EDITION 8, VOLUME 11

AUGUST 2011

PA RISH N EW SL E T T E R
From the Vicars Desk
(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 was learned has to be 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? Can our minds be 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,

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, In this issue, lets 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 always mentally and 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:

Mothy Achen

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth

www.perthmarthoma.org.au

EDITION 8, VOLUME 11

AUGUST 2011

SERVICE SCHEDULE

Parish Activities and Events

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 Area Prayer Meetings The Sevika Sangham members get together for fellowship once in every three months. Please contact Ms. Shushana George for more details. Edavaka Mission South of Leach Highway Edavaka Mission meetings are held on 4th Saturdays of every month. Please contact Mr. Sam Koshy for details. Senior Citizens Fellowship 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 Senior Citizens 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. 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. North of River Prayer meeting conducted fourth Sunday of every month at 6:00 PM. Please contact Mr. Sajan Jacob for more info. 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 Cocoordinator Mr. Philin M Philip.

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)

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth

www.perthmarthoma.org.au

EDITION 8, VOLUME 11

AUGUST 2011

Birthdays 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) 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!!

Wedding Anniversaries August 2011

Samuel Francis & Elizabeth Francis (1 August) Sanju John & Neeta Sanju (19 August) Dr Thomas Varghese & Annamma Varghese (20 August)

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!!

Welcome to our new Office bearers & Parish Committee

Vice-President - Mr. Renchi Mathews Secretary - Mr. James R Rajesh Lay Leaders - Mr. Solomon Jacob - Mr. Biju Daniel Trustee - Mr. Alex Varghese Accountant - Mr. Benny K David Executive Committee: Representatives: Prayer Groups:North of the River - To be elected North of the Leach High Way - Mr. Jinu Johnson South of the Leach High Way - Mr. Shaji Mathews Fremantle & Other Members Group - Mr. Raja Gopal Sunday School - Mrs. Babbin Mathews Choir - Mr. Philin M Philip Senior Citizen's Fellowship - Mrs. Mary John Sevika Sangam - Mrs. Shushana George Edavaka Mission - Mr. Sam Koshy Yuvajana Sakhyam - Mr. Vitty Jacob Mandalam Representative - Dr. Kuruvilla Mathew Auditor - Mr. Anish Thomas

EXPRESS OUR SINCERE THANKS TO THE OUTGOING OFFICE BEARERS & PARISH COMMITTEE. MAY GOD ALMIGHTY BLESS ALL THEIR EFFORTS.
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.
The Mar Thoma Parish Perth www.perthmarthoma.org.au