The Continuation Committee on Ecumenism in the 21st Century came into being following the 9th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in 2006. It will submit its final report to the diverse bodies which its members represent during the build-up to the 10th Assembly of the WCC at Busan, Korea in 2013.

Fr Vineeth Koshy, Executive Secretary, National Council of Churches from Nagpur, India from Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church is the member of the committee and took part in the meeting.

The committee’s membership was designed to include participants drawn not only from the WCC but also from the Roman Catholic Church, global Christian confessional communions, regional ecumenical organisations, national councils of churches, specialised ministries, youth movements and renewal movements, as well as members of Pentecostal, charismatic and evangelical communities.

Their recommendations are aimed at suggesting concrete patterns, through which Christians may explore “constructive ways of living out our unity even in the face of the challenge of engaging the theological and ethical issues that threaten to divide.”

In a time of worldwide cultural upheaval, the report aims to motivate world Christianity to pursue the biblical calling to unity in Christ (John 17:21) and to promote abundant life for all (John 10:10). This common vocation ranges from actions undertaken in the global context to those of congregations and their associates on the local level.

The group acknowledges, “The ecumenical movement has its centre in the Triune God and not in us nor our own efforts, plans and desires.”
To enable dialogue and co-operation among Christians, the committee recommends that the WCC “take on a convening role as a gift to churches and ecumenical partners”, while noting that this convening role “is exercised in recognition of and within the limits set by the 1950 Toronto statement, which clarifies that the WCC is not a church or a super-church.”

Those who are active in the ecumenical movement are advised to take into account today’s “financial constraints” and to discover creative ways of “staying focused and coherent while encouraging churches to invest in the vision and work, and finding resources to sustain the life-giving impact of the ecumenical movement.”

The report calls on Christians to reflect on the implications for churches, ministries and mission programmes of the ongoing shift in the demographic centre of Christianity from the northern hemisphere to the global South.

During the meeting in Addis Ababa, members of the committee met formally with leaders of two national churches namely the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and the President of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church, Mekane Yesus.

Inputs from: Rev Fr Vineeth Koshy

This is seen as a spectacular achievement under the dynamic and young Ahmedabad Diocese Metropolitan Pulikkottil Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios, diocesan secretary Fr Joji George and present Moti Khavdi Vicar Fr Philip Varghese.

The church will serve as a beacon to the Orthodox community and value since its proximity to Reliance Refinery (RIL), the largest refinery in world.
The plot is adjacent to six lanes of state highway and well connected with road from all three sides. As Reliance further expands business and executes new projects, the area will thread on a progressive path.

Dr Mar Yulios also celebrated the Holy Eucharist for the Moti Khavdi congregation and led a general body meeting. The meeting also unanimously agreed to procure the land and requested the Metropolitan to help provide the required funds. Dr Mar Yulios readily agreed to aid them financially. It was also decided in the diocesan council meeting that half of the funds will need to be given back to the diocese after collecting them from the congregation members. The Diocese Metropolitan has thus declared Moti Khavdi congregation as a church with immediate effect.

Based on the above agreement, Fr Joji George, Diocesan Secretary, P D Baby, Office Secretary and council member Adv Mathai Mampallil visited Moti Khavdi and inspected the land. After verification and checking of all documents by a local advocate, the committee evinced interest and agreed to procure the land. Registration was completed on the same day at Jamnagar court and the realty owner was compensated.

As per the wish of Dr Mar Yulios, the church members decided to collect the required money to construct a church building at the earliest. The Metropolitan heartily congratulated the congregation and committee members on this achievement.

Tracing the beginning, growth of Mothikhavadi congregation and achievements with a span of a year, the congregation was launched with the maiden visit of Dr Mar Yulios along with Vicar Fr Benjamin Thomas and Fr George Varghese to Jamnagar and Moti Khavdi in December 2010.

As per the guidance and instruction of the Metropolitan, Vicar Fr Philip Varghese took initiative to acquire suitable land to build a church in the nearby area of Moti Khavdi. Due to his persistent efforts, a piece of land approximately over 4,000 sq feet was purchased in the month of November 2011. Earlier, Holy Eucharist’s were held at the St Thomas Catholic Church, Moti Khavdi. The Metropolitan inspected the plot during his second visit to Jamnagar and expressed his deep interest to procure them.

