December 2015 | Christmas Season Volume XIIl | Issue 12 | Rs.150 Per Annum SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ LICENTIATE COURSE IN KARIMNAGAR DIOCESE

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2 CHRISTMAS IS LEARNING...

hat is Christmas? If you ask through learning will become beacons Jews, then it must be in Bethlehem a me, my answer would be of hope for their community. The very poor village. When the wise men Wvery simple - Christmas is shepherds saw this vision in the child. came out of the palace and rechecked learning! All of us are 'learners' who They were witnesses to a vision of a with their sign, the star, it slowly but have embarked on a sacred mission of 'new innocent humanity' and the surely took them to Bethlehem. These 'learning'. Indeed through our learning, shepherds, one of the most neglected wise men were intellectuals who we celebrate Christmas every day. and marginalised people of the society, thought that change and transformation after they imbibed this vision became began from the metropolis. But in the The first Christmas began as a great agents of transformation they went on process, they learnt that change and process of learning and unlearning. The telling, sharing and spreading their transformation could only emanate first ones to know about the birth of the experience of transformation to others. from a neglected village. child were shepherds. In their opinion, If our learning leads us to become they were damned to watch sheep on the agents of transformation, spreading the On the other hand, the wise men made outskirts of a remote village on a cold, vision of a 'child' and the vision of an the king in Jerusalem very angry. He did winter night. But here, some messengers innocent humanity, then we celebrate not tolerate challengers growing up in from God came and spoke to them. Christmas every day. his own country. The king ordered to kill These messengers, being very effective any boy child below two years. and able communicators, made these There is another story that compliments Committing a minor mistake of letting poor shepherds to move; got them up the story of the shepherds visiting the their own ego dictate them, the wise from their sleep and slumber, and led child. The story of the three wise men men and intellectuals unwittingly led to them to start a remarkable journey of from the east. Probably these three wise bloodshed and chaos in Bethlehem. research and discovery. men were intellectuals, astrophysicists Mary and Joseph must have been of their day, who could 'read' the signs surprised by the visitation of the At first, the shepherds were afraid, but of the time. In the sky, they identified a shepherds and the wise men; they must they overcame their fear. They sign a star and followed it. They were have thought and understood the summoned all their confidence and sure that a child has been born which is meaning of all hardship and tension moved on to search for the 'sign' of hope destined to be a king - the King of the they had to undergo. Facing life even given to them. Overcoming fear, Jews. And they also knew that the star when everything seems to go against, becoming confident, moving forward is would lead them to the king. But on their yet coming out victoriously is a sign of learning isn't it? The shepherds were journey to see the baby king, they became joy and hope, not only for the ones who told that their sign of hope was a 'child' overconfident. They had a pre-conceived undergo hardship, but also for others. in swaddling clothes in a manger. In the notion where the king would be born, so villages of Palestine in those days, every they went to Jerusalem, the capital city, The Christmas story also tells us of the house had a manger. To search a child in and went to the palace, only to find that learning process that Mary and Joseph a manger was a difficult task. It was a no baby was born in the royal family. went through. The society indeed may search for 'innocence', 'joy' and of the have looked suspiciously at Mary, as 'cradle of hope'. Learning means being faithful to the she, a virgin had became pregnant. source, to the signs of the time. If we Joseph himself, wanted to annul the In our capitalistic world today, where follow our own pre-suppositions, marriage, but they found their way 'learning' is considered commercially random conclusions, our conclusions together. They undertook the difficult profitable, getting a vision of 'innocent lead to great loss. In Jerusalem the wise journey to Bethlehem when Mary was humanity' and being filled with joy is men learn that if at all a child was born, in the advanced stages of pregnancy. rare. Those who do get this vision that was destined to be the king of the And for the birth of their child they had

December 2015 03 no place but a manger. Joseph and helped them to re-create, re-configure through the imagery of the manger, Mary, despite belonging to Bethlehem, and re-imagine an 'alternative common fields, shepherds and flock, teaches us as it was their home-town, were space' in the margins, where the rich- to strive for an oikumene with a healing strangers at home; they found no place poor, oppressor-oppressed, centre- space for all of God's creation. The in the inn, and were relegated to a margin meet in the child lying in the 'child of Bethlehem' announces God's manger. It was learning to be strangers manger. The manger welcomes, purpose and God's hope for the whole at home The Bible says: Mary appreciates, accepts and challenges all creation. The learning experience meditated the meaning of all these in dignity and honour. It also radiates should therefore inspire people in their things. It is a process of internalising all alternative images of peace, justice, quest for truth, peace and justice, and that has been learnt and experienced freedom, hope and joy, where each lead them to proclaim - Glory to God in and making it one's own - learning the transcends their human-made barriers the highest, and Peace on Earth. relevance and significance of fighting, in response to the exhortation of the opposition, hardship and a hostile child of Bethlehem to re-envisage the Christmas has two words: Christ and world. far-reaching horizons of God's promise. mass. Christ means liberator, Mass Christmas thus becomes a process of means worship. Christmas is then Despite the progress that India has learning, which teaches respect for each worshipping the liberator. If our learning made, degrading and in-human poverty, other's human dignity and enables moves people to at least attempt greater widening disparity through unequal sharing of resources for a fuller life for things in life, we overcome our 'ego' and distribution of resources and opportunities all. learn to be faithful interpreters of signs of continues to exist, as a result of which, the the time. If we learn to understand the majority are still 'strangers at home'. At Christmas, God's gracious significance and relevance of all our Oppressive social systems, life-threatening hospitality came to all humankind with struggles for liberation, we learn to live and destructive tendencies, human rights the manger as a sign of reciprocation the hope of a child and a new innocent abuse, exploitation of women, Dalits that provided space and an opportunity humanity. and Adivasis, and the menace of to encounter and discover God anew. terrorism spread seeds of revenge and Hospitality thus creates space for Therefore, celebrate Christmas not only hatred. Politically-motivated inter- mutual understanding, transformation today, but every day, as you learn. Our religious conflicts that lead to religious and even reconciliation. As God's faithful learning itself is a worship of fundamentalism and communalism, hospitality in the child of Bethlehem the Liberator. May God the Wise One give displacement of farmers from their involved kenosis and reception of all in us wisdom and knowledge and make us fertile agricultural fields, the hazards of unconditional love, the alternate space wise ambassadors of change and uninhibited insults on mother earth, be created in the manger of Bethlehem transformation. it pollution, ecological crises, all deny allows us to participate in the pattern of the majority a 'place' and relegate them God's redeeming love, calling us to a to the margins. radical openness and boldness in Rev. Dr. D. Rathnakara Sadananda General Secretary-CSI affirming dignity and justice for all. The manger was a sign of the hospitality extended by the margins to the child of For the planet earth which is threatened Bethlehem. For Joseph and Mary, the by ecological crises, global warming learning experience of the manger and increasing water levels, Christmas,

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04 December 2015 Christmas: the Celebration of God’s Hospitality

†The Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam, Moderator, CSI.

he 'Word' used by John the evangelist explains the understands the agony of the several hundreds and thousands 'pre-existent' nature of the Divine Power. The Jewish of Syrian migrants, who are forced to leave their own nation Tmonotheistic understanding of Dabar, the 'Word' into an unknown world! It is here Jesus as a migrant stands goes back to the beginning of the creation of Genesis 1:1-4; with open arms, embraces by hospitality and Divine The opening words “in the beginning (en arche) are identical encounter. It is the same Jesus, who understands from the with the opening of Genesis (Hebrew Beresith). This background of His loneliness, extends His comforting touch comparison brings to our mind, the creation narrative to several hundreds and thousands of the victims of the specially concerned with the monotheistic message that devastating rains and floods during this period in and around Yahweh is the sole Creator of all things, who designed and Chennai. accomplished His creation entirely by Himself. The Psalmist Christmas, therefore, does not become a festival of mystery or (33:6) records “by the Word of the Lord” the heavens were a repetition of anniversary of “God's” birth. But it is the made, and all their host by the breath of His mouth. celebration of God's hospitality and a concrete engagement John the evangelist uses the term logos with a specific message towards God's healing touch. Hence, the members of the that the Word as the creative agent of God who is inseparable faith-community of Church of South India in their pilgrim from His God head as personified (vyakta), manifested by His journey are to rise to imitate God's compassion in Jesus, at the en-flesh-ment. By this process of incarnation, the evangelist not time of crisis and human malady. Our merriment during the only confesses the pre-existent status of Jesus the Christ, season may be replaced by the celebration of compassion. which is the continuity of the Divine presence, but also I sincerely wish you a very meaningful Christmas that enables indicates the 'purposive' salvific nature of incarnation through us to recapture the compassionate ministry of Jesus. Jesus Christ. This means, the unique Divine identity includes the relationship with Jesus here projects between Himself as the Son and God His Father. Ultimately incarnation resolves With best wishes and prayers, the problem of dichotomy of two-ness of God and Son, Yours sincerely, towards explicitly establishing of God. †The Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam, The evolutionary journey of the Word from the very mind of Moderator, Church of South India and The Bishop, Krishna Godavari the Creator God, introduces us the role of Jesus who was a (Coastal Andhra) Diocese. 'migrant' in His earthly abode. Today as a migrant, Jesus

December 2015 05 Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen Deputy Moderator, CSI.

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He in praying during this time of deluge and post-deluge trauma is the Messiah, the Lord”, and I greet you all in His name! in Chennai. As I pen down this greeting, I am moved and inspired to hear the ‘good news’ that many trucks and lorries In the wake of the recent floods that had devastated Chennai with food and cloth from all over CSI had reached Chennai and affected all, I do not know if I could wish you all a ‘Merry and many more are on their way, and this I believe is real Christmas’. The rain-ravaged Chennai is slowly limping back Christmas! to normalcy but as we all know there are huge challenges ahead, which includes, taking immediate steps to check the Having said all these, I should also acknowledge and spread of disease, making access to basic supplies, medicines appreciate the people of Chennai who had opened their doors and clean water, fixing communication lines and transport for the flood victims to give them refuge. As the streets got services and particularly, rehabilitation of the victims. In such flooded and increasingly dangerous to navigate, the people in a context, it is a struggle to move into the festivity of Christmas Chennai responded with overwhelming generosity, by posting season, but I believe that the message of Christmas has great their addresses online, offering food and shelter to anyone relevance. who needs it. As the media stated, “Theatres, malls and restaurants have thrown open their doors. Spontaneous rescue Christmas reminds us of God’s incarnation as a conscious teams have been formed to help those who are stranded. The effort from Him to take side with the refugees, homeless and gestures range from families cooking food all night to be deserted. In fact, the manger, where Jesus is laid, gives them distributed to the hungry, to thoughtful Chennaiites with the same hope. In the Jewish culture, though Palestinian Internet access offering to recharge phones with talk time for homes were opened for anyone in need, particularly for those people with no balance or electricity.” Is this not real journeying to the faraway places, on this specific night, there Christmas? was no space offered for our little baby Jesus. This reminds me of a particular condition in my own state, where millions of Christmas is not just a historic event that had happened 2000 houses, remain locked with no one to live in them, mostly years ago, but also an everyday experience and opportunity for because they all live abroad. When many live in the streets and us to open our doors and gift our investments to those lying in slums without a roof, if we celebrate a Christmas without the ‘mangers’. In a nation where many are born into offering a space for the poor and vulnerable, I cannot call it insecurity, where there is an exponential rise in the number of ‘Christmas’ because Christmas cannot be a time of refugees, where genocides and religious fanaticism create insensitivity and indifference. more victims, ‘Christmas’ challenges us to open our ‘inns’ and share our ‘gifts’, not as charity, but as solidarity. I wish and The manger, where the baby Jesus is laid, also reminds us of a pray that this year’s Christmas, would transform our hearts place where our investments become insignificant. The Magi and minds to take sides with the poor, homeless and from the East followed the star and came to the manger with marginalized, so that, one day we would stand before the King ‘gifts’, which in fact are their own life-long investments. These to hear, “'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least wise men who had come to a place - considered insignificant of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” by the world - and offered their gifts, are paradigms for all of us, to realize that the value of our investments is nothing when Wishing all of you a meaningful time of Christmas and we meet those lying in the ‘mangers’. Our investments are fruitful year ahead, worth only if we are willing to convert them into gifts to the Bishop Thomas K. Oommen poor and marginalized. I am proud to be part of a Church Deputy Moderator, CSI & the Bishop, Madhya Kerala which stretched their hands in sharing and folded their hands

