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How long ago did you become a member of the church?
How long ago did you become a member of the church?
I became a part of the church in 2007 when my family moved back to MA.
When did you join the CCD program (at what grade)?
When did you join the CCD program (at what grade)?
I joined the CCD program in 2nd grade. My first teacher was Saju (Johnson) uncle. There were about seven of us in the class. I had been taught many of the prayers but had never attended faith formation classes before, so I was super curious and a bit apprehensive to see what it would be like. However, the class was incredibly welcoming and I had a wonderful cohort!
How important was being a member of the community to your family in the years since?
How important was being a member of the community to your family in the years since?
My family wanted us kids to be involved in the community in our formative years, whether it was in prayer meetings or CCD/youth activities. It was to the point where I wouldn’t leave homework to do on Sundays, because the entire day would be spent with CCD, choir, or cultural activities. I’m sure the years of driving back and forth got tedious, but my parents made sure we participated in as many aspects of the community as we could!
How has your CCD education influenced you in later years now that you’re in college?
How has your CCD education influenced you in later years now that you’re in college?
CCD gave me a great foundation of ideas on which I can build as I gain different experiences. I definitely think it has made me receptive to differing perspectives and has allowed me to share unique parts of my faith with those from other belief systems.
How has the community changed since the beginning from your perspective?
How has the community changed since the beginning from your perspective?
Apart from growing in size, I think the community has shifted more toward blending cultural identities, especially in relation to future generations. Growing up, figuring out the right balance between Malayalee and American identities and how we fit into the world around us was a bit of a battle for first-gen kids, while parents and adults tended to want to preserve cultural practices in their original form. I think the community is continuing to evolve and balance the retention of our wonderful culture with an awareness of the American identity.
What was your favorite part about growing up in the church?
What was your favorite part about growing up in the church?
The church offered so many opportunities to gain valuable skills and identify your strengths. Whether it was bible month competitions or choir practices, the church gave me the confidence to handle any situation thrown at me, nurtured my creativity and helped discover passions that I can take with me going forward. It has always been a source of stability and a place I know I can turn to. I loved having a community of people I had a lot in common with and forging strong relationships; some of my closest friendships today are from church and I couldn’t be more grateful!
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