The members also wished success and continuous growth for the Ahmedabad Diocese under the dynamic leadership of Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios.

News sent by Fr Philip Varghese,

The conference will take place at a brand new Lakeside Holiday and Conference Centre, Whitemoor Lakes, Barley Green Lane, Alrewas, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS138QT.
www.whitemoorlakes. org.uk

The Theme ‘AT THE CROSS ROADS: Changing Contexts, Challenges and a Christian Response’ will look at our life at the cross roads in this fast changing contexts in relation to social, economic, political and religious life. The theme was evolved from the bible verse Jeremiah 6:16 where the Lord is asking us to stand at the crossroads and look; ask for ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it.

For further information and to express your desire to attend, visit http://www.orthodox familyconference .co.uk/
Email: iocfc12@gmail. com
Phone: 07814032269

For contacts
Dr. Thomas Jacob [Remmy] (London)
O7814032269 / 02084070025
remmyrenu@hotmail. com

Mr. Baiju Kuriakose (Birmingham)
07903736235
Baiju2@hotmail. com

Dr. Ajay Mathews (Canterbury)
07786233800 / 01233612356
ajaymat70@yahoo. co.uk

Dr. Sandeep Mathews (Manchester)
07855452510
vmsmathews@gmail. com

Promotional video clips 1 2

News sent in: Jayan Varghese

The theme of the conference was “Marthoman Heritage – Lessons of understanding”.

The Conference that began with flag hoisting immediately after Holy Qurbana was led by renowned scholar, orator and Church historian Fr. Dr. M. O. John. He has served as professor in Orthodox Theological Seminary and is currently a resource person in United Theological College, Bangaluru.

Fr. Dr. M O John elucidated the rich heritage of the Indian Christians who cherished the legacy of the Apostle St. Thomas and also threw light on the developments that led to the installation of Catholicate in India. He is also the chief editor of Malankara Sabha Deepam.

The conference was presided over by the Cathedral Vicar and UAE Zone President Fr. V C Jose and was attended by Fr. Saji Abraham of Al Ain and Fr. Abraham John of Sharjah along with other dignitaries.

A moment of silence was observed in respect of the departed soul of Late Lamented HG Job Mar Philoxenos who was the beacon of OCYM UAE Zonal Committee. Tributes were also paid to renowned scholar and writer Mr. Sukumar Azhikode who had left for his heavenly abode last week.

Yuvadarshanam, the first visual magazine of its kind with the activity reports of the OCYM units in UAE enriched with visual effects was released on the occasion.

Assistant Vicar of the Cathedral, Fr. Cherian Jacob welcomed the delegates and UAE Zonal Secretary Thomas T Mathew proposed the vote of thanks.

Jibu Kurien of St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Sharjah was elected as the OCYM UAE Zone Secretary for the year 2012 and was handed over the OCYM flag.

Prizes were also distributed to the winners of the various competitions organized under the aegis of UAE Zonal Committee.

Fr. Johnson Punchakonam coordinated with the media team in Abu Dhabi to web stream the conference live through www.orthodoxtv.in, which enabled more than 3300 viewers worldwide to be part of the sessions led by Fr. John. The webcast was also available on Malankara orthodox TV with the coordinated efforts from Joice Thottakad.

Pictures

News sent in: Reji Mathew Meenadom

There will be evening prayer followed by devotional speech everyday at 6.30 PM. Dn. Sujit Thomas and Tenny Thomas will be the main speakers on these days.

Program
Monday, Jan. 30, 2012
6:30 PM Evening Prayer
7:00 PM Devotional Address
Speaker: Dn. Sujit Thomas (Diocesan FOCUS Director)

Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012
6:30 PM Evening Prayer
7:00 PM Devotional Address
Speaker: Mr. Tenny Thomas (PhD Student, Columbia University)

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012
6:30 PM Evening Prayer
7:00 PM Holy Qurbana
8:30 PM Dinner

The Church is located at 175 Cherry Lane, Floral Park, NY

For more information:
Very Rev. Dr. P. S. Samuel, Vicar (516-355-0003)
Rev. Fr. Gregory Varghese, Asst. Vicar (914-413-9200)

News sent in: Mathew Mathen

About 100 members attended the simple function in which Fr James and Mrs Ciji James (Kochamma) was also felicitated.

