Dear Loved ones in Christ,
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Children are gifts of God to us in His sheer grace not because of our ability.(Ps.127:3, Gen 33:5) Whether we call our children or children of nobody, children are a responsibility of the adults in terms of perpetuating the kingdom generation after generation. We need to remember that children would never lives in isolation. Remember, children are a heritage from the Lord (Ps. 127:8) Abraham begat Isaac. The Lord gave him and God brought out his people through him, the faithful generation. Hannah gave birth to Samuel and she named him Samuel ‘because she asked for him.’ Not only that when she stopped weaning the child, she brought him to the temple of God and there, Samuel remained as child of God. My dear one, even though you have become a youth, you are a child to your parents more so, a child of God. Remember your parents have received you as a heritage of God. Remember there is always hindrance to the children to be in the Lord. Parents think that they are not matured enough to know God. If you do not give Bible to them at this age, they will take riffle at youth’ is the saying of many child evangelists. Even Christ has uttered, “Let the little children come to me”. The child always depends on the parents (1 Thes. 2:7). A nursing mother cherishes her own child. The child expects everything from the parents. The child questions and clarifies all its doubts while growing. It learns to rise from ignorance and immaturity. It solely depends on its parents and its environment. Such a dependency is expected from a person because we are God’s children.
As elders and parents, we have the responsibility of responding to the needs of the child. We need to assure security to the child in terms of love, care and belongingness. We need to nurture the child in a healthy atmosphere of Christian faith. We should never misuse their childhood and we do not have right to hinder them in any way. Those who hinder the children are to be drowned in the sea with a millstone around the neck. The elders are expected to set a good example before the children.
As we observe November last Friday as World Sunday School day, we have to have an introspection about our Christian Education. Are we able to nurture our children in faith? Christian nurture of children is the primary responsibility and obligation of the Church. In the Baptism service, we pledge before the congregation “to provide a Christian home for the child, to bring them up in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ and to surround them with such things as are pure and true, lovely and good report”. We have to help our children to grow in wisdom and stature through the right living, through the right commitment, through the right awareness of their being and through the right relationship with both God and their fellow neighbors.God willing, our Annual Convention will be held from 21st to 23rd of November. Rev. C.V. Simon, Vicar of St.John’s Marthoma Church Kuwait will deliver the message.
Our Church celebrated this year’s Harvest Festival with much joy and fervor on Friday, 25th October 2013 at International British School, Fahaheel. Variety of rich cultural programs such as Ganamela, Mimics Parade and Devotional Musical program were also held as part of the celebration. Other major attractions of the Harvest Festival were the array of stalls with variety of homemade foods. Entertainment and games for kids also added fun and flair to the event. Raffle draws and instant gifts were conducted during the program. The program was enjoyed by a wide variety of community. A team of dedicated volunteers assisted for the smooth running of the celebration. We also take this opportunity to thank all the Conveners, Sponsors and Members of the Church for their time, contribution and prayers for making this event a grand success.
May God bless our Church to be a constantly growing faith community in the changing circumstances of human values needs and hurts.
With all good wishes and prayers,
Johny Achen
