Christianity 'could vanish from Middle East'
Released on - Thursday,27 January , 2011 -21:29
"The Assembly is convinced that the loss of Christian communities in the Middle East would also endanger Islam as it would signal the victory of fundamentalism," a resolution approved by the 318-member body said.
It condemned the October 2010 massacre of worshippers in the Syriac Catholic cathedral in Baghdad and the January 2011 suicide bombing in a Coptic church in Alexandria as two "particularly tragic" events in a growing number of attacks on Christian communities worldwide.
msn news
Christian communities could disappear from the faith's birthplace in the Middle East because of persecution and low birth rates, the Council of Europe's parliament warned Thursday."The Assembly is convinced that the loss of Christian communities in the Middle East would also endanger Islam as it would signal the victory of fundamentalism," a resolution approved by the 318-member body said.
It condemned the October 2010 massacre of worshippers in the Syriac Catholic cathedral in Baghdad and the January 2011 suicide bombing in a Coptic church in Alexandria as two "particularly tragic" events in a growing number of attacks on Christian communities worldwide.
Rev.K.T George called to Heaven
Ahamadi MTP choir leader Prasad’s father Rev.K.T George. Kidangalil , Kozhencherry called to heaven on Sunday morning. Funeral on Tuesday, please pray for the sorrowing family
Contact No. +919947488470.
Courtesy: Bijoy Jacob Mathew
Sunday School Prize Distribution
Hundreds of Children flocked to Marina Hall at 3.30pm on 28th Jan 2011 for the Opening day and prize distribution ceremony of Kuwait Mar Thoma Sunday School. It was a feast to the eyes to see all the little ones singing and praising the Lord Almighty. We have received 57 new admissions to the nursery on the first day itself. Kuwait Mar Thoma Parish whole heartily welcome all to the new comers and pray that Lord Almighty shower His blessings upon them.
Video
Photos
Video
Photos
Kuwait Mar Thoma Parish Dissolution : Sequence of events & the Impact
By Thomas Jacob
It is felt that, our church members around the world are not aware of the true picture of the situation prevailing in Kuwait
Around 95% of the Kuwait Parish members are against the dissolution of the parish whereas, the creation of new parishes is not objected, if anybody ( Church leadership or members), felt it apt.
Worship service on Friday, 28th January
Worship service of Kuwait Mar Thoma Parish will be held on Friday, 28th January 2011 at Marina Hall, Abbasiya.
Poll Results
Poll Results
Do you agree with the dissolution of Kuwait Mar Thoma Parish?
Do you agree with the dissolution of Kuwait Mar Thoma Parish?
84% viewers said NO
14% YES.
2% stood Neutral.
14% YES.
2% stood Neutral.
Infoconnect 2011 expo begins
KUWAIT: This year's International Information Technology, Office Systems & Communications Exhibition, more widely known as Infoconnect 2011, began yesterday at the Kuwait International Fairground in Mishref. The event was inaugurated by communications minister Mohammed Al-Busairi, who stressed that the major exhibition is one of the first indications of the great development-related and economic advances made in Kuwait since the launch of the government's major development plan last April.
Metropolitan's Kalpana regarding Episcopal Election
Meeting with Diocesan Episcopa
Kuwait Mar Thoma Parish representatives met Diocesan Episcopa and exchanged viewpoints over the current crisis.
Sunday School: Prize distribution on Friday, 28th January 2011
Kuwait Mar Thoma Sunday school teachers met Diocesan Episcopa on sunday and later at a separate teacher's meeting it has been decided to conduct the Prize distribution ceremony for Sunday school students on Friday, 28th January 2011 at Marina Hall at 3.30pm. All the Sunday school students are requested to attend the grand function.
Overwhelming response
Thanks for your support . Here is a stats about our website for the last 23 hours. Registered more than 2100 hits...still growing..
If you have anything to share with our readers email us @ [q8marthoma@gmail.com]
If you have anything to share with our readers email us @ [q8marthoma@gmail.com]
Keep going forward
By: Jacob Chacko
Verse
He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God Joshua 4:24
Thought
Situation: Lord promised Joshua to give Canaan, but now they have Jordan river in front of it and its shores was overflowing with water.
