Every year, this church brings a green feel to the Christmas festivities.
A 30-foot-tall Christmas tree stands outside the Mar Thoma Church in Bengaluru's Cantonment area. Nothing unusual about that, you might think, until you take a closer look. The tree has been made of scraps of cloth donated by tailors and garment manufacturers.
Reverend Dr Sham P Thomas believes it is important to spread a message - and this tree is doing just that.
Over the last 8 years, this church has made trees of bottles, old tyres, video tapes and plastic bags. Christmas comes just once a year -- the spirit of reduce, re-use and recycle is year round.
This year, Reverend Thomas said, they wanted to show solidarity with the flood-affected people in Chennai, who lost clothes during the calamity. So the tree was made of waste cloth.
"At garment factories and tailors' shops, the cloth is cut and the pieces are thrown out. We want to affirm that nothing should be thrown out as worthless," said Reverend Thomas.
They also want to support those subjected to abuse and violence where clothes are torn forcibly. So this tree signifies inclusive and harmonious living, for which Jesus came into this world, he added.