06 December 2015 Adv. C. Robert Bruce, Treasurer, CSI.

An anonymous man of sympathy shared space for the couple of enjoyment. This natural calamity in Chennai reminds us who were in search of a place to stay in the cold night. The the fact that we should not lose our focus while we celebrate woman was pregnant and her time came to have her baby. In a Christmas. Christ is the centre of Christmas. Christ is the sense they were refugees. But they had got some space as embodiment of selfless giving, sharing and caring. We should not allow festivities to drop its shadow on the real meaning of sharing by another person, who was a stranger for them. They Christmas. The joy of giving and sharing should be were strangers for that man too. But, the willingness to share considered as the best emotion than the joy that any other act space and opening up the door of his manger to the couple of festivity can bring us. made him part of the history. He gave space for the birth of Jesus Christ, the savior of the world! Though his name is not “Fear not!” is the repeating word in the narratives in the Bible written in the Holy Bible, his act of kindness and openness to related with the birth of Jesus. We are living in an age which is share the resources is remembered even after two millennia. ruled by communalism, terrorism, hatred, divisiveness, inequality, discrimination and oppression. Facing these Hence, sharing of space and resources is the integral element challenges and opposing these elements are the duty of of Christmas. We are called to share. In the recent flood that Christians because we are told “fear not!” Christmas devastated the Chennai city, the Church of South India has celebrations will become meaningful only when we stand up highlighted this element of sharing by working hand in hand against injustice and raise our voice for peace in the world. to help the people who are badly affected by the unprecedented rain and the flood that followed. It was This Christmas season is an important one for the Church of heartening to see that Dioceses of the Church of South India South India because it made us be reminded of the aspects of rise to the occasion and send food, dress, medicine, milk and sharing and standing up against evils. May God bless you water to those who suffer from the flood. Financial support with abundant joy of Christmas and help us to realize the real flowed in. the way churches and schools opened their space meaning of Christmas. as shelters to those who suffer reminded of the act of the Merry Christmas! person who opened the door of his manger for the parents of Jesus Christ. We realize that Christmas urges us to be more interdependent, more caring and concerned about fellow- Adv. C. Robert Bruce, beings. Treasurer, Church of South India. Festivities are part of Christmas. Music, cakes, gifts, reunions of family members who are staying in different places, carol rounds and all other paraphernalia make Christmas a season

December 2015 07 CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

Experience Christmas challenging people for a changed life. His growth in body, mind and spirit made a great impression among the Pharisees Traditionally, Christmas is observed, celebrating the birth of and Scribes of the temple of Jerusalem. Jesus Christ in the manger in Bethlehem, with angels, His father and mother too could not shepherds, Mary and Joseph as the key players. Every year, understand his perspectives and new products are invented and introduced to add flavour to commitment. He walked with the the celebrations so as to make the celebration more of a common people, talked to all kinds of commercial activity. Gifting and greeting have become a people, even ate with the untouchables custom and ritual wherein the givers and takers may not and lived a life in the world which was out understand what it means. All these celebrations and the of the world. He wanted the human beings of all times to activities are centered and focused on the babe of Bethlehem mature step by step from celebration to experience. He wants making Christmas infant baby Christmas. to shift his dwelling from the crypt of Bethlehem to the cave of human hearts. Experiencing Jesus beyond the manger shall make people understand Jesus Christ beyond the manger. Jesus grew from I wish the experience of Christ in all! the manger to become a boy and then a man with a difference. Rt. Rev. Dr. Devakadasham, The scriptures depict him as Son of God, who was born and Bishop in Kanyakumari Diocese grew up as the son of man who grew in the community

Christmas ~ Divine Commitment And Spirit is worthless. The call is to turn around and start all over again. Humanity Human Response needs to have a radical turn in order to understand the plight of the people Christmas is the season where we are reminded to take to around us to find the true meaning of heart the significance of the birth of Christ. To say 'God was Christ- event. incarnate' is to say that God was “in the flesh”. Incarnation is about a God who is found in the midst of human flesh. We The mystery of Incarnation is Christ's self- need not seek God elsewhere, for God has already sought us emptying to the point of the death on the right where we are! Cross! Jesus Christ not only suffered on his own cross, but continues to suffer on the millions of human crosses, which We can no longer speak of God without speaking of are represented in the images of the orphan, the hungry, the humanity, since it is in a human life that we see God most naked, the oppressed and so on. So Christmas opens door for clearly; and we can no longer speak of humanity without the 'broken ones' and the 'wounded souls' speaking of God, since humanity is where God's tent is pitched!! In a way, 'God-Talk' is given a clear understanding! Let the spirit of Incarnation dwell deeply in our hearts. God Therefore, whenever the human value is at stake God has revealed Godself to us; it is a matter of appropriation. In intervenes on behalf of humanity. It was said that there is our own commitment to be in solidarity with the “least of the nothing more sacred than (a person), the image and likeness brethren” we find our own identity. SHALOM. of God. The hunger of a person is an offence to the Creator. A religion that cares for the supposed sacredness of its objects Rt. Rev. Dr. Daniel S. Thiagarajah PhDBishop, but turns its back on those who are the real temples of God the Bishop in Jaffna Diocese

08 December 2015 Jesus Himself is the Gift 2. God is in us. Col 1:27. The mystery of Christmas is that the hope of Greetings to you all in the name of Jesus! glory, Christ, is in us. He has come to die for Christmas is the season of greetings and gifts. Through all these us and was risen and ascended to heaven and we communicate what is Christmas to each one of them in their still in us as his spirit (Gal 4:6). He is in us to lives. One of the means communicating this message is the purifies and strengthens us. Christmas carols. This explains and tells what is Christmas what 3. He is for us Romans 8:31-32. does it mean to the world. I like the old carol which starts God by sparing his only son to the world, has "Long time ago in Bethlehem as the holy Bible say,....beacuse of given thing for us. If God is for us who can be against us? The Christmas day”.Our life is the gift of our Lord because of answer is "no body". Christmas. What God has done to us itself is the message of So Christmas is the assurance of God's presence, power and Christmas. protection in our lives always. 1.God is with us. Matthew 1:27 Let this be a reality in our lives through the reason of Because of Christmas a child was born and he is Immanuel, Christmas even Christ himself. which means God with us. This child, when he grew and finished his work in the world, assured "I will be with you till Wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year! the end of the day (Mt. 28:20). Because of Christmas we received God who is always with us, even when we go through Rt. Rev. Dr. K. G. Daniel, the valley of death (Ps. 23:4). Bishop in East Kerala Diocese

Christmas is God’s Intervention Let us acknowledge God's love by loving all those who hate us and share the love of in History God with all our fellow beings. In this Christmas is a commemorative event of God's intervention in Christmas season, may the peace, joy and the history of the universe authored by himself. The Eternity hope that the world received through the entered in the temporal world on the Christmas day so that coming of God's Son, our Lord and the perishing humanity may have eternal life. God of love Saviour Jesus Christ, prevail in our homes made himself known by his unfathomable love to the and in the society. humankind at a time when the human mind had harboured enmity, hatred and hostility towards God and fellow The Rt. Rev. Dr. G. Paul Vasanthakumar, creatures. the Christmas day is the beginning of a new era of Bishop in Tiruchirappalli- Thanjavur Diocese. love, hope and goodwill towards each other.

Christmas: Celebrating Vulnerability in God's mission with more vigour and with more compassion. May our kind I bring greetings in the name of our Lord and saviour Jesus hearts and generous hands help all our Christ from the CSI Tirunelveli diocese and its multitude of friends who are affected by recent floods members. It is always a great joy to remember the birth of our in Tamilnadu as they witness this Lord. The birth of our saviour in this world is not just a Christmas in a more broken, vulnerable moment of celebration; it is a great moment of motivation. It and in a feeble condition as exactly the signifies us that this world needs God's coming, care and condition of Jesus' birth. So let us protection. That's the basic foundation of all our mission and celebrate this Christmas in a more broken, ministry in this world to make the birth of our Lord and feeble and vulnerable way too, that's what our Lord did and saviour Jesus Christ a meaningful event than mere a birthday wants always. of a celebrity or a deity. Happy Christmas still! God bless. As we celebrate and remember the great arrival of our saviour Rt. Rev. J. J. Christdoss in this broken world, let us commit ourselves to move forward Bishop, Tirunelveli Diocese

December 2015 09 Christmas: Love in Action of a quote by Dale Evans, “Christmas is love in action. Every time we love, every Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, time we give, it's Christmas”. God's love should be identified in our relationships. Christmas is very close to our home. Christmas is a great story Christmas is the celebration of of a home and a baby born in Bethlehem. Joy of Christmas relationships. “May love be in your life, and its meaning should be felt in our homes. Jesus is the May hope be in your heart, May peace be reason for this season. Unless we receive him and accept Him in our world”. Wish you all a very Happy nobody will have a meaningful Christmas. This is the Christmas and a Happy New Year. challenge of Christmas. Therefore, let us open our hearts and Rt. Rev. A. Dharmaraj Rasalam minds to receive Him to our homes and hearts. I am reminded Bishop in South Kerala Diocese

Proclaim the Good News! all human beings from the very sinful world which is around us. We have to celebrate it in a meaningful way to recall that Once again Christians all around the world he is our Saviour who came from ignominy to become the have begun to make preparations for Lord of Lords. Christmas. But how far we are taking the message of Christmas in us? We know The Lord has blessed us to be His children and gave us a that Jesus Christ is a Baby in a Manger blessing to reflect Immanuel, the Saviour of the World in all where the minimum essentials of life are our actions and conduct and also in the way of living. Let us missing and no fun or frolic is expected as proclaim this Good News to the whole world that the God of in a house of fullness. Yet there was a salvation is born among us two thousand years ago and still touch of humanity and myth and joy of give us that joy every year afresh and anew. giving when the wise men and shepherds gave away the gifts of the most coveted value and the gifts of Let me from the depth of my heart wish you all a very Happy warmth and affection of the shepherds. and Merry Christmas and a blessed & prosperous New Year Today most of us are remembering the gift of the Child to the 2016. whole world, but we fail to realize the gift he has given i.e. Rt. Rev. Dr. Prasada Rao Vadapalli, utmost valuable Love, His grace and above all the salvation to Bishop in Dornakal Diocese

Christmas brings Peace and Freedom together all our efforts to bring new life in the people affected by floods. Because “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great Jesus himself said: “Verily I say unto you, joy ...for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, in as much as ye have done it unto one of who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10,11) the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matt:25:40) With these words an angel of the Lord announced to the shepherds the good news of the arrival of the long awaited Let us gift to Jesus by way of extending our Messiah. Christmas is a time to reflect upon the great love of love and concern for the needy and get our heavenly Father, for He saw it fit to send us His only God's blessing in this season. May I take begotten Son to show his love and concern towards the needy this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and blessed mankind. People of Israel were eagerly waiting for the Christmas, in addition to a wonderful New Year in 2016. coming of Messiah (Christ), to bring joy, peace and freedom in their life. Please do continue to pray for the Diocese of Madurai- Ramnad and it various ministries and developmental At this time of flood and loss among the people of activities. Tamilnadu, we should think and activate the Messianic Rt. Rev. Dr. M. Joseph blessing to bring joy, peace and freedom. Let us sacrifice our Bishop in Diocese of Madurai-Ramnad own welfare and huge celebrations of this season, but put

10 December 2015 Christmas becomes Channel of Peace thrown but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but God in His sovereignty prepared his salvific plan for the sent the rich away empty”. humanity through His son before the world was created Celebration: We celebrate the joy of (Ephesians 1: 4). Transcendent became immanent or salvation in Jesus (Eph. 1:7). Jesus is the Immanuel, intangible became tangible in the incarnation. Prince of Peace- Shalom- which means Following dimensions show the uniqueness of Christmas: wholeness, perfection, and tranquility that Manifestation: The manifestation of God's glory is seen in reign our hearts and minds for the ultimate the incarnation of Christ. When Jesus was born, an angel of well-being. Since we are redeemed by his God said to the shepherds "do not be afraid! I will bring you blood, we have Shalom with God and we are called to be good news of great joy that will be for the people" (Luke 2:10). instruments of peace with our neighbors, as St. Francis Assisi Jesus came to share our joys, sorrows and assure that he will said: "Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where be always with us. there is hatred, let me sow love;... where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy". For Reconciliation: Adam and Eve were separated from God's instance, in the distressed situation of the recent torrential fellowship, became hostile, lost dignity value systems and rain and flood caused heavy damage in Chennai and other ethical thinking when sin entered in the world. But God parts of Tamil Nadu, let us make this Christmas a meaningful restored the broken relationship, and reinstated fellowship one by sharing our love and concern for those who are through our repentance and accepting each other as new struggling. May this Christmas bring the fullness of life for humanity, by sending His only son Jesus Christ. those who are in need through our life and ministry.

