Date: 05-11-2020

santhwanam – 2020

Dear All

The global catastrophe created by the Covid-19 pandemic has severely impacted each one of our lives.
We must overcome this unparalleled crisis with Christ. As survival is important and inevitable, let us hold
hands in unity to rebuild our society together.

As a Parish, let us uphold each other and build new communes with care, kindness and loving compassion.
Let us become beacons of hope and expectation.

At this time, fond memories of our Harvest Festivals fill our minds. The Parish Harvest Festival was the
joyous culmination of months of prayer, preparation and perseverance. The Harvest Festival was a great
opportunity to express gratitude for the blessings received and a time to celebrate our fellowship by
sharing. However, this year we are unable to make arrangement for an elaborate Harvest Festival due to
the COVID-19 restrictions. As we all know the revenue from the Harvest Festival was the main source of
fund for our annual humanitarian activities, as well as the day-to-day running of our Parish.

Last year the Parish was able to construct five houses for flood afflicted families in Kerala and do many
other charitable activities using the money raised through the Harvest Festival.

In light of this year’s difficult circumstance, let each of us proactively participate in the Parish’s activities by
keeping apart our “Tithe”. A portion of the amount raised from the Tithe offering of the parishioners will
be used for the Kumbanad Kidney Dialysis Centre, as well as to meet the needs of the Church’s social
institutions, old age homes and orphanages. Some amount will also be used to meet the daily expenditure
of the parish.

It is not important how big or small our tithe offering is, rather it is important to ensure that we earnestly
participate by giving as we can. Let us remember with gratitude how miraculously the Lord has led us even
in these difficult days.

As Abel’s sacrifice….
As Noah’s offering….
As Aaron’s incense….
May our contribution be acceptable in God’s sight.
The Tithe offering may be given to the Prayer Group leader or the Parish Trustee by January 15th, 2021.

We request your heartfelt prayers and sincere participation in this endeavor.

“This too shall pass” as we become the compassionate hands of Christ. Let us serve even as we sanitize,
let us keep our hearts open even as we mask our faces, let us hold each other close even as we maintain
social distance.

For The Mar Thoma Church Abu Dhabi.

Mathew. T. M.

Parish Secretary