NCCI XXVII Assembly Edition Volume 27 Issue 1 April 25, 2012

President’s Greetings General Secretary’s Message

On behalf of the Indian Methodist Communities I It is indeed my privilege to welcome you to the XXVII extend a Christian welcome to you all to Bengaluru! Quadrennial Assembly 2012, which is hosted by the Methodist All the delegates, invites and guests of XXVII Church in in Bengaluru from 25th to 28th April 2012. Quadrennial Assembly of the National Council of Churches It is a remarkable event when 30 Member Churches in India are welcome. I feel happy and honored to have you (representing both Protestant and Orthodox Traditions), 17 all as our guests here in Bengaluru. Regional Christian Councils, 17 All India Christian We all are coming together on a reason and a Organizations, 7 Related Agencies and 3 Autonomous Bodies purpose which is nothing but to lead the Indian Ecumenical meet together expressing our unity and solidarity. We are Movement and to give it relevant liberating, transforming gathering together to contemplate upon the call and and edifying expressions in our time. I wish and pray for fruitful and relevant commitment of the Indian Ecumenical Movement by focusing the Assembly outcomes from this gathering, which would facilitate the Global Ecumenical activities including the Business Sessions on the theme, “The Gospel in A Groaning Movement to challenge the societies at large. The theme for our meetings World”. “The Gospel in a Groaning World” is meaningful, relevant and timely. Furthermore this Assembly is important as it seeks to be more and more May this XXVII Quadrennial Assembly of the NCCI bring a historical inclusive. Children have been included as Observers for the first time in the breakthrough towards setting a milestone in envisioning ecumenism. Assembly. In fact we have had three Children's Pre-Assemblies, facilitated by We have tried our best to make you comfortable and homely. A AISSA, leading to the Assembly, a very unique event indeed! untiring team works timelessly for their best. Hope you will have a memorable So also this is the first time that we have made a conscious decision to time here. include Persons with Disabilities and Transgenders as Observers in the Assembly. Let me join again with all the MCI Bishops, Clergies, Staff, Leaders They were already part of the Peoples' Forum, a pre-Assembly event facilitated by and local congregational communities in welcoming you here and wishing the Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation, and from there they have come in you all the best. I am sure this gathering will mutually enrich the mission and as Observers. We have already been having representatives from neighbouring ministerial agenda of the MCI. I wish and pray that all of us would have one faith traditions as Observers during previous Quadrennial assemblies, facilitated ecumenical sprit to uphold and lead the Indian and global ecumenical by the Inter-Faith Pre-Assembly. At the same time through our commissions we movement. have been making our gatherings as participatory-leadership events for Dalits and I am extending a warm welcome to you all as the President of the indigenous people groups. Then again through the programme of Ecumenical NCCI, joining hands with all my colleagues here and the host committee for a Solidarity for HIV and AIDS we as an NCCI have been engaged in facilitating pleasant stay and meaningful deliberations. respectable place for all God's creation in our ecumenical fellowship. This time we are also very privileged to have the General Secretary and With Christian blessings, other leaders of the World Council of Churches, the General Secretary of the Bishop Dr. Taranath S. Sagar Christian Conference of Asia and the General Secretaries of the National Councils President, NCCI of our neighbouring countries with us. We appreciate their accompaniment with us, as we move towards reaching the centenary mile-stone in 2014 in our ecumenical journey “towards integral mission and grass-root ecumenism”. Our hosts, the Methodist Church in India, have put in all their energy and resources in making this 27th Quadrennial Assembly a memorable happening. On behalf of the NCCI Family I express my heartfelt thanks to the MCI especially to Rt. Rev. Dr. Taranath S Sagar (who is also the President of NCCI) and the team including Ms. Shaila John Wesley for their gracious and generous hospitality. Once again a warm welcome to all and let us have a meaningful time in exploring, experiencing, and expressing newer dimensions in dynamic relevant Ecumenism.

Warmly, Along with all the NCCI Executive Secretaries and Staff Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, General Secretary.

