April 2017 | Easter Volume XV | Issue 4 | Rs.150 Per Annum Theological Education and Ministerial Formation

2 EDITOR’S DESK Resurrection: The Celebration of Hope

he resurrection of Christ, Jesus just man who went about doing only God awakens us to a world of new being raised from the dead, good. The world around them had possibilities which we never thought Tchanged the lives of the disciples crumbled and they were bewildered with existed and resurrects us to be a new of Jesus. Those who believed that death a sense of emptiness. With the news of the creation. was ultimate, were taught to look beyond stone being rolled away at Jesus' tomb, death, those who spoke only of the end, they found themselves in a disturbing new In John's Gospel, on listening to Mary were taught the language of eternity, world where anything was possible. The Magdalene's narration, Peter and the those who were confined to the message of Jesus' resurrection is a sprout beloved disciple began a r un of boundaries of the finite limitations of of imagination, a bud of new possibilities, exploration and research, of stopping, time and space were enabled to imagine a shoot that promises a great new stooping and peering into the tomb, that the infinity, those who were assured of beginning. left them amazed. Whereas Simon Peter mortality were helped to envision could see the strips of cloth and the piece immortality. The resurrection of Jesus In the resurrection narratives, on the third of cloth that had been used to cover Jesus' which continues to transform the day, the women led by Mary Magdalene face, both rolled up and kept in a place, he community of believers today, is the dawn went to the tomb with perfumes for could not look beyond the tomb. of new hope unlimited, of immortality embalming, but they were in for a However, it is said that the beloved and life eternal. Easter is the celebration surprise: a strong earthquake and the disciple, when he saw it, he believed that of hope. stone being rolled away and they could Jesus was risen. Hope is looking beyond meet up with an angel of the Lord what is seen; perceiving and recognizing The resurrection story is a narrative of (Mt.28:6). The angel corrected their the significance of what is seen. It is completely unexpected, utter surprises, perspective “Why do you look for the believing in seeing the unseen and the and therefore one of shock, disorientation living among the dead?” (Lk.24:5). Hope conviction of things not seen. and chaos. A close reading of the is about correcting our perspective, it is resurrection narratives informs us that the about awakening to God's surprise. It is Mary Magdalene in her encounter with disciples never really believed that their about recognizing the reality and learning the risen Jesus, when he revealed himself Lord would return from the dead; they to channel all our energies and strength in to her, wanted to hold on to Jesus. But were sorrowful, fearful of their future, the right place and direction. God does Jesus commanded her not to hold on to puzzled by the mystery of the death of a new things and helps us to look forward. him (Jn.20:17). It is in letting loose what

www.csisynod.com |

April

2017 03 we cherish, what we love most, that we When the doors were shut, as the fear for remembering the scars of the past, we find greater things, we are empowered to their lives engulfed the disciples, the risen celebrate the new life in the present. Hope envision a new world. Mary began to Lord appeared to them. They had interprets the past, gives new meaning to proclaim, “I have seen the Lord” perceived themselves to be secure within the present, and makes the future (Jn.20:18). Only in letting go, are our lives the walls of a closed room. (Jn.20.19) The contemporary. transformed and we begin to celebrate coming of the risen Lord into the midst of new life. Only in letting go, we see a new the frightened and imprisoned disciples, When the disciples, seven of them future breaking in, the promise of renewal taught them the fallacy of their concept of ventured into the sea and toiled all night encountering us and enabling us to security. The risen Lord helped them to but caught nothing, the risen Lord came celebrate in hope. Hope is seeing with understand the need to go beyond walls to meet them in their workplace, near new eyes, recognising and responding to and barriers, and find security not in the their fishing boat and challenged them to the familiar, yet demanding voice and closed-ness, but in the openness. Hope is cast their nets on the other side of the boat being filled with the surprising and the celebration of the promise of freedom (Jn.21:4-6). The hope of resurrection liberating power of life in all its fulness. and joy in the midst of fear, doubt and comes to meet us in the spheres of our despair. As the peace of the risen Lord workplace, when we are tired, when we As two of Jesus' disciples were going to the encompassed them, they were filled with do not reap the benefits of our toil. When village of Emmaus, a stranger joins them in courage and strength to face the we have no perspective, hope comes as a their journey as an accompanier. He challenges of barriers and exclusion, to call to look at our work, at our toil challenges them with a question, “What break the chains of bondage and slavery differently: to understand the other side. are you discussing together as you walk and demolish the walls of separation and Hope surprises us with the unexpected along?” and “What are you so concerned struggle against hardship and oppression and makes us to recognize the one who about?” (Lk.24:17). The dimness of vision, born of injustice. The power that the risen encounters, accompanies and provides us the dullness of mind and the coldness of Lord breathed on them empowered them with new perspectives in our workplace. heart obscure our sight and understanding. to be a forgiven and a forgiving As the risen Lord prepared a breakfast for A t t i m e s, o u r c o - p i l g r i m s a n d community, (Jn.20.23) a community built his tired, but excited disciples on the accompaniers help us to analyse the on new relationships based on love, mercy shore, it gave a foretaste of the coming meaning of the happenings around us. and justice. Hope is the dawn of a new reign of the risen Lord. In the hope of the They help us to look into the things we are world community. resurrection, we hear the rumbling of a concerned with from a new perspective, new life, in the midst of the struggles of from an objective view of an outsider and Thomas, the disciple who was ready to go the poor and oppressed, coming upon us thus helps us to understand their meaning with Jesus to Jer usalem and die to transform us, manifesting the power of and significance. Hope is understanding (Jn.11:16), was doubtful and insecure in the broken body in the wounded and the designs behind and the designs that his faith as he heard of the resurrection broken communities. evolve. In our analysis, we begin to discern experience from the other disciples. He a new future, a new hope emerges and we wanted a living proof, a sign, and to put In our daily struggles may we be given encounter a new world. The stranger, as he his finger on Jesus' wounds. (Jn.20.25) As grace to encounter and recognise the risen sat down at the village of Emmaus, the risen Lord appeared and offered him Lord, and may we be blessed to turn each through the act of breaking of the bread, the proof, Thomas exclaimed “My Lord day into a celebration of Hope! provided them an epiphany: a new world and my God” (Jn.20:28). The episode broke in, a new vision was given. It is reminds us that the resurrection does not astonishing how in the very ordinary, we promise a world without scars. Instead, Rev. Dr D. Rathnakara Sadananda suddenly see a glimpse of God. Discerning the scars of suffering and pain are borne General Secretary, CSI the extraordinary and encountering the along with the joys. Hope is celebrating epiphany moment in simple and ordinary the promise of life everlasting in the midst symbols of our life, is hope. of the scars of sin, decay and death. In

04 April

2017

| www.csisynod.com EASTER: CELEBRATING LIFE! CELEBRATING VOICES The Most Rev. Thomas K. Oommen, Moderator, CSI & Bishop in Madhya Kerala Diocese

t is interesting to note that Easter, Ultimately these oppressive structures, through this year, falls on April 16, 2017, crucifixion, tried to 'silence' Jesus Himself; but He Iwhich in fact is the 'World Voice emerged victorious over them, and this, we Day' established as a special day of celebrate this victory as 'Easter'. awareness, recognition, and celebration of the human voice. On this day, in Easter thus reminds us of the victory of life over order to share the excitement of voice, death, where death is not just a physiological various global choral concerts and talks are reality but also a sociological category, vis-a-vis, organised. The physiological significance of voice death of identities, death of voices, death of justice, in effective and healthy communication is the death of peace. Easter thus is the decisive demonstrated by bringing 'global awareness to the turning point of history and reminds us that no need for preventing voice problems, rehabilitating powers that perpetuate violence and exploitation the deviant or sick voice, training the artistic voice, could remain ever powerful. The verse, "He is not and researching the function and application of here; for He has been raised", is a powerful voice'. However, today sociologists and indicator that the power structures could not bury theologians understand voice not only as a the 'voice' of Jesus that struggled against all kinds physiological phenomenon but also as an integral of exploitation and injustice. No tomb, no stone, no part of a sociological self of an individual or guard, no army, no power could stop Jesus from community. In a world where many voices are conquering death and sin. And this remains as a silenced and suppressed within various power hope for each one of us to continue our struggle structures, I believe Easter, as well as the 'World against all kinds of unjust and oppressive structures Voice Day', have a unique message for us: 'Easter: that deny life, suppress identities and silence voices. Celebrating Risen Voices.’ It motivates us to ask to the forces of death, "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death In Palestine, during Jesus' time, there were mainly is your sting?” two categories of people: the dominant and the dominated. While the dominant few included the Further, for Jesus, his resurrection stands in politically, religiously and economically powerful, continuation with what he was engaging in during the rest of the population, who were the majority in his public ministry, committed as a corn of wheat number, comprised of the poor craftsmen, rural that falls to the ground and dies, so that life emerges priests, farmers, fishermen, day-laborers and from that 'death'. This reminds us also about the socially marginalised groups. The voices of the very relation between the life here and now and the latter group were suppressed and silenced by the life after death. In other words, the life here is former, the dominant few, which included the high- detrimental to the eternal life, during which we priestly clan (controlling the Temple in Jerusalem), would be held accountable for what we do and the Herodians (ruling Palestine at Rome's order what we do not do. Of course, Lent is a time to and owning more than half of the land) and a small correct ourselves and reorder our lives, our number of other land-owning Jewish aristocrats. It commitment and vision. But, this reordering is important to note that Jesus was born into a should continue as a dynamic process, or in other community, whose voice was silenced by the words, an ongoing commitment, fighting against powerful, and that He had a definite politics against the evil within us, among us and around us, those oppressive structures that had silenced them. constantly 'dying' and 'rising' in Christ.

www.csisynod.com |

April

2017 05 Archbishop Oscar Romero, just two the 'Carbon Fast' we have been observing death, by engaging in the very political weeks before his assassination, said, "I during this Lenten season. However, I action of fighting against all structures have often been threatened with death. If hope that the 'Carbon-Fast' that we have that deny life and silence voices. The they kill me, I shall arise in the Salvadoran initiated will not remain just as a gesture to impetus for this, of course, lies in the very people. If the threats come to be fulfilled, say that we care about the environment. It resurrection of Jesus, which assures us of from this moment I offer my blood to is not a tokenism. Rather, it should take the life eternal, beyond the death. The God for the redemption and resurrection us further to political actions against all open tomb remains as the sign of hope for of El Salvador. Let my blood be a seed of ecological injustices, which indeed are the church to 'die boldly' so that 'life freedom and the sign that hope will soon more risky and costly than just washing reigns'. Let Easter 2017 and world voice be a reality." Similarly, the Church of away our 'social guilt'. In all these, we Day 2017 become an opportunity for the South India has always been committed to affirm our conviction that Easter calls us Church of South India to witness the struggles against the forces of death and we towards a 'politics of death,' where dying resurrection of many voices, constantly will continue to struggle. A Church that becomes a costly political and spiritual submerged by the dominant forces. I wish believes in resurrection cannot tolerate action, through which we challenge the and pray for all of you to experience the exploitation in the name of caste, colour, worldly forces of death that question the real power of resurrection that empowers class, gender and sex, rather should very meaning of life. Yes, the Church can us to continue Jesus' mission, for a vigorously fight against such power no more remain silent amidst evil and transformed world, saying a big NO to the structures, so that we experience violent forces that silence voices of the powers of domination and exploitation. 'resurrection' of the exploited identities. subaltern communities. Amen.

