March 2019 | Epiphany Season Volume XVII | Issue 03 | Rs.150 Per Annum
Lent: Return Repent Renew Women DARE Inaugurates its Retail Outlet in Kanyakumari
Workshop on Psycho-Social Intervention and a Focus on Future Career
02 The Cross: God’s Vision for a Fuller Life EDITOR’S DESK
“For the message about the cross is intently on the Cross and the Crucied that may re-create the creational foolishness to those who are perishing, One and to understand the meaning, harmony. It is not a simple call to right but to us who are being saved it is the signicance and relevance of the Cross in relationship with nice, good people and power of God. 1 Corinthians … but we our daily life. the environment; the Cross calls us to proclaim Christ crucied.” (1 Cor. Cross is the vision of life in all its fulness build bridges of reconciliation and enter 1:18,23) into right relationships with the world Paul informs us that some consider the that is revolts against, rejects and denies The Cross is the ultimate and unique message of the Cross as foolishness, all relations. The Cross is a challenge to symbol of our faith. We are the people weakness, shame and a scandalous, build bridges with those who turn faces under the shadow of the Cross. We stumbling block, but for those who away, those who hate to the core and are the ones chosen to tread the path of believe in Jesus, the Cross is God's conspire to exclude, eliminate and the Cross. Taking up the Cross and wisdom, God's power and strength. It is destroy, those who spit and mock, those following the crucied is discipleship. the revelation of God's glory and who renounce, damn and reprove. The But the Cross has become, or rather we continues to be the hope of salvation. Cross is a call and challenge to re- have converted the cross into an Therefore, as we proclaim the Christ interpret, re-invent, re-live life-afrming ornament. The meaning and signicance crucied, we are invited to be part of a relationships amid violent death forces of the Cross are getting diluted in our new vision for life. teaching and life. At times we think and that threaten to destroy and kill. The Cross teaches us the innate and interpret that the pain, suffering and the The Cross challenges us to be faithful intrinsic value of relationships. The problems we face are, in fact, the Cross. and diligent in all the responsibilities Cross questions and critiques our Maybe true, sometimes. However, we entrusted to us: “Woman, here is your relations with God, with all God's people need to note that the problems we face, son.” “Here is your mother.” (John 19:26- and with God's world. Jesus' words from the pain and suffering that we often 27). The Cross does not allow us to run the Cross, “Father, forgive them; for they invite upon ourselves because of our away from our responsibilities, it is not a do not know what they are doing” (Luke own wrong doing, is not the Cross. path of escapism. The burden of family 23:34), “Truly I tell you, today you will be Instead we encounter the Cross when responsibility weighed heavily upon with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) call us we walk the Lord's way, the path of him. People always teased him that he to re-think, re-dene and re-claim our education, empowerment, resistance, was a hermit with no sense of family relationships. The Cross expresses an reconciliation, healing, justice and peace. responsibility. They even ridiculed him unquenchable thrust toward bridging, The Cross is the goal of our life. As we are saying that he had lost his mind. And re-molding and building relationships. given grace to once again enter the when he joined the tax collectors and It calls us to enter into deeper, Lenten season, we are invited to look those they considered sinners, he was meaningful and strong relationships
CSI Life March 2019 03 called a glutton. Allegations and steadfastly towards the goal, he had to sorrow and doubt, question: Has God accusations were heaped on him; he was face the Cross. Whoever lives out the forsaken us? If God were there, how branded and became a victim of faith commitment and covenantal could this happen? Even Jesus cried on proling. Yet, the Cross is a call to take obligations without a compromise and the cross, “My God, My God why have the accusations and allegations head-on moves with single-minded dedication you forsaken me?” (Matt 27:46). On the instead of nding an escape route and will have to face the Cross. It was not Cross, God forsakenness was a real running away. The Cross calls us to take easy; there were people who mocked at experience for Jesus. When the dark family relationships and responsibilities him, accused him, and deserted him and clouds of terrible abandonment cover seriously, and to discharge our duties ed. There were also people who wept and encircle, the Cross is considered towards family with faithful diligence. for him. Yet there were people who foolish and scandalous by many. But Many a time varied problems and stood in silence and unmoved as exactly at that point, the Cross becomes difculties, pain and sufferings become spectators. Moving towards the goal the altar of God's vision, the sacred an excuse to shrug off or to get away of life amid all these people and moment of the revelation of God's from and to neglect our responsibilities. circumstances is difcult; yet amid such wisdom, power and strength. We need The Cross is a call to be faithfully defeating circumstances, the Cross calls to listen intently to the prayers of Jesus committed and diligently covenanted to us to understand, interpret, express, and on the Cross - Father, my God, my God - our family responsibilities even amid full life's goal. all proclaim the surety of the real life's bitter challenges that threaten to During times when the institution of presence of God. God is with us each and sap our energy and hope. marriage is being challenged; when every moment. Especially when we pass The Cross educates and empowers us to relationships in multi-cultural and through the valley of darkness, pain, understand life's goal. “It is nished multi-religious neighbourhoods and sorrow, suffering and distress, God (John 19:30). Father, I commend my communities suffer as faith related walks with us very closely, as a faithful Spirit into your hands” (Lk. 23:46). Jesus sentiments polarise, exploiting lack of companion. Sometimes we are so expresses his eagerness to reach his life's genuine trust and commitment; when overwhelmed that though we know the goal. “Guard the good treasure the relationships to the environ becomes ideal, we cannot reach it, though we entrusted to you, with the help of the crucial for the very survival of the planet; know the right, we cannot do it, though Holy Spirit living in us” (2 Tim 1:14). when emerging cultural values tempt we do recognise our duty, we cannot Jesus moved to full and complete the people to become individualistic and perform it, though we know the truth, mission entrusted to him. The Cross did conveniently forget the responsibility we cannot reach it, though we know the not deter him from bringing to fullness towards the common good and path, we cannot walk through it, though the redemption of the whole world. He commitment for sharing and celebrating help is at hand we cannot recognise it, had to go through a terrible struggle to life together, the Cross beckons us for a though God accompanies us, we cannot the extent of praying with all earnestness critical re-think of values and goals. see and comprehend. and asking “My Father if it is possible, let In teaching and empowering people to In the narrative of Abraham preparing to this cup pass from me. Yet not what I live out intrinsically-woven relationships, sacrice his son Isaac, in obedience to the want, but what you want”. And he had in educating and equipping people to word of the Lord, a perplexed father is the humble submission in sincerely discharge responsibilities diligently with confronted by the question, “Father! The bringing his struggle before his Father. committed faithfulness and in enabling re and the wood are here, but where is The spirit indeed is willing, but the esh and inspiring people to walk steadfastly the lamb for a burnt offering?” (Genesis is weak. If this cannot pass, unless I drink towards the goal of life, the Cross gives a 22:7). When Abraham built an altar and it, your will be done (Matt 26:39-42). new vision of life in all its fullness. laid the wood in order, he bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of The Cross is a call to move towards life's Cross is the vision of God the wood. When he was ready to give his goal with single-minded determination The Cross is often a sign of forsakenness, son in sacrice, he experienced Jehovah and fullest commitment and dedication. abandonment, wretchedness, exclusion Jireh - the Lord will provide. When he It is a call to take each step steadily and elimination. Often, we, in our gave, he did see and nd. He not only towards the goal. Because Jesus walked hopelessness, amid suffering, pain,
