The Nation of Refugees performing tomorrow

The UTC, Bangalore will be performing a play titled "The Nation of Refugees" tomorrow (Thursday, Dec 3) at 6 P.M. at the Charles Ranson Hall, UTC. Entry is free.

The play talks about the struggle for a place to live and be human and looks through the journey of a young woman and her past, present and future. It explores the various facets of human struggle, family, celebration, power, nationhood and being a refugee. The play seeks to draw our attention to the possibility of a reversal of roles and the exploration of a common space for all.

The play is directed by Mr. Jain Syriac Babu and has Rebecca, Irene, Prazwal, Rajkumar, Gandhi, Sam Ragland, Ivan, Ashley, Hanson, Ben and Jerry in various roles. The cast is ably supported by Feroze, Fawas and Malavika Rao in charge of stage, lighting, sound, choreography, sound and costume.

Inter Sunday School Competition held

The Inter-Sunday school competition of the UTC was held on November 16, 2013. The St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Cathedral, Queen's Road, Bangalore won the over all championship. East Parade Malayalam CSI church was runner up. The Inter-Sunday school competition is held every year and many churches in Bangalore participate. This year 28 churches participated. Children, Sunday school teachers and parents came together for an entire day in UTC.

UTC was full of children in the morning itself and the programme was inaugurated by the student co-ordinator Mr. Manoj M, the Carey society secretary Mr. Manda Prashanth Babu and the faculty advisor Fr. Jerry Kurian. This was followed by a string of competitions in the main hall, Tagore Hall and the JR Chandran Academic block. The competitions were so close as the children reminded everyone that they were very talented. Group song and choreography was  keenly watched as were other competitions.

The closing function was held at 6:00 P.M. and the co-ordinator thanked the churches who accepted UTC's invitation and participated. The students worked the entire night to have the hall ready and many BD and MTh students helped in the logistics and arrangements on the competition day.

Photo credits- Calvin Sushith Ambler, BD III
                       Joe Jacob

JK

Writers Workshop conducted in Mumbai

Some of the participants in the Writers Workshop

 

The Writers workshop conducted by the United Basel Mission Church, Mumbai and the United Theological College, Bangalore was held yesterday from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. in the YMCA International House in Mumbai Central. The one day workshop was inaugurated by the secretary of the UBM Church Council, Mr. Samuel Jayaprakash Bangera and the Joint Treasurer of the UBM Church Council, Mr. Christopher Fredericks. They also greeted and honoured the resource persons. The workshop was attended by thirty pastors of the CNI, Methodist and Basel Mission churches in Mumbai.

Mr. Robert Clements

The workshop started with prayer and meditation which was lead by Rev. Jeyakumar, Associate Professor in the department of New Testament in the UTC, Bangalore. This was followed by a welcome and introduction of the resource persons. Mr. Robert Clements was the chief resource person. He is a very well known journalist in Mumbai and writes a daily column called Bob’s Banter which is published in as many as 30 newspapers and magazines all over the country and in other countries as well. He has an estimated audience of 6 million readers. He was helped by Fr. Jerry Kurian, who teaches Communication in the UTC. The resource persons held sessions on why to write, the spirituality of writing, how to publish one’s writing, writing exercises and current issues in society. The workshop stressed the need to write and encouraged the pastors to write more. Writing for traditional newspapers and magazines and for blogs where explained in an innovative way.

Participants writing their own write ups

 

 

The participants then wrote short write ups in the afternoon, which were discussed to check the title, style, relevance and attractiveness of the write up. The participants came up with very interesting and challenging write ups.

 

Rev. Susheel Sumitra of the United Basel Mission Church in Mumbai made all the arrangements for the workshop with permission, guidance and help from Mr. Samson Frank, the President of the UBMC, and his colleagues and lay leaders in the church. The participants of the workshop felt that the workshop was of great interest and even exceeded their own expectations. They were particularly happy that it gave them practical insights on why to write, how to write, what to write and how to get their writings across to their congregation and church and how writing will give them a cutting edge in their ministry. The participants also felt that more such workshops on writing skills should be held in the near future.

 

 

 

The workshop is a new initiative by the Publications Department of the UTC and the Masihi Sevak under its editor Dr. Dexter Maben. The first such workshop was held in UTC, Bangalore after which participants suggested that such workshops could be held all over the country and could be hosted by churches in various regions. The Masihi Sevak is a publication meant for the alumni of UTC and includes articles and write ups by the UTC alumni from all over the world.

