Bill Text: VA HR781 | 2024 | 1st Special Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Commending Immanuel Mar Thoma Church.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-06-28 - Agreed to by House by voice vote [HR781 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HR781-Introduced.html
WHEREAS, Immanuel Mar Thoma Church in Aldie, a parish under the Diocese of North America and Europe of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, an autonomous eastern Protestant Christian church based in Kerala, India, has greatly served the community for many years; and
WHEREAS, since the early 1990s, a devoted group of Mar Thoma families lived in the Commonwealth, aspiring to one day establish a place of worship close to home; and
WHEREAS, after its members participated actively with the Mar Thoma Church of Greater Washington for many years, the Immanuel Mar Thoma Church was approved as a new parish of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church on April 15, 2010, by the Synod of the Mar Thoma Church; and
WHEREAS, on December 26, 2010, the bishop of the Diocese of North America and Europe of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, the Right Reverend Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa, officially inaugurated Immanuel Mar Thoma Church; and
WHEREAS, the Reverend M.M. John was appointed by the Most Reverend Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan to serve as the first vicar of Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, who was followed in the pastorship by a series of accomplished faith leaders, including the Reverend Dr. Philip Varghese, the Reverend Roy Geevarghese, the Reverend Jaisen Thomas, the Reverend Alex Kolath, the Reverend Prince Varghese, and the Reverend Renny Varghese; and
WHEREAS, today, the Immanuel Mar Thoma Church supports its congregation with various programs and services, including a yuvajana sakhyam, sevika sangham, choir, Sunday school, edavaka mission, youth fellowship, young families' fellowship, prayer groups, and mission-oriented outreach programs; and
WHEREAS, the Immanuel Mar Thoma Church has provided a spiritual home to the many individuals and families who have strengthened their faith and found a greater sense of purpose and community within its walls; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Immanuel Mar Thoma Church hereby be commended for its mission and service; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to representatives of Immanuel Mar Thoma Church as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for its contributions to the Commonwealth.
