Christmas

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will

be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
Volume 02 | Issue 12

DECEMBER 2022
Service Schedule & Acolytes
MERRY
CHRISTMAS
May Christmas bring joy to
your heart and happiness
to your home

MELBOURNECSICHURCH.ORG.AU
 St.Matthew’s &
November Melbourne CSI
2022 Vicar’s Report
He has made
everything beautiful
in its time. He has
also set eternity in
the human heart; yet
no one can fathom
what God has done
from beginning to
Having received the wisdom from above, King Solomon, the third King of
end. ancient Israel, wanted to profess his faith in God’s wisdom and glory that covers
the whole universe and time. Solomon probably was confronting the sceptic
Ecclesiastes.3:11 ideology of that time. Though he had God’s wisdom to rule the nation and his
reign had been a very prosperous one, he seems to be felt like as there was no
meaning in life. Everything under the Sun seems to be of vanity and
worthlessness. With all the amenities and comforts of life, people are distressed
and discontented.
In the epilogue of the book: Solomon summarises “Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for
this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecc.12:13-14). The
three important things to note in the given Bible verse are: things are: (1) God
has made everything beautiful; (2) God has put eternity in our hearts; and (3)
God has kept something in mystery and there are things yet to be revealed.
No human infant could know or recognise his/her parents, until they could
experience the warmth of love and care provided by the parents. It is also
important that the Parents reveal their relationship with the child by
continuous nearness and demonstration of care. Children slowly learn to
believe and understand who really their parents and care takers. Likewise, we
have to have personal relationship with God our creator and parent, to grow in
trust and belongingness. It is our privilege to have a loving Father, who
watches over and cares for us even though we may not recognise his presence
and his will in our lives.

God, the good shepherd knows us perfectly and he can see us where we are,
whatever be the circumstances. Many a times, we have observed, the tragic
situations we face are beyond recovery. We may think that nothing beneficial
can come out of those situations, yet this Shepherd who watches over us day
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and night, can turn the ugliest circumstance into something of beauty. Isa 61:3
says, “to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of
joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
Paul says in Romans 8:28 about God being able to work everything together
for good concerning those who love God.

The most significant thing to note is that our creator has implanted in us the
sense of eternity. Verse 11 shows that God gives a particular blessing to each
person with an awareness of eternity. This is because we all bear the image
and likeness of God. Eternity is our destiny. Eternity is our target and goal.
Eternity is God’s very nature and God has designed humanity with eternal
purpose. Eternity becomes our experience either for our greatest delight or our
greatest dread. Eternal life with God or Eternal Punishment with the devil.

We cannot fully comprehend at present what God is doing with our ‘times’.
The one thing that we know for sure is that every action of ours will have
consequences in eternity. So let us organise our lives to please our God who
wants to see in us the redeemed image of humanity in Christ. 1 John 3:1 says,
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called
children of God! And that is what we are!”

As we have entered in to the last month of this year, let us hopefully look
forward to God’s definite guidance and blessings in our spiritual journey and
finally to reach the beautiful shore. May the Spirit of God help us to be his
children living in this world with the hope and assurance of eternal life.

Wishing you a very blessed Christmas and a happy New Year.

Rev. Kurian Peter.

Worship Life.
The regular church services have taken place and we could see new
members attending the worships especially in the Anglican
services. All the organisations of the church contributed towards
the beauty and blessing of our worship gatherings by their
presence, leading and involvement in the various spiritual activities
of our parish.

World Sunday School Day.

The first Sunday the 06th of
November was observed as
World Sunday School Day and
children led the service and sang
beautiful songs. Daniel Cherian
gave the sermon on ““What then
is this child going to be?”

I do thank and appreciate the

parents and the Sunday School
teachers for bringing up our
children in the fear of the Lord
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and in Christian faith and nurture. Special thanks to the Sunday

School Secretary Mr. Justin Israel and all the leaders and teaches
for their untiring efforts and commitment to the Christian
educational ministry of the parish.

