Carey Society Inauguration

The inaugural meeting and General Body meeting of the Carey Society was held on July 11, 2013 at 4:00 P.M. in the Charles Ranson Hall. The meeting began with instrumental music by Mr Arvind Theodore. The opening prayer was offered by Dr. Allan Palanna. During the singing of the bajan the lamp was lit by the chief guest, the Carey Society president, student vice president and Dr. Rini Ralte. The president and principal of the UTC Dr. John Samuel Raj delivered the Presidential address. Ms. Temjenaro gave a special number on the occasion.

The chief guest for the programme was Very Rev. Dr. Cherian Thomas, Director of ECC, Bangalore. He spoke on ecumenism, ecology and interfaith relationships. He said the duty of Christians is not converting people into Christianity but  making them true to their own religions and connecting with the Christ experience. He said that our task is making true Hindus and true Muslims. The chief guest was honoured by the principal and Mrs Niruba Kamalam.  Mr. Prashanth Babu, the secretary, gave the vote of thanks and the programme came to an end with closing prayer by Rev. John Sunder.

The business meeting followed soon after the inauguration. Various programmes and activities of the Carey society were discussed in this meeting. The secretary explained his initiatives with CASA New Delhi in providing help and support for the flood victims. The secretary also said that in consultation with the field work committee, he was planning to send a group of students to Uttarakhand for exposure to the real situation.

Bible Darshan 2014

An international conference "Bible Darshan" will be conducted by the department of Biblical Studies of the United Theological College, Bangalore from January 30 to February 1, 2014. Details of the conference are given in the blog  http://utcbibledarshan.wordpress.com/

The theme of the conference is "Exploring New Frontiers for Post-Western Biblical Studies." The write up to the theme explains this in detail. The Bible continues to enlighten, renew and challenge individuals and communities, communicating the ‘gospel’ in diverse context (s). Glaring realities of identity, caste, poverty, plurality, and ecological issues continue to challenge, the study of the Bible in India/Asia. Biblical studies as a theological discipline, continues to evolve with positive contributions from the West. However, there is a need to move beyond the enlightenment framework, to rediscover cultural, religious and indigenous resources, which can make the Bible intelligible in our contexts, because they are closer to the Mediterranean world. Further, the need for an inter-disciplinary approach is significant than ever before, which can draw us closer to our cultural and religious heritage. The conference is an attempt to challenge biblical scholars in India and in the West to engage with one another, share insights with each other and evolve new frontiers for further research in India/ Asia, thereby creating a new identity for biblical studies in the country.

While the core areas of biblical studies are still pertinent, the conference aims to draw attention to the significance of the Bible to our own times and context(s). The presentations are intended to cover the Old Testament, New Testament and the Intertestamental literature, with enough space for engagement together and separately. Presentations may focus any one or more of the areas mentioned:
a)      Old Testament Hermeneutics
b)      Study of Judaism and Religions of the Ancient Near East (ANE)
c)      History of Israel
d)     God and the Nations
e)      Old Testament  and the study of other faiths
f)       New Testament Hermeneutics
g)      Judaism and the religions of the first century CE
h)      Construction of the History of the early church
i)        Pauline Studies/Gospel Studies
j)        New Testament and the study of other faiths

UTC finance campaign in CSI Kanyakumari diocese and CSI Karnataka Central Diocese

The UTC finance campaign for the UTC Centenary Mahatma Gandhi hostel building project has been underway for two weeks in the CSI churches of the Kanyakumari diocese. For over two weeks faculty and students have been visiting several churches in the diocese, preaching in churches and talking to pastors and lay people. The moderator of the CSI and bishop of the Kanyakumari diocese, along with the pastors and committee members of various churches in the diocese have been of immense help during the campaign.

The alumni of the UTC and various pastors have been helping the college to plan and execute the visits to introduce the activities of the college and present the importance and urgency of the hostel building project. It also gave an opportunity to the faculty members and students to talk and work together with the alumni of the college who are doing very impressive work in their assigned churches.

The covers of the college were distributed early among the church members one or two weeks ago. Faculty members and students preached in various churches and collected money and covers from the churches. Some church committees also promised to allot a certain amount of money to the building fund. More churches are hoped to be covered in the coming weeks.

The finance campaign in the CSI churches of the Karnataka Central diocese has also started and several faculty members will be preaching in different churches of Bangalore this Sunday. We appeal to the alumni and friends of the college to inform the college of possibilities of such visits in your own dioceses.

Theological Sunday in Karnataka Central Diocese

Progress of the UTC Centenary Mahatma Gandhi Hostel

(Pictures courtesy Utc Bangalore facebook page)

Mar Chrysostom honoured by UTC

H.G. Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom, the longest living alumnus of the UTC was honoured in a function held in the Charles Ranson hall at the United Theological College yesterday evening at 6:00 P.M. Bishop Chrysostom now 96 years old is celebrating the 60 th year of his bishopric. His alma mater UTC joined in the celebration by honouring him with a special programme called "An evening with Mar Chrysostom".