Out struggles against ecological injustice To conclude, I urge all of you that we too is a fight against the 'death of earth', recommit ourselves during this year's and it is in this context we need to locate Easter to celebrate the victory of life over

06 April

2017

| www.csisynod.com EASTER – THE RESURRECTION

The Rt. Revd. Dr. V. Prasada Rao, Deputy Moderator, CSI & Bishop in Dornakal Diocese

aster is a festival celebrated all Peter wished that it would not happen (Matt. 16: 21 over the world, not only among – 23), but Jesus warned him for these utterances. EChristians but in many other Even on the night of the last supper, Peter wished sects as well, the basic fact being that that Jesus be led away from crucifixion, but Jesus Jesus, only Jesus, died on the Cross and condemned these words pin- pointing Peter's vanity rose again. Before we go into a deep stating that before the cock crows twice as a study, may our gracious God grant us morning whistle, he would lie thrice to feign all the power of resurrection, eternal life ignorance on Jesus (Mark 14: 29 – 31). These are the and fill us with glory. I extend you all the Easter words expressed before the resurrection and we greetings "He is risen!" take them as evidence. Peter is the first witness to the resurrection (in the expressive phrases), to The Easter is a day of the festival of witness; it foretell what is going to happen. reveals a prophecy as it was given on the birth of Jesus i.e. for Christmas. Many people, even those Closed Tomb: The tomb is already marked; it is who claimed to be scholars, were expressing doubts intended for Jesus though prepared for whether any person who dies and gets his body Arimathaiah. The physical body of Jesus was kept rotten, could rise alive. Not many doubts are in the tomb. Confirmation of Jesus' death is expressed on the birth of Jesus and its holy roots. already made by a soldier piercing the body of But on His death and resurrection, it is not so. Christ on His sides. It also confirms the words of While Christmas is celebrated universally in pomp Jesus that He would be put to death and therefore and glory, Easter is not. I personally feel that Easter the blood and water oozed from His body (St. John is to be universally celebrated in such a grandeur 19:35). All precautions in cremation were taken up that it is equal or more prominent than Christmas and a big stone had been placed at the entrance of and we should thank our Lord God and praise Him the tomb. The stone was so big that probably unless for His abundant grace in sacrificing his life for us, they felt that he was much more strong or felt that the sinners. he cannot push it and come out, they would not have placed it. If a normal ordinary person dies, Resurrection means to come back to life, it means there would be no doubt, that the slab would be that a person comes out of his lifeless state to regain secure, as the human would be lifeless and cannot his life and live and interact with living humans; to even move a pin. Yet a stone slab, which was very come back from being a dead body to that of a living thick and strong for not less than 10 people to move personification. it away, was placed on the grave, preferably believing that Jesus was very strong and expecting Let me bring out some clear pieces of evidence of that He comes alive and pushes it away. It was not the resurrection. We know that on Good-Friday the physical strength, but when Jesus rose, the tomb Jesus bore the Cross and died. It is an open act for was open, empty and the strong stone was rolled all of us to see. We also believe that the edicts of over and placed aside. It is the second strong Pontius Pilate sanctioned the crucifixion, thereby evidence that Jesus rose all by himself and confirms the death has the sanction of the State, but these that an impossible thing was made possible. edicts were overturned by resurrection and this episode has the sanction of our God. Therefore, the Earthquake – St. Matt. 28: 2 - This is the third human authority is superseded by the divine evidence. Those are early hours of Sunday and all authority. We should also recall that Jesus Christ the women who believed in him went to the tomb before His imminent crucifixion has Himself and found that the earth shook and the stone on the prophesied that He shall die on the Cross and on the tomb was rolled over and all the other tombs nearby third day rise from the dead. were also broken. But the tomb of Jesus was

www.csisynod.com |

April

2017 07 unshaken and intact.This is a real Jesus was not there and that the shroud himself called her as usual and Mary the miracle. The glow of the risen Lord has tightly bound the body lay open in the Magdalene recognised his voice and filled the area and the surroundings grave. The empty tomb and white robes r e s p o n d e d a s " R a b b u n i ” . T h i s shuddered. Normally if an earthquake are clear evidence to show that Jesus rose conversation might have taken place over occurs it prompts terror and chaos, but from the dead. a period of fifteen minutes. What more here on the day of the resurrection, the evidence can you bring about to confirm quake damaged the nether world and the The incident of Peter and John came that Jesus rose from the dead? kingdom of darkness. Probably God does running: Mary of Magdalene when she not tolerate the loss of all the creation and could not find the body of Christ got The witness of the tomb-keepers: the act of God still protected the world. agitated in heart and became destitute. According to St. Matthew 28: 11, every God had made this through his will, She might have come to the tomb with occurrence at the tomb was briefed to the through his angels without an earthly two ideas in her mind. 1. If Christ rises as high Priests by the tomb keepers and damage. he foretold, to welcome him into the these head- priests gave bribes to tomb world and to embalm him with precious keepers to canvas against the resurrection Angel from the skies – light: This is the oils and scents. Secondly, if he did not of Christ. So they testified that while fourth evidence as given in St. Matthew rise, to embalm the dead body and pay they were sleeping Jesus' disciples have 28: 2. Probably at the same moment of respects with the offering of precious oil. taken the body away – St. Matthew 28: resurrection, an angel came down from Probably ninety percent with the above 13. This is satan's doing. How can the the skies onto the earth and the keepers said idea and a ten percent doubt. Peter false witnesses stand in fact finding? This saw it and were dumbstruck. They feared and John came running only with the is sheer ignorance and distortion of facts. the light from above. The light is now confirmation of the resurrection which paradoxically likened to a light of the life has been felt and confirmed by Mary The responsibility of tomb- keepers is to of the birth of Jesus which led the Magdalene (St. John 20: 1 – 16). They all protect the tomb from all sorts of damage shepherds to Jesus in the manger. If you believed that Jesus would rise from the or other activity and if necessary, in shifts. clearly observe the light that emanated dead and shall make good the prophecy. Most of the people, the bystanders fled with the thunder and lightening, you can It is imperative that Jesus rose from the the scene, when Jesus was captured. feel the fact that with probably a light dead. In fact, even when they could not Only John is seen in the vicinity of the exceeding 25,000 MW of power which affirm that he rose from the dead, their cross. The whereabouts of other disciples normally occurs with lightning, one faith let them to the tomb in a clear and followers are questionable. Can such might presume how they become assumption that the act of resurrection cowards dare to come there and take dumbfounded and listless. Even the tomb takes place. away the body of Christ forcibly? The keepers who are there were awe-struck deposition of the keepers is nothing but a and probably saw with their own eyes, the Jesus Christ conversing with Mary vanity. This cannot be contested in the resurrection and process and Jesus Magdalene: This is the seventh evidence. possible evidence strongly supporting the coming out of the tomb in enormous light When Mary the Magdalene came to the resurrection. while their minds were turned aside. tomb, looked into the grave and began crying to say that somebody took away Therefore, dear readers, I deem that White garments in the empty tomb: her Lord Jesus Christ, Jesus appeared in resurrection is a great deed of our loving The fifth evidence of resurrection is the person. Probably with a mind to reconcile Jesus to show us that he ever lives with us presence of white clothes in the empty his loss, and unable to see through that in all our endeavours as a symbol of tomb. When Mary the Magdalene visited tear filled eyes and to recognise Jesus, she eternal life over death. No other festival the tomb there were women accompanying might have faulted about the identity of has ever strongly given credence of the her. Even this evidence is precious, the her caller as the gardener. So she failed to invincibility of Jesus and his ultimate stone on the tomb being moved and the recognise him. When Jesus recognised victory over death to prove that he is an visibility of shroud is a clear evidence that her state of mind and her turmoil he ever living God.

On behalf of all congregations of Church of South India and particularly the Diocese of Dornakal, I bring greetings of Easter with the assertion that He is risen indeed!

08 April

2017

| www.csisynod.com EASTER – A NEW VISION

Adv. C. Robert Bruce, Hon. Treasurer, CSI & CSITA

he crucifixion and the death of As Jesus taught, so he lived. His acceptance of Jesus Christ is the biggest 'unacceptable' was a deliberate doing of what he Texample of injustice. It stands saw the Father doing. His meals shared with for all injustice. It was a judicial murder 'sinners' and outcasts were a reflection of his own like thousands of others across the perception of God as a father who prepares a feast globe, and we can clearly say that the to welcome his erring son. Jesus, by his life and values Jesus stood for are still relevant in death, showed that he was aiming at an alternative the current society too. These values, society. The resurrection symbolises that which are highlighted by Jesus Christ and alternative way of life. The resurrection reminds us eventually he laid down his life for, should be the a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies. This driving force of the Christian society across the kernel of wheat, Jesus Christ, produces many world. seeds. The resurrection of Jesus as a new sapling is The resurrection of Jesus Christ sets the seal of an indicator to a new world order. Many seeds are God's endorsement on what Jesus stood for and now coming into life. Death has no sting anymore. assures us of his living companionship to support The seeds of love, equity and compassion come us in the same struggle. Jesus proclaimed the arrival into life. of the new age of the reign of God; that he himself Jesus dies for justice rooted in love. He dies for possessed an intense intuitive awareness of the justice rooted in the nature of God. He dies for the reality and presence of God. Jesus, by his life and incomparable value of the individual person, ultimately by his resurrection proved his derived from the human capacity for relationship preferential option for the vulnerable and the with other persons and with God which is what we marginalised in the society. He marked a new era of mean by the image of God. He died and resurrected the victories of the vulnerable over the majoritarian to restore the freedom and responsibility which is hegemonies and manipulative political systems. the necessary condition of for love. Autocracy, The light of a new day was spreading along with the mobocracy, communalism, casteism, capitalism radiant the soldiers saw during the resurrection of and racism are the forces those try to kill freedom Jesus Christ. The light of a new day is spreading and thus the existence of love. The resurrection of across the sky, though its sun has not yet risen. The Jesus was a victory over these evil forces of his time. twilight is visible. Yet the sunrise is now so near and And, divinely, his resurrection stands against these so certain that it is time already to start living the life forces in every moment of the history of human of a new day, the life of the new age. The beings. resurrection of Jesus is the twilight of the fact that The resurrection of Jesus Christ calls us for a the messianic age is so near. change in our lives. Old man/woman in us should Since it is God's new age and the time of God's die. We should be re-born with new visions and reign, to live in its anticipation of its arrival means missions for a new heaven and new earth. Love and to treat everybody here and now as God treats equality should be the norms of this new era. This people. This is a call for doing justice and living visions and missions should be operated in the justice. Resurrection is a call for love and justice. tangible world around us. That is the Christian call. The nearness of the kingdom was the nearness of Let there be a resurrection experience in our lives God. The resurrection suggests us to be merciful to too! others as the heavenly Father is merciful to us. Let there be no limit to your goodness as there is no Have a blessed Easter! limit to our Father's goodness. The resurrection guides us towards a new law of love, kindness, and fellowship, because resurrection was a victory over hatred, exclusion, and hegemony.

www.csisynod.com |

April

2017 09 The Easter : From At Sea to Public Commitment of Faith

John 21: 1-14 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. 2 Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. 9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who Dr.
Rohan
Gideon
is
are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was A s s i s t a n t
P r o f e s s o r -
raised from the dead. Christian
Theology,
at
the
X: What did Jesus do after his resurrection? Tamilnadu
Theological
Y: He fried fish. S e m i n a r y ,
A r a s a r a d i ,
type of response to the above much more to the incident of Jesus feeding Madurai.
conversation on social media his disciples than that meet our eyes. Awould be 'lol' or 'rofl' or closely A question that is often raised about the related emojis: a face with tears of humor or resurrection of Jesus is whether Jesus had a a grinning face with tightly-closed eyes. physical body or whether his being was a Contrastingly, there could would be fierce Spirit. There are references in the New expressions of anger for demeaning Jesus as Testament to attest to both forms of being of a barbequing person on a beach! Probably a Jesus. Our questions usually presuppose that mindset that stimulates the laughter is that it is easy for Spirit Jesus to ascend into heaven Jesus' fish-frying act doesn't go well with his and therefore we should believe that the resurrected being, and that conversation resurrected being of Jesus was a spirit. should be taken as a humorous interpretation only if our spiritual maturity allows such a Then we are confronted with the instances humour out of Jesus' activity. And almost where Jesus showed up physically. There we for the same reason, the expressions of anger think that we should believe that Jesus' too: that Jesus' fish-frying act doesn't go well physical body is meant for this earth and with his resurrected being as he has now therefore we should believe in that too. beyond a mere human. However, there is Somewhere at the back of our minds is a

