GUJARAT MISSION DAY CELEBRATIONS & CHINCHLI PRAYER HALL DEDICATION

On 29th& 30th September, 2017
Gujarat Mission Day was celebrated on 29th & 30th Sept. 2017 at Shanti Niketan Ashram, Ahwa, Dang Dist. of Gujarat State with the blessings of Almighty God, by the Diocesan Episcopa Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Thirumeni in the presence of Diocesan Secretary Rev. Gijy Thomas, Diocesan Treasurer Mr. P. K. Achenkunju, MTVEA Diocesan Office bearers, Council Members, Achens of Gujarat Centre, Office bearers of MTVEA, Parish Members of Gujarat Centre and other dignitaries. It was a pleasant and memorable occasion to Gujarat Centre and all mission supporters.

On Friday the 29th September the celebrations started in the Shanti Niketan Ashram with arrival of Achens of Ahmedabad & Baroda and the Centre Office bearers. Thirumeni arrived by road from Surat accompanied by Rev. Saji Thomas and Rev. Joby Korthu by 2 PM. Thirumeni utilised the time to have a glimpse of the live stock of the Ashram, little bit of farming in the compound and to see the boundaries of the landscaping. Thirumni analyzed the immediate steps to improve farming, rain water harvesting and plantation in and around the mission compund. Two teams from Mumbai, including Rev. Gigy Thomas, Diocesan Secretary and Mr. P. K. Achen Kunju, Diocesan Treasurer, MTVEA Diocesan Secretary Mr. Raju Iype and Council Members arrived as planned and informed.
On Friday, 29th Sept., 2017
Dedication of Chinchli Prayer Hall.
Chinchli Village is 35 KM away from Shanti Niketan Ashram, Ahwa surrounded by Rocky Mountains and beautiful village where we have 35 families consisting of around 150 believers. At 4.00 p.m. a team of about 25 laymen and clergy of Mumbai and Gujarat Centre followed His Lordship to Chinchli Village. It took 45 minutes to reach Chinchli as the road is highly zig-zag, ascending and descending through exclusive forest area. All the believers were eagerly and anxiously waiting to see Thirumeni and the team of clergy and laity. Believers of the village welcomed Thirumeni and the team in a very traditional way making everyone happy with very different pleasant feeling.

 

 

 

Dedication of Prayer hall started at 5 p.m. with singing songs with enthusiasm and spiritual thrust by believers in their own Dangi/Gujarati languages. Thirumeni very graciously dedicated the prayer hall, jointly with all the five Achens present, to worship the living God in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Thirumeni was much impressed by the strong faith of believers, which prompted Thirumeni to make announcement to give many required items to make the prayer hall beautiful and worth worshiping God. There were fellowship tea and photo session immediately after the service.

We extend our thanks and gratitude to Evg. Dharmeshbhai Vasava and family, Mr. Manaoj Mammachan, Mission Co-Ordinator for making all arrangements.
Team reached back at Shanti Niketan Ashram at 6.30 p.m. As there was no sufficient sunlight, tree plantation scheduled at 6.30 p.m. was postponed for the next day. On arrival, Thirumeni had a meeting with Hostel Children of the Ashram. Thirumeni interacted with the students and Ashram Staff. After the evening worship, the LAC of Shanti Niketan Ashram met at 7.30 p.m.
On Saturday, 30th Sept.2017
Gujarat Mission Day Celebration:
250 people including Achens representing all Parishes and congregations of Gujarat Centre attended the Celebrations.

The day’s programmes started with the Holy Qurbana by the Diocesan Episcopa at 7. 30 am.

Immediately after that General Body was held, this was followed by a public meeting. The General meeting consisted of Prayer, Singing session lead by Rev. Ashish T. George, Bible Study by Rev.Saji Thomas, Manager of STEMS, Surat. This was followed by cultural programmes of hostel students and a lucky draw.

Public meeting started at 11.15 a.m. Eva. Manoj Mammachen welcomed all present in the meeting. Local MLA Shri Mangalbhai Gamit, Shri Haresbhai, Jilla Panchayat Member and Smt. Alkaben Hira, Taluka Panchyat Member attended the meeting and well praised the social upliftment activities carried on through our Ahwa Mission.

Thirumeni in Anugraha Prabashanam appreciated the talents and discipline of Hostel children and the importance of the mission work in Ahwa. President of Centre MTVEA Rev. D. Sunil explained the mission activities. Rev. John C, Rev. Gigy Thomas and Mr. Raju Iype felicitated the meeting. Cultural programmes, Tribal dances of Hostel Children, Songs by Chinchli Villagers were added taste of the programme. Public meeting was attended by local Christian Community, Hostel children, believers from in and around Ahwa and especially all believers of Chinchilla village.

It is noteworthy and to appreciate Mr.Manoj Mammachan, Mrs. Smitty Manoj and the hostel staff members who took much interest and pain to prepare tasty food and all local arrangements.
The programmes concluded with a fellwoship lunch for all participants at 1.30 p.m. Thanks to Heavens for all providence and guidance to make the meet a blessing for all involved and the persons concerned with Ashram, Ahwa and Chinchli areas.

Rev.D.Sunil
President, MTVEA, Gujarat.