The Mar Thoma Parish Perth www.perthmarthoma.org.au

PARISH NEWSLETTER From the Vicar’s Desk

EDITION 8, VOLUME 11 AUGUST 2011

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

In this issue, let’s meditate upon the subject “Strongholds of Defence Mechanism”

In our natural state, we learn to cope up with the life or defend ourselves which were not a l w a y s m e n t a l l y a n d e m o t i o n a l l y h e a l t h y . Psychologists refer to these unhealthy patterns of living as defence mechanisms, and they are certainly not congruent with Christian faith. For instance, many people have learned to lie in order to protect themselves. Other common defence mechanisms include:

(1) Denial: conscious and subconscious refusal to face truth; (2) Fantasy: escaping the real world; (3) Emotional insulation: withdrawing to avoid rejection;(4) Regression: reverting to less threatening times; (5) Displacement: taking out frustrations on others;(6) Projection: blaming others; and (7) Rationalisation: making excuses for poor behaviour.

Defence mechanisms are similar to what Paul calls ‘strongholds’ (ochuroma). ‘Stronghold’ means fortress, anything on which one relies, arguments and reasoning by which a disputant endeavours to fortify his opinion and defend it again his opponents etc. Paul writes: “For though we live in the world we are not carrying on a worldly war, for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish

every disobedience, when your obedience is complete” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).

Strongholds are fleshly thought patterns that were programmed into our minds when we learned to live our lives independently of God. So what w a s l e a r n e d h a s t o b e unlearned. If we have been trained wrong, can we be retrained? If we believed a lie, can we renounce that lie and choose to believe the truth? C a n o u r m i n d s b e reprogrammed? That is what repentance is: a change of mind. We are transformed by the renewing of our minds. It is possible because we have the mind of Christ within us through Holy Spirit.

With love and care,

Mothy Achen

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth www.perthmarthoma.org.au

EDITION 8, VOLUME 11 AUGUST 2011

Parish Activities and EventsSERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday School on all Sundays at 9:00AM before the Holy Communion Services.

07 August 2011 – Holy Communion Service in Malayalam - 09:00AM Followed by General Body Meeting. (No Sunday School on this day)

14 August 2011 – Holy Communion Service in English - 10:00AM

21 August 2011 – Holy Communion Service in Malayalam - 10:00AM

28 August 2011 – Holy Communion Service in English - 10:00AM

Venue: Murdoch University Worship Centre (near Car Park 5)

Sunday School

Sunday school on all Sundays before the Holy Communion Service.

Venue: Murdoch University Worship Centre (Near Car park # 5) Time: 9:00 AM

Sevika Sangham

The Sevika Sangham members get together for fellowship once in every three months. Please contact Ms. Shushana George for more details.

Edavaka Mission

Edavaka Mission meetings are held on 4th Saturdays of every month. Please contact Mr. Sam Koshy for details.

Senior Citizen’s Fellowship

Senior Citizen’s Fellowship is conducted fourth Saturday of every month at 12:00 PM. Please contact Mrs. Mary John for more details.

Youth Meeting

Please contact youth group Secretary Mr. Vitty Jacob for more details.

Parish Choir

Regular practice sessions of the Parish Choir are conducted after the Sunday service at Murdoch University Worship Centre. Those interested in joining our Parish Choir may please contact the Choir Co‐coordinator Mr. Philin M Philip.

Area Prayer Meetings

North of RiverPrayer meeting conducted fourth Sunday of every month at 6:00 PM. Please contact Mr. Sajan Jacob for more info.

South of Leach Highway

At the residence of Mr. Shibu Mathew on 7th August 2011 at 6:00 PM. Please contact Mr. Shaji Mathews for more info.

North of Leach Highway

At the residence of Mr. Jerry Cherian on 21st August 2011 at 6:00 PM. Please contact Mr. Jinu Johnson for more info.

Freo & Others

At the residence of Mr. Shiju Mathews on 13th August 2011 at 6:30 PM. Please contact Mr. Raja Gopal for more info.

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth www.perthmarthoma.org.au

Messenger Notes: Please inform the Vicar or Secretary for any corrections or suggestions regarding the Parish Messenger. For any items to be included in the upcoming editions of the Parish Messenger, please contact Secretary.

EDITION 8, VOLUME 11 AUGUST 2011

James R Rajesh (2 August)Jinu Johnson (3 August)Abraham Kurian (Bobby) (3 August)Samuel C Thomas (6 August)Sharan Ann Solomon (7 August)Linda Susan Mathew (9 August)Moitree Dey Thomas (11 August)Anil George (12 August)Alexia Mathew (16 August)Viji Komattu Mathews (22 August)Anju Joham Parayil (23 August)Ann George (24 August)Thomas Kurian Parayil (25 August)Dr. Cherukara Philips Thomas (29 August)

Samuel Francis & Elizabeth Francis (1 August)

Sanju John & Neeta Sanju (19 August)

Dr Thomas Varghese & Annamma Varghese (20 August)

“God Created You with his own hands; He Knows your name and your thoughts; He Blesses you with life, with love; And the joy of another year to know him.” HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!

May the Almighty God continue to bless your family more and more in the coming years. May you be an inspiration and example for others in the days to come. WISHING ALL THE CELEBRANTS HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!

Birthdays – August 2011 Wedding Anniversaries – August 2011

Vice-President - Mr. Renchi MathewsSecretary - Mr. James R Rajesh          Lay Leaders - Mr. Solomon Jacob - Mr. Biju DanielTrustee - Mr. Alex VargheseAccountant - Mr. Benny K David Executive Committee:Representatives:Prayer Groups:-North of the River - To be electedNorth of the Leach High Way - Mr. Jinu JohnsonSouth of the Leach High Way - Mr. Shaji MathewsFremantle & Other Members Group - Mr. Raja Gopal

Sunday School - Mrs. Babbin MathewsChoir - Mr. Philin M PhilipSenior Citizen's Fellowship - Mrs. Mary JohnSevika Sangam - Mrs. Shushana GeorgeEdavaka Mission - Mr. Sam KoshyYuvajana Sakhyam - Mr. Vitty JacobMandalam Representative - Dr. Kuruvilla Mathew Auditor - Mr. Anish Thomas

Welcome to our new Office bearers & Parish Committee

EXPRESS OUR SINCERE THANKS TO THE OUTGOING OFFICE BEARERS & PARISH COMMITTEE. MAY GOD

ALMIGHTY BLESS ALL THEIR EFFORTS.