Identification: Jesus in his incarnation became humble and Wish you a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year vulnerable since he identified with slaves, the marginalised, 2016. the deprived, downtrodden, and the outcasts (St. Luke 1: 52, 53). Rt. Rev. Dr. A. Rajavelu It is the song of Mary, “He has brought down rulers from the Bishop in Vellore Diocese

Celebrate Christmas because of Jesus! and beneficial only to those who accept Him and recognize Him at His coming, like Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the three kings and the Shepherds. Christ is the Saviour not to all those who celebrate I greet you all in the most precious name of our Lord Jesus Christmas; Christ is the Savour not to all Christ, who was incarnate to receive us all into the family of those who bear his name Christians. Christ God and give us the inheritance of the children of God. Yes, becomes the Saviour only to those who Jesus was incarnate, who was called Immanuel “God with accept Him, believe Him and surrender us”. God the incarnate coming down to earth and taking over their lives to Him. The Bible says, for those himself the form of human beings in order to save us from the who received Him and believed in Him, He bondage of sin and make us the children of God is the became the Saviour giving them the right to become God's significance of Christmas and not just the pompous children. celebrations and glittering decorations. May the Joy and Peace of Christmas dwell in us, this Christmas and always. We send you good tidings of We celebrate Christmas because of Christ. Without Christ all Christmas from the Karnataka Northern Diocese. our celebrations would only be a hoax and hypocrisy. Christmas would be significant and meaningful only Christ is Rt. Rev. Ravikumar J. Niranjan, born unto you and unto me. The birth of Christ is beautiful Bishop in Karnataka Northern Diocese

There is Room for Hope! reminding us that the Creator God is always concerned about the people in the peripheries and the pain of the margins. When the shadow of hopelessness expands Christmas comes The Word became flesh and dwelt with by as a reminder that there is still room for hope. When the and as the vulnerable. Upholding all who craving for peace in contexts of turmoil, be it the victims of “suffer” in prayer I wish you a blessed attacks of terrorist nature or of victims of natural calamities, Christmas which lives out the true is on the rise, Christmas comes with the assurance that "Peace meaning of “Peace on Earth”. is Possible". Each of the images connected to Christmas- the manger, the shepherds, the crib, the Magi and the fragile sleeping babe- carries with it the possibility of expectations in The Rt. Rev. B. N. Fenn the most unexpected moments of crises. Christmas keeps Bishop in Cochin Diocese & Moderator's Commissary in Malabar Diocese

December 2015 11 Christmas Gift To Humankind While we give and receive Christmas gifts with great joy and excitement we should “Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift" II Corinth. 9:15. remember the needy people. We have to Bible Reading: Luke 6: 27-38 (vv. 37-38 in particular). remember that we received a gift from God, which is absolutely incomparable Christmas is the manifestation of God's Love through His and invaluable. This act of utmost love only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Jesus is the greatest gift to all and kindness puts the onus upon us to give humankind by becoming the channel of God's Love, peace and share the resources with the needy. and hope. Christmas is a special time when people around the “Freely you have received; freely you have world eagerly anticipate exchanging of gifts, spending time to give”. Remember that “For God so with family and peer group in the festive mood. loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that who so ever believed in him should not perish, but have everlasting By the historic birth and death, Jesus became the centre of the life" (John 3: 16). History of the humankind. He still holds control and instills optimism in our hearts. No matter how dark, cloudy, and Wishing you a merry Christmas and a blessed New Year, stormy our life may appear, we will be assured of a luminous future because God loves the world. Rt. Rev. E. Pushpalalitha Bishop in Nadyal Diocese

The Joy of Christmas: Towards This great gift of God is also the gift of reconciliation and reconstruction. God Reconciliation and Reconstruction came to us, and comes to us, as we were, where we were; as we are and where we Christmas is a time of great joy. This joy bursts forth in our are. We spend a lot of time at Advent on celebrations we love to have special Christmas decorations, repentance, a turning again to God. Can music, gifts, and food, and we love to share all these with our we now turn in love to others despite family and friends. anything that might divide us? Not just for their sake, but also for ours, that we might There are two joyful aspects of Christmas the giving and be the people God calls us to be. From our relationship of love receiving of gifts, and the experience of coming together with with God, we can bring peace, love and reconciliation to our those we love. When we choose gifts, we try to find relationships with others. Peace and reconciliation are not something that is just right for that person; not what we would cheap gifts for the giver either. There may be a price to pay. We like ourselves, but what they would like to receive. It is not may have to give up pride and the self righteousness of always easy to find the perfect gift. thinking, or even knowing, that we are always right. Jesus God gave to us the ultimate gift, the perfect gift, a gift freely also paid a price. He died for us, for our salvation, our given, one that we needed, one that would bring joy to our reconciliation with God, our wholeness, healing and hearts, and the one that showed the love of the giver the birth fulfilment. of Jesus into a world with need for reconciliation and Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a meaningful reconstruction. The world is still in great need of the gift of experience of love and reconciliation during the season of love in Christ Jesus. God's perfect gift and sign of love and Christmas. grace were ones that would last forever, which is perfectly Rt. Rev. Timothy Ravinder portrayed by St. Paul in Romans 8: 38-39. Bishop in Coimbatore Diocese Joy to the World! unending journey of restoring the beauty of creation and dignity of human beings. Christmas 2015 is yet another occasion to come into the The paramount knowledge explosion, use, presence of God in a special way with expectation to receive abuse and misuse of media and consolation and answers for a cluster of recent disasters and e l e c t r o n i c s , r a p i d g r o w t h o f ugly human perversions such as devastating torrential rains, a transportation, liberalized international chain of cyclones on either coasts, a frequency of terrorist ties has made the world a smaller village activities, sophisticated attempts of wars, sporadic disasters and a cosmic capsule of human of earthquake, demonic consequences of recessions and inquisitiveness. I wonder one has time to above all hideous perversion of human dignity, rapes of all sit at peace beside the lowly manger. The sound of an angel is a possible versions, deaths, suicides, murders, beheading, and constant expectation to tell to the world “Joy to the world the so on and what not. Lord has come”. God has the power to turn the world upside All a mixed feelings of frustration and fears, uncertainty and down. imbalance, respect and shame with which we are to look at the Best of Christmas to all humans! KING OF PEACE laid in swaddling clothes in a manger with Rt. Rev. B. D. Prasada Rao Mary and Joseph on either side waiting to enter into a vast and Bishop in Rayalaseema Diocese 12 December 2015 Christmas: a Festival of Freedom Social justice is not personal and individual justice. It is all about co- Peace doesn't mean either a silent/submissive state or a existing, sharing of resources and zero- noisy/chaotic state. Peace means Justice. It is the justice given tolerance to discrimination. to creation- men and women, birds and beasts, plants and As we celebrate the birth of Jesus in our trees, rivers and oceans. Peace means life without exploitation churches, it is not that we concentrate on and discrimination. Many people do not have the benefits of decorations, dresses sumptuous food or to food, shelter, health and employment. Paradoxically, very few blindly follow the traditions and people enjoy all the resources and others are deprived. There ceremonies. But worshipping together is no justice in this system. We don't find peace here. happily is real Christmas. Sharing the word of God and Jesus says," I did not come to give you peace. But I came to exemplifying Jesus is Christmas. It is the time to cleanse give you a sword. I came to set sons against their fathers, ourselves and to worship Him. daughters against their mothers, daughters-in-law against Christmas is a festival of freedom. We are liberated from our their mothers-in-law. A man's worst enemies will be the sins, bondage and death. We have to proclaim that Jesus saves members of his own family" (Matthew 10: 34-39). This should us and the kingdom of God has come. His birth has brought be understood as "Jesus came to create awareness about the peace among all His creations. injustice prevailing in the society, to oppose, fight for the rights and to bring social justice. Peace means to go near Jesus, Real Christmas means to believe that Jesus, the Saviour is because He will carry our heavy loads and gives us rest born in our hearts and minds. We have to carry out His (Matthew 11:28). mission of spreading the message of Peace and believe that Jesus is coming soon. Peace or social justice means to heal the sick, to give sight to the blind, to feed the hunger, to set free the oppressed, to WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY CHRISTMAS proclaim liberty to the captives. Peace means to live according to the will of God. Today, if Jesus is in our midst, we find Rt. Rev. Mohan Manoraj peace- among our children, family, neighbours, churches, Bishop in Karnataka Southern Diocese with our co-workers and in the society.

Give Lord His Rightful Place Christmas is a time to say like Mary- “here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with Greetings ! me according to your Word”. God was ultimate for her, unlike Eve, who laid When the angels rendered a special number to the poor, importance on her own. inconsequential shepherds, saying “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on Earth peace among those whom he Christmas is a time to do like Joseph- “he favors", they defined what Christmas is meant to the whole of did as the angel of the Lord commanded Humanity and to the World. him” The coming of the Lord challenges us to give God his rightful place in His It is in giving glory to God first and foremost that we realize world saying “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. peace on Earth, it is a time to reverse back to God as the only Ultimate in all life and matters pertaining to the welfare of On behalf of Karnataka Central Diocese, I wish the entire humanity. faithful community a Christmas that enthrones JESUS as the Lord and King who alone can bring that everlasting PEACE. It is a time to discard the meaningless and to hold on to that which is eternal and real. Anything that undermines God to a The Rt. Rev. P. K. Samuel secondary place renders humans groping in the darkness. Bishop in Karnataka Central

Christmas: A Celebration for All of the shepherds & of the wise men. Let us celebrate this Christmas in a more Christmas is the blessed and wonderful season of the year for meaningful way by sharing with our fellow it engages all nations, religions, class, of all ages and castes in brothers and sisters who were badly hit by celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. If there is any month floods in Chennai, especially who lost their where lot of gifts are given & received, variety of cakes baked, loved ones, who lost their properties and are candles of different sizes & colours lit, Carols sung and greet living with no hope. one another, it is December. Why in December? The answer is, “for unto us Christ the Saviour is born”. May this 2015 Rt. Rev. Reuben Mark, Christmas season give you experiences of Mary & Joseph, Bishop in Karimnagar Diocese

December 2015 13

December 2015 10 compassion. May our kind hearts and generous hands help all our friends who are affected by recent floods in Tamilnadu as they witness this Christmas in a more broken, vulnerable and in a feeble condition as exactly the condition of Jesus' birth. So let us celebrate this Christmas in a more broken, feeble and vulnerable way too, that's what our Lord did and wants always.

Happy Christmas still! God bless.

Rt. Rev. J. J. Christdoss Bishop, Tirunelveli Diocese Invite the Son of Peace to Our Lives these tensions and anxieties. When we prepare to celebrate Christmas this time, Christmas is the time to remember God's gift of His son to the we should invite the son of peace to our creations to redeem them from pain and agony and provides lives and allow Him to be in our every them of God's peace to them. Today, we live in a world where thought, word and deed. When we follow God's creations are still searching for peace. Wars, tensions, this path, the Prince of Peace will surely and violence are everywhere. People live with insecurity help us to minister this world as channels feeling and uncertainty about their lives. Migration, refugees, of God's peace. May the LORD help each forced labor and human trafficking have become common one of us to be Chanel of God's peace in phenomenon of the present day. this Christmas and in the days to come. The CSI-EMS Liaison Office wishes you all a Blessed In this state of our society, everybody seeks peace. Peace does Christmas and a Peaceful New Year 2016. not mean a warless or tensionless situation, or to be in a place where there is no unwanted noise or trouble, but peace Rev. Dr. Royce Manoj Victor CSI-EMS Liaison Officer provides tranquil and harmony to all hearts in the midst of

Christmas: a Time to fight Against The Church should direct its attention and activity towards the poor who are the Poverty victims of poverty and should become an advocate for the poor. Christmas is the unique celebration to draw the minds and hearts of the congregations to support the poverty stricken During this Xmas time, we are called to community through its worship and service. engage ourselves constructively in eradicating poverty from this land not The Baby Jesus is the center of Christmas who was born at simply as an overseer but as servants and Bethlehem. Inn welcomes the people who come without as partners. We need to think that our money and have no other standard privileges. This inn could Christmas celebrations should benefit the poor to experience not find rooms to accommodate Mary and Joseph to give the Joy of Christmas festival. birth to Jesus. Therefore, he was born in a stable and Mary wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger. This The Department of Mission & Evangelism at the CSI Synod shows the poverty level of his parents. Poverty put Jesus in this wishes you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New very miserable situation like thousands of outcast infants and Year. Rev. S. Christopher Vijayan helpless babies born in this world every day. Director, Mission & Evangelism, CSI Synod Poverty is the global issue and issue of the poor people. We are called to understand the issue of poverty in our local context.

