From: UCMC ( Union of CSI Malayalam Congregations)

To: The Moderator and The Synod Executive committee

CC: All the diocesan Bishops, Executive committee of the Madhya Kerala Diocese

All the CSI Churches in North America and Canada .

Ladies and Gentlemen:

In just over a month or so, the sun will set and bid adieu to 2003, a very eventful year as far as the Church of South India is concerned. At this point of time, we, the UCMC, believe that it may bode well for all of us to pause and look back over the events of the past year.

Just as much water has flown down the Thames, so has a lot of mud, hurled at each other by none other than our very own CSI faithful's located in India as well as in the United States of America. Never has the establishment of any Christian organization generated so much of passion and/or controversy as the establishment of the UCMC.

We painfully recollect the misunderstanding and misconceptions created in the hearts and minds of the general populace by opponents of the UCMC. While a difference of opinion and opposition is prevalent in any vibrant democracy and a vital part of any democratic setup, it is the slander and character assassination against UCMC, its motives and its elected officials, that has helped drive a wedge between people, between churches, between dioceses and what have you. What is more painful is that these baseless accusations continue unabated even today, drawing more and more innocent people into an imbroglio, that many of us may not be able recover from in the years to come.

Introspection is therefore the need of the hour and accordingly, it has been decided that the UCMC will reach out once again, reach out to each and every one of you, reach out to the goodness of your hearts and minds, to accept us more for what we are rather than reject us for something that we are not.

Earlier this year, during the inception of the UCMC, an organizational chart was sent out to one and all which clearly defines where were stand in the big picture. Either this was views through a narrow prism or simply misunderstood. Contrary to the belief in some quarters, we reiterate that the UCMC is not against the Church of South India , the Synod of the Church of South India , any Bishop or Bishops of the Church of South India , the Clergy of the Church of the Church of South India or any member or group associated with the Church of South India . We have said this before and we would be gladly willing to reiterate this statement once again, if need be.

Another misconception that we would like to refute is that it was never the intention of the UCMC at any point, to operate as a parallel organization to the Council of CSI Church in North America . Of course, the functioning of the Council left much to be desired in our opinion and we stand by this opinion. However, it was some members of the Council, who perceived the UCMC to be a threat to its own existence and succeeded in influencing the minds of many of you to look at us in a similar light. This is most unfortunate.

The Church of South India comprises of five distinct groups that differ in language, customs, beliefs, traditions. These are namely Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Jafna. We firmly believe that each of these groups has every right to develop themselves in every possible way and to grow and prosper. It is the duty of the Council to bring all these five groups together under its umbrella, an area of operation where the Council has failed to meet expectations.

Malayalam congregations have existed in the USA since the mid 70's and it is incumbent upon these congregations to join hands and work for our unified growth and development. The UCMC is merely a facilitator for this process. It is our ardent desire that the Kannada, Telugu and Tamil speaking groups also be given an opportunity to grow and progress, all within the framework of the Council. The UCMC is just one among the five different groups. Together, we can accomplish a lot in this country, provided the Council is able to provide us all with the direction that is result oriented, tolerant and extremely professional in its approach and conduct of affairs. The existing status-quo has to be dismantled and the Council needs to be re-organized as a viable organization under a new constitution.

It has come to our attention that during the recently concluded CSI Synod meeting in Chennai, there were Bishop's claiming to have anywhere between 10-40 congregations for each language group. If this is true, we urge all the concerned Bishops to come forward, identify all these congregations and initiate a process that will ultimately bring all of them together under the Council, an ideal situation that all of us, including the UCMC, would love to be a part of. Think of the potential for growth and progress if we could all unite as true representatives of the Church of South India in America .

Based on the foregoing, we urge you all to kindly give this matter your attention and initiate a process that will bring us all together. The UCMC stands firmly behind you if such a union comes into being. We will leave no stone unturned to ensure the growth and progress of the Council for His glory. The UCMC respects the Synod, the Office of the Moderator, Bishops of all the 22 Dioceses and all other office bearers of the church.

Meanwhile, it would be very much appreciated if you would be accommodating enough to confirm your acceptance of the following:

(1) Permit the continuation of the UCMC under the Bishop of the Madhya Kerala Diocese.

(2) Arrange to provide uninterrupted pastoral care for all congregations under the UCMC through the Bishop of the Madhya Kerala Diocese.

(3) Permit the UCMC to initiate its own auxiliary fellowships such as the Men's Group, Women's Fellowship, Youth Group etc.

(4) Accept the need for the UCMC to conduct our own Annual Family Conferences, beginning with our first proposed conference in Dallas , Texas during the summer of 2004.

Other language groups that are in sync with the concept of the UCMC may also be offered the above privileges, so that they too may realize their true and maximum potential without being detrimental to the Council or its interests.

We are sure that you will give this matter your attention and look forward to hear from you in due course. If the Council is unwilling to accept positive change, there is absolutely no doubt that UCMC would be a much better choice and a more viable option. If the Councils balks for any reason, the UCMC would be willing to step in, don the mantle and provide the CSI faithful in America with the desired leadership.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact any of the UCMC office bearers.

We hope that the spirit of this yuletide season will enable all of us to put the past behind us and focus on the future.

Wishing you all the best compliments of the season.

Sincerely,

For the UCMC Executive Committee:

John Zachariah                          Shibu Kurian                              Jacob Varghese

UCMC General Secretary          UCMC Joint Secretary                UCMC Treasurer

New York , NY                                       Chicago , IL                                              Dallas , TX