Inaugural Worship & Felicitations: Glimpses & Images Page 2 Issue 1 NCCI XXVII Assembly Edition April 25, 2012 Oiko Voice Children’s Pre-Assembly

By the Grace of God, three Children’s Assemblies on the theme, “Children in Groaning World”, discrimination from all areas of took place at New Delhi, Guwahati and Bangalore during Feb. 24-26, April 13-15 and April 20-22, 2012 life. Resolution was made not respectively. There were 118, 61 and 105 delegates who participated in the respective Pre-assemblies. only to appeal to parents and While the Pre-assembly at New Delhi was inaugurated by Mr.Alwan Masih , General Secretary, Church of teachers not to engage in any activity which violates the rights of the Children at home and in the school, but also to appeal to the Church leaders to take children seriously and allow them their deserving place in the Church. It was also resolved to equip and educate the children to be alert and sensitive to the abusive tendencies of friends and relatives - discerning the difference between bad touch and good touch. To involve in all activities which will reduce the North India, Synod, New Delhi, the Pre-assembly at Guwahati was inaugurated by the Rev.Dr.Ajoy Kumar pain and groaning of fellow beings and to strive towards life in fullness for all were the two other major Lama, General Secretary, Council of Baptist Churches in North East India. And the Pre-assembly at Bangalore commitments made. was inaugurated by the Rev.Dr.Roger Gaikwad, General Secretary, National Council of Churches in India. The participants received a renewed understanding about the special place of Children in the heart of Jesus. Children are the role models of those who inherit the kingdom of God. A clearer understanding of the Child rights given to Children by Jesus as well as by the UN Declaration were affirmed. Children affirmed that they belong to God and no one has the right to abuse them. It was for the first time that most of the children were listening to the Street Children, Child labourers, Children who are molested, differently-abled and children who are HIV infected. The Audio Visual presentation s narrating the experiences of these children made strong impact in the minds and attitude of the participants. All the delegates committed to accept the God-given dignity of all children, irrespective of the condition in which they live. It was also decided to do whatever possible to remove casteism and Dalit Pre-Assembly

The Pre- Assembly of the Commission on Dalits, supported by the United marginalised people heard by the Indian society. Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India and Just and Inclusive Communities Programme of Rev. Dr. Naveen Rao, the Old Testament professor at the Laonard Theological WCC, on the theme, “Groans from the Margins: Pathos; Protests and Progress”, was held at College in Jebalpur, gave his lecture on the topic “Groans from the Margins: Pathos”. He the Church Women Centre, UELCI Campus during 20-22 April 2012. In his keynote address, suggested a retrospection of Dalit life, culture, celebrations, Dalit-wisdom and intelligence, Rev Dr. Deenabandhu Manchala, Programme Executive of Just and Inclusive Communities which can transform and uplift the present generation of Dalit psyche. programme of WCC, said, “Caste system is the most uncivilised social structure in the H. G. Gevarghese Mor Coorilos, talked about the power of the Dalit Protests under world.” Rev. Dr. Augustine Jeyakumar, the Executive Secretary of the United Evangelical the theme, “Groans from the Margins: Protests”. The need to explore the biblical examples and substantiating the protest from a subaltern perspective in the process of Dalit emancipatory activities was underscored by the bishop. Conversion in India needs further discussion and he explained his idea that conversions could be effectively used by the Indian church to resist caste system. Rev. Philip Vinod Peacock, Professor at The Bishop's College, , spoke on the theme “Groans from the Margins: Progress”, on the third day of the Pre- Assembly. He strongly pointed out that we do not want to compromise and live with the caste system; instead we want a total annihilation of the caste system. During the worship sessions, Rev. Dr. Jacob Sundarsingh, Rev. Dr. Daniel Premkumar, and Mrs. Belinda presented bible studies, which were highly relevant for the entire Pre- Assembly.The delegates were divided into five groups named after the Dalit leaders such as Ambedkar, Ayyankali, Phule, Periyar, Nirmal, and group discussions were conducted each presentation. Meaningful deliberations, which took place in the groups, were presented in the plenary sessions. The final Statement, facilitated by the Statement Committee focused on the education, land rights and dignity of the Dalits. The joined session with the Pre- Assembly of the Commission on Tribal and Adivasi, was addressed by the Rev. Dr. Augustine Jeyakumar, Rev. Dr. Deenabandhu Manchala, and Rev. Dr. Basaimowit. The Lutheran Churches in India, highlighted the fact that even though the Dalits are now secretaries of Commission on Dalits and Commission of tribal and Adivasis educated, proving their mettle, and a part of them became better in financial status, they presented brief report of the respective Pre- Assemblies. have been still facing caste discrimination in discreet as well as obvious forms. The National Council of Churches in India should take the measures to make the groans of these Women Pre-Assembly