14 December 2015 Spotlight on killing the vulnerable for children killed to protect the Empire of the political gain day. Let this Christmas be a turnaround for us The Deluge Chennai 2015 is in more ways than one a wake up from a market driven celebration that call to the Christian community that bloodshed and death (of connives with the Empire to that of active innocent children) is integral to the Christmas story and it observance of affirming life wrought by does not warrant any celebration; not this year only because the costly blood of innocent children that of the untold misery of people iin Chennai and the stands up to and subverts the agenda of the empire. neighbouring districts, but never. Rev. Asir Ebenezer It is but a remembrance of a commitment to affirm the weak Director, CSI-SEVA and the vulnerable life/ lives like that of the lives of innocent

Christmas Reminds the unconditional with us in all our feeble moments. The dangerous journey to Bethlehem, weeping Love of God and mourning due to the massacre of infants, the inn with a “No Vacancy” sign and the Christmas is a season of great joy for it is the time to flight into Egypt are instances which connect remember the specific way God intervened in human history. Jesus with the refugees, the migrants, the It is a time of God showing his unconditional love towards homeless and victims of hatred and greed in humankind, the image bearers of God. Mary, Joseph, angels, their struggle for life and dignity. He came into shepherds and the magi had shared in the excitement of this the world filled with fear as the Prince of Peace great event. To say that Christ was born as a baby brings us and the light of salvation (Is 9:6). He is face to face with the truth of the Incarnation, the greatest Immanuel, God with us. Let us seek him at the miracle on earth. Although he was fully and truly God from unconventional places and unprecedented contexts for he is all eternity, the Son of God took human form to dwell among surely there. I wish you all a blessed Christmas and a peaceful us. By his lowly birth, Jesus identifies himself with us in all new year. our life situations, except sin. Having endured alienation, sufferings, rejection, betrayal and injustice, he empathizes Rev. K. James Cecil Victor Director, Pastoral Concerns, CSI Synod

A Distant Stranger Becomes a Near can make this world a better place. Mark Relative: Christmas! Twain remarks “Kindness as the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can It's the season of Christmas everywhere, colourful stars, see” This reminds me of the Inn-Keeper in decorated Christmas trees and carol groups singing the birth the birth narratives of Jesus, who though of the saviour. Unfortunately this is not the situation in the was reluctant to make space for Joseph, city of Chennai as the incessant rains and floods have crippled Mary and baby Jesus in his house yet was the lives of thousands for the past few weeks. Hundreds have kind enough to show them the stable for become homeless, and many have lost their livelihood, most their stay. The world today is in need of of them are deciding to migrate out of Chennai for a better small acts of kindness. A smile of living as the aftermath of heavy rains and floods can bring inclusion and a helping hand to say 'Don't worry'. As the birth more disasters. What is Christmas for these people? How does of the Saviour is nearing let us see the vulnerable baby Jesus the message of Peace through the birth of Jesus can bring back and the troubled Joseph and Mary searching for their hope to their situation of hopelessness? livelihood in every person in need. May the God who shared God-self with the entire creation kindle our hearts and minds As the Government agencies, NGO's including Churches are to share our lives and make Christmas more meaningful. On trying their best to bring back the lives of people to normalcy, behalf of the Youth Department of the Church of South India The festival of Peace and Joy is more relevant here this time Synod, season greetings. May Peace and Joy always rule your because common people are sharing their homes with the hearts and sing the message of Jesus' birth through your words homeless, food with the hungry, water to the thirsty. People and deeds. Amen. irrespective of creed and clan are volunteering to help the Rev. Solomon Paul. J others who are searching for their own living. Truly a distant Director, Youth Department, CSI Synod stranger is becoming a near relative. Simple acts of Kindness

December 2015 15 Christmas: God’s Communication only to the human beings but for the entire universe (Luke 2: 10 Aramaic Bible in To the world Plain English). By taking a choice to be born in a manger, to be a refugee, to be a When God communicated with the world, which was baby whose parents run for the life of their without form and void, life evolved out of that chaos. God's baby from the tyranny of the state fingertips made human beings with His own fingerprints on authorities, to be a Jew who had broken him. God communicated with humankind in words, actions the barriers to reach out to the Samaritans, and physical touch. Communication becomes meaningful lepers, women, prostitutes, thieves, only when it is a two- way process. God wanted to be in hungry, tax collectors and differently able communication with human beings, and he wanted His people, and ultimately to be a rare one who had given his own people to be in communion. Building relationships, sharing of life for others on cross, Jesus communicated that he is in resources, caring, knowing each other, respecting others, are solidarity with these vulnerable ones than the powerful and part of proper communication and thus lead to communion. the mighty ones. By choosing human flesh, to be broken and But human beings had/have distorted ideas of become the bread of life for the world, he communicated that communication. S/he looks inwards, giving preference for God looks forward to the sharing among His creations as intra-communication, which is ego- centric and hence does Jesus shared his life. What are we communicating in this not cater to the two- way process of communication, resulting Christmas season? Love, justice, peace? Are we sure? brokenness instead of communion. Merry Christmas and a Happy New year! Jesus came to the world to reinstate this broken Rev. Sunil Raj Philip, communication between man/woman and God and amongst Director, Department of Communication and His creations. His birth in the world indirectly communicated Dept. of Dalit & Adivasi Concerns, CSI Synod. that he is going to be the king of peace and the giver of joy; not

Christmas is Kindness peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control, by We praise and thank God for the abundant blessings that He caring and sharing with others the love of has showered on all of us. For the good health and strength Jesus through our deeds. and enabling us to do our work. We thank God for giving us this Christmas. Before the coming of Jesus as a babe there May God grant us His love, peace and joy was a lot of preparation done by mother Mary, Joseph, for ever and to trust Him always as He is Shepherds, wise men, the whole creation and Angels in the our Immanuel in the past, present and in heavenly abode. It was good news that a Saviour would be the future. born and He will be called Immanuel. As we clearly see the Miss. Synthia Sobha Rani, prophecies and the word of God are being fulfilled and are General Secretary,C.S.I.W.F. going to be fulfilled let us prepare ourselves to receive Him into our hearts this Christmas by clothing us with love, joy,

16 December 2015 Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit is the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches . He is an ordained pastor in the Church of Norway and has also served as a parish priest in Haram, Møre Diocese, and as an army chaplain during his compulsory year of national service. He was secretary for the Church of Norway Doctrinal Commission, and Church-State Relations. Rev. Tveit was the general secretary of the Church of Norway Council on Ecumenical and International Relations. He was elected as the seventh General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in August 2009. He is the youngest general secretary since Willem Visser 't Hooft, who had led the WCC while it was in process of formation.

John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, dear fellow disciples of Christ, dear representatives of a United or Uniting Church, dear Moderator and hosts of the Church of South India,

It is a great honour and joy to visit you here in the Church of South India - as a truly united church, one of those who really materialized the vision of visible unity of the ecumenical movement in the post-war and post-colonial period. This was the same time as the World Council of Churches was established as another concrete expression of churches relating to one another and searching visible unity in faith, witness and service to the one humanity for freedom, justice and peace.

We gather in the name of Christ who called his disciples to what? To unity? Well, there is no text from the Gospels that exactly uses a word to be translated to “unity” as a description of the quality of relationships among the followers of Jesus Christ. The Gospels are not so much reflecting on ideas, theories or something abstract; but speaks about the gifts of God, about human beings, the struggle of life, about attitudes, emotions and convictions and much more that can bring people together in unity.

Unity can be a beautiful idea to bind us together or a principle of harmony. History shows that this idea easily also can be turned into a tool of power, of demanding uniformity, in terms of opinions, perspectives, identity and behaviour in a hierarchical or forced expression of controlled unity.

I am not making a point of scholarly reading of dictionaries here. When we reflect on what “unity” or “visible unity” means for the Church, we have to pay attention to the Church as a reality of relations. I am pointing to the quality of relations, their thickness, their content and their structure, the dimensions of moral accountability in relationships and the dimension of hope and faith that is expressed in relationships.

Sermon preached at the The first and most significant content of the unity of the Church, is, as Jesus says: St. George’s Cathedral, Chennai, Love. The love between his disciples is the sign of them being one. The long during the inaugural worship reflection on separation and belonging that is formulated so brilliantly in the Prayer service of the Ninth Consultation of Jesus in John 17, from where we quote his prayer that “they all may be one”, is a of United and Uniting Churches long reflection on what it means to remain in love. The relationship between them is

December 2015 17 defined by their relationship to God in Christ. Just as the Father and the Son are one, because of the love that is expressed between them, so are also the followers of Christ one in God, in the love of God.

Love is not something abstract, an idea, a principle. Love is not a tool for dominion and abuse of power. If it turns into something like that, then it is not love anymore. Love is a reality shown in what we do, how we turn to one another in respect, in honour, in providing what the other needs, in bringing justice and peace into reality. Love is to bind ourselves to one another in giving and receiving, in mutual relationships of life, also in structures of visible unity.

Therefore, all what we say and write about “unity” in the Church or among the churches, must serve the life given by God in the quality of relationships that is love.

Love is not the sign of perfection or perfectionism, when everything is without obstacles, challenges, wounds, sorrows, conflicts or unrest. Love is what can trespass everything, particularly such obstacles. Love is what makes us really human and really spiritual. There is no true spirituality reflecting the belief in the triune God that is not an expression of the love of God, mirrored in deep human love.

Love is not only the good feelings we can have to one another. Love is the commitment to stay together, as the first Assembly of the WCC said in 1948. Love is also the commitment to move together, as we said in the 10th Assembly in Busan in 2013. This means to go into an unknown future, as disciples of Christ, believing that love can create something more and something else than what we see today. Hope, faith and love belongs always together.

Love is first of all and most of all and in the very end the gift of God. Love is that God loved us first. That is why we are called to be disciples, that is why we are called to be Christians, to be Church, to be signs of the one humanity God created us to be, together from all layers of society, of all tribes and nations, of confessions and continents, of different personalities and different .

In the theme of this conference you speak about “Living in tents”. My limited experience of “living in tents” tells me something relevant for what the unity of church in love means. Firstly, living in big tents in the winter of Norway as a chaplain together with the soldiers training, I learned that I had to take my hour during the night to take care of putting wood into the oven. Living in tents requires a life together in discipline in solidarity with one another. Love and unity must be very practical and structural to be real. Secondly, I have, some months ago, together with the Leadership of the Central committee of the WCC, visited some Palestinian families who tried to live peacefully in tents in the Jordan valley, making their living from what they could grow there. The day before our visit, their tents were bulldozed by Israeli military. Living in tents is making life very vulnerable. Living in tents means that you have depend on the willingness to protect one another as human beings in justice an peace.

We are called to be signs of the hope that comes from the presence of Christ in our world, whose presence is actually described in the beginning if the Gospel of John as God living in tent among us. The face of the one who needs the basic expressions of love is the face of Christ. The face of the one who brings the signs of love, is the face of those who get known to be the follower of Christ by the signs of love. In all we are the images of God, all created in the image of God, which we then are called to carry out in our faith, hope and love together as the ikon of Christ.

Therefore, the unity of the Church is for the relationship of love among the disciples of Christ. The unity of the Church is there for the world who needs signs of hope, of God's presence in the world, amidst all signs of the reality of evil. The unity of the Church is for the glory of God.

May God bless you and your unity and your common witness to Christ in love, on a pilgrimage of justice and peace!

Amen. 18 December 2015 INAUGURAL WORSHIP: ST. GEORGE’S CATHEDRAL, CHENNAI 9TH CONSULTATION OF UNITED & UNITING CHURCHES

19 9TH CONSULTATION OF UNITED & UNITING CHURCHES

20 9TH CONSULTATION OF UNITED & UNITING CHURCHES

The Ninth Consultation of the United and Uniting Churches was held at the Church of South India Synod Secretariat in Chennai from 25th November to 1st December, 2015. The theme of the consultation was “Living in Tents (Heb.11: 9) the Pilgrimage of the United and Uniting Churches”. The CSI Synod designed a logo based on the theme “Living in tents” for the Consultation. The logo symbolically depicts the pilgrimage of the United and Uniting Churches under the cross of Christ with the entire cosmos along with the tent as earthly abode. The coloured blocks comprising the cross denote the diverse United and Uniting Churches under the shadow of the cross of ICHTHYS - Jesus Christ the Son of God and Saviour. Humanity, including the old, young, persons with disability, God's Creation as depicted by the water and land, trees, animals, fish and birds and trees are on a pilgrimage toward the cross. The logo draws imageries of the lion and the lamb and the shoot from Isaiah to denote the vision of a new creation. The tent stretches its wings to accommodate all of God's creation and recalling the call of Jesus envisioning unity amidst diversities “that they all may be one”. 21 PUBLIC RECEPTION & CULTURAL EVENING - 9TH CONSULTATION OF UNITED & UNITING CHURCHES 22 STATEMENT

United and Uniting Churches 9th Consultation CSI Synod Centre, Chennai, India 25 November - 2 December 2015

here were thirty-five participants from 16 of the 41 United and Uniting Churches (UUC) present in Chennai, India for this consultation called by Tthe World Council of Churches (WCC) Faith and Order Commission (FAO), hosted by the Church of South India (CSI). This ecumenically diverse group represented all the WCC regions except Latin America. The theme for the assembly was “Living in Tents: Pilgrimage of the United and Uniting churches” The Ninth Consultation of the United (Hebrews 11:5), adapted from the WCC theme: pilgrimage of justice and peace. and Uniting Churches was led by The participants included the WCC General Secretary who provided his Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, the General reflections and shared in discussion with the representatives about the future and Secretary of the World Council of role of the united and uniting churches in the ecumenical movement, and within Churches, Rev. Dr. Christopher the WCC. Additional participants were the General Secretary of the World Ferguson (General Secretary, World Communion of Reformed Churches, ecumenical staff, the academia and Church Communion of Reformed Churches), of South India (CSI) clergy and staff all of whom were active participants Rev. Prof. Leo J. Koffeman (Chair of the providing input into the common future of the UUC. Regrets were received from United and Uniting Churches member churches as well as the Chair of F & O Commission. Continuation Committee. The Church of South India hosted the Consultation During the days of meeting, the group visited CSI and Mar Thoma in collaboration with the Constituents of congregations, engaged in the realities of the Indian context through Bible study the Communion of Churches in India, and heard presentations on the life, concerns, and ministry of the member the Church of North India and the churches. The wisdom shared in the ministry and program of the churches was Marthoma Church. well received and a major resource to the consultation. The sub-themes of Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam pilgrimage, unity, justice, peace, and witness provided the framework for the (Moderator, the Church of South India), reports from the churches and for the daily keynote presentations. The Most Rev. Dr. P. K. Samantaroy representatives present affirmed the necessity to continue hearing and learning (Moderator, Church of North India), from each other as UUC with the common call to engage in organic union and to Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen embrace the intentional movement to unity. (the Deputy Moderator, Church of South India),Rev. Dr. Daniel UNITY AND DIVERSITY Rathnakara Sadananda (General The UUC has a special place in the ecumenical movement. One of the primary Secretary, CSI), Adv. Robert Bruce characteristics is the ability to live with differences which are inherent in the union (Treasurer, CSI), Mr. Alwan Massih of different denominations. In pursuing unity with other churches, UUC chose to (General Secretary, CNI), give themselves to other churches in the light of Christ's kenosis as they realize Rev. Ipe Joseph (Marthoma Church) that ecclesial identities are fluid realities where the hospitality of Christ's love can and the Bishops of the Church of South be manifested. UUC themselves are but the occasions ready for further India and the Church of North India prehension in the uniting process. This inviting and inclusive attitude makes participated in the pre-consultation event UUC open to the Spirit's further guidance and ready at any time to embark on for Church leaders. new pilgrimage journeys toward the eschatological goal of visible unity.

