Announcements – November 24, 2024 – Detroit Mar Thoma Church

Vodcast

Sermon Link – Virgin Mary – The model of dedication for the people of God (Mr. Thomas Mathew)

General Body Notice

The General Body Meeting of the Detroit Mar Thoma Church will be held on Sunday, December 1^st, 2024 in the sanctuary after the Holy Communion Service presided by the President and Vicar, Rev. Santhosh Varughese. All General Body members are requested to attend this meeting.

The agenda is as follows:

1. 1. 1. Election of Office Bearers and Auditors for the year 2025
      1. Maintenance Committee – 2025
      2. Refreshment Committee – 202
      3. Sports & Recreations Convenor – 2025

1. 1. 1. Presentation of Expansion Project Consolidated Accounts 2018 – 2023
    2. Kitchen & Storage Facilities Survey Results and Recommendations
    3. AOB with prior permission of Chair

Upcoming Prayers, Meetings & Events

1. - November 27 (Wednesday)
    - 7 PM: Intercessory Prayer (via Zoom)
  - November 29 (Friday)
    - 10:30 AM: Fasting Prayer (via Zoom)
  - December 1 (Sunday)
    - 9 AM: Sunday School
    - 10:15 AM: Holy Communion Service in Malayalam
    - After Service: General Body Meeting
    - 5:30 PM: Combined prayer meeting (at church)

Prayer Fellowship

1. - There will be a combined prayer meeting on Sunday December 1^st at 5:30 pm at the church hosted by the family of late Mr. Samuel Philip (Joychen). All prayer group members are requested to join

Metropolitan Visit

1. - His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan will be visiting our parish on Sunday, December 8^th and will celebrate the Holy Communion service in English. HC Service will start at 9:30 am, please note the time change. A felicitation meeting honoring the 35th year anniversary of Metropolitan’s Episcopal consecration is planned after the worship service. Lunch will be arranged after the felicitation meeting. Let’s pray for strength and travel mercies for Thirumeni especially as he is recovering from a recent medical procedure in India.

Sunday School

1. - Sunday School Christmas Carol Program practices will continue today, November 24^th, after the service in the fellowship hall. Please note there will no practice sessions this upcoming weekend. All SS children are encouraged to participate

Youth Group

1. - YG Potluck scheduled for Friday, November 29^th, is canceled
  - Diocesan Leadership Conference hosted by our DMTC Youth Group will be held on January 2-5th, 2025. Youths who are 21 years and older and are interested in the conference are requested to complete the online registration and verification form. Links are below. Registration deadline is November 22. Our youths are also seeking help in housing conference attendees and financial donations from members. Requesting prayers and support from church members in the planning of the DLC. Registration Link: https://forms.gle/J2Av5tHgtZibosbZAVerification Form: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lwO3QJnnHze1h99fG6bNoxObYatFvu1U/view?usp=drive_link
  - The 38th Midwest Regional Youth Conference will be hosted by St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Chicago, Youth Group. The conference will take place from December 27th-30th at Miracle Camp and Retreat Center in Lawton, MI. The theme for this year is “Unshakable Confidence,” based on Isaiah 41:10. All youths interested are requested to register. through the attached form. Early registration ends December 1st.Link: https://forms.gle/6cA5Gn8YDXx75tiy8
  - DMTC Merch Drop – Due to popular demand youth group is selling DMTC merchandise again to help fundraise for Diocesan Leadership Conference 2025. If interested place an order using the link below. For further information please contact Abigail ShinojLink for merch: https://gmail.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=64006b6e43cdd4d4587443ee7&id=b4355ebd15&e=898e944a9f

Yuvajana Sakhyam

1. - Yuvajana Sakhyam Membership: DMTC Yuvajana Sakhyam is now open for new membership registration. Those interested are requested to reach out to the YS Secretary – Mr. Philip William (Jojo). Please note, as per the October 2023 Diocese circular, the age eligibility for membership is 13 to 45 years. We also ask all existing members to review and confirm their membership details, now posted on the church notice board, before submission to the Diocese. Deadline is December 1, 2024. We appreciate your cooperation and prompt action. Thank you!

