Announcements – December 1, 2024 – Detroit Mar Thoma Church

Vodcast

Sermon Link – Meeting of Virgin Mary and Elizabeth – Mutual acceptance of two partners in God’s salvation plan (Rev. Santhosh Varughese)

Condolences

Detroit Mar Thoma Church expresses our deepest condolence at the very sad demise of Mrs. Annamma Mathai, mother of our member Mrs. Annamma Chacko on Sunday, November 24th in Kerala. Funeral service was held on Tuesday November 26^th. May our Almighty Lord grant the family strength and comfort them with His peace

General Body Notice

The General Body Meeting of the Detroit Mar Thoma Church will be held today 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. - December 4 (Wednesday)
    - 7 PM: Intercessory Prayer (via Zoom)
  - December 6 (Friday)
    - 10:30 AM: Fasting Prayer (via Zoom)
  - December 7 (Saturday)
    - 9 AM: Sunday School Christmas Carol Program Practice (Laurus Academy gym)
  - December 8 (Sunday)
    - 8:45 AM: Sunday School (no morning session) – PLEASE NOTE THE TIME CHANGE
    - 9:30 AM: Holy Communion Service in English (celebrated by His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan)
    - After Service: Felicitation meeting (35th year anniversary of Metropolitan’s Episcopal consecration)
    - After Felicitation meeting: Sunday School Christmas Carol Program Practice

Metropolitan Visit

1. - As announced His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan will be visiting our parish this week. Thirumeni is scheduled to arrive Wednesday, Dec. 4^th, at noon in Detroit Metro Airport. On Sunday, December 8^th. 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. Requesting all members to participate.

Christmas Carol Service

1. - Our Christmas Carol Service will be held on Saturday, December 21st at 5 pm at our church. Rev. Varghese P. Jospeh, Vicar of CSI Congregation of Great Lakes, will deliver the Christmas message. The service will include songs from our Malayalam and English Choirs and special presentation from our Sunday School and Carol Rounding group. All parish members are requested to prayerfully participate in this blessed service.

Sunday School

1. - Sunday School Christmas Carol Program practices will continue this weekend:
    - Saturday, December 7^th from 9 – 11 am at the Laurus Academy gym next door. SS students will meet at the church and walk together to the gym.
    - Sunday, December 8^th after the felicitation meeting with Metropolitan at the church.

Youth Group

1. - 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, registration link below. Early registration ends December 1st.Link: https://forms.gle/6cA5Gn8YDXx75tiy8
  - Diocesan Leadership Conference hosted by our DMTC Youth Group will be held on January 2-5th, 2025. Application submission for the conference was extended to today Sunday, December 1^st. For those who already applied, please check your emails from DYF; if you were approved, please fill out the registration form. The last day for early registration is Friday, December 6th.Also our youths are asking for help in volunteering, housing, transportation, and financial donations. Please contact Sanya Bency or Abigail Shinoj if you are able to help. Requesting prayers and support from church members for the DLC.

Christmas Carol Rounding

- - Christmas Carol Rounding schedule has been set and will start on Friday, December 6th. The following is the updated schedule Carol Rounding Schedule:
    - - Friday December 6th – Prayer Group 6 – (Starting at 5:30 pm at the residence of Mr. P. K. Thomaskutty & family in Shelby Township, MI)
      - Saturday December 7th – Prayer Group 5 – (Starting at 2:30 pm at the residence of Mr. & Mrs. K.C Chacko in Sterling Heights, MI)
      - Sunday December 8th – Prayer Group 3 – (Starting at 3:30 pm at the residence of Mr. Jacob Thomas & family in Bloomfield Hills, MI)
      - 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)
    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 1,2, and 4 need to inform prayer group leaders by this Wednesday December 4^th if they haven’t already. 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.
    
    We kindly request to consider your Christmas contribution this year. For those families that will not visited by the Carol Rounding group please submit your Christmas contribution by cash, check or online through Zeffy any time this month.
    
    If any further questions please contact Carol Rounding convenor Mr. Shawn Thomas or Secretary.

Sevika Sanghom

1. - Diocesan Sevika Sanghom will be hosting an online meeting for our Christmas Celebration on December 12^th at 8:00 PM EST. Christmas Message will be delivered by Diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos Episcopa. All Sevika Sanghom members are requested to attend.

Sub-Organization General Body / Annual Report

1. - A friendly reminder to all sub-organizations, as we are approaching the end of the year please prepare annual reports and schedule sub-organization General Body meetings with the Vicar as early as possible so that our annual church General Body meeting may be prepared for and conducted in a timely manner. We thank you for your cooperation.

Vicar’s WhatsApp App Status

1. - Our Vicar’s WhatsApp services has been restored. Thanks to the Trustees for supporting with the troubleshooting. Parish members may resume to contact Santhosh Achen through WhatsApp as they were previously. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

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

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.

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.

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 and thanks to Miss Debbie George for supporting with sponsoring.
  - 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 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
  - From the Web Browser
    - https://us02web.zoom.us/wc/join/81166791004?pwd=NU40ZGZmL2hSa29BSEhKMGZ4MTRqQT09
  - 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 – December 1, 2024