News Letter

Contents

1. Of Ports and Portals - By Paster Suresh Cherian
2. Impressions of my visit to the North - By Bro. Heli Michael
   
3. Youth Ministry
4. Prayer and Praise
5. Outreach Ministry
6. Junior Church
7. Women's Fellowship
8. The Mercy Ministry
9. Marriages
10. New born Babies
11. Home Going
12. Malayalam Service

1. Of Ports & Portals

    From Pastor Suresh Cherian                                                                 (A pastoral musing)

Probably you have heard that this capital city of Thiruvananathapuram, erstwhile known as Travancore, was renowned for being the cleanest in the country besides being noted for its pristine beauty.  Though it may not be as clean as it used to be, this place is still blessed with lush greens. Thankfully, this city is cleaner than most other cities.  And I wonder if this is partly due to the local labour unions which have rendered the place sterile with hardly any industries.  While pollution is not the major issue here, unemployment is!  How can we forget that hardly a decade back graduates and even post graduates would scramble for the vacancy of a bus conductor?  These were the scene prior to the B.C (before computer) era.

With Techno-Park, Techno-City, and other IT Portals opening up, the younger generations have greater opportunities before them.  These portals have become gateways to tremendous vistas.  Yet with all these advantages we need to see the consequences at the other side of the doorway.  For one thing, the work pressure and stress factors are a cause for concern among the young employees.  They are being driven beyond the edge with near impossible deadlines and an overload of responsibilities thrust upon them.  If balanced work ethics are not maintained, then some could become workaholics (which are not really bad, considering our lethargic work record).  But the fear is that there is a tendency to push them to other addictions in order to get relief.

Another fact is that they have made it a cosmopolitan city with youths from different parts of the country and have helped our city’s cash-strapped-commerce.  No doubt they are a boon to our city.

Unfortunately and for obvious reasons, the Techie-culture does not go down well with our conservatives.  Well, I could go on to say a few other things but I think the church needs to play a constructive role.  We need to realize that many live far from the sacred moorings of their homes.  As such, I believe our church needs to keep them in our prayers.  So church, won’t you spare time and thoughts for them as we pray?

             Blessings be upon you.

                   - Pastor Suresh Cherian

2. Impressions of my visit to the North
By Bro. Heli Michael

3. Youth Ministry

4. Prayer and Praise

Thank you for your prayers for Pastor Jacob Ninan and family.  They went through a very trying time; now Suja’s treatment is over and she is recovering very well.  Please continue to uphold them in your prayers and also the Trinity Highland Tabernacle at Ernakulam.

5. Outreach Ministry

The outreach to Vadakangulam (S.A Raja group of Colleges) which is 100km from Trivandrum has been going on well by God’s grace. Recently we had a musical evening where around 170 students of the different colleges attended. If anyone is free on a Wednesday and would like to join us, please feel free to do so.
Biji Enose

6. Junior Church

It’s been a joy to watch the children in all their innocence at the Junior church where we teach the Word to them. New teachers have joined in and others have been leading a small time of worship each week for them. God has big plans and as one of the little kids put it … “nothing is ‘impossible’ with God”. I want to thank all those who have been praying for the kids and those who have been helping in.
Nalani Biji

7. Women’s Fellowship

The Women’s Fellowship of Highland Church meets every first Monday at 4.30 pm at VH 315, Vikramen Hill, Pattom Thanu Pillai Road, Pattom . We women, young and old,   get together   for an enjoyable time of praying together, sharing the Word,  and testifying how good God has been to us. We are able to bond with our sisters in Christ better because of this. We welcome all women to be part of this fellowship .Do come and be part of us, and bring your friends.
Anu the pilgrim
Contact 0471-2438293 or 9895094702

8. The Mercy Ministry

The Mercy Ministry has been going on uninterrupted for years.We go to the hospital once a week to the women’s ward and we tell the sick and weary women of the love of Jesus. It has been a learning ground for us too as we learn to talk to and minister to women with the most unimaginable problems.  How wonderful to lead them to the Lord! How wonderful to see for oneself the burden being lifted and the faces, hitherto hopeless, smiling with joy and hope, amidst the tears. Ah, we have learnt much from these bedsides!
Do become part of this team.
Anu The Pilgrim
Contact: 2438293 or 9895094702.

9. Marriages

• Relly Mathew (D/o Mrs. Annie Mathew & Mr. Mathew) with Abraham Joseph.
• Annie Prasad (D/o Mrs. Vijaya Prasad) with Vipin Pai.
• Joe Sebastian (S/o Mrs. Mary Sebastian) with Ranjita

10. New born Babies

• Dr. Sudhir & Dr. Uma              : JOSHUA
• Roshan & Annie                     : ALLEZA
• George Mathew & Susmitha    : KRIPA
• Leslie & Sheeba                      a baby boy, a few days ago.

11. Home Going

Our condolences to the bereaved families

• Sister Benzy Thambi, the sudden demise of her brother Bailey Jacob.
• Sister Lizy, (wife of Mr. Thomas Varghese), her father recently passed away.
• Prof.Varkey Philip and Prame Jacob, their sister Prasanna Mathew recently passed away.

12. Malayalam Service