Committee Members 2019-2020

President Rev. Saju Chacko

Vice President Mr.Verghese Philip

Secretary Mr. Sam Varghese

Trustee-Accounts Dr.Georgie P Thomas

Trustee-Finance Mr.Joji M Philip

Lay leader 1 Mr. Gaius Thomson

Lay leader 2 Mr. Abey Chandy

Sunday School Mrs. Jinu Varghese

Choir Mr. Mathew K Thomas

Sevika Sangam Mrs. Marykutty Thomas

Edavaka Mission Mrs. Sonia P Mathew

Youth Fellowship Mrs. Sharon Mathew

Couple Fellowship Mrs. Anna Mathew

Mandalam member Mr. Jibu M Cherian

Assembly Member Dr. Susy Jacob

Zonal Treasurer Mr. Thomas Abraham

Charity No: 1137185

www.midlandsmtc.org.uk

For Private circulation Only

Oct – Nov - Dec 2019

From Vicar’s desk

Dearly beloved in Christ,

‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can

use to change the world’ Nelson Mandela.

In the words of Paulo Freire, Education is our

participation in the design, imagination and ministry of

God. Wisdom should always be wrought by a culture of humanity. I

express gratitude and praise God for the success of our children who

have passed their A-levels and GCSEs and congratulate them for their

success. Also, I wish a blessed year for students as they are entering a

new academic year and pray for the kids who start their academic life

this year.

The month of August was a time of unprecedented calamity in Kerala.

The floods have caused untold destruction in the lives of many and

hundreds have lost their lives. Please continue to pray for the flood-

stricken people as they are toiling hard to make their lives get back on

track.

We’ve almost reached the last quarter of 2019. Let us thank God for

all the blessings that we have experienced throughout our life. I praise

God and thank your active participation in the church worship services

and other church activities amidst your busy schedule. Good

participation in the area prayer meetings are appreciable. I

congratulate all who have worked very hard to make all our events a

blessed one.

Skit performed by Hermon MTC for family Conference 2019

Harvest festival September 2019 Cultural fest September 2019

Food Coupon sale inauguration

Bournemouth Trip August 2019

Family Conference August 2019

Picture Corner

Now we are prayerfully preparing and for our Harvest festival, family

retreat and Christmas celebrations. Please pray for these events and

creatively participate in all programmes and make it very much lively

and memorable.

The prayer and unity of the Early Churches have helped them to grow

towards the maturity of Christ and have also helped them to achieve

growth. Let us also prayerfully join and grow together with Christ.

With Love and prayerful regards

Saju Achen

Parsonage Contact:

Rev Saju Chacko 21 Hobs Moat Road Solihull , B92 8PE

revsajuachen@gmail.com Ph 01214391700 / 07930710268

Rt.Rev. Joseph Mar Barnabas Episcopa

Happy Birthday

Dear Beloved in Christ,

Give thanks to the Lord for He is great, and his steadfast love endures

forever. (Psalms 136: 1).

Our experiences with our Lord have taught us that through Faith,

anything is possible. We have seen miracles happening and our

prayers being answered. This shows that Our God is an awesome God.

We are planning to publish the newsletter every quarter that includes

lectionary, worship arrangements, prayer meetings, birthdays,

wedding anniversaries, and announcements and so on during that

period. Any suggestions and feedbacks are welcome. Please send any

meaningful articles, cartoons etc for the next newsletter.

Prayers

Mrs . Anvy Mary Thomas

Newsletter Editor

Email: anvymt@hotmail.co.uk

1) The oldest man in the Bible was 969 years old when he died and his

name was Methuselah

2) Two men in the Bible never died, they were Enoch and Elijah

3) The giant Goliath was killed by a young boy named David with one

stone

4) The shortest verse in the bible is Jesus wept

5) There are 66 books in the bible.

6) The shortest book in the bible by word count is 3 John with only

219 words

7) The book in the Bible with the shortest name is Job.

8) The word Bible is from the Greek ta biblia which means the scrolls

9) The shortest book in the Bible is Psalms 117 with 2 verses

10) The bible doesn’t say how many wise men from the East came to

visit baby Jesus bearing with gifts, there could have been more.

11) The last word in the Bible is Amen.

