Church of South Indian Fellowship
Invitation To Residents in the D.C. Metropolitan Area
with South Indian Christian Background
Like many others, we are so fortunate to be a part of this nation and to contribute to its way of life and to maintain our unique religious traditions. The Syrian Orthodox Church, Malankara Orthodox Church, Marthoma Church and Pentecostal Church have reached out to their communicants here and built strong congregations in North America. Likewise, the Church of South India has also been successful in organizing a number of congregations but a congregation has yet to be organized for those who live in the D.C. Metropolitan area that include Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Springfield, Lorton and Woodbridge.
I have been raised in the Church of South India and now am with the Episcopal Church and since both belong to the wider Anglican Communion. I am prepared to assist with worship services in the Church of South India liturgy either in English or in the native language or both. The rector and the Vestry of St. Mark’s Church have offered their assistance with the church facilities for our worship needs.
The past experiences of many congregations from the above church denominations are a reminder of the fact that almost all of them started with a few individuals who got together in their homes and other buildings for Sunday worship. With the passing of time, they have become full blown congregations with their own church facilities today. A timely opportunity exists for us in this area to build a CSI congregation and to live up to the saying: “attempt great things for God, and expect great things from God.”
If you are interested, or if you know of someone from this area who might be interested, I invite you to take part in this Christian mission. Let the word spread around and, hopefully, we will be able to succeed. In the meantime, please consider visiting St. Mark’s Episcopal Church to join its Sunday worship (the first service is at 8 a.m., and the second service is at 10 a.m.). Doing so will provide us with an early opportunity to meet each other.
Above all, please pray to seek God’s will and His blessings on this proposal. Let me hear from you either by email (cheriapp@hotmail.com) or phone 703-971-1707 at your very earliest convenience.
In His Service,
Rev. Cherian
