Posted at Mumbai Patrika Channel Sorting Office, Registered RNI No. 45550/88 Mumbai - 400 001 Published on 10th and 25th every month on 9th/10th & 24th/25th every month. MH/MR/N/209/MBI/12-14 PAGE 1 NOVEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 10, 2014

VOLUME 27 ISSUE 22 MUMBAI NOVEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 10, 2014 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION `. 100 National Council of Churches in India Centenary Celebrations Conclude “God“God isis callingcalling usus allall toto comecome togethertogether”” The concluding of the Holy Spirit”. He called upon celebrations of the Centenary of the people to work for peace, the National Council of unity and harmony. The rally Churches in India were held at returned to the Cathedral through Nagpur from 6 to 10 November a circular route. 2014. The theme of the The Commemoration Centenary Celebrations was Thanksgiving Worship was held ‘Towards Integral Mission and at All Saints Cathedral Campus Grassroots Ecumenism’. The at 5.30 pm on 6 Nov. The Rev. Dr. inauguration of the almost a Chris Ferguson, General year long Centenary Secretary of the World Celebrations was held at Communion of Reformed St. Paul’s Cathedral, Kolkata, on Churches, delivered the main 2 Feb. 2014. talk. Dr. Ferguson called upon the The celebrations at Nagpur churches to step out took off with an ecumenical rally courageously into the ‘water’ of of about 3000 people belonging pluralities, diversities, conflicts to various denominations, from and chaos, and to lead the the All Saints Cathedral Campus. people to liberation and hope. The Rally was addressed by the The Rev Dr Samuel Meshack led Rt. Rev. Dr. Taranath S. Sagar, the worship. Bp Taranath Sagar President, NCCI at Samvidhan and the Rev Dr Roger Gaikward Square. He said, “Peace is a gift Contd. Page 6 Col. 1 ..>>> Opening Worship at All Saints Cathedral Campus “Gospel, not empty The dawn of words but a message a new era of of power and hope” ecumenism Taranath S. Sagar Roger Gaikwad Speaking at the Thanksgiving Service, the Rt. Rev. “The ecumenical journey that we began in India with Dr. Taranath S. Sagar, President of the NCCI, said, “Now the formation of the National Missionary Council in 1914 is the time to give thanks to God. The Church in India, in has made very significant strides. In 1947, we got a new spite of its minority character, has made great, praise identity as the National Christian Council and in 1979, we became the National Council of Churches in India”, worthy contributions to the Indian society and nation. said the Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, General Secretary, NCCI The Church is called to be unfailingly like a leaven. The “With the successful completion of Centenary “Celebrate the contributions of the NCCI” Chris Ferguson Delivering the main talk at the Commemoration Thanksgiving Worship at All Saints Cathedral Campus, the Rev. Dr. Christopher Ferguson, General Secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches said, “Representing a world communion of churches springing from the Reformed tradition, embracing 250 Reformed, Presbyterian, Congregational, United – Uniting, and Waldensian Churches in 109 countries with over 80 million Christians, we firmly intend that to be Reformed is to be ecumenical and God’s call to faithfulness requires us to be a Reformed church always Reforming.” “In the spirit of engaging, for the renewal of the Church and for the transformation of the world, I give thanks to God for the inspiration, life and witness of the NCCI and celebrate the contributions Celebrations”, he said, you make to your villages, towns, cities, regions and nations and to the whole oikoumene.” Gospel, is not empty words but “inspired by a new vision and it is a message of power and A SPECIAL FEATURE ON faced with new challenges, we hope for the transformation of THE NCCI CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS FINALE are at the dawn of a new era of the society.” PLEASE SEE PAGES 3 TO 6 ecumenism.”

“Follow Another Route” Hope does not stand alone - 2 Hope is in the middle of Indian Disability Ecumenical the famous Pauline Trio 3 4 5 6 Accompaniment - Faith, Hope, Love “No one can serve Christ and Caste” 8 “Behold the handmaid of the Lord” We need a new movement 7 Our Hope Centenary Celebrations that takes its roots in the Cross Bear Much Fruit NCCI PAGE 2 NOVEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 10, 2014 Mauritius – Remembrance Sunday

