Dearly beloved in Christ,

Greetings in the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Autumn doesn’t always promise that winter will come, but she works hard until every colored leaf has reached its destination.

We have entered a new season, autumn. You see the fall everywhere, but it’s not the end, this season teaches us that I am preparing for the winter and then there is a spring to come and the same we experience in our life too. In the month of November, our church has two important occasions: Sunday School Sunday and Thanksgiving Sunday.

Observing ‘World Sunday School Sunday’ in our churches certainly reminds us of the call and commitment of Church towards the children in our church as well as in the society. Pope John Paul II in the Second Vatican council describes the of Sunday School/Christian education as: “Such an education does not merely strive to foster maturity in the human person. Rather its principal aims are these: that as baptized persons are gradually introduced into a knowledge of the mystery of salvation, they may daily grow more conscious of the gift of faith which they have received; that they may learn to adore God the Father in spirit and in truth, especially through liturgical worship; that they may be trained to conduct their personal life in true righteousness and holiness, according to their new nature, and thus grow to maturity to the stature of the fullness of Christ, and devote themselves to the upbuilding of the Mystical Body.”

As we come into the month of November, my mind is drawn to giving thanks. Not just the Thanksgiving Day, but the need to give thanks, especially in 2021. We had entered this year with pandemic uncertainty. The United Nations declared 2021 as the International Year of Peace and Trust. Biblical instruction tells us to give thanks in all circumstances (1Thess 5:18). This ‘year of the pandemic’ has made that a challenge some of us never expected to have to consider. We each have our own perspective on life and the things that happen. Some events are good and easy to give thanks for. Some of our life’s events cause us to wonder why things happen so. Although the Bible tells us to do everything without complaining, we just have not perfected it yet. Giving thanks in all circumstances means being aware of how God is working and acknowledging His presence in every situation. I am praying that this year’s Thanksgiving Day celebrations may lead us to assure that to give thanks in all circumstances.

I express my sincere gratitude and thanks to all for your prayers and participation in the Convention. A special word of thanks to Convention conveners, choir and all the prayer warriors of our church meticulously. We were blessed by the presence and messages of Rev Dr. Bhanu Samuel achen in the Convention. Achen’s message was really challenging and inspiring. I am sure that many of us were blessed by the powerful intersession of the Holy Spirit.

May God bless you all.

In His Service Yours

Shalu Achen