10 April

2017

| www.csisynod.com strong argument that Spirit is for heaven to a right place in the sea to come up with people', is about gathering people or and body is for this earth. What we eat a huge haul of fish. He also gathers them, multitude, however small the multitude is, and drink, if done sincerely, is for the cooks some food for them and reminds to pose questions and raise resistance. The good of our earthly life while our them of their vision to challenge issues of desire here is to get back stronger than ever prayers, fasting, and scripture- empiric nature. before. The desire to achieve the goals is meditations all sanctify our spirit or rekindled now to be channelized into soul, which in turn assure us a place in The storyline in the given scripture moves empowering and revitalising the heaven. from one of fear and floundering to fierce movement. exhibition of public commitment. It is There could be other responses to the about eating meaningfully and using I A Disruptive Eating-Practice notions of the body and spirit. However bodies as medium to exercise power in our spiritualities should not be limited to t h e m i d s t o f h o p e l e s s n e s s a n d Here, eating as an activity is beyond the finding answers to such dualisms. Our discouragement. Jesus shows himself routine tummy-filling act. While feeding attempts should be to understand what physically and gathers them. This post- themselves to be physically fit was much implications such interpretations about resurrection act of Jesus, as much as his required, they ate so 'that they all may be his physical nature had in Jesus' own ministry prior to his crucifixion, is about one'! The people who ate on the shores of time and what they mean to us today gathering people into an active Galilee were the ones who ran away from especially in the light of the theme 'New movement. This idea of a movement Jesus for fear of being killed by the Heaven and New Earth'. gathered momentum to the extent of authorities. Even their presence alongside making the leadership in Palestine Jesus before his death meant a threat to This scripture portion John 21:1-14 is insecure. The movement was to redefine their lives. Therefore, Peter had denied about Jesus showing himself up the nature of the Kingdom of God in Jesus thrice; therefore, the disciples locked physically to his disciples for the third contrast to the Roman Kingdom. The themselves up in a room; therefore, they time after the resurrection event. It is Kingdom of God was to be established quit being disciples and chose to revive around the time when some of his on this earth as a New Earth. their old profession. disciples had gone back to their first Now Jesus calls the same disciples to eat trade, fishing. Around this time when In this passage, the richness of fishing together even after their dismal projection they were frustrated by lack of a good imagery, as well as it is in the call of commitment. This gathering was to catch. It is then when Jesus guides them narrative 'I will make you fishers of brain-storm how to disrupt the power of

www.csisynod.com |

April

2017 11 the empire that the disciples had run could not come to grips with their own they lost the dedication to be the disciples away from earlier, however small the traditional trade of fishing. of Jesus and on the other they had lost the group could be to question the authority wisdom and knowledge of their own of the powerful ruling class. Jesus was Initially the disciples did not realize it profession. They were all at sea! instilling courage and hope in the same was Jesus who came looking for them. fear-stricken disciples. Jesus knew that Jesus wasn't a CEO kind of leader who Now Jesus, the son of a carpenter, had the even a handful of people could start would expect his employees to go after wisdom to tell his fisher-folk friends where disrupting the big scheme of the empire him. Rather he was a movement-leader to locate the fish! Jesus have not only had just as he and his small gatherings did who went looking for the dedicated the wisdom of his of his craft but also time and again during his ministry. This people or those who were willing to beyond to the extent of identifying rich open and public commensality restored rededicate themselves. They could have resources in other trades too. He could the much desired unity and fearlessness gone away from their calling. But Jesus probably read the tides and the movement in the face of death and apprehension. sees a strong potential in them to carry of the fish to tell them where to find a rich out his vision. We see in the later passage haul of fish just as he read the signs of his The disruptive eating practice should be (vs. 15-19) that Peter remembers his time and beyond. In that sense, Jesus was extended to our Eucharistic practices earlier calling and rededicates himself to interdisciplinary and multi-dimensional in too. Partaking in the body and blood of preach the values of the Kingdom of his ministry. He widened the scope of his Christ should not only mean edifying God. Here again is a powerful eating ministry to reach out to various needs of our individual being. It is about imagery: 'Feed my lambs' or 'Feed my different types of people. Calling ourselves participating in and carrying forward sheep'. Therefore these imageries come Easter-people means to rededicate the vision of Christ in our everyday out powerfully as deliberate references on ourselves to disrupt the social evil of any activities. how to nurture physical bodies as sites of magnitude and widen the horizons of our struggles, as medium as questioning and ministry. Through this we live out the II Eating as a Rededication to our as locations of rededication. vision of Jesus that everyone benefits from Calling life and benefit in all its fullness. III Widening the Horizons of our The naked truth was that the disciples Ministry rapidly switched between different callings. But Jesus gives them more It is weird when we observe that the opportunities to re-see themselves in the professional fishermen could not sense face of the daunting pressure. They where could be the fish-rich spot in the switched mindsets so much that they sea. We start wondering that on one hand

12 April

2017

| www.csisynod.com Climate change and Christianity – A researcher's perspective…..

he ideological view of preserving Evangelicals issued a similar call to action. Ms.
Keren
Rajavelu
is
climate as a part of Christian (Texas monthly magazine on the issue a
Marie
Curie
PhD
Early
Tministry is term “conservational “climate change”). Stage
Researcher
in
ATBEST
stewardship” by researchers worldwide. It is undisputed that God created the universe for Climate change seems to have attracted (The
European
Union- the human beings too and he found the considerable attention in the world funded).
She
currently
creation has been created 'good'. This Christian churches during the past few works
on
a
renewable
and
'garden of God' should be preserved, as it years. However, the topic is not new within the Christian communities. Statements on carbon
mitigation
project
at
was created. The commandment of stewardship states that the ''sacred obligation climate change date back to the 1990s. An the
faculty
of
Urban
Water
to preserve and protect the earth in all of its early example is a resolution by the and
Waste
management
at-
majesty, this garden with which we have been American Baptist Churches USA (ABC, University
of
Duisburg- entrusted, for those who will follow'' (Stone, 1991). Evangelicals spoke out on environmental protection in Essen,
Germany.
She
holds
a
2008). The need to protect nature follows from our interdependence with nature, and g e n e r a l ( E E N, Masters
degree
in
Energy
extension of the commandment to love one 1 9 9 4 ) . Engineering
from
National
another as well. 1 Peter 4: 10 says that “Each Institute
of
Technology
of you should use whatever gift you have Trichy,
India.
Her
expertise
received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.” includes
developing
energy
efficient
technologies
in
Climate change and carbon saving have renewable
energy,
carbon
become a major topic in the world that both e m i s s i o n
s t u d y
a n d
political leaders and religious leaders have come forward to express their views. In the sustainability State of the Union of January 2007, President Bush referred to climate change as a serious societal issue, noting that technological breakthroughs would allow us to become ''better stewards of the environment'' (Bush, 2007). And in his presidential campaign, Barack Obama wrote: ''My values speak to... the expanse of God's creation that is warming day by day'' (Obama, 2008). In June, Pope Francis sent out his 192-page encyclical imploring the world's 1. 2 billion Catholics to care about climate change, and in October, the National Association of

www.csisynod.com |

April

2017 13 Knickerbocker (1998) already described God because anyone who approaches climate change as an important part of Him must believe that He exists and that theological teaching and activism for a He rewards those who earnestly seek growing number of clergy and Him”. Also, various options to reduce c o n g r e g a t i o n s . ( G l o b a l emissions can be put forth Environmental Change 19 i n c h u r c h e s a n d (2009) 512–521) communities to set an example to the secular The sinful nature and greed world. of mankind have led to the C h u r c h e s c a n overconsumption of encourage the use of God-given blessings, 'technologies that emit such as air, water and little CO2'. Interesting has led to the invention ex a m p l e s i n c l u d e o f a n e w t e r m replacing congregations' 'decreation'. As popularly light bulbs with energy stated by McKibben, efficient ones, switching 1999, “We are engaged in the swift off the lights and fans and systematic 'decreation' of the when natural ventilation planet we were born onto. And does God is possible, and building new look at our actions and pronounce them churches in a manner that provide good? I doubt it.” more ventilation and natural lighting etc. National and regional As a researcher working on climate church associations could also organise change and carbon pollution, I ascertain public campaigns, attracting attention on the fact that Climate change is critical has carbon mitigation. Workshops and s t r o n g n e g a t i v e c o n s e q u e n c e s distributional of educational materials particularly on the poor in developing on climate change and energy saving to countries such as India. Climate change crisis that focus simply on technological local churches, diocesan schools and leads to a destruction of life, our very solutions are bound to fail'' (QEW, 2007, colleges so that they can educate own community and the future lives of preface). Katharine Hayhoe, one of themselves and their members. our children and family is threatened. most respected climate expert and an Many sources address a multitude of evangelical Christian, clearly states that Finally, ''In the case of the environment, threats, for instance: From the over “as a scientist, little we know of suffering the church's leadership is absolutely drying of land (drought in major parts of but as a Christian, we know the meaning mandatory” (McKibben, 1999). This India) and the increase of earth of it". So my call as a Christian and as a Lenten call for “carbon fast” is indeed an temperature to the death of millions of climate researcher to all churches is that appreciable effort in our community people in future days to come. When the we must begin to look this Lenten call of air 'is poisoned and polluted' (Isaiah “carbon fast' as the most sensitive and 24:5–6), we and all creatures are harmed. urgent message from Most Rev. Thomas K. Oommen, the Moderator of the Though technologies can develop in Church of South India, to pray and order to mitigate this problem, it's the educate ourselves about God's precious understanding of the local community blessing called environment. In doing and the commitment of the God's this, we acknowledge our faith that much children, who could bring a considerable can be done. Hebrews 11: 6 says "And change. As its stated ''Any responses to this without faith, it is impossible to please

14 April

2017

| www.csisynod.com RESURRECTION: Hope for a New Heaven and a New Earth

aster lilies decorate our homes and for God's glory. It was for the human beings churches during Easter symbolising who are in need of it. The Lord is risen for EChrist's resurrection. All through the you and for me to dispel our despair and to winter these flowers lay buried in the cold lead us to hope. The resurrection narratives frozen earth; but with the spring sunshine of Jesus Christ is an affirmation of the showers and breezes, these lilies come alive, promises of God- providing hope for peoples breaking the ground and bloom. Jesus was and communities seeking hope in the midst buried under the earth, rose again to new life; of the inevitable and evident suffering and no ground could hold him. It is a historical the presence of the evil. Each of the fact that the risen Jesus radiated his new life appearances enables the people to in all its power and glory, wherever he went experience the risen Christ in a new way Rev.
Dr.
P.
Krupa
Victor
and to whoever he appeared. The disciples to leading from despair to have faith. Faith that whom he appeared were suddenly was instilled in the encountered is a journey is
an
ordained
Presbyter
of
transformed from a brand of despairing men from the despair to hope; hope for a new into a brigade of daring missionaries. dawn for a new heaven and earth- purged the
Church
of
South
India
in
Everywhere they preached the Good News from all evils and hopelessness, despair and the
Diocese
of
karimnagar.
of Christ's resurrection, the power of the leading them to experience the power of the Easter began to work in people's lives; Risen Christ in a new and empowering way. She
finished
her
Doctoral
despair began to give way to hope; darkness What is interesting to me is Easter apart from studies
in
the
department
began to give way to light; hatred began to varied meanings and experiences, is an give way to love and sorrow began to give incitement to people to celebrate it; it is a of
Christian
Ministry-
way to joy. Therefore, let us celebrate it and celebration of the pilgrimage from despair to Christian
Education
under
we have a reason to celebrate today and every hope and transformation to become the day. Pope John Paul II said, "We are an agents of change. The focus of the each the
Senate
of
Serampore
Easter people, Halleluiah is our song." Yes, narrative of the resurrection experience is College
(University).
She
is
Jesus is raised from the dead. He lives! The leading people towards change in order to gloom and despair of the Good Friday were have hope instead of destining them to currently
serving
the
shattered on the Easter Sunday. remain with failure and stagnation. Phanigiri
Pastorate
of
the
Disciples believed in him and responded to Easter is a celebration not of the emptiness his invitation to follow him and in the course Karimnagar
Diocese.
of the tomb but of the content of the tomb; of the time they have understood and its main content is “we too will rise again as experienced Jesus in different perspectives Jesus rose.” The church all over the world and celebrate it. The disciples hoped that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It Jesus would establish his kingdom on the is the celebration of the joy of discovering earth but by shattering all their hopes, and Jesus who rose from the dead and defeated whims and fancies Jesus Christ was killed the powers of evil and death and a journey brutally and was buried. Jesus' resurrection towards hope. Over the magnificent on the third day confounded and perplexed mausoleum that holds the mortal remains of their faith in him but the encounter with the Queen Victoria and those of her royal risen Christ enabled them to journey from husband are inscribed the words: "Here, at despair to hope; hope in the risen Christ – the last, I will rest with thee, and with thee, in source of life and change of the situations, Christ, I shall rise again". The root of all contexts, people in order to have faith in him good works is the hope of resurrection. The and be the witnesses of that change because resurrection of Jesus Christ was not simply experiencing the risen Lord is not an end in