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12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 Ian Ernest 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 One wall falls, “Remembrance Day is THE occasion for us to pause, remember and reflect on how easily mankind allows disputes of all types to degenerate into armed conflicts, and to pray that we may overcome this folly many others rise which occasionally drags entire peoples and nations onto the path of self-destruction. It is therefore appropriate for us to open our hearts to, and draw inspiration from, the Holy Scriptures which invite us On 9 November, the grand celebrations in Germany to follow another route, one leading to compassion, mercy, justice, forgiveness and peace.” marked the twenty fifth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin (Excerpts from the Sermon Nelson Mandela took one and all delivered by the Archbishop of by surprise when he came out of Wall. The Wall, built in 1961 by the then Communist East Mauritius the Most Rev. Ian Prison speaking of compassion Germany, preventing the movement of people separated Ernest at the Anglican and inclusiveness despite by the capitalist and the communist Germanies, had been Cathedral on 9 Nov., the having sacrificed his life for a hot issue of condemnation by all the non-socialist Remembrance Sunday) freedom, with fiery zeal, countries for 28 years. Pulpits and publications of all the Initially, Remembrance seriousness and resolution. This is the spirit that our young churches, had been vehemently criticizing the forces that Sunday was observed in connection with the two World people around the world should built and maintained the Berlin Wall. Wars of the last century. be imbued with if they are to No doubt, any wall built on the basis of the differences Nowadays however, engage in sacrificing their lives in the political ideology of governments has to be Remembrance Day religious for the sake of freedom, justice and peace. We definitely need to condemned and fought against. The fall of the Berlin Wall services around the world take into account current conflicts in give a new dimension to the word on 9 November 1989 was an occasion of joy and sacrifice. Though I sympathise the Middle East, parts of Africa, the way people lived their lives with the young men and women celebration for people across the world. It brought two Asia and Central Europe. It also fundamentally is, what we need. hopes: the disappearance of centrally controlled systems brings in prayers for those who are ready to sacrifice their lives for the sake of freedom and “Hold fast to what is good” would bring a new age that guarantees the life of all with members of the armed forces 1 Thess. 5:21 who are part of peace keeping thereby usher in a better life for dignity and political freedom. And, the fall will dissuade initiatives in various trouble- their people where peace and Indeed, there is a lot of political regimes from building such walls dividing people, ridden parts of the world. Thus, justice are firmly knit, I am discourse today about our in future. Unfortunately, when we celebrate the silver because of the present conflicts convinced and I do hope you are beliefs as it is easier to preach jubilee of the fall of the Berlin Wall, are these hopes around the world, today’s too, that war is morally bad, that than to practise what we preach. violence tends to destroy and that It is easier to talk about the need anywhere near realization? When the Berlin Wall fell, gathering tends to become a platform where our prayers link hatred breeds more hatred. for peace, the importance of Fukuyama characterized that event as the ‘End of History’. remembrance of the past with However, standing here to mercy and the value of Consumerist freedom as the consummation of Human the concern for peace, now as denounce these things falls far forgiveness than it is to live these history! But, belying this hope the fall of Lehman Brothers well for the future. short of what is required to virtues by example. If our lives do transform situations involving not bring about situations of in the US in September 2008 proved that market freedom While delivering the Nelson deadly conflict. Nothing less than peace, mercy and forgiveness, Mandela Memorial Lecture in July was incapable of promoting the well-being of the people the courage of the type displayed then we have no right to preach this year at the Mahatma Gandhi even in its citadels. The Occupation Wall Street Movement by Jesus Christ who spoke truths or speak about them. Institute, I did mention that in the US and similar street protests in major cities in so profound that they changed Contd. Page 7 Col. 3 ..>>> Western Europe raised voice against the walls of separation everywhere between the ‘top 1 per cent and ‘Explorations into the Horizon of Faith’ the other 99 per cent of the population’. While the fall of the Berlin Wall led to the unification of Germany it caused Apocalypse and the Christian Hope the rising of impregnable walls between the rich and the poor in many countries, especially in the developed Hope does not stand alone - capitalist countries. Those who celebrated the fall of the Berlin Wall, protect walls in a large number of villages in Hope is in the middle of India that separate the Dalits from the upper castes. the famous Pauline Trio - Faith, Hope, Love The second hope also is dashed. Already, a frightening the famous Pauline Trio - Faith, Hope, Love 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901

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12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 wall is erected in Palestine. Quite disturbingly, the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 K.M. George 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 countries that fought against the Berlin Wall approve or October was ‘Apocalypse is an abundance of fiction and ignore the wall in Palestine. Many Churches, especially and the Christian Hope’. films on the apocalyptic end of the world. Most of them many evangelical churches, that were very vocal in the Second and concluding part of excerpts from the paper essentially follow the model of fight against the Berlin Wall keep silence in the matter of the biblical apocalyptic and presented by Fr. Dr. George.] the wall in Palestine. Christ was up against all that divide Armageddon scenarios though people in the name of religion, race, language or 3. There is certainly an they use a highly sophisticated inherent drama in every nationality. How can the church adopt double standards science fiction frame. The revelation. (The Greek word imminent threat of death and in the matter of walls of separation? apocalupsis simply means dissolution is ever present with Silver jubilee of the fall of the Berlin Wall should be unveiling, but its adjective us according to such artistic apocalyptic in English is now taken as an occasion to mobilize public opinion to projections of imagination associated with the cataclysmic based on probabilities. demolish all walls of division, both in the places we live [Vichara is organizing a ending of the world). The sudden and in distant places. Justice demands that we raise our series of programmes, removal of the curtain that blocks Some examples: voice against the wall in Palestine and all the walls that ‘Explorations into the our vision of reality takes us by - A gigantic asteroid, a divide people on the basis of caste, religion, or political Horizon of Faith’, a series of surprise, and radically disrupts wandering remnant from the our calculations. But that is no planets at the time of their ideology. studies and reflections. ground for us to discontinue the formation, can strike the earth Fr. Dr. K.M. George is the exercise of our reason, our and pulverise our planet. Meteors key resource person. The logical planning for the future, our have struck the earth in the past, Thought for the Fortnight topic of the seventh session good sense and compassionate and apparently wiped out certain 9 held at Kottayam on 28 commitment to the world. There Contd. Page 7 Col. 1 ..>>>

