ORGANISATIONS
Edavaka Mission
Every Mar Thomite is a voluntary evangelist” (a vision of His grace the Late Abraham Mar Thoma Metropolitan)The formation of the Voluntary Evangelists Association (Lay Ministry) in Mar Thoma Church, started with a group of enthusiastic people, yearning to present the gospel to others, meeting for prayer and fellowship. The Holy Spirit led them to be the first Voluntary Evangelists in the Church. Their movement was fully supported by the late Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Thoma. The Association was formally recognized in 1925, as the Evangelical wing of Mar Thoma Church. The Edavaka Mission in our Parish is a unit of the Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelistic Association.
The Bible demands us to pass on the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, to those who do not know Christ. The Church recognized that its mission of evangelisation can not be effectively achieved by a few full-time evangelists. Therefore “every member of the Church must be a missionary filled with such joy and assurance of salvation as to be Christ’s witness to those who come in contact with him/her irrespective of one’s work or profession, in secular life.” With this motto, the Voluntary Evangelistic Association functions in every parish through its members.
The members of the Association meet together in each parish for intercessory prayer, fellowship, Bible study, and sharing of experiences. They share the gospel message with their co-workers and the outside world. The members provide active spiritual support in their parish through prayer meetings, house visits, Sunday Schools, and Youth Fellowship. They visit the sick and the needy and provide spiritual fellowship and material help. The Association emphasises the ministry of the laity in the Church.
Our Parish Choir
The rich Liturgy with theologically and Biblically sound Prayers, Hymns and Chants is the uniqueness of Eastern worship. The Church Choir plays a significant role in the Sunday worship. The Brisbane Mar Thoma Church is blessed with a dedicated Choir. The leadership of the Choir in Sunday Worship, Special occasions, Christmas carol service and carol Rounds, Ecumenical Programs, etc. makes the parish life lively.
Sevika Sangham
The Sevika Sangham of Whangarei Mar Thoma Church, established in 2023 as an organised group continues its lead role in the Parish life. It provides a space for the women of our Parish to nurture their Spirituality and utilize their talents and resources for the glory of the Kingdom of God and serve the needy. Our Church is committed to coming alongside families in a way that helps strengthen and grow them.
Sevika Sangham meets on every first and last Sunday of the month at the church after church services. The women undertake bible study on these days. They are involved in working with the homeless in the local community and Marthoma Sabha charities. The group also visits senior women of the church at their homes.
Sunday School
Christian Education is a vital part of the Church. It initiates and nurtures children in their life of faith. One of the primary purposes of the Sunday school is to teach the Bible to the students. The Sunday school teaching aims at instilling in the minds of the students, faith in God and teaching them the principles, which Christ adhered to.
Our Sunday School aims at helping children of different age groups to adopt the principles of God. Ever since its inception in October 2023, through our Sunday School we have experienced a closer bonding among our children and members. Sunday school helps children respect, appreciate and utilize the Bible, and learn to live in community. A healthy Sunday classroom environment, centered on the Bible will elevate its importance in a child’s life. Sunday school teaches children how to navigate the Bible and life as a Christian. Sunday school gives kids a chance to ask questions.
Sunday school is the perfect format for in-depth discussion, Sunday school develops a community of believers. A community of children, worshiping, learning the Bible and discovering God together creates a bond that single study can’t accomplish. Sunday school plants spiritual seeds. We need your child in Sunday school.
If we intend to prepare the next generation of children to follow Christ faithfully they will need their parents and the adults of this faith community for this awesome responsibility to lead them by word, deed and example.
Sunday School is conducted twice a month - put something like this would be better .