CSI Life 04 March 2019 understood the secret of being provided people go!” as well as his agony: “Where sometimes healing processes demand or for, but that those who hold on to life, will my people go?” require cutting open or an operation to will lose it, those who lose it will nd it. The Cross assures us that though we are initiate a healing processes, to sustain The Cross is the place and the space aficted in every way, but not crushed; and afrm life. When we are crushed, wherein we are given grace to behold perplexed, but not driven to despair; trampled, violated, brutalized, we lose God's wisdom, power and authority, the persecuted, but not forsaken; struck ourselves and experience abandonment. self-revelation of God in that which is down, but not destroyed; always But in our distress and elimination, God despised, stricken, aficted, oppressed carrying in the body the death of Jesus, stands by us. In our afiction we see and and slaughtered. so that the life of Jesus may also be made behold God, who will make us sprout The victims of the empire, trafcked and visible in our bodies. For while we live, again with fuller life. exploited women and children who we are always being given up to death As we journey with the crucied One cannot even cry and narrate, bonded for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus during this Lenten season, may God give laborers who do not dare to dream, the may be made visible in our mortal esh us the grace to envision life anew victims of abuse and violence who, in (II Cor 4:8-12). In the Cross, we have the with a new creative imagination of their silence speak volumes, the experience of the embrace of God's love, relationships, covenantal faithfulness migrants and the refugees who are told we are inspired by the soft, comforting and commitment in every responsibility, that they are no people, the victims of and consoling touch of God. In the Cross, and in steadfast pilgrimage towards war and terror who are terried and we are safe in the palm of God's hands, life's goal. May God in His loving maimed, the abandoned elderly who and we discover a new space of kindness enable us to behold God's face, have lost all perspective in life, all in their liberation and freedom. wisdom, power, and strength even in own way help us to experience the Indeed, being aficted, persecuted our foolishness and weakness, in our abandonment and dereliction of Jesus on and slaughtered is a terrible, fearful own forsaken experience, and in every the Cross and God's abiding presence experience. The plant world teaches us crucied people and community. and accompaniment even in distress and that exactly where the plant is cut and absolute pain. We hear simultaneously pruned, a new sprout emerges, and we Rev. Dr. D. Rathnakara Sadananda God's liberating command: “Let my see new life. Even in medical science, General Secretary, CSI
CSI Life March 2019 05 Preparing for the Journey of Lent
Lent is generally observed as a time for symbolizes that we are united in Christ. theme of repentance. The character that repentance and to mourn for our sins. Ashes are made from the palms of the emerges at the end is the welcoming Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and goes previous year, distributed on Palm father. It is basically a story of on for about 40 days until Easter. Some Sunday. Palm Sunday commemorates homecoming. Home is the place of people fast during the season and some the victorious entry of Jesus into safety, security, love, care and years of avoid their favourite activities in order to Jerusalem. association of memories that one change themselves. However, we need Ash Wednesday reminds us once again normally cherishes. Lent is the time of to ask an important question. Does our who we really are. According to the homecoming which means returning to observance of Lent have any relevance to Bible, we have come from dust, and to God. the life and witness of our churches in the dust we shall return (Gen. 3:19). It is Repentance offers space for hope and our society today? In order to answer this the breath of God that gives us the spirit healing and overcomes discouragement question, we should try to understand the of life. The parable of the prodigal son is and despair. It is gentle, not frightening. signicance and importance of Lent. one of the common images that are Now let us reect upon three aspects of Usually, there are some procedures and normally cited for highlighting the Lent. protocols dened in the past, which tell us how Lent should be held/can be observed. But are we realising the importance of the journey in spirit and truth? Lent leads us to the Cross, and the Cross reassures the faith in Christ Jesus and offers trust for humankind. Let's then begin the preparation for Lent. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. What does Ash Wednesday signify? It reminds us of the revelation of the Lamb of God. In the Old Testament, people used it to mourn for and to repent of their sins sitting on sackcloth and applying ashes to the body. Now the Cross has restored the worthiness of the Lamb. On Ash Wednesday people apply ashes to their forehead with the sign of the Cross. This
C.Joshua Immanuel belongs to the Vellore Diocese of the Church of South India. He is a ministerial candidate graduating BD from Tamilnadu Theological Seminary in Madurai. He was part of the Face to Face programme in the United Kingdom organized by the Council for World Mission.
CSI Life 06 March 2019 Prayer, Fasting, Giving: Prayer is the one dishes, and some may avoid all sorts of important. The poor should always be and only source that paves the meat. But why don't we try fasting of our our concern. It is also praiseworthy to wonderful way to relate with God soul? What in fact is soul-fasting? Giving help the needy in our Church. The art of (Ephesians 6:18). During Lent, prayer up negativity is one of the best ways of giving lies in the silence and the struggle helps us to realise that it is the most fasting. Negativity makes a huge impact behind it helps us to offer something to important tool to work in the presence of on us and also to the people around us. people who are in need (Matt. 6:3). God. According to the Biblical tradition, We should try our best to give up Giving is always associated with money, 40 is a number which signies the negativity, i.e. negative choices, actions, wealth and food. But there is much more struggle and victory of Israelites. In the words (Eph. 4:31). One negative action that we can give, which our generous Book of Exodus, 40 years of journey leads to another, one wrong choice leads God has showered upon us. This is none leads to an amazing victory. And in the to another. And once a word is thrown other than the great Love of God (1 John same manner, Jesus' 40 days of fasting out of the mouth, we have no control 4:7-8). When you give the happiness of
and prayer in the wilderness (Matthew over it. We don't know how deep it goes love to someone it makes a great 4:1-11) prepared Him for His ministry. into the hearts of others. Words have an difference in their lives. Therefore let us During the 40 days of Lent, prayer is a incredible power of healing as well as fast our souls in prayer and repentance. magnicent chance for us also, because it hurting. Hence, in this Lent, we shall fast While fasting, let us give up negativity helps us to enjoy the blessings of God's our soul to give up negativity, and and start giving God's Love to everyone. grace. instead manifest joy to others and also The Lord has shown the way that leads Let's move on to the second important within ourselves. us towards the Cross. With hope and aspect, “fasting.” We mostly give up The third aspect is “giving.” A general courage, let us join our hands in this something in food items. Some may thought about giving is offering, but to month of Lent, and walk together in the abstain from taking their favourite whom we give our offerings is journey of hope.
CSI Life March 2019 07 Lent-Time for Re-Orientation
Ash Wednesday is the beginning a Lent, generation and for your sin. These estimated there are more than 21 million the holiest time of year for Christians, as prophetical words are very relevant human trafcking victims worldwide. it marks the 40 days before Easter. No these days too. Jesus said these words at Human trafcking is considered matter what is said or taught about Lent, the time of his grievance, a painful modern-day slavery, and there are more it is time for nothing else but absolute situation. During this situation also he slaves today than at any time in history. renewal and to re-orient ourselves. was concerned about the future of They are hidden from view. We can't In St. Luke 23:27, Jesus says to the human beings. This shows his pain-love recognize them in the back kitchens, weeping women: "Daughters of toward creation. The pain of God is not a shops, gas stations and in hospitality. Jerusalem do not weep for me; weep for concept of substance–it is a "concept of They are also tucked away in elds. They yourselves and for your children". The relation, the nature of God's love. These don't come out and ask for help. It's a event is marked as the eighth of nine words remind us of the need to cry for different kind of slavery than long ago. stations on a path called the Via the generations as well as the nation and They are not in shackles or on Dolorosa. In English, the path is called for our churches. plantations. People are coerced into 'The Way of Suffering' or 'The Way of Maybe we are not aware of the happenings harsh employment under horrible Grief'. This Via Dolorosa tracks the around the world every day. We may not conditions, and then have no freedom to journey of Jesus from Pilate to Calvary. see the problem, but it's there. It's leave. They are beaten, violated and told Each station along the way identies an event that took place, such as falling under the weight of the cross and having Simon from Cyrene carries the cross behind him. In a matter of minutes, he would be nailed to a cross and hoisted into the air. But before carrying the guilt of the world, he speaks one last time on the ground. They were there, weeping for Jesus and he understood their emotion and speaks to the weeping women: "Daughters of Jerusalem do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. This was a prophecy of Jesus Christ. "Don't weep for me. Weep for yourselves." Or rather, Jesus tells them they are weeping for the wrong reason. "Don't weep because of my suffering. Weep for your young
Dr. J. Jasmeine Alley has been serving as the Faculty in Christian Theology and the Registrar of the Bethel Bible Institute, Danishpet, Salem. She has her M.Th in Christian Theology from FFRRC, Kottayam and Diploma in Family Counselling Course from Vellore.
