Main Events of Church of South India Congregation of Great Lakes

Main Events

Since The Inception Of Our Congregation

In September 1990, our congregation was officially inaugurated even though the congregation was started in May 1990 . All the pastors and members from the local congregations of Indian origin as well as the pastor and members of the First United Methodist Church participated in the inaugural service. This was the first worship service ever held in the Detroit area with the participation of all the churches of Indian origin. By this we were reverberating the CSI motto and the message that "we are one in Christ".

We started a Sunday School for our Children and a Youth Fellowship for our youths. We organized a Choir group with Mr. George Chandy (Kottayam) as Choir Master and Mr. Bobi Chandy (Kollakadavu) as Organist. We held our first Christmas carol service. Our choir presented radiant carols. Many local Indian Christians attended the service. The Sunday School Children and the Youth presented many skits. Our congregation advanced beyond survival to revival. Every body prayed earnestly and fervently. Our vision and mission to uphold each other in all necessities was embedded deep into our small congregation.

In 1991, Our congregation elected a Church committee. We started a Women's Fellowship group. Bishop RT. Rev. Dr. M.C. Mani - Bishop of CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese visited us and confirmed 10 youngsters during a confirmation service. This marked another history in our congregation. Again many CSI pastors and members from Chicago, Canada and members and pastors from all the local churches of Indian origin attended the service. Our members attended the annual North American CSI Family and Youth Conference held in New Jersey. We also became an integral part of the CSI North American Council. We held our annual picnic. The Choir presented vibrant carols during Christmas Carol service and house to house Christmas caroling. We also started to support various CSI missions in India. We also started a thanksgiving service with special offertory to help various missions in India. We instituted a thanksgiving and dedication service at midnight of December 31. The congregation's spiritual growth was astounding. New members who joined our congregation :Philip Sam & family (Kollakadavu)

In 1992, Rev. Christopher Kurian was about to complete his Doctoral studies and was about to return to India. We were left with the task of obtaining the assistance of a pastor. He briefed us the details of one of our members Mr. Itty Mathews. The Presbyter suggested that Mr. Mathews will be an asset to our congregation if he becomes a Reverend. Our congregation apprised the CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese about our intention with Mr. Mathews permission. Rt. Rev. M.C. Mani Bishop responded positively. Thus our congregation made all the arrangements for Mr. Mathews' Deacon and Presbyter ordination. The Moderator Most Rev. Victor Prem Sagar and Bishop Rt. Rev. M.C. Mani officiated the ceremonies. This was a giant leap by our congregation and Rev. Itty Mathews became our presbyter. We held regular cottage prayer meetings, the unifying force behind us, on Saturdays. We held our first annual convention during the summer. Members attended the family conference held in Chicago. We presented first-rate programs during the conference. We held our annual picnic, Christmas Carol service and house to house Christmas caroling. We decided to set apart our thanksgiving offertory exclusively for missionary activities in India. We held our thanksgiving and dedication service at midnight, December 31. New members who joined our congregation: K.I. Varghese & Family (Nedungadappally), Benaud Issac & Family (Nedungadappally)

In 1993, Our congregation held an annual convention. Pastors and members from various local churches attended in large numbers. We held cottage prayer regularly on Saturdays. We held our annual convention during summer time. We held picnics with various sports and games. We had an elated joined VBS program with the Detroit Marthoma Church. Members attended the family conference held in Dallas. We had a united Worship service with the Toronto CSI church in London, Canada. Our youth group held special programs on mothers' and father's days. The youth group had a joined retreat with adjoining CSI youths. They had combined youth meetings and recreational activities with Toronto and Chicago CSI youths. The women's group was also very active. Our Christmas Carol service was a blessing to every one. Sunday school children and youth group presented various Christmas melodramas after carol service. Members from adjoining churches participated in it. We proclaimed the message of Christmas during our house to house caroling. We held our thanksgiving and dedication service at midnight, December 31.

In 1994, Members attended the family conference held in Toronto. CSI North American Council was inaugurated in New York. Our Congregation became a chartered member of the CSI North American Council. Our secretary Bobi Chandy became the treasurer of the Council. We had a successful combined VBS program with the Marthomite Church. Our youth group held special programs on mothers' and father's days. The women's group was very active. They held a special women' s Sunday. We held an annual convention, picnic, Thanksgiving service, Christmas Carol service and house to house caroling. Sunday school children presented various talent shows during the year. We held our thanksgiving and dedication service on December, 31 midnight to equip everybody to face the tasks ahead. New families who joined our congregation: Mathew Oommen & family (Mundathanam), Gladson Stephen (Quilon), Joyce Jacob & family (Kottayam), Mathai John & family (Mallappally).