December 2015 23 In the uniting deliberations, UUC accumulated experiences could help to keep the churches informed about the ministries of creating space for others in bilateral or multilateral and mission in which we are engaged. dialogues. There are vital contributions for the ecumenical community. While continuously encountering diversities and There is a unique role and relationship between the UUCs and being challenged by these diversities, UUC are deepening the Faith and Order Commission. This relationship must their understandings of unity, even as they learn that each is continue to be nurtured and maintained, with further different. By trying to be one and many at the same time, conversation to clarify the relationship between the UUC and UUCs seek not only to reflect but also to correspond to the the F&O Commission. The hope is that the Continuation perichoretic relationship of the Triune God. Therefore, to Committee will include a F&O representative. maintain and strengthen the organic unity in diversity is one of the gifts that UUCs can share with the Church which is COMPOSITION OF CONTINUATION COMMITTEE encouraged be open, inviting and self-giving. Karen Georgia Thompson, United Church of Christ (chair)

MISSION AND SOLIDARITY Suzanne Erlecke, Evangelische Kirche Deutschland United and uniting churches are ambassadors of (Protestant Church in Germany) reconciliation and peace. Knowing we are pilgrims living in tents, we are eager to remind ourselves that unity in solidarity Leepo Modise, Uniting Reformed Church in Southern is an ongoing process to be open for reforms in our churches Africa and to work for a life in a church of reconciled diversity. Charity Majiza, Uniting Church in Australia As UUCS, we are willing and are seeing the need to reflect on the contextual situations where we are located. In relation to Christopher Mason, United Church of Jamaica and the God´s mission we want to be open for diverse discussions and Cayman Islands dialogues respecting other opinions and approaches towards a solution for any problematic situations that arise. There is a Rathnakara Sadananda, Church of South India role for the UUC to support each other on issues where we have solidarity. Advisor, to be named by the Faith and Order staff/Commission The Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace is important to the life of the UUC, as unity is an ongoing process, a pilgrimage, where CHURCHES REPRESENTED we invite others to journey with us. As united and uniting churches / community, we are called and committed to be on China Christian Council the pilgrimage of justice and peace in solidarity not only to the Church of Bangladesh inner-community of our churches but also to the margins wherever they are. We want to walk hand in hand and to Church of North India support those suffering most and the poorest among us. Our Church of South India action in solidarity with the margins is a part of our work in the world. We are eager to live in solidarity with all churches, Mar Thoma Church eager to help and to support each other in the questions/tasks/ threats which challenge us in our contexts. Eglise Protestante Unie de France Evangelische Kirche Deutschland THE WAY FORWARD Participants in the consultation affirmed the need for the Evangelische Kirche Baden Continuation of the Continuation Committee and its role in convening the UUCs and for enhancing communication with Evangelische Kirche Hessen Nassau the ecumenical community. A new Continuation Committee Evangelische Kirche Rhineland was named to carry forward the work of the UUC until the next consultation. Hong Kong Council Christian Churches

The UUCs are a network that is not focused on Protestant Church in the Netherlands institutionalization. The churches have a role and purpose in Uniting Church of Australia gathering beyond the work and mandate of the Faith and Order commission. The work of our churches can be shared United Church of Canada and enhanced through this network. United Church of Christ The UUC sees themselves as witnessing to visible unity. The United Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands intention and need for a variety of communication mechanisms as well as maintaining levels of relationships United Reformed Church (UK) across the ecumenical movement was identified as a priority. United Reformed Church in Southern Africa The use of social media will compliment the churches, and

24 December 2015 AFFIRMATION OF INFECUND COUPLE AS PWD IN CHRISTMAS NARRATIVE

Mr. John Samadhanam is the Co-ordinator of the “Disability Programme” in CSI SEVA, Department of Diaconal Concerns, CSI Synod. He hails from the CSI Rayalaseema Diocese, where he was serving as a Chaplain in Arogyavaram Medical Centre, Arogyavaram. Samadhanam has completed his BD (2006) and M.Th. (2010) from the United Theological College, Bangalore.

The DISHA wishes an enlightening, disability discourse is more or less childless because Elizabeth was not able meaningful, blessed and a joyous focused on the Kenosis (self-emptying) to conceive, and they were both very old. Christmas. The month of December in of Jesus Christ which is central to our our Church calendar is a chock-a-block faith, experience and tradition. season of fun, frolic and festivity replete Nevertheless, I am trying to make a The first nativity is with cakes, carols, candles and humble attempt to move nativity from abundant with an increasing cholesterol levels culminating the centre to the periphery where the assortions of signs and not just with the Christmas Day, but issue of disability was alive, but dormant extending up to the advent of another in and through the lives and life symptoms of security and new calendar year. It's a season of experiences of PwD. Having been in insecurity, fear and fellowships and relationships. If one can ministry for over a decade I was courage, joy and sorrow, keenly observe, the act of philanthropy confronted with this issue of towards the poor, needy, the Person (s) childlessness through my interactions anxiety and confidence, with Disability (PwD) also are focused with some of them. In this backdrop I certainty and uncertainty, upon. The first nativity is abundant with was driven to ponder over infecundity as belief and disbelief, love an assortions of signs and symptoms of a disability. security and insecurity, fear and courage, and hatred, turbulence and joy and sorrow, anxiety and confidence, The inclusive narrative in St. Luke 1 tranquility and much more certainty and uncertainty, belief and elaborately scripts the lives and life disbelief, love and hatred, turbulence experiences of the Parents of the and tranquility and much more diction. forerunner to the Messiah, John the Baptist. The spotlight of this exposition Elizabeth's Experience It was a drama where the whole of Many in our Indian context will wonder creation became actors and midwives on is on Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth, who have lived with a passing disability when the issue of childlessness and the the world stage to usher in the Servant appalling experiences of childless King into our mundaneness. It was for of Speech Impairment and infertility. The following biblical text is used to couples is considered under the ambit of sure that the gospel to the poor, by the disability. Infecundity according to the poor and for the poor was preached in e l i c i t a C h r i s t m a s D i s a b i l i t y Hermeneutic. American Disability Act of 1990 is a and through the heavenly angelic form of disability, though not either a visitations, the celestial, the Roman Biblical Texts physical or intellectual. However, in our royalty, the Orientals, the shepherds, the legal and socio political milieu it is prophets, the priests, the Virgin unwed St. Luke 1:5-7; 19-24 (NIV) In the time of Herod king of Judea there treated purely as a medical condition mother, the father to be, the infants, which needs to be challenged. Bearing in children, the youth, the named, the was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of mind the atrocious treatment infertile unnamed, the visible, the invisible…etc. couples receive at the hands of our Amidst all this action are Person (s) with Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them society, it is pertinent for us, as the Disability (PwD). Though the issue of Church, to remember the experiences of disability is present in Christmas were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commands and our childless Judeo Christian Mothers in narrative, yet in obscurity and the Bible in order to address this issue neglection. The predominant Christmas decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were

December 2015 25 from a Christian ministerial perspective. discriminatory vocabulary of infecund phenomenon is Peninnah, Elkanah's As far as such named women with woman. Based on this pretext the step wife. The experience of Elizabeth childlessness are concerned, they are husband is religiously, socially and parallels the pathetic situation of every Sarah, Rachel, Michal, Samson's culturally sanctioned to entertain childless wife. Drawing cues from the mother and several other nameless bigamy or polygamy just for the sake of aforesaid, it becomes pivotal for us to women. The situation of women with raising a generation and even divorce the take cognizance of infertile couples and inability to bear children in the Judeo wife. Prime examples who have the issue into serious addressal. Christian world was so pathetic and practiced the aforementioned acts are precarious. The Judeo Christian world Abraham and Elkanah, Hannah's Indian Elizabeths and Zachariahs operates on the fulcrum of patriarchy husband. Moreover, these women The prevalence of infecundity in Indian where the continuity and the mostly lived in social isolation for fear of context is so stark. According to a survey preservation of the father's name is being stigmatized and discriminated. conducted in 2013 nearly 46 percent was essentially important. Therefore, the They perhaps lived in fear of being found infecund and another parallel married women are under much strain to divorced. If one can imagine the study indicates that 63 percent of the infertile couples belonged to the childbearing age group ranging between 31-40 years of age. Mahesh scripts that, “…infertility problems prevailed even among the young generation. Nearly 34 percent of the couples, aged between 21 and 30, opted assisted reproduction t e c h n o l o g y ( A RT ) a f t e r t h e y experienced difficulties in conceiving naturally.” Medical specialists point out that 10% of the population suffers from sterility. The cause, the specialists explain, is attributed to “changes in lifestyle, stress, late marriages, and Polycystic Ovarian Disorder (PCOD), tubal disease, ovulatory dysfunction, endometriosis, immunological factors, congenital abnormalities and sexual dysfunction or unexplained factors in female infertility. In addition, male infecundity is also responsible for childlessness. Studies have now proved that male unproductivity has escalated from 25% to 50%. The reason for this alarming trend is urban life style changes. Experts highlight these chief grounds for misconception is poor sperm count in about 20% to 30% cases (some others say it is 40%). It is also connected to one's occupational stress and strain. Nevertheless, medical techniques such as in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and intracytoplasmic sperm injections (ICSI) are being resorted to predominantly by economically sound urbanites.

The milieu of infertile couples, especially women in India is a web of bear offspring, in particular a male child. traumatic situation in the family where pathology emanating from the social, In a context where the either one of them the step wife constantly ridicules causing economic, cultural and religious realms. or both are in a condition of infertility, emotional injury, the psychosocial Our social networks in our families, the woman will have to carry the blame pathology will reach its extremities. One Church, relatives, neighbourhood and and the burden of the stigmatizing and of the stark example of this peer groups are so intricate that enquiries

26 December 2015 on conception, pregnancy and child Given the phenomenon of faith framework on which infecundity as one bearing are so frequent and sharp practitioners infertile couples revolve of a disability category is that infertile which the newly married couple may around such preachers. All the above couples, specially the woman, are not like to respond to. When it comes to mentioned exert much social, physical, stigmatized and discriminated. In order the responses from childless couples, emotional, spiritual and economic to expunge the aforementioned vile, we they either decline replying, give vague distress. Therefore, the issue of who insist and concentrate on the answers or completely isolate infecundity and the dismal experiences ministry of channeling the abundant themselves from public glare and childless couples undergo call for a life of Jesus, need to accept the 38 interaction becoming incommunicado. Christian response from the Church in methods of conception in the Consequently, they incise communicating this Christmas season. reproductive medicine. In continuation, with people around them except with our hermeneutics (interpretation of their partners and intimate family Christian Response biblical scripture) on procreation, members like parents and siblings and The social, physical, emotional, spiritual replenishing the earth with progeny and close friends. Arthur Greil, an expert and economic pathology of this pitiable family needs to be reread and on infertility and psychology population are challenged with reinterpreted keeping the trend of delineates, “they experience distress, accepting their situation of inability to escalating number of childless couples raised depression and anxiety levels, bear children and reconcile with it. They in our Church. The biblical scriptures lowered self-esteem, feelings of blame need the church to help them reconcile on childlessness as a curse, retribution with the truth to become a wholesome from God …etc needs a fresh contextual person. In the initial phase the couple reinterpretation. Alternatives to especially the women who mourn over childlessness like adoption and the like their loss of ability to bear progeny. It is that will enrich these deprived population here they personally experience a severe needs to be affirmed and propagated. The ecclesial community onslaught of emotional pain. The needs to render care, help couple seek reproductive medical help The Church as a resource and a reservoir scampering from one specialist to of riches of the Kingdom of God is and support that will another. The anguish escalates when no placed on a rostrum that will include such efforts yield any results leading into PwD of all categories, including heal their emotional depression. infecund couple to fundamentally injuries by using all the address and eradicate the stigma and How then can the Church be a place of discrimination from the lives and available spiritual and comfort and solace? The ecclesial families of the subjects under community needs to render care, help discussion. To this end may we commit physical resources with and support that will heal their ourselves this Christmas to celebrate the emotional injuries by using all the the clergy and the laity lives of Elizabeths and Zachariahs in available spiritual and physical resources our Indian Church and society at large that will help them to with the clergy and the laity that will affirming that the first advent of Jesus help them to move into life's phase of into this world is all about 'pitching His move into life's phase of meaning and purpose. When the couple tent among us to bless us with justice, enters into this chapter of life, they begin righteousness, life, joy and peace. meaning and purpose. to think of creative ways that will help people like them. They can also become activists and advocates of child rights, stand against feoticide and infanticide.

