New website for UTC

The new website of the UTC was inaugurated and dedicated to the glory of God yesterday in the Tagore Hall after the Sunday evening worship. The preacher Rev. Dr. Jones Muthunayagom offered a prayer, the principal Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj clicked for viewing the website and Dr. Rini Ralte clicked on the UTC Bangalore facebook page.

The website is now available on the domain name www.utc.edu.in  The new webite is being managed and maintained by the Communication Department in the UTC. Traffic to utcbangalore.org will be redirected to the new college website. 

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)

Inter-Seminary inauguration

 

The Inter-Seminary programmes for the year 2012-13 was inaugurated on Saturday, August 11 in the Tagore Hall, UTC at 4:00 P.M. The talk for the inauguration was given by Rev. Dr. Peniel J. Rufus, Associate Professor in the Department of Theology and Ethics. Mr. Rohan Pushparajan, the Inter-Sem secretary, Brother Sanu Thomas and Fr. Jerry Kurian, the General Advisor were also present.

Rev. Dr. Peniel J. Rufus

Rohan Pushparajan

The meeting was attended by students from various Catholic seminaries and several students from the UTC. Brother Sanu welcomed the gathering and Fr. Jerry Kurian gave the introductory talk on the theme for the year. He talked about the need for theological students to be aware of the problems brought about by poverty and corruption and caste and gender discrimination in India. Dr. Peniel elaborated the theme for the year, "Go, grow and glow." He talked about the theme drawing insights from the disciples of Jesus and called upon the gathering to understand the real call of discipleship by Jesus.

The inaugural function included a song by the UTC students and an action song by the Junior Bible Fellowship of the UTC. Mr. Rohan Pushparajan proposed the vote of thanks. The Inter-Sem arranges several cultural and sports competitions all year round and is a time for Catholic and protestant seminaries to come together. 

Opening prayer

Sanu Thomas

Closing prayer

Public Lecture in honour of Prof. Arvind P. Nirmal

The Carey Society of the United Theological College and the Student Christian Movement of India will be conducting a public lecture on March 17th at 4:30 P.M. in the Tagore Hall of the United Theological College, Bangalore to commemorate and celebrate the 31st anniversary of Prof. Arvind P. Nirmal's Carey Society address of 1981 in the UTC. The public lecture titled "Now we will have the Dalit perspective: Dissecting the Politics of Identity" will be delivered by Rev. Philip Vinod Peacock, Associate Professor of Theology, Ethics and Social Analysis, Bishop's College, Kolkata.

The now famous Carey Society lecture of 1981 by Prof. Nirmal strengthened the cause of looking at theological studies in India from a totally different view point. Dalit theology came into focus as not just a branch but a discipline in itself. UTC has over the years kept up this tradition of lectures as part of the Carey Society and this year the Carey Society co-ordination committee decided to remember the path breaking Carey Society address by Prof. Nirmal  by asking a young and promising theologian in India to speak on the occassion.

 

Blood donation camp held at UTC

 The Social Engagement Wing of the Carey Society organized a life-saving Blood donation camp on 20.1.2012 at the Charles Ranson Hall in the UTC. The blood donation camp was initiated by the Lions blood bank, Bangalore. Mr. Deepak Suman , the coordinator of Lions blood bank and Dr. Athoshi Sinha, the medical officer along with their support staff Mr. Anil, Mr.Swamy, Mr.Kumar, Mrs. Diana, Mr. Vishwa, and Mr. Natraj co-ordinated and helped the donors in the blood donation drive.

The programme started at 2 pm with a short official gathering, led by the social engagement coordinator Mr. Rohan. The UTC Communication department lecturer Fr. Jerry Kurian shared a few important thoughts to motivate the donars and the medical officer Dr. Athoshi Sinha encouraged the gathering to save lives. After that the guests were honored by the organizers and then the donors started donating blood. Around 50 students, maintenance staff and others donated blood through this special blood donation camp. The success of the programme was largely due to the awareness created and the number of first time donors who came forward to donate blood.