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, For Editorial and Business Correspondence: there is neither male nor female: Prof. Mammen Varkey Editor in Chief for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. People’s Reporter, Post Box No.12, – Galatians 3: 28 Mavelikara - 690 101, Kerala, India Phone : 09446916374, 0479 - 2300096, 2304355 E-mail : [email protected], [email protected] PAGE 3 NOVEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 10, 2014 National Council of Churches in India - Centenary Celebrations Conclude “Towards Integral Mission and Grassroots Ecumenism” “Step“Step outout intointo thethe ‘‘waterwater’’ ”” 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123 Chris Ferguson 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 (Excerpts from the main It is said that when Moses and the people arrived at the Red Sea, Moses raised his rod and the sea didn’t part. Jesus of Galilee shows us, talk delivered at the Opening The women came and asked, “Are you sure this is where we are to cross?” Moses said, “Yes”. calls us, compels us, leads us Worship). He raised again the rod; the sea didn’t part. Again the women asked, ‘Are you sure?’ Moses said “Yes”. and saves us so that we can The theme of the NCCI He raised the rod. Nothing happened. save others. Centenary Celebrations is Women asked again. Moses said again, “Yes”. ‘Integral Mission and Then the women said, “Let’s go”. 1. Our committee based Grassroots Ecumenism’. The women stepped into water. And the waters parted! Thanks be to God.” ecumenism must address the Luke’s Gospel makes plain healing and reconciliation of Jesus’s understanding of God’s lives injured by oppression and orphan in a single streak found activities – we don’t make a mission, of his place in it and of denomination. ours. “The Spirit of the Lord is in the phrase “to proclaim the year difference. Our context is global. upon me because he has of the Lord’s favour” which in In India you must name your 2. We must help rebuild local anointed me to bring good news Isaiah 61 can only mean the context. Name the ravages of communities to forge thrust to jubilee year. It is concrete and to the poor. He has sent me to TNCs and extractive industries, reconcile conflicts and build specific – not some distant proclaim release to the market economies of local economies of life and majestical year of judgement. exploitation, Trafficked children captives and recovery of sight solidarity. to the blind, to set at liberty the Our context is like that of and child poverty and labour. oppressed, to proclaim the year Jesus; it is of Empire. One Plight of indigenous/tribal 3. We must challenge of the Lord’s favour.” Empire of the convergence of people, Gender based violence, religious justifications of Lk: 4:18,19. ecological, political, economic, denomination, exclusion, rape economic or social oppressions The American preacher and social, cultural, at the cost of the culture, foetcide, women triply and must not reproduce in our many, for the benefit of the few. civil rights leader Jesse Jackson exploited, caste-based churches patriarchal or caste In the words of Miguel E’Escoto, often said a “Text without a context discrimination – facing 250 power relations. We must be is a pretext”. In this 100th year “We live many crises, the real To face the future million people, forced into radically inclusive. anniversary what is the NCCI’s crisis is our moral crisis, We are hopefully we must let go migrant labour. Each region tells context globally and nationally as morally decrepit. We fail to make of ecumenical rhetoric, its story to tell God each morning 4. We must build ways for you seek, to live out “Integral a difference.” easy answers, forget where is the creation broken. The inter-religious and inter-national Mission and grassroots The global context is of focusing on ourselves Spirit of the Lord is upon me. My alliances for justice and peace. ecumenism?” How can Jesus’ massive threat to life under the and look the world in the hope is in the Lord. 5. We must resist Empire and life’s context enlighten your path. bondage of Empire, that is, a eye and see that the With startling clarity, Luke locates global system that deals death world has fallen among Grassroots Ecumenism work for systemic change. Jesus firmly in the prophetic and it must be stopped. The thieves and things could ‘Grassroots’ means acting The churches in India have tradition rooted itself in the Indian context and each local hardly be worse. The where people live; making a been an inspiration and a model traditions of the Jubilee – Isaiah context is bound up in and hope we see comes from difference but knowing that our for us all. Again comes the call text (Isaiah 61) unquestionably is shaped by this global reality. The knowing God’s arm is not action includes addressing our to be a prophetic church – not the core of the Missio Dei – God’s life in every village is shaped by too short – but that we own community of faith – Mission. Empire – our realities are now are that arm. The focus only in India but in international embracing our own renewal – In searching out Isaiah 61, all GLOCAL – Local and Global. of ecumenical solidarity to stand with the Jesus stands unshakably in the Like Jesus we must movement is not the addressing injustices in struggle of the Palestine people prophetic, jubilee, covenant see mission reaching churches but the Missio ourselves making sure we work – to join in a world-wide tradition with Moses and all the into the lives of individuals Dei – the oikoumene and to be just, inclusive, free of the movement to transform, and the creation itself. prophets. All else must be read to restore them to lust for power. Bonhoeffer mobilize Indian Christians for through this lens. In standing communities, and reach Churches everywhere powerfully reminded us in the just Peace in Palestine. prophetically, Jesus brings with into communities to reproduce the values of the Spirit of Jesus that the church him the prophetic tradition of the reweave the solidarity and Break the silence. Join the Empire – Corruption, hierarchy, “exists for others.” Ecumenical jubilee of ending debts, restoring hope destroyed by action in the public square. Feel exclusion, patriarchy, focus on lands, freeing slaves, defending globalization and first means caring for the the spirit of God’s mission. Do several worship and church the poor, widow, sojourner and domination. oikoumene. not let God be APPALLED. NCCI Centenary Celebrations Release of the History Book of the NCCI Commemoration Thanksgiving Worship ‘A Channel for God’s Love’

