FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
6 March, 2010
“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!” - Psalms 150:6
03/06/2010: Ecumenical Christian Fellowship of New Jersey (ECFNJ, http://www.njchristian.org) observed World Day of Prayer on Saturday, 6 March, 2010 at St. Stephen’s Marthoma Church, East Brunswick, NJ with an afternoon of prayers, worship, songs, and devotional messages. Around 400 members from the 20 NJ-based ECFNJ member churches were in attendance.
The meeting was presided over by His Grace Ayub Mor Silvanos, Chief Guest & Metropolitan of the North America & Europe regions of the Knanaya Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese and commenced at 1pm with prayer by Rev. Abraham Cherian (Vicar, St. Stephen’s Marthoma Church, East Brunswick, NJ). Rev. Fr. Joy Alappat, President ECFNJ (Vicar, Syro-Malabar Catholic Mission, Garfield, NJ), welcomed the faithful & Rev. Dr. Jacob David, WDP Worship & ECFNJ Choir Director (Vicar, St. Paul’s & Resurrection Church, Wood-Ridge, NJ) led the melodious choir. Also in attendance were Very Rev. Fr. David Cheruthottil Cor Episcopa (Asst. Vicar, St George Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church, Carteret, NJ), Rev. Jose T. Abraham (Vicar, The Marthoma Church of NJ, Randolph, NJ), Rev. Fr. Mathew C. Chacko (Vicar, Sts. Basilios-Gregorios Orthodox Church, New Brunswick, NJ), and Rev. Dr. K. V. Thomas (Vicar, St. Peter's Marthoma Church, Teaneck, NJ).
All the Catholic, CSI, Orthodox, Jacobite & Marthoma churches in New Jersey State participated in the event. The worship service led by all denominations of Kerala-origin Churches in NJ was a very spiritually uplifting experience. This year also featured witnessing by women from the Fellowship.
This year’s worship theme was “Let Everything That Has Breath Praise God”. The Bible Study conducted by Rev. Abraham Cherian - Vicar, St. Stephen’s Marthoma Church - was very informative & inspiring. Dr. Usha Thomas of St. Stephen’s Marthoma Church made a presentation that enabled the audience to understand the religious and socio-economic conditions of CAMEROON, the country of focus for this year's WDP.
His Grace Ayub Mor Silvanos, Chief Guest, in his inspiring & thought-provoking message on the occasion of World Day of Prayer 2010 urged the audience into prayerful action & called upon all the Christians to come together and work towards the common good. His Grace reminded us that as Christians, while we are still alive, we have to praise & worship the Lord while praying for peace & harmony among all God's creations. Ayub Mor Silvanos Metropolitan said that life is a journey where all of us should aim to be aware of societal problems & not be blind or not feel for those suffering or deaf to those crying for help. His Grace asked the audience not to live in darkness by not praying for or caring for or helping those less fortunate around the world. He reminded the audience that we worship a perfect God & having that light of God shining inside us gives a divine obligation to share in the problems & pains of the people around the world, particularly Cameroon.
Rev. Abraham Cherian & Rev. Dr. K. V. Thomas was given a farewell and thanked for their services to the Ecumenical Fellowship in NJ for the last three years.
Miss. Tini Thomas, Esq. of St. Stephen’s Marthoma Church, Fords, NJ was the MC for the event. Mrs. Maria Thottukadavil of Syro-Malabar Catholic Community of Garfield proposed the Vote of Thanks.
The meeting ended with prayer by Rev. Jose T. Abraham, Vicar of The Marthoma Church of New Jersey, Randolph, NJ. Traditional Kerala refreshments made by women members from various churches were served to all attendees.
PHOTOS: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=9889&id=100000321331111&l=dc5f35fb48
Further details can be obtained on the ECFNJ website: http://www.njchristian.org
CONTACT:
Rev. Fr. Joy Alappat
President, ECFNJ
President@njchristian.org
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