Hutbay: Dedication of the newly built Place of worship 

The place of worship at Hutbay Island devastated by the Tsunami waves left the worshipping community to move to a rented place for worship in 2004.  The small community of 9 families made an effort to rebuild the place.  By the Grace of God a new place is constructed for Rs. 6,50,000.  The dedication took place on March 28 followed by Holy Qurbana on March 29th.  They continue their effort to build a Mission House also at the site.

Vaideeka Selection:

The names of the theological students interviewed by the Vaideeka selection committee has come in the Sabha Tharaka.  Please remember them in prayers.

Visit to Tumkur, Korattigere Mission field. 

Diocesan Episcopa visited Tumkur on 19th April and discussed the concerns of the Korattigere Mission.  Negotiations are going on to purchase a plot of 18 cents at Gundanapalaya village for mission activities.  We need a place for the Evangelist’s family to stay and another hall as community centre.

Visit to H. B. Halli Mission field. April 19

Diocesan Bishop visited and conducted a prayer fellowship for the 8 believers and number of seekers in the village.  The villagers expressed their desire to give a piece of land there, where they expect the Church to construct a place of worship.  We have a hostel for 11 boys in a rented place. We hope in the Lord that we will have a place of our own there.

Visit to Davengere.  Students’ Centre. April 20.

Ministry among the students at Davengere started in 1993.  Diocesan Bishop visited the student community and celebrated Holy Qurbana.  A student Centre can be constructed only if we succeed in buying a plot of land.  Students are raising funds for the same.

KMB sponsored Training Camp for Evangelists

(a)   Sirsi April 21 & 22.  Karnataka Mission Board (KMB) constituted in 1996 organized a Training Camp for our Evangelists working in Western Karnataka at the Mission Centre in Sirsi.  About 25 Evangelists attended the camp..  Rev. Shibi Varghese was the main Leader.  Diocesan Episcopa inaugurated the camp and stayed with the Evangelists.

(b)   Beerasandra April 23& 24.  KMB also arranged a camp for the Evangelists in Bangalore and suburbs at the Mar Thoma Centre, Beerasandra.  About 30 Evangelists attended the Camp.  The film: Tare Zamin Par was screened for study and discussion.  Rev. Shibi Varghese, Bangalore took the classes.

Visit to Hanagal, Neerelagi & Soornagi Mission fields

The Diocesan Episcopa visited the Mission fields of Hanagal, Neerelagi and Soornagi in Karnataka near Sirsi to meet the believers and to discuss the concerns of the fields with Rev. Binu P. Thomas and the Evangelist Mr. Thomas George.

Mar Thoma Centre, Beerasandra

The Bangalore Mar Thoma Centre was formed in 1995 to mark the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Mar Thoma Community in Bangalore.  The land at Beerasandra is to be developed as a camp centre.  So that it will be financially viable.  It will cater to the needs of the Mar Thoma Parishes and mission fields.  The Parishes are making an effort to raise adequate funds to meet the need.  There is also a mission centre at Beerasandra.  They are constructing a Mission House.  A worship place was opened in January this year.

Navathy celebration at Kottayam

Our Church conducted the valedictory function to celebrate the 90th Birthday of our Valia Metropolitan.  Mr. L. K. Advani, the opposition leader  of the Lok Sabha was the Chief Guest.

Dedication of the Parsonage at Padi, Madras 

The worshipping community at Padi constructed a new place of worship.  .  The newly built Parsonage above the building   was dedicated on April 29, 2008.

Renovated Worship Place of Tambaram

The space was inadequate for the worshipping community at Tambaram Immanuel M T C.  The added space on either sides with a vestry.  A space for the office of the Students’ Chaplain is also consecrated.  The Diocesan Bishop gave lead for the functions on April 30, 2008.

New Achens  in the Diocese-after  the clergy transfer 2008

Rev. Easow Mathew, Rev. M M John, Rev. Mathew B, Rev. Mathew C Abraham, Rev. Philip Philip, Rev. Thomas  John, Rev. Ison Joshua

New Achens  in Malysia- Singapore-Austarlia Diocese-after  the clergy transfer 2008

Rev. Mothy  Varkey, Rev. Benoji K Mathew, Rev. Bobby Philip.

New Evangelists 

Mr. Gangadhar  - Hangal, Soornagi

Mr. Vasanth Paul & Nirmala Vasanth , Mydakkur

Mr. Shiju Kumar, Thammampathy, Pollachi.

The diocese welcomes sponsors to support  these evangelists.

Visit to the Student Centre at Manipal 

Diocesan Episcopa laid the foundation stone for the construction of a worship place and Students’ Centre at Manipal on May 1, 2008.  The students with the worshipping community is making all efforts to raise adequate funds for the construction.

Visit to the Students Centre at Mangalapuram

Mangalapuram Mar Thoma Centre is making an effort to construct another floor to accommodate students for their stay.  The Diocesan Episcopa visited the Parish on May 1st when the student community also came for a fellowship meeting.