All Saints Cathedral Campus, Dr. Constanze Ennen releases the NCCI History Book. Nagpur, L to R: Mrs. Mangalam Arthur Jeyakumar, Mr. Suman Biswas, Rev. Dr. Arthur Jeyakumar, Thursday, 6 November 2014 Dr. Constanze Ennen, Ms. Ella Sonawane, Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad and Rev. Dr. Ipe Joseph. PAGE 4 NOVEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 10, 2014 National Council of Churches in India - Centenary Celebrations Conclude “Towards Integral Mission and Grassroots Ecumenism” Ecology, Economy, Ecumenism Ecology, Economy, in India - weaving or withering? 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 Ecumenism 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 12345678901234567890123 12345678901234567890123

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12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 12345678901234567890123 12345678901234567890123 Ulrich Duchrow 12345678901234567890123 Isaac Mar Philoxenos12345678901234567890123 People and Earth are in peril, even in deadly peril. This is the undeniable starting point While all agree that for any serious reflection on Ecology, Economy and the role of the churches. ‘denominationalism in India is a sin and scandal’, it is essential (Excerpts from the paper turn leads to the firing of workers that the ecumenical mindset of ‘Ecology, Economy, creating social problems, the churches and church related Ecumenism’ presented during avoiding ecological measures institutions re-discover its role in the NCCI Centenary etc. etc. the wider context of its mission engagement. It is vital to develop Celebrations by Dr. Ulrich In addition, the destruction of Duchrow, Professor of a life-centred understanding of the social coherence in societies oikoumene which embraces all Systematic Theology at leads to violence and finally Heidelberg University, of God’s creation, which is one wars. This in turn is good for of the challenges of the Germany, and Founder of capital owners. They can invest ecumenical movement. How all Kairos Europa) in arms production which puts oil can participate in creating an Structurally, the whole into the fire. The destruction of inclusive community and work capitalist economy is driven by social cohesion also creates for profound renewal of the (The Rt. Rev. Dr. Isaac Mar the motor: capital must grow. religious fundamentalism ecological spirituality that is Philoxenos, Bishop of the Mar Capital is not just money. It is because people in insecurity look integral to life? It relates very catastrophe, the extermination Thoma Church, is a member of any asset, measured in money, for support in closed groups. much to the personal, relational of species and the poisoning of the Central Committee of the invested to get out more than and spiritual life of the individual the earth is compulsory growth. So with regard to the WCC and President of the Board what was invested – and not and the church. Unless one is When capital must grow at all economy-ecology-nexus we can of Theological Education of the committed to relate to the grass only more, but maximum profit costs and without limits, you conclude with Thesis 1: You Senate of Serampore College) root ecumenism based on the at any costs. This functional cannot solve the ecological crisis have to increase the material involvement of all communities, mechanism stimulates and is at without overcoming the capitalist The theme ‘Integral mission throughout in production. And you along with the experiences of the the same time made possible form of economy and thinking, in and grassroots ecumenism’ have to increase consumption in marginalized people, the efforts by the human desire to have the long run. We need to develop was the main focus during the order to sell your products. to have wider ecumenism will not more, consume more and buy a form of economy – and linked NCCI Centenary Celebration bear fruit. Can all Christian However, the earth has limited more, accumulate limitless to this a human mentality and seminars in Nagpur. The communities relate to one resources, and cannot absorb money. We call it greed. practice – which does not yearlong celebration had its another with a common vision unlimited pollution. climax with the gathering of It is the mutually reinforcing produce compulsory growth, but ‘woven together’ for promoting Also the financial crisis is church leaders and common witness and service? interaction between this kind of which can produce enough for all caused by the necessity that representatives of various Or is there the ‘withering away’ economic structure and this kind in the limits of the earth. This capital must grow. Because ecumenical organizations from that we experience in the life of of thinking, feeling and behaving would not be little because the when there is too much liquidity within the country and from the churches that were once so which creates the present social earth, shared justly as gift from capital does not find enough overseas. The overall ambience eloquent in talking about unity and ecological situation God, has abundantly enough for opportunities to be invested with at NCCI campus provided an and integrity of creation. worldwide. Both the structural all. You all know Gandhi’s words profit. So capital moves into “Nature produces enough for opportunity that helped deepen Yes, it is indispensable to and the personal dimension of financial speculation. When the everybody’s needs but not the understanding of have a new spirituality, which the problem has to be balloon bursts you have the enough for even one’s greed.” ecumenism and to respond to gives prominence to sacrifice addressed by what the NCCI crisis. But also before that Moreover, the world would be the call for renewal in the the self - centered calls “integral mission”. ecclesiological approach, for happens financial capital puts more peaceful. ecumenical commitment of the the common good of the people The key why the capitalist churches along with its pressure on the real economy to of God. system is creating the climate produce higher profits. This in To be continued challenges. Inauguration of National Ecumenical Forum Centenary Celebrations for Gender and Sexual Minorities Cultural Presentations The Church is a space for the ostracized too The National Ecumenical Forum for Gender and Sexual Minorities (NEFGSM) is an initiative of the Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation of the NCCI as an expression of faithful commitment to the liberative Gospel of Christ in accompanying the Gender and Sexual Minorities in order to affirm their respect, equality and dignity

