CSI Malayalam Parish, United Kingdom
That They All May Be One
History
The Church of South India is the result of the union of churches of varying traditions such as Anglican, Methodist, Congregational, Reformed and Presbyterian. It was inaugurated in September 1947, after protracted negotiation among the churches concerned. Organized into dioceses, each under the spiritual supervision of a bishop, the Church is governed by a synod, which elects a moderator (presiding bishop) every 2 years. Episcopacy is thus combined with synodical government and the church explicitly recognizes that Episcopal, Presbyterian, and congregational elements are all necessary for the church's life. 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 3.8 million members and 14000 congregations in 22 dioceses (including, for historical reasons, one diocese in northern Sri Lanka). The CSI runs 2000 schools, 130 colleges and 104 hospitals. In the 1960s, as part of its social responsibility, the Church started organizing rural development projects. There are 50 such projects all over India, 50 training centers for young people, and 500 residential hostels for a total of 35,000 children.
Visit www.csichurch.com for more information
CSI Parish London History
The CSI Parish in UK has finally emerged as a reality on 7th October 2007, bearing true witness to God's love and care towards his children. By the immense grace and blessings of our loving God, our first Malayalam Holy Communion service as UK CSI parish was celebrated on this day.
Showers of Blessing
September 2007 was a wonderful and miraculous month for the CSI members in the United Kingdom; our prayers for finding an ideal place for worship have been answered. God's answer was through the Church of England; they offered us a beautiful church in Central London to perform CSI services during Sunday afternoons.
After our first prayer meeting at Hainault, we started working out the plans to obtain an ideal place for worship in Central London. As a first step, we sought an appointment with Bishop Rt. Rev. Michael Colclough, the Bishop of Kensington who has Central London area under his jurisdiction. On 13th September 2007 we were honoured by the generosity of Bishop, who wholeheartedly welcomed us all CSI members to use the St. Augustine’s Church, Queens Gate, South Kensington. That day we witnessed the miracle of God as the privilege bestowed upon us to worship in one of the London's landmark and historical churches. Following Bishop Michael's approval, the Parish Priest Rev. Stephen Caple has taken the patronage for future plans for worship. We again met the Bishop and Rev. Stephen on 18th September 2007; during latter's licensing service at St. Augustine’s. We had another meeting with Rev. Stephen on 21st September 2007 to discuss the future plans. During that meeting we were officially granted permission to commence CSI Malayalam worship service on the Sunday the 7th October 2007 at 15.00hrs.
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This is the Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury under the Diocese of London. The church was named after the Saint who was sent by Pope Saint Gregory of
"We are extremely thankful to the Church of England, Bp. Rt. Rev. Michael Colclough, the Bishop of Kensington and Rev. Stephen Caple, the Parish Priest for extending us the church and amenities for our worship"
