Sunday School

“Your hands have made me and fashioned me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.”- Psalm 119:73

The aim of the Sunday School is to equip our children to grow in Jesus Christ and in the knowledge of the gospel message, so that they may be able to structure their life consciously and deliberately discerning the purpose of God in their life. All the activities of the Sunday School are to fulfill this aim. Our moto is “Come to Jesus, bring every child to Jesus” and “to transform through the word of God.” By the grace of God, we had an eventful, blessed and wonderful year of Sunday School.

With gratitude to God Almighty for the manifold blessings and His presence to lead the year successfully, I present the Annual report of the MTSS, Santacruz for the year 2020 on behalf of the Executive committee.

Office Bearers:

During the financial year, our office bearers were: Rev Thomas K. Jacob.,. Rev. Nitin John Chacko, Mrs. Jolly Soman as Headmistress, Mrs. Jolly Thomas as Secretary, Mrs. Bindu Samuel as the Treasurer and Mrs. Sony Alex as the Auditor.

Students and Teachers:

We had a student strength of 105 and 13 teachers, namely: Mrs. Sushila Thomas Kochamma, Mrs. Esther Varughese, Mrs. Jolly Thomas, Mrs. Bency Matthew, Mrs. Lata Mathews, Mrs. Aleyamma Wilson, Mrs. Aleyamma Cherian, Mrs. Leena Mathew, Mrs. Bindu Alexander, Mrs. Bindu Samuel, Mrs. Soni Alex, Mrs. Sheena Sany and Ms. Roshini Joseph.

Academic Year:

Sunday School started with the Teachers dedication on Sunday 12^th January 2020 after the Teachers dedication. Registration of students, division of classes and allotment of teachers were done. The new admission of Nursery classes was in full swing. 

Children Diocesan Convention:

Children Diocesan Convention was held on 26^th January 2020 at CIDCO Exhibition Centre, Vashi from 11 am to 1 pm. The theme was “THIS OR THAT”- Jeremiah 29:11. The Leaders were Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa and friends of the Sunday School. Many children participated from our Sunday School. Singing sessions, other activities, sharing and learning the word were conducted.

Talent Competition:

• Our Sunday School Talent Competition was held on Sunday 2^nd February 2020. Those children who got 1^st and 2^nd prizes were selected for Centre Talent Competition which was held on Saturday, 8^th February 2020 at the St.Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Santacruz from 9.30 am onwards.

• Centre Talent Competition was held on 8^th February 2020 at St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Santacruz. Our children won maximum prizes at the competition. 

• Diocese Talent Competition was scheduled to be held on Saturday 18th April 2020 at the Mar Thoma church, Govandi, but could not be held due to the lockdown which was enforced on the State from 24^th March 2020. 

Teachers Training: Mumabi Diocese Sunday School Teachers retreat was held on Saturday, 15^th August 2020 through Zoom platform.  The main leader was Rev.George Cherian, General Secretary of Mar Thoma Sunday School Samajam.  The main theme was, ‘Teaching for Faith  Formation’ and to enable Teachers to effectively help in the faith  formation of Sunday School children. The three points emphasized upon were : Faith in God, Faith in Community and Faith in ourselves.

Online Classes: The Sunday School classes were conducted regularly from January to March 2020 in the Church. After the imposition of lockdown due to pandemic, the Sunday school classes were conducted through Zoom platform every Sunday by all the respective Teachers beginning from Nursery to Young Adult Class. 

Annual Examination – The Annual Examination of the Sunday School was held online on Sunday, 15^th November 2020 and Birudh exam was held on 6^th December 2020 at 2:30pm. Teachers exam was held at the Church on Sunday 6^th December 2020 at 2:30pm in the presence of our Vicar Rev.Thomas Jacob Achen as Invigilator.

VBS: Due to the Pandemic, the VBS and other activities of the Sunday School could not be conducted in Church; but our children participated in the VBS sessions via YouTube channel, organized by the Mar Thoma Sunday School Samajam, Thiruvalla, Kerala. The theme of the VBS was “Light Of the World”. 

Junior Choir: Our Sunday School students participated in the Christmas Carol.

Finance: Due to the pandemic situation, no grant was received for the year 2020.  The cost of Sunday School Books was paid by the church directly to the Sunday School Samajam.

We thank our Achen Rev. Thomas K. Jacob, Sushila Kochamma,& family, Rev. Nitin John Chacko, Rinki Kochamma and Zoe Mol for their great participation, support and guidance at all times. We place on record our thanks to Headmistress Mrs. Jolly Soman, Office Bearers and Teachers for their continuous support and effort.

We are very much indebted to the parents for their prayers and support and in bringing their children regularly to Sunday School and also encouraging children to participate in the online classes.

We do thank Mr.Joys Mathew, Mrs. Kumudini Pawar & Mr. Raju Pawar for their assistance in various ways.

Last but not the least, we praise and thank God for enabling us to continue in His footsteps to bring our children into His kingdom.

For and on behalf of the MTSS, Santacruz, Mumbai.

Jolly Thomas
Hon.Secretary