Replying to felicitations, Fr James and Kochamma thanked the congregation for all help rendered during their four-year stay in Sultanate of Oman.

The send-off comes in the wake of Fr James relinquishing official charge after his tenure as Vicar comes to an end on March 31, 2012. Fr James took charge as Vicar of the Muscat Maha Edavaka in August 2008 and was serving an extended tenure since 2011.

Earlier, Fr James also led the Holy Qurbana at the chapel for the congregation.

The function also extended a warm welcome for Fr Binu John Thomas, new Assistant Vicar, Muscat Mar Gregorios Orthodox Maha Edavaka.

Fr James introduced Fr Binu to the congregation and extended a floral bouquet.

Henceforth, Nizwa congregation and parts of Muscat area will be under the direct charge of Fr Binu John, which was announced earlier.

Photos by Mathew Mamootil, Nizwa

Pulikkottil Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios, Metropolitan of Ahmedabad Diocese, inaugurated the conference and led the main session based on the theme “Role of Sunday School Teachers in Christian Parenting”.

Fr Joji George, Diocesan Secretary, Fr Manu Varghese Jacob, Vice President, Sunday School, Fr Vineeth Koshy, NCCI Youth Secretary, Fr Varghese Thomas, Vicar, Mar Gregorios Orthodox Valiyapally, Baroda, Sunday School Director P M Abraham took part in the conference and replied to felicitations.

Sunday School Inspectors and about 60 teachers from various parishes from Gujarat Diocese participated in the conference.

The conference was lively with Q&A session. The executive committee meeting of Sunday Schools was also held under the Presidentship of Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios.

Earlier, the conference began with the Holy Eucharist led by the Metropolitan.

In a week-long visit to the central state last week, Dr Mar Yulios visited various Orthodox parishes and schools in Dewas, Indore, Pithampur and Nagada.

This was the second official visit of the Metropolitan after taking charge as Dicoesan Head in August 2010.

During his visit, Dr Mar Yulios, undertook a review of the activities in the parishes and schools for the forthcoming annual holidays in the region. The Metropolitan also addressed a well-attended ecumenical gathering at Indore.

Dr Mar Yulios has since returned to the Diocesan HQ at Naroda, Ahmedabad.

The theme of the conference is “Marthoman Heritage- Lessons of Understanding”.

More than 300 delegates from all Indian Orthodox Churches in UAE are expected to attend this Zonal Conference, including various Social and Church Dignitaries. The conference will commence with the flag hoisting, after the Holy Qurbana.

An eminent speaker and renowned scholar in Church History;Fr. Dr. M.O John will be the key note speaker at the conference. Fr. Dr.John, the former lecturer of Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam is a resource person in Serampore University. He is also the publisher and chief editor of Malankara Sabha Deepam.

Cathedral Vicar and the President of OCYM UAE Zone, Fr. Jose Chemmanam; Assistant Vicar Fr. Cherian K. Jacob; Cathedral Managing Committee and OCYM Managing Committee for the year 2011 and 2012 along with the conference sub-committees and other OCYM members are striving hard for the success of the conference.

The Programme will be webstreamed LIVE from the Venue on www.orthodoxtv.in from 10.00 AM onwards.

News sent in: Reji Mathew Meenadom

She is survived by husband Chacko Oommen. Sarasu John, Bahrain, Nirmala Maman, Kochumol Varghese and Mini Edison are her daughters. PV John Pallathu, Karackal; VM Maman, Vazhatharayil, Thirumoolapuram; Jose Varghese, Kavungaparambil, Niranam (Saudi Arabia); Edison Samuel – Thottathil Padinjarethil, Perissery (Saudi Arabia); and Bini Chacko, Pallathu, Onakoor, USA are the in laws.

Funeral services will be later.