Organisation

Organisation

Mar Thoma Sunday School Samajam

Contact Details: 

Rev. Ninu Chandy
Tiruvalla - 689 101
Ph: +91 469 2600655(O), +91 469 2735375(R)
Mob: +91 9995563097
Telegram: 'Samajam',
E-mail: samajam@marthoma.in,  samajam@dataone.in

The reformers realized the importance of Bible Study, as essential for spiritual renewal and growth. The opening of the Sunday Schools thus became a natural development in the way of Christian nurture. The formal inauguration of the Sunday School Samajam comprising all the Sunday Schools, which had already been started in the parishes, took place at Maramon Convention in 1905. Mr. V P Mammen, (later Vicar General V P Mammen Kasseesa) was elected as the General Secretary. The growth and development of the Sunday School Samajam as one of the leading Christian Education organizations in India was the result of the extraordinary organizing ability of Rev. V P Mammen and his untiring efforts for 47 years. In those days of very limited travel facilities he visited churches in different places traveling in bullock carts and riding bicycles. He organized syllabuses for the different grades and published the lessons to be taught in various classes. A publication entitled “Sandarsini” began to be published in 1911 containing articles helpful to the pupils, teachers and parents and lesson notes for Sunday school teachers. Since 1952 textbooks are published for the various classes. From 1977 the Sunday School Samajam follows the curriculum of the Christian Education Council of India.

Rev. Dr. K K George joined the work of the Sunday School Samajam in 1952 and was General Secretary of the Samajam after the demise of very Rev. V P Mammen, from 1952 up to June in 1982. Both of them laboured in this great cause dedicating their extraordinary powers of head and heart to the cause of Christian Education children. Classes are arranged for a period of 15 years from the age of 5, so that by the time the Sunday school course is completed, the pupils will have sound knowledge of the scriptures and the doctrines of the church.

Sunday Schools are arranged in every Parish and in large Parishes there will be two or more Sunday Schools according to the need. Inspectors are allotted to supervise the work of Sunday Schools in given area, and organizers are appointed in each diocese. The Central Office arranges examination every year and competitions are also held at the Diocesan and Central level.

The Sunday School Samajam celebrated the Platinum Jubilee in 1980. The Christian Education Centre was established at Charal Mount, Kuriannoor in 1972 providing one of the attractive camp sights for children and for training of teachers. The High School at Edakulam and the boarding house attached to it are run by the Sunday School Samajam.

Camp Centre	Charalkunnu, Kuriannoor	+91 469 2672249
Ashraya	Charitable Society for the Rehabilitation of Street Children, Kollam	+91 474 2767920
Sugandhagiri	Education & Development Project	Wyanadu

Managing Committee Members

Name	Designation	Contact
Rt. Rev. Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos	President
Rev. Joseph Mathew	Vice President	+91 9495675312 (M)
Rev. Ninu Chandy	General Secretary	+91 9995563097 (M)
Mr. K.O. Yohannan	Treasurer	+91 9387910111 (M)

Committee Members

	Mr. Kurian P. George		Rev. V.T. Yesudasan		Rev. T.A. Koshy
	Mr. K.K. Royson		Mr. Koshy Mathai		Mr. Mathewson P. Thomas
	Mr. Thomas John		Prof. Jacob Koshy		Mr. Abraham Varghese
	Prof. P.M. Varghese		Miss. Mariamma Varkey T.K.		Rev. Renji Varghese (Mallappally)
	Mr. Mathews Abraham		Rev. Skariah John		Mr. Virtues George
	Mrs. Susamma Mathew		Mrs. Leelamma John		Mr. Shaji P.T.
	Mr. Issac Raju		Mr. Mohan Baby		Rev. Johnson Varghese
	Mr. Sulal Samuel		Mr. K.K. Thomas		Mr. Rajan Varghese
	Mr. Varghese Poovanpara		Rev. Dr. P.T. Jacob		Rev. Mathew Skariah
	Mr. G.M. Raju		Mr. Thomas Mathew		Mrs. Sicy Devsia
	Mr. Joseph George		Dr. T.K. Mathew		Mrs. Susan George
	Mr. Joshy Joseph		Mr. K.P. Kunjumon		Rev. George Cherian
	Mrs. Mary Joe		Mrs. Molly Mathew		Rev. Samson Samuel
	Mr. N.A. Abraham		Mr. R. Jestus

Others

Assistant Secretary	Rev. Abraham P. Abraham
Regd. Sunday School	1107
Vacation Bible School	470 Centres
Students	1,46,623
Teachers	16,700
V.B.S Students	98000
Trained Leaders	440

Mar Thoma Yuvajana Sakhyam

Contact Details: 

Rev. Charley Jones
Youth Department of Mar Thoma Church
Tiruvalla. - 689 101
Ph: +91 469 2601863
Fax: +91 469 2607070
E-mail: mtys@marthoma.in
Website: www.marthomayuvajanasakhyam.com

