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“Mission in the World: Enabling Indian Women” was the fascinating program presented by Dr. Mabel Koshy, a First Pres member and Parish Associate on Tuesday evening, October 20, 2009. This event was sponsored by Presbyterian Women. Following the presentation everyone enjoyed refreshments and conversation.
Mabel Koshy worked as a physician from 1971 until 2001 both at Michael Reese hospital and University of Illinois in Chicago. Michael Reese is closed now.
While still working as a physician Mabel went back to school at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lombard, Illinois, graduating in June 2001. She retired as a physician in 2001 and then attended McCormick Seminary to learn how Presbyterians operate and complete the remaining studies in Hebrew, Greek, reform theology, etc. She is presently completing her D.Min at Northern Baptist Theological seminary.
Mabel is Indian but was born in Malaysia and comes from a long line of Christians. Before emigrating she was Syrian Orthodox; and when she arrived here, she had to learn about all the sects of Christianity in the U.S. She and her husband, Ooman, have been members of First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton since 1973. Mabel is also the director of counseling services for Parivar International.
Mabel's presentation was on Women in the Orthodox Church. Christianity came to India in the first century. It is widely believed that Thomas the Apostle brought the message to Kerala India. Mabel and her husband belong to a Syrian Christian Orthodox Church - Syrian because the liturgy for many years was given in the Syriac language. Women are not permitted to serve as clergy. Much of the Indian culture subordinates women, so there is a good deal of hurt and brokenness stemming from a culture of hierarchy and patriarchy and male domination. Mabel's thesis is developing a culturally sensitive lay care giving ministry to advance gender equality among the Indian Syrian Christian community in the Chicagoland area. In addition she shared some of the culture, food, spices, and clothing of India.
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