Reflection from Family Conference Sinu Mathew

A total of 68 members from our church attended the 37th UK & Europe

Family Conference hosted by Carmel Marthoma Church, Liverpool. The Yarnfield Park Conference Centre was bustling with cheerful people of all ages meeting and strengthening existing friendships as well as making new

friends. The three days from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th August flew by however absolutely counted as profitable time with so much food for our

souls with the theme on the importance of living God, “My Redeemer Liveth”. The days were packed with singing, worship, meditation and prayer. We were privileged with powerful speakers who advocated the importance

of us being prepared for the second coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ. The messages were influential, enlightening, and inspiring to all in attendance reminding that waiting on the Lord does not mean sitting still but rather

keeping busy preparing self for what the Lord has in store for us. The 2019 Family Conference did not disappoint in expectations, with stirring thoughts

on the theme and warm fellowship between meetings. On Saturday afternoon, there were a number of inter-church games and competitions in which Hermon competed very well and proudly brought

home most of the winning trophies and medals. Well done to the whole squad! These were three days well spent, and our sincere thanks to the organisers of the conference, for the fine hospitality provided, as well as to

the speakers for their diligent ministry. It was a great benefit in attending this year’s conference, with the kind of spiritual ministry and warmth of

fellowship we have enjoyed once again this year. We pray that the teaching of God’s Word during the conference days would be a b lessing and greatly encouraging to the people of God.

Date Bible

Reading 1

Bible

Reading 2

Epistle -

Gospel

Worship Assist

06 Oct Deut 26:1-11 Phili 4:10-20 2 Cori 9:1-9

Matt 25:34-46

Ruben Thomas

Georgie P Thomas Ciju Thomas Gauis Thomson

13 Oct 2Sam 9:1-13 Acts 9:32-35 2Cor 12:1-10

Mark 3:1-6

Shiju Abraham

Neetha Alex Austin Alex Abey Chandy

20 Oct Dan 1:1-15 Acts 6:1-7 Titus 2:1-14

Mar10:17-22

Benjamin Thomas

Titus Mathew Thomas Mathew Gauis Thomson

27 Oct 1Sam 1:19-28 Eph 3:14-21 Eph 6:1-9

Luke 2:41-52

Sherry Mathew

Sam Varghese Tanya Sam Abey Chandy

03 Nov Judg 13:1-14 Heb 11:17-27 1John 3:1-10

Luke18:15-17

Mathew Samuel

Aden George Anneka George Gauis Thomson

10 Nov Ezek 37:15-23 1Cor 12:12-27 Eph 4:1-13

John 17:21-26

Jibu Cherian

Dr Shiju Mathew Dr Anu Shiju Abey Chandy

17 Nov 1Chr 24:1-19 Rev 8:1-5 Heb 5:1-10

Luke 1:5-23

Monish Varghese

Ashiq Shibu Thomas Kurien Gaius Thomson

24 Nov Exod 3:1-15 Acts 9:1-15 Heb 2:5-10

Luke 1:26-38

Shajin Varghese

Kurian Thomas Annamma Thomas Abey Chandy

01 Dec Isa 40:1-8 Jas1 :19-25 1 Thess 1:1-10

Luke 1:39-45

Abraham Varghese

Joji Philip Jejo Joji Gaius Thomson

08 Dec 1Kgs 19:1-21 Rev 10: 1-11 Gal 1: 11-17

Luke1:57-66

Sanu P Mathew

Jibu Cherian Anisha Cherian Abey Chandy

15 Dec Isa 7:10-17 1Pet 3:8-16 Titus 2:11-15

Matt 1:18-23

Alfin Alex

Alex John Ajo John Gaius Thomson

22 Dec Isa 9:1-7 Heb 1:1-14 2Tim 2:8-13

Luke 2:1-20

Sherry Matthews

Jonathan

Matthews

Nina Mathew Abey Chandy

29 Dec Zech 14:1-5 Acts 1:6-11 1Thes 4:13-18

Matt 24:32-44

Praise & Worship

Praise and Worship

Place: St Mary’s Hobs Moat, Hobs Meadow Road, Solihull Time: Sunday after 11:30 AM

B92 8PN

1st Sunday Holy Communion Service (English) Leicester, Walsall-Wolverhampton, Stafford

2nd

Sunday

Holy Communion Service

(Malayalam)

Birmingham-Solihull

3rd

Sunday

Holy Communion Service (English) Youth Fellowship

Sunday School

4th

Sunday

Holy Communion Service

(Malayalam)

