Volume 04 | Issue 03

March 2024
From
Vicar's Desk
March, 2024

Dearly beloved in Christ.

Warm greetings in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
I hope and believe that we all could experience the unfailing love and care of our Lord throughout
last month. As we are in the season of yet another Lent, let’s continue our faith journey with the Lord
spending more time in prayer and meditation. Allow the Word of God to interact with our life and
examine us to know who we are. In Psalm 119 verse 105 the Psalmist says, “Your word is a lamp to
my feet and a light to my path.” We should allow this light to pass through our life to see what is
within us. Only this light can reveal the unidentified, hidden stains deep within us that would shrink
our spiritual growth.
Ash Wednesday: Beginning of Lent
Ash Wednesday special service was held on 14th February at 7:30 pm. The service ended with the
vicar imprinting a cross on the forehead of people with the ash as a reminder that we are brought
out of the dust and will return to the dust.
Lenten special cottage prayers.
Lenten days special cottage prayers began with the first prayer at the vicarage on 16th Friday. This
will continue up to 22nd of March at different houses on each Fridays, evening 7:30pm.
Deanery meeting
The first meeting after the new dean took over the responsibility was held on 15th Thursday at St.
Philip’s Church Mount Waverly. The meeting started with a Bible study and followed by a Holy
communion service and later everyone sharing on their ministerial engagements, forth coming
church events and praying for one another.
Opinion poll.
An opinion poll was conducted among the church members to express their opinion on the
demand for changing the present Malayalam service time. As most of the families voted for a
change in the service time, the church committee has decided to bring this matter before the
Parish council and then to the half yearly general body meeting for ratification.
Parish Council Meeting
Parish Council meeting was held on 18th Sunday after the worship. Designated members from both
MCSI and St. Matthews attended this meeting and had fruitful discussions on various matters
concerning the future developments and ministries.
From
Vicar's Desk
continued....

Vicar’s Aged Care visit

Vicar’s monthly aged care visit was held on 20th Tuesday at Grand Cedar aged care home,
Ashburton. A holy communion service was conducted with 10 inmates attending. Mrs. Margret
Holt and Mrs. Leonie Cartledge also accompanied the vicar.
Harf Yearly General Meeting.
The half yearly general meeting of our parish was held on 25th February, Sunday after the service.
It was awesome to see a good number of church members attending the meeting and
contributing their views to the further growth of our parish. A major decision taken in this GM was
the change of Sunday Malayalam service from 8 am to 10:45 am and Sunday school starting at
9:30 am on every Sundays. I hope this change will definitely help many families to attend the
Sunday services regularly without fail.
Confirmation Service
The following candidates from both MCSI and St. Matthew’s Anglican church will be confirmed by
the Bishop Dr. Paul Barker on 17th of March in a special confirmation service.
Emmanuel Sam Joseph
Mevin Joshy
Rhenius Amarnath
Rohan Stanly
Alona Binu Paul
Lenitta Jobin
Joanna Rajesh
Rebecca Agnus Roy
Rebecca Cherian
Sharon Sajeev
I request the church members to uphold them in your prayers and attend the confirmation
service without fail.
The month of March ends with the celebration of our Lord’s passion sufferings, crucifixion, and
resurrection. Be assured that suffering and crucifixion are not the end, rather there awaits a
resurrection. ‘Our Lord is Risen. Indeed, He is Risen.’
Shalom!

Revd. Bijumon Joseph.

Service Schedule & Acolytes
 You're invited to

LENTEN PRAYERS
at following residences.

16 FEBRUARY 2024 7:30pm @ house of Rev. Biju & Shiji

23 FEBRUARY 2024 7:30pm @ house of Anand & Anitha

01 MARCH 2024 7:30pm @ house of Geo & Anju

08 MARCH 2024 7:30pm @ house of Bijil & Smitha

15 MARCH 2024 7:30pm @ house of Justin & Jessy

22 MARCH 2024 7:30pm @ house of Manoj & Merlin

You are invited you to join us for lenten prayers at our

member's residences. Experience the passion, death, and
resurrection of Jesus through songs, prayer, and reflection.

melbournecsichurch.org.au
 Passion Week Services
Palm Sunday Service
24 MAR 08:00 AM
[Malayalam]

Holy Communion
10:00 AM
Service [English]

Maundy Thursday
28 MAR 07:30 PM
Service [English]

Good Friday Service

29 MAR TBC
[English]

Good Friday -
10:30 AM Meditations on the
Cross

Passion Saturday
30 MAR TBC
Service

Easter Service
31 MAR 07:30 AM
[Malayalam]

10:00 AM Easter Service [English]

For detailed information:

Contact Rev. Bijumon: 0447 438 900
secretary@melbournecsichurch.org.au

melbournecsichurch.org.au
 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 Ms. Nisha Varghese.

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 after 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 last 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 Achen / Secretary.

FASTING PRAYER MINISTRY

Our Vicar and some members meet every Fridays at 10:00am at the church for fasting prayer.

ONLINE BIBLE STUDY MINISTRY

Our Vicar leads a Bible Study every Wednesday at 08:00pm via Zoom platform.

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 Achen / Secretary.
 Melbourne CSI Church

LIST OF MEETINGS FOR THE MONTH

MARCH 2024

For detailed information: melbournecsichurch.org.au

Call Rev. Bijumon: 0447 438 900 or secretary@melbournecsichurch.org.au
BIRTHDAYS

1-Mar Aparna Raveendranath 11-Mar Ansu Anand

2-Mar Jefferson Daniel 12-Mar Joshua John

5-Mar Shane J Soni 15-Mar Ron T Jacob

8-Mar Aaron J Soni 17-Mar JUSTIN PRINCE

9-Mar Akhil Mohan 22-Mar Manoj David Kalarikkal

10-Mar Aleena abraham 24-Mar Rachel Ann Varghese

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

3-Mar Sajeev V M & Roslin Shereena

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 Bijumon Joseph Mrs Dhanya Rajesh 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

melbournecsichurch.org.au for private circulation only