Centenary UK

ECUMENIMSM IN ACTION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

The centenary celebration of the St. Georges Parish in North Harrow was an occasion for the Mar Thoma community worshiping to join for a combined celebration of Holy Communion with the members of the St. George’s Anglican Church. The Anglican Diocesan Bishop, Peter Wheately, celebrated the Eucharist using the Mar Thoma Kauma at the beginning of the Anglican liturgy. The Mar Thoma Vicar, Rev. V. G. Geevarghese and the Choir were asked to recite the Kauma in Malayalam and the services ended with the same reciting the 23rd Psalm. Also present was Bishop Nazir Ali of the Anglican Church, former general secretary of the CMS and a former guest speaker at the Maramon convention.

Bishop Nazir Ali highlighted the importance of the Mar Thoma Christians and the Church of England community working together. His Lordship stated that the English people built the Church 100 years ago and now we are using their facilities and the Church for glorifying God.
He went on to say that although we have been here for 54 years, we never had joint worship and ministries with the Church of England. We use their Churches under ‘Land Lords and Tenants’ attitudes and agreements, but never ever thought of having integrated ministries. The next stage of this journey is to have more partnership ministries. But our people are more comfortable with our own enclaves and properties. The Bishop prayed that there would be a much more integrated life in this country. He also hoped that we would give sufficient time to think about joint
ministries at the parish level. It would be nice to think how we could encourage the leaders to work together to achieve more partnership ministries. This is really important for the survival of both groups.

These are important milestones in our life as Mar Thoma Diaspora Christians

Prepared by
Rev. V. G. Geevarghese & Dr. Zac Varghese