For Grace Faith Soul

SS Mary & John Nugegoda

Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle andlowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Matthew 11 : 28-30
Youth Fellowship
Sunday School Teachers
Elders Home
Mothers Union
SERVICE TIMES

01st, 02nd, 04th and 05th Sundays

03rd Sunday

Week days Holy Eucharist at 7.00am

4th Sunday the evening service at 5.30pm will be 'Evensong' followed by Holy Eucharist

Evening service on 1st, 2nd and 5th will be in the contemporary worship style (Praise & Worship)

SS Mary & John Nugegoda

Journey of Faith

Reaching the community and serving the people

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Monthly Newsletter Here.

Download Pew Sheet Here - 07 September 2025

Bible Study - Thursday 5.30 pm

Rooted in Faith, Growing in Grace

Established as a beacon of Anglican worship in Nugegoda, SS Mary & John Church has been a place of prayer, service, and fellowship for generations. Join us as we continue to walk in Christ’s light and serve our community with love.

Nurturing the Next Generation in Faith

Our Youth Fellowship at SS Mary & John Church is a space where young minds grow in faith, friendship, and service. Through Bible study, community service, and worship, we equip the next generation to live out their faith boldly.

A Historic Church, A Living Faith

With a rich heritage in the Anglican tradition, SS Mary & John Church, Nugegoda, remains a spiritual home for all who seek God’s presence. From worship to outreach, we are committed to strengthening faith and building a compassionate community.

Faith in Action, Service in Love

At SS Mary & John Church, our Anglican roots inspire us to serve beyond our walls. Through community outreach, charitable missions, and spiritual guidance, we strive to make Christ’s love known in Nugegoda and beyond.

A Community United in Worship and Service

For decades, SS Mary & John Church has stood as a pillar of faith in Nugegoda, welcoming worshippers to experience the richness of Anglican liturgy, the power of prayer, and the joy of fellowship. Join us in growing together in Christ.

A Heritage of Worship, A Future of Hope

SS Mary & John Church, Nugegoda, carries forward the Anglican legacy of faith, tradition, and community service. Whether you seek spiritual guidance, a place of worship, or a community to belong to, we welcome you with open hearts.

The Vicar’s Message

My dear Friends in Christ,Reflection Living as True Disciples: Faith, Generosity, and Readiness The Sunday Gospel readings for this month are from Luke 12:13–14:14 which offers a profound roadmap for Christian living—one that challenges our priorities and invites us into deeper freedom. Jesus’ words are both comforting and unsettling, reminding us that discipleship is not a passive endeavor but a daily choice to align our hearts with God’s Kingdom. Where Is Your Treasure?Jesus begins with a warning against greed, sharing the parable of the rich man who stored up earthly wealth but was “not rich toward God” (12:21). In a world obsessed with accumulation, Christ redirects us: “Sell your possessions, give alms… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (12:33-34). True security lies not in what we own, but in what we give away. Ready for the Master’s ReturnLike servants awaiting their master (12:35-40), we’re called to live with watchful hearts. This isn’t a posture of fear, but of joyful expectancy—our lamps lit, our hands open. Discipleship demands surrender, yet Jesus tenderly reminds us: “Do not be afraid, little flock” (12:32). The Cost and Gift of DiscipleshipFollowing Christ disrupts complacency. He “brings fire” and division (12:49-53),

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Discover the Power of Faith & Spiritual Growth

Mother’s Union

Mother’s Union is a growing organisation with the Anglican Church in Sri Lanka with fervour. The Mothers’ Union of our Church is now 94 years old, something to be proud of. It has stood the test of time because of the women who have served in the past and we thank God for all the mothers, past and present who have worked with zeal, vision and commitment, given their talents, time and energy throughout the years and the Mother’s Union has grown from strength to strength with God’s blessings.

The mothers meet once a month on the 3rd Wednesday at 4.00 pm in the side Chapel of the Church. The 7.30 am service on 2nd Sunday of every month is dedicated to the Mother’s Union and they take part in the service. Breakfast sale is organised after the Family Service on 3rd Sundays.

The Mothers’ Union has been actively involved in Church programs, harvest festival as well as their own projects and programs of distributing provision packs for poor relief and many out-reach programs out station. The members have also been involved in organising prayer sessions, get togethers for the Residents and visiting our Senior Friends’ Home in Kotte.