CSI Life 08 March 2019 they are worthless—that no one else words of Jesus. communion with others and helps us wants them anymore. Keeping all these in our mind let us think understand that we are all members of Pope Francis says, "The trade in human why we are giving importance to Lent: the Body of Christ. It is the time to rethink about how will share our time, beings, a modern form of slavery, 1. Lent promotes self-discipline: It is a violates the God-given dignity of so talents and treasure during Lent. Keep in form of penance. It promotes spiritual mind the words of the Lord Jesus who many of our brothers and sisters and growth. It is a form of fasting. Giving up constitutes a true crime against humanity. himself said, "It is more blessed to give something for Lent promotes self- than to receive" (Acts 20:35). "The violence against girl children, women discipline and tempers our desires. and the poor, elders are still going on. We Conclusion: In this Lenten season, we have to be aware of the discrimination 2. Lent is part of Almsgiving: Giving can renew and reorient ourselves by the and violence against humans as well as alms has always been an important part words of Jesus Christ 'weep for yourself to nature. They are not getting justice so in of Lent. For many people, it means and for your children'. We need a third these Lenten days, it is our responsibility to giving money to charities or some other eye to see the events which are going
pray for the marginalized. We have to good cause. But the concept of around, and it is needed to stand for reorient our mind to do for justice. Jeremiah almsgiving goes much deeper. It is our justice. May this Lenten season help us to says 'To know God is to do justice'. response to the teachings of Jesus that renew the relationships with humans, Nowadays youngsters are not giving encourage us to reach out to people in with God and to nature. Also, these much importance for church activities need—not just with our money—but prophetical words are calling us to listen and for spiritual growth. Even parents with our time and our talents. to the cry of the marginalized and the cry are also knowingly or unknowingly 3. Lent cultivates a spirit of generosity: of our mother earth. The pain-love of forgetting to make them learn the Lent gives us the opportunity to God is compelling us to weep for the new spiritual truths. People are giving less cultivate a spirit of generosity. It gives us generation, for nature and to renew and importance to faith, hence we have to a chance to share what we have and who to reorient ourselves. renew our mind with the prophetical we are with other people. It puts us in
CSI Life March 2019 09 NEWS Dept. of Pastoral Concerns, CSI Synod Preparatory Meeting for Archbishop's Visit to Medak As part of the planning meeting for the understand the purpose of visit and Recce visit of Archbishop of Canterbury; necessary arrangements to be made. It is Most Rev. Justin Welby, to the Church of hoped that the exploratory visit to South India during later part of the year, Medak and the Cathedral which is Canon David Porter; the Chief of Staff of situated in a small town would give a Lambeth Palace, Rev. Dr. William unique experience of pilgrimage to the Adam; the Ecumenical Adviser of the Archbishop on his pastoral visit. Archbishop of Canterbury, and Ms. The team visited the Henry Martyn Everarda Slabbekoorn; the Secretary to Institute in Hyderabad (HMI), where the Archbishop, have visited Medak rd Archbishop will have a meeting with the Cathedral on the 23 January 2019. They people of different faiths. Rev. Dr. were accompanied by Rev. K. James Packiam Samuel, the Director of HMI, Cecil Victor, Director, Pastoral received them and had a fruitful time of Concerns. Rt. Rev. Dr. A. C. Solomon Raj, discussion with them. the Bishop in the CSI Medak Diocese received the delegates along with the Rev. James Cecil Victor, ofcers of the Diocese. The planning Director, meeting was quite fruitful as the team place on Archbishop's visit to Medak Department of Pastroral Concerns, could grasp the events which would take Cathedral and the Diocese also could CSI Synod.
NEWS Dept. of Youth, CSI Synod The Ecumenical Officials Team from Lambeth Palace Visits Bangalore
The Recce team comprises of Canon David Apart from the warm hospitality The team was also invited to attend the Porter; the Chief of Staff of Lambeth Palace, extended to them from the Bishop graduation ceremony of the Bishop Rev. Dr. William Adam; the Ecumenical Rt. Rev. Prasana Kumar Samuel and the Cotton Girls School where they were Adviser of the Archbishop of Canterbury, ofcers of the Diocese visits to St Mark's ofcially welcomed by the Diocese. and Ms. Everarda Slabbekoorn; the Cathedral, Bishop Cotton Boys School Rev. Solomon Paul, Secretary to the Archbishop, arrived in and UTC were scheduled accordingly. Director, th Bangalore on 24 January 2019 afternoon Rev. Solomon Paul, the Director of the Department of Youth, to look at the possibilities of the visit of the Department of Youth in the CSI Synod, CSI Synod Archbishop of Canterbury to South India accompanied the team in Bangalore. in September 2019.
CSI Life 10 March 2019 NEWS Dept. of Communication, CSI Synod 'Hearing God's Cry': The Consultation on Mission Priorities of CSI for 2020 - 2030 held in Chennai The Initial Consultation on Mission the consultation to raise the questions, the matters of concern such as audit Priorities of the Church of South India doubts and challenges without any process 2018- 2019, revision, and power (CSI) for 2020- 2030; “Hearing God's reservation, which will strengthen the of attorney, Tax Returns Etc. Dr. CA M. Cry”, was held at the CSI Synod Centre process of the analysis. Kandasami led a session on 'Towards in Chennai. This two- day conference, The delegates were divided into Transparency, Accountability and which was the rst in the series of discussion groups to deliberate on the Responsibility. A book written by Dr. consultation under the theme, initiated a mission priorities for the coming decade Kandasami titled ‘GST for NPOs: A thorough SWOT (Strength, Weakness, in the forenoon after the introduction of Practical Guide to Exemptions and Opportunities, and Threats) Analysis, the process of analysis by the General Compliance under the Goods and was inaugurated by Rt. Rev. Vadapally Secretary. Services Tax law in India’ was released in Prasada Rao, the Deputy Moderator of the conference. In the afternoon, Mr. Prince Gajendra the CSI. He led the inaugural worship in Babu presented a paper on 'Empowering The General Secretary informed the which Rt. Rev. Dr. Daniel S. Thiagaraja, the Margin towards Koinonia of Love, ofcers of the Dioceses about the process the Bishop in Jaffna led the devotion. Equality, and Justice. Rt. Rev. Jayaraj of the digitization of the property “The cries of the people are God's Cries George Stephen, the Bishop in Madras documents, and statistical survey. In the and the onus is upon the church to hear Diocese and the Chairperson of the Dalit plenary session of the SWOT analysis, the cries”, Bishop Thiagaraja reminded & Adivasi Concerns Department of the the General Secretary opined that the the gathering of the Bishops, the CSI Synod, moderated the session. process of formulating the mission Treasurers, Lay Secretaries, and the priorities for the coming decade will be The participants of the conference had Clergy Secretaries of all the 24 Dioceses based on the SWOT Analysis. of the CSI who are taking part in the group discussions towards the latter The consultation came to a close consultation. part of the rst day. deciding on the further steps of the The second day started with the bible Rev. Dr. Daniel Rathnakara Sadananda, process. the General Secretary of the CSI, study by Rt. Rev. Dr. Royce Manoj presented the guideline for the SWOT Victor. Adv. Robert Bruce, the Hon. analysis and invited the participants of Treasurer of the CSI Synod, presented ~ CSI Synod Communications The Ecumenical Officials of the Lambeth Palace Make a Recce Visit to the CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese. Canon David Porter; the Chief of Staff of Rev. Jibin Thampi; Bishop's Chaplain, the theme 'United in Love' and Lambeth Palace, Rev. Dr. William MKD at the Bishop's House in Kottayam celebrated the Eucharist. They have Adam; the Ecumenical Adviser of the attended the Madhya Kerala Diocesan Archbishop of Canterbury, and Day celebration in the afternoon in Ms. Everarda Slabbekoorn, the Secretary which Canon David Porter shared to the Archbishop made a recce visit to greetings. In the evening they attended the Diocese of Madhya Kerala of the the nal meeting of the diocesan Church of South India (CSI) on the 25th to convention and Rev. Dr. William Adam 27th January 2019 prior to the proposed spoke to the gathering on behalf of the pastoral visit of Most Rev. Justin Welby, team from Lambeth. the Archbishop of Canterbury to the CSI The team also visited Marthoma in September 2019. Metropolitan and had a meeting with the The team had a meeting with Most Rev. National President of YMCA at Kottayam. Thomas K. Oommen, the Moderator of on the 26th January. The team took part Rev. Sunil Raj Philip, the Director of the the CSI, Rev. Thomas Paikadu; the in the foundation stone laying ceremony Communication Department of the CSI Treasurer of the Madhya Kerala Diocese of the new chapel, which is part of the Synod, accompanied the team in Kerala. Bishop's house. (MKD), Rev. John Isaac; Clergy Rev. Sunil Raj Philip, Secretary, MKD, Dr. Simon John; Lay On the third day of the visit, the team Director, Secretary, MKD, Mr. Jacob Philip, attended the Sunday Worship Service at Communication Department, Registrar, MKD, Dr. Susan Thomas; the CSI Cathedral at Kottayam. Rev. Dr. CSI Synod President, CSI Women's Fellowship, and William Adam delivered the sermon on
CSI Life March 2019 11 NEWS CSI BCC Workshop on Psycho-Social Intervention and a Focus on Future Career
This programme was organized by stress and burn out Ÿ Stress management CSIBCC on the 26th of January 2019 for Ÿ To understand their needs and plan Ÿ Career guidance the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th class children at effective communication strategies Ÿ Goal setting Basel Mission high school hall at for Psycho-social development Dharwad. There were 69 children who Ÿ To recognize future career as a valued The following outcomes/result were participated in this programme drawn dimension and encourage the noticed: from Basel Mission boys and girls home children accordingly to plan and take Ÿ Children understood the importance in Dharwad and KNH boys and girls appropriate decision. of Psycho-social support home in Hubli and St. Peter’s boys home The programme started with devotion Ÿ They will be able to effectively in Hubli. by the Rt. Rev. Ravikumar Niranjan, manage to a great extent their stress Bishop of KND. The Diocesan secretary and burn out T h e o b j e c t i v e / P u r p o s e o f t h i s Mr. Vijayakumar Dandin also shared his Ÿ They understood the importance of programme was as follows: thoughts and wished the children to do communicating effectively Ÿ Guide the children to understand the well. Ÿ Children learnt about career opportunities inuence of Psychological factors During the day mainly the following and equipped/encouraged to take and surrounding social environment sessions were taken with relevant appropriate decisions for a better on their physical and mental wellness activity support: tomorrow. and their ability to function Ÿ Understanding self and self The meeting came to a close with the Ÿ To strengthen the coping /adaptive management prayer and Blessings by Rev. Nanda mechanism of children Ÿ Introduction to Psycho-social Kumar. Ÿ To build capacity to manage the intervention
NEWS CSI SEVA Women DARE Inaugurates its Retail Outlet in Kanyakumari
Women DARE (Dalit and Adivasi Rural in order to earn their livelihoods and producers to challenge the 'Empire'. On Entrepreneurs) is a women empowerment alleviate their condition of poverty through the same day, 5th February 2019 afternoon, initiative of CSI SEVA that promotes life- self-employment. While the women the outlet was inaugurated and afrming local economy and the enthusiastically participated in the training consecrated by the Rt. Rev. B. N. Fenn, livelihoods of the most marginalised and started producing things, they were Bishop in Cochin & Moderator’s Commissary communities. Women DARE builds a not able to sustain themselves because of in Kanyakumari Diocese in the presence of the market for the produce of women's market constraints. CSI Kanyakumari Diocesan ofcials and representatives from collectives that were trained and promoted Diocese, attempts to build a market for the Women's fellowship and Self-Help by the Church of South India over the past things produced by them, by setting up a Groups. Bishop Fenn made the rst sale, decades, in an effort to challenge the Women DARE outlet, which is another received by the diocesan Vice President Dr. market of the Global Empire. step in CSI SEVA's journey towards Thambi Vijayakumar and Mr. N. P. afrming alternative local economy Thankaraj, diocesan Treasurer. The Socio-economic concern department spearheaded by women. of the CSI Kanyakumari Diocese brought George Wesley together the experience and skills of rural CSI SEVA was given an opportunity to Programme Executive- Women DARE women within the vicinity of the diocese, introduce Women DARE in the pastors' Team Women DARE, who were organized into Self-Help Groups conference in Kanyakumari. Over 200 CSI SEVA (SHGs) over the past years. These women pastors participated and were challenged were also trained in entrepreneurship skills to join hands with the rural women
CSI Life 12 March 2019 “Central to Periphery”: A Paradigm Shift in Missional Engagements
Peace is Within, Do not Try to Bring it as an External Force!
13 “Hearing God’s Cry”
14 IPM BATCH - 5
15 Officials of the Lambeth Palace Make a Recce Visit to the CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese
Preparatory Meeting for Archbishop’s Visit to Medak
Officials of the Lambeth Palace Visit Bangalore
Race of Accompaniment, through Strategic Peacebuilding!
