Clementia Vinay Moses and her son John Sherad — Life in the Parsonage in the 1970s and 1980s

The parsonage of a church is its most private and most public space simultaneously. It belongs to the pastor’s family and to everyone who needs the pastor. These two accounts — one from the wife, one from the son — describe the same household from the inside.

Clementia Vinay Moses

Wife of Rev. Vinay Kumar Moses • RTMC, 1970s and 1980s

Here are a few of my memories from our years in the RTMC parsonage. I am deeply grateful to God for all He did in us as a family, and in the larger family — the church.

When we arrived, I had no experience of church activities, and it was daunting to step into the place that Mrs. Esther Williams had so ably held. But a great thanks goes to all members of the church who allowed me to simply be myself. I enjoyed the love and fellowship of the congregation — in their homes, in the church services, in every activity. The old and the young supported me in love and kindness.

Whatever we needed in the parsonage was provided. The church saw to it that we were comfortable, and I loved the way members — young and old — would simply drop in. They were happy times.

I valued deeply the contribution of the missionaries who were active in the church during those years. They loved us as a family, and their advice and guidance helped me enormously.

I must also mention the Anglo-Indian members of the congregation: each one loved us as family. It was special, and a great blessing.

I remember the Bible studies in different homes and the richness of that fellowship. I remember the young people feeling free to drop in to the parsonage — it built strong and lasting relationships that Vinay, John, and I still cherish today.

I, along with Vinay and John, am grateful to Almighty God and to all members — past and present — for enriching my relationship with our Heavenly Father across those years. May God richly bless RTMC in all the years to follow.

“Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you — guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.”

2 Timothy 1:14

John Sherad V.K. Moses — “John Chikka”

Son of Rev. Vinay Kumar Moses • Grew up in the RTMC parsonage

This is a short account of my experience growing up in the parsonage at RTMC — and I still think of it as an adventure.

I remember the MYF — the Methodist Youth Fellowship — and all the friends and their families. I remember each one by name. I remember the Bible studies, Sunday school, and prayer meetings, and the joy of worshipping the Lord Jesus in the church services. Those foundations have never left me.

But I also remember going with friends to the cinema — mostly James Bond films, and very much enjoying the popcorn. I remember the times playing piano with friends. One of the highlights of those years was playing for the youth concert “The Race Is On.”

I remember travelling around in cars and on two-wheelers, the kind of freedom that only a childhood spent in a church compound can produce.

Our home — the parsonage — was always open for the Lord’s work and ministry. Mom and Dad made sure of that. I am grateful to all of you who came through its doors, and who helped shape me in the process.

May God bless you all. And see you all soon.

The Moses Family at RTMC

The memories of Clementia and John offer two perspectives on the same home. For Clementia, the parsonage became a place where she discovered fellowship, friendship, support, and a deepening relationship with God. For John, it was the setting of childhood — filled with worship, youth fellowship, friendships, music, cinema trips, and the freedom of growing up within a church community.

Together, their memories reveal what the RTMC parsonage meant to the Moses family and to the wider congregation: a home that belonged to the pastoral family, but one whose doors remained open to the life and ministry of the church.

A Family, A Church, A Shared Home

Their years at RTMC were shaped by:

  • Love and fellowship — members of all ages welcomed and supported the Moses family.

  • An open parsonage — young people and congregation members could drop in freely.

  • Faith and worship — Bible studies, Sunday school, prayer meetings, and church services formed lasting foundations.

  • Community and friendship — relationships formed at the parsonage continued long after those years.

  • Youth and music — MYF activities, friendships, piano playing, and the youth concert “The Race Is On” became treasured memories.

  • A life of service — the home remained open for the Lord’s work and ministry.

The Moses Family

Rev. Vinay Kumar Moses • Clementia V.K. Moses • John Sherad V.K. Moses

The Moses family served at Richmond Town Methodist Church during the 1970s and 1980s.

Their memories remain part of the larger story of the RTMC parsonage — a place where a pastoral family lived, worshipped, welcomed others, and grew together with the congregation.

A home for one family. A place of welcome for many. A part of RTMC’s story that continues to live on.