SSMJ Mothers’ Union is involved deeply in the Church of Ceylon Mothers’ Union and our mothers are well represented in every program, special services and events organised by them. We are happy that the MU has roped in many young working mothers who are now actively involved in all the activities amidst their own busy schedules and careers.

Sunday School

Sunday School is an integral part of a child’s Christian life in the Church. Sunday School also plays an active and important part in the Church. It has a responsibility of not only teaching the Word of God, Bible stories but also the Christian values and ethics so that the child will grow spiritually, to love and serve the Lord, while growing in the life of the Church. For this we have to teach and reach them at a very young age to be rooted and grounded in the love of Christ and the Church has lent itself for us Christians.

We have a vibrant Sunday School with a group of dedicated teachers. Mr. Monroe Jayasuriya was the Superintendent up until the end of 2024 and we have Mrs. Romella de Mel who has taken over as the new Superintendent with new challenges of getting all the children of the parish to attend the Sunday School regularly. Plans are under way to introduce new digital media platforms to make it interesting for the present generation of children in this digital era. We warmly invite our parishioners to send their children to Sunday School and also bring them to at least one of the Sunday services as both go hand in hand.

The 3rd Sunday is Family Sunday, where children lead the first part of the service doing the readings and intercessions. The children also take an active part in special services such as Parenting Sunday, Fathers’ Day, Confirmation, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Carol Services. Parents we urge you to encourage your children to join the Sunday School of our Church.

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

The Youth of this Church are the future generation of our Parish. Youths have a very important and active role in the growth of a Church. They need to be recognised and given an active role in the Church life. Our YF has very talented and committed strong youth membership of around 40. These youths actively take part in all the events and programs of the Church and also have their own excellent creative programs and activities right throughout the year. These are carried out by the YF members here in Colombo and in the out stations to reach the wider community who are in need.

These young members are extremely talented and are blessed with beautiful voices, ability to play instruments to make the services lively. Once a month the YF is involved in having a Praise and Worship at the evening service and are able to help with special events arranged by the Church during lent, harvest festival and Christmas especially the House to House Caroling.

Another annual event of the Church, ‘Dingisidingale’ is a program that is organised by them with much planning and creativity show casing their organising skills and hidden talents of all the youths through song, dance and drama. They make sure every organisation of the Church is taking part and put together a wonderful show. They are a bunch of friendly, dependable youths who are making a difference in the life of the Church and also helping to build fellowship among the all the members of the parish.

THE ALTAR SERVERS

Serving in the Altar is a blessing and a privilege. It is believed that hosts of heavenly Angels descend to praise God with us when the blessed sacraments are blessed and shared. The reverence of the Sanctuary is a beautiful sight. Faith sees the invisible and believes in the incredible that happens at the Sanctuary.

We have 20 dedicated servers from the age of 8 upwards. It is a calling they have responded to. We are proud to state that the SSMJ servers are the best lot out of all the Churches. They are there at all the Sunday services, special services, weddings, funerals, Confirmation Service and at any other special events they are called to serve. Our servers are called regularly to participate in many Services conducted at the Cathedral and also at other Churches.

THE CHOIRS

The Choristers consists of all 3, English, Sinhala and Tamil choirs. Though they sing separately in the services on Sundays, they come together and join hands to sing as members of one family at the Family Sunday trilingual service and at all the other special services that are held during the year. Though small in numbers in each choir, when combined they sound awesome as witnessed at the Open Air Carols at the stadium in Nugegoda and at our very own Church Carol service. The Choirs has been in attendance at weddings, funerals and thanksgiving services when invited to do so and have given their fullest support and commitment at all times with their busy schedules and work. The organists are Mr. Derek Ross-Meredith and Ms. Chrisanthi Chandrasekera who plays for the Sinhala and Tamil services and does the training of the choirs as well. We warmly invite our parishioners to come forward and join the choirs and sing for the glory of God.

CHILD SPONSORSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

We have two projects under the Community Centre. One is the Child Sponsorship and Development Project and the other is the free Pre School. The Child sponsorship project conducts after school tuition classes for grades 6 – G.C.E. O/L in English, Maths, Sinhala, Commerce, Science and Dancing. The classes are conducted by qualified teachers presently teaching in government schools in Nugegoda and are paid from what we receive towards the project. There are 56 children in the project attending the classes. Each child is sponsored and we now have 46 sponsors. Presently the sponsors are parishioners of the Church who contribute monthly a sum of Rs.2,500 for each child, that helps to provide tuition and other benefits along with funds from the community centre. The children are given afternoon refreshments with tea when they come for the classes after school. This is for the under privileged children within 2 km of the Church. Yearly school books, stationery, shoes, socks, and uniform material are provided to the children. The students who study here and qualify for the G.C.E. A/L are given Rs.2,500 to help them attend outside tuition classes of their choice. Further, the students who have studied here and got through their A/L are sent to follow a basic computer course at a reputed institute in Nugegoda.