16 NEWS Dept. of Mission & Evangelism, CSI Synod CSI Women Missionaries Conference-2019 Marked the Centrality of Women in the Mission
Chennai: The Department of Mission The meeting was presided over by the network of Women DARE in which all and Evangelism (DME) of the Church of Rt. Rev. Dr. Christdoss, Chairman for could be contributing their potentials South India (CSI) Synod, organized a DME, CSI Synod. During the Presidential and possibilities for the missional t w o - d a y W o m e n M i s s i o n a r y Address, the Bishop encouraged the engagements. Conference (WMC-2019) at CSI Synod delegates to learn together and learn from th th On the nal day of the conference began Centre, Chennai, on 7 and 8 February each other and commit ourselves to God with a reection given by Rev. Dr. 2019. The conference was conducted for the realization of the kingdom of God. Praveen Perumalla, EMS-Liaison Ofcer, based on the theme “Equipping Women Rev. Maxcin John, Synod DME Director, based on Luke 8:1-3. He reminded that we Missionaries towards building Christ provided an introductory remark in should be a transforming agent and, we Communities as well as enhancing which he stressed that mission story is should propagate the message of love, capacities of Women Missionaries to not 'his-story' alone, rather, 'her-story- mercy and forgiveness through our life. become part of Missional congregation”. too'. The Morning liturgy was prepared and The Rev. Dr. Daniel Rathnakara “We are all in a process of building new led by the SEVA Department, CSI Synod. Sadananda, General Secretary, CSI heaven and earth in which women have Synod, inaugurated the Women Following the morning service, Rev. the crucial role to play”, pointed out Conference-2019 and delivered a Sunil Raj Philip, Director for Department by Rev. Deborah Premraj during her keynote address based on Mathew 13: of Communication and Adivasi-Dalit, session on “Role of Women in Building 11. He emphasized that “small is conducted a session based on “CSI at a Christ Communities: Biblical Perspectives”. beautiful and small is signicant and glance”. In this session, Rev. Sunil Raj She exemplied the remarkable role of profound”. He further added that “we Philip explained about the life and work women based on the story of a Levite need to search for simple things around of CSI and presented about the various and his beautiful concubine described in us where we could able to perceive an departmental activities through a video Judges 19: 1-30. The concubine was empowering presence of God”. Based on presentation. abused for the merriment of men and the 1 Kings: 18, he pointed out that the nally, she was brutally assassinated. Adv. Adhilakshmy Logamurthy, Advocate secrets of heaven lie in looking on to But the concubine's pain was redeemed and Legal Consultant in Chennai, led a simple things and without rebuilding when the child who grew in Mary's session based on “Towards Women safety: and reforming spirituality, nothing is womb and later, he was torn into pieces Legal Implications”. In this session, she impossible. Furthermore, he made a upon the cross. Jesus life was always for explained about the context of various comparison between the farmer and the the aficted, affected and neglected. It is kind of violence against the women and missionary where a farmer who needs to the role of women missionaries to educated the delegates regarding the sow seeds needs to remove the rocks participate in the transforming as well as lawful provisions for the women's before sowing. Likewise, missionaries transcending mission of Jesus Christ, she safety, fundamental rights of women must transform the evil structures to added. and the ways to attain them. She further build a community of Christ on good highlighted about the judicial process ground. In this regard, women have a Mrs. Jessica Richard, the Programme and proceedings towards the women major role to play, he emphasized. Coordinator for the SEVA Department, safety. conducted a session based on “Towards The conference solemnly commenced Women's Potentials and Possibilities”. “Do not change the messages, but with a worship service led by the SEVA She encouraged the delegates to act and change the methods”, pointed out Miss Department of CSI Synod. Rev. K. James work for the social transformation Nancy Walter (Junior Lecturer, Nursing, Cecil Victor, Director for Pastoral Aid through the creative action and CMC, Vellore) during her session based Department, elaborately presented a approach of their own life. Furthermore, on “be healthy: Towards women reection based on Acts 16:16. In his she has explained about the project of empowerment”. She has successfully reection, Rev. James Cecil Victor “WOMEN- DARE”, which is the project educated the delegates about all kinds of stressed on the fact that missionaries to promote the Dalit Adivasi women common deceases that could possibly should learn to wait upon God and rural entrepreneurs in the context of occur in every female. She encouraged further he added that we all are God's empire and corporate world. She the participants to act as an agent of agents to bring transformation to the challenged everyone to be part of the prevention and cure and empowering living context.
CSI Life March 2019 17 women and children to be healthy in while he was delivering the concluding T h e p a r t i c i p a n t s c o n s i s t e d o f their living context. She further stressed remarks. He further wished that let Medical Professionals, Educational that along with prayer, we should direct every woman bring grater change in Professionals, Legal Experts, Women all those who are struggling with health society. Thus, the WMC-2019 concluded Workers, Bible Women, Women issues to the right people in the right time meaningfully and constructively. Missionaries and Evangelists. WMC-2019 for the more recuperative engagements. was a creative venue for equipping A memorial sapling was planted as part women missionaries and enhancing Adv. Robert C. Bruce conveyed a of the WMC-2019 and organized a their capacities to become more felicitation during the closing ceremony Chennai City exposure visits through missional in nature. and encouraged all to engage more and the historical places which helped the more in missional activities for the delegates to get a glimpse of the history Rev. Maxcin John, betterment of all. of the ancient missions and its Director, engagements. Dept. of Mission and Evangelism, “Keep it simple! Keep it small! Small is CSI Synod. powerful and simple is profound” said One hundred and twenty Women Rev. Dr. Daniel Rathnakara Sadananda Missionaries attended the WMC-2019.
NEWS Dept. of Mission & Evangelism, CSI Synod We are not Monumental, Rather, Movement: Mission Voice from Thindu
Chennai: The People from eighty villages new missionary dedication, Holy Rev. Dr. D. Elias and all the Missionaries of Kolli Hills have gathered together Communion service and fellowship in Kolli Hills Divisions and around one to celebrate the joy of fellowship, meals. Fourteen members were hundred and fty people from villages community life, caring and sharing each c o n r m e d a n d a c c e p t e d a s t h e have participated in the mission event. other. It was on 27th January 2019 at Paul full members of the church, and Brant Memorial Church, Thindu in Kolli Mr. Rajkumar and Mr. Robinson were Undoubtedly, the event has emphatically Hills. The event was organized by dedicated as new Missionaries for Church resounded that we are not monumental, Kanyakumary Diocesan Missionary of South India through DMPB in rather, movement today and tomorrow. Prayer Band where Synod Mission Kanyakumari Diocese. Rev. Maxcin John, Department has extended meaningful Rev. J. Justin Devadas (DMPB General Director, participation. Dept. of Mission and Evangelism, Secretary), Rev. Godwin Balis (Assistant CSI Synod. This event was marked by Worship Superintend for Missionaries), Rev. services, baptism, conrmation service, Maxcin John (Synod Mission Director),
CSI Life 18 March 2019 NEWS CSI SEVA Peace is Within, Do Not Try to Bring it as an External Force!
Building Local Capacities for Peace yellow brigade used two Conict the KND youth took place with the KCD (LCP) has been part of CSI ongoing work Analysis tools: (i) the Context Analysis Youth group as well on a different case for about 10 years now. The “Youth for (Divider/Connector) and (ii) Actor from their own locality. The case picked Peace” (YFP) movement paved its way Mapping to try and understand conict up by the youth is related to Gender in South India in early 2016. YFP seeks to in depth. Based Violence. In Bangalore on the 3rd capacitate young people to bring about January 2019, a middle-aged woman Later in the evening the youth were split conict transformation. Of late, YFP has was physically assaulted by a man in a into groups as per their dioceses and expanded and taken on the huge task of petrol pump near Siddiah Puranik Road. were asked to pick up a case from their working on conicts by analyzing, The young people took up this case, tried regions. This was to ensure that the strategizing and handling conicts in a to understand the context of the conict youth had that hands-on experience in more systematic manner. and the reasons it escalated into a using conict analysis tools. Looking at physical assault and more questions to The already existing youth members the outcome of the session the organizers go deeper into analysis. Later they trained in LCP/DNH who were part of and the youth groups realized the need moved on to analyze the case using the t h e m e g a e v e n t ' C h r i s t a Y u v a to meet regularly, to have further Actor Mapping, Context Analysis (to Jathrothsava' Tiruvalla in 2016 who call detailed analysis to plan strategically. understand the divider/connector themselves the Yellow Brigade (from the As part of the follow up meet, the relationship in this issue). Using the three Karnataka Dioceses), met on the th Karnataka Northern Diocese (KND) youth DNH framework (Step 4 - 7 Ws & 1 H), 11 of December to plan for Karnataka group met at RLTC center, Dharwad on the the young people planned their regional youth. The Yellow Brigade th 12 of January to analyze a case of interventions pertaining to this issue, along with few young people new to 'Environmental degradation in the name of which actor to start with, when to begin LCP. The meet was a collaboration for Development'. The group who are now the intervention & the time frame, roles capacity building and targeted well-versed in the tools and using the actor and responsibilities of all youth strategizing. The youth started the mapping tool understood the relationship m e m b e r s w i t h i n t h e g r o u p . I n process of identifying specic cases of between different stakeholders. Further conclusion the youth planned clear cut conict to work on by themselves. using context analysis, they narrowed intervention strategies (methodology) as The LCP/DNH orientation/capacity down on few actors in the conict who well. building workshop started on the 12th of could pave way for building peace in The KND and KCD programme were December at CSI-BCC, Bangalore, with a that particular issue. As part of organized and facilitated by Rev. brief introduction of LCP (The Journey strategizing in this conict they used Solomon Paul, Director, Synod Youth Thus Far), and a few programme of CSI- step 4 of the “Do no Harm” (DNH) 7 W's Department and Mr. Praveen Daniel, SEVA by the then Director Rev. Asir and 1 H. They have picked up three Program Executive- LCP, CSI-SEVA. We E b e n e z e r . H e e m p h a s i z e d t h e main actors (Local Corporator/ thank the Bishop of KND, Rt. Rev. importance of the human resource and F o r e s t D e p a r t m e n t / L o c a l N G O Ravikumar J. Niranjan and Bishop of other expertise provided by the Synod Representative) to work with. They also KCD Rt. Rev. Prasana Kumar Samuel for youth department. Rev Solomon Paul, p l a n t o u s e t h e p o w e r o f t h e their continued support in youth Director Youth Department, CSI Synod local residents (Collective People's activities and for nominating and highlighted the importance of being Movement) to get their signatures encouraging enthusiastic young people responsible citizens and encouraged the against environmental degradation in to participate in programme whose youth groups to be motivated and to that area. The youth also decided that impact reaches beyond the walls of the react responsibly. once they acquainted with all the actors church. and understand the intensity of the The yellow brigade kick-started with a issue, they would raise a petition on the Praveen Daniel S role play of an incident which happened website Change.org as the way to Program Executive – LCP in Bangalore where a North East girl was resolve the case. CSI-SEVA physically assaulted for a petty reason. The enactment paved way for further The Karnataka Central Diocese (KCD) analysis to get the new members youth group met on the 4th of February strengthened in analytic tools. The at CSI-BCC. Similar exercises as done by
CSI Life March 2019 19 NEWS CSI SEVA Race of Accompaniment through Strategic Peacebuilding!
