Ecumenical Council at a Glance

The Ecumenical Council of Kerala Christians in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area (ECKC)

Founded in 1991, the Ecumenical Council of Kerala Christians (ECKC) is a fellowship of 18 member churches serving the Kerala Christian community in the Baltimore, Virginia, and Washington D.C. metropolitan area.

Mission:

Foster Unity: The ECKC serves as a platform for Kerala Christians to connect, celebrate their shared Christian heritage, and build lasting friendships and understanding within the community.
Joint Celebrations: The council organizes joint celebrations of important Christian festivals, fostering a sense of shared faith and tradition among its members.
Community Support: The ECKC prioritizes offering help and support to those in need within the community, including the sick, bereaved, and underprivileged.
Philanthropic Endeavors: The council actively engages in charitable activities, both locally in their adopted land and in their homeland of Kerala, aiming to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

By fostering unity, celebrating faith, offering support, and engaging in charitable works, the ECKC plays a vital role in strengthening the Kerala Christian community in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area.

History

Origins

In 1991, seven Christian church communities in Washington D.C., and Maryland gathered to celebrate Christmas at the Interfaith Community Center in Columbia Maryland. They included the Mar Thoma Church of Baltimore, the Mar Thoma Church of Greater Washington, The St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, the St. Thomas Malankara Orthodox Church of Washington DC, The St. Thomas Syrian Orthodox Church of Baltimore, the Malankara Catholic Church of Washington D.C., and the Indian Catholic Society of Baltimore. The fellowship experience was joyful and each church community participated enthusiastically and shared the joy of Christmas. This gathering gave rise to the formation of the Ecumenical Council of Kerala Christians (ECKC), which was intended to bring together churches of Kerala origin that were under Episcopal leadership or hierarchy. A formal set of By Laws was developed to describe how the executive body should be constituted and how it should function. The early committees of ECKC, which included clergy, rightfully decided that the clergy would refrain from assuming administrative leadership of the organization, but that the clergy would offer their spiritual leadership for the growth of ecumenical activities. The goal of ECKC was to bring together the Kerala Christian community for fellowship and to celebrate its unity in Christ.

Twenty-fifth Anniversary

In 2016, ECKC celebrated its Silver Jubilee. At that time, there were sixteen Kerala Christian churches belonging to the following denominations: (1) Six belonging to the Malankara Indian Orthodox Church; (2) three belonging to the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church; (3) three belonging to the Syrian Orthodox Church; (4) three belonging to the Syro Malabar Catholic Church; and (5) one belonging to he Syro Malankara Catholic Church. These churches ministered to their respective families and members in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Over time, ECKC has supported local and international causes, including offering medical aid, educational assistance, and marriage assistance for the needy, and homes for the homeless. The beneficiaries received assistance irrespective of their religious affiliations. ECKC has also supported local charitable endeavors through the Sisters of Charity, and Soup Kitchens. ECKC support teams also organized visits to the aged, sick, and lonely members in the Kerala community to offers support and companionship.

ECKC in 2024

In 2024, ECKC will complete 34 years since its formation. It is now made up of eighteen churches. See our member churches

Events and Activities

Currently ECKC organizes the following activities:

1. Annual Quiz Competition for Sunday School children

2. A combined Easter Celebration

3. Volleyball tournaments for youths and adults

4. Annual Picnic

5. Basketball tournament for youths

6. Annual Convention

7. Christmas Celebration on the first Saturday of December.

ECKC continues to support local and international causes, including offering medical aid, and educational assistance to the needy. The beneficiaries receive assistance irrespective of their religious affiliations.

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