Mission Day Celebration – K N S

Karnataka Navajeevana Samithi established in 1970 had its Mission Day Celebrated on May 3rd.  Now this will be functioning from two main centres; Siddlagatta and Chinthamany.  KNS covers 30 villages.

Visit to M T Parish, Bangalore

Diocesan Episcopa inaugurated the fund collection for the Mar Thoma Centre, Beerasandra soon after the Holy Qurbana service here.  He took time to meet the Parish Committee and the Youth fellowship of the parish on May 3rd.

Visit to M T Parish, Coimbatore

A meeting of the representatives of the Parishes in Coimbatore Centre decided to raise Rs. 10 lakhs in the month of June and July for the development of Mission Centers & Students Centers in  Coimbatore centre.

Mar Thoma Students’ Conference, Lonavala.  May 14-17, 2008

27  students  along  with  3 students chaplains  from this  diocese attended the Mar Thoma Youth Conference  held at  Lonavala. Diocesan Episcopa Mar Theodosius inaugurated  the meeting and took a devotional  session.  There were 250 students attending  the conference  from different  places.

Mission Day Celebration, Pollachi. May 18. ( T N) 

Pollachi  Mission celebrated its  anniversary  on May 18, 2008  at Nalloor  Centre. There  were devotional  meetings in  Tamil  for  three  days attended  by seekers, believers  and  evangelists.  Sunday morning  Holy Qurbana service in Tamil  was celebrated  by  the Diocesan Episcopa  assisted  by achens  in  the  area.  Rev. Dr. Johnson P Mathew. Gen Sec  of M T E A gave  the main  talk  at  the public  function. The  Mission  has  completed  25  years. The  Diocesan Episcopa blessed  the first  communicants.

A  newly  built Mission House  was  blessed on 19th  May  at Puthuppalayam.

Handing over Navathy Homes 

Out  of the  233  Navathy  homes  allotted  for  our  Diocese, 14  houses are  constructed at Kuruvakkalm village. The diocese gave  them 5 cents of land. The Diocesan episcope with  the help  of  the achens  in Coimabotre  centre  and  handed  over  the keys  to  the beneficiaries  at  a public  function.

The  Chicago  Mar Thoma Parish helped  the diocese to  construct a  Navathy  Hall  to  help  the inmates to  assemble  regularly  for worship,  prayer  and meetings.

The  diocese  constructed  a Mission  House which  is  also  blessed  on May 18. Evangelist  Satheesh K S &  Sajini  are staying  there  coordinate  all  mission activities.

Visit to Mission field, Dindigul.( T N)

Kollappetty  in Dindigul is  a place chosen  by  the diocese  for  the Mission Work. We  are  constructing  a Mission in a one acre plot where is  agriculture is also attempted. The  construction  is progressing. The  Diocesan Episcopa  conducted  a meeting  for  the believers  and  seekers  in  the near by  housing  colony.

Visit to Mission field, Orattoor.( A  P)

A  foundation  stone  for  the construction of  a place  of  worship was  laid  on 20th  May. The  one  acre plot  is  fenced.

Visit to Mission field, Yerraguntla.( A P)

Diocesan  Episcopa  visited  Yerraguntla  where an evangelist  family  is  staying. The  believers  are  making  an effort to  locate  a place  where they  can have a place  of  worship  and  a space  for  the evangelists  to  stay.

Visit to the Mission field, Mydukkur.( A P)

This  is  a jubilee  project where  a Mar Thoma Gnana Jyothy  School  is  functioning. Re. Baiju  Markose  is the missionary. Community  health  workers  are  also  staying  in  the  campus  to visit  our believers  in villages. A  hostel is  under  construction  for  the girl  children  to  stay.

A   New Mission opening Kedavaram  village.( A P)

The  villagers in Kedavaram  assembled  on  the road  side at mid  day to  welcome  the  bishop on  his  way  back   from  Yerraguntla. They  are  willing  to  donate  15 cents  of  land for  the church  to  construct  a place  of  worship  for  the people  at Kedavaram. The  missionary  achen will  help  them  to  form  a community.

Evangelists to Manthralaya.( A P)

Evangelists  Manij  Marappa  and  Salomi  Rathna  will  go  to Manthralaya to  stay  in  a rented  place and  to  start a balawadi. This  is   new  area. We  seek  the prayers  of  every one.

Forth Coming  Events

The Diocesan  youth   Conf  May  29- June 1 H I E T  Campus, Padur.

The  Zonal Assembly  at K L in Malaysia  on June 7, 2008. 

The  Diocesan Assembly at  Chennai  on June 14, 2008.

The  Lambeth  Conference:  July 16- August 4th, 2008  at University  of  Kent, Canterbury.

Family Conference & Clergy  Conference  of  U S A & U K Diocese  July 23-29

Clergy Conference: Aug 19-21- proposed at Hyderabad.

Detailed  programme  of  the Diocesan Episcopa  is   given  separately