The Women's Pre-Assembly was held from 19-22 April 2012 at the processes of commoditization of women. The Dalit women, in particular are ERC, UTC - Bangalore. The programme, which started with the worship led among the worst sufferers of socio-cultural, political and economic by the delegates was inaugurated by Ms. Sushma Ramaswamy, the Vice exploitation, injustice, oppression and violence. Their woes and miseries are President of the NCCI. The President of NCCI, Bishop Taranath Sagar brought boundless. They are mainly employed in the unorganized sector of the greetings on behalf of the NCCI and wished all the delegates. Various Indian economy as daily wage earners and marginal workers. Illiteracy, sessions on Human Trafficking: Groans of women and children, New Ways to undeveloped skills and the lack of adequate employment opportunities, live in consonance with the Environment, Koodankulam as a point of have made them extremely dependent on patriarchal authorities, thereby “Struggle for life”, Situating the “Kandhamal” groans in context, Linking preventing them from achieving independent status and dignity. women in the Church and Women in Movements and How can Women's The valedictory programme and reception in honour of the Groan be converted to Grins of joy? Were facilitated by Ms. Brinda Adige, Dr. General Secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia, Rev. Dr. Henriette Meenakshi Bharath and Dr. Arati Chokshi respectively. There was also a time Hutabarat Lebang was organized on the 22 nd of April 2012. The President of to listen to the representative voices of Struggle for life amidst us, led by the NCCI Bishop Taranath Sagar and the Vice President Ms. Sushma young friends from LesBit and BORN FREE. Representatives from ”Women's Ramaswamy were also present for the Valedictory Programme. Voice Collective” too shared their stories and experiences reflecting to the theme of the Pre-Assembly .The Bible Studies were led by Dr. Evangeline . Rajkumar and Dr. Rini Ralte from Women Studies, UTC. During the four days of the Women' Pre-Assembly sessions, there were deliberations on the different forms and magnitude of sufferings that has increased manifold in our society. It was affirmed that, while suffering is the lot of all marginalized humans, women, in particular, undergo diverse and deeper dimensions of suffering. As it is elsewhere, in our context in India, many of our sisters are reeling under oppressive and exploitative patriarchy that not only limits their scope of self-development but dictates terms for their life and livelihood. They bear the brunt of modern slavery; they are victims of human trafficking and socio-economic Oiko Voice Issue 1 NCCI XXVII Assembly Edition April 25, 2012 Page3 Tribal and Adivasi Pre-Assembly

The Tribal and Adivasi violence and hatred in all possible ways. Pre-Assembly, on the theme, “The Following this, Rev. Augustine Jeyakumar released the book “Doing Indigenous Gospel in a Groaning World: The in Asia: Towards New Frontiers” edited by Dr. HrangthanChhungi, Dr. M. M. Ekka, and Dr. Unfolding Saga of God’s WatiLongchar. Redemption’ was held during 20- In the keynote address, the Rev. Dr. P. B. M. Basaiawmoit, Vice President, NCCI, brought the 22 April, 2012. The Pre Assembly contemporary context of paradoxes and contradictions. He stated that the advancement in science was inaugurated with lighting of and technology, the ecological concerns, the climate change and the political issues highlight only the lamp by Rev. Augustine more injustice and act as oppressive agents mainly because the corporate world becomes more Jeyakumar, Executive Secretary important than human existence. He therefore stressed the need for tribal/ adivasi leaders to take U E L C I , R e v . J a c o b special interest in addressing the growing problems of the tribal/adivasi communities. Sundersingh,Programme Executive i/c Tribal & Dalit Concerns, UELCI, and Rev. Dr. P.B.M During the Bible Study on Romans 18:20 -25, Mr. R. Nungshilepzuk spoke about the past Basaiawmoit, Vice President NCCI. In her introductrion, Dr. HrangthanChhungi Executive Secretary, which talks about the bondage to decay and the subjection to futility, the present which points out Commission on Tribals and Adivasis, NCCI stated that the NCCI as a body of churches of India has a the current scenario of the world groaning in pain, and the future aspect which give a ray of hope of role to play in the groaning world in unfolding Saga of God's redemption. She also explained the need liberation of the creation from death and decay. and relevancy of the themeby stating that it is our duty to be part of God's redeeming work on earth. Mr.AngeliousMichael, Vice President NCCI brought some of the ecological issues in the It was also introduced how the ‘National Policy Guidelines on Indigenous Peoples in India: present day India specially bringing case studies from Orissa where people and ecology at a regular Commission on Tribals and Adivasis’ came about in the context of the struggles, oppression, basis undergo oppression from different forces. He suggested seven points as a direction for alienations, exploitations and denials. churches, organizations and activists to implement in their project so as to work towards the Rev. Augustine Jeyakumar, Executive Secretary UELCI, in his Inaugural address, shared redemption of Tribals and Adivasis in India. They are, ‘Development agencies should be sensitive about the status of tribals and adivasis in India and neighbouring countries where their rights as towards the tribal life and culture’, ‘Developing equal importance for all’, ‘Formulating community human are violated at the maximum level. They are branded as inferior and their rights to control based plan’, ‘Making Tribals and Adivasis as key player in development project’, ‘ The need for economic, land, culture, tradition and way of life is often ignored. He further stated that God will open adopting the indigenous way of saving the culture’, ‘Incorporate indigenous spirituality and Making us a saga of God's redemption in a miraculous way. He invited the participants to protest against progressive analysis which can be accessible’. Youth Pre-Assembly