The NCCI affirms that compassion gender and sexuality is a divine and gift, and God intends us to solidarity, and celebrate this divine gift in to join in their committed and consensual struggles to relationships. It is in such live out their celebrations of our gender and God-given sexuality that we grow into the lives. fullness of our humanity, and Therefore, experience God in a special the NCCI way. deems it Bp. Taranath S. Sagar releases the NEFSM Citation The NCCI believes that the urgent to facilitate the Indian Christian Faith Communities and the Church as ‘Just and Inclusive Society in addressing the issue of Gender and Sexuality responsibly Community’ is called to become in the contemporary context by approving the NEFGSM as a Standing a community without walls to Forum of the NCCI facilitated by the Commission on Justice, Peace reach out to people who are and Creation. At this juncture and as a gesture of radical solidarity stigmatized and demonized, with the stigmatized and discriminated in its 100 years of faith Journey, and be a listening community to NCCI launches NEFGSM as one of its urgent concerns of the understand their pains, desires, contemporary context on 6 Nov 2014 at the NCCI Centenary and hopes. Therefore the NCCI Celebrations held in Nagpur. envisions Church as a space for Rt. Rev. Dr. Taranath S. Sagar Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad the ostracized who thirst for President General Secretary Fr. Aswin Fernandis Rev. Christopher Rajkumar understanding, friendship, love, Chairperson - CJPC Executive Secretary - CJPC PAGE 5 NOVEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 10, 2014 National Council of Churches in India - Centenary Celebrations Conclude “Towards Integral Mission and Grassroots Ecumenism” Ecumenism in South Asia: the Past as Present and Future 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567

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Release of the NCCI Centenary Souvenir. L to R: Mr. Suman Biswas, Ms. Ella Sonawane, Release of the Second Edition of the book by Dr. Ninan Koshy, ‘Caste in Kerala Rt. Rev. Nelson Lakra, Rev. Asir Ebenezer, Dr. Hrangthan Chhungi Churches’: L to R: Rt. Rev. Nelson Lakra,Mr. Suman Biswas, Prof. Mammen Varkey, Rev. Sunil & Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad Raj Philip, Lt. Col. Davidson Varghese, Rev. Dr. Vincent Rajkumar & Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad NCCI Calendar 2015 Reminiscences by Former Officers, Secretaries and Staff

Rt. Rev. Taranath S. Sagar hands over a copy of the NCCI Calendar 2015 to Rev. Caesar David. PAGE 6 NOVEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 10, 2014 National Council of Churches in India - Centenary Celebrations Conclude “Towards Integral Mission and Grassroots Ecumenism” Re-affirmation “Become ‘Ek-Centric’ Christians” of the commitment 12345678901234567890123‘Ek-Centric’ Christians”1234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123 1234567890123456789012