The children are given an opportunity to show case their various talents of song, dance and drama at the year-end annual get together. They are also taken on a day trip during the year which these children look forward to as many have not travelled outside of Colombo. This project has helped these underprivileged children in many ways to uplift their lives. There is a need out there for funding these children and the project and many are not aware of such programs conducted by the Church. It is a good opportunity for all to come forward to get involved in the sponsorship project, so that, as a church community we will be able to help bring a little sun shine into the lives of these children.

SENIOR FRIENDS’ HOME

Even to your old age, I am He, and even to grey hairs I will carry you! – Isaiah 46 : 4

True to the Bible verse, we are very fortunate to be able to (carry) accommodate our seniors with silver hair. God provides even at our old age. We are truly blessed to be able to provide shelter and protection for the seniors through our smooth running Senior Friends’ Home totally funded by the Church. He, the Lord God has guided us in this endeavour to-date and we have been of help and service to our silver haired friends who are under our care.

Our new Matron, Ms. Debbie Coggins is young and energetic and is tasked to look after the Residents with love, care and commitment. We have 16 Residents and 3 staff members working at the home dedicated to make sure that the Residents are comfortable and it is a happy place for our senior friends in the evening of their lives. We have regular alms of breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner sponsored by parishioners, friends and even outsiders here and overseas on their birthdays, anniversaries and other special events of their lives. We also do get donations in kind. It is no easy task to run a Home such as this and there is an opportunity to help and support this institution of the Church by your contributions and also visiting the Residents who need companionship and love.

PRE SCHOOL

Pre School is the other project of our Church Community Centre. It is a free pre-school funded by the church and income from the Community Centre, generous sponsors and donors who are regular contributors in cash and kind. These children are from underprivileged and low income families.

We have a total of 24 students, 3 + upwards till they go to grade 1 in government schools. Government curriculum for pre-schools are taught and the syllabus is enhanced with weekly themes and indoor and outdoor activities. Themes include national festivals such as Pongal, Independence Day, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Vesak, and Christmas. Other international days relevant to child development, World Environment Day, World Water Day, World Butterfly Day, World Baking Day, International Womens’ Day to name a few. We have 2 teachers and 2 helpers in the class. As additional support to the families of these kids a Parenting Counselling/Workshop is conducted every year by a group of resource persons on various topics including the importance of Pre School education and the holistic development of the child. Books and stationery are provided by church and sponsors. In addition, nutritious meals, milk, fruit, yoghurt are also provided for the children.

Pre-school concert and Christmas party is held at the end of the 3rd Term. Children are trained by the teachers and a very creative and colourful show of song and dance is put up by the students at the concert. Children leaving school to join Grade 1 are given a cash gift deposited in the child’s name and also a gift pack of stationery from the Bank of Ceylon, Nugegoda. This year we had 15 students who left and were given the cash gifts by generous donors.

“WE CARE” KITCHEN

The “We Care Kitchen” started on 25th June 2022 soon after COVID 19 as a project to serve the community of Nugegoda and continued during the economic crisis in 2023, when many survived with one meal a day and continues to serve cooked food for the needy and hungry every Saturday. There was a need, and the Church recognized this and responded immediately. The project will complete 3 years in June this year. The team is headed by Mrs. Sonali Figurado who is the coordinator and actively involved in planning menus, sourcing food stuffs and delivering them.

It is no easy task to do this every Saturday afternoon without the support and assistance of the few dedicated volunteers who willingly and cheerfully undertake to cook the food bring it and pack it for distribution. We do have a couple of outsiders who are ever willing to help and are there Saturday after Saturday joining the team of volunteers to make sure the packets are ready for distribution. 250 packets are distributed every Saturday to those who line up outside the Church.

Generous donations have been received from friends here and overseas in cash and kind and even cooked food and yoghurt. Charity is not about how much we give, but how much love we put into   giving ….. The team is out there sensitive to the needs of the community, caring, nurturing and fostering love and friendship. We invite our parishioners, friends and well-wishers to join us in this endeavour!