The Church and the Christian community and guilt, somatic complaints, and as an educating and an advocating reduced sexual interest.” This is community shoulders the responsibility secondarily due to stigma, discrimination, of creating an assertive awareness about Disclaimer isolation, rejection, verbal abuse and the male infecundity too in order to erase exclusion. Moreover, it is common to the misbelief that only women are ANY VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THE see concerns over the economic responsible for childlessness. As the CSI LIFE BELONG TO THEIR liabilities of incurring high reproductive body of Christ continues to uphold the RESPECTIVE AUTHORS AND ARE medical bills. There is also the fear of 'biblical affirmation of life and the NOT NECESSARILY marital instability, divorce, considering creation of a human being created in the THOSE OF THE CSI LIFE. THE over husband's second marriage, image of God,' the sanctity of a life, be it AUTHORS WILL BE SOLELY rejection by the in-laws and anxiety in any form, either be it a feotus, infant, a RESPONSIBLE over shouldering the blame of non- female child or a person of any age FOR THEIR VIEWS AND IDEAS reproduction and much more. In such group needs to be powerfully supported contexts of inability to bear children and sustained. Why should this be people tend to resort towards prayer. affirmed in this discourse? The

December 2015 27 SYNOD CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Stronger Voice for Children's rights: a Joint effort by WCC and UNICEF A one- day high-level consultation on 'Stronger Voice for Children's Rights' was held at the WCC Ecumenical Centre, Geneva on 19th November 2016, followed by the Core Group Meeting on 20th. World Council of Churches and the UNICEF have jointly organized this consultation by inviting about 80 delegates from key member churches and organizations to develop a set of Principles and Tools for Child- friendly Churches to guide and support WCC member churches in their efforts for the well-being of all children. The main focus of the consultation was on justice: initiatives for and with children. Policy' in order to make churches and 1) Advocacy for children's rights I had the opportunity to present the institutions child-friendly and through bir th registration 2) initiatives of Church of South India, conscientize the churches and Development of Principles for Child- through CSI Seva and the Christian communities through 'Focus 9/99' was friendly churches 3) Contribution to Education Department, Synod, appreciated by the delegates of the core ending violence against children in towards child protection policy. CSI's committee. society at large 4) Supporting child renewed commitment for Girl Child Rev. K. James Cecil Victor protection in emergencies and 5) through 'Assure my Future' campaign, Director, Raising Churches' voice for climate development of the 'Child Protection Department of Pastoral Concerns

SYNOD ECOLOGICAL CONCERNS Pondicherry Chief Minister lauds CSI’s lead role in caring for the environment The programmes of the Church of Koshy Punnackad, offered felicitations. South India in protecting the The chief Minister released the book environment are highly commendable, Earth Bible Sermon 2 edited by Dr. said Mr. N. Rangasamy, the Chief Mathew Koshy Punnackad, Director of Minister of Pondicherry while Ecological Department, by giving a inaugurating the three- day National workshop on Green Parables organized by the Department of Ecological Concerns of CSI. He pointed out that Climate change is affecting all the National Workshop in bringing out the sections of people and nature. If we are teaching of Jesus into practices. The not alert, the whole life in this universe pollution is increasing day by day and will perish, he cautioned. He the life on the earth is becoming appreciated the delegates of the difficult. He suggested that following the pioneering work of CSI on ecological concerns, all the churches in India should come forward to protect our environment. copy to Vice President of Madras Diocese. Rev. Paul Dayanadan, Vice President the Diocese of Madras, presided over Dr. Mathew Koshy Punnackad, the function. Rev. Dhanasekaran, Vice Director, President of Southern Area, Rev. Arun Ecological Department, Jebesh Albert, Chairman of the Church of South India Synod. Pondicherry pastorate, Rev. Richardson, Rev. Stella Richardson and Dr. Mathew 28 December 2015 SYNOD PASTORAL CONCERNS Institute of Pastoral Concerns (IPM) Batch-V Institute of Pastoral Management (IPM) is a project. Human Resource Management Financial Management, planning and unique programme envisioned by our was handled by Sony Thomas, an HR budgeting; and Legal Compliances were visionary leaders to capacitate the local Professional who enabled the taught by one of the most reputed congregations through pastors. To be participants to understand the Chartered Accountants, Mr. M. relevant in the ministry is always a importance of Human Resource Kandasami. The participants were challenge to the pastors as the context Planning, Job Analysis that looks into enlightened with the legal provisions on keeps changing and issues in each Job Description and Employee Personal and Property Laws dealt by context are divergent. However, it is Specification. Church of South India Adv. Chilkuri Shyam Rao. While Mr. important and imperative to equip the Constitution was dealt by the Vetri Selvan engaged the participants in pastors to be effective in their ministry. Moderator Most. Rev. Dr. Govada a discussion on the merits and demerits The aim and objective of IPM are to Dyvasirvadam. He gave an overview of of Communication Technologies, Rev. equip pastors for a relevant ministry the CSI Constitution that is broadly Asir Ebenezer introduced UMOJA, a through an intensive study on divided into a) Ministr y and concept of community empowerment Administration, Finance Management, administration b) Episcopal Election through sharing resources to resolve the Legislation and Personality Development. and c) Arbitration. He linked the issues faced by the community. Having completed 4 batches, the IPM for the formation of CSI with the union efforts fifth batch was held from 9-13 November and subsequent drafting, revision and Bible studies from Management perspective 2015 at the CSI Centre, Chennai. Fifty- amendments of the constitution. The by Dr. Sadananda were challenging and five clergy from 23 dioceses have Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen, Deputy inspiring to see the untested and unutilized attended the programme. Moderator and Chairperson of Pastoral energy at the margins. How 'fact finding' Aid Department, has reiterated the rather than 'fault finding' can help a Rev. Dr. Rathnakara Sadananda, the General importance of transparent financial person or institute was the touch line of the Secretary of CSI, has inaugurated the accountability and good governance bible studies. "It is an enlightening programmeme by encouraging the that enhances the credibility of a pastor programme. If I had not attended, I would participants to upskill themselves to optimize as well as the Church. He encouraged have missed something important" by Rev. the resource and resource management the participants to take IPM seriously. Joby Joy; "biblical insights into in the church. “Human and material Personality development, Motivation, management through Bible Studies are resources need to be managed well. Goal setting, Time Management and excellent and eye-opening" by Rev. Management of these two resources is Team Building were handled by Mr. J. S. Diamond Michael, "IPM created a an integral part of church's ministry for Anbu, the Executive Director, Christian platform for networking with pastors of inclusive growth,” he added. Later, the Institute of Management (CIM), all regions" by Rev. Bennet are some of sessions were conducted on Project Chennai. He enabled the participants to the feedbacks of IPM Batch-5. Planning by Rev. Asir Ebenezer, Director evaluate their own personality in terms Rev. K. James Cecil Victor, CSI- SEVA, who gave an outline on the key of leadership and management. An Director, Pastoral Concerns. elements to be considered for planning a overview of the governance and CSI-SEVA Orientation Programme on “Child Rights Church of South India-SEVA conducted a that Children are sources of joy, and two-day orientation program for Andhra inquisitive in their nature. Therefore, Pradesh and Telangana on “Child Rights we need to take on childlikeness to and Protection” on 6th and 7th of empower children to be like children. November 2015 at CSI Synod Centre. Rev. Asir Ebenezer, the director, CSI- The Orientation to local congregations SEVA introduced Focus 9/99 selected by the respective dioceses, one programme, which is designed to train each for every revenue district in the 50 persons in each of the 99 revenue jurisdiction of the Diocese is part of the districts of south India, for focused CSI Girl Child Campaign “Assuring her interventions in nine months i.e., from future” wherein the oriented congregations January to October 2016. He said that Child rights. Mrs. Suhasini Cecil led will work with partners from local girl child calls us to assure her future. the session on Child abuse and Mrs. community in promoting child rights, The representatives from 23 districts Glory Hubert led the session on the facilitating compliance, and monitoring planned for an immediate intervention legal framework. Mr. Prem Madhuker and reporting violations. during the Girl Child Sunday led the session on localizing the focus celebrations on 15th of November 2015. 9/99 project in AP and Telangana. Over Inaugurating the orientation, Rev. Dr. 60 participants from 14 of the 23 Rathnakara Sadananda, the General The programme was coordinated by districts of Andhra Pradesh and Secretary of CSI, stated that the Church Mr. Solomon Raja Daniel, coordinator Telangana participated in this of South India dreams of 'Child- of Girl Child Campaign. Rev. Dileep programme. Friendly Congregations'. He also stated Kumar Kandula led the session on Rev. Dileep Kumar Kandula December 2015 29 SYNOD CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Sunday School Teachers Licentiate Course in Karimnagar Diocese

Sunday School Teachers Licentiate Course was held in the Diocese of Karimnagar from 5th to 7th November 2015. The Department of Christian Education in partnership with Karimnagar Diocese has conducted the training program at CSI Centenary Wesley Church, Karimnagar. Rt. Rev. K. Rueben Mark, the Bishop in Karimnagar Diocese, has inaugurated the training program while Rt. Rev. Organizing Sunday Schools in local B.D. Prasada Rao, Bishop in About 78 Sunday school teachers, both Congregations. The sessions include Rayalaseema and the Chairperson of men and women from various lectures, interactions, and workshops. the Christian Education Department, pastorates of the Diocese, have T h e w h o l e p r o g r a m m e w a s coordinated by Rev. S. John, Presbyter in charge of Centenary Wesley Church, Karimnagar, and Rev. Wellesley, the Convenor of Christian Education Department, Diocese of Karimnagar, with the kind cooperation of the officers of the Diocese who supervised the entire arrangements. The participants pledged their commitment to serve faithfully by obeying the call of God. They have expressed their gratitude to the Diocese of Karimnagar and the Christian Education Department, Synod, gave the valedictory address. attended the course and learnt the 1. Synod, for conducting this certificate Rev. Mrs. Priscilla Rueben, Rev. B. Biblical Foundation for Christian course that enabled them to conceive Krupa Victor, Mr. Z. T. Sudhaker, Mrs. Education 2. Jesus' teaching methods 3. newer ways of making the Sunday T. Sabitha Vijay, and Rev. K. James Characters of a Good Teacher 4. Schools meaningful and relevant. Cecil Victor were the resource team that Memory Verse Methods 5. The Rev. K. James Cecil Victor facilitated the training sessions. importance of Visual Aids and 6. Director, DPC CSI-SEVA Workshop on Conflict Transformation A three-member team from CSI Bangladesh and Pakistan is planned for participated in the 5 day Workshop on early 2017. Conflict Transformation held at Kathmandu, Nepal from the 26th to Various conf lict analysis and 30th October 2015. The team included transformation tools like LCP/Do no Rev. Solomon Paul, Director, Synod Harm, Reflecting on Peace Practices Youth Department, Ms. Janet Sunitha, (RPP), ABC Triangle, Camel Back and church Worker, Karnataka Southern Pyramid were used to analyze the Diocese and Mr. K. Prem Madhuker, Conflict and find appropriate solutions. Coordinator (Projects), CSI SEVA. This Group discussions were employed to is the first of the three workshops as part Map the Actors involved, Identify session was focused on youth and of the LCP (Building Local Capacities Issues and Dynamics involved using a methods to integrate them into the for Peace) Network's Collective Youth Case Study for understanding. The system. Programme with 'Focus on Youth as group also identified various types of Change Agents' in any Conflict violence in any given situation. All the Kattekola Prem Madhuker Situation. A mega Youth Convention participants were encouraged to present Coordinator (Projects) CSI SEVA involving youth from India, Nepal, group findings in turns. The final 30 December 2015 KARIMNAGAR DIOCESE Phanigiri Christmas Jathara 2015 Revival of lost History Phanigiri is one of the oldest mission But in this year, under the leadership of centers in the CSI Karimnagar Diocese. the Rt. Rev. Dr. K. Rueben Mark, The CSI Mission Hospital in Phanigiri Bishop in Karimnagar Diocese, the CSI was the first of its kind in the Nalgonda members of the area became able to District. The village is also known for an reclaim, regain and revive the past ancient Buddhist Center and Temple mission legacy through by reviving the from 1st Century BC. The Missionaries Jathara. The rejuvenated "Phanigiri in this are reached the interior villages Christmas Jathara" was held on the 5th with the Gospel and established December 2015 at CSI Mission 20 groups consisting of 5 members each congregations through several spiritual Hospital Compound, Phanigiri. More participated. Rev. Dr. Ch. Vasantha programs with their zeal and than 1000 people have been present, Rao, Professor in Biblical Studies, representing 22 village congregations ACTC, Hyderabad, has brought the from 7 different rural Pastorates of the Jathara Message based on the Alier Group Church Council. All the Christmas event according to Luke 2:1- Church workers and Ordained 14 and emphasized that Jesus the savior Presbyters working in this Group have continues to live and participate in our participated in this Jathara, which has a faith journey. Folk songs in the focus on strengthening the faith of the vernacular Language were the believers from the village congregations highlights the Jathara Program. The commitment. One such programme and prepare them to receive and programme came to an end with the conducted annually for the spiritual celebrate the savior's birth with spiritual “Deepa Aradhana” (Candle Light growth of the village congregations and fervor. The Jathara was led by The Rt. Service) which included the prayer of the reunion of the rural pastorates in Rev. Dr. K. Rueben Mark along with re-commitment. this area was conducting, “Phanigiri Thalligaru. Mrs. Rev. K. Pricilla Rev. P. Victor Paul & Christmas Jathara”, which was regular Rueben, the Bishopamma, has brought Rev. Dr. P. Bethel Krupa Victor, between 1956 and 1976. But this festival greetings from the Diocesan Women's Resident Presbyters,Phanigiri Pastorate. slowly faded away into history. Fellowship. Bible exam was conducted from the Book of Revelations in which

