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Members of the Mar Thoma Church, now living in North America,
are recent immigrants from Kerala, one of the 25 states in India.
Soon after their arrival about quarter of a century ago, they organized
themselves as a church and found their identity in it. This association
enabled them not only to continue worship in their familiar language
along with the faith and practices, but also to cope with the "new"
customs and habits of a new land. Like other immigrants, they turned
to family and religion, the two social institutions that provide
continuity of culture and strength to face unfamiliar social practices.
It seems that this"minority" has succeeded in the "host"
country along with other immigrant groups from Asia.
The intercommunion relationship of the Mar Thoma Church with the
Episcopal Church in USA by 1979, the Anglican Church in Canada by
1983 and the formation of the Diocese in North America by 1988 and
the membership in the National Council of Churches in USA as the
34th. member church by 1997 are only some examples of the achievements
of the Mar Thoma Church in North America during its 25 year growth.
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