In 1995, Our congregation hosted the first annual regional retreat in Port Huron. Mr. Bobi Chandy was the convener. Rt. Rev. Michael John from Toronto was the main Speaker. CSI Congregation Chicago, Christ Church Chicago, and CSI Church Toronto participated in it. We had separate meetings for adults, youths and Children. A choir festival was also conducted. Our members also attended the family conference held in Dallas. Bobi Chandy became executive member of the CSI North American Council. Madhya Kerala diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Sam Mathew visited us and during the confirmation service, three of our youngsters were confirmed . Two children were baptized during the year. We had a successful combined VBS program with the Marthoma Church. Our youth group held special programs on mothers' and father's days. Our Congregation took the lead and primarily organized an ecumenical Christmas carol program with many Detroit area Malayalee Christan churches for the first time in Detroit area. Our Choir and Sunday School children presented one of the best programs. We proclaimed the message of Christmas during our house to house caroling. We held our annual Christmas carol service and members from other local churches participated in the program. We held our thanksgiving and dedication service at midnight, December 31.New families who joined our congregation: Alwyn D. Mundakkal & family (Trichur), Anil Jacob (Pallam, Kottayam), Praveen Gomer & family(Calicut).

In 1996, Our members attended the regional retreat in Chicago and the family conference in New York. Bajee Thomas became executive member of the CSI North American Council. Our congregation went through a lot of turmoil. Rev. Itty Mathews left the congregation and his church responsibilities. In spite of all the bafflement, our congregation held the faith, prayed and worked together as a family. The Moderator The Most Rev. Dr. Vasant P. Dandin entrusted Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Sam Mathew to come, inquire and make a decision. The Bishop after the meeting asked Rev. T.C. Varghese from CSI Christ church, Chicago to assist us in Pastoral care and we were under his assistance. Bishop Sam Mathew took special interest in the affairs of the Congregation and provided pastoral care ever since. Our Choir and Sunday School children presented one of the best programs during the Ecumenical Christmas program. We held our Thanksgiving service and the amount collected was sent for missionary work in India. We held our annual Christmas carol service and members from other local churches participated in the program. We proclaimed the message of Christmas during our house to house caroling. We held our thanksgiving and dedication service at midnight, December 31.

In 1997, Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Sam Mathew appointed Rev. Jacob K. Idicula, an young Presbyter from Kerala as the presbyter of our Congregation. The Presbyter took charge of the congregation in May. He was also studying for M.Div in the Michigan Theological Seminary. The Presbyter instilled a new life in the congregation. More members started to attend the regular family prayer meetings. Special services were held during passion week. Our Choir and Sunday School children presented very good programs during the Ecumenical Christmas program. We held our Thanksgiving service and the amount collected was sent for missionary work in India. We proclaimed the message of Christmas during our house to house caroling. We held our annual Christmas carol service and members from other local churches participated in the program. We held our thanksgiving and dedication service at midnight, December 31.New families who joined our congregation: Jacob Chacko (Kumbanadu)

In 1998, special services were held during Choir Sunday, youth, Sunday school and Women's Sunday. Youths, Sunday school children and women were given the opportunity to actively involve in various aspects of the service. The youth and Sunday school children performed various skits after the service. The VBS was very successful. We held our annual picnic during summer time. Our Choir and Sunday School children presented one of the best programs during the Ecumenical Christmas program. We held our Thanksgiving service and the amount collected was sent for missionary work in India. We proclaimed the message of Christmas during our house to house caroling. We held our annual Christmas carol service and members from other local churches participated in the program. We held our thanksgiving and dedication service at midnight, December 31.New families who joined our congregation: Vinod Victor and family (Madras, Chennai)

In 1999, Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Sam Mathew visited our congregation and confirmed four youngsters during a confirmation service. Special services were held during Choir Sunday, youth, Sunday school and Women's Sunday. Youths, Sunday school children and women were given the opportunity to get trained in various aspects of the service and to take active role in the service. The youth and Sunday school children performed various skits after the service. The annual picnic was held during the summer. We held special services during passion week. We held our Thanksgiving service and the amount collected was sent for missionary work in India. We proclaimed the message of Christmas during our house to house caroling. Members from other local churches attended our Christmas carol program. The choir and Sunday school presented various programs during ecumenical gathering. We held our thanksgiving and dedication service at midnight, December 31.New families who joined our congregation: Robin Mundakkal and family (Trichur)

In 2000, Rev. Jacob K. Idicula completed his studies and returned to to India with his family after three years of service in our congregation. He was posted to CSI church in Santa Cruz, Bombay. Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Sam Mathew appointed Rev. Sam Mathew Kavungal, an young, very talented and energetic Presbyter. He took charge of the congregation in May. He also joined the Michigan Theological Seminary for D. MIn program. He gave a new spirit and enthusiasm to our members from the young to the oldest. He started a fasting prayer meeting on Saturdays. He rejuvenated the Choir, Sunday school and the youth group. The Choir held a dedication service. The pastor arranged various outdoor activities for the youth. The Youth held their youth Sunday. They were given the opportunity to take active part in the service. The Sunday school Sunday was held. Children were trained in the various aspects of service. Children performed various programs after service. The annual VBS was very successful. We held our Thanksgiving service and the amount collected was sent for missionary work in India. We proclaimed the message of Christmas during our house to house caroling. We held our annual Christmas carol service and members from other local churches participated in the program. The youths and Sunday school children presented various programs after service. We held our thanksgiving and dedication service at midnight, December 31.New families who joined our congregation. New families who joined our congregation: Jacob Mathews and family (Alleppey).

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