The NCCI Youth Pre-Assembly on the theme “3G - Gospel: Google: Green” remarks, he stressed on the importance of empowering people in the grass root. The which was held during April 21-23, 2012 at the SCM House, Bangalore, began with the various sessions were led by Rev. Raj Bharath Patta, Rev. Dr. Packiam Samuel, Mr. Arun Inaugural Worship led by Dn. Solomon Paul and was inaugurated by Bishop Rt. Rev. Raj, Dr. Ram Punyani, Rev. Sameer Khemla, Dr. June, Ms. Mercy Kappan, Rev. Vinod Taranath Sagar, President, National Council of Churches, in the presence of the NCCI Victor and Rev. Christopher Rajkumar. The Valedictory Address was given by the Rev. Vice President Mr. Angelios Michael, the Chairperson of the NCCI Youth Desk Mr. Jeevan Babu Who spoke about how important it is to value life and respect self. The Suman Biswas, Rev. Raj Bharath Patta, General Secretary of SCMI, Fr. Vineeth Koshy, Speaker urged the youth to take the message of the assembly back to the respective Secretary, NCCI Youth Desk and Ms. Sweety Helen, Designate Youth Secretary, NCCI. parishes and become apart of this great endeavour. The Pre-Assembly came to an end The Introductory Address of the Pre Assembly was delivered by Dr. Rev. Y. with a prayer by Rev. Jeevan Babu and the benediction by Rev. Vinod Victor. Moses. In his address he introduced the theme of the Pre-Assembly (3G). In his opening

Inter Faith Pre-Assembly

The Interfaith Pre-Assembly, jointly organized by the Commission on Unity, Mission and Evangelism, Commission on Policy, Governance and Public Witness and the Interfaith Coalition for Peace, on the theme “Responses of Faith communities to the groaning of the world” was held during 20-23 April 2012 at St. John's Medical College, Koramangala, Bengaluru. 50 participants from different faith namely Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist and Christian communities participated. In the Pre Assembly that was inaugurated by Bishop Dr. Taranath Sagar, President of NCCI , the Keynote address was delivered by Dr. Zafar Mahmood and the inaugural address was given by the Rev. Dr. Pakiam Samuel. Every morning there was interfaith worship and prayer led by people from different faiths. The main issues discussed and deliberated were 'Threat to Democracy: Path to Peace' by Prof. Ram Puniyani, 'Interfaith Response to Ecological Crisis' by Dr. Deepali Nhanot, 'Interfaith Responses to the Groaning World: Viable Alternatives and Solutions' by Dr. Varghese Manimala, 'Transparency and Accountability' by Dr. Lila Manasseh, 'Human Rights' Violation in the Present Context 'by Mr. Bennet Benjamin and Mr. E. V. Paul and 'Faith Communities' Response to Poverty' by Mr. David Selvaraj and Mr. Max. There was also and those in the North-east India and Kashmir, and those involved in their fight for a session on the 'Plights of the Tibetans' by Miss Yangchen and Mr. Karma Yeshi. The liberty, freedom and dignity. Rev. Dr. PBM Basaiawmoit and Ms. Sushma Ramaswamy, Vice Presidents were present The Pre Assembly suggested to partner for a deeper analysis of faith, and during the valedictory session. making faith more contextual, to creatively and sensitively respond to people with In the light of the presentations, documentaries and discussions, it was different sexual orientation, people living with HIV and AIDS, people who are decided to respond to the groaning against masculine image of ministry, which transgender, people who are differently-abled and mentally challenged and to join the overlooks and underestimates the call and role of women in God's ministry; the civil societies and peoples movements, fighting against state-sponsored terrorism and groaning against divisions in the names of communalism and religious oppression. The Statement also includes a few recommendations such as to urge the fundamentalism, resulting in religious riots, genocides and terrorism and to the Government of India to form a commission to study and monitor the status of Christian groaning of the Tibetan, Sri Lankan, Palestinian, other West-Asian and African refugees minority and issues related to them.