Solution: Lord asked the priest to take the ark and put their feet into the water, immediately waters piled on one side and the other side drained off and people walked through dry land.
Condolence
Our Sunday School Teacher , Ms. Betty Susan Chandy's grand mother (Father's mother) , Mrs. Susamma Mathew , 85 years , passed away yesterday morning at Kuriannoor. Betty and her Father will be travelling tonight to India . Funeral will be on Wednesday , 26th Jan , at St. Thomas Marthoma Church , Kuriannoor.
We offer our heartfelt condolence on her sad demise and pray to the Almighty that the bereaved family find the solace in God.
Kuwait Mar Thoma Worship Service
Fasting Prayer of Kuwait Mar Thoma Parish was held on Friday, 21st Jan at Marina Hall at 6.30am. More than One thousand parishioners attended the service.
Video (21-01-2011)
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Video (14-01-2011)
Pay your phone bills..
Automatic Suspension Of Service To Be Activated
KUWAIT CITY, Jan 14, (KUNA): Kuwait Ministry of Communication urged land-based phone subscribers to pay the user fees in order to avoid automatic suspension of service late this month.
The system of automatic suspension, adopted recently, will be activated on Sunday, Jan 30, after sending two warning messages to the concerned numbers as from Jan 23, Director of the Ministry’s Public Relations Dept Ahmad Ramadan said in a press release.
“The ceiling of service fees above which the system can be activated is KD 50 for home phones and KD 100 for commercial phones,” he revealed.
“The subscribers who got their dues rescheduled in installments will be deprived of the service they fail to pay their regular monthly payments,” Ramadan made clear.
Meanwhile, he praised the cooperation shown by subscribers in the recent months and urged them to continue paying the fees regularly whether through the ministry’s website or the government portal.
വാര്ത്ത അയച്ചു തന്നത് : സാം വില്സണ്
The system of automatic suspension, adopted recently, will be activated on Sunday, Jan 30, after sending two warning messages to the concerned numbers as from Jan 23, Director of the Ministry’s Public Relations Dept Ahmad Ramadan said in a press release.
“The ceiling of service fees above which the system can be activated is KD 50 for home phones and KD 100 for commercial phones,” he revealed.
“The subscribers who got their dues rescheduled in installments will be deprived of the service they fail to pay their regular monthly payments,” Ramadan made clear.
Meanwhile, he praised the cooperation shown by subscribers in the recent months and urged them to continue paying the fees regularly whether through the ministry’s website or the government portal.
വാര്ത്ത അയച്ചു തന്നത് : സാം വില്സണ്
Memorandum (14-01-2010)
During the worship service at Marina hall this Memorandum was read and signed by parishioners.
Prayer Group & Organisation officials meeting
Grievance from a young Kuwait Marthomite
TO ALL THE CHRISTIANS AND ALL MARTHOMITES AROUND THE WORLD.. SPECIFICALLY TO OUR THIRUMENIS AND ALL ACHENS...
I would like to talk about how desertful and devastating was the effect of wat d least minority of kuwait marthoma parish did to the whole lot of us...We were one of the biggest parishes marthoma church ever had,d soul and breath of each parishioners stayed within the neck compound for the past 47 years...What an unhuman a man can turn was seen at the parish when some people say half a percent of the total got the idea of splitting the church...
I would like to talk about how desertful and devastating was the effect of wat d least minority of kuwait marthoma parish did to the whole lot of us...We were one of the biggest parishes marthoma church ever had,d soul and breath of each parishioners stayed within the neck compound for the past 47 years...What an unhuman a man can turn was seen at the parish when some people say half a percent of the total got the idea of splitting the church...
Real life story of a Pravasi Malayalee
Click on the link for a touching story that narrates the real life of a pravasi malayalee.
http://issuu.com/q8marthoma/docs/story?viewMode=magazine&mode=embed
Thanks to our parish member..
http://issuu.com/q8marthoma/docs/story?viewMode=magazine&mode=embed
Thanks to our parish member..
