ARRIVAL

Our Parish young couple Siby & Amy was blessed with a baby Boy on 21 June 2019,

On behalf of the parish we Congratulate the Parents & Grandparents

(Mr Thomas John & Mrs Mariamama Thomas)

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