www.csisynod.com |

April

2017 15 itself but a spiraled process of discovery and Satan and has brought victory to us rather that we were made as only a and rediscovery of the transforming and it is the dawn of the new beginning. beginning to die to our own selfishness power of the risen Christ in order to re- The sin of the first Adam was removed by and rise to live for God and for others. build and strengthen their hope for the Jesus, the second Adam on the "Tree of Therefore the process of death to self- new and fresh life in and through the risen Calvary". St. Paul says, once we were leading to life for God and others must go Lord. The narratives of resurrection dead in our transgressions and sins, but on daily in our life. Death to self should appearances end with a note of God in his great love for us made alive not frighten us. Death leads to life and we celebration to be joyful and hopeful with Christ even when we were dead in need to carry this Good News to the because Christ is alive. Yes, we have a our transgressions (Eph. 2: 1, 5). God world. As the Lord told to the first women reason to celebrate. raised us with Christ and enables us to be who met him after his resurrection to “go seated with him in the heavenly realms and tell” other disciples that he has risen 1. Resurrection - Celebration of the that in coming ages he might show the from the dead, he tells us too. Therefore, New Beginning in Christ (Mk. 16: 1- 8) incomparable riches of his grace, we are not only the recipients and The celebration of the death and expressed in his kindness to us in Christ beneficiaries of the Gospel but also the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is a Je s u s ( E p h 2 : 7 ) . T h r o u g h t h e channels by which it is communicated. new beginning all the way. Resurrection is resurrection, our status is transformed; We tell to others not only by words but a celebration of the new beginning of we are no more sinners but we are made through actions that they too can have a Jesus rose to life after death. In the Gospel saints. In Gal. 5: 1-11 St. Paul says we are new beginning in their lives and they too narratives of the Resurrection of Jesus, set free from the bondage of sin by the can have deliverance from death. One we notice that all these passages present blood of Jesus Christ and we are free and such action could be to bring those who the Good News of the new beginning of Christ transforms us by being within us. It are oppressed, disadvantaged, lowly and Jesus raised to life after death. In the is our bounden duty to safeguard the those who are last in the society because Bible, we read passages which emphasise freedom, newness that Christ has granted of varied reasons, could be the people to new beginnings. Genesis tells us the story us by grace. We had our own personal whom we strive to give an opportunity to of the beginning of a new universe; new beginning at our baptism, for at rise from their 'death', to experience for Abraham receives his virtually dead son baptism we died with Christ and rose to themselves life coming out of death and back to life. The Israelites cross the Red life in him. At our baptism, we made a have their own new beginning in the risen Sea from slavery to a new future. The promise that we will continue to die and Lord. Lord announces their return for a new rise in Christ during our life on earth. It is beginning in a new Jerusalem. St. Paul's this baptismal promise we renew as we 2. Resurrection: A New Discovery of writing to the Romans describes the celebrate Easter- the Resurrection of the the Lord and God (John 20: 24-29) power of the Good News to create us Lord Jesus Christ. This renewal of the This passage records the most unique anew and to give us a new life, urging us to promise reminds us that at our baptism encounter of risen Christ with Thomas, lead a new moral and spiritual life (Rom. we were not made Christians once-for-all the disciple. Thomas was known for his 6: 3- 11). Christ has won the battle over sin doubt about Jesus' resurrection from the dead. To Thomas, the cross was only what he had expected. When Jesus had proposed going to Bethany, after hearing the news of Lazarus' death, Thomas' reaction had been “let us also go, that we may die with him.” (Jn 11: 16). Therefore, for Thomas, crucifixion was the fulfilment of his expectation. Thus he continues to deny and doubt the possibility of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The resurrected Jesus appeared in the closed doors of the upper- room and greeted them saying: 'Peace be with you'. It was a personal gain to Thomas to witness the risen Jesus at the invitation from Jesus the risen Christ. Thomas did not believe that Jesus was raised at the first instance until Jesus stretched out his hands and asked Thomas to put his finger in the wounds. This invitation from the risen Christ has

16 April

2017

| www.csisynod.com awakened him from his faith slumber and powerful sources of life. Millions of dry acknowledged Jesus Christ as “My Lord and useless lives have been transformed and My God”. It is an invitation to and made useful by the resurrected witness the scars of the freshness of Jesus Christ. Hence the mission of the church symbolising the living body of Christ. By is to identify valleys of dry bones in the believing in the resurrection we come personal as well as congregation level and under the influence of Christ. We have no replenish it with the life of the resurrected other Lord and controlling authority over Christ. The resurrection of Christ grants us especially, the power, money, treasures us a new hope and new strength to or anything that we hold on to us so dear imagine a new future and have hope for and precious. When we acknowledge our present and future existence. God is Jesus Christ as Lord and our God, we present in the world, the world will be completely come under the control of transformed completely. Death has been Christ and our life completely surrendered conquered by life in resurrection so that to Him and Him alone. It is an invitation we can continue to work with hope to emulate the lifestyle of Jesus Christ- against all that is evil such as, corruption, willingness to empty oneself for the sake injustice, violence, war, and so on. Hope of Christ. Jesus becomes our master and in the resurrection of Christ inspires us to we are no more slaves to doubt, work fearlessly and courageously to unfaithfulness, or sin, money and power. remove all that is bad, sinful, sad, and The one who comes under the control of mad at the face of the earth. The the Risen Christ can alone affirm that related to humanity, divinity and resurrected Christ will transform the Christ is the Lord and God of his/her life. resurrection. whole earth and make everything new: Such life is so wonderful, meaningful, new earth and new heaven where all the fruitful and a life that is transformed. 3. Resurrection: Gives Hope for Present sin and sinful acts are put to an end and Accepting the Lordship of Christ is and Future Existence (Luke. 24:1-12). where the Kingdom qualities joy, peace, accepting the lifestyle of Christ. A The gloom and despair of the crucifixion justice and righteousness prevail forever. lifestyle that is not to be served but to were shattered by the resurrection of Belief in the resurrection is not an serve and living for others. If we accept Jesus. The great sorrow of Mary appendage to the Christian faith; it is the the Lordship of Christ in our life, we need Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the Christian faith. One of Church Fathers to emulate this lifestyle of Jesus. A life mother of James and other women with St. John Chrysostom said: “We were once that is willing to take the risk for the sake them was turned into a celebration of joy living in the shame of sin, but now we live of Gospel, of serving others. This is at the announcement by the angel of the in confidence and justice. We are now not possible only if we wake up from our Lord-the Good News of the resurrection only free but saints, not only saints but just slumber of faith and then only we get the of Jesus from the dead. The angel said to men and women, not only just men and courage to acknowledge Christ as Lord them, do not be afraid, “why do you seek women but sons and daughters, not only and God like Thomas. When Thomas the among the dead for the one who is alive”? sons and daughters bur heirs, not only disciple acknowledged Christ as Lord and Remember the words of Jesus (Vs. 7-8). heirs but brothers and sisters of Christ, as God, his perception of God and of the risen The resurrection of Jesus is a joyful event co-heirs and members, not only members Christ has changed. He spontaneously for all those who loved Him. The risen but temples, not only temples but became under the control of the Lordship Lord confirmed their faith in Him as the instruments of the Holy Spirit.” Yes, like of Christ and his perception of Christ has Messiah. The fear, despair, disillusionment all deeper things begin in mystery, all transformed him and Christ attitude and hopelessness that accompanied the hidden things ends in great courage. came in and Thomas became a humble crucifixion have vanished with the servant of God Almighty and died as a germinating news of the resurrection of We need courage and commitment to martyr for Christ and for witnessing the Jesus; it brought the message of hope. envision and experience new and message of the risen Christ. Church the Christ is risen and he is the resurrection freshness of life here and now. Let us keep Body of Christ is called to affirm the and life. The resurrection event has a our risen Christ always alive in our hearts Lordship of Christ (Col. 1: 16-18). parallel in the narration of the valley of and live a courageous life striving towards Without the Lordship of Christ, there is dry bones in the book of Ezekiel. In Ezek. participating in God's mission of existence and identity for the Church. 37, we read of the valley of dry bones, transformation of people, situations and Hence, the relationship between the very dry and no life in it. But when waiting for new heaven and earth here Church and the Head of the Church prophet Ezekiel prophesized and and now. should not be built on the basis of doubt, breathed on them, all these bones become distrust, and confusion. Christ dispelled bodies with life and flesh on it. The all sorts of doubts and confusions that are resurrected Christ has the power to transform dry and lifeless situations into

www.csisynod.com |

April

2017 17 CSI Synod Dept. of Youth MITHRA – a Synod Youth Department's venture in recognizing the presence of Migrants and meeting the challenges Migration poses

i g r a n t s I n t e r v e n t i o n migrated to Chennai in search of better Anthergaon. T o w a r d s H o l i s t i c livelihood. Though the people around MResponsive-Action a new them have accepted and accommodated Possibilities of working among the initiative by the youth department by CSI them, they are challenged with no children of the refugees and the youth are seeks to address the issues faced by provision of basic documents and no chartered out to join hands with the migrants and refugees through its project proper health care with very limited diocese of Karimnagar in strengthening named MITHRA. educational opportunities for their the lives of this vulnerable people. The children. youth also participated in the nutrition 1.Sriperumputhur – Migrants from The Youth Department is attempting to food feeding program initiated by CSI M ya n m a r a n d N o r t h e a s t I n d i a work out possible opportunities to SEVA for the elderly people of the With the mission of completing “The improve the quality of life of these people community and showed their solidarity Body of Christ” by embracing migrating in the near future. to work more closely with the project people groups and communities, migrant henceforth. As a part of the near future settlements in Chinnaperumal nagar, 2.Rupantara – Refugees rehabilitation interventions from the youth department Sriperumputhur, were identified and was program, CSI Karimnagar Diocese a children's camp with community visited by the Youth Department for their Youth Department Director Rev. Solomon awareness programs are planned along initial interaction towards constructive Paul J along with the team of young people with the youngsters of Karimnagar interventions. Families numbering about from Karimnagar diocese visited diocese and from various other CSI 40 from Myanmar and Manipur are Rupantara, a project initiated by CSI dioceses. dwelling from the past 6 years who have SEVA and the Karimnagar diocese to uphold the dignity of life of the many refugee families settled for more than 30 years. The intention of the youth department through the project MITHRA is also to look at the various possibilities to work among the migrants and the refugees who are situated in this place called

18 April

2017

| www.csisynod.com CSI Recommits to Gender Equity in Society

19 Expanding Horizons: Ministry Among the Seafarers

20 Kerala Regional Pastors’ Koinonia 2017

21 DISHA Discusses Disability Inclusion Toolkit

Pastors’ Lent Retreat - Vellore Diocese

22 Resurrection of Christ Towards New Paradigm Shift

hat is the greatest fear of human life". This is entirely wrong. Resurrection is a being? The greatest fear of complex yet crucial occurrence, which leads Wevery man is death. Whether it to life eternity. Resurrection is neither an is today or two thousand years ago, or abstract idea nor a matter of hope, but it is whether it is in the time of Abraham, Isaac concrete, real and sure happening. It links the and Jacob or now, death is the greatest fear. terrestrial mundane world with the supernatural The hospital business is thriving well and eternal world. some of the hospitals do much 'better' than the star hotels. The human genome project is Even those who believe in resurrection are in a high gear and a lot of money is being under the notion that life in this world is one poured into this project to find out whether phase and life after death is another phase. any possibility for a human being to live This is yet another misconception. Life is not eternally. A hundred-year-old woman says two distinct phases, but a continuous process that she is praying to God to grant her gradually transforming from one state to another two more years. So age is not a factor another through death. Rev.
A.
Gibson
is
an
and everyone wants to live forever and ever. ordained
pastor
of
the
Death is a mystery and we do not know what Death is not an end, but the beginning of the Church
of
South
India
in
the
is going to happen after this life. People were eternal life. It is a door that leads to CSI Life Advertisement Tariff immortality. The disciples were awe-struck CSI Life Subscription Rates Diocese
of
Tirunelveli.