New Contribution Envelopes

1. - We thank all our parish members for their continuous and generous contribution to support all activities of the parish, diocese, and sabha. Our trustees have prepared a new contribution envelopes to better assist with submitting donations. The envelope includes a section to include contact information of the contributor and another section to include contribution category and amount. Envelopes are available in the lobby area. If extra copies are required or if there are any concerns or suggestions with the new envelope please contact the Trustees or Secretary

Parsonage Deck Maintenance Update

1. - Our parsonage deck was due for significant repair and posed a safety risk for our Achen and family with damage it had sustained over the years. With the approved 2024 parsonage maintenance budget the Executive Committee decided to replace the parsonage deck. With the leadership of our maintenance committee the parsonage deck replacement was completed over the course of a few months. The deck replacement included removing the old deck, foundation ground work, and installing 2 new and separate trex decks. The larger of the 2 decks is adjacent to the kitchen and the smaller deck is adjacent to the living room. We would like to thank our 2024 maintenance committee for their efforts in completing the deck replacement with minimal delay especially considering city approvals that were required for the deck work. Special thanks to Dr. Soman Philip Chacko, our maintenance committee convenor, for all his leadership and coordination throughout the work

Light-to-Life Endowment Fund Collection

1. - As announced previously the Diocese is organizing a Light to Life endowment fund that is specifically to support and sustain the Light to Life mission activities for many years to come where many less fortunate children around the world may be blessed with access to education. To launch this endowment fund we have a well -wisher in our Diocese that is generously offering to match all contributions, up to $500,000, that is received for the Light to Life endowment fund through November 30th. Therefore there is a potential to start this endowment fund with up to $1,000,000.We request all members to prayerfully consider and generously contribute for this initiative. PLEASE NOTE when making a contribution by cash, check or online via Zeffy please specify the contribution to Light to Life Endowment fund. May our prayers and generous support be a blessing to many of those in our community and around the globe

Christmas Carol Rounding

1. - Christmas Carol Rounding schedule has been updated considering the funeral services this week. Carol Rounding will start on Friday, December 6th. The following is the updated schedule Carol Rounding Schedule:
    - - Friday December 6th – Prayer Group 6
      - Saturday December 7th – Prayer Group 5
      - Sunday December 8th – Prayer Group 3
      - Friday December 13th – Prayer Group 1
      - Saturday December 14th – Prayer Group 2 (Novi, South Lyon, W. Bloomfield, Farmington Hills)
      - Sunday December 15th – Prayer Group 4 (Canton, Plymouth, Northville)
      - Sunday December 22nd – Prayer Group 2 & 4 (Ann Arbor, Lansing, Ypsilanti)
    The carol rounding group is planning to visit all parish families. All families need to inform their area prayer group leaders whether the Carol Rounding group should visit their homes so that proper arrangements can be made. Families in Prayer Group 3, 5, and 6 need to inform prayer group leaders by this Wednesday November 27^th, We also need starting and ending homes for each day of carol rounding, if any families are interested please inform area prayer group leaders as well. If any further questions please contact Carol Rounding convenor Mr. Shawn Thomas or Secretary.
  - There will be Carol Rounding song practice today, November 24^th, after the service.

Church Safety Practices

Our church is a vibrant place, and our church building is utilized for activities almost every day of the week. From worship services and fellowship events to sub-organization meetings and maintenance work, it is encouraging to see our facilities being used so actively for the spiritual growth and well-being of our church.

With this frequent usage, it is important to emphasize that ensuring the security of the church is a shared responsibility. We kindly remind all members, especially office bearers, convenors, and sub-organization leaders, to take proper measures when leaving the church premises. This includes confirming that the church is closed appropriately or ensuring that a responsible individual is designated to do so.

When closing the church, please make sure to:

1. - - - Turn off all lights in the church and fellowship hall, including bathroom lights.
      - Switch off appliances, such as the sound system and TVs.
      - Ensure all emergency exits are closed (Main Sanctuary (2), Deacon Side Room (1), By Trustees Office (1), Stage side room (1))
      - Close and lock the main entrance doors in the front and rear.

We have experienced several incidents where lights and appliances were left on and/or doors were left open or unlocked overnight, and in some cases, for multiple days. These occurrences present a significant security risk. We ask all members to recognize the importance of this matter and to act responsibly so we can continue using our church and its facilities safely and effectively.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, please feel free to contact any of the parish office bearers.

