A CARING CHURCH
FOR CHANGING TIMES
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CLERGY & STAFF
The Rev. Dr. Varghese Mathew, Priest in Charge
The Rev. Dr. Varghese Easow Mathew was commissioned as part time Priest-in-Charge at St. Barnabas on January 27, 2020, after serving a year as a supply priest.
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Being of South Indian origin, he grew up as an active member in the Church of South India, which is in the Worldwide Anglican Communion of Churches. He subsequently worked as a youth pastor in the United Methodist Church before stepping into ordained ministry in 2011. As a bilingual ordained priest, he has served many churches belonging to the Church of South Indian Diaspora and the Episcopal Diocese in the United States of America. Rev. Mathew also serves as the Dean of the Rockland Clericus.
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Father Mathew describes himself as a multi-cultural individual. His parents were teachers from India who served the education department under the Nigerian government. He was born in Nigeria and spent his early childhood years there before his arrival to Kerala, the southern state in India, along with his parents and younger sister. He then lived and studied in Kerala till the completion of his high school and immigrated to the United States in 1996. He continued his higher studies in the U.S. earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees with highest honors. Father Mathew received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the State University of New York at Purchase and then initiated his theological studies at Saint Joseph’s Seminary: Institute of Religious Studies, earning a Master of Arts degree with a specialization in Sacred Scripture. Later on, he enrolled for the Doctor of Ministry program and earned his doctorate from the
Unification Theological Seminary (UTS – The Interfaith Seminary). His doctoral dissertation focused on the relationship between religiosity and marital satisfaction. In addition to his vocation of priesthood, he enjoys teaching.
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He has served many years as an adjunct faculty member of Mercy College, New York, teaching Philosophy and Religion courses. Rev. Mathew loves devoting his time to various outreach activities such as homeless ministry, nursing home visits, and ministry among the veterans. He is also a certified self defense instructor who raises awareness of safety in the community. Rev. Mathew is happily married to his wife Anu and they are blessed with a son and a daughter – Francis and Bethsaida.