Hee
under the impression that there was no life after death. When the women went and said when Jesus appeared to them after His death. Back Cover outside - Colour Rs. 8,500/- is
currently
serving
as
the
India - 1 Year Rs. 150/- to Jesus' disciples that Jesus was raised from Back Cover inside - Colour Rs. 7,000/- Pastorate
Chairman
of
death, they did not believe them because that India - Life Time Rs. 3,000/- Melapalayam
Pastorate
in
was an unnatural happening. Front Cover inside - Colour Rs. 7,000/- $. 30.00 the
Diocese. U.S.A. In order to clarify their doubt, the disciples Black & White Rs. 5,000/- U.K. £. 25.00 ran to the grave to check for themselves, because they did not have faith. Having seen Black & White - Half Page Rs. 3,000/- Australia $. 35.00 Lazarus being brought to life after three days of his death and the twelve-year-old girl being raised from death, Peter had a germ of faith which made him rush to the grave. But fundamentally even today we see death as the final act. But Christ proved it wrong.

Human beings are under the illusion that resurrection is simply dying and rising again. The dictionary also defines the resurrection as "the condition of having been restored to

www.csisynod.com |

April

2017 23 d i s t r a c t i o n s, d e va s t a t i o n s a n d communalism. There should be a symbiotic relationship between the two worlds, the present and the future. After our death, our spirit should bear positive witness for our lives that we lived in this world. So our life is a continuum, not a separated phase.

Our risen Lord created a conducive environment with a telescopic vision for our future generation. And He passed that baton to His disciples to continue to run the worldly race without fumbling or stumbling. The post-resurrection event strengthened the disciples to become fearless soldiers of Christ. In Matthew 10: 28, Jesus says, "Do not be afraid of those His corporal frame must have undergone with God is possible only if we believe who want to kill your body, they cannot certain changes since the disciples could with our heart and soul the Almighty touch your soul". But the globalisation not recognise Him sometimes (eg. At God, if we try to please Him in all our concept created islands of prosperity and Emmaus) and sometimes they could (eg. ways and if we reconcile ourselves with oceans of poverty. Human beings are Inside the room). Therefore we can come Him. considered as mere commodities. But to a conclusion that the dwelling place of Christ's principles are against the the soul after resurrection is a mystery Human beings have no right to forego this accumulation of wealth. Jesus says in and neither can we comprehend nor do God-given life. He should not also Matthew 19: 24, "It is easier for a camel to we need to. recklessly ruin it. At the same time, one go through the eye of a needle than for a should not wish for more than the rich person to enter the kingdom of In His post-resurrected state, Jesus stipulated span of life that is allotted to God." Poetically saying, poverty is made appeared to His disciples when they were him. When Hezekiah was announced of by policies. On the contrary, our political seated in a closed room. From this, it is his death by Isaiah, he was reluctant to and economic policies are helping the clear that his entry was not through the die and wished for longer years which corporate and financial institutions to door. This is not metaphysics or a finally turned out to be disastrous. grow big, but the subaltern people are miracle. Even when Jesus was in this adversely affected. world, He walked on the sea. This is Christ was obedient to His Father's call neither an unnatural happening nor a till the end. In his earthly ministry, He Let our pulpit resound the message of our miracle. For Jesus said in Matthew 17:20, was trying to create a new social order risen Lord so as to create a new paradigm "For truly I say to you, if you have faith as opposing all kinds of Hegemony, clerical in this country, especially in the political, small as mustard seed, you can say to this domination and other social evils. As the economical and spiritual realms. Let us mountain, 'Move from here to there' and followers of Christ, we need to build a galvanise our future generation to walk in it will move. Nothing will be impossible new social set-up in today's context based His footsteps. As the saying goes, for you." If we follow the footsteps of on the values which He stood for. Only "Gathered church one priest, scattered Jesus with absolute faith, we too can then His resurrection will be meaningful. churches all are priests.” That will be a exhibit such extraordinary feats. The new social order should be based on creation of new Heaven and New Earth. equality, democracy, non-discrimination Let us not fear death, because He is raised Resurrection is not a guarantee to eternal and plurality. We need to oppose all the from the grave. Let us move our church life with Almighty God. Life eternity forces of divisions, discriminations, towards the new paradigm shift.

24 April

2017

| www.csisynod.com CSI SYNOD & BTESSC “Theological Education and Ministerial Formation”

n important dialogue between in Training the Ministers of God’, Rev. The second day began with a special the Church Leaders and the Dr. Collin Cowan, the General Secretary worship to celebrate the International ATheological Educators took of the Council for World Mission, stated Women’s Day and to praise God for the place at the CSI Synod Centre in Chennai that if the church leaders and theological wonderful gift of women to the world. on the theme “Theological Education and leaders come together, there is no end to Ministerial Formation” from 7th to 8th possibilities. Rev. Dr. Daniel Rathnakara The opening session of the final day was March 2017. This dialogue, which was Sadananda, the General Secretary of on the theme ‘What do we expect from jointly organised by the Board of CSI, told in the second Keynote Address the Church?’, which was shared by Rev. Theological Education of the Senate of with the title ‘Theological Education is Dr. Santanu Patro, the Registrar of the Serampore College (BTESSC) and the the Task of the Church’ that we should Senate of Serampore College. Rev. Dr. Church of South India (CSI) Synod, was have a pedagogy of hope that moves from Sunil Caleb, the Principal of the Bishop’s inaugurated by the Most Rev. Thomas K. virtual to the experiential level. College, Kolkata (Church of North India), Oommen, the Moderator of CSI. In the Rev. Dr. P. G. George, the Dean of inaugural sermon based on the biblical The forenoon session was closed by the SATHRI (Marthoma), and Rev. Dr. passage John 4: 22-30, the Moderator told prayer led by Rev. Dr. G. Augustine Naveen Rao, the Principal of the Leonard that Jesus focused on creating new Jeyakumar, the Executive Secretary of Theological College, Jabalpur (Methodist) relationships surpassing the boundaries. the United Evangelical Lutheran presented papers in this session, which A vision for the borderless church should Churches in India (UELCI). was followed by a general discussion. receive momentum from the approach of Jesus Christ to the relationships of The first session in the afternoon was the The next session on the theme, ‘What do human beings. response to the Keynote addresses, which we expect from the theological colleges?’ was moderated by Rev. Dr. Kavito was chaired by Dr. Sudipta Singh, the After the inaugural worship service, Zhimo, the President of the Senate of Secretary for Research and Capacity Rt. Rev. Dr. John S. Sadananda, the Serampore College. Dr. O. Thomas, Development of CWM. Rt. Rev. Mohan Master of the Serampore College, greeted Orthodox Theological College, Dr. (ECI), Rt. Rev. Michael Herenz (CNI), the gathering of the Church leaders and David Rajendran, TTS, and Dr. Limala and Rt. Rev. K. G. Daniel (CSI) presented theological educators across India who Longkumer, Bishop’s College, presented their views in this session. attended the two-day dialogue. He the responses. reminded that the theological education In the concluding session there were is an integral part of the ministry of the The session on the ‘Theological recommendations and discussions. Church. Dr. P. Mohan Larbeer, the Education Policy’ in which Rt. Rev. Dr. Rt. Rev. Dr. John S. Sadananda was on Secretary of BTESSC, gave the formal Royce Manoj Victor (CSI Bishop in the chair in this session and Dr. H. S. introduction to the programme and Malabar Diocese), Rt. Rev. Prakash Wilson, the Executive Director of FTE, welcomed the gathering. Patole (Bishop, CNI), and Dr. Botoholi and Dr. Dieter Mitternacht of the (CBCC) took part was the final session on Church of Sweden gave their responses. The initial session of the conference after the first day. Rt. Rev. Pushpalalitha (CSI The conference came to a close with the the worship service was moderated by Bishop in Nandyal Diocese) offered the prayer and benediction. Most Rev. Thomas K. Oommen. In the closing prayer. first Keynote Address on the theme . ~ Communication Team ‘Significance of Theological Education CSI Synod

www.csisynod.com |

April

2017 25 CSI SYNOD & BTESSC Theological Education and Ministerial Formation (A DIALOGUE BETWEEN CHURCH LEADERS AND THEOLOGICAL EDUCATORS) STATEMENT I. PREAMBLE: systems of training to cater to the c o u r s e s t h a t a r e o f f e r e d The March 7th and 8th 2017, Chennai present and emerging ministries particularly at the BD and other Consultation on the theme titled o f t h e C h u r c h . I t w i l l b e undergraduate programmes to “Theological Education and Ministerial appropriate for theological reshape mission paradigms Formation” is historic. The Indian institutions to shed their according to the new priorities church's leaders, Theological Educators 'uniformity image'; and be open and emerging possibilities. and few Overseas Partners, together 47, to initiating comprehensive 4. We recognise that church as met for a conversation to understand region specific theological owners of theological education whether theological education is education and training. The has the responsibilities in imparted keeping in mind the needs of concept of community of s p o n s o r i n g s t u d e n t s a n d the Indian churches. In that, the church theological college may also be teachers and providing financial and the Senate of Serampore College are thought of. In short, theological and other administrative called to work together as both the church institutions can explore ways to resources;but at the same time leaders and theological educators belong do theological training of maintaining equidistance to the church of God. difference; and theological realising that the theological 1. We understand that church is the training differently. education is a specialised people of God who are found in 4. Apart from being effective, ministry of the church, and is both inside and outside the Pastors are now called up to play entrusted to the theological c h u r c h . T h e t h e o l o g i c a l different roles in the church – colleges by the churches, church education is an education that t h e y n e e d t o b e g o o d related bodies and unions to trains and equips the ministers, communicators and counsellors; administer their programmes leaders and ordinary people (the understand human dynamics; be and institutions. whole church) to enable to effective organisers, perspective 5. We accept that the goal of articulate their own faith and builders and goal setters; and theological institutions is to that of others, and lead the e n g a g e i n c o n f l i c t creatively engage in ecumenism church and society to empower transformation. Theological and pluralism; and evolve and and engage in liberating praxis, institutions to give serious p r o m o t e D a l i t , Wo m e n , particularly the marginalised. consideration to the need for Adivasi, Tribal, Minority, People 2. Considering the new and these new pastoral skills; and with Disabilty and other emerging political, social, arrange to make them available M a r g i n a l i s e d t h e o l o g i e s, economic ethos at the grassroots as part of the curriculum. alongside ministerial training level, the church needs to be the that is designed and defined by frontline prophetic, pastoral and I I . T O G E T H E R W E A R E their respective churches. diaconal voices for evolving new COMMITTED: 6. We are committed and agreed to mission impetus and take 1. We, as the Church and the engage in interaction from time responsibility for equipping all Senate of Serampore College to time and build stronger ties concerned with the underlying (SSC), come together to affirm b e t w e e n c h u r c h e s a n d theological perspectives. The o u r c o m m i t m e n t t o t h e theological institutions. church should be a catalyst in ministries of the church by p r o v i d i n g p e r s p e c t i v a l imparting theological education I I I . C A L L E D T O D E L I V E R guidelines to theological that are contextual, ecumenical TOGETHER: institutions in strengthening the and biblical. 1. The Church Leaders and ministerial formations by 2. We recognise that SSC, a major Theological Educators are called contextually relevant theologies. player in imparting theological to discern the signs of time and 3. While the Bible will remain to be education, is of the Indian make the Gospel of Jesus Christ the foundational importance for C h u r c h . I n t h a t , S S C i s relevant to the church and theological education; faith and mandated to provide theological society by being committed to character building, the core education that is ministrydriven. ecumenical vision and the vision values; there is emerging need 3. We, the Church leaders and of wider ecumenism. for theological institutions to theological educators, call the 2. The Church Leaders and restructure their orientation, SSC to revisit its syllabi and Theological Educators together curriculum, pedagogy, and