The Sunday School assessments were held on Sunday the12th of

November and most of our children could participate. Special
thanks to parents and teachers for preparing them for this year’s
assessments. Awards will be distributed later.

Confirmation Service.

Three candidates were taught and trained by the Vicar Rev.Kurian

Peter in the basic faith and order of Christian church, biblical
survey, Creeds, Ten Commandments, Lord’s Prayer and
Confession prayers and also the brief history of the church
especially that of CSI. Happy to say that they have accepted Jesus
Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord.

They were confirmed in Christian faith during the Confirmation

service held on Friday the 18th of November 2022.
Rt.Rev.B.N.Fenn , Bishop in CSI, Diocese of Cochin, led the
service and confirmed them by the laying of hands.
Andrew Anand, Daniel Cherian, and Sarosh Sajeev have been
commissioned to be the communicant and witnessing members of
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the church. The bishop interacted with the candidates and prayed
with them before the service.

Sarosh and Krupa read bible portions during the service. A Bible
and certificate of Confirmation was handed over to them by the
bishop. Manoj David, the secretary of MCSI welcomed the newly
confirmed children on behalf of the congregation, to our
fellowship. They received their first communion from the bishop
and the vicar on the same day.

The MCSI Choir led the music and the Pastorate committee
arranged everything required for the smooth conduct of the service.
I thank them for the leadership and assistance. Mr. Anand
Varghese gave a vote of thanks representing the parents of the first
communicants. There was dinner arranged for everyone after the
service. Special thanks to the concerned families for providing
special dinner on the day. I congratulate Andrew, Daniel and
Sarosh on this special and blessed occasion and welcome them
once again to the MCSI community of the faithful. May God bless
them and their future Christian living.
 5

Holy Baptism
The Baptismal Service of Hanna Mary Varghese
D/o Sunish Varghese and Sanjana Jacob was held
on Saturday the 19th of November 2022 at our
church. Rt.Rev.B.N. Fenn baptized the child and
Sakhi Kochamma was also present. May God bless
the baby and the family.
 6

Annual Thanksgiving and Harvest Festival.

The Annual Thanks giving and the Harvest Festival of MCSI was
held on Sunday the 20th of December 2022. St.Matthew’s members
had placed at the altar, fruit baskets during the morning service and
it was a sign of corporate acknowledgement of God’s providence
to our parish ministries.
The MCSI Harvest Festival thanksgiving service started at 10.45
a.m. and the chief celebrant of the Holy Eucharist was
Rt.Rev.B.N.Fenn, bishop in CSI Diocese of Cochin. Thirumeni
also gave the Festival message reiterating the Christian attitude of
gratitude. Rev.Kurian Peter assisted the service. The MCSI Choir
presented a special Malayalam song of the harvest and Bishop’s
wife, Sakhi Kochamma sang a beautiful Malayalam hymn.

There was a good gathering of church members and some of them

together with their friends and relatives joined the celebrations,
Auction, sales and games organized by the different spiritual
organizations of our church. The first fruits were brought by
thePastorate Committee members and placed at the Altar.
 7

Rt.Rev.B.N.Fenn,

Bishop in CSI Diocese of Cochin

 8

Sakhi Kochamma presented to MCSI some gifts from CSI

Karunalayam, which were the handy works of the mentally
challenged children under the Diocesan Care. 12 children of
Karunalayam are supported this year by some of the MCSI
families.

The Women’s Fellowship had already started preparing for their

items for auction and sale. They prepared Fish Pickles,
Kuzhalappam, Aval Vilayichathu, different home made snacks etc,
 9

The Men’s Fellowship with Parotta and Beef Curry and there was
special Ginger wine from Parsonage.

The Young family fellowship had put a stall named ‘MCSI

Thattukada’ with live preparations of different eatables, Snacks,
Tea / Coffee / Ice-creams and so on.
 10

Every organizations contributed to the Festival in different ways

and it all added to the sales and auctions.
Kids had lots of fun activities and games and some youth
entertained them with face painting.
 11

All families participated in the festival with joy and unity.