Condolence
Our Diocesan Assembly member Mr. P C Abraham‘s Father’s brother Mr. Varkey Abraham (80), Palathumkal, Vadaserrikara passed away at Kerala this morning. Funeral on Saturday. We offer our heartfelt condolence on his sad demise and pray to Almighty that the bereaved family find the solace in God.
27th anniversary of Ahmadi Mar Thoma Church
Rt. Rev Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos Episcopa has arrived in Kuwait in connection with the 27th anniversary of Ahmadi Mar Thoma Church.
Meanwhile Ahmadi Mar Thoma Yuvajana sakhyam celebrates its silver jubilee this year.
Meanwhile Ahmadi Mar Thoma Yuvajana sakhyam celebrates its silver jubilee this year.
The Reformation of Mar Thoma Church - Are we deviating?
Attaching here a brief history of our church, the reformation and the appeal to evaluate whether we are deviating from it and becoming THEOCRATIC in ourday to day administration. A real study required.
Is anyone Listening the cry ??
I'm an ordinary member of the Kuwait Marthoma Parish who grew up in Kuwait, actively attending the Kuwait Mar Thoma Sunday School and participating in all the Church Activities..I'm a staunch Marthomite and I believe my church should grow. But not by the 'DIVIDE and RULE' policy.History has taught us the end results whenever and where ever such a policy was applied.
Thank you for your support....
More than 1200 hits on the first day!!!!...Here are some stats about viewers across the globe. Thank you everyone. If you have any news or article send to q8marthoma@gmail.com
A Humble Petition
Respected Thirumeni
This letter is being submitted to Your Holiness, with the anticipation of your just consideration to the grievances of Kuwait Mar Thoma Parish members, who wish to stay together as a body of one single Church in the light of recent Kalpana to dissolve it and to operate Three Separate churches as independent entities.
This decision is not in accordance with the will of the majority of Church members. I am trying to convey the feeling of 99% of members, who cherish the nostalgic feeling of togetherness since last 47 years in the face of various turbulence. During these years, we have been faithful to the Mar Thoma Church
Now, with the adamant approach, refusing to reason with, from some factions of the Church Leadership, we are constrained to disapprove the divine commandments enforced on us as a last chance for our very spiritual survival in this land.
We are not convinced of the Pastoral care, proclaimed as the reason for the dissolution of the Church. If The Priests cannot provide the desired pastoral care in the existing scenario, how they can give it in a divided Church, unless special divine ability is bestowed from the Heaven, which is lacking now?. There is no real change in number of priests and members of the church in the proposed new system.
More over, despite the fact that, we are enjoying Religious freedom in an Islamic country like Kuwait
Where will we accommodate our existing Sunday School Students for giving lessons on Christ, the Lord. The younger generation is the future of our Church as a whole. Should we ignore them? We have lot of limitations in a foreign land. Instead of simplifying, we are aggravating problems, which is deliberately created.
It is understood from various sources that, the Synod is being appraised that the objection of dissolution is raised by a minority of Church members and majority is favouring it..
Then , Why the leadership is not willing to have a referendum of the members to assess the real situation in a democratic manner. If people want change let them have. If not, let it be not an imposition of Will. History teaches us of rebellions from common man, which resulted in the collapse of Mighty powers.
One genuine question to the Church Leadership :-
Can we follow the same policy of pastoral care in the matter of THE MAR THOMA CHURCH Entire Church
Why we cannot think of a dissolution of the Mar Thoma Church
The above cited question is to convince ourselves of the illogical nature of decision made by the top of the Church. Can this policy be accommodated in the case of whole Mar Thoma Church
We believe in a united Church and a United Parish. Please do not hurt our feelings. We have lot of problems in this foreign land. Please do not add another for no reason We are looking for a unified communion with the God Almighty. We are faithful believers ready to be guided reasonably by of the Church leaders. We are not your adversaries. But a benign request, please do not force us to revolt.