SYNOD PASTORAL CONCERNS Ministerial Committee The CSI Synod ministerial Committee was held on 27th November 2015, at the CSI Centre, Chennai. The meeting began with the prayer by Rt. Rev. Thomas K Oommen, the Deputy Moderator and the Chairperson of the Pastoral Aid Department (PAD). The Most Rev. Dr. Govada Dyvasirvadam, the Moderator, CSI, has shared the Sadananda, the General Secretary, CSI, reflection on 'Re-discovering the Image programs and publications of the has greeted the members and after of God' in the shattered and department. The committee has which, the committee reviewed the marginalized lives. Rev. Dr. D.R. commended the department for the new initiates like Orientation to the theological students, the Institute of Pastoral Management (IPM) and clergy exchange program with the Mizoram Presbyterian Church. The committee planned some programs for the ensuing year under the chairmanship of Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen, the Chairperson of Pastoral Aid Department.

Rev. K. James Cecil Victor Director, DPC December 2015 31 CSI-SEVA Torrential Rains, Unprecedented Flood and a Massive Relief Work Chennai the metro city, Cuddalore and Mission Hospital to Chennai for the nearing places in Tamil Nadu in South relief work, who had extended medical India were badly hit by a flood, which assistance for thousands of people. This was an aftermath of a cyclone. This team worked relentlessly in the flood- flood is considered as the gravest in the hit areas for around five days. The last hundred years. More than 400 Diocese had sent a truck full of people died and around 1. 8 million groceries, water, bananas, oil, and other people were displaced. The Church of essentials too, to the CSI Synod centre. South India Synod, with the ardent CSI Diocese of Trichy- Tanjore had support of the Dioceses, rise to the sent 1,200 litres of milk. The churches

Sugar, Banana, Biscuits, Milk- powder, Clothes in good condition, Bread, Thousands of litres of drinking water, Medicines, and other essentials were distributed. Many of the Dioceses extended financial support. An initial amount of Rs. 5,00,000 has been sanctioned by CASA for the relief work undertaken through the CSI. Financial assistance received from the CSI Tiruchirapalli - Thanjavur diocese, CSI Thoothukudi-Nazareth Diocese, CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese and CSI Coimbatore Diocese is gratefully acknowledged. All Employees of the CSI Diocese of Madras will be contributing one-day salary for the occasion and actively involved in the and schools of CSI here were open for recovery and relief work in the flood t h o s e w h o s u f f e r . Dioceses have extended their financial K a r n a t a k a C e n t r a l support and many dioceses had sent D i o c e s e h a d s e n t food, medicines, groceries, dress and volunteers with more than other essentials to Chennai. Volunteers 1000 packets of rice, oil, sugar, Dal and salt. Schools under Madras Diocese distributed 1500 bed sheets, vessels, mats etc. They have distributed 5000 kilograms of rice.

Coimbatore Diocese has cause of relief and rehabilitation of the sent a truck with the essentials to be flood victims. distributed. Ten youth members traveled in the truck to personally hand While this report is being prepared, over the materials in Chennai. more supplies are coming in. More Thousands of kilograms of rice, Dhal, medical teams from different dioceses from various dioceses engaged in the and from the CSI Diocese of Madras relief work with commitment in the are preparing to operate medical camps flood affected areas. CSI SEVA (Social in deserving areas. Financial Support Empowerment: Vision in Action) has and Material contribution from been facilitating the relief work by the different dioceses of the Church of Dioceses and of CASA with the help of South India and well wishers of the CSI CSI Madras Diocese. is gratefully acknowledged. CSI Kanyakumari Diocese had sent the Rev. Asir Ebenezer, medical team from Neyyoor CSI Director, CSI- SEVA

32 December 2015 CSI-SEVA MALABAR DIOCESE Disha- a New Direction towards Disability Intervention Disability Intervention for Solidarity and forward in the ministries with PwD. Rev. Dr. Ramani Ramya Krupa Declaration of the Formation of Holistic Accompaniment (DISHA) a new Promoting integrated education facilities Dyvasirvadam, President, CSI Women CSI Diocese of Malabar initiative of the CSI-SEVA was officially in the institutions of the CSI, improving Fellowship, exhorted the participants to launched through the CSI Disability accessibility with regard to Structural, continue in this noble task inviting the Conclave that was held in the CSI Attitudinal and 'Infor mation, Churches to own the ministries of the Synod Centre on 3rd and 4th November Communication & Technology' barriers, institutions and to promote more 2015. This multi-sectoral conclave was promoting disability focused discourses programs. Rev. Dr. Royce Manoj Victor, called to seek directions for 'Holistic on Christian spirituality and Theology, Liasion Officer CSI-EMS greeted the Accompaniment' from all relevant Networking on individual and participants on behalf of EMS. stakeholders. institutional levels within the diocese, “Engaging with disabilities A resource Church, and in the Society were some book for Pastors and Church Workers” Over 70 persons from the five southern of the areas around which suggestions was released on the occasion. Rev. states representing People with were made to draw guidelines for the James Cecil Victor, Director, CSI Disability (PwD) including those in the Church. Department of Pastoral Concerns and Church's ministry, CSI institutions Rev. Dileep Kumar Kandula, Intern serving the needs of the PwDs, It was proposed to address Rights of CSI-SEVA led the devotions. Children With Special Needs (CWSN), PwD in all the existing programs and Institutions of the CSI Diocese of Parents of CWSN, Pastors of the CSI, consider Institution related/ initiated Madras and the CSI-SEVA staff Specialized ministries and Christian Community Based Rehabilitation accompanied the process. The Support Agencies participated in the conclave. Programs. It was also proposed that we of Evangelical Mission in Solidarity as the Church of South India can be (EMS) in this initiative is gratefully The PwDs, Parents and the Institutions forerunners in mandating a fixed percentage acknowledged. Mr. John Samadhanam serving the needs of the PwDs shared of representation in the different categories of along with Rev. Asir Ebenezer, their joy and challenges. Presentations on the CSI workforce which itself will be a major coordinated the programs. 'Rights of PwD' and 'Community Based boost to the employment opportunities for Rehabilitation' were received. Together, the persons trained in the CSI Mr. John Samadhanam the participants discerned the way institutions. Program Executive, DISHA

SYNOD YOUTH DEPARTMENT YaAA Campaign gets Wider Support

The YaAA (Youth Against Addiction 3. Indian policies on Drug addiction and and Abuse) Unit of Kittel Science College Abuse initiated by the Youth Department of 4. Addiction and abuse in College Church of South India Synod organized among adolescents various activities in their institution addressing the issue of Addiction and On 15th October 2015 the members of the Substance Abuse among the young YaAA campaign presented a Skit on the people. One day Poster Presentation Theme “Addiction, Abuse and Revival delivered a lecture on different addiction Competition was organised on 10th among adolescents” in an event where 100 and their ill effects among college October 2015, NSS volunteers from Assam, Meghalaya, students at Kittel Arts Degree College & Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Kittel Arts and Commerce P. U. Manipal as well as NSS volunteers from College, Dharwad. This move has various colleges of Dharwad District initiated new YaAA units in these two participated in the Inter State Youth colleges too. The Youth Department of exchange programme. The members of CSI congratulates and commends the the YaAA campaign presented a skit efforts of the YaAA unit members, staff with a message across the states towards advisor and the Principal of Kittel ill effects of addiction. Science College, Dharwad for their efforts. About 37 students participated and In the process of extending the horizons Rev. Solomon Paul, presented the posters on themes: of the campaign, on 9th October 2015, Director, Department of Youth 1. Substance abuse in India YaAA members Leston Lobo and Mr. 2. Child abuse in India Roydon of Kittel Science College December 2015 33 CSI-SEVA Forming Missional Congregations: A Joint Venture The Madurai Ramnad Diocese (MRD) statistics. In particular, the skit enacted and CSI SEVA's collaborative ministry by the diocesan youth was pregnant is engaged in forming Missional with most of the challenges and Congregations through CARDIA, is elements in the lives of PwD and PwD organizing eight one- day workshops discourse. Also, to be noted is the with the vision of birthing Reformed presence of Mr. Devaraj, a Person Missional Congregations. Mr. John Living with Locomotor Disability, who Samadhanam, Programme Executive, is a employed in th Treasury office of CSI- DISHA, was invited to represent the MRD. in the meeting. CSI- SEVA on the occasion of the 5th narrative in Gen. 6 and St. Peter's Vision workshop which was held on Nov. 7th, The afternoon was occupied with the of Clean and Unclean Animals in Acts 2015, i.e., Saturday, in the precincts of “Teen Olympics from the Disability 10 from the disability perspective. The the MRD Cathedral. Significantly, the Perspective.” The competitions reflections from the congregation were theme, “Person (s) with Disability: consisted of Singing, Elocution, received in the words of one Cathedral Children of Abraham,” was adopted Drawing (Art), Essay Writing and congregation member, “a new and a undergirding it with St. Luke 13: 16. Poetry. different thinking all together.” In both, The aim of this workshop it to create the English service and the 9:00 AM awareness about the presence of PwD A visible change in the minds of the Tamil service, Mr. Samadhanam used and the issue of disability among the MRD Teens was palpable as they began the opportunity to enlighten the Church congregation. discussing among their peer groups and Cathedral congregation about CSI a Teen voice orated, “this is the first time SEVA's Programmes. The presence of am hearing about PwD and the issue of Mr. Jayachandran, CSI MR Home, disability.” In addition, a notable Kodaikanal, was well recognized in the presence of learned adults from MRD second service. Churches and affiliate organizations was felt. Among them was Ms. Lydia, In DISHA's observation the programme who represented the CSI MR itself was innovatively and excellently Rehabilitation Centre, Kodaikanal. steered in the PwD direction. However, the workshop would have been enriched Mr. John Samadhanam was given the and the participants enlightened, if the privilege to preach in the 7:00 AM voices of Mr. Devaraj and Ms. Lydia, The forenoon was primarily replete English Service on Nov. 8th , 2015, i.e., representing the PwD and the Caretakers with song, skit and reflections by the “Unity Sunday.” The preacher of/Caregivers to respectively, could also Diocesan Youth Associate Director, preached on the theme of “Inclusion be heard. Mr. Joseph who introduced the theme and Uniting the PwD in our Churches.” Mr. John Samadhanam, through biblical reflections and the He reread and reinterpreted the Flood Programme Executive, CSI DISHA

Behind the cover

The cover of this issue of CSI Life portrays baby Jesus and mother Mary as South Indians in the South Indian geographical set up. This is an inculturation/indigenized approach instead of the traditional Western Christian art. This is practiced not only by Indian artists but many other Christian artists across the globe such as Blacks, Mongolians and others. These paintings set and enable acceptance of biblical imageries in a contextualized way and help us to understand the universality of Christ. Many Indian Christian artists such as Frank Wesley, A. D. Thomas, Sister Lucy, Jyoti Sahi and other young artists from the Church of South India use this form of art. Mr. Harry Naveen Kumar is one of those artists from the CSI who attended the workshop, “Dalit- Tribal Brush Strokes” organized by CSI-SEVA with the Commission on Dalits of NCCI. Harry, who has completed his Master's in Fine Arts from Hyderabad Central University and works as a drawing teacher and freelance artist, has painted this picture exclusively for CSI Life.

