Discussions concerning union had begun at a conference at Tranquebar (now Tarangambadi) in 1919, and in 1947, after India attained independence, the union was completed. On 27th September 1947, the General Council of Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon, General Assembly of South India United Church and South India Provincial Synod of Methodist Church joined together to from the CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA as the largest united national church in India, at St. George’s Cathedral, Chennai. The continued growth was further enriched with the joining of the churches of Basel Mission and the Anglican Diocese of Nandyal. Thus, the Church of South India was the result of the union of churches of varying traditions Anglican, Methodist, Congregational, Presbyterian, and Reformed. Organized into 22 dioceses, each under the spiritual supervision of a bishop, the church as a whole is governed by a synod, which elects a moderator (presiding bishop) every 2 years. A unique church was born out of the blending of the Episcopal and non - Episcopal traditions as a gift of God to the people of India and as a visible sign of the ecclesiastical unity for the universal church. The Scriptures are the ultimate standard of faith and practice. The historic creeds are accepted as interpreting the biblical faith, and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper are recognized as of binding obligation. The Church of South India has its own service book and communion service, both of which draw from several denominational sources. The union, especially in its reconciliation of the Anglican doctrine of apostolic succession with the views of other denominations, is often cited as a landmark in the ecumenical movement. The church accepts the Lambeth Quadrilateral as its basis and recognises the historical episcopate in its constitutional form. The C.S.I. Church is the second largest church in India based on the population of members, next to the Roman Catholic church, and also the largest Protestant denomination in the country.
Mission Work
The C.S.I. Parish Dubai, is always ready to share her blessings and extend her arms to help and support the needy, through financial help or otherwise.
A good portion of the amount raised from the various collections and contributions from members and the Harvest Festival is allocated for mission and charity work, each year. Apart from this, each organization of the church also supports Mission Work in India, through its various efforts.
At a glance, 15% of Church Offertory is allocated to Missionary Fund and another 15% of Church Offertory is allocated to Charity Fund. Furthermore, 15% of the amount raised through the annual Harvest Festival is allocated to Missionary Fund and another 15% is allocated to Charity Fund.
The Missionary fund is utilized to support and / or donate to churches from whom requests are received for church building / renovation, Seminary donations and support for Church workers.
The charity fund is utilized to support laymen.. who request financial support for reasons such as marriages, house construction, studies of children etc.
As a church, we continue to financially support Mysore Mission, lead by Rev Johnson John and family.
The poor box collection is distributed to organizations such as Polio Home (Trivandrum), Asha Bhavan (Kottayam) , Leprosy home (Nooranad), Mundakapadam Agathi Mandiram (Manganam).
The Self Denial collection (during Passion Week) from our church is used to support Parakkal Mission, Andhra.
The Vijaya Stothram collection is donated to Bishop Moore College, Mavelikera.
Each organization also supports various causes. The Women’s Fellowship donate to Kanakari – MKD (Madhya Kerala Diocese) Kottayam for Women workers. Furthermore, they also contribute to the Marriage Aid Fund of MKD Kottayam as well.
The Youth Fellowship, through its Blood Donation drives, financially support a doctor on mission work at Andhra Mission, by providing for his salary.
Last, but definitely not the least, the children of the C.S.I. Parish Dubai, are also instilled with the virtue of being charitable, by contributing to the Bethel Ashramam, Kottayam.
For the C.S.I Parish Dubai, the journey from our beginning has been a long and blessed one. As a church, truly believing in "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7), we praise God for the blessing of members who yearn to support and contribute towards soothing a worried heart, and helping towards the betterment of our needy brothers and sisters in India.
C.S.I. Parish Dubai (Malayalam). Our services are held every Friday morning at 10 a.m. at the Christ Church, Jebel Ali, and Friday evening at 7 p.m. at the Holy Trinity Church. Sunday School is held every Friday evening at 6 p.m. at the John Laing hall, Holy Trinity Church campus.
As one of the oldest C.S.I. Parishes in the U.A.E., we continue to pray and glorify our Lord in one voice, working for the glory of our Lord's kingdom and strengthening our faith through fellowship, in line with our vision "That They All May Be One"
Please go through our website to read more about our Parish and its activities. We look forward to learning more about Jesus, together. May God's grace be with you!