For an on behalf of
Likeminded members of Kuwait
Thomas Jacob
January 3, 2011
Plea by a member against Parish dissolution
Respected Achen
I am Nisha John, a member of theKuwait Marthoma Church Melbourne , Australia
The time that i spend in the sunday school and V.B.S has been the most blessed periods of my life and I am sure all who went to the sunday school would share the same story. Writing to you now as a young adult, I have just one plea to make and that is kindly forsake the plans of splitting our wonderful church. The church as a whole has been a guide , a light and sanctuary of peace to us over the years. Even the last time I was inKuwait
The Marthoma church has been most forward in the aspect of worship and get togethers, hosting ecumenical services and merging with the other christian denominations. I could never think of itself being broken into segments and segregated to the extent that there arise dispute between the members. We have been so blessed to have such a wonderful atmosphere of worship under one roof so long inKuwait KUWAIT
I know I am in no position to remind that the church is the bride of Christ and no human force should be used to destroy that which is divine. A whole community of believers' prayers and commitments led to what we know as the church today. Kindly ease our pain, please regard this mail as a voice out of the depths of many parishioners who are heart broken at the aspect of division. Kindly reconsider.
Regards
Nisha John
I am Nisha John, a member of the
The time that i spend in the sunday school and V.B.S has been the most blessed periods of my life and I am sure all who went to the sunday school would share the same story. Writing to you now as a young adult, I have just one plea to make and that is kindly forsake the plans of splitting our wonderful church. The church as a whole has been a guide , a light and sanctuary of peace to us over the years. Even the last time I was in
The Marthoma church has been most forward in the aspect of worship and get togethers, hosting ecumenical services and merging with the other christian denominations. I could never think of itself being broken into segments and segregated to the extent that there arise dispute between the members. We have been so blessed to have such a wonderful atmosphere of worship under one roof so long in
I know I am in no position to remind that the church is the bride of Christ and no human force should be used to destroy that which is divine. A whole community of believers' prayers and commitments led to what we know as the church today. Kindly ease our pain, please regard this mail as a voice out of the depths of many parishioners who are heart broken at the aspect of division. Kindly reconsider.
Regards
Nisha John
Response From our Members- I
All Parish Members
Owing to the Kalpana of the Marthoma Metropolitan to dissolve the Kuwait Marthoma Parish, almost 99% of the members of the Parish are facing a situation of uncertainty.
Still a nominal number of Parish members are supporting the said Kalpana as they have been lured with false promises by some external forces who played actively to get the Parish dissolved with the concurrence of Central Church Authorities for their own benefits.
A few words to our brothers and sisters of the Parish :-
- History is our teacher, which guide us to take a right path in the future life of each. It is not simply to read but to learn from it.
In the Medieval Indian History. Rajputs fought each other for their own domain. To defeat their own blood brothers, they sought the help of Afghans. This has ended up in the dominion of Mughals and Afghan Emperors. The host became the subjects of these guests and finally lost their identity altogether. The same thing happened in the case of English too. Local kings took the help of them to defeat their local counterparts. They forgot to co-exist. Finally, everybody became slaves of these foreigners.
Some erstwhile Parish members, for their own gain, have hatched the plot in Kuwait
2. Every parish of Marthoma Church
There is a reference of a previous Kalpana/Circular in the current Kalpana that the matter was intimated to all Church members, which is not true. But for argument’s sake, if by chance, the said document is intentionally hidden from the common members, then there should have been a mention of this matter by the Diocesan Bishop, who was in Kuwait
When, an appeal was submitted by around 2000 members, requesting of a re-thinking of the issue, why the Metropolitan is not willing to consider it? Whereas he was trying to brush aside the request, commenting that the majority request is only a fake one. Then why he is not willing to make a referendum to decide whether the claim of the petitioners are right or not by sending an emissary to the Parish? That step will be more democratic than autocratic. Or is he a victim of common man’s ego??
- Our friends MAK (seems pro-dissolution groups, though claims to be independent) is very much concerned about the lack of understanding of THE COMMON MEMBERS and hence trying to explain the situation through their communications My dear friends, all our members are quite sensible enough to understand a simple matter like the issue. It is not a rocket technology which may be difficult to understand. They are all intelligent enough as you are. So your such concern is irrelevant.
