Fr. Jos Tharakan was installed as the new rector at St. James’ Episcopal Church, Springfield, Missouri on December 1, 2017.

Preparing to process at St. James’ Image credit: Gary Allman

Fr. Jos Tharakan is installed as the new rector at St. James’ Episcopal Church, Springfield, MO on December 1, 2017 Image credit: Gary Allman

Fr. Jos Tharakan was installed as the new rector at St. James’ Episcopal Church, Springfield, MO on December 1, 2017 Image credit: Gary Allman

It’s hard being an acolyte. Fr. Jos Tharakan was installed as the new rector at St. James’ Episcopal Church, Springfield, MO on December 1, 2017 Image credit: Gary Allman

Homily Image credit: Gary Allman

Fr. Jos Tharakan is installed as the new rector at St. James’ Episcopal Church, Springfield, MO on December 1, 2017 Image credit: Gary Allman

Fr. Jos Tharakan is installed as the new rector at St. James’ Episcopal Church, Springfield, MO on December 1, 2017 Image credit: Gary Allman

The Very Rev. David Kendrick gives Fr. Jos a copy of the diocesan Canons and Constitution Image credit: Gary Allman

Dismissal “Thanks be to God.” Image credit: Gary Allman

Fr. Jos Tharakan is installed as the new rector at St. James’ Episcopal Church, Springfield, MO on December 1, 2017 Image credit: Gary Allman

Fellowship in the parish hall after Fr. Jos Tharakan was installed as the new rector at St. James’ Episcopal Church, Springfield, MO on December 1, 2017 Image credit: Gary Allman

About Fr. Jos Tharakan

I was born in Kerala, India into a Roman Catholic Family. I went to a Capuchin Seminary at the age of 15 and was ordained a priest at 30. I then served in many congregations in Kerala and northern India before being called to serve in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas in 1997. I served in Fort Smith until 2001.

I came into the Episcopal Church in 2004 after completing two years of Clinical Pastoral Education in San Antonio, Texas and Pine Bluff, Arkansas. After being received into the Episcopal Church, Bishop Larry Maze appointed me as Missionary Chaplain to Christ Church, Mena. Later on, I was called as the rector of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Russellville, Arkansas. Where I served for ten years. 

While I was at All Saints’, I founded the House Of Blessings Foundation, a retreat and renewal center in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. I also founded a Clergy Vacation Home, for pastors in active ministry so that they can take a few days of rest and renew themselves and their families. It is free for any priest/pastor in active ministry.

I love art, music, and design. I’ve developed several educational programs, composed music, and designed websites. My educational program called, CAMPaM: A Complimentary Alternative Method for Pastoral Ministry is approved for continuing education for chaplains, pastors and other healthcare professionals through the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education. I presented this innovative program to the National Conference of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains in Kansas City, Kansas. 

I also produce Episcopal Daily, an aggregation of news, articles, stories and videos suggested by Episcopal bishops, clergy, and laity from across the world. It is available by email and online for anyone interested in knowing what Episcopalians are doing around the world.

I have two children. Asha (a girl, Hope, 13), Amrit (a boy, Divine Nectar, 9). They attend school in Springfield and are involved in youth programs in the Southern Deanery and children’s ministries at St. James. 

I believe in ‘God in all things, and people of all kinds,’ a Thomistic Theological conviction I coined as a slogan for the Episcopal Church’s attitude towards the world when the Rt. Rev. Katherine Schori visited Little Rock after she was elected Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. My motto in ministry is “Passionate personal Love for Jesus and His people.” I’m excited to be the rector of St. James, a community that lives the gospel and loves the people. 

Fr. Jos is rector of St. James’ Episcopal Church, Springfield.