Detroit Mar Thoma Church

Choir

"Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God" - Psalm 147:1”


Choir Committee Members for 2009
Malayalam Choir Leader Mr. Shaji Eapen
English Choir Leader Mr. Shawn Thomas
Malayalam Assistant Choir Leader Mrs. Laly Philips
English Assistant Choir Leader Ms. Tessy Samuel
Secretary Mr. Thomas Varghese
Treasurer Mrs. Daisy Thomas
Committee Members Mrs. Suja George
Mr. George Chacko
Ms. Sincie Chacko
Ms. Tindu Mathews
Auditor Ms Elsa Varghese
Representative to Executive Committee Mr. Shaji Eapen

Objectives and Activities
1. To elevate church services with songs and to aid the congregation in worship services to worship the LORD in spirit and in truth through its singing.
2. To afford an opportunity for Christian fellowship among members and friends in Detroit Mar Thoma Church.
Music is God’s gift to man. Both the choirs have been an integral part of the weekly worship services for the year 2009. In addition to aiding the congregation in worship services the choir also played an important part in Passion Week services, parish conventions, wedding service, funeral service and the Christmas carol service. The choirs rehearse on a weekly basis for the worship services and other services.
 

Achievements and Performance
Choir Membership
We currently have 24 choir members in the Malayalam choir and 32 members in the English choir.
 

Choir Sunday
Choir Sunday was observed on the 17 th May 2009. All the choir members participated in the rededication service and the worship service and presented special songs.
 

Choir Festival
Both the choirs participated in the 18th Mar Thoma regional choir festival hosted by the Canadian Mar Thoma Church of Toronto on the 01 Aug 09 and performed admirably to the delight of the audience present.

Christmas Carol Service
No year is complete without the choir participating in our beautiful candlelight Christmas carol service which was held on the 19th Dec 09.

Ecumenical Christmas Program
A few members of our Choir ( Mrs. Daisy Thomas, Mrs. Laly Philip, Mr. John Varghese, Mr. Shaiju Eapen) represented the church in the ecumenical choir and enjoyed performing at the ecumenical Christmas program held at the Warren Orthodox Church on the 26 Dec 09. Mr. Shaji Eapen served as the ecumenical choir master.
 

Accompaniment
As always we continue to appreciate the talents of our organists: Mr. Shaji Eapen and Mr. Shane Thomas, Guitarists: Mr. Jeffrey Philip and Abilash Thomas, Drums: Jason Abraham and Shine Eapen. All of them continue to be invaluable resources to our group as accompanists and we have enjoyed utilizing the electronic keyboard to enhance our instrumental music from time to time.
 

DSMC Affiliation
The choir’s constitution is now affiliated with DSMC as of this year.
End of Year Cash on Hand Balance
The recorded cash on hand balance is $2251.50 as of 12/31/09.
 

Acknowledgment
Our sincere thanks to our vicar Rev. Shaji .K. Thomas for his leadership, support and encouragement at all times.
 

Conclusion
Working with this group is indeed a blessing. We are thankful to the church for providing us a laptop for the choir. Special thanks to our choir members Mr. Alan Thomas and Mr. Alan John for preparing and projecting the songs during the Sunday worship services. We thank our choir leaders Mr. Shaji Eapen and Mr. Shawn Thomas and all our choir members for their time, energy and dedication. It is a real privilege to work with such a vibrant and enthusiastic choir.

Choir Secretary

Thomas Varghese