Professorial lecture of Rev. Dr. David Joy

                                                           Dr. David Joy

The professorial lecture of Rev. Dr. David Joy, Department of New Testament, UTC, was held on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 5:00 P.M. in the Tagore hall of the United Theological College, Bangalore. Dr. Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar, the dean of Doctoral Studies, UTC, chaired the session and Dr. Jesuratnam, dean of Masters Studies, UTC, introduced Dr. David Joy and read out his publications and accomplishments over a period of twenty years. Dr. Jones Muthunayagom said the opening prayer and Dr. Nalini Arles welcomed Dr. Joy with flowers.

                                                       Dr. Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar

                                                            Dr. Jesuratnam

                                                    Dr. Jones Muthunayagom

Dr. David Joy presented a paper on “Remapping the Milieu of the New Testament through Intertextual Reading.” The paper evoked interest because it took listeners into the world of intertextual reading. Dr. Joy is in the process of widening the scope of his thoughts on intertextual reading for further publication.

                                                 Dr. David Joy and Dr. Nalini Arles

Both students and faculty from the UTC along with guests were present for the lecture. Dr. David Joy’s wife Mrs. Sherin Joy, a teacher herself and their sons, Ashwin and Anbin were also present. Dr. David Joy thanked his family, mentors, colleagues, friends, church members and everyone he has been associated with during his career thus far. Dr. Muthuraj closed the session with prayer.  

                                                         Dr. Muthuraj

Release of the United Theological College (UTC) Commemorative Postage stamp

July 8, 2011

A function was held at the United Theological College, Bangalore to release a postage stamp as part of the centenary celebrations of the UTC. The college, started in 1910 is a Christian institution and has a rich history of fostering theological education for students of different churches all over India. The college as part of its motto “Not to be served but to serve” has been an integral part of helping society to develop a deeper understanding of learning to live together amidst the rich diversity that Karnataka and India offers. Students here come from different states of South India, North India and North East India. The college has always strived for communicating peace and religious harmony drawing insights from Christianity and other religions.

Rt. Rev. Dr. P. Surya Prakash, the president of the UTC society welcomed the dignitaries and the Chief Post Master General of Karnataka India Postal Service, Ms. Yesodhara Menon gave an introduction to the release of the stamp and then officially released it by giving a copy to the college council president. Honourable MLA Shri Roshan Baig unveiled a blow up of the stamp in the presence of Mr. Gunasekharan, the Jayamahal ward councillor, and executive members of the UTC. The principal of the college Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj introduced the college to those gathered and the UTC choir rendered a song followed by the vote of thanks by Dr. Nalini Arles. The meeting was brought to a close with the singing of the national anthem. Prof. Dr. Sarasu Thomas and Mr. R.D. John represented the executive of the college council.

Rt. Rev. Dr. P. Surya Prakash remembered the services offered by the MLA and others to the college and the CPMG Ms. Yesodhara Menon talked of her memories of UTC and the specific role it had played in society. The principal of UTC talked about the right approach of being a Christian. He said that UTC has a commitment to justice and nation building. Its library and archives have been a meeting place for religious and secular scholars. Dr. Nalini Arles during her vote of thanks stressed that the college should also remember the sacrifices and the committed work of those who have passed by.

Many officials and staff members of the India Postal service, Bangalore were present and a stall was put together for the exhibition and sale of stamps. Well wishers of UTC came in large numbers to witness and be part of this historic occasion.

UTC annual finance campaign 2011-2012 inaugurated.

4-7-2011- College reporter

The annual finance campaign 2011-2012 of the United Theological College, Bangalore was inaugurated by Mr. Alexis Samuel in the presence of the principal Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj, faculty members, non-teaching staff, students and guests of the college. The programme which started at 5:00 P.M. lasted for an hour and was also attended by Mrs. Hannah Samuel, wife of Mr. Alexis Samuel.

Talking on the occasion Mr. Alexis Samuel, the chief risk officer of a soft ware company in Bangalore shared his experience of working in numerous companies in Bangalore and also as a church worker. His work experience spanning 22 years made him a natural choice for inspiring the finance campaign in UTC. He divided his talk into four questions and they were 1. What the sheep expects from the shepherds? 2. What can UTC do as an institution? 3. Ideas for fund raising? 4. How should targets be set?

Mr. Alexis Samuel reminded the gathering that theological educators and theological students should have integrity, courage and conviction, they should help the lay people in understanding science and faith and to take educated, but right decisions and work towards being good leaders with excellent management and financial training. He believed that UTC could develop courses that would help the lay leadership in the churches and bring them closer to the institution. It would also help UTC to network with professionals and be more visible in churches.

The chief guest then went on to push the college to build a good alumni network, locate at least 100 professionals who would commit to the institution every year, look at offering greater facilities in UTC and paying the staff more so that they would work sincerely for the institution. He then said that UTC has to raise the bar with the target it wants to achieve for the finance campaign and this should increase every year.

The principal of UTC, Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj in his address said human life was all about giving and taking. He said that giving plays a huge part of our existence and talked of the essence of the finance campaign in UTC and what new needs the institution had this year including the renovation of the New Hostel student quarters. 

The various college teams of Devanandan, Herrick, Thorp and Larsen were represented by their captains who spoke on how they would go about collecting money for the finance campaign this year. Dr. Dexter Maben, Rev. Jeyakumar, Ms. Imotila Longkumer, Dr. Joseph George, Dr. Jesuratnam, Dr. Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar, Mr. Vasikaran Williams, Dr. Nalini Arles, Dr. Jones Muthunayagom and Dr. George Oommen performed the official tasks during the programme.