26 April

2017

| www.csisynod.com are committed to the mission (missiodei) V. C H U R C H L E A D E R S A R E for the common good of the and ministry (missioekklesia) of the CALLED TO ACT: church and society. church. 1. T h e c h u r c h mu s t r e m a i n 4. That the SSC initiates steps to 3. Affirm that neighbourliness is committed in sending and strengthen fellowships among rooted in being together, sharing h e l p i n g t h e p o o r a n d t h e d e n o m i n a t i o n s a n d our capacity and material marginalised candidates who s t r e n g t h e n e c u m e n i c a l through mutual openness, have genuine call for the togetherness among its affiliated creativity and culture of learning ministry. constituents; and be respectful to together as an embodiment of 2. The church must encourage d o c t r i n a l a n d t r a d i t i o n s ' loving and sharing community. women candidates to come into positions and convictions of all 4. Planning, governance and ministry and sponsor financially the churches. management should be part and even if employability is not 5. That both the churches and SSC parcel of our wellbeing and it available in the church. are committed to students' and must manifest integrity, justice 3. As leaders belonging to faith faculty exchange programmes a n d e q u a l i t y w i t h o u t community, we must offer hope, from among the affiliated discriminating any one on justice and peace to the world colleges so that openness and account of their gender, caste, and must not be blinded by the learnings are mutually possible. r e g i o n , l a n g u a g e a n d globalised and colonised world 6. T h a t p a s t o r s e x c h a n g e denomination while recruiting powers. programme may be facilitated students for ministr y and 4. The church needs to offer the between the churches. teaching staff for theological way of liberation in Christ Jesus 7. Members of the faculty may be institutions. to the people with different given opportunity to serve in the 5. Preferential option should have sexual orientations and people context of a church irrespective tangible manifestations in the with disabilities. of denominational differences enrolment of women in the 5. The church must engage in and diversities in traditions. seminaries as students, and radicalising the Gospel for the 8. We affirm that churches engage employment opportunities for sake of the God's people who are theological educators in the qualified women in the teaching otherwise not welcome into the selection processes of the faculty. body of the church. ministerial candidates both for 6. Learn to accommodate and 6. The Churches need to be open to training and ordination in the accept all students and teachers learn from each other's traditions church. from all denominations as and denominations to promote 9. The Faculty of theological solidarity with Christ's call for an one faith, one church and one institutions could be encouraged inclusive community. Lord amidst our diversities in to be attached to congregations spirituality and humanity. for pastoral work; or be fully IV. THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS involved as regular pastors ARE CALLED TO ACT: VI. WE AFFIRM TOGETHER: during their sabbatical as this 1. C a l l e d t o r e n e w o u r 1. We affirm that theological will be a value addition to their commitment for the cause of the education is of the church and understanding the needs of the mission and ministry of the there is no force that may divide C h u r c h a n d t o p r o v i d e church. us on the basis of caste, contextual theological training. 2. The theological educators are tribalism, gender, language, 10. Churches of the South and c a l l e d t o r e n e w t h e i r region and denomination. The North East must come together commitment to the Gospel, church will strike down on to help the North India's wider ecumenism and unity and faculty and students who divide c h u r c h e s t o s t r e n g t h e n witness of the church. the communities living in theological education and train 3. The theological educators seminaries in the name of caste, ministers and leaders for their through their engagement and tribalism, gender, language, churches. stronger bondwith the church region and denomination. should help in bringing about 2. We affirm that the churches will VII. CONCLUDING REMARKS: change in the life of the church. not discriminate any one on the The Participants appreciated the 4. T h e t a s k o f t h e o l o g i c a l basis of caste, tribalism, gender, BTESSC for organising such a dialogue educators is to equip ministerial l a n g u a g e , r e g i o n a n d or rather a conversation between church candidates to build authentic denomination. leaders and theological educators. They communities of people of God. 3. We affirm that though some of expressed that the process of bridging the 5. The theological educators are to the seminaries belong to gap between churches and theological be committed to Religious denomination, we will still open institutions should be carried forward and pluralism and develop inclusive ourselves to lear n 'other' that such conversations could be hermeneutics that are culturally, theologies and traditionsas an organised in various regions between contextually and in faith academic community; and for churches belonging to different relevant. the future of building an d e n o m i n a t i o n s a n d t h e o l o g i c a l inclusive community and institutions. together we dedicate ourselves

www.csisynod.com |

April

2017 27 Dept. of Ecological Concerns - CSI synod Green Parables Edited By Prof. Dr. Mathew Koshy Punnackadu Published by CSI Synod, Chennai. Distributed by ISPCK, New Delhi. Price Rs.150

n Excellent m i s s i o n t o t h e wo r l d h a s b e e n effort to paraphrase in the present w o r k . I communicated. Hence, Green Parables is context of atmospheric pollution, Acongratulat a l s o a s a c r e d b o o k . M y h e a r t y environmental destruction, invasion of e the CSI Synod in Congratulations to the Green Clergy and chemical insecticides, profit mongering in bringing out this Teachers Fellowship of CSI Synod and business community etc. The greatest excellent book, Green also to the Editor of this unique and story ever told is that of the “Good Parables. Through marvellous book, Dr.Mathew Koshy Samaritan”. It is re-narrated with these Green Parables Punnackadu. I also would like appreciate substitute characters in the modern CSI Synod Department the efforts taken by Dr. Mathew Koshy world. The noble work which the of Ecological Concerns is trying to retell the Punnacakdu for initiating the Green Director of Sophia Medical centre Biblical parables of Jesus to communicate Church Campaign in India and for giving afforded to HIV victim Nayomi truly the message of parables in an Indian a dynamic leadership to the Ecological reflects the agony ecological context. It is useless and Department of CSI Synod. of families afflicted irrelevant to mug up parables without with the disease understanding the message of each The Most Rev.Chrysostom Marthoma which segregates parable. Jesus used parables not only to Valiya Metropolitan t h e m f r o m t h e witness against unjust systems of community. The oppression but also to propose a new way of t was a fascinating experience wounded Jew was being in the world—one that would bring reading the new dimensions given to salvaged by the people together, creating a community of Ithe parables of Jesus. Those parables Samaritan trader in hospitality, generosity, and love—namely, told by Jesus more than 2000 years ago in the story of Jesus. Those characters were the Kingdom of God. Through each of the background of fishermen, agriculturists, re-enacted in the modern context. The the Green parables, God's vision and traders and pilgrims are retold in an prodigal son, another celebrated story told by Jesus is also retold by bringing the cause of destruction of agricultural lands of a rich father. The parable of the foolish rich man who garnered the produce of his crops in the barns is predominantly relevant in the present situation. When Jesus compared the Kingdom of heaven with mustard seed the author used the synopsis to highlight the consequence of not bestowing worship in the progress of genetic engineering.

Justice K. T. Thomas Former Judge of Supreme Court of India (“PADMA BHUSHAN” awardee from the President of India)

28 April

2017

| www.csisynod.com EMS

Mid-term Seminar for the EYVP volunteers placed in different Project homes managed by the Church of South India

team of 11 young volunteers Co-ordinator from EMS, was here to G e r m a n y. A l o n g w i t h t h e s e 1 1 from Germany who represent the facilitate the seminar. Rev. J. Solomon volunteers 5 more volunteers from AEcumenical Youth Volunteers Paul Director of CSI Synod Youth Evangelical Lutheran Mission and Program from the Evangelical Mission in Department and Ms. Cynthia Sobha Centre for Global Ministries and Solidarity met for their mid-term seminar Rani, the General Secretary of the Ecumenical Relations of the Lutheran at Bangalore for a period of 7 days to Women's fellowship, were the other church in Northern Germany were also a review their experiences and learnings resource people. These volunteers with part of this seminar. gained from past 6 months in various renewed commitment will go back to Rev. Solomon Paul projects managed by the Church of South their project homes to stay and work for Director, India. Ms. Kathrin Lehbrach, the EYVP another 6 months before they leave to CSI Synod Youth Dept

www.csisynod.com |

April

2017 29 AISSA All India Sunday School Association Gets New Leadership

t. Rev. Dr. P. C. Singh, the Deputy The officers are duly elected by the Education Movement of the churches in Moderator of the Church of Triennial Conference, which was held on India. AISSA has the main aim to RNorth India, has been elected as 10th March 2017 at Pallottine Centre, promote Christian nurture in cooperation the President of the All India Sunday with the 30 member churches and other School association, while Rev. James constituent bodies of NCCI and other Cecil Victor, the Director of the Christian agencies in the country. Recently, Rev. Dr. Education Department of the Church of Hminthangsanga has assumed the charge South India has been elected as the Vice- of the new General Secretary of AISSA. President. Mr. Angelios Michael from The Church of South India takes this JELC is the new Treasurer. Bishop P. C. opportunity to congratulates the new Singh is the President of the National team of the leadership of AISSA. Council of Churches in India (NCCI). Rev. James Cecil Victor is also holding the ~Communication Team responsibility as the Director of the Nagpur. AISSA is a related agency of CSI Synod Pastoral Concerns Department of CSI. NCCI. It is an Ecumenical Christian CSI Synod SEVA Expanding Horizons: Ministry among the Seafarers ...

he Church of South India's CSI's General Secretary Rev. Dr. and community to engage in the Ministry to the Seafarers was Ratnakar Sadananda, proposed an following areas; address Health and Tappraised and strategized to meet emphasis on the Marginalised among the Spiritual needs of the seafarers and their the changing needs and concerns of the Fishing Communities of the South India. families, promote awareness on Seafaring Communities. This materialised In his discourse, he felt that the needs of exploitation of seafarers, creating a in a two-day consultation on the ministry these vulnerable groups also must be resource hub for seafarers and their among the seafarers, held during 23rd and strategically approached. Rev. Paul Burt families, promotion of youth engagement 24th Feb 2017 at the Mission to the (Regional Director, MtS) helped the in the ministry and facilitating and Seafarers Centre (MtS) in Mangalore. participants understand the global scenario enabling environment for the Chaplains of the shipping industry, the concerns and who minister to the seafarers. The Leadership of the Church of South issues of the seafarers globally. India, Mission to the Seafarers and The two day consultation was facilitated Sailor's Society were present to discuss Translating these concerns into Church's by Rev. Asir Ebenezer, Director, CSI- the concerns related to Seafarers and holistic plan of action, was the challenge SEVA along with the MtS Chaplains, Rev. fishing communities. On this occasion posed to the Par ticipants. CSI's Vinayalal Bangera (MtS Chaplain, CSI the dignitaries Most Rev. Thomas K. representatives from the 13 Dioceses Karnataka Southern Diocese), Rev. Oommen Moderator, CSI, Rev. Dr. along the Indian coast participated in the Johnson (MtS Chaplain, CSI Tuticorin Ratnakar Sadananda, General Secretary, consultation to listen to the voices of the Diocese), Rev. Kiruba (MtS Chaplain, CSI, Ms. Sandra Welch ,Deputy CEO, Seafarers, their families, and the CSI Madras Diocese) and Rev. Nithin Sailor's Society and Rev. Andrew Wright, marginalised fishing communities. Dethe, Chaplain of the Mumbai Port Secretary General MtS felt that it was from the Church of North India. now important to minister to the needs of The participants could empathise with the families of the seafarers also. the concerns of the seafarers and develop Prince David a plan of action to mobilise the church Project Executive, CSI-SEVA