4. MAK is informing that the fund is sensibly and reasonably divided among the new Churches. We are not talking about the funds. We are talking about the identity of the Parish. It is the identity of each of the members. Some with vested interest may be looking of the economic aspect of the issue. We are talking about the unity in communion with God Almighty. For us, Worship in Christ as an unified community is more important.
5. MAK also is concerned about the divinity of the Kalpana of the Metropolitan. Please understand that, the Kalpana is not DIVINE as the Ten Commandments of Mosses. It is a circular of the Church Head to his parishioners. The Metropolitan and the Priests are democratically selected from the common Clergy and people respectively. Hence they are bound to make human errors which should be rectified if required. Always, there should be a room for reasoning and discussion in a mature society.
6. The tendency of human being is to ascribe divinity to self, in a Dictatorial environment, where power is absolute. The same man in the face of uncertainty tends to submit fully to the Divinity, where he is helpless. Alexander the Great, The Roman Emperors, all believed themselves to be divine. They forgot to reason with their subjects and resulted in their great fall. The moment, the leader refuse to hear and to reason with the subjects, there starts the disintegration of the society and bond. We are afraid, whether we are also undergoing such a situation in our Church and belief. Authorities are refusing to reason with us.
- The Latest “Show Cause Notices” served to our representatives, who raised their objection to the Kalpana, on our behalf, is an example of the imperial attitude of our Church leaders. In the said notice, there is a torn of INTIMIDATION which is an offense as per the Indian Penal Code. Concerned Parish Representatives have been warned of punitive measures which may subject them to actions through Kuwait Government Authorities in addition to the threat of excommunication. Our basic stand is that, we agree to the creation of new churches while the existing parish is maintained. But the Authorities are adamant in dissolving the Parish, where a disagreement occurred.
- The Show Cause Notice and the Kalpana is a violation of Human Rights/ Personal Rights- guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of India. Every citizen has the right to choose his/her religion, place of worship, expression of opinion, etc.,. Here we are being deprived of our right of expression by refusing to hear our grievances and settle the issue through a democratic process. We are being banned from using NECK, where the Kuwait Marthoma Parish was operational since last 47 years, giving way to newly IMPOSED Parishes in its place. Here is a clear denial of our right to worship.
- Our children are denied of their Sunday School. With the dissolution of Kuwait Marthoma Parish, what will be the status of Certificates/records related to birth, marriage, membership and as such, which are very crucial for their future. Who will issue a certificate for a non-existent Parish? Even if issued what will be the legal standing for it? Who is the legitimate Authority to issue it ??
Our only demand is NOT TO DISSOLVE OUR PARISH. Let the Authorities retain our Parish with the name KUWAIT MARTHOMA PARISH. Whoever aspiring separate parishes for more pastoral care can have their own parish with a name suitable for them. We shall recognize them. Let them recognize us too. Here the matter is amicably settled. There is no tussle with the clergy and the members of parish. Let us join our hands in the love of Jesus Christ. The Bishops and Clergy should initiate their wisdom to keep the people together. There is no church without its members.
We have to seriously think of these issues. All Parish members should stand together at this time of difficulty. It is not the time to fight each other. I am writing this note as a common member of the Parish, who never held any position in the Parish since last 34 years of membership. I am trying to express the views of every common parish members like me who are disappointed with the Church and its leadership. We were very proud of being its members and never wanted to be involved in its politics.
Yours truly
For and On Behalf of Like minded Parish members
Thomas Jacob Kuwait
January 9, 2011
Worship Schedule of Kuwait Mar Thoma Parish
Worship Service
Every Friday : 6.30am to 8.30am
Venue: Marina Hall, Abbasiya
Sunday School
Every Friday: 3.30pm to 5.30pm
Venue: Marina Hall, Abbasiya
Every Friday : 6.30am to 8.30am
Venue: Marina Hall, Abbasiya
Sunday School
Every Friday: 3.30pm to 5.30pm
Venue: Marina Hall, Abbasiya
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