12345678901234567890123 1234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123 Peniel Jesudason Rufus Rajkumar 1234567890123456789012 to grassroots ecumenism [Excerpts from the paper, ‘Becoming ‘Ek- Centric’ Christians in Pluralistic and Power- >>> Contd. from Page 1 Col. 4 as part of the celebrations. Abusive Century’, presented during the NCCI also spoke. Greetings were brought from At the various sessions, presentations Centenary Celebrations by Rev. Dr. Peniel various Churches and Partner were made by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Isaac Mar Jesudason Rufus Rajkumar, Programme Organizations. Philoxenos, Dr Bennet Benjamin, Rev Dr Executive, World Council of Churches, Geneva] PBM Basaiawmoit, Rev Dr Arthur After the Worship, two new initiatives The challenge of wider ecumenism the Jeyakumar, Ms Ella Sonawane, Mr. of the NCCI, ‘Indian Disability Ecumenical challenge of being and becoming ek-centric Samuel Jeyakumar, Mr. Ranjan Solomon, Accompaniment’ (IDEA) and ‘National Christians and turning to the other to learn from Rev. Sunil Raj Philip, Mr. Rajesh Jadhav, Ecumenical Forum for Sexual Minorities’ the other, has theological significance because Ms. Olga Aaron, Ms. Magdalene, Fr. Aswin (NEFSM) were inaugurated. recognising the margins as the revelatory sites out towards God’s horizons so Fernandes, Ms. Edwina Pereira, Rev. On 7 November, the main papers were of divine self-disclosure leads us to a ‘new that we may be enabled to Vinod Victor, Mr. John Samadanam, Rev. presented by Dr Mathews George awareness of God’s own mysterious productivity embrace perspectives which Dr. Ipe Joseph, Mr. Kasta Dip, Rev. Chunakara, former Director, CCIA, WCC, in places where we least expect it, even on a have the potential not just to Christopher Rajkumar, Fr. Philip Kuruvilla, and Rev Dr Ulrich Duchrow, Prof. of cross.’ reshape our mission but also to Systematic Theology, Heidelberg Rev. Vinod Wesley, Mr. Ashish Dukhu, Rev. re-shape our very identity as Sweety Helen, Rev. Caesar David, and The challenge for the Churches in India in a University, Germany. On 8 Nov., Rev Dr st Christians together today. Prof. Mammen Varkey. power-abusive and pluralistic 21 century is to be Peniel Rufus Rajkumar, Prog. Secretary, reshaped as ‘cross-cultural’ Christians - Christians From being the dis- St. Thomas Orthodox Theological WCC and Ms Edwina Pereira, Director, reshaped by the Cross. Becoming ‘cross-cultural’ membered body of Christ – rent Seminary at Kalmeswar gave a reception INSA, presented papers on ‘Wider Christians today involves embracing a ‘cross- apart by power, poverty and to the participants in the NCCI Centenary Ecumenism in the next Century’. On 9 Nov. culture’, the culture of the Cross. prejudice, caste, cash and clash various churches in Nagpur celebrated the Celebrations, in the evening on 8 Nov. - we are called to become the This culture can be understood along the lines NCCI Centenary. There were cultural programmes in the re-membered body of Christ- of the argument the Japanese theologian Kosuke evenings on all days. re-membered by the One who Dr Constance Ennen (EMW), Dr K.B. Koyama makes in his book No Handle on the Cross Re-affirming its commitment to journeys before us, alongside Rokaya (CCA), Rev Jai Wook Kwak (PCK) where he speaks for developing a ‘crucified mind’ grassroots ecumenism, despite all the us and within us and yet is and the Rev Dr Augustine Jeyakumar which does not believe in the illusions of control in divisive tendencies, and thanking all the ahead of us welcoming us to a (LWF) brought greetings during the course contrast to the ‘crusading mind’ which seeks to Churches, Partner organizations and future of fullness, togetherness of the celebrations. The NCCI History control. Book, NCCI Centennial Souvenir, Youth people who helped the successful and hope. Jesus Christ the Fellowship Manual, second edition of the organization of the celebrations, the Wider ecumenism is not possible unless we crucified and resurrected one live ‘cross-culturally’ and take up the ‘cross-culture’. book ‘Caste in Kerala Churches’ and Centenary Assembly concluded on 10 is the source of all flourishing ‘Ecclesiology in Cyber Age’ were released, Nov. The challenge this entails is to let God take the and fullness. edges and corners of our visions and imagination

Dance as part of the cultural presentations by the students from the schools under Maharashtra Release of the Youth Fellowship Manual. L to R: Fr. Vineeth Koshy, Mr. Suman Biswas, Regional Board of Education of the Church of North India. Rev. Sweety Helen & Mr. Angelious Michael

