WORSHIP IN ENGLISH ON GOOD FRIDAY

It was Sunday. 23March2025. The Pastor at Christ Church made a suggestion that the Church may do away with the Worship in English on the ensuing Good Friday. He encouraged the congregation to air their opinion.

I responded. It's here.

"Your exhortation to speak out on Sunday 23March2025

Let sleeping dogs lie.

It's an old adage.

Christ Church has a tradition. Why do you wish to demolish it?

I can write about myself and may be my family.

The Good Friday worship had three streams so far. English, Malayalam, Tamil. It worked well.

Those who wanted a short form attended the English Worship. Those who were willing to sit through the Malayalam went for that. The Tamils went for Tamil. Three worships meant three offertories. Revenue.Cut down to two. Loss of Revenue. 

There was an Pastor here long while back. He told us proudly he had extended the Good Friday worship till 2.30 pm or 3pm. We were fortunately not here that time. Probably at Thalavady with Papa.

Well it is not the time that you sit through the worship that determines your faith. 

To me the Church is distancing itself from the worshipping community.

Birthday Wedding Anniversary lists that used to be read out are discontinued. Other MKD Churches - CSI Madhya Kerala Churches - do that. Hearing that people from Thalavady greet us.

The presiding Pastor used to ring up and wish members on the two occasions. It no longer occur. Once the No.2 rang up. He said he had been assigned the duty by the Achen. 

He no longer bothers now.

The Church is interested in the collections. The organisations are interested in tours that is part subsidised by church.

The CC TV functions off and on with reluctance.

A former  Secretary of the  Womens Fellowship  had a torrid time. The male chauvinists in the Church Committe won't provide them any financial assistance. They were blandly told to fend for themselves.

They forgot 50% of the revenue was the  contribution of the neglected women.

Finally please don't do away with the English worship on Good Friday for God's sake."

The good Pastor replied highlighting his constraints. 

I clarified my view. 

It,s here.

"Very happy you spoke out.

I wrote because you invited the views of the congregation. 

It was long. But it came from the heart. 

Right after the English worship we went to Ashwin's shop. It was at least two months since we had been there. 

We were overwhelmed by his struggle. He usually opens at 9am and closes at 10pm. There is no respite. Once we spend some time there we can understand what he goes through. He doesn't make much profit either as it is a retail margin free business. 

For our elder son Anoop the day begins at 8am and he is on at 10pm as well. There is no respite for him.

The homemaker at home gets no pay. She works the whole day. But she unselfishly toils.

Life is struggles all over. It's how we tackle it that matters.

Now, I'd invite you to listen to Rev Mothy Varkey  speak at CSI East Kerala convention. It could be Rev.PCSaji  either.

The speaker speaks on an Upadeshi - Church Worker - who was willingly giving away everything he had.. His sole refrain was Daivam nadathum.- God will take care.

Now, your son walked off from a ghastly accident unharmed. Why? How? 

Because you followed Jesus.

Follow Jesus. You'll never be in want."