Building Local Capacities for Peace the second half, the workshop's focus approach to the land dispute case which (LCP) has been part of CSI's ongoing moved on to understand the conict Mr. Sandeep Jason has been working on work for about 10 years now. The “Youth transformation tools starting from the in his diocese. for Peace” (YFP) movement paved its actor and relationship mapping. This These capacity building workshops way in South India in early 2016. YFP enhanced the understanding of how were organized and facilitated by Rev. seeks to capacitate young people to bring different people have different levels of Solomon Paul, Director, Synod Youth about conict transformation. Of late, inuence over the issue and how people Department, Mr. Sandeep Jason, Yellow YFP has expanded and taken on the huge have direct and indirect impact on Brigade, Karimnagar Diocese and task of working on conicts by different actors. The youth then used ve Mr. Praveen Daniel, Program Executive- analyzing, strategizing and handling parameters: (i) Systems & Institutions, (ii) LCP, CSI-SEVA. We convey our heartfelt conicts in a more systematic manner. Attitudes & Actions, (iii) Different/Shared gratitude to the leadership of The Rt. Rev. Values & Interest, (iv) Different/Shared Mr. Sandeep Jason, a youth member Dr. V. Prasada Rao, Deputy Moderator & Experiences & (v) Symbols & Occasions to from Karimnagar Diocese who was part Bishop in Dornakal and Rt. Rev. Dr. B. D. analyze the case chosen. By now the of the mega event 'Christa Yuva Prasada Rao, Bishop in Rayalaseema for youth were competent to analyze the Jathrothsava' at Tiruvalla in 2016 and deputing personnel who made all the connectors and dividers among the trained in trained in LCP/DNH (Do No logistic arrangements locally. Most specied actors. This exercise enabled Harm) ever since, met with the importantly we thank them for making the participants to x the actors with organizers from the LCP Desk of Synod time to meet the young people and for whom they would work to reduce the to plan for the workshops. encouraging them through emphasizing tensions/dividers and enhance the the importance of peacebuilding by The LCP/DNH orientation and the connectors. As the nal step before the giving examples of the reduced tensions capacity building workshops was a actual intervention in the eld, young between South Korea and North Korea collaboration for capacity building and people were introduced to the DNH and West Germany and East Germany. targeted strategizing. The workshops framework (7 Ws & 1 H). These youth We also thank The Rt. Rev. Dr. K. Reuban took place in two locations splitting the 6 from all the six dioceses planned their Mark, Bishop in Karimnagar, The Rt. dioceses of the Telugu region into two. interventions pertaining to the identied Rev. T. George Cornelious, Bishop in The rst one was held at CSI Cathedral, issues which are as follows: (Dornakal – th th Krishna Godavari, The Rt. Rev. A.C. Dornakal diocese, on the 8 and 9 of Decline in education services; Karimnagar nd Solomon Raj, Bishop in Medak, and The February and the second one on the 22 – Substance abuse; Krishna Godavari – rd Rt. Rev. Dr. E. Pushpalalitha, Bishop in and 23 of February at CSI Campbell Caste Discrimination; Medak – Land Nandyal for their continued support in hospital, Rayalaseema Diocese. Rev. Acquisition {Macro level - Community}; youth activities and for nominating and Solomon Paul, Director Synod Youth Rayalaseema – Illegal Belt Shops & Land encouraging enthusiastic young people Department, spoke to the youth about acquisition {Micro level – Individual} to participate in programs whose impact the importance of Peace, the necessity for and Nandyal – Property dispute). The reaches beyond the walls of the church. peacebuilding and how youth have to youth planned the steps in the move out of their comfort zones and intervention from picking their actors In this fast-moving world, we as react as responsible citizens of our to start with, time to initiate the believers of Christ are christened to country. This emphasis was given in intervention & the entire time frame for remember and help those who are order for youth to think beyond the walls the process, roles and responsibilities of unaware of their rights and continue to of the church. all youth members within their group have difculties to live, we need to run and so on. In conclusion the youth the race of accompaniment by ensuring During the rst half of the workshop, the planned clear cut intervention strategies fullness of life for all. youth were taught to construct a case (Methodology) as well relating to their right from the primary step of collecting Praveen Daniel S identied case analysis. All of these, data, to understanding the context, Program Executive – LCP starting from constructing a case to plan referring to different sources of reliable CSI-SEVA of action was delivered to the youth by a information and importantly how to systematic approach going one step at a collect the primary and Secondary data time and also by giving evidence-based from within their geographical reach. In
CSI Life 20 March 2019 NEWS Dept. of Communication, CSI Synod Representatives of Various Organisations Visit the CSI Synod Centre Representatives of various organisations Synod Departments welcomed the Wingate; FCI, Rev. Canon Dr. David visited the Church of South India (CSI) guests. Jonathan Hewlett; Principal- Queen's Synod Centre in Chennai on from 12th to Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Mr. Steve Pearce; Co-ordinator for Asia 14th February 2019. An interaction to Education- Birmingham, Rev. Ms. Fiona & Pacic- World Church Relationships understand and engage with the cultural Brampton- Diocese of Ely, Mr. Davidson Partnership, Methodist Church of diversity of India was one of the main Solanki; International Programmes Britain (MCOB), Ms. Elaine Robinson; objectives of the visit. A few of the guests Manager- USPG, Ms. Kathrin Lehrbach; (MCOB), Ms. Maaike Wigboldus; took time for evaluation of the projects EMS- Stuttgart, and Mr. Alwan Masilh; Programme ofcer- Kerk in Actie, Mr. the concerned organisations support General Secretary-Church of North Sandy Sneddon: Asia Secretary- COS under the auspices of the Church of India were part of this cultural World Mission Council, Mr. David South India. Rt. Rev. Vadapalli Prasada interaction. Frame; Convener of World Mission Rao; the Deputy Moderator of CSI, Rev. Council- Asia Committee, Mr. John Rev. Sunil Raj Philip, Dr. Daniela Rathnakara Sadananda; the Chalmers; Convener of World Mission Director, General Secretary, Adv. Robert Bruce; Council, Ms. Liz Chalmers, Mr. Andrew Communication Department, the Treasurer, and the Directors of the CSI Synod
NEWS Dept. of Ecological Concerns, CSI Synod Every CSI Member Should Plant a Sapling Every Year and Stop the Ecological Imbalance “Every CSI member should plant a Joseph Samuel; former Professor of dioceses and Theological Colleges sapling every year and stop the KUTS, Rev. Iniyan Joshua, Rev. J. participated. Rt. Rev. Timothy Ravinder, ecological imbalance of the earth”, Vedamuth, Rev. Jerin Sester and Rev. Moderator's Commissary to Vellore exhorted Bishop Timothy Ravinder Jayasingh presented eco-perspectives of Diocese, Rev. Sampath Sadhanandam; while delivering the keynote address in various biblical passages. Rev. Iniyan Secretary of the Diocese, Rev. Paul the 'Young Theologians Conference' on Joshua, Rev. J. Vedamuth, Rev. Jerin Robert Kennedy, Rev. Jared I. Reuban, ecological concerns held at CSI Retreat Sester and Rev. Jayasingh were the Rev. C. Manimaran, Mr. D. Charles and Centre, Yelagiri Hills in Vellore Diocese participants of Earth Bible Sermons Rev. Simon did all the arrangements for from 28th to 30th January 2019. As it is a workshops conducted by CSI Synod the success of the programme. mission mandate of CSI, we should have Department of Ecological Concerns. a commitment to Green India, the bishop Now the department is proud to present Dr. Mathew Koshy Punnackad added. Rev. Dr. Chilkuri Vasantha Rao; them as Resource persons. Ninety-eight Hon. Director, Department of Ecological Concerns, the Principal of UTC, Bengaluru, Rev. young theologians from various CSI Synod