Keynote Address by Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Workshop at St. John’s College of Tveit, General Secretary WCC at 9:00 AM Nursing Class Rooms at 2:00PM. Page 4 Issue 1 NCCI XXVII Assembly Edition April 25, 2012 Oiko Voice People’s Forum Pre-Assembly

The Peoples' Forum Pre-Assembly on the theme,”Prophetic Ecumenism: A Christian Engagement in a Groaning World” was held during March 2-4 2012, at VISTHAR, Bangalore. This was jointly organized by the Church's Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), Christian Institute for the Study of and Society (CISRS), the Urban Rural Mission of NCCI (URM), Christian Union of India (CUI), VISTHAR and the Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation CJPC. Rev. Dr. PBM Basaiawmoit, Vice- president, NCCI inaugurated the Peoples' Forum. Comrade Chandrabose of Thiyagi Immanuel Peravai (TIP) represented the Dalit Families who were made targets of police firing, and the Adivasi Women who were gang-raped by the Police in Thiruvannamalai; Miss Olga Aaron and Miss Shakthi Devi represented the Transgender people; Mr. John Samadhanam and Rev. Jothi Kumar represented the Communities of the Persons with Disabilities; Mrs. Shailajah represented the large body of women who are victim of domestic violence, casteism and patriarchy; Mr. Subash Sabar represented the migrant youth community of Odisha due to extractive industries; Eight children represented Devadasi Children from North Karnataka region; Ms. Rosaline, Ms. Sabina Rani, Mr. Sandesh Ramtake, Mr. Julian Thaburaj and Mr. Samuel Philip Mathew proleptic flowering of the kin-dom of God in our midst. represented youth communities; and Rev. Samuel P. Lal and Mr. Tridib The Peoples' Forum decided to rethink and re-plan the Mission Reeves represented the activist groups. Process by specifically identifying a few obvious pit-falls, limitations and While listening to all those groans and participating in the sessions, challenges and enabling the participants to evolve new and relevant the Participants, representing the Church and the Ecumenical Movement thinking as leaders of, and representatives from, Ecclesial Confessions, were challenged and led to confess their insensitivity to those groans and Theological Fraternities and Social Movements, thereby facilitating a their complacency with ivory tower reflections. The Peoples' Forum realized resurgence of faith outlook among Indian Churches and Christianity, and to that the groans that we heard and deliberated upon are not just come-up with joint directive suggestions for adoption, by understanding the expressions of despair; rather they signify public protest against structural existence, relevance and purpose of God, Church and Christianity through sin and injustice. listening to the groans and cries. The Peoples' Forum affirmed that the“Gospel” in a groaning world is The Forum condemned the Central Government's attempt to silence the“good news” of the Divine becoming flesh and experiencing the pain and the prophetic witness of Churches and Christian Service Agencies through pathos of exclusion, stigma, terror, and the cross, yet inaugurating the

Public Reception for the Assembly Delegates Venue: Baldwin Girls High School, Richmond Town, Bangalore Date: April 26, 2012 Time: 5:30 PM Chief Guest: His Excellency H. R. Bharadwaj, Governor, Karnataka State Guest of Honour: Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary, WCC Public Lecture by Dr. Binayak Sen at Peoples’ Forum

