Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Diocesan Bishop of North America & Europe

Trinity Mar Thoma Church, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada welcomes members of the Diocese of North America and Europe to 29th Family Conference to be held at Radisson Hotel in Edmonton, from June 30 to July 03, 2011.


Rev. Reji John
President, Trinity Mar Thoma Church

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ. With joyful hearts and immense pleasure, I wish to inform you that the Trinity Mar Thoma Church, Edmonton is hosting the Mar Thoma Family Conference 2011 which will be held from June 30 to July 3, 2011. This year's family conference aims to recreate the traditional spirit of the early Apostolic Church as stated in Acts 2:42, "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teachings and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer". It is an occasion to revive the spiritual, cultural and social relationship among families within the North America and Europe diocese. The presence of eminent speakers like Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius (Patron of the Conference), Rt. Rev. Joseph Mar Barnabas, and Rev. Dr. Martin Alphonse are a great blessing to the conference. This year's Conference is based on the theme "Discipleship" which is taken from the verse St. John 8:31 "if you hold to my teachings, you are my disciples."

Christian discipleship is more than being a believer. It is about being a follower. Following Jesus is a day-by-day journey which includes relying on him and existing on his teachings. This is an integral part of discipleship. We must be obedient children and doers of his word. Obedience is the supreme test of faith in God (1 Sam 28:18) and Jesus is the perfect example of obedience. In his earthly life he led a life of complete obedience to the father even to the point of death (Phil 3: 6-8). Thus we are called not to sell the word but to exist and follow the word and become a model disciple. Therefore discipleship is a challenge and the disciples' priority is word of God. ... more>>