NEWS Dept. of Mission & Evangelism, CSI Synod A Novel Mission Event for Caring and Sharing Chennai: Department of Mission and and cooking, making in order to share and DMPB), Rev. Ravi Rajan (Superintend of Evangelism CSI Synod took part in a mission care for others, especially most vulnerable in Mission), Rev. Maxcin John (Synod event of resource pooling on 26th January the living society. This event highlighted the Mission Director) and all members and 2019 at St. Andrews Church, Egmore. It was necessity of gathering and sharing together ofcials of DMPB Chennai Branch organized by CSI Kanyakumari Diocesan for the common good of others without any actively participated in the event. Missionary Prayer Band, Chennai Branch. discrimination. Furthermore, it has Rev. Maxcin John, Many mission-oriented families including radiated positive lessons to the world to Director, children and women actively participated share our resources and blessings to care Dept. of Mission and Evangelism, in the event. It was a remarkable and bless others. CSI Synod. experience of gathering various resources Rev. J. Justin Devadas (General Secretary,
CSI Life March 2019 21 NEWS Dept. of Mission & Evangelism, CSI Synod A Mission Consultation and a Field Exposure Visit in Vijayawada, Krishna-Godavari Diocese
Chennai: The Department of Mission to visit self-employment project like jute for an 'extra mile' to encourage the and Evangelism, CSI Synod, organized a bags production centre. children to study well by providing mission consultation at the CSI Krishna tuitions and extra classes. There are plenty of potential and possibilities Godavari Diocesan (KGD) Ofce th for the sustainable transformation of the Furthermore, Prem Nivas is the School Vijayawadaon 20 February 2019. Rt. Community. However, since they lack ample and Home for the Mentally challenged Rev. T. George Cornelious; Bishop in resources, the community really need Children supported by KNH running for KGD, Mr. G. S. Sudhir; Secretary in support and help for the time being. the well-being of less-privileged. KGD, Rev. V. I. Rathna Raju; Treasurer in Moreover, Bishop Elliott Girl's hostel KGD, and Rev. Prabhakar Rao; Registrar “Happy Home and Prema Nivas are our also is operated with the help of KNH to and Mission in Charge in KGD, Mission elds too”, said by the Rt. Rev. boost the education for the girls. participated in the consultation. T.George Cornelious during the exposure visit to the hostels in Bishop Azariah It is noteworthy that all hostels are The Mission Consultation was a venue Mission Compound in Vijayavada. considered as Mission Fields for the for mutual sharing and listening diocese where many of the congregations towards missional engagements in the 'Happy Home' is a girl's hostel started are contributing and involving for the days to come. with the leadership of Bishop T. George smooth running of the hostels. These hostels Cornelious and his wife Rev. Joshuva Soon after the consultation, there was a are the centers for learning and career Kumari Desary. It was aimed to eld exposure visit to Potthavarapadu development for the underprivileged empower the girl children those who are Village in Vijayavada. The visit was community. Therefore, hostels visibly from the underprivileged community, accompanied by Rev. Mani Paul who is witnessing the participation of congregations especially from villages. Hostel is in- charge for Social concern in KGD. It in the Mission of the Church. providing nutritious foods as well as was an opportunity to meet and interact boarding and lodging and tuitions. Rev. Maxcin John, with villagers where could able to Many congregations of KGD are Director, experience the fruits of the Spirit in their enthusiastically and graciously Dept. of Mission and Evangelism, community life. The sharing and caring contributing to the running of the CSI Synod. experience was visible in this village life. hostels. School Teachers are ready to go Furthermore, it was a creative opportunity
CSI Life 22 March 2019 NEWS Dept. of Mission & Evangelism, CSI Synod "Central to Periphery": A Paradigm Shift in Missional Engagements
Department of Mission and Evangelism, Madras Diocesan Missionaries are Venkitta Reddy Kandikai, Mrs. Selvi, Church of South India Synod and the tirelessly hardworking in those areas for Sathyamurthi, James along with 12 Board of Mission and Evangelism, the holistic transformation in all level. missionaries in Thadukku Pettai and Rev. Madras Diocese, jointly organized a two Team could able to identify the personal Benjamin Karthikeyan, Paul Daniel, -day Mission Exposure visit to the commitment, sincerity of Missionaries Devanesan, Edwin, Mano Victor along villages in Madras Diocesan Mission towards the Missional Engagements. with other missionaries in Alipanthankal , Fields on 21st to 22nd February 2019. Systematic and disciplined ways of Rev. Dhavaseely, Jackson, Jnana Selvom Rev. Paul Dayanandan (Mission missionary activities are ever highlightable. a l o n g w i t h 1 3 m i s s i o n a r i e s i n Director, Madras Diocese), Mr. Joshua All areas need to be supported and Thavalakuppam and Semiyarbalayam, (Catechist), and Rev. Maxcin John encouragedfor the time being for the Pondichery, and N. Paul Christy, Jackson (Synod Mission Director) participated in radical transformation. There are lots of Pinks, Issac and Samson and Rev. the exposure visit. potentials and possibilities in these Katherine in Marakkanam, Vilippuram. villages which could be revitalized and Various sufferings and marginalization It was an eye-catching, eye-opening, and rejuvenated for the Mission towards are the living realities of these areas. heart-touching experience in which transformation. However, constant accompaniment and exposure teamcould able to realize the empowering engagements towards the various life situations of village people. Though many of them are look like people will transform the living All those people are seemed to be shabby and poor, they're too heirs of circumstances where all could able to underprivileged and yet to be accompanied kingdom of God. They're all sharing the enjoy peace, justice and reconciliation. and supported for the sustainable same image of God. Though they're transformation in their own respective economically and socially underprivileged Department would like to congratulate living contexts. and less privileged, through the Rt. Rev. Dr. George Stephen, Bishop in rejuvenation of their talents in fruitful Madras Diocese, for his passionate The exposure visit started at Akkampet ways will be impactful to the living Mission leadership and diocesan ofce on 21st February 2019, then journeyed world. Exposure visits underlined that bearers as well as board of Mission and through Chillakore in Khlahasthy, Mission is with the people and from the Evangelism for the transformative Ilaganur ST colony, Venkitta Reddy Margin. Therefore, a paradigm shift missional engagements in these areas. Kandikai, Nagary, Thadukku Pettai- is needed to ensure the Mission Furthermore, department would like to Samathwapuram, and Alipanthankal engagements from central to periphery. extend gratitude to the Madras Diocese Narikuravar Colony. The exposure team for all arrangements towards exposure covered Chennai, Chittur, Nellur, Thiruvallur At this juncture, department would like visit. revenue districts. Furthermore, exposure trip to acknowledge the accompaniment of resumed on 22nd February 2019 and Prabhudhas and David along with nine Rev. Maxcin John, journeyed towards Pondichery, Kanchipuram, missionaries in Akkampet , Daniel and Director, Vilippuram revenue districts areas. The David along with 18 missionaries in Dept. of Mission and Evangelism, team could able to visit Thavalakuppam Chillakore, Rev. Jayakumar and 17 CSI Synod. M i s s i o n A r e a s i n P o n d i c h e r y , missionaries in Ilaganur, Vijaya Semiyarbalayam village and Marakkanam Chandran and Suresh Babu and Paneer in Vilippuram . Selvam along with 16 missionaries in
CSI Life March 2019 23 DISCLAIMER Any Views expressed in the CSI Life belong to their respective authors and are not necessarily those of the CSI Life. The authors will be solely responsible for their views and ideas.
