The Church

History

The reformers realized the importance of Bible Study, as essential for spiritual renewal and growth. The opening of the Sunday Schools thus became a natural development in the way of Christian nurture. The formal inauguration of the Sunday School Samajam comprising all the Sunday Schools, which had already been started in the parishes, took place at Maramon Convention in 1905. Mr. V P Mammen, (later Vicar General V P Mammen Kasseesa) was elected as the General Secretary. The growth and development of the Sunday School Samajam as one of the leading Christian Education organizations in India was the result of the extraordinary organizing ability of Rev. V P Mammen and his untiring efforts for 47 years.

Rev. Dr. K K George joined the work of the Sunday School Samajam in 1952 and was General Secretary of the Samajam after the demise of very Rev. V P Mammen, from 1952 up to June in 1982. Both of them laboured in this great cause dedicating their extraordinary powers of head and heart to the cause of Christian Education children.

Classes are arranged from the age of 4 to 17 years. By the time the Sunday school course is completed, children will have sound knowledge of the scriptures and the doctrines of the church.

The Sunday School Samajam celebrated the Platinum Jubilee in 1980 and centenary in 2005.

Our Sunday School

Following the tradition, we are blessed to have an active Sunday School with more than 40 children. This was initiated by Mr. P V Varghese in the year 1972 in Industrial Labor Colony, Guindy. During that period, there was also one Sunday school for Non-Christians near little mount. From 1978, classes were held in HIET and thereafter in Garrison Church. From the year 2000 Sunday School has been functioning from our church premise.

Our Sunday school follows the syllabus, books and exams prescribed by Sunday School Samajam. Classes are held every Sunday after service. In addition to regular classes children practice various songs and skits. Sunday School children actively participate in all church events like Parish day, Christmas and World Sunday School celebrations. Various events namely; One day picnic, Sports day and Talent Competition are conducted every year

Annual Sunday School day is a special day for our children. For the last couple of years we have been having orphanage children as our guests. This is an opportunity for our children to understand the needy and down trodden people in our society. We also have the privilege of witnessing the talents of these wonderful children.

Children taking notes of the message delivered in the church every Sunday and the same being signed off by the respective teachers is a good practice of this Sunday school. This has helped our children to concentrate in the church service.

Office Bearers:

• Headmistress - Mrs. Shynu John
• Secretary - Mrs. Gency Jinu
• Treasurer - Mrs. Tintu shibu
• Kaisthana samithy member(Headmistress) - Mrs. Shynu John
• Auditor - Mrs. Sumi

Sunday School Teachers for the academic year of 2024:

• Nursery - Ms. Jolly Jibu
• Beginners- Ms. Sameera Jijo
• Primary - Ms. Tintu Shibu
• Juniors - Ms. Jyothi Sijo
• Intermediate -  Ms. Gency Jinu
• Seniors - Ms. Shynu John
• Young Adults
  • Ms. Elizabeth Koshy
  • Ms. Merin Arun
  • Ms. Beena Jose

Current Activities:

1. Sunday School classes will be conducted after the service at Parish Hall

Mar Thoma Yuvajana Sakhyam (MTYS) was formed with the view that youth of the Church should accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord, and bear witness to His powers. A resolution of the Sabha Prathinidhi Mandalam in 1933 led to the formation of this group.

The first president of the Sakhyam was Rev. V.P Mammen and the Vice- Presidents were Rev. K E Oommen and Rev. C M John (later Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan) and the first Secretary was Mr. V E Thomas (later Rev. V E Thomas, Singapore). Branches of the Sakhyam were set up in the Parishes with a four-fold programme of worship, study, witness and service.

Dr. M.M Thomas was appointed as Organising Secretary in 1945 and he was the full time worker of the Sakhyam. Under his dynamic leadership, the Sakhyam struck deep roots and spread its branches far and wide.

Most of the Parishes both inside and outside Kerala have branches of the Sakhyam. A group of such branches forms a Centre (Pradeshika Group). There are a number of such Centre’s under each Diocese.

The Mar Thoma Yuvajana Sakhyam was organized with a view:
 -To help the youths of the Mar Thoma church to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
 -To train in worship and the fellowship of Christian life.
 -To participate in the mission of the Church.
 -To have faith in Christian values.
 -To organize and conduct camps, meetings, discussions to increase the knowledge and experience of youth in the Holy Bible, Church's faith and practice. It provides facilities for the youth to hold study conferences, retreats and other meetings.

Office Bearers:

• Vice President - Mr. Nibin Reny Philip

• Secretary - Mr. Reuban N Thomas

• Lady Secretary - Ms. Aneeta P Lal

• Treasurer - Ms. Jinu C. Jeejo

• Executive Committee Representative - Mr. Jindo C. Jeejo

• Center Representative - Mr. Salvin Sabu

• Auditor - Mr. Glayson Johny P.

• Sports and Media In-Charge - Mr. Jose George Philip

   

Current Activities:

1.  Youth activities / Bible study will be conducted after every Sunday Service

In the early twentieth century, the late Abraham Mar Thoma suffragon Metropolitan felt the need to acknowledge and appreciate the contribution of women in the gospel ministry . He considered it fit to form an organized body which would enable empowerment of women and facilitate them to be partners in the ministry of the kingdom of God. As a result The Malankara Mar Thoma Suvisesha Sevika Sanghom was established in 1919. After the formation of the Sanghom’s foundation structure a well thought out constitution was formulated and rules and regulations were laid out for its working. The administrative centre of the Sanghom is in Thiruvalla.