Coventry, Warwickshire,

Banbury,Burton, Derby,

Nottingham

5th

Sunday

Praise & Worship Service

Sunday school: Every Sunday at 10:30AM in St Mary’s Hobs Moat Hall

Choir Practice: Every Sunday after the service

Christmas Carol Practice: Every Sunday after Service/ Saturdays TBC

Christmas Events

Date Events Time

22/12/2019 Carol Service 16:00PM

25/12/2019 Holy Qurbana 11:15 AM

29/12/2019 Ecumenical service TBC

31/12/2019 Watchnight Service 21:30PM

Before the night temperature drops and frosty nights arrive, move your plants to sheltered locations close to house. If you have herbs, get the herbs

close the kitchen so that it is protected and, at the same time, you don’t have to go out into the cold and wet garden to get a pinch of herbs. Get your houseplants in-door if they were left out in the summer.

Plan for the spring

Make a mental or paper note of what you want to grow next year, whether it’s garden plants or vegetables. You may get ideas from the previous years’

experience, catalogues, garden centres or supermarkets as you walk around. It is not too early to prepare for spring. You will find bulbs of daffodils,

crocus, hyacinth and tulips in the shops now, may find off-season discounted expensive plants which the shops want to get rid of or slightly damaged plans which can be nurtured back to full health. You may also find discounted off-

season products like fertilisers and grow-bags which will come handy in the spring.

If you enjoy daffodils, primroses and tulips next spring, you need to start now and plant them in the next couple of months. Onions and garlic also can be

planted which will give an early start in the spring.

Your lawn may need some tender loving care after the heavy use in summer. There may be bald patches which may need patching up with lawn seeds after lightly preparing the ground for the seeds. It may also benefit from a

gentle treatment with moss-killer and lawn-feed at least once in the autumn.

Autumn Gardening Dr. Abraham Jacob Having worked hard in the spring and summer, autumn, like the autumn of one’s life, is the time of the year to enjoy the fruits of your hard work and

appreciate the beauty of creation at a slower pace of life than in the hectic spring and summer.

Spring is full of new life, summer is life in its fullness and autumn is full of vibrant colours. Autumn is not the end but the beginning of the end of

growing season when there is still a lot of life left in your garden. And above all, it is harvest time which gives the immense satisfaction of seeing the result of one’s toil. It’s also time to take stock of and learn from the

experience of the previous year and at the same time plan ahead for the new beginning in the New Year.

Plan for the autumn

Although the main growing season is coming to an end, it is not the end of growing before the advent of cold and frosty winter. There are still a lot of plants and vegetables that can be grown in the autumn, mostly plants which

are native to this climate. If you’re keen to do some autumn gardening consider cabbages, cauliflower, sprouts, broccoli, even in a small garden or in a pot. Although it may be too late to start from seeds young plants are

available in garden centres. Imagine having home-grown sprouts for your Christmas dinner! But it does require a lot of hard work to get it ready for the

kitchen when we can get a bag of sprouts for much less than a pound just before Christmas.

Before it’s too cold, tidy up the nooks and corners of your garden, cut out the dead plants, harvest the seeds from the plants you like and may want to propagate. And, by the way, clear the gutters of your house and the space

between your car windscreen and bonnet (where leaves tend to accumulate and block the drainage of rain water) when the trees are shedding leaves!

The following members have joined our church recently. We welcome you all into

our Hermon Family.

