July 2025 Letter

Tue, 07/01/2025 - 00:00 Written by Rev. Noble Abraham

Dear Beloved Bristol Family,

As I write to you in my capacity as your Vicar, I humbly place myself into the hands of our Lord Jesus, who has joined us together in the warmth of our shared faith, according to His divine plan. I praise God for the lives and ministry of all the ministers and their families who have served our church in the past.

I intend to write to you once every two months. This will provide a sense of direction for the upcoming lectionary themes, along with the activities of our parish. I would also love to raise concerns as and when required.

This year, we commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, a cornerstone of our faith, crafted in 325 AD at the Council of Nicaea. This sacred statement unites us with Christians across time, affirming what we hold dear:

One God, the Creator and Father
One Lord Jesus, the only begotten Son and Messiah
One Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and the Son together
One Holy Church
And thus, One Faith

Lectionary Themes for the Months of July & August 2025

6th July 2025 – Tithe Offering Sunday: Life for the Creator
13th July 2025 – Clergy Sunday: Jesus Christ – Icon of Ordained Ministry
20th July 2025 – Holy Baptism: Uniting with Christ
27th July 2025 – Training for the Ministry of the Kingdom of God
3rd August 2025 – Mission Sunday: Christian Mission – Be Christ-Like
10th August 2025 – Christian Participation in Nation-Building
17th August 2025 – Reformation Sunday: A Church That Needs to Be Cleansed Every Day
24th August 2025 – Holy Qurbana: The Food for Eternal Life
31st August 2025 – Be Awake for the Glorious Appearance of Our Lord

The Importance of the Church

We know that our Church is more than a building; it is the living Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27), where we encounter God’s love and grace (Matt. 18:20; Heb. 10:24–25; Eph. 2:19–22). It is our spiritual home, where we are nourished, challenged, and united as a family (Acts 2:42–47). Through worship, fellowship, and service, we grow together (Col. 3:16), reflecting God’s kingdom in a world that so desperately needs hope.

As St. Cyprian, a 3rd-century Bishop of Carthage and Latin writer who defended the Church against persecution and false teachings, said:
“You cannot have God as your Father unless you have the Church as your mother.”
Let us cherish this community, for it is here that we live out our belief.

The Role of Church Leadership

Our faith is strengthened by the faithful leadership of clergy and laypersons, called to serve with humility and wisdom. Guided by the Holy Spirit, they shepherd us toward deeper communion with God—teaching, praying, and walking alongside us. Their role is not to dominate but to serve, as Christ did, pointing us to the truth of the Gospel (Acts 6:3–4; Eph. 4:11–12; 1 Tim. 3:1–2; Heb. 13:17; Titus 1:7–9; 1 Pet. 5:2–3).

Let us pray for and support our newly elected Executive Committee members, and the office-bearers of all our organisations, trusting their guidance as we journey together in faith.

The Sacraments: Channels of Grace

At the heart of our worship are the Sacraments—sacred gifts through which God meets us.

In Baptism, we are born anew (John 3:5; 2 Cor. 5:17; Titus 3:5).
In the Holy Qurbana, we are fed by Christ’s very presence (John 6:35, 54–56; 1 Cor. 10:16; 11:23–25).
Confession restores us, while the other sacraments—Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Ordination, and Anointing of the Sick—sustain us through life’s seasons.

These holy mysteries make tangible the “We Believe” of our faith, drawing us closer to God and one another.

The Nicene Creed: Our Unified Faith

As I mentioned earlier, this year we celebrate 1700 years since the Nicene Creed was first professed—a timeless summary of our Christian belief. Regularly recited in our worship, it declares our faith in the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and the saving work of Christ. It also binds us to the Catholic (worldwide) Church, to the apostles, and to all believers.

As we say, “We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church,” we affirm our unity and mission.

Let us proclaim this creed with joy, knowing it roots us in truth that has endured for centuries.

I therefore invite my church—St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Bristol, UK—to reflect on
“We Believe” (John 20:31) as our theme for the year 2025–26.

Let us re-dedicate our lives to live as Christ’s disciples:

Attend worship with open hearts
Engage in the Sacraments with reverence
Support our leaders with prayer
Let the Nicene Creed inspire us to share God’s love boldly

In a world of uncertainty, our faith is a beacon, and our Church is a refuge.

May God bless us, strengthen our faith, and guide our parish as we proclaim together this year: “We Believe.”

With prayer,
Rev. Noble Abraham
Vicar, St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Bristol, UK