A Journey of Faith, Fellowship, Talent & Service
"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it." – Proverbs 22:6
From the Vicar’s Desk
Dear Children, Teachers, Parents, and Friends of St. Paul’s Mar Thoma Church, Adyar,
Greetings to you all in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. First of all, I would like to congratulate our Sunday School teachers for their initiative in bringing out this newsletter and for their sincere and dedicated efforts behind this endeavour.
St. Paul’s MTC Sunday School, Adyar, is moving forward very well in its journey of faith. Our Sunday School children are among the greatest treasures of our parish and are the promise of its future. Their interest in the Word of God and their regular and active participation in Sunday School is especially commendable. Our children participated in the Talent Examinations conducted at the Centre, Diocese, and Central levels and achieved remarkable success. I especially appreciate and congratulate all who participated, the teachers who encouraged, trained and guided them, and the parents who supported them.
One of the greatest blessings of our Sunday School is the selfless service and dedicated commitment of our enthusiastic team of teachers. Their wholehearted efforts and willingness to serve are truly commendable. I firmly believe that this first edition will help our children know one another better and deepen communication and fellowship between the children and teachers. I extend my heartfelt greetings, best wishes and prayerful blessings for this meaningful endeavour. May God guide and bless all your efforts and make this initiative a blessing to our Sunday School and parish.
With love and prayers,
In Christ’s Service,
Rev. K. P. Thomas, Vicar
Foreword
Dear Achen, Parents, Teachers and Children,
Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! It gives me immense joy to present the first newsletter of St. Paul’s Mar Thoma Church, Adyar Sunday School. This newsletter is a small effort to capture and cherish the beautiful moments, achievements and milestones of our Sunday School family. As we begin this new initiative, our desire is to create a record of the journey of our children – their learning, talents, participation, fellowship and growth in Christ.
The past few months have been filled with many blessed occasions. From Talent Parishodhana and VBS to the new academic year, examinations, creative activities and Annual Day, each event has given our children an opportunity to learn, participate and discover their God-given gifts. I am grateful to our children for their enthusiastic participation, our teachers for their dedication, patience and commitment, and our parents for their constant encouragement and cooperation. Sunday School is truly a joint effort, and every contribution helps us nurture our children in faith.
Above all, we thank God for His guidance and grace. Our greatest goal is not simply to see our children excel in competitions or academics, but to help them know Christ, love His Word, grow in faith and become responsible and compassionate followers of Him. May this first newsletter begin a tradition of recording the wonderful journey of our Sunday School. Special thanks to Mrs. Priti Cherian, who first proposed this meaningful initiative. Let us continue to walk together, pray together and encourage our children as they grow in wisdom, stature, and the knowledge and love of our Lord.
“Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 19:14
With prayers and gratitude,
Nisha Merin Bobby, Headmistress
April – A Month of Talent & Celebration
Chennai Centre Talent Parishodhana – 11 April 2026
For the third year in a row, our Sunday School brought home the Overall Chennai Centre Trophy. Our children took part with great enthusiasm, and our Junior and Senior teams also won the Divyasangeetholsavam trophies.
Vacation Bible School – 27 April to 1 May 2026
VBS 2026 was a joyful week of learning, worship, creativity, fellowship and fun. Rev. Shiju Thomas, Vicar of St. Paul’s Mar Thoma Church, Whitefield, Bangalore, led our children through the theme “Stand Firm in Christ” – Philippians 4:1. The week ended with a Dedication Service, a VBS Rally, a final-day programme and a fellowship lunch together.
Sharing & Caring
Our Christmas 2025 collection reached children far beyond our parish: in April, we gave Rs. 50,000 towards the Vacation Bible School run by the Erode Mar Thoma Mission in two rural villages. This was made possible by generous gifts from our families, with support from the Sunday School account.
"It is more blessed to give than to receive." – Acts 20:35
May – A Month of Achievements
In May, our children carried their talents to the Diocesan and Samajam levels, and did us proud.
Diocesan Sunday School Talent Parishodhana – 2 May 2026
Our children brought home four prizes at the Diocesan level, including three firsts. Well done to everyone who took part.
Divyasangeetholsavam – Diocesan Level
Our Junior and Senior teams won their categories again at the Diocesan level and brought home the Rolling Trophy.
