Rev. Wynne took initiative in organizing a regular youth group in St. Stephen’s Church. The activities of the youth group, year after year, have depended upon the enthusiasm of the young people themselves.
A Young Adults Club was started in October 1978 with the help of Mrs. Thomas and Allen Roberts. Women’s Fellowship provided them with tea and snacks. The club also started a library in November that year. The books specially donated by members were kept in the library and made available to Sunday School children and club members every Sunday at the Parsonage after the 8:30 a.m. service. Reporting about the youth group, St. Stephen’s Calling states in December 1978 that “the Young Adults Club organized a Christmas Social on Sunday 10th December at 4 p.m. and the volleyball court was inaugurated on the occasion.
Rev. Azariah encouraged Youth Fellowship to meet twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. and urged them to take part in Bible study. On 11th July 1983, a one day retreat was organized from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Youth Fellowship at the Catholic Retreat House, Bandra. The church provided them with lunch and tea and each boy and girl paid a token amount of Rs.12 per head. Rev. Thomas Ninan who made special efforts to promote youth activities felt that “the want of interest among young people in the church activities was because the church service did not appeal to them as they found emptiness and void in the wordy creed of the church service. The open fellowship of the Charismatic churches and western music appealed to them more.”
In order to meet their felt needs he organized a three day youth camp in tent accommodation on the banks of Pawna Lake, 11 kms away from Lonavala, to discuss the Bible. “The discussion opened their hearts leading to commitment to faithfulness to Jesus and witness to His love. The camp also had programmes such as canoeing, sailing, and archery. Rev. Raju Bhagwat, Diocesan Youth Director, who assisted in organizing the camp, had good rapport with the youth and helped to strengthen youth programmes by organizing inter-church youth fellowships. One such programme was hosted by the youth group of St. Stephen’s Church. Some of the youth leaders such as Seenu Cherian, Sanjini Varkey, Joy Marshall, Rajan Makwan were among the best in the history of St. Stephen’s Youth Fellowship. Seenu Cherian was an outstanding youth leader and she represented Bombay Diocese at an International Youth Exchange Programme held at Manchester in 1988.”
When Rev. Bhagwat was the Bombay Diocesan Youth Director, activities in St. Stephen’s Church became vibrant. In the annual inter-youth fellowship singing competition organized in 1991, St. Stephen’s Youth Fellowship won the trophy for the second consecutive year. Likewise, in the Diocesan Bible Quiz held in February 1992, St.Stephen’s Youth Fellowship won the first prize. The quiz was based on the book of Esther in the Old Testament.
Under the leadership of Sushmita John, the Secretary, the youth programmes include retreats, Bible study, and praise and worship sessions in the church. For a while, the Youth Fellowship played an active role in the running of the Sunday School. During Christmas, the responsibility of carol-singing visits to homes has also been shouldered by the St. Stephen’s youth, ably assisted by members of the Women’s Fellowship and other church leaders. During the Harvest Festival the Youth Fellowship organize games and conduct sales. The Youth Fellowship has been indeed a vibrant part of the church.
At present, a meeting of teens and college students is held once a month for a time of fellowship and Bible-based discussions.
St. Stephen's celebrated its centenary on 26th December 1953 with much fanfare. Until then there had been no electric lights or fans. They were installed during this time.
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