 12

Special word of thanks to Mr. Manoj David, MCSI Secretary and

Mr. Anand Varghese, Harvest Festival Coordinator for their
leadership and commitment. We had a reasonable income
generated through the festival and it was a great day of
commitment and honouring God with the given resources.

MCSI receives VCC Membership.

Victorian Council of churches (VCC) is an important ecumenical
organization consisting of different Christian denominations in the
state of Victoria. We had no membership till now but fortunately
after many official correspondence and communication, the council
granted membership to MCSI on Wednesday the 23rd of November
in their general body meeting held at Welsh Church office.
 13

Dr. Graeme Blackman AO, the

President of VCC, presented the
certificate. Mr.Ashok John
Varkey and Mr. Manoj David
represented our congregation.
This will make a way to get more
recognition to our congregation
in the ecclesial circles in the
coming years.

The MOU
The memorandum of Understanding is due for it renewal and the
three parties engaged in this is the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne,
the St.Matthew’s Anglican Church and the Melbourne CSI. In this
latest MOU to be signed by all, the sponsorship of the incoming
vicar is to be done by the ADOM and the Incumbency committee
consisting the representatives of all parties will interview three
pastors representing the next Diocese in turn and select one to be
the next Vicar of the Parish. Next Diocese to represent is CSI East
Kerala Diocese.

St.Matthew’s AGM

The annual general body meeting of St.Matthew’s was held on

Sunday the 27th November 2022 after the combined service. The
reports and Accounts were passed and the budget for 2022-23 is
also accepted. New Vestry members are nominated and
constituted. Thanks to all the previous Vestry members, warden
Margaret Holt, Secretary Leonie Cartledge, Treasurer Brij Bhasi
Singh for their great commitment and dedicated service to the
parish. Rev. Kurian Peter chaired the meeting and concluded with
prayer and benediction.
 14

Festival of Carols

MCSI Christmas Carol

Service was held on Saturday the 26th of November 2022 at 06.30
pm. The church was beautifully decorated and I thank all those
who assisted in this year’s Christmas decorations especially Manoj
David, Renji Cherian, Ashok John Varkey, Rinju Abraham, Joash
Rajesh, Krupa Elsa, Daniel Cherian, Rebeca Cherian, and Kepha
Kurian. Special thanks to Sujith and Christy for arranging Crib at
the Narthex. A new Christmas Tree full of lights was purchased
and set inside the church.
The MCSI Choir, Junior Choir and St.Matthew’s members
presented beautiful carols and the Sunday School children sang a
special Christmas song.

 15

Rev. Sandy Boyce, Executive Secretary to the Victorian Council of

Churches was the chief guest for the Festival of Carols and she
gave the Christmas message. The main carols were taught and
trained by Mr.Ashok John Varkey and Mr.Geo Peter who also
conducted the music. Special thanks and appreciation to them for
preparing the choir for this year’s carols. Junior Choir was trained
by Mr. Ashok John Varkey and Graceline Justin. Mr.Toney
Varghese and Ms. Jeline together did the emceeing. I thank them
all for the talents shared and for the hard work and commitment.
 16

Bible Readings were done by Leonie Cartledge, Roy Samuel,

Prisha Ammanna and Ron Jacob.

A Tamil Song was presented by the members of St.Matthew’s

 17

Rev. James George offered the prayers dedicating the offertory.

Christmas gifts were distributed to kids by the Sunday School

‘Silent Night’ was sung with the small candles lit.

There was a Surprise gift named ‘Star of Ashburton’ and also

special prizes to all children who attended.

 18

Santa Claus entertained the gathering.

Thanks to the Youth fellowship for organizing


Rev.Sandy Boyce was presented with a Memento
recognizing her presence and ministry among us.
 19

Vote of thanks was done by the Choir Secretary, Graceline

Sathyadas and the church thank her for the leadership and
commitment. Thanks to Daniel Justin, David Varkey John,
Jonathan Abraham John and Geo Peter for instrumental music.
Special thanks to James Rajesh and Justin for technical assistance.
There was a time of fellowship and refreshments after the service.
Thanks to the Pastorate Committee for the leadership and Men’s
Fellowship for all the arrangements.

