Pastorate Committee Retreat, Rayakottai

The Pastorate Committee met at Rayakottai on February 15th 2020, for a Retreate, to plan Events and Budgets for each Ministry and Wing for the coming Financial Year. Our Presbyter Dr. Dexter S. Maben, shared the Word of God based on 2 Corinthians 8:15: "The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little". He emphasized on the four P's, namely Program, Projects, Policies and People.

Mr. Joshi Mark, Secretary, spoke about Objectives and a Timeline Plan for every Ministry and Wing of the church. Mr. Neil Anchan, Treasurer, placed before the Committee, the challenges, and collectively the Pastorate Committee proposed focus area in the coming Financial Year. Each member was requested to convene the Sub-committees and present detailed programs for the next one year and the choice of one of the 4 projects that they support through their work and initiative and involvement. It was agreed that a detailed printed program will be printed and presented to the congregation after approval by the Pastorate Committee in the last week of March

Visitors from Pennsylvania Central Conference, United Church of Christ, USA

Rev. William P. Worley, Conference Minister (Bishop), Pennsylvania Central Conference, United Church of Christ, USA, shared the Word of God on Sunday, th February 16 2020, during the English Worship Service. He was visiting Bangalore and particularly Karnataka Central Diocese to bridge a connect and foster new partnerships between the United Church of Christ, USAand KCD.

The delegation was led by Rev. Dr. Chandra S. Soans Grace Trinity – United Church of Christ, Philadelphia,who is a long standing friend of St. Andrew's Church

After the Worship Service, the delegations participated in an Interactive Session along with the Pastorate Committee members of our church and were joined by other delegates who were preaching in other churches. The Secretary Mr. Joshi Mark presented a brief history and an overview of the ministry at St. Andrew's Church. Each member added with information about the various ministries of the church.

MEN'S FELLOWSHIP UPDATE

On the 14 of February 2020, Men's Fellowship Monthly Bible Study and a Quarterly Special Event - Family Evening with One Family in Christ as a topic - were conducted at our Church Hall.

Over 50 men and their spouses of our church participated in this special program.

Program began with the Introduction by Convener of Men's Fellowship, Mr. David Soans

Our beloved Pastor Rev. Dr. S. Dexter Maben did the Bible Study on Inequality and Sharing of Resources based on the Parable from Luke 12:16-21.

We had a Special Session by Bansy Kalappa and Arathi Bansy. They shared their testimony of accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and shared tips on effective communications between Husband and Wife.

Bansy Kalappa and Arathi Bansy were born in a Hindu Family and had an encounter with Jesus Christ and accepted Christ and Christian Faith. Arathi Bansy is a counselor at Mount Carmel College and Bansy Kalappa is a Journalist (Political Editor) at Indian Express. They have been working with Couples for the last 10 years. They are Leaders of the organisation called World Wide Marriage Encounter which works to enrich marriages, for the last seven years. They are also resource persons at the Archdiocesan Family Welfare Center for Marriage Preparation Course for the last seven years. They have been blessed with two Children.

The Session ended with a Barbeque Dinner with Bonfire and Music. We thank all the participants for their whole-hearted participation and the program received overwhelming appreciation from the participants.

CARE FOR THE ELDERLY

On the 6 of February 2020, Care for the Elderly Monthly Fellowship was conducted at our Church Hall.

Over 65 members of our church participated in the program.

The theme of the program was 'Diet and Wellness'

We had Mrs. Priya Abraham (our own church member), leading the program, sharing new scientific facts on the food, and shared the prescribed diet for the elderly

We had Benny, Nandini and Siva as a Team and they have conducted Fitness Related Sessions. Sessions included Zumba Warmup and Mingle- mingle

Benedict (Benny) is an International Community Impact Coach and Dr. Nandini is a Physiotherapist with a keen interest in working with Senior Citizens. She conducts a program called "Age is just a number" for seniors from age 60 onwards. She shared her thoughts on Health and Wellness.

The session ended with healthy Millet-based Lunch to encourage healthy eating and food choices.

The Menu: Mixed Millet Chapatti, Foxtail Millet Bisibele Baath, Mixed Vegetable Sabzi, Little Millet Curd Rice, Proso Millet Payasam, Mixed Vegetable Salad and Butter Milk.

