Ecumenical Fellowship Dinner

The Diocese of North America and Europe of the Mar Thoma Church organized an ecumenical Fellowship Dinner with the help of the Mar Thoma Parishes in the South East Region. This was held at the Radisson Hotel, Philadelphia, Northeast on the evening of Friday, January 20, 2012. There were about 290 participants including the Bishops, Clergy and Lay members of various Church denominations. This Ecumenical gathering, the third of its kind, was more appropriate and meaningful as it was held on the Week of prayer for Christian Unity.

Rev. Roy Geevarghese and Rev. Alexander Varghese led the worship service with Rev. Dr. Joe Joseph Kuruvilla saying the opening prayer.

Rev. K. E. Geevarghese, the Diocesan Secretary welcomed the gathering by saying ‘ecumenism is a call for greater unity; not only among the Christian denominations, but also a wider unity that is to be seen in the
whole inhabited earth’.
The Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius, gave the presidential address
with the following words on Ecumenism.
(i) Ecumenism is a gift of God in the power of the Holy Spirit. This ecumenical gathering
enables us to praise God together.
(ii) This fellowship helps us to have a conversation together. So that there will be more
listening and sharing of thoughts. The very presence of the people speaks louder than
words.
(iii)There is always a need for all the church denominations to go outside the walls of her
administrative and institutional network and to tap the vitality that can be found when the
church denominations live and minister together.
(iv)Though everybody knows about ecumenism, there is a need to look up and listen to the
God head who is the symbol of unity.
(v) Ecumenism that is needed today is to be relevant, intelligible, understandable and
credible for us and our younger / growing generation. The youth in the community are
citizens of the country. As they grow, they are thinking more and more seriously about
how to deepen their unity, to manifest and to give more and more visibility to the gift of
God: Church and Ecumenism
The Diocesan Bishop congratulated the Most Rev. Zachariahs Mar Nicolavas on his elevation as the Metropolitan of the Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. He also recalled the relationship between the Episcopal Church in USA and the Mar Thoma Church by acknowledging the presence of Rt. Rev. Charles E Bennison. Bishop Mar Theodosius welcomed the Rev. Dr. Paul Rajasekharan to give a talk on Ecumenism to the gathered
Assembly.

Rev. Dr. Paul Rajasekharan, the Dean of Studies, Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia who was present with his wife Rev. Esther Rajasekharan spoke about the relevance of Ecumenical relationship for an emigrant community like the Mar Thoma Church. He talked about the pros and corns of being citizens of India and citizens of USA. While
touching the different aspects of community living in this land, he emphasized the need to sing a ‘new song in the new land’. He said as the roots go deeper, the shoots become stronger.

Bishop Charles E Bennison, the presiding Bishop of Episcopal Church in Pennsylvania, spoke to the gathering by expressing his joy in being present and said that he is touched by the love, warmth and spirit of hospitality of
the Mar Thoma Members in organizing the Ecumenical Dinner.

The most Rev. Zacharias Mar Nicolavas thanked the Mar Thoma Diocese for the words of felicitation and spoke on the process of continuity and change, visible in the immigrant community and succeeding generation in the land of USA. He said that differences are to be ironed out for a greater unity which will also be relevant and meaningful for the growing generation. Rev. Fr. Jose Daniel, the Chairman of the Ecumenical Fellowship brought greetings
from all the Christian denominations in Philadelphia and said that Mar Thoma Church is an integral part in the Ecumenical Fellowship that regularly meets for the last 25 years.

The meeting was made more blessed by the various songs sung by the choir members. Mr. Shaji Mathai, the Convener of the meeting expressed his gratitude for the support of everyone present at the Dinner fellowship and asked the Diocesan Bishop to present gift to the hounoured guests. Mr. Chacko Mathew the Diocesan Treasurer expressed thanks to all the leaders, delegates and conveners of the fellowship meeting. The fellowship meeting lasted for about two and a half hours by sharing a psumptuous Dinner which concluded with prayer and benediction. Ms. Shobita Shaji was the Emcee. Rev. Roy Geevarghese was the Chairman of the committee and Shaji Mahai was the Convener. The Diocese is grateful to the members of the parishes in Philadelphia region in organizing a memorable event.
Rev. K. E. Geevarghese
Diocesan Secretary