30 April

2017

| www.csisynod.com CSI Synod Lenten Retreat: CSI Synod Secretariat

hennai: "Lenten season The Retreat, which was organised at should be used to edify the CSI Kingdom of God Church in Courselves. One of the main Saidapet, Chennai, commenced false ideas we have to shred off is that with the Holy Communion Worship believing in Christ is a profit- making led by Rev. Dr. Daniel Rathnakara process. Instead, belief in Christ's Sadananda, the General Secretary passion, death and resurrection call of the CSI Synod. us to take up his cross. The ideals of Christianity don't promote selfish Area Chairman Rev. Paul Jesudas personal salvation; instead, the and Rev. Dn. Lazar of the CSI Christians are called to lead a life of Madras Diocese along with the fellowship in which loving each church committee members of the other is the norm. Salvation happens Kingdom of God Church helped the in the communities", said Rev. Dr. Synod Secretariat to conduct the Vincent Rajkumar, the Director of Retreat in this church. CISRS when he led the lenten retreat organised for the Directors and staff ~ Communication Team of the Church of South India (CSI) CSI Synod Synod Secretariat.

www.csisynod.com |

April

2017 31 CSI Synod Dept. of SEVA CSI recommits to Gender Equity in Society, and to Begin with the Church ....

he Church of South India Fellowships and the Men's Fellowships The diocesan representatives prepared a leadership stated in unequivocal will take up this challenge and address it local action plan to form ICCs in relevant Tterms that it is committed to in their respective dioceses. institutions in the dioceses and ways in gender equity in society and now to broad which the domestic violence trainings base it within the Church. Speaking on Participants attending the orientation can be carried out in their respective the occasion of the inauguration of the drawn from the Diocesan Women's contexts. The curriculum orientation on two-day orientation to representatives Fellowships and Men's Fellowships will Positive masculinities course will be from the different CSI dioceses covering seek to address the concerns through taken up once the modules customised to the five southern states in India the CSI facilitating compliance to the Sexual Indian context is ready. Moderator the Most Rev. Thomas K Harassment at Work place (Prohibition, Oommen said that the Church has always Prevention and Redressal) Act 2013 Advocate Adilakshmi Logamurthy, been committed to gender equity and will wherein Internal Complaints Committee Secretary of Women Lawyers Association continue to do that in both society and in (ICC) will be set up in all diocesan of High Court Madras, facilitated the the Church. institutions/ offices where there are more legal sessions while Rev. Asir Ebenezer than 10 employees working in order that Director CSI-SEVA, introduced the Every speaker at the inauguration equity is built between male and female concept of positive masculinities and the including the General Secretary of the employees in work places. The plan of the course material as contained in CSI Rev. Dr. D. Rathnakara Sadananda, participants will facilitate legal trainings the document of the World Communion the Treasurer of the CSI Advocate Robert on the Protection of Women from of Reformed Churches. Rt. Rev. C. Bruce and the President of the Synod Domestic Violence Act 2005 in order to Pushpalalitha, Bishop of Nandyal, Women's Fellowship Dr. Susan Thomas help men and women identify contexts participated in the orientation and led the affirmed this stand of the Church which and nature of abuse and for women to reflection during the worship on the is known for the consecration of a woman know the protection under law against second day. Mrs. Glory Thomas, as its Bishop, ordination of at least 300 domestic violence. Through this gender Programme Executive of CSI-GEET, women as priests of the Church and a equity among men and women is sought coordinated the program. Presidents of h o s t o f w o m e n e m p o w e r m e n t to be nurtured in families. This activity is Diocesan Women's Fellowships and two programme and the education of the sought to be carried out through the women representatives and one male children particularly girl children. counselling centres/ programs of the representative from 22 dioceses participated different dioceses. Men in at least five in the orientation and planned course of The two-day orientation conducted on congregations of every diocese will study action for their respective dioceses. 23rd and 24th of March 2017 in the CSI a course on Positive Masculinities Centre was on a Gender Equity Enabling consisting of eight modules which will Mrs. Glory Thomas Timetable (the GEET) that addresses lead to a better understanding of the role Programme Executive, CSI-GEET Sexual harassment at work place, of men in partnering with women vis-à- CSI-SEVA domestic violence and concerns leading vis a hegemonic relationship. to positive masculinities. The Women's

32 April

2017

| www.csisynod.com Kerala Region Clergy Koinonia of Kerala Region -2017

he Kerala Regional CSI Clergy After each bishop shared their greetings, Rev. K. James Cecil Victor, the Director, Koinonia 2017 was held at the Moderator has shared his vision for the Department of Pastoral Concerns and TCSI Cathedral of Malabar CSI for the triennium 2017-2020. In his Rev. Sunil Raj Philip, Director, Diocese in Kozhikode, Kerala under the ‘CSI Vision 2020’, the Moderator made it Communications and Dalit & Adivasi leadership of Most Rev. Thomas K. explicitly clear that the need of the hour is Concerns have shared greetings and the Oommen, the Moderator of the Church to strengthen the unity and expand the programme of the respective departments. of South India. The programme was unity beyond the borders to make it While Bishop Royce Manoj Victor, the jointly organized by the Department of united National Church. Also he Bishop in Malabar has extended a warm Pastoral Concerns, CSI Synod and the emphasized on improvising the life welcome to the bishops and the clergy, Diocese of Malabar. Rt. Rev. Dr. K. G. conditions of the grass root communities Rev. Jacob Daniel, the Clergy Secretary Daniel, Bishop in East Kerala, Rt. Rev. through various programme of CSI of the Diocese facilitated the felicitations. Dharmaraj Rasalam, Bishop in South SEVA. After Moderator’s presentation, The program came to an end with the Kerala, Rt. Rev. Baker Ninan Fenn, the panelists have shared the presbyters’ closing remarks by Bishop Royce and Bishop in Cochin, and Rt. Rev. Dr. Royce perspectives on the Vision 2020. Rev. D. L Prayer and Benediction by the Most Rev. Manoj Victor, the Bishop in Malabar Paulson from South Kerala Diocese, Rev. Thomas K. Oommen. The programme were present in the Koinonia. About 400 D r. B a nu S a mu e l f r o m Ko l l a m was meticulously planned and executed clergy from Madhaya Kerala Diocese, Kottarakara Diocese, Rev. Dr. P. K. by Rev. T. I James, the Vicar of the East Kerala Diocese, South Kerala Kuruvilla from Madhya Kerala Diocese, Cathedral, under the guidance of the Diocese, Kollam Kottarakara Diocese, Rev. Maxcin John from East Kerala Bishop and in cooperation with the officers Cochin Diocese and Malabar Diocese Diocese and Rev. Sunil Puthiyattil from of the Diocese and the Committee took part in the programme that began Malabar Diocese have shared the members of the Cathedral. with the Holy Communion Service at reflections of the clergy from their 9:30 am. While the Moderator celebrated dioceses. Later, Prof. Dr. MGS Rev. K. James Cecil Victor the Holy Communion, Rt. Rev. Dr. K. G. Narayanan, a historian, took a session on Director, Pastoral Concerns Daniel shared the word of God from ‘understanding socio-political scenario of Matthew 6:25-34 and motivated the the early centuries in Kerala and clergy to set priorities in ministry; strive reflections on the origins of Christian for equality, justice and peace; and yearn tradition’. for purity of life.

CSI Life Advertisement Tariff CSI Life Subscription Rates Back Cover outside - Colour Rs. 8,500/- India - 1 Year Rs. 150/- Back Cover inside - Colour Rs. 7,000/- India - Life Time Rs. 3,000/- Front Cover inside - Colour Rs. 7,000/- U.S.A. $. 30.00 Black & White Rs. 5,000/- U.K. £. 25.00 Black & White - Half Page Rs. 3,000/- Australia $. 35.00

www.csisynod.com |

April

2017 33 CSI Vellore Diocese CSI Vellore Diocesan Clergy Lenten Retreat

he Diocese of Vellore under the with Christian perspective. It was useful and challenging. Our special leadership of the Bishop, Rt. Rev. challenging and very informative. He thanks and respect goes to Rev. Dr. John TDr. A. Rajavelu every year i nv i t e d t h e p a s t o r s t o u s e t h e Samuel and Rev. Sunil Raj Philip for their conducts a Lenten Retreat for presbyters. communication system for the edification effective Bible study and sharing. Special This year a two-day retreat was of the Church-at-large. thanks to Bible Society Tamil Nadu conducted at the Scripture Union Centre Auxiliary and SU Centre. Our respect st nd at Mahabalipuram on 21 and 22 of Rev. Moses, the Secretary, Tamil Nadu Bible and thanks to the Rt. Rev. Dr. A. March 2017. Bishop spent two days with Society Auxiliary, explained the ministry of Rajavelu, Bishop, Mrs. Padmini the clergy and empowered them with his the Bible Society, calling the pastors to Rajavelu, Bishop Amma, Rev. Suresh reflections. There were two resource support the Bible Society. On behalf of the Ananthakumar, Interim Treasurer, Rev persons, Rev. Dr. John Samuel, Old Bible Society, “Thiruviviliam” (a new Jared Arul Jebareuban and Rev. Isaac Testament theologian, presently serving translation of the Tamil Bible) was Magimaidoss. On behalf of the diocese I at Ecumenical Christian Centre, distributed to all the pastors. The first day thank all the Area Chairmen, presbyters Bangalore. The other one was Rev. Sunil came to an end with the grace by our a n d d e a c o n s f o r t h e i r e f f e c t ive Raj Philip, Director – Communications, bishop. The second day started with the participation during these two days CSI Synod. Both of them effectively Holy Communion, in which bishop was retreat. communicated to the presbyters during the celebrant and the preacher. Rev. Dr. these two days. John Samuel conducted the Bible Study. Praise be to God!

Rev. Dr. John Samuel focused on Cain The Rev. Jared Arul Jebareuban, Rev. H. Sharma Nithyanandham and Abel and their identity and compared convener, Ministerial Committee and the it with the prodigal son in Luke 15. The Hon. Secretary Rev. Isaac Magimaidoss, Bishop's Diocese of Vellore second day, he focused on David and Chaplain coordinated the entire Bathsheba. Rev. Sunil Raj Philip programme and the retreat. It was very explained the effective communication

DISHA DISHA Discusses Disability Inclusion Toolkit

he Disability Inter vention is a fellowship of several stakeholders MRD, explained the application of the for solidarity and Holistic like Christian Organizations, churches Toolkit in the institutions through the TAccompaniment (DISHA), CSI's Medical Institutions, Theological Observance of children's Disability disability Programme, discussed the Colleges etc., Sunday. “Disability Inclusion Toolkit” on March 6th, 2017 at the CSI Centre in the presence Rev. Ruben explained the “Disability T he group discussed and decided of Rev. Priscilla Rueben, President, Inclusion Toolkit” which provides to implement the eight components Women’s Fellowship, Karimnagar information and guidelines on Biblical in the disability Inclusion Toolkit during Diocese, who briefed the CSI SEVA, and faith principles of disability, the CSI Disability Octave from October heads of special institutions of CSI inclusive Church ministries, health care to December 2017 to realize a more dioceses of Madras, Dornakal, South and rehabilitation, personal development inclusive church. Kerala Diocese and the Madurai- and family life, education, Livelihood, Ramnad (MRD). The “Disability employment and leisure. John Samadhanam Inclusion Toolkit” is a resource material Programme Executive prepared by the Engage Disability which Furthermore Rev. Dayalan Barnabas, CSI-SEVA, DISHA.