We thank all the participants for their whole-hearted participation and the program received overwhelming appreciation from the participants

We thank and praise our Lord Jesus Christ for this wonderful opportunity to serve the 'Care for the Elderly' fellowship

LATVIAN CHORAL MASTER WORKSHOP & CONCERT

ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) in collaboration with the Government of Latvia organised a series of Choral Master Classes culminating in a Concert at four major cities in India, one of them at Bangalore at st nd St. Andrew's Church. The Workshop was on the 21 and 22 of February, and rd the Concert was on the 23 of February, 2020 in our church. Conductors were from the Music Academy of Latvia

The Choral Concert with over 100 voices from all over South India was conducted by the Latvian Conductor, Janis Ozots, with Soloist Laura Jekabsone (Soprano), Jonas Olsson (Baritone), and accompanied on the Piano by Natalia.

Participating Choirs were: Plethora Music Academy, Coimbatore Chamber Chorale, Cecilian Choir, Bangalore Chorus, Bangalore Children's Chorus, The Trivandrum Choristers Association, The Bangalore Men and Capella Bangalore.

The Concert began with the Opening Prayer by our Presbyter, Rev. Dr. Dexter S. Maben. The repertoire included Lux Aueumque by Eric Whitacreterna, Lux Aeterna by Erikes Esenvalds, Northern Lights by Ola Gjeilo, Locus iste by Anton Brukner, Bogoroditse djevo by Sergei Rachmaninoff, and concluded with the Requiem by Gabriel Faure

We were honoured by the presence of the Ambassador of Latvia in India, His Eminence Artis Bertulis, Honorary Consul, Republic of Latvia in Bangalore, Mr. K.P Balasubramaniam, and the Chief Guest, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bhasker Rao. The event was coordinated by Ms. Sonia Khan.

We are indeed much privileged to have had such high ranking dignitaries present in our church that evening. On behalf of St. Andrew's, they were honoured with mementoes, presented by our Secretary, Mr. Joshi Mark, and our Organist and Choir Director, Mr. Andrew Bhagyanathan.

The church was packed with music lovers from all over South India, and we were indeed privileged to feast on such rich and excellent rendering of western classical music.

It was indeed a beautiful evening, well spent!

HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL'S FELLOWSHIP

As the Healing Ministry Sunday was fast approaching, a worthy call was made by our beloved Presbyter for all the Health and Allied Health Care Professionals to meet up. The group met under the aegis of our Presbyter, and was presided by our very own Dr. Paul Salins. This group in its infancy stage discussed various needs of the church where a helping hand could be lent. Some of the striking needs such as Geriatric assistance was hall-marked. A joint venture was conjured with the Youth Fellowship and Care of the Elderly Wings of our church. In times of medical emergencies, a reach out for assistance was thought as utmost necessity. The group thus decided to further meet regularly and be effectively involved in the welfare of our church members.

With these ideas in the back drop the Healing Sunday Service, a meeting was th held on February 9 after the Worship Service. The message for this day (Healing Ministry Sunday), was delivered by Dr. Paul Salins. He effectively highlighted the strong character of James the apostle. He also emphasized the important role a praying church can play in the well-being of its members. He called out for each of us to be a part of this healing ministry in their own given capacity. Health is not a mere absence of disease, but rather it is a physical, mental, and social well-being, and a church and her members can play an active part in all these 3 avenues.

St. Andrew's School
Online Transfer Details

Kindly communicate the transfer details to the Church Office after the successful transaction.

St. Andrew's Church
Online Transfer Details

Kindly communicate the transfer details to the Church Office after the successful transaction.

Wings of the Church and their Activities

Sunday School	During Kannada & English Worship Services, except the 1st Sunday of the Month
Youth Fellowship	Every Sunday after the English Worship Service Every 2nd Sunday, conducts Evening Worship Service Every Saturday, Praise & Worship Practice
Young Couple's Fellowship	1st Sunday of every Month
Women's Fellowship	1st Sunday of every Month - Breakfast Sale 1st Saturday of every Month - Bible Study 3rd Saturday of every month - House Visits & Craft Classes (Alternate)
Men's Fellowship	2nd Saturday of every Month, at 5 PM
Care For the Elderly	1st Thursday of every Month, at 10.30 AM
Music Ministry	Choir Practice, every Friday at 6.30 PM Stuthi@Andrew's Practice, every Saturday at 6.30 PM SAME Practice, every Tuesday at 6.30 PM, and every Saturday at 9.30 AM Voice Training Classes, every Saturday starting at 3 PM
Health Care Professionals	2nd Sunday of every Month after the English Worship Service