Dearly beloved in Christ,

Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

With gratitude to God, I pen this message for the September – October season.
“Koinonia” is a privileged divine opportunity to strengthen the parish that is faithful and loving community. This month is not only a milepost as we walk together on the 90th (Navathi) year of our Parish’s faith journey. This is not only a milestone but also a reminder that we are called to live faithfully, remaining rooted in Christ, and stay relevant in the society where God has placed us.

In these two months, our Church observes many special Sundays. Each of which reminds us of our identity and mission as God’s people. I’d like to briefly reflect on them so that we may prepare our hearts and participate meaningfully.

1. Education Sunday (Sep 7, 2025) – Education that Discerns Divine Purpose (Matthew 7:21–27)

Christian education is not just about acquiring knowledge, but about discerning God’s will and building life on the firm foundation of Christ. As Jesus reminds us, the wise build their house on the rock. Let us pray that our children, youth, and all of us may be shaped into discerning individuals who see education as a means to fulfill God’s purpose.

2. Sevika Sangham Day (Sep 14, 2025) – Women: Proclaimers and Practitioners of Change (Matthew 28:1–10)

The first witnesses of the Resurrection were women who courageously proclaimed the good news with courage. Our Sevika Sangham members are called to follow in their footsteps, transforming families, churches, and society with their faith and service.

3. Senior Citizens Sunday (Sep 21, 2025) – Models of God’s Righteousness (Luke 2:25–38)

Like Simeon and Anna, our senior members bear witness to God’s faithfulness through a lifetime of prayer, patience, and testimony. Let us honour them, learn from their wisdom, and stand with them in love and care.

4. Stewardship Sunday – Faithfulness and Transparency (Sep 28, 2025) (Luke 19:12–14)

God has entrusted us with time, talents, and resources. True stewardship requires faithfulness and transparency—not living for ourselves, but for God’s glory. May we use all that we have in responsible ways that bless others.

5. Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelists’ Association (MTVEA) Day – People of God: Conveyors of God’s Love (Oct 5, 2025) (Luke 10:25–37)

The parable of the Good Samaritan reminds us that true faith is expressed in love and action. As evangelists in our own contexts, let us reflect God’s love in both word and deed, bringing healing and hope to those in need.

6. Day of the Differently Abled – Honour the Difference (Oct 12, 2025) (John 5:2–9)

Jesus healed the man at Bethesda, not merely restoring his body but his dignity. The Church must be a place where differences are honoured, and all are embraced as God’s beloved children.

7. Youth Sunday – Youth in Christ’s Style (Oct 19, 2025) (Matthew 19:16–22)

The rich young man missed the opportunity to follow Jesus because of his attachments. Our youth are challenged to live in Christ’s style—choosing values of sacrifice, integrity, and service over worldly gains.

8. Christian Family Dedication Sunday – Family: A Place of Pure Love (Oct 26, 2025) (Mark 3:31–35)

Jesus redefined family as those who do the will of God. A Christian family is built not on blood ties but on obedience to God’s Word, making homes spaces of prayer, love, and mission.

The Integration of Humanity and Spirituality

As we reflect on these sacred observances, let us remember that cultic spirituality is meaningless without genuine humanity, for Christ Himself became fully human to demonstrate that our love for God must be inseparably expressed through our compassionate service to one another—making our faith not an escape from human concerns but a deeper engagement with the joys, sorrows, and needs of the world around us.

Our Call to Action

As we meditate on these themes, let us rededicate ourselves to live faithfully in every sphere of life. I humbly request:

• Each family must host at least one prayer meeting a year, opening homes for fellowship and creating sacred spaces where spiritual growth and human connection flourish together.

• All members take seriously the responsibility of attending parish organizations – Sunday School, Yuvajana Sakhyam, Sevika Sangham, Friday Fasting Prayer, Edavaka Mission, Choir, Senior Citizens Fellowship—since these are vital spaces for growth and service where we learn to love God through loving one another.

• To see every ministry as an opportunity to serve together as families, making our parish stronger and more vibrant, recognizing that each act of service is both a spiritual discipline and an expression of our shared humanity.

Looking Forward in Faith

As we look ahead in this Navathi year, may our church truly become a household of God (Ephesians 2:19–20), built on Christ the cornerstone, radiating love, and faithful in witness. Let us carry forward the legacy of nine decades of faith through both our cherished liturgical traditions and through lives that demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel in personal devotion and community service, understanding that our liturgical heritage and contemporary witness must work together to glorify God.

May God, who chose to dwell among us as Emmanuel, continue to guide our steps, strengthen our bonds of fellowship, and use us as instruments of His peace and love in this world. As we participate in these special Sundays and engage in the life of our parish, let us do so with hearts that are both inward in worship and outward in compassion.

Rev. Shaimon Elias
Vicar, Madras Mar Thoma Syrian Church