St. Mary’s League
Women have been the cornerstone of our families, society, and our church. There are references across the Holy Bible where women have played powerful, important, and decisive roles. Some of them have even changed the course of biblical history.
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has acknowledged and recognised the role of women in church and has carved out the “Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam” (MMVS) in 1928 under the patronage of the late Very Rev. M C Kuriakose Ramban.
In Singapore, the St Mary’s League has been an integral part of the church for the past 50 years. The St Mary’s League in Singapore has subscribed to the MMVS since 2017. The core focus of St Mary’s League is on:
- Spiritual growth of women in church
- Spiritual activities in the region (Singapore and diocese)
- Bringing families together through various social activities
- Reaching out to the communities in Singapore and India
Spiritual growth of women in church
- Friday Payer Meeting: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Friday prayer meetings are conducted online on all Fridays. From 2023, on second Friday of every month, the prayer is conducted at church. The vicar presides over these prayer meetings.
- Monthly Prayer Fellowship: The Ladies’ Fellowship is held on the first Sunday of every month after the Holy Qurbana on Sundays.
- Old Testament Reading: St Mary’s League organises the English and Malayalam Old Testament readings before the Holy Qurbana.
- Saanthwanam: In Malayalam, “saanthwanam” means consolation. St Mary’s League organises consolatory prayers for bereaving families at their residence.
- Gregorian Worship: The Gregorian Worship is organised after the midway of the 50-day Great Lent. It comprises prayer, meditation, and worship with a soothing blend of hymns and bible readings.
- Family Retreat: This event is usually conducted in conjunction with St Thomas Day in early July.
Spiritual and charity activities in the region (Singapore and diocese)
- St. Mary’s Exam: The optional annual exam is conducted in October, and results are announced in December. The topic for the exam is announced early in the year.
- Events by MMVS East Asia: Members of St Mary’s League in Singapore participates actively in the MMVS East Asia Bible Quiz and MMVS Online Bible classes.
- Singapore Ecumenical Ladies Retreat: The annual retreat is attended by ladies of the Indian churches in Singapore.
Bringing families together through various social activities
- Pethrutha Lunch: The potluck lunch is organised on the Kohine Sunday. The entire congregation feasts on a sumptuous home-made lunch before entering 50 days of fasting, leading to the passion week and easter.
- Food Sale: St Mary’s League holds sale of delicious home-cooked food from time to time to fund for their own charity events.
- Women’s Day: To uplift the women in the church, talks on the challenges faced by today’s women are organised.
- Church Decoration: St Mary’s League takes up the responsibility of decorating the church on important occasions such as Christmas.
- Onam: In this Kerala-origin festival celebrations organised by the church management committee, ladies from the league volunteer to serve food (onasadya) and participate actively in nostalgic games such as vadamvalli (tug-of-war), kaserakali (musical chairs), lemon and spoon, etc.
Reaching out to the community in Singapore and India
- Diocesan Charity Activities: Working together with the MMVS, St Mary’s League contributes to the Vanitha Dinam and the Snehasparsham charity initiatives.
- Charity Home Visits: Annual charity visit to organisations such as Red Cross Home and Singapore Christian Home to spend time with the tenants and to be present in their joy and sorrows.
- Supporting Migrant Workers: The joyous Christian moments on Christmas or Easter are shared with our migrant brothers from India.
- Mother’s Day Gift: A token of appreciation is handed through community leadership teams to a needy mother in recognition of her sacrifices.
Committee Members
Mrs. Priya Elizabeth Thomas
(Secretary)
Mrs. Usha Eapen
(Treasurer)
Mrs. Elizabeth Mathew
(Committee Member)
Mrs. Neelu Varghese
(Committee Member)
Mrs. Nisha Alexander
(Committee Member)