Dearly beloved in Christ,
Greetings to you all in the name of our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer!
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Ex.33:27)
Thanking and praising God earnestly. It is my pleasure to drop few lines through this parish web-site. I am privileged to be part of the Dublin Nazareth Mar Thoma Church from June 1st onwards to serve you all as your vicar. I thank God almighty for this opportunity and cling on His power to lead His people. I record my heartfelt gratitude to the Hon. Episcopal Synod for this novel assignment to me along with my higher studies at St. Patricks College NUI- Maynooth. I must acknowledge the sincere effort taken by my predecessors especially Rev Mathew Philip achen for giving shape to the Mar Thoma community in Ireland in the present state. As the first vicar of the parish, achen’s hard work and energetic leadership is well appreciated. Along with the members of the parish, I wish all blessings in his new assignment.
Dear fellow travellers in Christ, in the voyage of searching green pastures in life, God has brought us in this beautiful country. Almighty Lord enables us to enjoy material as well as spiritual goodness from this land day by day. But in the midst of personal and societal challenges very often we fail to remember the guidance of God and conveniently forget our Christian identity. We are tempted to suitably compromise with its values and ethics. Are we pursuing pseudo-religiosity and situational spirituality? After all who are we?
We, the Church is a ’Kaudasik community’. We are called out to be the people of God (Laos), not one among the Crowd (Oklos). Our mission is to be Laos and to make Laos. To experience and to be experienced the presence of God is the responsibility of the Laos today. Realization is the power of knowledge and corner stone of growth. We are a realized community. We have a leader, an agenda, an identity, and life style, which are centred on the life and mission of Jesus Christ. In this hectic world in the midst of challenges, temptations, exploitations and injustice let us look at God for His power to lead a Christ-like life. Our mission and vision should be Christ-centred and it based on worldly experience. As a separate community, following things should be significant in our church life - Devotion to the Lord, loyalty to the church, adherence to the discipline of the church, unity of the believers and service to the community. As a church our foremost priority for the year is to build up meaningful fellowships and mutual supportive groups based on prayer. “Church is for churchless, Christ is for Christ-less and we are one in Christ for the world” is the motto of our church. Surely we can do differences in this area with a power of togetherness and love.
We know church is neither a building nor a meeting place but it is a place to build up relationship with God and our fellow beings. It is a community of faithful, who care, share, and pray for each other. It is a solemn place to realize the presence of God and the one to get inner healing. Here our social responsibility and spiritual commitment must go hand in hand. We cannot run away from the realities of this world. We should not be a closed community on the basis of our differences rather an open community which reflects the love, care and blessings of the Triune God. The life style of Jesus Christ be ours and let us proclaim Gospel through our lives. Our mission is Living and Doing. In the midst of confusions we should have a clear vision. In the threshold of growth we have to prioritise things for our meaningful and creative mission. As a church, physically we lack something but spiritually we are in abundance. We do not have anything except a great fellowship. The vibrant youthful nature is an asset of our parish. Mind this; all great and successful ventures are triggered from small and tender beginnings. Believe in Him and trust in Him and with Him let us do our best. Let the spirit of God strengthen us for His mission.
As the vicar of your parish, I urge your valuable prayers and meaningful relationships. As a priest, I am here to serve you all and wish to be with you in all your necessities. Looking forward of your enduring support and whole hearted cooperation in the days to come to make our fellowship more creative and meaningful. My family, son- Haaran and wife- Honey joins with me to send their greetings to you. Kindly uphold us in your prayers. Let us work together for the glory of God. May God’ choicest blessings be upon us all.
Shalom!
Jameson Achen.