Theva's Dream: A Relief Mission to Sri Lanka

Sinnathamby Thevanesan is Pastor of the Brockport United Methodist Church. "Theva," as he is affectionately known by his congregation, is returning to his home country of Sri Lanka for two weeks starting in mid-February 2005, to engage in personal ministry to former parishioners and friends there who have been affected by the recent disaster. The parish's Outreach Committee shares that dream and is sponsoring that effort with the endorsement of Parish Council.

Theva was born in the city of Jaffna in northwest Sri Lanka. His wife, Malar, is also from that area, and it is in that country that they were married and had three children: Donald, Christopher and Elizabeth. Theva received a Bachelor of Divinity degree in India in 1972. He first served as a pastor in Methodist churches located in the Sri Lankan cities of Kandy and Colombo, then as Circuit Superintendent for Batticaloa and Kalmunai (two larger circuits on the east coast) between 1973 and 1985.

But the mid 1980s were increasingly turbulent times in Sri Lanka, both socially and politically. Following a threat on his life in late 1984, he moved his family to the United States early the next year. They settled in western New York because of familiarity: Several years earlier Theva received a master's degree from Colgate Rochester Divinity School and at the same time also connected with Reverend Robert Jones (then superintendent of the Rochester District of the United Methodist Church). Since moving to the U.S., Theva has served as pastor for several United Methodist Churches in the Western New York region.

The Thevanesans have family, friends and former parishioners in Sri Lanka with whom they are close and stay in touch, but they have only been able to return physically once - about ten years ago. Last fall another opportunity arose when it was known that one of Malar's nieces was soon to be married. So, on December 16, 2004, Malar and two of their children flew to Sri Lanka for that occasion, and to visit family (her father is 88) and friends in the process. Because of other commitments, Theva and one son remained behind. Ten days later the now infamous Tsunami struck the east coast of Sri Lanka.

Theva first heard about the disaster from a nephew in Canada who called him at one o'clock in the morning, Sunday, December 26. An immediate, frantic, call to his family revealed that they were OK - the west side of Sri Lanka, where they were at that time, was totally unaffected. Incredibly, they were actually unaware of what had happened - apparently because communication links with the affected east coast had shut right down. While that one conversation with his family provided some relief, several days elapsed before he was able to contact them again.

Word spread quickly here in western New York as many friends, and both current and former parishioners soon communicated expressions of concern, combined with offers of help. This tragedy had become personalized. While Theva's immediate family has since returned safely, and family in Sri Lanka are also safe, it is the many people in the circuit he once supervised on the east coast, who have suffered such enormous devastation to whom concern is directed. The short term goal is to back Theva's mission to provide immediate pastoral care and support, and provide some basic financial assistance to them.

Those wishing to make a contribution to this ministry, can make a check payable to Brockport United Methodist Church and specify that it is for "Theva's Relief Mission to Sri Lanka." Address correspondence to Brockport United Methodist Church; 92 Main Street, P.O. Box 247; Brockport, NY 14420.

For information, contact the church office weekday mornings at 585-637-4240.