Carmel Badminton Tournament – 2024

1. - Carmel Mar Thoma Center, Atlanta is organizing a Diocesan level Badminton Tournament on Saturday, December 7^th, 2024 at 9 am at the Carmel Gym in Stone Mountain, GA. There will be a Doubles Men and Doubles Women category for the tournament. Those interested to participate will need to register online. Registration fee is $100 per participant and $50 for non-playing members. Registration fee includes lunch and dinner on Saturday, Dec. 7^th. The tournament will also be followed by an enrichment session on Saturday evening. Prizes will be distributed the next day, Sunday Dec. 8^th after the service. All members of the Mar Thoma parishes within the diocese are welcome to participate This will bed a unique opportunity to visit the Carmel Center and connect with the Badminton lovers across the Diocese.Tournament Registration: https://forms.gle/7KUSX8PXVHe8aqoM8

Ecumenical Christmas Program

1. - Detroit Ecumenical Council’s 30th Christmas Program will be conducted on Dec 29th, Sunday 5PM at in our Fellowship Hall. The Ecumenical Christmas Carol Choir will be part of the program, those who would like to sing and be part of the Detroit Ecumenical Choir group are requested to provide their names to the parish secretary as soon as possible. First choir practice is scheduled for Friday, Oct 25th.

Edavaka Sangham List

1. - The 2024 Edavaka Sangham list which includes all parish members 18 years or older is published in the notice board. Please note the list is put in order by house number. All members are requested to review and please inform the Vicar or Secretary of any corrections.

Note from Trustees

1. - 2024 members’ contribution list as of October 31st is posted in the notice board. Requesting all members to please review the list. For any questions or corrections please contact the trustees.
  - Also a friendly reminder from the trustees as the end of the year is approaching all members must submit their contributions for 2024 by next month December. Contributions for 2024 will not be accepted in the new year. Requesting the kind cooperation of all members, thank you

Parish Events 2024

1. - Christmas Carol Rounding – Sat. November 30th to Sun. December 15^th
  - Christmas Carol Service – Sat. December 21^st

Refreshments

1. - Thanks to the refreshment committee for arranging today’s refreshments
  - Many families have not contributed this year for refreshments. Based on GB decision the minimum expected contribution is $100. Kindly requesting all families to submit their contribution as soon as possible to ensure the smooth functioning of refreshments distribution

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Rev. Santhosh Varughese for leading today’s service and Mr. Thomas Mathew Karunagappally for the message. Thank you to P. Chacko Achen, Lay leaders, and Choir for assisting in today’s service.

DMTC Family wishes all our fellow members celebrating their Birthday & Wedding Anniversary this coming week; May the Almighty Lord bless each one of you and your family in the new year & years ahead.

Please uphold our near & dear ones who are sick and those grieving the loss of their loved ones.

Thank you all for participating, have a blessed week.

Live Streaming of Church Events

Live streaming will be available on the church YouTube channel – https://youtube.com/@DetroitMarthomaChurch. After clicking the link, click on “Live” and find the livestream for the respective church event.

We will do our very best to live stream all church events, however as this is dependent on trained volunteers, there may be technical interruptions and occasions where live streaming is not available. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Zeffy – Online Payment Option

1. - Zeffy is a user-friendly platform for not-for-profit organizations that allows for one-time and reoccurring monthly contributions with a no transaction fee option. Contributions can be made with credit card, bank account, Apple or Google pay. We strongly encourage all members to utilize Zeffy for electronic payments. Our Trustees want to thank all the members who have utilized this method as this streamlines the financial activities of the parish.
    - Zeffy is available through the DMTC Mobile App or church website (link below):https://detroitmarthoma.org/main/resources-2/online-donation/
    - With this online payment option, Paypal will no longer be available as an online payment option. If any member has questions or would like additional assistance with Zeffy please contact our Trustee or Accountant, Mr. Jacob Thomas or Mr. Alan Thomas, at any time

Church Zoom Information

Zoom Meeting ID: 811 6679 1004 Password: 926644

1. - Zoom on computer
    - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81166791004?pwd=NU40ZGZmL2hSa29BSEhKMGZ4MTRqQT09
2. - From the Web Browser
    - https://us02web.zoom.us/wc/join/81166791004?pwd=NU40ZGZmL2hSa29BSEhKMGZ4MTRqQT09
3. - Dial-in
    - (US) +1 312 626 6799 and then enter the access code 811 6679 1004# and then# again and then the passcode 926644#
    - (Canada) +1 647 558 0588 and then enter the access code 811 6679 1004# and then# again and then the passcode 926644#

Admin Update

If you are currently not receiving emails from the church or would like to update your email address, please notify us by sending it to sec@detroitmarthoma.org. Send your name and address in the email so that we can identify you properly. Please visit the church website

Detroit Mar Thoma Church

Announcements – November 24, 2024