Jr Sr Conference NE Region

The North East Regional Sunday Schools hosted an exciting and spirituallyenlightening Jr. Sr. Conference for all North East Sunday School 5th-12th gradestudents on July 19th-22nd, 2012, at Ramapo College, NJ. Students learned and discussed what ‘taking a stand’ means, both Biblically and in their own lives.Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius opened the conference on Thursday,and challenged the students to emulate Biblical leaders to “Walk the Talk”.Speakers traveled from all corners of the world: India (Rev. Dr. M.C. Thomas),Canada (Dr. T.V. Thomas), Virginia (Rev. Jaisen Thomas), and Long Island (Rev.V.M. Mathew) to expound on the theme throughout the weekend.The conference also featured experts from the students’ own churches, whoparticipated in a fantastic “Bullying Panel.” Mr. Shaun Rajan of Long Island MTCand Mrs. Lisa Geevarughese of Bethany MTC kept the Junior’s section interactiveby discussing our role as Christians in a bullying situation. Mr. John C. Thomas of St. Thomas MTC and Mrs.Rena Titus of St. Johns MTC led the Senior’s through an invigorating and enlightening discussion on the personal and social ramifications of bullying. This year’s conference also introduced a number of new elements that glorified the various talents that God has blessed his children with. 1) All students were invited to participate in a “Name Game”, which was a 3-day icebreaking activity that and highlighted God’s gift of friendship. Each individual student was assigned 10 other students to locate, and successful students got a chance to win a prize! The Grand Prizes, Barnes and Noble Nooks, were kept secret until the drawing. Congratulations to all of the winners! Hope you made some new friends! 2) All students were invited to participate in an “Art Competition”, which gave a venue for the budding artists in our Mar Thoma Church to create and present their talent. Each student was given materials and the theme: Take a Stand. A local independent artist judged the art, and selected the winners. All winning art was framed and presented at the culmination of the conference. Special congratulations to the 11th and 12th grade First Place Winner, Betsey Abraham of Long Island MTC, for this detailed and thought provoking picture! 3) Prior to the conference, all Sunday Schools were invited to participate in a “Video Competition”. Under the supervision of the Vicar or Superintendent, students were asked to create a video that demonstrates what “Taking a Stand” means. The following videos made their debut viewing during the Opening night of the conference: Best Performance: Ebenezer Mar Thoma Church http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQGrbk6bQHc Best Musical Comedy: Long Island Mar Thoma Church (2 Parts) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swLMegA9GSY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeWkLzBNArg Best Picture: St. Johns Mar Thoma Church
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EgBE3nbTxk