Obituary
St.Matthew’s member
Anitha Stanley’s father,
Joseph Ponnudurai,
passed away on 22nd
November 2022. He was
77 years old. He was a
great man of God and
have been attending our
church services regularly
for a few months since
they as family joined our
congregation. His wife is
Leena Joseph.

Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Requesting your prayers and support for the family as they go
through times of deep sorrow. May the peace of Christ surround
them all.
 20

Have a wonderful Christmas.

 Organisation News

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP
Youth Fellowship meets fortnightly on Tuesdays through zoom platform and study the Bible.
Encourage all youngsters of our parish to participate in the activities of the Youth Fellowship.
For further details, please contact Mr. Geo Peter.

CHOIR
Parish Choir meets for practice every Sunday after the Holy Communion Service at the church.
For further details please contact Mrs Gracelin Justin.

SUNDAY SCHOOL
Regular Sunday School classes are held every Sunday before the Holy Communion Service at the rear
hall of the church.
Contact: Mr Justin Israel for further details.

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP
The women of our church meet third Sunday of every month after the service at the church.
Encourage all women in our parish to participate in the activities of the Women’s Fellowship.
For further details, please contact Mrs. Jessymole Justin.

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP
The Men’s Fellowship meets fourth Sundays of every month after the service at the church.
For further details, please contact Mr Renji Cherian.

YOUNG FAMILIES' FELLOWSHIP

The Young Familes' Fellowship meets second Sundays of every month after the service at the church.
For further details, please contact Ms Aparna Anna.

FASTING PRAYER MINISTRY

Our Vicar and some members meet every Fridays at 10:30am at the church for fasting prayer.

COTTAGE PRAYER
Cottage prayers are held once every month at 07:00pm at the residence of a church member.
Encourage all members to participate in the prayer meetings.
For further details, please contact Mrs Dhanya Rajesh.
 Melbourne CSI Church
LIST OF MEETINGS FOR THE MONTH
DECEMBER 2022

For detailed information: www.melbournecsichurch.org.au

Call Rev. Kurian: 0447 438 900 or secretary@melbournecsichurch.org.au
 Join Us For

CHRISTMAS & YEAR

END SERVICES

24 December, 2022 @ 11:00 pm Christmas Eve Service [English]

25 December, 2022 @ 09:15 am Christmas Service [English]
31 December, 2022 @ 10:30 pm Witnessing Session
31 December, 2022 @ 11:30 pm Watchnight Service & Covenant

Service with Holy Communion
01 January, 2023 @ 09:15 am New Year Service [English]

melbournecsichurch.org.au
BIRTHDAYS

God Created You with his own hands; He Knows your name and your thoughts; He
Blesses you with life, with love; And the joy of another year to know him.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

May the Almighty God continue to bless your family abundantly in the coming
years. May you be an inspiration and example for others in the days to come.
WISHING ALL CELEBRANTS HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!
 MCSI LIFE
NEWSLETTER OF THE MELBOURNE CSI CHURCH

For more information, please contact

Rev Kurian Peter Mr Manoj David Mr James Rajesh
(Vicar) (Secretary) (Webmaster)
Mob: 0447 438 900

vicar@melbournecsichurch.org.au secretary@melbournecsichurch.org.au admin@melbournecsichurch.org.au

Melbourne CSI Church Inc., 334 High St, Ashburton Vic 3147
MCSI GENERAL FUND MCSI BUILDING FUND MCSI MISSION FUND
ACCOUNT DETAILS ACCOUNT DETAILS ACCOUNT DETAILS

A/c Name: Melbourne CSI Church A/c Name: Melbourne CSI Church A/c Name: Melbourne CSI Church
BSB: 063-244 BSB: 063-103 BSB: 063-103
A/c No. 10662876 A/c No. 10450633 A/c No. 10450625

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