As we have started our OVBS in UK and will continue that in the next few months, many of us as Sunday School Teachers will be engaged in OVBS teaching. As we prepare ourselves for this great task that helps in the Spiritual formation and nurturing of our children, the following videos from Fr Dr Regi Mathew’s will be of immense help. Please do watch as time permits. Even if you are not an OVBS or Sunday School teacher, not an Orthodox Christian, this will help you to have a better understanding of the Orthodox Church in the World which is the title of the first video while the second one, Objectives of the Sunday School Training is specifically aimed at the Sunday School Teachers within the Orthodox Church. Our heartfeflt thanks to Fr Dr Regi Mathew with due acknowledgement to Marthoman TV for sharing it with a wider audience and benefitting people like us across the world.
Science and Theology: Why does it matter?
Today as the heated discussions on stem cells and cloning permeate our World especially here in UK, it would be nice to hear what our Church Father has to say on Science and Theology. Thanks to Marthoman TV for nourishing us Spiritually and enriching our faith to live in today’s world. Listen to What HG Paulose Mar Gregorios had to say on this:
Believe it or NOT….Samuel, just three years old, ‘Celebrates Mass’!!!
Remember God’s Promises as we enter the OVBS season…
Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. (Psalm 8:2)
‘Thanks be to GOD’
It is indeed so very awesome to hear this great news of a child who is only THREE years old. Rejoice and thank God for Samuel Jaramillo who at this tender age of three can ‘Celebrate Mass’ flawless. As children we play imitating our teachers, doctors, priests, parents etc. Children observe and learn. However this child is Amazing. He seems to be truly worthy of the name ‘SAMUEL’ to be so very interested in God and the Church. It is sad that he is an orphan but God’s grace is seen in abundance indeed as this child is growing.
Please see the following link for more information on this wonderful child (Courtesy UCAN)
Hats off to Samuel, his grand mother and aunt!
May we as Sunday School Teachers and OVBS Teachers take more interest, joy and commitment in our roles to nurture them in good Christian Faith. Children have unlimited Possibilities in but we need to identify them and help each child to reach its maximum potential in bringing to fruition God’s plan for each of them. Together as parents, teachers and communities, we can do it. May God Bless us all!
EJ
HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS to Simy Kochamma!!!
Hearty Congratulations to Simy Kochamma as she wins one Gold Medal in Triple Jump and two silver medals in 100 meter and 4×100 meters relayat the All India Masters Atheletic Competitions held from 9-12 May 2013.
Simy Kochamma is the wife of Fr. Laiju Mathew, Vicar, St. Gregorios Church, Germany. She is also an excellent singer apart from all other potentials and talents. For details on her recent achievements please see the following link (Courtesy: Marthoman TV). Hearty Congratulations Kochamma!
Dear Kochamma, We, the IOC members in the Diocese of UK, Europe and Africa are indeed very proud of you and pray that you will reach greater Heights! Wishing you all the very best! EJ
Tribute and Condolence to Late Lamented HG Geevarghese Mr Ivanios
HG Geevarghese Mar Ivanios
The Diocese of UK, Europe and Africa paid its rich Tribute and deep condolences to Late Lamented HG Geevarghese Mar Ivanios, Metropolian of Kottayam Diocese at its recently held Diocesan General Body meeting on 11th May 2013. The Diocesan General Body meeting was held on 11th May 2013 hosted by St Thomas’ IOC worshing at Cambourne Church, Cambridge.
The Diocesan Metropolitan HG Dr Mathews Mar Thimothios and Rev Fr Niravil George Joy, the senior priest of this Diocese briefly outlined the rich contributions as well as the unique and deep Spiritual life and witness of our beloved Ivanios Thirumeni.
HG Dr Mathews Mar Thimothios especially shared the deep affection which Ivanios Thirumeni had towards our Diocese (UK region right from the time he was a student at Oxford University in the early 70′s. He also pointed to the very rich and deep spirituality that Ivanios Thirumeni witnessed through his life.He shared about his sensitivity towards nature and how he promoted the importance all human beings to be responsible stewards in protecting as well as preserving God’s creation.
Rev Fr George Joy shared his personal experiences with Ivanios Thirumeni as the two shared adjacent rooms at our Seminary in Kottayam way back when the former served as the Seminary Librarian for a year when Ivanios Thirumeni had joined Seminary to teach. He again focussed on his deep Spirituality. humility and love towards the students. He also mentioned about Ivanios Thirumeni’s spiritual experiences, miraculous healing and the courage to witness the Faith that he had embraced with all his heart, mind, soul and spirit.
