The Mandalam of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church was held at Thiruvalla. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Valiya Metropolitan, Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan and other Bishops of the Church attended the meeting. The attendance of the Mandalam was recorded as 84% on the first day itself. The meeting will be held till the 8th September 2011. This is the body where all the major decisions of the Sabha are looked into.
Day 1: September 6th, 2011
The Computerised Registration was a success for the Fourth successive time. All the Mandalam Members registered from 8 am onwards. The Quorum was proclaimed in the Auditorium, through the Computerised Registration Online.
The meeting began with singing by the DSM&C and worship by The Bishops. The devotional address was led by Rt Rev Dr Mathews Mar Makarios Episcopa. The Presidential Address was given by His Grace Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan. Discussion was allowed and many members participated in the Discussion.
After which, His Grace The Metropolitan allowed the Question and Answer session. The answers for the questions sent by the Mandalam Members were read out by The Sabha Secretary, Very Rev K S Mathew.
The minutes were read and passed.The meeting ended with Prayer by Rt Rev Dr Thomas Mar Theethos Episcopa.
Day 2: September 7th, 2011
The Holy Communion Service began at 8:30 am and was celebrated by Rt Rev Gregorios Mar Stephanos Episcopa. More than 300 mandalam members attended the Service.
Felicitation for the retired clergy:(13 Clergies)
The clergies who have retired during this Year, was felicitated by giving them mementoes from the Mar Thoma Sabha, which was given by The Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church.
The following are the Clergies who have retired this year:
Rev Varghese Thomas (Anicadu), Rev Philip Thomas (Aranmula), Rev M C John(Thuruthikadu), Rev T A Koshy (Kaviyoor),Rev K C George(Thumpamon), Rev M K Jacob (Thelliyoor), Rev Thomas John (Kollaka), Rev Dr T J Thomas (Othara), Rev P M Kurikesu (Piravanthoor), Rev Mathew P John (Karavaalloor), Rev Dr K V Symon(Puthupally), Rev Dr Abraham Kuruvilla (Anaprambal) and Rev Skariah Varughese (Thalavady).
The Mandalam Meeting (Day 2) began with prayer by Rt Rev Dr Abraham Mar Paulos Episcopa and the Recording secretary read the Minutes of the Meeting which was confirmed.
BOOK RELEASE: A book was published as a Dedication in honour of the 80th Birthday of Our Metropolitan, namely, “Heritage and Development in the Mission of the Church, A Festchrift in honour of His Grace Rev Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan”.(Rs 350/-)
Rt Rev Dr Zacharias Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan presented the newly published Book to His Grace the Metropolitan.
Later, The Lay Trustee presented the Budget Proposal of 67 crores for the year 2011-12. The floor was open for discussion and many members put forward their comments on the Budget. The budget was confirmed and passed by the members.
New Amendments:
1.To study about the need of a TV Channel for the Mar Thoma Syrian Church.
2.To allow the Parishes to have a Senior Citizen Fellowship at the Discretion of the Diocesan Bishop only, in the Parish Level.
MANAVA SEVA AWARD :
This is a special Award of the Mar Thoma Church, for the Mar Thoma Church Member who have served in the Social, Educational and Humanitarian vistas.
Prof Dr M Thomas Mathew, was awarded the Manava Seva Award 2011by His Grace The Metropolitan. He is the Member of the St Paul’s Mar Thoma Church, Kozhikode. He was the professor in the Medical Colleges in Kottayam and Kozhikode, Chairman, Board of Studies, Kozhikode University,. He was one of the founders of the first Nephrology Department in Kerala and the Kidney Transplantation centre.
Malliackel M C George Achen Memorial Endowment Prize was awarded to Rev M J Joseph for his Book”Orrmagalude TheruVeedhiyil“.
Rev Mathew Thomas Vattakottaal MemorialEndowment Prize was awarded to Rev Dr A M Abraham, for his book, “Kushavante Kaiyille Kalimannu”
Award for Dalit students who scored highest marks in SSLC:
1st Prize: Miss Nisha Mariam Markose(St Thomas, Kallabala)
2nd Prize: Miss Joselin Jose (St Stephen’s Vallapara)
The 2nd Day of the Mandalam Meeting ended at 4 pm with the prayer by Rt Rev Joseph Mar Barnabas Episcopa.
Day 3, 8th September, 2011
The 3rd day of the Mandalam Meeting began at 10 am with prayer by Rt Rev Abraham Mar Paulos Episcopa. His Grace The Metropolitan expressed the grief and concern for the bereaved family members and the wounded in hospital. As a mark of repsect to the bereaved family members and the concern of the Sabha, the Metropolitan invoked all the members to stand in silence for one minute.