All India Christian Council for Women representatives at the NCCI Centenary venue The Team behind the successful organization of the celebrations - NCCI Secretaries & Staff PAGE 7 NOVEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 10, 2014 Christmas Reflections - 1 “Behold the handmaid of the Lord” 290 that announcement brought to as a ‘favour’! you and the power of the Most Mary, is not well understood. The 2. The testimony High will over shadow you; Mammen Varkey unbearable shame the therefore the child to be born will pregnancy caused to Mary for of history be called holy, the Son of God something that was not of her The angel put the matter to ...... ”. To this Mary said the often quoted words, “Behold, I am the “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to decision and act, is not usually her plainly. “He will be great, and hand maid of the Lord; let it be to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man considered. The contempt and will be called the Son of Most me according to your word”. Matt. whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s disrespect that entailed in the High; and the Lord God will give 1: 38. name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Hail, O favoured society is brought out, to some to him the throne of his father one, the Lord is with you! But she was greatly troubled at the extent, by a verse of Matthew. David, and he will reign over the The most important thing to saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this “When his mother Mary had been house of Jacob for ever; and of be remembered about these might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for betrothed to Joseph, before they his kingdom there will be no words is that it is the testimony you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive came together she was found to end”. Matt. 1: 32, 33. But Mary was of the history. When Luke writes in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name be with child of the Holy Spirit; and not convinced. In fact, though it these words what he was Jesus. her husband Joseph, being a was said of her child that he declaring was that how Mary, He will be great, and will be called the son of the Most High; just man and unwilling to put her would reign over the house of totally submitted herself to the will and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, to shame, resolved to divorce her Jacob forever and of his kingdom of God for her. All through the and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; quietly”. Matt. 1: 18, 19. Most there would be no end, in a few indescribable pains and inestimable sufferings how she, and of his kingdom there will be no end...... ” Luke 1: 26 – 35. surprisingly, this is presented to months’ time, what Mary her as a matter of ‘favour’. “..... experienced was that she did not silently, followed the God’s plan Mary, for you have found favour have a good place even to give for her. [Continuation of the aspects and proceed to some with God. And behold, you will birth to the child! As a simple A reflection on Mother Mary Reflection Along with Him - 289 points of supreme importance. conceive in your womb and bear village woman, she could not inspires us, and enkindles in us will be published later.] 1. ‘Favour’ a son, and you shall call his have gone into all the a new urge, to submit ourselves As the Christmas season and inestimable agony name Jesus”. Luke 1: 30, 31. It dimensions of the to the great plans of God for us, begins, a deep reflection on is almost impossible for us who announcement. It is quite though the path is fully strewn A virgin was told that she had Mother Mary, her responses to are so far removed from the obvious. Disclosing her with thorns and the end is the to bear a child. How much the divine announcement, and times and situations, to disbelief, Mary said to the angel, cross. shocking and agonizing it must her life during those days will understand, or even imagine, the “How shall this be, since I have have been to Mary! Since these be highly revealing and greatly intensity of the agony of Mary. no husband?” Matt. 1. 34 (RSV). verses are read, after Jesus is inspiring. We will begin with Something that is most shameful Immediately, the angel told her, To be continued believed and confessed as the some commonly acknowledged in the society is presented to her “The Holy Spirit will come upon Son of God, the agony and shock ‘Explorations into the Horizon of Faith’ Mauritius – Remembrance Sunday Apocalypse and the Christian Hope “Follow Another Route” Our Hope Bear Much Fruit >>> Contd. from Page 2 Col. 4 >>> Contd. from Page 2 Col. 4 up cataclysmically the present and the society in which we live It is refreshing today to see spell out a far more important forms of life like that of the order of the world, but projects a Justin Welby, Archbishop of message.This may raise Dinosaurs. new world of light and joy, where all tears are wiped away. A new Canterbury and the leader of the questions regarding our life style - Nuclear wars and the city that does not need any Roman Catholic Church, Pope when workers in various sectors consequent devastation of all life temple to worship God nor any Francis striving to set the are unable to improve their on earth are a real possible sun or moon to give it light example by leading the church standard of living and provide threat. emerges. This is hope in its to be compassionate in its action adequately for their children in - A man-made satellite like ultimate realization. as God is, instead of using words material, cultural and social our Mars-bound Mangalyan Along with this rather to condemn and to judge, an terms. It may also raise returns to the earth with a utopian vision of God’s very example that we are called to questions about the ethical pandemic virus that kills all presence becoming human follow. practices of our own companies human beings on earth in no dwelling we need also to think We can, whatever be type of or organisations. time. of hope in more realistic terms. leadership we hold, say all the At a personal level, questions - A Neutron shower from a It is to be underscored that right things but defeat the arise about how we relate to one huge solar flare can melt the hope does not stand alone. If it purpose by our day to day another, how we treat people earth and other planets. is isolated it becomes vain and behaviour, if the latter conveys a whom we perceive as different void of meaning, and easily different message. As a society from us, how much we actually - A Chimpanzee that escapes gives way to despair. a lab where a deadly virus is which lays a lot of emphasis on do to reach out to those who are I being tested on it can be the Hope is in the middle of the religious belief and practice, we from other social and cultural should be angel of death for all. famous Pauline trio -Faith, Hope tend to believe that we are good backgrounds. As far as social and Love. It is Faith and Love that people holding good beliefs and well being is concerned, are we - A super computer there with envelope and define Hope in its doing the right thing, while we really investing our time, our programmed to perfect artificial earthly and transcendent continue living with attitudes that talents for the benefit of the most intelligence may suddenly reach U dimensions. Only faith that flows lead to suffering and make life vulnerable or are we only aiming a point at which destructive out into true love and worse for the poor and weak, at raising our own social status? to human intelligence is fully compassion can produce hope thereby raising the level of It is rather unfortunate that assumed by it and it overtakes for this world. That is why the frustration and violence. we are part of a generation that BEAUTIFY; the human world with a demonic apostle Paul warns us against a Jesus Christ in fact urges us vengeance. hope that is set in this world only, lays more emphasis on rights But to bear fruit. This is strongly rather than on duties. A few Well, some of these are even if it is a hope in Christ’s proclaimed in the Gospel. decades ago, we were taught imaginary fiction, but still a reality name, ignoring faith and love. I “Those who abide in me and I in that we should act with a spirit that can erupt into our life anytime One of the most difficult them bear much fruit, because of respect and accountability. alone can with all the drama and horror as challenges to our Churches and apart from me you can do nothing. Today we are obsessed with in any apocalyptic film. If we watch Christians lies precisely in re- This is my commandment, that personal enrichment even if it BEATIFY! the street scenes around the examining this setting and you love one another. You are my entails our encroaching upon blasted World Trade Centre on orientation of our hope. The friends if you do what I command the rights of others and Nine Eleven 2001, we get a apocalyptic events in our you” discriminating against them. glimpse of it in our midst. contemporary world can be a How we live our life and fulfil strong reminder for that urgent 4. The biblical book of our commitments in our revisit to true Christian hope. To be continued Apocalypse does not only wind respective families, workplace PAGE 8 NOVEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 10, 2014 National Council of Churches in India Indian Disability Ecumenical POSITIVE Anything Accompaniment is better than NEGATIVE Nothing

– Elbert Hubbard

25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall We need a new movement