At this juncture the dedication and hard work of Mrs. Kandamma Verghese and her group of workers is commendable. They travelled to different churches and formed small units at the parish level. These are called Sakhas. The women of the parishes were motivated by the dedication and commitment shown by these ladies. Now there are about 900 Sakhas. The Sanghom gives full support to all the ministries of the church.

Office Bearers:

• Vice President -  Mrs. Alice Joseph
• Secretary -  Mrs. Susan Mathew
• Treasurer -  Mrs. Anila Koshy
• Kraisthana samithy member(Secretary)  -  Mrs. Susan Mathew
• Center Representative - Mrs. Gracy Daniel
• Diocese representative - Mrs. Mini Lalu
• Kendra Representative  - Mrs. Mini Varghese
• Auditor -  Mrs. Rachel Reny
• Area committee members
  • Pazhavanthangal - Mrs. Mini Lalu
  • Keelkatalai - Mrs. Mariamma Isaac
  • Porur - Mrs. Sisy Jose
  • St.Thomas Mount & Guindy - Mrs. Sheeja Jeejo

Current Activities:

1. Bible class will be conducted every Wednesday in our Church at 10:30 am

Edavaka Mission

The Mar Thoma voluntary Evangelists’ Association was established in 1924, during the annual meeting of a gathering of members who were interested in evangelistic and prayer fellowship activities. It was Bishop Abraham Mar Thoma who supported this movement and Titus II Mar Thoma Metropolitan who sent a circular to all parishes encouraging the formation of branches of the Association.

The object of this association is that every member of the Church should be a witness to Jesus Christ. The functions of the Parish Mission are based on the seven activities of the Marthoma Voluntary Evangelists’ Association such as, Intercessory Prayer, Bible Study, Witnessing and Sharing, House Visits, Charity Projects, Prayer meetings and sharing the Gospel among non Christians. Its official organ is the Tri-Monthly ‘Sandesam’ containing sermon notes, Bible studies, articles and the news about the association.

The branch of the Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelists’ Association in the Parish is called Edavaka Mission. The Edavaka Missions from all the parishes in one regional group is called the Centre. The centers send their representatives to the Diocesan organization called the Diocesan Samathi of the Voluntary Evangelistic Association at the Diocesan Level. There is also the annual meeting of the representatives from all Dioceses arranged by the central organization of the Voluntary Evangelists Association.

The Edavaka Mission started functioning in the St.Thomas Mar Thoma Church (St.Thomas Mount) from the year of its inception. Every member of the church is its member. The Edavaka Mission has the Vicar as the President and a Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, who are being elected annually from the active members. Our Edavaka Mission is actively participating in the programs of Centre and Diocesan level.

The Edavaka Mission assembles for intercessory prayer and Bible study on every Fridays at 10.00 am at the church or at the houses of members. The members are also visiting the aged, sick and needy and conducting prayer meetings.

We pray that God will continue to use the Edavaka Mission of our Church for His ministry.

Office Bearers:

• Vice President – Isaac P.D.
• Secretary – K.S. Joseph
• Joint Secretary – Koshy C.G.
• Treasurer –  Annie Joseph
• Executive Commitee rep – Mini Lalu

Current Activities:

1. Fasting Prayer will be conducted every Friday in our Church at 10.30.am

"Musicians are ministers appointed by God and music for worship is not our entertainment. It is an act of worship."(I Chronicles 16:4-6

DSMC, The Department of Sacred Music and Communications is the official music Department of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church. Role of choir in leading worship is to help our congregation sing together and experience the presence of God. Leading the congregation in hymns and prayers is absolutely essential for worship, since praise is much desired by God. The church choir is the basic unit of DSMC in parishes.

The church choir leads the congregation in worship, hymns and prayers. The choir has a mission to serve the church and make the Qurbana service in a meaningful way, in turn serve God by delivering songs and praise in worship.

The St.Thomas Mar Thoma Church Choir started during the year 1991, the year the church became an independent church. It was Mr. George Joseph and Mr. K.S.Joseph who brought the interested youths together and founded the choir. Initially Mr. Bivin Thomas has led the choir followed by Mr. Kurian George and Reshman George. Currently Mr. C.M.Samuelkutty is leading choir with dedication.

The choir gathers every Saturday evening and Sunday morning for practice in preparation for each Sunday Service. The Christmas Carol Service is an important event of the Choir. After a rigorous and dedicated practice the choir is rendering beautiful songs and making the Carol service praise worthy. Also, the choir helps other organizations of the church to do their part in the Christmas Carol service. The choir leads the congregation during Annual Convention of the church.

The Choir also assists the Vicar in Wedding services on invitation.

Any member of the church who can sing and dedicate himself for regular attendance can be a member of the choir. St.Thomas Mar Thoma church choir has been registered with the Department of Sacred Music and Communications of the Mar Thoma Church at Thiruvalla.

Office Bearers:

• Choir Leader & Representative to Executive Committee  - Mr. K.C.Koshy
• Joint Leader  - Mrs. Anila Koshy
• Secretary  - Ms. Rupa Susan Mathew
• Treasurer  - Mr. Jose George Philip
• Auditor  - Mr. Reny K Philip

Current Activities:

1. Practice on every Saturday 4:30 pm and Sunday 8:00 am