Organizations
Sunday School
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. In those days of very limited travel facilities he visited churches in different places traveling in bullock carts and riding bicycles. He organized syllabuses for the different grades and published the lessons to be taught in various classes. A publication entitled “Sandarsini†began to be published in 1911 containing articles helpful to the pupils, teachers and parents and lesson notes for Sunday school teachers. Since 1952 textbooks are published for the various classes. From 1977 the Sunday School Samajam follows the curriculum of the Christian Education Council of India.
The Sunday School Samajam celebrated the Platinum Jubilee in 1980. The Christian Education Centre was established at Charal Mount, Kuriannoor in 1972 providing one of the attractive camp sights for children and for training of teachers. The High School at Edakulam and the boarding house attached to it are run by the Sunday School Samajam.
The goal of Sunday school is to "bring every child to Jesus". So that children can learn about Jesus at a very young age. As the scripture says, "Train a child in the way he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:06. And Jesus said. "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Mathew 19:14.
The Sunday school students studying in seven vakupps (standards) such as
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Nurseryvakuppu (admitting students of 4 years),
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Sisu vakuppu (5 years),
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Bala vakuppu (6-8 years),
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Kumara vakuppu (9-11 years),
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Madhya vakuppu (12-14 years),
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Jeshta vakuppu (15-17 years) and
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Yuva vakuppu (18-20 years)
Yuvajana Sakhyam
The Mar Thoma Yuvajana Sakhyam was organized with a view that all the young people in the Church should accept Jesus Christ as their saviour and Lord, and bear witness to His saving power. It was organized in 1933 by a resolution of the Sabha Prathinidhi Mandalam. 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. Mr. M M Thomas (later 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.
Based on the four fold (worship, service, study, witnessing) approach of the Yuvajana Sakhyam of the Mar Thoma Church, our parish wing also conducts various programmes to attract youth in to the ever redeeming love of Jesus. Yuvajana Sakhyam meet every Sunday after the church service for sessions that helps to study biblical principles, discuss contemporary issues on the basis of Christian principles.
The Yuvajana Sakhyam also involves actively in all the church activities by helping in the planning and conduct of various programmes. The social activities of the Sakhyam include help for the poor, fellowship for the sick and educational assistance for the deserving.
Sevika Sangham
The women in the Mar Thoma church also shared the spiritual power generated by the Reformation. The Mar Thoma Suvisesha Sevika Sanghom the women’s wing, was inaugurated during the Maramon Convention in the year 1919, under the leadership of Abraham Mar Thoma Suffragan Metropolitan., who gave the Sanghom continued support and inspiration.
Every women of the Mar Thoma Church above the age of 18 years is a member of the Sevika sanghom. The Sevika Sanghom has branches in all parishes of the Mar Thoma Church both in India and abroad. Each branch elects from among its members a committee including office bearers. The Vicar of the parish is the President of the branch Sevika Sanghom, who gives guidence and support to the activities.
The organization owes much to the self sacrificing and indefatigable work of Mrs. Kandamma Varghese as organising Secretary for over 20 years travelling far and wide, organising branches in parishes, doing evangelistic work among Christians and non-Christians. She also served as General Secretary for a few years. Dr. Mrs. Annamma George served as organising Secretary for 14 years and organised centres and centre meetings. Her theological insights and vision have taken the women of the Sevika Sanghom to a higher level of thinking in the social and religious sphere.
The World Prayer Day for Women and Sevika Sanghom Day are observed each year. The women assist and actively participate in the worship service on that day.
Edavaka Mission
The 17th Metropolitan of the Marthoma church, Abraham Marthoma stated “every Marthomite is a voluntary evangelist” and established Marthoma Voluntary Evangelist Association in 1924.
Parish Mission or Edavaka Mission is a unit of Marthoma Voluntary Evangelists Association based in every parish of the Church.
While every member of the church is its member, it has registered active members as well.
The Parish Mission has the Vicar as the President and a Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer from the laity. The President acts as the chairman, Vice President as the substitute chairman, the Secretary acts as the chief executive, and the Treasurer as the accountant. Active members contribute a small amount each year to the Association. All lay leaders are elected annually by the active members of the Parish Mission.
The functions of the Parish Mission are based on the seven activities of the Marthoma Voluntary Evangelist’s Association such as,
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Intercessory Prayer
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Bible Study
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Witnessing and Sharing
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House Visits
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Charity Projects
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Prayer meetings and
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Gospel work among non Christians.
Church Choire
The choir has a mission which is to serve the church and in turn serve God by delivering songs in worship and praise, endeavor to develop a sense of spiritual well being among the parishioners and to provide opportunities to the youth to participate in the Qurbana service in a meaningful way.
The choir gathers every Sunday for church service and hold regular practices in preparation for each Sunday Service. This provides an opportunity to not only learn new songs but also to have a closer relationship with each other that goes a long way in building a sense of unity and purpose.
A regular feature of the choir service is the Easter program and the Christmas Carol Service. These programs are aimed to deliver the message of the bountiful love of God to mankind. It is hoped that these programs will instill a holistic feeling of the season in contrast to the otherwise commercial flavor of these seasons that is so common today.
The Choir also assists the Vicar in Baptism service, Wedding services and Funeral services. These services of the choir are carried out on invitations only.
Membership to the choir is though the membership of the church. Any one who is a member of the Marthoma Church is welcome to join the choir and participate in its activities.