 from
convener’s desk ….
Dear
children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions
and in truth.-I John 3:18
The challenging messages, invigorating
discussions, glorious sounds of music and worship and all the wonderful
times we had in Dallas
are still fresh on our minds. I know that many
lives were affected by the thought provoking messages by Dr. Kishore
and lives were changed. The theme we have selected this year is
an extension of last year’s theme. Kindled with the fire of
love by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are called to put our words
in action. Being transformed ourselves we are called to love
and to transform and be the agents of God’s love in our surroundings.
The
Rt. Rev. Johncy Itty, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon has agreed to
grace the 19th Family Conference by his presence and
leadership. We are very
proud because his Lordship is the son of CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese
and this is his first participation in a nationally organized program
of the CSI people.
The theme of
the conference ‘Committed to Love and to Transform’ based
on Micah 6:8 was prayerfully selected by the Rev.
Dr. Jacob Thomas, who will be our Bible teacher for this
year’s conference. Dr. Thomas, a much sought after conference
speaker, earned his doctorate from UTC, Bangalore and has masters
degree from the Harvard School of Divinity. Dr. Thomas is professor in Christian Social Ethics
at the Union Bible Seminary in
Pune , India
. He widely
traveled as an ‘ecumenical evangelist’ sharing in non-Episcopal
and secular contexts. Although he grew up in Mar
Thoma Church
, he is an ordained minister of CSI in the Madhya Kerala
Diocese.
. We have a very dynamic team leading
the youth this year.
Jiju John Mathew,
well known among the CSI youth in North America
. He is a gifted speaker used by God at a young age.
He will be pursuing his theological education at the Trinity
Bible Seminary in Deerfield
, IL starting this
fall. Jiju will be one
of the leaders
and Thomas
Kurien will guide him. Mr. Kurien is an entrepreneur
with a passion for ministry. He is a Marthomite and orchestrated
the well acclaimed, hallowed Marthoma Mexico Mission project. He
also has a ministry for children called Kids Club in
New Jersey .
We have also invited Jason D Joseph, who is the worship minister at the
Bridge Community
Church ,
Mesa , AZ. Jason is an accomplished pianist
and a composer and his music will add a greater dimension to the
conference. He could
well be on his way to be the next Michael W. Smith and we are thrilled
to have him.
Living a fast
moving society, we have little time for reflection and to take stock
of ourselves. These
annual gatherings give us time to refresh and renew ourselves.
They would also allow us to rekindle old friendships and
begin new ones. As the
years progress, I am hoping that the conference also becomes a venue
where our young people make important choices that affects their
spiritual life including the choice of lifetime partner that shares
their faith and values.
This
19th gathering of the family conference will take place
on August 11-14, 2005 at the picturesque
campus of the University
of Pittsburgh at
Johnstown , PA.
A similar conference takes place in July at
New Jersey encompassing
all language groups of C.S.I under the auspices of the council;
however, this conference as in the previous 18 years will be more
tailored to the tastes and needs of the Malayalam speaking congregations.
We whole-heartedly welcome people of non-Malayalee background because
there will be ample opportunities for them to enjoy also. Unlike
last year there is no scheduling conflict, which would allow many
of you to attend both conferences.
All the ingredients
of a conference that you have come to expect and enjoy will be in
place for this conference.
However, we added some organized physical activities such
as friendly basketball tournament for our youth and badminton tourney
for the adults. We hope
to enrich your body and soul through this conference.
Many around
the country have begun praying for the conference and we are expecting
for great things to happen.
Please come and join us for a wonderful time. Be sure to
register early.
I am looking
forward to seeing all of you in
Johnstown , PA.
Babu Philip
Conference Convener
bmpaaa@yahoo.com
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