Name Home Parish Prayer Group

Mr. Anoop V Zachariah

Mrs . Soji T Abraham

Trinity MTC,

Mekozhoor, Kerala

Leicester

Mr. Jibu Varghese Raj

Mrs.Elsa Mathew

Irene Susan Varghese

Ivyn Ryan Varghese

Salem MTC

Kayamkulam

Leicester

Mr. Jiji K. Kurian

Mrs. Chrsitus Wincy.K. Thomas

Jasper E.Kurian

Jenz E. Kurian

Canterbury MTC

Kent

Burton-Derby

Nottingham

Mr. Koshy John

Mrs. Bija Koshy

Ms Soncy Merin Koshy

Sam Johns Thiruvathilil

Sreya Susan Koshy

Nellikala MTC

Kerala

Burton-Derby

Nottingham

Mr. Sam Mathew

Mrs. Anisha Mary Alex

Jerusalem MTC,

Anna Nagar

Chennai

Coventry-

Warwickshire,

Banbury

Mr. Siby Punnoose

Mrs.Glossy Siby

Michelle E Siby

Marvelle Mariam Siby

Ebenezer

Marthoma Church,

New Delhi

Leicester

Walsall – Wolverhampton, Stafford Every 1st Sat at 4:30 PM

October 05/10/2019 16:30 PM Gaius Thomson

November 29/11/2019 19:00 PM Abraham Varghese

December Advent season Christmas Carol rounds

Birmingham – Solihull Every 2nd Fri at 07:30 PM & Special prayers on Sat AM

October 11/10/2019 19:30 PM Dr Reggie John

18/10/2019 19:00 PM Mathew Thomas

November 30/11/2019 16:00 PM Alex Kachora

December Advent season Christmas Carol Rounds

Burton – Derby – Nottingham Every 2nd Sat at 4:30 PM

October 12/10/2019 16:30 PM Shajin Varghese

November 16/11/2019 10:30 AM John Philip

December Advent Season Christmas Carol Rounds

Coventry – Warwickshire, Banbury Every 3rd Sat at 4:30 PM

November 16/11/2019 16:30 PM Sam Varghese

December Christmas celebrations

Leicester Every 4th Sat at 10:30 AM

October 04/10/2019 19:00 PM Biju Mammen

November 23/11/2019 10:30 AM K.A Varghese

December Christmas celebrations

Sevika Sangham Fasting Prayer Every 2nd Sat at 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

October 12/10/2019 11:00 AM Baby John

December Advent Season Christmas Carol Rounds

He tries to make sure that her immediate needs are taken care of and does it in a way that does not make her feel like an object of his pity. This shows a

random act of kindness, or to be more precise, a random act of graceful, soulful kindness.

How do we make our faith visible in everyday life? A small, spontaneous act of kindness, I think, is a fantastic way to do that. In Jesus’ story of the judgement of nations in Matthew’s Gospel, the King says to the righteous,

“.I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink…” Life gives us plenty of opportunities to be kind; we need to be mindful, aware and alert at all times

to recognize those opportunities. If you think you do not have any ideas on how to be kind, half an hour on the internet is all you need, to make a list if you wish. Have you considered buying produce from a small vendor on your

local high street, rather than one of the superstores? Or take 15 minutes to listen, really listen to someone who you think is a moaner? Or give up your pre-booked window seat on a flight to a child? Or if you are the more

adventurous kind, look up the story of the ‘Birmingham Spider- Man’ on the internet for some inspiration.

You are a child of God, the One who made the heavens and the eart h; be an

angel to someone today

Random Acts of Kindness Aju Varghese

“Let her glean even among the standing sheaves, and do not reproach her.

You must also pull out some handfuls for her from the bundles, and leave them for her to glean, and do not rebuke her.”

Few months back, a story was reported from the U.S.A.: Mr. Robert F. Smith, a very wealthy man, announced that he was going to pay off the full university debts for all the 2019 graduates of Morehouse College, Atlanta.

The total debts covering fees and expenses for the nearly 400 graduates of the College would amount to about $10 million; I am not sure who was more

stunned, the graduates themselves, their parents or the general public. Being the parent of a University student myself, I was speechless for a while after reading the news. The donor had no need for such generosity; it was a

random act of kindness by a stranger to a group of aspiring young men. Some of you may have come across the phrase ‘Random acts of kindness’; I am sure all of you have practiced as well as experienced it at some point in

your life. The phrase "practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty" was written by an American, Anne Herbert on a placemat in 1982.

From such humble beginnings, this catchphrase has become the motto of groups both formal and informal around the world, who are involved in acts of spontaneous kindness in everyday life. The random acts may be very

simple ones, such as carrying someone’s grocery bags to their car, or allowing someone to cut in front of you in a busy queue; it’s not meant to make news or go viral on Twitter, it is to practice the spirit of kindness and

generosity in everyday life, to light a candle in the midst of darkness, to make the world a happier, gentler place.

The theme verse, as you may have recognized, is from the Old Testament story of Ruth and Boaz. There was no need or obligation on Boaz to be kind to Ruth, a foreigner. But, in a world where every grain of wheat was precious

and famine something just around the corner, he went the extra mile in serving the needs of an ‘immigrant’ woman. He tells his servants to allow her to pluck grain not just from the ground as was normally permitted, but from

standing wheat sheaves as well, and as if that were not enough, asks them to pull out handfuls of grain from the bundles they had gathered themselves.