The meeting was chaired by Rev. Dr. K.C. Abraham, the former director of SATHRI (South Asia Theological Research Institute). The principal of UTC, Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj, the director of CISRS (The Centre for the study of Religion and Society) Rev. Dr. Vincent Rajkumar, the faculty representative, Rev. Dr. Gudrun Lowner and the president of the UTCSA (The United Theological College Student's Association) Rev. Dinesh spoke on the occassion.

Bishop Chrysostom planting a sapling

The programme started with Bishop Chrysostom planting a sapling in the UTC lawn. He was then escorted to the stage along with all the dignitaries. Faculty, staff and students from UTC and various priests and people from various churches in Bangalore attended the function. As the opening bhajan was sung, six lighted candles were brought to the stage by Dr. Nalini Arles with people representing senior staff, maintainence, students, student spouses and children. The six candles represented sixty years of Mar Chrysostom as bishop and wished long life for him.

The principal of the UTC called Bishop Chrysostom a well known and popular bishop and one of the most esteemed alumnus' of the college. Dr. K.C. Abraham talked on how a theologian should be a good communicator and without that will not make any sense to the people. He continued by saying that Bishop Chrysostom had the gift to communicate in a simple way which made sense to a lot of people who listened to him. Rev. Vincent Rajkumar said that Bishop Chrysostom is a legend and someone who all looked up to. His reaching out to other communities was a highlight of his ministry which was indeed something everyone could emulate. Dr. Gudrun called Bishop Chrysostom as someone who was now also the topic of research at the BD and Masters level in theology. His simplicity is something which struck her when they met. Rev. Dinesh talked about the bishop from the perspective of a student and from the point of view of someone who has read about Mor Chrysostom but has never seen him. The meeting was interspersed with laughter by the crowd present as everyone referred to the bishop's sense of humour as well.

Bishop Chrysostom in his reply speech said that theology cannot be learnt but has to be lived and experienced. He said that other religions did not have a problem with Christianity but with our interpretation of Christianity and Christ. He further said that we should not be bothered about whether we live or die because in both cases we are with God. He talked about preaching and practising God and said that practising is more important than just empty words. The evening with the bishop also had prayer by Dr. Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar and Dr. Jesurathnam. Bishop Chrysostom was presented a memento on behalf of the college by Dr. Jones Muthunayagom.

Writers workshop held in UTC

The Masihi Sevak Writers Workshop was held on Friday, the 28^th of June, 2013, at the United Theological College, Bangalore. The workshop was co sponsored by the Hudson Memorial Church, Bangalore. Twenty one pastors and pastoral workers from South and North India participated in the one day programme. 

The workshop began with an inaugural service in the Ziegenbalg Chapel, and went on till 5 pm. The theme of the WCC annual conference : “Lord of Life, lead us to justice and peace”, and the corresponding text from Isaiah 42: 1 – 4 were discussed and reflected upon. The resource persons were Dr Etienne Rassendren, St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore, and Mrs. Geetha Basappa, UTC. 

The organisers want to put on record their thanks to the presbyter in charge of the Hudson Memorial Church, Bangalore, Rev. William Jones, and the  congregation for their willingness to partner with UTC. More such programmes are also being planned for the future and Hudson Memorial church is willing to consider other opportunities and forms of partnership.

The chapel worship was conducted by the UTC worship team under the able guidance of Rev. Jacob Franck and Sr. Dr. Mary Shruti. The workshop was organised by the UTC Publications Committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Joseph George, the editor of the Bangalore Theological Forum and Rev. Dr. Dexter Maben, Editor, Masihi Sevak.

Ms. Geetha Basappa and Dr. Etienne Rassendren

UTC to honour The Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom

The United Theological College, Bangalore will be conducting a programme on Monday, July 1, 2013 at 6:00 P.M. in the Charles Ranson Hall of the UTC to honour His Grace The Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom, the senior bishop of the Marthoma Syrian Church on the occasion of his sixtieth anniversary as bishop of the church. Bishop Chrysostom is the longest serving bishop alive in India and the oldest alumnus of the college.

His Grace The Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom

The programme will feature the principal of the college Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj, the moderator of the Church of South India and the president of the UTC council Most Rev. Dr. G. Devakadasham, the bishop of the Methodist Church Bishop Dr. Taranath S. Sagar, the director of the Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society Rev. Dr. Vincent Rajkumar and others. People from various strata of society, churches and members of the college will be attending the programme to honour and felicitate Bishop Philipose Mar Chrysostom.

Sports inauguration

Mr. Abu the sports secretary giving the welcome speech

The sports inauguratiuon of the UTC was held on Friday, the 28th of June at 4:00 P.M. The sports secretary for this year Mr. Abu welcomed the gathering, the principal Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj said the opening prayer and lit the lamp and Rev. Dr. Jones Muthunayagom gave the main speech. In his speech Dr. Muthunayagom told the students to have a spirit of oneness and camaraderie while playing and not see everything from the perspective of winning.

The principal and house captains lighting the lamp

Rev. Dr. Jones Muthunayagom giving the main speech

The inauguration was attended by both students and faculty belonging to the Herrick, Larsen, Thorpe and Devanandan houses. The inauguration was followed by volley ball matches between new and existing BD, MTh and DTh students.

Volley ball match