The Mar Thoma Yuvajana Sakhyam was organized with a view that all the young people in the Church should accept Jesus Christ as their saviour and Lord, and bear witness to His saving power. It was organized in 1933 by a resolution of the Sabha Prathinidhi Mandalam. The first president of the Sakhyam was Rev.V P Mammen and the Vice- Presidents were rev. K E Oommen and Rev. C M John (later Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan) and the first Secretary was Mr. V E Thomas (later Rev. V E Thomas, Singapore). Branches of the Sakhyam were set up in the Parishes with a four-fold programme of worship, study, witness and service. Mr. M M Thomas (later Dr. M M Thomas) was appointed as Organising Secretary in 1945 and he was the full time worker of the Sakhyam. Under his dynamic leadership, the Sakhyam struck deep roots and spread its branches far and wide.

Most of the Parishes both inside and outside Kerala have branches of the Sakhyam. A group of such branches form a center. There are a number of such Centres under each Diocese. The Constitution of the Sakhaym prescribes that the President should be a Bishop of the Church. Rt Rev Joseph Mar Barnabas Episcopa is the President and Rev Charley Jones is the General Secretary.

The Sakhyam publishes a monthly magazine called Yuvadeepam with articles of interest to the youth and with focus on the needs of the Church and Society. It also contains Bible reading notes for daily devotional study. The Sakhyam also publishes an annual calendar. The establishment of the Youth Center in Adoor and in Bangalore has been an important achievement of the Sakhyam. It provides facilities for the youth to hold study conferences, retreats and other meetings. The center has accommodation for about 200 young people to camp there.

The Sakhyam has its own printing press, which also provides training and employment for the youth. The Sakhyam provides incentive for the development of the varied talents of young people by organizing studies on topics of current interest, and competition in sports, games, and cultural activities.

Gospel tours are arranged to mission centers so that the young people get a first hand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities of the mission fields. Gospel distribution squads are trained to distribute the scriptures in different places. Youth conventions are held on Diocesan and regional basis to promote study, and dedication of life. Campaigns are held against alcoholism and other social evils. In pursuance of such projects a vigilance corps is operating. Vocational guidance is being provided in a few branches. There are also self-employment projects under the auspices of the branches and centers. The Yuvajana Sakhyam works for meeting the varied needs of the growing generation.

The Golden Jubilee of the Sakhyam was celebrated in 1985. An Administrative block of the Sakhyam was completed near the Sabha Office near Tiruvalla as Jubilee Memorial Project. It was inaugurated in 1986.

Outside Kerala 
Office & Youth Centre
Mar Thoma Youth Centre
54, Maplegreen Lay out
Chikkagubbi,
Doddagubbi P.O.
Bangalore - 562149
Ph: +91 80-32528423 (R), +91 80-22715072 (O)
  For more details: www.marthomayuvajanasakhyam.com

Managing Committee Members

Name	Designation
Rt.Rev.Joseph Mar Barnabas Episcopa	President
Mr. Anil M. George	Vice President
Rev. Charley Jones	General Secretary
Mr. Manoj Mathew	Treasurer

Committee Members

	Mr. Anu Vaidyan		Ms. Reeja M John		Ms. Liba Mary Varghese
	Rev. K. Shaji		Mr. Bijili P. Easow		Rev. John Mathew C
	Mr. Jinu P. Mathew		Rev. Ison Joshua		Mr. Prince John
	Mr. Abraham Varghese		Mr. Noble Sam Simon		Mr. Jobin Jose
	Rev. Mathew V.J.		Ms. Sisy Varghese		Mr. Ansen Cherian
	Mr. Shiju Mathew		Rev. Baiju Samuel		Mr. Robin Varghese
	Ms. Shiji Raju		Mr. Nithin Varghese		Mr. Philemon Koshy
	Mr. Joshy C. Johny		Ms. Jinni Anna Mathew		Mr. Jaya Raj R
	Mr. Jerin T. Sam		Mr. Dinu Sam David		Mr. Phila Koshy
	Rev. Aju Abraham		Mr. Anish Kunnapuzha George		Mr. Thomas K. Vengoor
	Mr. Reny Samuel		Mr. Benu Thayil		Rev. Anil T. Thomas
	Ms. Sheena Abraham		Mr. Biju P. Thomas		Mr. K.K. Kuruvila
	Mr. Jophy Varghese George		Rev. B. Mathew		Mr. Samuel P Mathew
	Mr. Dinoj Abraham		Mr. Libus Jacob Abraham		Ms. Shalin John
	Mr. Saji Mathew		Mr. Sanju Varghese John		Ms. Tincy Rachel Joy
	Rev. M. P. Solomon		Mr. Arun B. Mathews		Mr. Sajan Philip

Others

Assistant Secretary	Rev. Abraham Kuruvilla, Rev. Abin S. Abraham
Registered Sakhas	629
Registered Members	32,020
Diocesan  Secretaries	10
Pradesika  Group  Secretaries	79
Full Time Workers	10