October November December

02 – Neil Chandy Abraham

04 – Albert Biju Chacko

14- Bija Koshy

15 – Vinoj George

16 – Merina Kurian

17 – Micah Thomas Mathew

19 – Anisha Cherian

23 – Elizabeth Mathew Patteril

23 – Sam Johns Thiruvathilil

23 – Benjamin Georgie Thomas

24 – Haniel Abraham Jacob

27 – Sajini M Abraham

28 – Aby Mathews Anil

29 – Monisha Mathew

29- Jonathan Mathews

29 – Aiden Shajan

31 - Elizabeth M Varghese

02- Jiji K Kurian 03- Vineet George 04- Anisha Thomas 07- Aidan Shajan

07- Asha Alex 08- Christy George 08- Jimmy George

09- George Varghese 10- Sherin J George 11- Ashlynn M Mathew

11- Mathew P Daniel 15- Sinu Mathew 15- Evin Mathew John 18- Mathew Samuel( Shibu)

18- Freya M Thomas 19- Vrinda P Ninan 20- Jenisha Joji

21- Kayban V Abraham 21- Alok A Mathew 22-Uthara M Shaju 22- Gaius Thomson

23- Neha S Varghese 24- Nishant Thomas 26- Christus Wincy K

Thomas 30- Austin Alex Jo

01- Maria Ann Abraham

01- Shiju Abraham

07- Soji T Abraham

09- Annie Alex

10- Alfin Alex Jo

12- Juanita Joji

15- Sivin Viji George

15- K A Varghese

17-Thomas Kurian

18- Daisy Saji

20- Annu Mathew

21 - Bijumon Chacko

22-Malika John

24-Winston Lalan

24- Joel James Chacko

24- Michelle Elizabeth Siby

27-Minu Sherry

28-Isabel Mathew

30- Ribi Sam Varghese

31 – Nithin Mathew Abraham

October 11 – Sam Thomas & Bobby Thomas

November

02 – Kurian Thomas & Annamma Varghese

11 – Joji M Philip & Jejo Joji

12 – Abraham Varghese & Asha Alex

12– Varghese Philip & Bai Kuriakose

14 –Tito John & Gincy Tito

19-- Jiji Kurian & Christus Wincy .K.Thomas

23- Anoop V.Zacharia & Soji .T. Abraham

26 – K A Varghese & Molly Varghese

December

03– Jibu M Cherian & Anisha Cherian

28- Sam Mathew & Anisha Cherian

28– Ribi Sam Varghese & Tania Sam Varghese

29– Shaajan V Abraham & Liji Shajan

29 – Thomas Koshy & Sonia P Mathew

• Mr. K A Valsan (87) F/o Dr Darly Mathew, Nottingham passed away on 3rd July

• Mr. C A Thomas 96) F/o Dr Abraham Thomas Wolverhampton passed away on 27th July

• Mrs. Rachel Samuel (96) M/o Dr Jacob Samuel, Burton, passed away on 23rd August.

• Mr. Bobby Kuriakose (47), B/o Dr Bai Kuriakose, Coventry passed away on 31st August

We express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. May God

Almighty give you comfort and strengthen to bear the loss.

Shiju Abraham 39 Newmarsh Road, Walmley, Sutton Coldfield B76 1XP

Sherin Mathew 9 Regan Drive Oldbury B69 2GB

• ‘Manna’ (packed meals): The Sevikasangham has started a new initiative of

bringing number of ‘pothichoru’ to be auctioned in church once in every

month. Sevikasangham members voluntarily prepare these packets. This

fundraising event goes towards our Church Development Fund.

• Harvest Festival: This year the harvest festival will be held on the 6 th

October. Pre- paid coupons available for the food/snacks were inaugurated

on Sevika Sangam Day (8/8/2019). Please contact the area representatives

for each area for more information.

• Hermon MTC Retreat & Family Sunday: The retreat has been planned for

the 25th/26th and 27th October which will be held at Smallwood Manor

School, Uttoxeter, and Staffordshire. The conveners are Mr. Mathew

Thomas (Toby), Mrs. Baby John and Mr. Thomas Koshy. Please keep the

retreat in your prayers. There will be Bible quiz based on Nehemiah and

St. Mark. It will be a family competition. Please also note that 27th October

will be held as Family Sunday.

• World Sunday School Day: This year the World Sunday School day will be

held on November 2nd, 2019 at Didcot Girl’s School, Manor Crescent,

Oxfordshire OX11, 7AJ. Timings will be decided soon. Please pen the date in

your diaries and pray for this event to be a successful one.

• Committee Retreat & meeting: On November 9th, there will be a retreat

followed by committee meeting, to discuss the events for the next year. All

committee members are requested to note the dates in your diaries.