In order to experiment and experience the local While delivering the address on “Exclusion, Democracy, Legitimacy of Dissent”, Dr. Sen congregations' participation in listening to the groans from the said 'The legitimacy of dissent and the centrality of effective dissent and resistance to the edges, the Peoples' Forum organized a public lecture at St. Mark's praxis of democracy need to be established in the courtyard of the people. Democracy Cathedral Bangalore. Dr. Binayak Sen, a renowned Human Rights cannot be outsourced to a set of elected representatives every five years. The nature of activist and a recipient of Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health entitlements, the identification of grievances and their redressal, need to be established and Human Rights (2008), an Indian pediatrician, public health as well.' Dr. Sen invited the Church 'to discover her vocation as being an “inclusive” specialist and the national Vice-President of the People's Union for “public” or “people's” Church. Unfortunately the Church has failed in fulfilling this calling, Civil Liberties, delivered a Public Lecture on 4th March 2012 at 4.30 p.m. and instead she has become institutionalized and co-opted by the Empire, he said. PRESS RELEASE

The 27th Quadrennial Assembly of the National Council the General Secretary of World Council of Churches of Churches in India (NCCI), the apex body of the Protestant and (www.oikumene.org) will deliver the key note address. Orthodox churches in India will be held at the St John's Medical On 26 April at 06.00 pm, the Methodist Church in India College auditorium (Opposite BDA Complex, Koramangala) on will organize a public reception at Baldwin Girls School, the theme “Gospel in a groaning world.” This is the first time a Richmond Town. His Excellency, the Governor of Karnataka Quadrennial Assembly is being held in Bangalore. State will speak on that occasion. There are two plenary sessions on the theme on 27 April The NCCI, founded in 1914 is now in its 98th year at 10.30 to 11.030 am and 4.30 to 5.30 pm respectively. and has been an 'icon of unity' in the country. Eight parallel workshops will be held on 26 and 27 April The NCCI is a united expression of the 30 Protestant and on the issues concerning Dalits, Tribals, Children, Women, Youth, Orthodox Churches, 17 Regional Christian Councils, 17 All Interfaith Dialogue and initiatives, Transparency - Accountability India Christian Organizations, 7 Related Agencies & 3 and Responsibility (TAR), State Policies on Minority Rights and Autonomous Bodies, representing over 14 million Christians in Minority Institutions and Peoples' Struggles happening in the country. different parts of the country. The NCCI provides fellowship and common forum for The Assembly will also have a special focus on the dialogue, and fosters common concerns among the Churches in following concerns India. Further, through the India Peace Centre, an Government should have a pro-people attitude when It also promotes Church unity as a basis for the life and Autonomous Body of the Council and its concerned development plans are designed. The Protestant and Orthodox work of the Church, and for the wholeness of the human Commissions, is engaging in dialogue with other faith churches' representation in decision making bodies of the community at large. expressions in India for building communities of peace. government. The State should pass the Lok Pal, Dalit and Women The apex body facilitates and enhances the members to Reservation Bills without any further delay. involve in transformative, educational and social welfare The NCCI would also send a memorandum to the programmes. NCCI Assembly Government of India to repeal and revoke the National Security It involves in capacity building for its members to The Assembly is a time to meet and celebrate the unity Act, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the Unlawful promote and involve in social action programmes and works in the midst of differences. It is organized once in four years to get Activities Act, the Jammu & Kashmir Public Safety Act, and the towards equality, justice and peace. mandate and programme direction for the next quadrennium. Chhattisgarh Special Public Safety Act, in order to make the It also works together with the Catholic Bishops people free from exploitation and domination. Conferences in India (CBCI) and the Evangelical Fellowship Special features of the Assembly The churches will propose, insist and uphold that of India (EFI) on issues of common interest and of common The Assembly will be a gathering of at least 500 mutual dialogue is the only possible and sustainable methodology concerns through the National United Christian Forum delegates from different parts of India and outside. to solve any problem in the country and that no arms or violent (NUCF). On 26 April at 09.00 am, the Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tviet, response will bring peace into the nation and its governance.

News and Photos to be published in the Oiko Voice The Methodist Church in India Shall be send Welcomes all the Delegates of the NCCI Assembly Either to [email protected] and wishes a pleasant stay Or given to the NCCI Assembly Media Office. and a time of meaningful interactions.