The Anglican-Malayalam Church of South India (CSI) in Sharjah has shifted its location and is due to open its new church on December 2 at the Sharjah Worship Centre down the road after St Martin's Church.
The CSI church, located near Al Yarmouk, previously held sermons at St Martin's Church since April 1996.
The Sharjah Worship Centre has five dioceses that all contributed in building the Dh4 million church, with the CSI parish contributing Dh1.25 million.
Communion, baptisms and mass will be held regularly, on Friday mornings from 8-10.30am, and conducted in Malayalam.
Following the principles of bible teachings, a Sunday school for children 4-17 years is held on Fridays from 10.30am-12.30pm, with 17 teachers and more than 105 children.
With 550 members, the CSI congregation is the largest of the dioceses, and its area of worship will be on the first floor, while the other four will be on the ground floor.
The four other dioceses are made up of the IPC Sharjah, Gilgal Church of God-Sharjah, Shalem Assemblies of God-Sharjah and the Apostolic Church of Sharjah.
In South India, there are 22 dioceses in the four states of south India including Kerala.
Reverend C. M. Mathew has been the local vicar since May and, following the CSI tradition, will stay for three years before another reverend from Kerala will take his place.
The CSI Church has a range of activities and communities for all its members, such as youth meetings, the Women's Fellowship and a church choir.
The 60-member choir is one of the best church choirs in the UAE, and is currently functioning under Santosh C Punnoose, Choir Master.
The Women's Fellowship has been in use since 1996, and is dedicated to provide charitable services to the needy in Kerala.
On Friday, December 2, Reverend Thomas Samuel, Bishop of Madhya Kerala Diocese, will perform a dedication and bless the church, and will afterwards deliver the sermon.
The services are conducted in Malayalam and the church will also conduct proceedings for weddings, funerals and baptisms. The Anglican-Malayalam Church of South India has two other churches in the UAE, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Churches
Serving different denominations in UAE
Abu Dhabi: Arabic Evangelical Community Church, St George Orthodox Church, St Joseph's Church, Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church and Mar Thoma Churches.
Al Ain: The Arabic Evangelical Church, St Mary's Church, Al Ain
Dubai: Arab Evangelical Church of Dubai (AECD),St Francis of Assisi Church, Jebel Ali, St Mary's Church, St Mary's Konkan Community Dubai, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints CSI Parish, Dubai, Church of South India, Deira Brethren Assembly, Dubai Evangelical Church Centre (DECC), Emirates Baptist Church, International Holy Trinity C of E Church, International Christian Church of Dubai (ICCD),King's Revival Church, International Marthoma Syrian Church Of Malabar (Parish), Mar Ignatius Church, New Frontiers International New Covenant Church Parishes of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in the Gulf, United Christian Church of Dubai (UCCD).
Sharjah: Filipino International Christian Church, St Gregorious Orthodox Church,St Mary's Syrian Church, St Michael's Church and The Marthoma Church.
Fujairah: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Fujairah
M.M.A.S Reverend C. M. Mathew has been the local vicar since May and, following the CSI tradition, will stay for three years before another reverend from Kerala will take his place.
Gulf News
