Diocesan Episcopa Rt. Rev Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos visited Detroit, Michigan from Friday evening March 22nd thru Sunday March 24th, 2024. This was Thirumeni’s inaugural visit to the Detroit Mar Thoma Church since being appointed as Diocesan Episcopa of the North America Diocese. Thirumeni was engaged with various events and activities throughout his visit. On Saturday and Sunday, Thirumeni conducted house visits demonstrating his deep love and tender care for the members especially to those who were ill and could not join in the normal parish fellowship. On Sunday morning, Thirumeni graciously spent time with the Sunday school children encouraging them and expressing his compassion for the future generation of the church.
Thirumeni celebrated the Holy Communion and First Communicant Service on Sunday. 13 young parish members were blessed in becoming full communicant members of church. The parish gifted the first communicants with a Devotional book and Holy Bible with first communion certificatea signed by Paulos Thirumeni. In preparation for the First Communicants service, Thirumeni held a meeting with all First Communicants and their families on Saturday evening to discuss and emphasize the significance of the sacrament and the responsibility partakers have when participating in the Lord’s table.
Immediately after the worship service on Sunday the 46th Parish Day of celebrations of the Detroit Mar Thomas Church and a Welcome Meeting for Rt. Rev Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos Diocesan Episcopa was held. The meeting included welcome speech from Vicar Rev. Santhosh Varughese; felicitations and prayers from Rev. Philip Varghese, Vicar of St. John’s Mar Thoma Church-Michigan Rev. Jeswin John; Diocesan Assembly representative Mr. Boben George, and special songs from the Choir and Sunday School children. As part of the meeting a book launch was conducted for a new publication titled “Yagavum Oodambadiyum Thevika Rakshapadthathiyil”. This is a new book written by retired clergy of the parish Rev. P. Chacko and it goes through the profound covenants of scripture and their connection to the divine plan of salvation. The book was officially released by Rt. Rev Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos and the first copy of the publication was given to senior parish member Mrs. Mary Cherian, sister of HG the Most Rev Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan

During the meeting Paulos Thirumeni delivered a short message and encouraged the parish to take on a sacrificial and accommodating nature to create a welcoming atmosphere for all generations of the parish and for the larger community outside of the church in order to foster a vibrant and lasting faith community for the future. After the Parish Day celebrations and welcome meeting all members and guests gathered for a fellowship lunch. Paulos Thirumeni departed from Detroit on Monday morning, March 25th. The visit was a true blessing for the parish and may the Lord continue to guide our Diocesan Episcopa as he leads our Diocese in this everchanging modern age.