“Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)
Mor Gregorios Syriac Orthodox Students Association (MGSOSA, pronounced em-gee-sosa) is an organization of students of the Syriac Orthodox Church. It is named after Mor Gregorios of Malankara. MGSOSA’s mission is four-fold:
- promote, learn and pass over to the next generation, the heritage and traditions of the oldest church of the world, the Syriac Orthodox Church
- serve the society and spread the light of God in the world, by helping the poor and the needy
- inculcate fellowship among the youth in the church
- nurture the spiritual growth of youth, and thus helping them better face the 21st century world and be good role models to future generations.
Aligned with this mission, MGSOSA conducts a plethora of activities throughout the year, such as:
- Monthly meetups, typically on the fourth Sunday of every month, where we discuss various spiritual and Biblical topics.
- Monthly volunteering and service projects, to contribute back to the society. In the past, we have been to places such as Kids Against Hunger, Tri-Valley Haven Thrift Store etc.
- Angel’s Hands, a church clean-up initiative which aims to keep the church pristine and clean, every Sunday.
- Bay Area Lenten Retreat during Great Lent, where we bring in eminent speakers from across the country to talk on various spiritually enriching things. We also do service projects, praise and worship, and fellowship activities during the retreat
- Back-to-school retreat before the school year starts, to prepare students professionally and spiritually for the new academic year
- Fellowship events to promote bonding between youth: past such events include bowling at Granada Bowl, hiking sessions, games etc.
- MGSOSA members join hands with Sunday School in organizing study sessions on feast days, and also help in organizing VBS and other retreats.
2018 Lenten Retreat:
