Detroit Mar Thoma Church

Edavaka Mission

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations……” Mark 28:19

By the grace of our God, we were able to carry out the activities of the Edavaka Mission during the year 2009. The office bearers for 2009 were: Secretary Mr. Georgey Mathews, Accountant Mr. George A. George, and Lady Representative Mrs. Santhamma Philip. Secretary Mr. Georgey Mathews represented the Edavaka Mission in the Executive Committee and Mr. K.K George is continuing as the representative to the Midwest Regional Edavaka Mission. The regular monthly fellowship meeting were held on the third Saturday of each month. These meetings provided as the opportunity for fellowship , intercessory prayer, and bible study. Edavaka Mission helped in organizing Parish Retreat on August 22, 2009. Rev. Dr. Philip Varghese was the leader and we had an opportunity to meditate and discuss about the topic “From the Cross, Through the Church, To the World.”
During the year we offered different financial assistance. A fulltime Evangelist in Chennai-Bangalore Diocese, a two-wheeler for an Evangelist working in remote areas, Grideepthi Tribal Hostel, Uppukuzy Mission, medical treatment, marriage aid, educational support, and funding for house construction.

"….Everything is possible for him who believes." Mark 9:23

Our Diocesan Episcopa Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius inaugurated the Prayer ministry of the Detroit Marthoma Edavaka Mission on August 22, 2009. Mr. Samuel Philip serves as the coordinator for the Prayer ministry.
We were able to conduct a fundraising bake sale on December 6, 2009 for the financial support of the various mission activities and we raised approximately $1300.00. Thank you to all our parish members who prayerfully supported the bake sale and thanks to Mr. C.V. Samuel who coordinated the bake sale.

Prison Ministry

Prison Ministry is a new ministry of the Diocese in partnership with Prison Fellowship of USA. Prison Fellowship of USA is the world’s largest ministry to prisoners and their families. Detroit Mar Thoma Church Edavaka Mission is very privileged to be the first parish in our Diocese to implement Prison Ministry to bring encouragement and hope to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families.

As an initial step, Prison Ministry awareness meeting was held during worship service on Sunday, July12, 2009 at the Detroit Mar Thoma Church. The guest speaker for this meeting was Denise Harris, the Field Director for the South Eastern Michigan Prison Fellowship. Denise challenged the congregation to minister to men and women who are in prison and who are transitioning into our community

To participating in the Prison Ministry, it is required to take 12 hours training session and certification by Prison Fellowship for those who want to do in-person ministry.

First training session “Prison Fellowship Volunteer In-Prison Certification” training” was held on Friday, August 14, 2009 at Oak Pointe Church, Novi, MI. Thirteen people from our parish completed this training. It was an uplifting experience to attend this training along with many participants from different area churches.

Second training session was held on Friday, August 21, 2009 at the Detroit Mar Thoma Church. Thirty-seven people from our parish completed this training. The main focus of this section was about biblical perspective and introduction to mentoring principles. Also, this session covered subject such as the rules and regulations for volunteering within the correction system as well as practical strategies for developing a safe, effective personal ministry to prisoners.

Angel Tree Ministry

It is very encouraging to note that several Youth Fellowship members of our parish attended these training sessions and they are particularly interested in the Angel Tree, a program that delivers a Christmas gift and a life-changing message of Christ to children of prisoners. This year, Prison Fellowship is hoping to partner with the local churches nationwide in order to deliver Christmas gifts to the children of 400,000 prisoners. Our Edavaka Mission along with the Youth Fellowship was able to sponsor 36 children with Christmas gifts with average price of $40.00 per child. On Saturday, December 5, 2009 we had an Angel Tree Christmas gathering at our church. Worship, fellowship, food and gift distribution were part of the gathering. Over one hundred people attended this gathering and we are very thankful for the support and sponsor ship we received. Special thanks to Miss. Anika Chacko for coordinating the Angel Tree Ministry.

The Detroit Mar Thoma Church Edavaka Mission would like to thank everyone who is planning to aid the Prison Ministry through their time, talents and monetary aid. Edavaka Mission expresses special thanks to vicar Rev. Shaji K. Thomas and the entire congregation for their support and encouragement. We are hoping to have a fruitful Prison Ministry in 2010 after completing one more training session and certification to do in-prison ministry. Mr. C. V. Samuel is the coordinator of this ministry along with sub- committee members Mr. Sujeev Cherian, Mr. Jibu Palathanam, Mr. Saramma Varghese, Mr. Georgey Mathews and Miss Anika Chacko.


The Edavaka Mission has an income $12,500.00 and an expense $11,850.00 leaving a closing balance of $650. We take this opportunity to thank our Diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius for His guidance and blessings; to our Vicar Rev. Shaji k. Thomas for his valuable leadership and support; Rev. P. Chacko, Rev. Philip Varghese, and Rev. M.P. Yohannan for their service and guidance. The Edavaka Mission is grateful to all the members who kept us in their prayers and wholeheartedly contributed and supported the activities.
 

Mr. Gerogey Mathews

Secretary