The official Newsletter of this region ‘UK Harmony’ May 2013 edition which was released at the General Body meeting also carries a brief note on the Late Lamented Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Ivanios. We pray that the intercessions of this great Spiritual Father be a fortress for us.
For further information on the life and witness of Iavanios Thirumeni please see the following link (Courtesy: Indian Orthodox Herald).
More information on Late Lamented HG Geevarghese Mar Ivanios
You can also listen to a sermon preached yesterday (30th DayMemorial of Late Lamented Ivanios Thirumeni at St Mary’s Church, Kurichy, Kottayam by HG Yuhanon Mar Meletius (Courtesy Marthoman TV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=F1u6lTtY0wM
I also take this opportunity to thank our Diocesan Metropolitan HG Dr Mathews Mar Thimothios for inviting me to the General Body meeting of the UK Region of the UK, Europe and Africa Diocese. I wish, hope and pray that many more women will be there to participate actively in the life and witness of our Church.
EJ
Dear Thirumeni…. Wishing you a very HAPPY & Blessed 50th BIRTHDAY !!!
3rd MAY 2013
‘I am not used to this… however, THANK YOU!’
Dear Thirumeni
We thank God for your leadership as the Shepherd and Spiritual Father of our Diocese – UK, Europe and Africa. We are blessed to have you to lead us and look forward to your continued support in Nurturing our faith and spirituality, Strengthening our participation and witnessing and enabling us to grow bringing Glory and Honour to our Triune God!
We the members of the UK region of this Diocese join together to Wish you a very Happy & Blessed Birthday!
Thank you very much for your enriching presence at the recent one day Annual conference of the Martha Mariam Samajam of UK on 27th April 2013. We thank God for the opportunity that we had to mark your 50th Birthday although in a most simple manner.
We would like to share a few pictures from 27th April MOMS Annual Conference. We join together to wish you a Wonderful Day today and very fruitful years ahead as you continue to lead us.
Our sincere thanks to JoyAchen, Happy Achen and all others who made this day a memorable one. It was a great joy to celebrate your 50th Birthday together!
EJ
As participants and hosts, we Thank God for your enriching presence on 27th April.
We the women of the IOC from across UK wish you a Happy 50th Birthday!
Wishing you a very HAPPY 50th Birthday!
THANKS A BILLION on behalf of 260 MILLION!
Sharing our pains, hopes and dreams for a better Tomorrow… Lord Richard Harries and me on 23rd Jan Cause for great Joy
Finally, UK Government decides to outlaw Caste discrimination. UK plays a historic role in raising its voice against caste based discriminations. This means that the Government has now conceded on the principle and has tabled an amendment which requires the Secretary of State to bring forward regulations to include Caste as an aspect of Race (under Section 9(5) of the Equality Act) within two months of enactment of the Enterprise Bill.
The House of Lords played a key role in expressing its total support as it rejected the Government’s policy for a second time! Therefore, amendments tabled by Vince Cable, Business Secretary in the House of Commons today state that the Equality Act will “provide for caste to be an aspect of race”.
I take this opportunity to thank Lord Richard Harries who firmly supported this cause and tirelessly worked towards it at the House of Lords. I thank David Haslam who has been a backbone to run this campaign and Meena Verma who has done much over the years to celebrate this day. My sincere thanks to Rev Rose Hudson – Wilkin, Chaplain at the House of Lords, members of Church Dalit Solidarity Group (CDSG) and all others who have expressed their solidarity in the struggles of Dalits for their Liberation.
As Rev Raj Bharath Patta the General Secretary of SCMI says, we cannot serve ‘Caste and Christ’, it should be either CASTE or CHRIST. If we choose to serve Christ we are compelled to cast out caste and dismantle this structure that discriminates people. We can now speak boldly about Human Wrongs in the life of Dalits for ages in order to enable them to experience Human Rights! May we hear God’s call to build inclusive communities.
Although it is painful many a times to speak on Dalit Issues, I am proud to be here in UK at a moment like this participating in these struggle to make this dream come true – Banning Caste discriminations. I thank all those who encourage, support and journey with me to march forward with hope in this struggle for identity, freedom and emancipation. I hope together we will dismantle this hegemonic structure and voice it out in our Faith, worship and witness irrespective of our Faith denominations.
I thank God who journeys with all those denied, deprived and decieved of life in all its fulness. I thank God who moves the hearts and minds of people belonging to every region, religion, culture and even the caste to work together to destroy this hegemonic system. I believe that when we come together and participate in God’s mission. I am so very glad and just want to say, ‘This is the Lord’s doing and it is marvellous in our eyes’ (Ps 118:23).
Elizabeth Joy
