Dearly beloved in Christ,
Warm greetings to you in the name of our risen and ascended Lord Jesus Christ.
The services during the Great Lent, the Passion of our Lord, and the celebration of His Resurrection were deeply meaningful and spiritually enriching. I wholeheartedly congratulate and appreciate all those who participated with sincerity and commitment. Your dedication and devotion made these days of reflection and worship truly memorable.
May the spiritual blessings we have received during this sacred season continue to guide us, strengthen our faith, and inspire us to live more Christ-centered lives.
As we step into the month of May, we are called to reflect on our identity as God’s people. This month brings before us three significant observances: May Day, "Bhoo Bhavana Daanam", and the Ascension of our Lord. Each one invites us to deepen our discipleship and renew our commitment to the Church’s mission.
1. May Day - The Sacredness of Labour
May Day is a global reminder of the value of human labour. For us as Christians, it is an occasion to reaffirm that every kind of work - when done in love and faith - is participation in God’s creative and sustaining work. Jesus dignified labour through His own hands as a carpenter. Let us remember those among us who face joblessness, underemployment, or unjust conditions. May our parishes be spaces of encouragement, mutual support, and advocacy for dignity in labour.
2. Bhoo Bhavana Daanam - A Call to Sacrificial Giving
The "Bhoo-Bhavana Daanam" (ഭൂ-ഭവന ദാനം) movement (Gift of Land and House), initiated by Dr. Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan in 1968, has now completed 57 fruitful years. Through this project, the Church seeks to build and provide houses for underprivileged families, reflecting its commitment to social justice and Christian stewardship. It echoes the spirit of the early Christian community, who shared generously so that none among them lacked anything (Acts 4:32–35). Our financial offerings are not merely for the maintenance of buildings - they are seeds sown for ministry: to nurture the next generation, to care for the suffering, and to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed. Let us participate joyfully, prayerfully, and with a vision for Kingdom-building on the first Sunday of May.
3. Ascension - Our Hope, Our Mission
Another significant event in the life of the Church is the Ascension of our Lord (സ്വർഗ്ഗാരോഹണ പെരുന്നാൾ), when Jesus Christ was taken up into heaven. This took place on the 40th day after His resurrection. This year, we will commemorate this sacred event on the 29th of May. The Ascension of Jesus is not merely a farewell - it is a glorious coronation. The risen Lord ascends not to leave us behind, but to take His rightful place at the right hand of the Father, where He reigns in majesty and continually intercedes for us.
Yet, before His departure, Christ entrusted His Church with a divine mission: “You shall be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8). With these words, He handed over the torch of His ministry to us. The Ascension invites us to lift our eyes upward in hope, open our hearts inward for transformation, and stretch our hands outward in mission. We are not a static people - we are a Spirit-filled Church, called to be Christ’s living witnesses in a hurting and fragmented world.
Looking Ahead - Planning for the New Church Year
Having entered a new financial year as a Church, we now enter a season of prayerful planning. I invite all our Parish members, organisations, and committees to prayerfully discern God's guidance for the ministry in the year ahead.
Let us:
- Re-examine our mission priorities in light of our present context.
- Strengthen youth and children’s ministries, building strong foundations of faith from an early age.
- Recommit ourselves to the responsibility of care - especially for the sick, the elderly, and the lonely.
- Encourage environmental stewardship and active community engagement.
May every plan be rooted in prayer, guided by the Spirit, and aligned with God’s will. I encourage every member to take ownership of the Church’s mission in the year ahead. Your participation matters. Your gifts are needed.
Let us move forward together - serving, giving, and bearing witness - until His Kingdom is fully revealed.
May God bless us all.
Have a Blessed May!
In Christ’s Love,
Veeramala Achen
Meet Our Vicars.
Rev. James M. Koshy Veeramala Vicar & President
