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The history of the Mar Thoma Church in the North American and European continent represents the dreams and aspirations of the faithful members of the Church. Commencing as a small prayer group in Queens, New York, in 1972; the first approved parish was recognized in New York in 1976. The Mar Thoma Community was also created in Europe in the 1960s in London. From its humble beginning, the Mar Thoma Church has immeasurably grown within the last 3 decades. Currently there are 54 parishes and 23 congregations in the Diocese located across the country such as New York, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Toronto and London. In terms of functionality, the parishes in this part of the world were grouped as a Zone of the Mar Thoma Church in 1982. However, as per the decision of the Episcopal Synod, the parishes in North America and United Kingdom became constituents of the newly formed "Diocese of North America and United Kingdom" under the leadership of The Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom. Due to the expansion of the church, the nomenclature of the Diocese has changed slightly to its current name, "Diocese of North America and Europe". The Diocesan Assembly took the step to permanently house the Diocese and purchased property in Richboro, PA, in 1994, from which the Headquarters has subsequently moved to its current location at 2320 South Merrick Avenue, Merrick, NY. Since the young diocese needed to be nurtured and developed, the Episcopal Synod appointed the first resident Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus with effect from October 1993. In October 2000, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos took charge as the Diocesan Episcopa. Jan 01, 2009 onwards the Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa serves as the Diocesan Bishop.
Diocese of North America & Europe (Click here)
Marthoma Church (click here)
A conference for the youths known as the Student's Conference was started for the youths of North America which they attended enthusiastically. The adults who accompanied the youths attended some of the session but were left with lots of free time at hand and wanted to use it fruitfully. At the 1982 Student Conference held in Allentown, a small group of adults gathered in the building lobby for a singing session. Rev. Dr. Philip Varghese of Marthoma Church of Dallas led a short bible study and the late Rt. Rev. Thomas Mar Athanasius Thirumeni, who was the main leader of the student conference gave the sermon. The adults gathered at this conference felt the need for an organized session for adults and young children which was discussed in the Zonal Assembly held soon after the conference. The Canadian Marthoma Church, Toronto volunteered to host the 1983 student conference as well as to organize a parallel conference for the families with the consent of Thomas Thirumeni and hence the birth of the first 'Family Conference of USA and Canada' & later Europe was added to it.
The late Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan was the main leader of the 1983 conference with the theme "Christian Family". 115 Adults and 32 children under the age of 14 and eleven Achens from various parishes attended. The conference fee was $150.00 for couples which included registration, room and meals for 3 days.
The Family Conference is one place where all North American Marthomite families meet, greet, chat, socialize and listen to spiritual wisdom under one roof. The Family Conferences touched and molded the lives of many youth and adults of this Diocese. In 1984 when the second family conference was held in Dallas, Thomas Thirumeni called it " The Maramon Convention of North America," and that tradition still continues every year, in different cities.The 25th Family Conference was held in Toronto, Canada, and the 2008 Family Conference was held in San Francisco, California.
The 27th Mar Thoma Family Conference, hosted by the Immanuel Mar Thoma Church of Houston, was held at the Westchase Marriott Hotel in Houston from July 2-5, 2009. The theme of the conference was “From the Cross, Through the Church, To the World”. An array of eminent leaders and speakers deliberated on this thought provoking theme of contemporary significance. Enthusiastic participation of families from all across the Diocese made this conference a truly blessed and spiritually satisfying experience for everyone.
2009 Family Conference Pictures (click here)
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The 2010 conference committe warmly welcomes you to the XXVIII Marthoma Family Conference of the Diocese of North America & Europe to be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in the heart of the DFW Airport from July 1-4, 2010.
The theme for this year is “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you" drawn from John 20:21. It emphasizes the need to evaluate our responsibilities in this world to spread the Gospel and also help the helpless.
We are blessed with eminent speakers to enrich us with inspiring messages and deepen our discussions.
As a parish, The Marthoma Church of Dallas Farmers Branch is extremely thankful to God Almighty and the Diocese for the privilege and for empowering us to host the second, thirteenth, and now the 28th Conferences. We hope and pray that this year's conference will help each participant to redefine their role and become true "Missionaries" in the community and the World, as taught by our Lord Jesus Christ.
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