Episcopal Visit to Rochester Mar Thoma Church

The first Episcopal Visit to Rochester Mar Thoma Parish took place on the weekend of May 22 & 23. Rev. Vinoy Daniel, the Diocesan Secretary, conducted the prayer meeting at the residence of the parish secretary Mr. John Kochummen at 6pm. At present there are 15  Mar Thoma families in the parish. Rev. Biju P Simon, New York,  serves as the present vicar.

Bishop The Rt. Rev.Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius arrived at Rochester after the Sunday service at Baltimore Mar Thoma Parish. Rev. Vinoy Daniel and office bearers of the parish  received Thirumeni at the airport. The Holy Communion was organised at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Rochester.

Mar Thoma members and their friends from sister Churches  in  Rochester and nearby places like Utica, Syrracuse and  Buffalo came together for worship. Some of the office bearers of the St. Thomas Episcopal Church of Rochester participated in the service. The Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester the Rt. Rev. Prince G. Singh welcomed the gathering and joined in the Holy Qurbana Sevice.

The worship service was in English and the congregation sang together, ‘ There shall be showers of blessings’. Bishop Prince G Singh welcomed  Mar Theodosius.  The sermon on the day was from St. John 16  on the theme Holy Spirit: The Indwelling Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Trinity. Holy Spirit reveals his will, empowers his people and discloses his  presence…

 Bishop Prince G Singh offered the prayer after the sermon.The dedication of the 2 first communicants took place before the prayer of confeesion.

A good number of participants took part in  receiving the Holy Communion after it was first served to the first communicants. Lay leaders Mr. Thomas and Mr. Matt assisted at the alter.
The Secretary of the parish Mr . John Kochummen made the announcement and expressed joy of the parish  in the visit of the Diocesan Episcopa. The Sunday School children came forward and sang two songs.

 Mr. Shaji  proposed the vote of thanks. After the Kaimuth service everybody gathered together for fellowship dinner.

There was an official meeting of the Mar Thoma members of the parish at 9.30pm. The Diocesan Bishop exhorted the members to take more interest  in mobilizing the members. Motivate the members according to the need and see that the parish supports atleast 25% of the total expenses for a parish priest. There was interest among the members to have services of an achen for atleast one week a month to have overall spirtuial upliftment including the celebration of the Holy Qurbana.

 The Diocesan Bishop  stayed in Rochester for the day.

Prepared by Rev. Vinoy Daniel