The Church Built in His Time

  

The Church isn’t just a particular building or congregation but the spiritual fellowship of all who belong to Jesus Christ.                                                                   -  Billy Graham

 

If there was a replica of the Early Christians now in the 21st century- according to me, that would be the members of the Trinity Mar Thoma Church, Kuriathy. Such is the oneness and the fellowship of this parish. Just one year of witnessing them gave us the opportunity to see into this beautiful House of God.

The warmth of the people and their hospitality are so selfless and genuine. Their worship is real and authentic. They love to gather, cook together and eat together. Their oneness feels like the same warmth and unity we read about in the Bible.  All the believers were together and had everything in common.  They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. (Acts 2: 44-47)

The beauty of this church is the members are strong and firm in their faith. Maybe not handed down all the way from 52 AD, but they had it all. Seeing them, I feel those who got religion from too many generations before, somehow do not understand the importance and responsibility they have in this world. But our members of the Kuriathy MTC know it better.

Kuriathy is a cute little village in the hills and valleys of Nedumangad area. Filled with agricultural lands, rubber estates, streams flowing from rocks, quarries and small industries- infused with that fresh feeling of nature all around. When we used to visit homes, they provided us with farm fresh products- especially tea with full cream milk- which I was never used to, only knowing the taste of diluted milk! Their food also had the genuine taste of South Travancore- cooked with love and care. 

Even though we experienced this authentic nature and warmth for only one year- it has been etched into our memories forever. The Fasting prayers, Sevika Sanghom meetings, the prayer meetings at homes, their small but precious Sunday School and Youth league- all the members genuinely partaking and contributing in their own special way. So much talent and so much interest to do their best for their parish. We could see their urge to win ever-rolling trophies or prizes for any competition. They gave their best when it came to the church-talent and all.

It was even astonishing how almost every member of each family would come for the evening prayer meetings on Sunday. I remember how the youths would wait till after everyone else got the refreshments and then just bring out the serving bowls and dig in together! What fun-to dine in union too!

More than all these usual activities of the church, as the church was being constructed, all the parishioners pitched in the work too. It was so overwhelming to see them come every Sunday morning to church, worship together, return home, have their breakfasts, change into work cloths and come back to church to labour there- for the rest of that day. Week after week, month after month; small kids of even eight or ten years all the way to the seventy-year-old retired hands come back to commit their time and toil. Most of them would help in the construction, mixing cement, delivering needed tools or resources, while some ladies would help in cooking lunch for all. Even after working the whole day, they would go home, freshen up and come for the evening prayer later in the evenings. I would call that a Sunday well spent for the Lord. This is how you give it all for your Saviour, right? 

When we first saw the church in May 2019, we knew it was our responsibility to help them complete the construction of their church. But God had other plans- for us and for the Church. But we do believe everything is made beautiful in His time. All the efforts they have put into building this beautiful church, all the pain they have endured- is all culminating in this one day- the Blessing of the complete Church. It is the dream and prayer for years- it is the sum of all their sweat and labour. It is a gift for the future generations to have fellowship and joyous moments together, to witness the beginning or ending of faith journeys, and to look forward with hope for the days to come.

May that oneness you experience in Christ prevail among you always!!

With best wishes always,

Remya Rachel Thomas 

(This article was published in the Consecration Day Souvenir of Trinity Mar Thoma Church, Kuriathy on 30th April, 2023)