Samajam Level, Tiruvalla – 16 and 23 May 2026
At the Samajam & DSMC Divyasangeetholsavam on 16 May, our Junior team came 3rd among 16 teams. Our Senior team did us proud, competing among 21 teams. A week later, on 23 May, our Young Adult student won 3rd Prize in the Essay and Elocution Competition at the Samajam Kendram Level Talent Parishodhana.
Roll of Honour
Congratulations to every child who took part. Our prize winners at the April and May competitions:
| Student | Prizes |
| Lorraine L. | Centre: Nursery Singing, 3rd |
| Kevin J. | Centre: Primary Story Telling, 1st |
| Serah R. | Centre: Primary Singing, 3rd |
| Annora T. | Centre: Junior Singing (Girls), 1st Diocese: Junior Singing (Girls), 1st |
| Ebin S. | Centre: Junior Singing (Boys), 1st |
| Liann L. | Centre: Junior Story Telling, 1st Diocese: Junior Story Telling, 3rd |
| Jaden P. | Centre: Junior Story Telling, 2nd |
| Anugraha R. | Centre: Intermediate Singing (Girls), 2nd |
| Freya M. | Centre: Senior Singing (Girls), 2nd |
| Ashish J. | Centre: Senior Singing (Boys), 2nd Centre: Senior Elocution, 2nd |
| Jenny J. | Centre: Young Adult Essay, Elocution and Singing (Girls), 1st in all three Diocese: Young Adult Essay and Elocution, 1st in both Samajam Kendram: Young Adult Essay and Elocution, 3rd |
A special word of congratulations to Jenny J. for a hat-trick of First Prizes at the Chennai Centre.
June & July – Back After the Summer Break
Sunday School reopened on 7 June 2026 after the summer break. The day was also observed as Education Sunday: after our opening session together, children returned to their classes, and a special Dedication Service asked God’s blessing on every student, teacher and family. On 5 July, our children sat their Half-Yearly Examination, a milestone that shows how much of God’s Word they are making their own. Coming to Sunday School every week, revising Bible portions and learning memory verses all make a difference.
August – Gratitude, Talents & Fellowship
August was a month of celebration. Alongside Annual Day, our children and teachers took an active part in the parish Harvest Festival and Gospel Musical Worship.
Annual Day 2026 – 9 August 2026
Seventy children took the stage at our Annual Day, confidently sharing their God-given talents. We celebrated the prize winners of the Annual Examination, Birudhu and Attendance 2025, and the Internal Talent Parishodhana 2026, and the day ended with a fellowship lunch for our whole Sunday School family.
Creativity & Expression
Not every talent is shown on stage. As part of Annual Day, children who chose to express themselves off stage contributed drawings, posters, calligraphy and craft on the theme “Stand Firm in Christ”, displayed for everyone to see.
September – Faith, Fellowship & Adventure
In September, our children joined in the parish Onam celebrations and set off for the Diocesan Camp.
Diocesan Sunday School Camp – 12–14 September 2026
Ours was the only Sunday School from the Chennai Centre to take part. Thirteen of our children travelled to Carmel Campus, Ghatkesar, where the Hyderabad Centre hosted three days of fellowship, learning and spiritual growth on the theme “Bearing God’s Name” – Colossians 3:17.
Looking Ahead
November: World Sunday School Day celebrations, Sunday School Picnic, Sunday School Annual Examination
December: Birudhu Examination, Young Adult Graduation
Please help your child revise their Bible portions and memory verses for the Annual Examination. Dates, times and venues will be shared in the Sunday School parents’ WhatsApp group.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We thank our Achen, teachers, parents and church office bearers for their prayers and support, and everyone who works quietly behind the scenes – coordinating programmes, training children, arranging food and logistics, and accompanying children to competitions and camps. Special thanks to Irene, Jenzo, Sheba and Indu for preparing our Divyasangeetholsavam teams, and to Merine and Smitha for accompanying our campers.
May God give every family the grace to bring their children to Church and Sunday School every week, so they may grow in His Word and remain firmly rooted in Christ. Please keep our children, our teachers and the coming Annual Examination in your prayers.
"But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." – Joshua 24:15
Get involved: to help with programmes, food, travel or training, or to share news for the next issue, please speak to the Headmistress or any Sunday School teacher.
To God be all glory!
St. Paul’s Mar Thoma Church, Adyar · Sunday School
First Edition, April – September 2026