34 April

2017

| www.csisynod.com CSI East Kerala Diocese Karshakothama (Best Farmer) Award

he CSI East Kerala Diocese in activities in about six acres. He grows persons to work in his farm and also have collaboration with the CSI SEVA spices like pepper, cardamom, cloves and 2 cows. Mr. Chandy is also a good Thas been organizing Agriculture nutmeg, fruits like Jack fruit, Sapota, organist and plays organ in the Church Fest annually, popularly known as Mango and Banana and Commercial regularly every week. He is also a good “Karshikothsvam”, since 2014. In order crops like Coconut, arecnut, Coffee and wood carving artist and has many to encourage farmers to take up Rubber. He is also into diary, piggery, goat carvings to his credit. natural/organic farming, a best farmer rearing, poultry and fish ponds. He also award called “Karshakothama” is grows medicinal plants and has one Bio- The purpose behind the event is to awarded each year during the festival. gas plant. He also grows vegetables using farmers from the Diocese to gather The winner is identified by a special green house. Based on his achievements, together and share their agricultural committee appointed with experts and the Government of Kerala also awarded experiences and know-how and learn and based on information gathered from him Best Farmer Award for promoting practice innovative, organic as well as various pastorates. In 2016, the Agriculture natural and organic farming. He also updated farming skills and techniques. Fest was held on November 26th, at St. served as the Panchayat Union President Thus, this Agriculture Fest is celebrated John's CSI Church Kattapana, in which of Kattapana for one term. as “Diocesan Harvest Festival” as an the Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. K. G. Daniel occasion for creative as well as constructive participated and presented the award. In Award for 2016 agrarian life. order to learn more about the Festival and The award for 2016 was given to Mr. also to talk to the awardees of 2015 and Chacko Chandy of Heaven Valley. The Fest started with Thanksgiving 2 0 1 6 , M r. K . P r e m M a d h u k e r, Heaven valley was a Tea Estate at about Service followed by Seminars and Coordinator of CSI SEVA visited 20 km from Kattapana which declared Training by professional agricultural Kattapana and Heaven valley. He lockout in 1980s. Mr. Chandy was experts and agriculture officers from personally talk to the award winners and working as an Estate Supervisor then. Government. There was an Exhibition also visit their farms. After the lockout, he started work and sale of various kinds of Agricultural developing his own land of 40 cents. He products, seeds, and tools and an auction Award for 2015 started with growing spices like Pepper of agriculture products which were The Award for 2015 was given to Mr. P. and Cardamom and fruits like Banana offered by the farmers from different parts C. Mathew of Kattapana. His parents and through hard work and loan from of Diocese. Ultimately, the Fest becomes migrated to Kattapana in early 1950s as Bank, purchased another 5 acres not only diocesan fest but also the fest of part of government policy to encourage belonging to the Tea Estate and started community around. farmers from plains to settle in hilly areas commercial crops like Coffee, Arecnut, and Develop the land for agriculture. He Rubber and Coconut. He practices Kattekola Prem Madhuker along with his wife and son are fully organic farming and maintains two Coordinator, CSI SEVA involved in farming in multifarious compost units. He also employed two

www.csisynod.com |

April

2017 35 CSI South Kerala Diocese Mangalya 2017

ue to cr ushing pover ty, married and are now leading an ideal Bishop's Secretary Rev. D. L. Paulson countless families in Kerala are and model family life, in spite of their extended a hearty welcome to the Dunable to have their daughters poor financial situation. eminent personalities who represented and sisters get married. Unfortunately, the Socio-political and cultural life of due to societal pressures and customs The Women's Fellowship at first Kerala. The Kerala Legislative Assembly like dowry, it is not uncommon for girls identifies the girls in need of help and Speaker Mr. Ramakrishnan, the Deputy to sacrifice their dream of marriage suggests their parents to arrange the Speaker, the Minister S. Kadakampally throughout their life. The South Kerala bridegrooms. The families have the sole Surendran, MLAs of the constituencies in Diocese Women's Fellowship made an responsibility of finding the spouse. Trivandrum District, Member of Parliament effort in 2016 to support families in such After sufficient enquiries, the couples are Mr. A. Sambat, P. V. Suhaib Moulavi,the difficult situations by providing basic given a primary level of pre-marriage Imam of the Thiruvananthapuram items necessary for marriage including counseling. They are then registered for Palayam Masjid, were the most dresses, shoes, garlands along with a the pre-marriage counseling course of distinguished guests who witnessed the fixed deposit of Rupees one lakh as the Diocese during the month of ceremony. financial assistance and ornaments of 40 December. The couples are brought to the grams of gold. Together it costs an Women Centre in the LMS Compound Almost 7000 members from the Diocese amount of Rupees Three lakhs to on the eve of the marriage to facilitate the attended the marriage. Delicious food support the marriage of one young necessary arrangements of the marriage. was served for all. The marriage was woman. The project was initiated by This year one girl was differently able, arranged in a well ordered and systematic Mrs. Shirly Rasalam, President of and her bridegroom is a orphan who is a manner. The highlight of the Mangalya Women's Fellowship of SKD in the year lottery ticket agent in Trivandrum. Close Project is the leadership provided by 2016. Priority is given to the orphan, monitoring is pursued even after the Bishop Rt. Rev. A. Dharmaraj Rasalam destitute and even differently abled marriage and post marriage counseling is and Bishoppamma Mrs. Shirly Rasalam persons. The project launched in 2016 imparted. whose genuine concern to empower the was continued in 2017 when in January downtrodden and accept the poor is th 26th the Mateer Memorial Church On 26 of January 2017, Mangalya was reflected. The active participation of the became the venue of 15 marriages, arranged in a grand and festive mood churches, the clergy, pastorates, and the consecrated by Rt. Rev. A. Dharmaraj which in fact was a day of celebration for laity is the force behind the grand success Rasalam, Bishop of CSI South Kerala the entire Diocese. Almost a hundred of the Mangalya Project. Diocese. In 2016, Thirteen couples got ordained priests blessed the occasion with their prayers and presence. The

36 April

2017

| www.csisynod.com Dept. of Communication

CSI Synod International Women's Day is Celebrated with Special Worship in Connection with the Dialogue between the Church Leaders and the Theological Educators

special worship was conducted Leaders and the Theological Educators the Moderator of the Commission on on the 8th of March 2017 to on the theme “Theological Education World Mission and Evangelism of the Acelebrate the International and Ministerial Formation”. This World Council of Churches, delivered Women’s Day by thanking God for the worship service was organised by the CSI the sermon on the theme related to the gift of women to the world at the CSI SEVA and the Youth Department of the International Women’s Day. Synod Centre in Chennai in connection Church of South India Synod (CSI). with the dialogue between the Church Metropolitan Geevarghese Mor Coorilos,

www.csisynod.com |

April

2017 37 Edutainment Puzzles & Quizzicals

Clues for Puzzle 181 Deuteronomy 24 - 28 GNB Mr. S. John Barathi 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Clues Across: 181 1.not to be _____(7) 2.anyone who ____(7) 1 5 3 11 1 13 15 7 4.about to _____(6) 6.people who ____(5) 2 2 8.___ have it (3) 10.When you ____(4) 3 4 9 12.Mount ___(4) 14.would be ______(9) 4 6 16.in the _____(4)

5 8 Clues Down: 181 1.and later _____(7) 6 17 10 3.and _____winds (9) 5.sons and ______(9) 7 18 12 19 7.send down ______(10) 9.ritually ______(7) 11.about to _____(6) 8 16 13.give the _____(5) jumbled 15.tired and _____(9) 9 17.Lord ___God (4) 18.try to ____(4) jumbled 10 14 19.mother-in- ___(3) Answers for Puzzle 180 Deuteronomy 19 -23 GNB Total Answers: 20 Blank 2 Answers Across :180 Answers Down : 180 1.Prove 19: 15 1.Partiality 21: 16 5.Hates 22: 5 2.Rescued 21:8 You can send answers by Rush in your answers 7.Edomites 23: 7 3.you victory 20: 4 Email before 25th April. 2017 8.edge 22: 8 4.Prosperous 23: 6 9.Send 19: 12 6.Clothing 22: 5 10.Parents 21: 18 12.Dedicate 20: 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11.cut 20: 20 15.Movement 23: 13 13.Deal 20: 15 17.Him harshly 23: 16 1 3Y 1P 2R O V E 6C 15M 4P 17H 14.Pethor 23: 4 16.Stay 23: 10 2 O A 8E 12D G E L O R I Congratulation (March 2017) - 180 3 U R 9S E N D O V O M 1.B J Raj Emmanuel, Hindupur – 18 2.Mrs.Selvarani Thangadurai, Tirunelveli- 18 4 V T C I 5H A T E S H 3.Mrs. Susheela Frankiln –Dornakal - 18 5 I I U 11C U T H M P A 4.Mrs. Anbu Hepzibah, Thoothukudi. – 18 5.Dr. Evangeline Jones, Salem – 18 6 C A 7E D O M I T E S 6.Mrs. Smith Thomas, Nazareth - 18 7.Mr. R. Sandeep Jason – 18 7 T L 13D A E L N E R R 8.Rev. D. Anburaj, Vellore – 18 9.Dr. Samuel Rajendram Maisa, Dornakal – 18 8 O I 16S T A Y G N O H 10.Rev . B. Dayanandam, Vijayawada – 17 9 R T 14P E T H O R U L 11.Shanthini Asir, Kovilpatti - 17 12.Mr. D. Hillel Johnson, Vellore – 17 10 Y Y 10P A R E N T S Y 13.Mrs. Evangeline Lionel , Tirunelveli – 17 14.Mr. Arun G - 17 15.Rev.Kiruba Robinson, Trichendur - 17 16.Mrs. Anbu Hepzibah, Thoothukudi - 17 Total Answers: 18 17.G. Paulraj –Tirnelveli - 16

38 April

2017

| www.csisynod.com WCRC Regional Empowerment Consultation

Rev. Dr. Daniel Rathnakara Sadananda, the General Secretary of the Church of South India (CSI) participated in the Regional Empowerment Consultation held in Hannover, Germany, from 8th to 10th February 2017, which focused on ways in which the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) can strengthen its work through stronger engagement on a regional level. The consultation, which brought together WCRC officers, regional leaders and staff over three days, agreed on ways to improve work in the following areas: Ø Communication Ø Relationships of member churches within regions Ø Relationships with other ecumenical bodies Ø Reformed identity within broader contexts Ø Initiating and facilitating programs Ø Role of officers in regions Several ideas were also outlined which will be developed into proposals for this year's General Council to consider, including how new Regional Councils should be delineated, organized and recognized—an issue which the WCRC Executive Committee also discussed at its meeting in May 2016. Other topics discussed during the consultation included power relationships within regions, situating all member churches into a region and ensuring that all regions have representation on the Executive Committee.

Silver Jubilee Celebration of CSI Synod Ecological Concerns Committee The CSI Synod Ecological Concerns Committee is celebrating its Silver Jubilee on 22nd April 2017(Earth Day) at CSI Synod Centre, Chennai. Mr. Jairam Ramesh MP, former minister of Environment will be the Chief Guest. The Most Rev.Ryder Devapriyam, then Moderator of CSI, inspired by the call of WCC, constituted an ecological committee in 1992.CSI is the only Church in India which has mentioned Ecology as a mission in the Constitution and in Mission statement. For CSI, Ecological work is not a social service, it is a part of our faith. Only Church in India, recognised by UNDP with an eco Award, in 2009.

We welcome all those who are interested to the Silver Jubilee Celebrations. If you are interested to attend, kindly inform the Director. Prof.Dr.Mathew Koshy Punnackad Hon. Director. [email protected] 09847275754 39 40