CSI Life Advertisement Tariff CSI Life Subscription Rates
Back Cover outside - Colour Rs. 8,500/- India - 1 Year Rs. 150/-
Back Cover insideinside -- ColourColour Rs. 7,000/- India - Life Time Rs. 3,000/-
Front Cover insideinside -- ColourColour Rs. 7,000/- U.S.A. $. 30.00
Black & White Rs. 5,000/- U.K. £. 25.00
Black & White -- HalfHalf PPageage Rs. 3,000/- Australia $. 35.00
CSI Life 24 March 2019 NEWS Dept. of Pastoral Concerns, CSI Synod Institute of Pastoral Management: Batch-5 Institute of Pastoral Management (IPM) Control Measures and Stewardship spoke about Myths and Facts about Stress; which is part of the capacity building Responsibilities. Mr. Benny Theodore, Types of Stress; Sources of stress and project of the Church of south India an Asst. Manager ( HR) Training in an IT Addressing negative emotions. equips pastors on the topics related to Company lead sessions on Administrative The feedback on IPM Batch-5 was very legislation, nancial management, Skills by focussing on Interpersonal encouraging. Rev. Santosh Mathew administration and personality Effectiveness; soft skills and hard skills; from Madhya kerala Diocese afrmed development. Fifth batch of IPM in and various Performance Management that the IPM has enabled him to second phase was held from 19-22 /skills (PMS). Dr. Raja Sheker, a meet and exchange views with the February 2019 at CSI Centre, Chennai. professor at the Department of Legal participants from various dioceses. The program was inaugurated by the Studies, University of Madras dealt on “I'm a counsellor. So the teaching on Rt. Rev. Dr. Vadapally Prasada Rao, Minority Rights as well as Dalit rights has enhanced my skills” added the Deputy Moderator, CSI, who Christians and Constitution by dening Rev. Mathew. Rev. Margaret form challenged the participants to be Dalit and Dalit Christian and reasons for Trichy-Tanjore Diocese confessed that involved in the acts of liberation and the exclusion from Sc status. The normally she never speaks in meetings freedom with the skills acquired in sessions evoked many questions from or programs. But here she has learnt to IPM. He as called to mind that pastoral the participants seeking clarications on express here views. She said, “stress ministry is all about 'being with the the constitutional provisions. Dr. Agna management session was very useful to p e o p l e . ' T h e p a r t i c i p a n t s h a v e Fernadez, a professor at Loyola Institute me as I'm serving Cyclone affected observed few moments in silence as a of Business Administration (LIBA), congregations, now I have learnt some mark of respect and deep condolences helped the participants with skills on skills to help the victims.” The to the soldiers who were martyred in Managing Conict by giving a clear participants have shared their impact Pulwama. Rev. Dr. P. Praveen Prabhu overview on how conicts inuence stories in the concluding session and Sudheer, the CSI-EMS Liaison ofcer performance and how conicts can be IPM certicates were given away by offered prayers for the bereaved avoided or addressed. Mr. J. S. Anbu, the Rev. K. James Cecil victor and Rev. Dr. families. former Director of Christian Institute of Praveen Prabhu Sudheer. Management, lead a session on People C.A. Dr. Kandasamy explained the Skills by focussing on communication Rev. Rev. K. James Cecil Victor, difference between a company, society skills and the mindset of people. Rev. Dr. Director, and trust as an introduction to Arul Dhas conducted a session Stress Pastoral Concerns, his session on Finance Management Management Stress Management. He CSI Synod. where he discussed about Budgeting,
CSI Life March 2019 25 NEWS Dept. of Ecological Concerns, CSI Synod Consultation on Sustainable Living CSI Synod department of Ecological living. The Principals or the representatives Chennai, 12) CSI Dental College, Madurai, Concerns organized a consultation on of the following Colleges participated in 13) CSI Bishop Caldwell College, Tuticorin, sustainable living, as a prelude to the consultation, 1) CSI St. Johns College 14) Bishop Appaswamy College of Arts International conference scheduled to be of Arts and Science for Women, and Science, Coimbatore, 15) Voorhes held from 1st to 4th August 2019 at Madurai, 2) CSI College of Education, College, Vellore, 16) CSI Ewart Womens Chennai, on 15th February 2019 at CSI Ramnad, 3) CSI College of Education, College, Chennai, 17) Scott Christian Synod Centre, Chennai. Bishop M. Joseph, Pasumalai, 4) CSI St. Lukes College of College, Nagercoil. After the consultation Chairman of CSI Synod Ecological Nursing, Nazareth, 5) Bishop Heber aim, outcome, impact , theme and other Committee, presided over the meeting. College, Trichy, 6)The American details of International eco conference was Dr. Mathew Koshy Punnackad, Hon. College, Madurai, 7) Malabar Christian nalised. Director of Ecological Concerns, welcomed College, Madurai, 8) St. Mary's Degree Dr. Mathew Koshy Punnackad the members. Rev. Dr. D. R. Sadananda, College, Dornakal, 9) St. George, Boys Hon. Director, General Secretary of CSI, in his Junior College, Hyderabad, 10) United Department of Ecological Concerns, introductory remarks expressed the Theological College, Bengaluru, 11) CSI CSI Synod relevance and signicance of sustainable Bishop New Begin College of Education,
CSI Life 26 March 2019 Women Missionaries Conference - 2019
27 Date of Publication: First week of Every Month CSI Life Monthly English News Magazine posted at Egmore RMS1/Pathrika Channel Registered with Registrar of Newspaper of India No. TNENG/2001/07245 Postal Registration No: TN/CH(C)/267/2018-2020 Licence to Post: WPP No: TN/PMG(CCR)WPP-452/2018-2020 Representatives of Various Organisa tions Visit the CSI Synod Centre
Kristu Jijnasa
he Sermon Outlines prepared by the Department of Pastoral TConcerns- Kristu Jijnasa Vol. I,II and III are available at the Synod Book Shop. The sermon outlines are prepared based on the 3 year cycle prepared by the CCI Lectionary Committee. The thematic sermon notes will be helpful to the preachers of the Word of God. Kristu Jijnasa books can be obtained by placing order with the Synod Book Shop. Rev. James Cecil Victor, Director, Department of Pastroral Concerns, CSI Synod.
Edited & Published by Rev. Dr. D. R. Sadananda, General Secretary, Church of South India Synod from CSI Centre, No. 5, Whites Road, Chennai - 600 014. Ph: 2852 1566 / 4166 Managing Editor: Rev. Sunil Raj Philip, Director, CSI Synod Communications Printed by: N. Raja Singh 28 at Mighty Rock Printers, 52, Nair Varadha Pillai Street, Royapettah, Chennai - 600 014. Mob: 99622 02158. Phone: 2860 2158