34 December 2015 SYNOD YOUTH DEPARTMENT

Youth Empowerment for Peace: Peace Education Training

A Peace Education Training for the youth under the theme “Youth Empowerment for Peace” was organized by India Peace Centre in association with NCCI-Commission on Youth, Jeypore Evangelical Lutheran Church (JELC), Church of North India (CNI) and Church of South India (CSI) at Caritas Holiday Home, Panjim, Goa, from 11th to 13th November 2015. A group of 36 youth participated in the program from various parts of India. 16 Youth directors and youth lay leaders of prevent further armed conflict. Rev. take care of our nature and work Church of South India participated in Paul explicitly urged the youth that the towards its conservation. This this seminar representing CSI. issue should be analytically addressed symbiotic living is not just an ethical The training program was commenced from different perspectives in any responsibility, but also a spiritual with an inaugural session by Mr. Kasta conflicts. responsibility. Whether it is deliberate

Dip, Director, India Peace Centre on or out of ignorance, we are destroying Mr. Kasta Dip addressed the session on 'Understanding Context' in which he the ecological balance of the earth 'Knitting Neighbourhood' in the explained the present scenario of peace landing ourselves and our future understanding of the concept of in our country. He pointed out the generations in serious danger. Human neighbourhood as mentioned in Mark different contexts of intolerance, contexts beings alone are responsible for global 12:30-31. Our love of ourselves is not a of bans, majority views versus minority warming and the climate changes frigid love, but a sincere and ardent love. views, plurality versus homogeneity, because we have not understood In like manner we should love our contexts where social discriminations symbiotic living. Therefore empowering neighbour and desire for him all those are rampant all over, hatred, violence and educating the youth on the good things both for the body and for the and rape, child labour, exclusion of importance of nature conservation is soul that we desire for ourselves. This is some people in the society such as very important. The prime focus of the what our Lord himself teaches us in Mark Dalits, Tribals etc. session inculcating measures to help the 12:30-31. Mr. Dip elaborately identified youth understand and resolve to work Rev. Solomon Paul, Youth Director, various notions of neighbours that are to towards establishing an ecologically CSI Synod, headed the sessions on be considered in order to identify and sound society. 'Perspectives of Peace' and 'Youth Dealing highlight the real meaning of neighbour with Conflicts' in understanding and in a diverse contemporary society. Various activity oriented sessions were analyzing the conflicts and addressing steered in understanding the concept of A session on 'Symbiotic Living' was led the issue accordingly. He said how peace and how initiating peace in a by Mr. Michael Angelious, Youth preventing violent conflict is imperative conflict-torn society would help. The Coordinator, JELC divulging the for development. Conflict is one of the program was concluded with an 'Action experience of living in harmony with most complex issues the global Plan' session led by Mr. Kasta Dip in the nature and its Eco-concerns for a community is facing today and its which each church and organization better society. He emphasized how impact is apparent in every part of the representatives came up with different nature sustains our life and therefore, world. Preventive measures have programs and action plan to be taken up there has to be a harmonious relationship become an essential component of in the near future on various issues and between human beings, the animal world efforts to ensure a brighter future. concerns. and also plants because we complement Enabling youth to make major positive each other and depend on each other for contributions is one way to minimize or our survival. He went on to say that as Rev. Solomon Paul, neutralize factors that contribute to good stewards of the earth, we should Director, Department of Youth violence, increase global security, and

December 2015 35 SYNOD MISSION & EVANGELISM

Capacity Building Programme for Missionary Teachers & Health Workers

The Department of Mission and Synod inaugurated the event. Mrs. context of Inter faith and cross culture, Evangelism, CSI Synod organized Lenora James, Correspondent of CSI Attitudes for successful carrier, were the capacity building program for Matriculation Schools in Madras few topics highlighted in this program. Missionary Teachers and Health Diocese extended welcome address. The participants were divided in to workers on the theme “Mission in the Rev. S. Christopher Vijayan, Director, three groups and send for exposure visit Footprints of Jesus Education and Mission & Evangelism CSI Synod to CSI Bain School, CSI Jessie Moses Health”. This programme was held at introduced the program. Miss. Synthia School and CSI Ewart School. The LITE Auditorium from 2nd to 5th Sobha Rani, General Secretary CSI participants were given very warm November 2015. 50 Missionary women fellowship shared greetings. welcome in the schools and the Teachers and 5 health workers attended The staff of CSI Jessie Moses School Principals of those schools organized in this program. This program was and CSI Bain School led the singing ver y meaningful exposure to jointly organized by CSI Mission and sessions. Ice break sessions was understand the life and work of the Evangelism, CSI Women Fellowship conducted by the staff of St. Stephens urban schools and Academic and CSI Madras Diocese. CSI Bain Matriculation School. Excellency and Specialization of Matriculation Higher Secondary Christian Institution. School, CSI Ewart Matriculation Dr. Joseph Einstein; Rev. Eben Jane, Higher Secondary School, CSI Jessie Vice President CSI Women fellowship, On the last day the closing session was M o s e s M a t r i c u l a t i o n H i g h e r Mrs. Elizabeth John, Master Trainer led by Mrs. Lenora James. The students Secondary School and CSI St. Stephens CLHTC CMC Vellore, Rev. Dr. from CSI Bain School, CSI Ewart Matriculation School in Madras Ramani Dyvasirvadam, President CSI School, CSI Jessie Moses School and Diocese greatly involved in organizing Women Fellowship, Dr. Gabriel CSI St. Stephens School performed this programme. The correspondent of Thomas; Mrs. Geetha Solomon, cultural programs to encourage the CSI Matriculation and Higher Secondary Principal CSI Jessie Moses school; Dr. participants. The Rev. Dr. Jebaraj S c h o o l s i n M a d r a s D i o c e s e Jean Mathew, Madhya Kerala Diocese; Samuel delivered closing address and coordinated the consultation. Mrs. Sheila Lawrence, Principal CSI Ms. Priscilla Premavathy shared Ewart School, Mrs. Shyamala Suresh, greetings. Mrs. Geetha Solomon, Mrs. This program was organized with the Principal CSI Bain School; Mrs. Reeta Sheila Lawrence, Mrs. Shyamala aim of capacitating the missionary Andrews, Principal CSI St. Stephens Suresh, Mrs. Reeta Andrews, Principals teachers and health workers working in School; Rev. W. Thomas, Director of the above said four schools extended the CSI mission fields. The CSI Mission & Evangelism Madras Diocese their presence and encouraged the Diocesan mission boards are doing were the Resource persons. Worships participants with valuable gifts. The tremendous works in the field of were conducted by Miss. Synthia hospitality and encouragements of Education and Health to eradicate Sobha Rani, General secretary CSI these heads of the institutions were illiteracy and to provide Health care in women fellowship; Rev. Raju Jacob, highly appreciated by the participants. the remote parts of India. These Director, Board for Mission Madhya institutions are working hard to provide Kerala Diocese and Mr. Stanly, DMPB, This capacity building program education and health care to the people Kanyakumari Diocese. Mrs. Lenora triggered the participants to be change who have no other access other than James and Rev. S. Christopher Vijayan makers in the place where they are these mission field institutions. The chaired the sessions. working. The participants realized that participants represented Three Higher this is one of the programs which Secondary Schools, Nine High Schools, In this program we organized various helped them to improve their skills and Five Middle Schools, Sixteen Primary sessions under different themes. inspired them to be the committed Schools and Two Hospitals from Requisites of a Great teacher and Missionaries in the field of education different CSI mission fields. Health worker, Effective leadership, and health care. Personal Integrity, Critical analysis on The capacity building program started present day educational system, Wild on 2nd November 2015 at 10.A.M. w i s d o m f o r W i s e Te a c h e r s, Rev. S. Christopher Vijayan Rev. Sunil Raj Philip, Director, Overcoming inadequate facilities, Director, Department of Communications CSI Impact of Health care, Mission in the Mission & Evangelism CSI Synod

36 December 2015 Puzzles & Quizzicals Edutainment Mr. S. John Barathi Crossword Puzzle: 167 Leviticus 14 - 17 (GNB):

1 4 Clues Across: No 167 Clues Down: No 167 2 6 1 _____of the people (10) 1 offerings _____(8) 2 These laws _____(9) 2 ..will be ______(9) 3 3 …in the _____(6) 4 ______he returns (6) 5 5 Lord has ______(9) 6 ..the proper ____(4) 7 …offerings ______(8) 8 would not _____(6) 7 8 Mr. G. Paulraj, Tirunelveli -18 D. Hillel Johnson -18 9 …until _____(7) 10 and ___them (4) Mrs. C.K. Selvarani Thangadurai -18 Dr. Samuel Rajendram Maisa,Dornakal -18 9 10 ..will be ______(6) 11 Sacred ? (4) jumbled Mrs. D. Ruby Lourdhuraj -18 Rev. Kiruba Robinson, Kayalpatnam -17 10 11 12 ..which is ______(8) Mrs. R. Thenammal -18 Mrs. Raji Ramachandran -17 13 ..a litter of ___ __(5+3) Mr. M. Rathna Prabhu, Almedabad -18 Rev.A. Olimpa -17 12 jumbled Mrs.Evangeline Lionel,Tirunelveli -18 Mrs. Lilly Nithyanandam, Vellore -17 13 14 Healed ? (5) Mrs. Mercy Victoria Kattekola, Karimnagar -18 Mrs. Anbu Hepzibah Jesudason,Thoothukudi -17 Ms. H.Beulah Himabindu, Giddalur -18 Dr.Mrs.Evangeline Jones, Salem -17 14 Rev. B. Dayanandam, Vijayawada -18 Mrs. Shanthini Asir, Kovilpatti -16

Crossword Puzzle: 166 Leviticus 13 - 18 (GNB):Answers

1 3 7 T E A R I T O U T G You can send answers by Rush in your answers 4 Email before 25th Dec. 2015 I X C V E N A N T O 2 11 9 M A L E L A M B D Answers Down : No 166 5 Answers Across: No 166 E M A N S T I L L S 1 Tear it out 13: 56 1 Time to come 16: 29 or else 13 6 2 Male lamb 14: 21 where T I Y T U O L B E P 8 15 4 Covenant 16: 13 3 Examine 13: 51 or else where O N P E F I D N S E 5 Still 17: 14 4 Clay pot 15: 12 10 16 C E O R F B E R E O 6 Lobe 14: 28 5 Suffer 17: 16 8 Finds 14: 35 7 God's people 18: 29 O C T I E W A O P 14 10 Before 13: 7 9 Mildew 13: 47 or any where M S G N R A I M R L 12 Growing 13: 37 11 Entering 16: 23 or else where 12 13 Incest 18: 17 E T R G O W I N G E 14 Grain 14: 20 15 Sore 13: 42 16 Ram 16: 3

Congratulations!

Mrs. D. Ruby Lourdhuraj -19 Mrs. Anbu Hepzibah Jesudason,Thoothukudi -18 Mrs. C.K. Selvarani Thangadurai -19 Mrs. Mercy Victoria Kattekola, Karimnagar -17 Rev. Kiruba Robinson, Kayalpatnam -18 Mrs. Shanthini Asir, Kovilpatti -17 Dr.Mrs.Evangeline Jones, Salem -18 Rev. K. Raja Kumaran -13 Mrs. Raji Ramachandran, Walajapet -18 Mrs.Evangeline Lionel,Tirunelveli -13 Rev.A. Olimpa -18 Mr. G. Paulraj, Tirunelveli -12 Mr. Rathna Prabhu -18

December 2015 37 Department of Communication Mr. S. John Barathi Church Music - Keyboard Lesson 96 Christmas is the time which awakens same. Here we have such a beautiful note of E minor, and this one of the the congregations of even the musically song in E minor scale with the most ways to find the key of the song, most inactive churches, and makes common simple progression of chords: especially when Chords and not people “Sing”. Year by year new songs Tonic, Sub Dominant and Dominant, mentioned. are composed exceptionally for the and you can find D# , which is the 7th

You can learn practice and play this cute song; let is Christmas also be a Joyful time of Singing and Music

38 December 2015 39 Date of Publication: 28th of Every month CSI Life Monthly English News Magazine Posted at Egmore RMS1/Pathrika Channel Registered with Registrar of Newspaper of India No. TNENG/2001/7245 Postal Registration No: TN/CH/(C)/267/15-17 Licence to Post: WPP No: TN/PMG(CCR)WPP-452/2015-2017 CHENNAI FACES FURY OF FLOOD

CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMME FOR MISSIONARY TEACHERS AND HEALTH WORKERS

Edited & Published by Rev. Dr. D.R. Sadananda, General Secretary, Church of South India Synod from CSI Centre, No.5, Whites Road. Chennai - 600 014. Ph: 2852 1566 / 4166 Printed by: N. Raja Singh at Mighty Rock Printers, 52, Nair Varadha Pillai Street. Royapettah, Chennai - 600 014. Mob: 99622 02158, Phone: 2860 2158 40