Programs

DIOCESAN PROGRAMS REGIONAL PROGRAMS

ECUMENICAL PROGRAMS PARISH PROGRAMS

COIN BOX COLLECTION

SUNDAY SCHOOL/MULTIPURPOSE BUILDING

DIOCESAN PROGRAMS

REGIONAL PROGRAMS

ECUMENICAL PROGRAMS

PARISH PROGRAMS

COMBINED WORSHIP SERVICE AND RECEPTION MEETING

His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma and His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitans along with our Diocesan Thirumeni will be visiting Chicago in May. As you all know, in connection with the 90th birthday of our Valia Thiruemeni, the church is constructing 1,500 homes for the homeless in various parts of India and 90 houses in our adopted Mexican Island. The Bishops’ visit coincides with the handing over of keys for the finished houses in Mexico, as our Valia Thirumeni’s vision becomes a reality.

Per Kalpana from our Diocesan Thirumeni, the three Chicago area Mar Thoma churches are in the planning phase of a combined worship service followed by a reception meeting to honor our bishops followed by lunch for everyone. We have extended invitation to several dignitaries and other Midwest MT churches to witness the auspicious and rare occasion. Details of the event are as follows:

When: Sunday, May 25, 2008
Where: Evanston Township High School Auditorium
1600 Dodge Ave., Evanston, IL 60201
Tel: (847) 424-7200
Programs: 9 – 11:30 a.m. – Combined Holy Qurbana
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Reception Meeting
Lunch

Please pray for the safe travel of our Thirumenis, come, and be blessed.

Rev. Daniel Varghese
Convener

BUILDING PROJECT

The General Body which met on November 18, 2007 approved the proposed Building Plan and Construction. The main features of the Building Plan include the following:

A) 56’ X 43’ addition to the west of the current building

B) 14’ X 41’ for the south side entrance

C) New 14’ X 12’ Vestry in the front south side of the Madhuba

D) New 44’ X 30’ Balcony

E) New washrooms

F) New entrance

G) New Audio and Video system

Benefits of addition

- Sanctuary expansion – 140 – 160 additional seats

- Additional 100+ seats if needed in the sanctuary level

- Additional 2500 sq. ft. of space for Sunday School

- Sunday School and Kitchen will be separated by a door

- Washrooms in the entrance level and additional washrooms in the basement

- Larger Balcony

- Larger Lobby

- New flat screen display panels and fixed projector screen

- New Vestry

- 2 Entrances to the Basement to avoid congestion

- All additions will comply with current city building code – sprinkler system

We have submitted the blueprint to the city for approval. We are expecting to

obtain the permit by mid-August and construction can begin shortly after we get

the permit. Please pray and earnestly support the project so we may glorify

God.

Land acquisition - At the city hearing on April 14, the plan commission denied the

seller’s plan to sub-divide and sell one lot to our church for use as a parking lot.

We are evaluating other options and next steps.

Rev. Daniel Varghese

COIN BOX COLLECTION

SUNDAYSCHOOL/MULTIPURPOSE BUILDING