(Vincilo, Abu, JK)

UTC Inter Sunday School Competition

 The 17th edition of Intersun, the Inter Sunday School Competition organized by the Junior Bible Fellowship of the Carey Society of the UTC was held on 19^th November 2011 from 08:00am to 06:00 pm. The event was noted for the active participation of 33 churches in and around Bangalore. There were competitions for 13 different items which took place at three venues. CSI East Parade Malayalam Church bagged the overall Championship. Christ the Saviour Church CSI, Yeshwantpur and CSI East Parade Tamil Church came second and third respectively. Co-ordinator- Rency Thomas

PRO meets Jacobite prelate

The Public Relations Officer of the UTC, Rev. M. Jacob met the metropolitan of the Bangalore diocese of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, H.G. Pathrose Mor Osthathios on Nov 5, 2011. The meeting which lasted over one and a half hours was at the residence of the bishop in Hoskote, Bangalore.

Rev. Jacob reminded the bishop of the long and deep relationship of UTC and the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church. The bishop in turn thanked the college for educating many priests and bishops of the church. The bishop offered all support and prayers for up coming projects of the UTC and discussed ways of a long lasting partnership and understanding between the church and the college. Rev. Jacob invited H.G. Mor Osthathios to visit UTC and be a part of the programs of the college whenever he would get time.

(Photo credit- Iniyan Joshva, JK)

Acting workshop held in UTC

The Communication department of the United Theological College conducted a workshop on acting skills on October 7 (4:00 P.M- 7:00 P.M.) and October 8 (9:00 A.M. – 12 P.M.), 2011 in the JRC, UTC. The workshop was led by noted theatre personality and pianist Mr. Preetam Koilpillai. The workshop was attended by twenty students of the UTC who were made to go through rigorous mental and physical exercises.

Mr Preetam Koilpillai is known to many Bangloreans as an excellent pianist and contemporary drama personality. His strengths include allowing actors to express themselves in the language comfortable to them and exploring the art of communicating non-verbally. Drama for Preetam is a collaborative and political process as well. He initiated the Black Coffee Productions and is involved with various drama projects in the city. His latest interest also includes short films and his fourteen minute film “Passport Photos” has been screened in as many as seven international film festivals.

                                               (Acting out the dragging scene)

                                                               

                                                                 (Head banging)

                                          (Exercises in trust building and confidence)

Workshop on acting skills

                         ( Preetam Koipillai, Photo courtesy: The Hindu, Sat, Nov 15, 2008)

The Communications department of the United Theological College will be conducting a workshop on acting skills on October 7 (4:00 P.M- 7:00 P.M.) and October 8 (9:00 A.M. – 12 P.M.), 2011 in the college campus. The workshop will be led by noted and creative musician and theatre personality, Mr. Preetam Koilpillai. The aim of the workshop is to teach students the art of acting and how learning theatre can help in instilling confidence and better communication skills. The workshop is open to all interested community members.

Mr Preetam Koilpillai is known to many Bangloreans as an excellent pianist and contemporary drama personality. His strengths include allowing actors to express themselves in the language comfortable to them and exploring the art of communicating non-verbally. Drama for Preetam is a collaborative and political process as well. He initiated the Black Coffee Productions and is involved with various drama projects in the city. His latest interest also includes short films and his fourteen minute film “Passport Photos” has been screened in as many as seven international film festivals.

Quiet day, UTC

August 2 and 3, 2011

The quiet day in the UTC was led by the principal of the Tamilnadu Theological Seminary, Dr. M. Gnanavaram. He spoke on various Pauline themes. He challenged the students to think about the themes, life in spirit, life of unity, life of service, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

Tribal and Adivasi Sunday held in UTC

The Tribal and Adivasi Sunday initiated by the Commission on Tribals and Adivasis, National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) was held in the Tagore Hall of the UTC on Sunday, August 7, 2011. The theme was “Life with Dignity and Together with Nature.”  The biblical texts used were Psalm 72: 1-20 and Luke 4:18-19. Mr. Edwin Daniel, a human rights activist from Kerala preached on the occasion. The worship made use of various tribal and adivasi elements. Students of the UTC actively took part in the worship. The Kannada fellowship sang for the worship as well.

 

The Rev. Dr. Israel Selvanayagam, the former principal of the UTC was present for the worship and was honoured with a bouquet by Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj, the principal of the UTC. Dr. Selvanayagam talked of his present involvements and work.