Inauguration of Indian Disability Ecumenical Accompaniment. that takes its roots in the Cross Bp. Taranath S. Sagar, Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, Fr. Aswin Fernandis & Rev. Christopher Rajkumar with Persons with Disabilities “Twenty-five years ago, on 9 November 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. Indian Disability Ecumenical Accompaniment (IDEA) is an This came about through a movement of many people who demonstrated initiative of the Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation of peacefully on the streets.” the National Council of Churches in India with faithful commitment to the liberative Gospel of Christ in accompanying Integrity of Creation took place. That assembly gave ‘Persons With Disabilities’ (PWD) in order to affirm their respect, forceful impetus to the peaceful revolution. It equality and dignity. inspired the many people who went into the streets and demonstrated.” The NCCI affirms that Persons with disability (both physically and mentally challenged) are created in the Image of God, and “A quarter century later, we need a new therefore full and active members of the church. They are also full movement that takes its roots in the Cross, citizens of the State and therefore are entitled to all basic rights of a symbol of God’s peace and God’s justice citizens. that we hold in common,” Tveit said. He shared the call from the WCC 10th Assembly The NCCI asserts that the Church is the Church OF all and the in 2013, inviting people of good will to join in Church FOR all. Therefore by initiating IDEA, the NCCI reaffirms the “pilgrimage of justice and peace”. that “A Church without the disabled is a disabled church”, and therefore churches need to be aware and concerned about the Tveit also mentioned in his message the significant role of young people in social change. facts of disability. This is because, the church as a body of Christ Memorial built by the Reconciliation Parish on the site will be disabled without the presence and agency of the disabled. of the church they had to abandon when the Berlin Wall He said, “We see young people inspired by the was erected in this place. Photo: Neil Young vision of life with justice and peace. They are Therefore, the National Council of Churches in India deems it answering the call to join the pilgrimage as a urgent to facilitate the Indian Christian Faith Communities and the “The vision and the movement for just peace movement of common prayer and common action.” Society in addressing the issue of disability responsibly in the and an economy dedicated to life are today more Tveit also praised the many actions by contemporary context by approving IDEA as a Standing Forum of urgent than ever—especially wherever walls, churches, who he said are preparing for public acts the NCCI facilitated by the Commission on Justice, Peace and fences and deep trenches of hostility divide peoples, of witness on “pilgrimages of climate justice” Creation of the NCCI through the resolution vide no 35/EC/2014. such as at the border between North and South leading up to the Conference of Parties of the United Korea, in the occupied territories of Palestine or on At this juncture of entering the threshold of the next century Nations Framework Convention on Climate the Island of Cyprus, in Sudan and in the Democratic and as a gesture of radical solidarity with the discriminated and Change next year in Paris. “The wall of resistance Republic of the Congo,” said World Council of marginalised in its 100 years of faith Journey, NCCI launches to change continues to be strong and high. But this Churches general secretary Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse IDEA as one of its urgent concerns in the contemporary context wall, too, can fall,” Tveit said. on 6th Nov 2014 at the NCCI Centenary Celebrations in Nagpur. Tveit. Tveit also reflected on the role of Rt. Rev. Dr. Taranath S Sagar, Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, Dr. Tveit was speaking to the Synod of the communications as a means of empowering Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), which President General Secretary churches in their quest for justice and peace. opened on 9 November with a worship service in Digital communication is a major agenda for this Fr. Aswin Fernandis, Rev. Christopher Rajkumar, the Church of the Holy Cross (Kreuzkirche) in year’s EKD Synod. “Communication about and Dresden. He recalled it was in the Church of the Chairperson - CJPC Executive Secretary - CJPC for the pilgrimage means network Holy Cross that “during the months, weeks and communication such as made possible by digital days that preceded the fall of the Berlin Wall, prayers Centenary Celebrations media—intensive sharing of experiences and for peace had been conducted. It was also in the mutual encouragement of all those who, together, Kreuzkirche, in 1988, that the ecumenical assembly Painting Exhibition are on the path of justice and peace in their of the conciliar process for Justice, Peace and the “No one can serve Christ and Caste” respective contexts,” Tveit said. – WCC News National Council of Churches in India

Printed and Published by Vattukalathil Chacko John G-1, Sujatha Niwas S.V.Road, Bandra (West) Mumbai - 400 050 for and on behalf of New Education and Welfare Service Trust and Rev. Sunil Raj Philip introduces the Paintings Printed at Anita Art Printers, Centenary Ecumenical Rally on 6 Nov. 2014 No. 29, 30, Oasis Industrial Estate, Nehru Road, Vakola Masjid, Santacruz East Mumbai - 400 055 DISABILITY ADVOCACY SUNDAY and 23 Nov. 2014 Published at Theme : Church ‘of’ All - Church ‘for’ All G-1, Sujatha Niwas S.V.Road, Bandra (West) Disability Day, or the International Day of People with Disability, is a day declared by the United Nations. The aim of Mumbai - 400 050 Disability Day is to encourage a better understanding of people Phone : 022 - 26422343 affected by a disability. Also to make people more aware of the Editor rights, dignity and welfare of disabled people. Mammen Varkey The views expressed in this paper are not necessarily those of the editors.