Tabore Mar Thoma Church, Staten Island

Tabore Mar Thoma Church was celebrating its sixth parish day when the Diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius visited the parish on November 6, 2011. The parish consisting of 35 families meets regularly on Sundays at the All Saints’ Episcopal Church. Rev. Varghese George is the present Vicar.

The parish had its humble beginning as a prayer group which met regularly in a class room at the Staten Island College. The Episcopal Synod recognized the group as a parish and the then Metropolitan the Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostem Mar Thoma issued a Kalpana on October 11, 2005 with the name Tabore Mar Thoma Church. Revds. Dr. K. A. Abraham, Joseph P. Oommen, Joby Varghese and Varghese Mathai served the parish as its Vicar from October 2005 to April 2010.

Currently the parish has regular worship services and the activities of Sunday School, Youth Fellowship, Sevika Sangham, Edavaka Mission, Parish choir and Young Family Fellowship. The Sunday School has 27 children and 11 teachers.
The building committee constituted within the parish worked together in buying a land with a building in it. The building is to be renovated to make it a place of worship. The members of the committee are working hard to raise adequate funds to start the renovation.

The Episcopal visit coincided with the celebration of the world Sunday school Day. The Holy Qurbana Service conducted in Malayalam started at 12 noon as the facilities of the All Saints’ Church was available only then. The senior children of the Sunday School led the special service meant for the Sunday School day, after the birthday and wedding thanks giving service. Mr. Jess George from Chicago Mar Thoma Church undergoing practical training in the Diocese gave the sermon based on Ephesians 6: 1-3. He emphasized the significance of a Christian home in the growth of the parish and the Church and stressed on the parental responsibility in training and disciplining children at home.

There were three first communicants who participated in the dedication service and joined the members in receiving the Holy Qurbana. Announcements were made after the service at 2 p. m. and the parish day celebration was conducted soon after that.

Mr. Thomas M., Vice President, welcomed the gathering. Mr. Anil C. Cherian, parish Secretary presented a report on the activities of the Parish. The Diocesan Bishop gave the parish day Message based on Ephesians 1:10. Mr. Philip Thomas gave the vote of Thanks.

After the closing prayer and the benediction there was Kaimuthu service and all the members joined together for a luncheon fellowship. The parish rejoices in its growth and looks forward in hope for greater achievements in the years to come.
All through the Holy Qurbana Service and the Parish day programme the Choir members gave a valuable service. They made special efforts to learn songs specially for the occasion.

Rev. Varghese George
Vicar