Dear Friends
It’s time now to say good bye!
When I look back it has been three
wonderful years. I only wanted an
exposure to some part of the western
world. But, God gave me three and a
half years of living experience in the
US. He opened up opportunities to
visit UK too. I was called by you, the
Emmanuel CSI Church to minister to
your congregation. But, that has also
offered an opportunity to minister to
the CSI congregations in the US [only
to a fraction of it] as the vice
president of the Council of CSI
Congregations in NA, at a time when it
was going through a difficult time
since its existence. It helped me to
know a bit more better about the CSI
Congregations in this country.
It all began very casually when I
thought about doing one unit of CPE.
(Clinical Pastoral Education). But I
ended up completing four units of CPE
in an institution like the Thomas
Jefferson University .
Hospital: a very rare opportunity for
a minister who is called to serve in a
congregation. CPE made me qualify to
work as a full time chaplain in this
country and at the same time become
one among the very few people with
such qualification in India
It was so splendid that my wife Siby
and daughter Premia could visit me and
this country which was considered
extremely difficult. So, at this
juncture, I have nothing but just to
humble myself before God for His
immense grace in my life.
I am deeply indebted to each and every
member (I want to thank you by name:
but space doesn’t permit) of my
beloved Emmanuel CSI family to make
all these things possible. And I thank
you all sincerely. I should also
express my gratitude two people
outside the congregation, Rev. Chandra
Soans and Rev. Dr. Geneva of the
United Church of Christ. While they
made my coming to the congregation
easier every one of you made the
living here comfortable.
On several occasion I thought I should
say my testimony. But it never
materialized. May be it is God’s wish
that my testimony should be my living
rather than my words. For one specific
thing I am very much grateful to you:
in all your prayers you have
specifically prayed for me. When
bishop Jesudason was finishing his
term as moderator some one asked him
what was his most exciting experience
as moderator he said “each time people
used the CSI liturgy they prayed for
me personally”. Each time you prayed
you mentioned me by name and that
makes me gratifying.
The three years has been very
enriching. In my understanding of
ministry Jesus concentrated on
building up people rather than
building institutions even though he
used institutions to get across his
values. So if in some way I have
contributed to building you up not
only your spiritual life, but also
your total life, I feel happy. In
matters relating to worship and Church
practices I represent the Presbyterian
and Congregational elements within the
CSI. Very often these elements
reflected in my ministry with you.
The ministry here relates to people of
several cultural combinations. Those
who uphold the ’Madhya Kerala’
tradition, those who think that the
traditional liturgical worship is not
spiritual enough, the generation that
is influenced by the American culture
the young ones who are caught up in
the Indian hyphenated American culture
(Indian-American) and those who think
that they have nothing to do with the
Indian culture but unable to integrate
well with the American culture and so
on. These are all challenges for
ministry here. In this context to be
truly ecumenical which is the core
value of CSI is really exciting.
Rev. Joseph Thomas
will be your new presbyter. I do not
know him personally. I learn that he
is a young and energetic presbyter. I
wish and pray that he and his family
will have a meaningful ministry with
you in this country. One Christian
value Paul promotes is the concern for
one another/ each other. (തമ്മില്
തമ്മില്, അന്യോന്യ0} In his very
first epistle Paul writes [1.
Thessalonians 4:18] “Therefore,
encourage each other with these
words”. Therefore encourage one
another and build each other up, just
as in fact you are doing.
[1.Thessa:5:11]. Live in peace with
each other [1 Thessa: 5:13]. As you
admit we are a small congregation.
Unless one cares for the other we can
not grow nor even sustain. You know
that there are several CSI members who
live in this city are out side our
fold. I am not saying that we should
force them to join our Church. But we
have a duty to tell about us to
others. I heard our members telling me
“I have met so & so in such & such
place or similar. But I did not say
anything about our Church”. Such
statements surprised me. I wonder how
they would come unless we invite or at
least say about our Church. I know it
involves some risk. But if we are not
willing to take any risk we will not
grow.
I
am also sad that some members who has
been coming to our Church have left
and some are now long term absentees.
If, for any reason I am the cause of
it I do apologize. Paul’s admonishment
invites all of us to encourage them to
come back to our fellowship. And that
is one task I am consciously leaving
for the new presbyter.
I am not yet clear where I would be
serving. I had several ‘hopes’ when I
decided not to extend my stay here.
God may have other plans.
Wherever in
India, my home will always be opened
for the Emmanuel family. When you come
kindly inform me and Kochamma and I
would love to host you.
When I leave the country my e mail id
will be
lesahanam@gmail.com.
Let us continue to remember each other
in prayer when possible.
With love & affection
Sahanam achan