 

Rev. Susheel Sumitra co-ordinated the workshop on behalf of the United Basel Mission Church, Mumbai

 

Fr. Jerry Kurian Kodiattu

Fr. Jerry Kurian is a priest of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church and an alumnus of UTC. He did his BD studies during 1997-2001 and MTh in Communication during 2002-2004 in UTC. He is currently completing his doctoral research in the department of Communication as a registered candidate of the Gurukul Lutheran Theological College, Chennai. He joined the United Theological College as lecturer in the Department of Communication in May, 2011.

Jerry Kurian taught at the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Theological Seminary (MSOTS) for a period of five years before joining for his research. He has many years of pastoral experience as well. Jerry is now sent by the church to teach in UTC. He functions as the acting chairperson of the Department of Communication.

His research interests include new media, the internet, public speaking, drama, film analysis, communication and mission, alternative media, alternative journalism, traditional media, social networking, blogs, communication and women's liberation and communication and climate change. He is married to Christiane Zidek, who is doing her doctoral research in the Department of Religion and Missions in Heidelberg University. They have a two year old daughter Daya.

Fr. Jerry is serving as priest in the St. Ignatius Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, K.R. Puram, Bangalore. He believes his calling is to teach and pastor towards an inclusive society where everyone will be a part of our spiritual expression and everyone will benefit from the liberative gospel of Jesus Christ. He believes Orthodox Christianity has many things to offer in the diverse ecumenical and religious environment of India. He affirms that proper Communication can lead to a just society.

He worked on the design and implementation of the college web site and is presently maintaining the web site @ http://utc.edu.in/  He also designed and is maintaining and updating the college blog @ http://www.utcbangalore.blogspot.in/ 


Publications and presentations

Asia Communication Sunday worship order for the WACC Asia Communication Sunday booklet June, 2010

Presentation on ‘God’s providence and the youth in the church’ in Yercadu on July 24, 2010.

Meditations for Gurukul Daily Devotion 2011 submitted in October, 2010.

‘Rights of (Vulnerable) Children and the New Media: Challenges for the church in India’. Paper presented in the seminar on ‘Children and their rights: A Theological exploration’, Chennai on November 15-17, 2010.

‘Examining the claims of the Information Revolution: Social Revolution or Knowledge Capitalism’. Published in KCC magazine, November, 2010.

‘The woman and Jesus. A bible study on Luke 7: 36-50’. Presented for the NCCI workshop on ‘Daring to study scriptures publicly and sensually’ on 5-2-2011, Chennai. This was later published by NCCI.

‘The essence of Lent: Learning and struggling to bend our knees, mend our hearts, and lend our hands’. Published in CSI Life magazine, March, 2011.

 

Co-edited the WACC Asia Communication Sunday booklet June, 2011.

Poem/song on “Vulnerability in the midst of Climate Change”, p.8 in Asia Communication Sunday booklet, Communicating Climate Justice, WACC-AR, June 26, 2011.

http://www.waccglobal.org/images/stories/Asian-Articles/wacc-asia-communicaiton-sunday-booklet2011.pdf

Co-edited the Asia Communication Sunday booklet, 2011.

Bible study for the BTESSC-UTC workshop on “Online Training Techniques and Different Possibilities” on August 30, 2011.

“Media Ethics, the main line media and new (social) media: A case for alternative people’s journalism”- paper presented for the UTC alumni meeting in October, 2011.

Meditations for the Gurukul Daily Devotion, 2012, GLTC, Chennai, 2012, “Neighbourly Relations and Christian discipleship”, pp. 289-296.

Article on “Christ the Revolutionary” published in Assisi Magazine, February-March 2012, Vol.58, Issue 2, Assisi Ashram, Bharananganam, Kottayam, Kerala, pp. 20-22.

Presentation on “Bollywood and the Construction of Masculinities” in the WCC-SCMI gender training workshop on March 20, 2012 in UTC, Bangalore.

Article on “Alternative Media and Journalism as a framework for Communicating Peace” published in the Clark Journal Of Theology (Theological Reflections on Peace building), Vol. II. No. 1, January- June, 2012.

Article titled “The Church, Human Sexuality and Challenging the Unchallenged” in the Gurukul Journal of Theological Studies (Human Sexuality: Theological and Biblical Reflections), Vol XXIII, No. 2, June, 2012. This was published in December, 2012.

Presentation on “Forms of spirituality” to 50 ordained pastors from CSI Rayalaseema and Nandyal Dioceses on July 3, 2012 at Vishranthi Nilayam, Bangalore.

Presented a bible study on Genesis 4:3-9 titled “Am I the reason for the divide” (A bible study on the digital divide) for the SCMI Centenary Bible Study workshop on September 6-8, 2012. This was later published by the SCMI and released during its centenary celebrations.

UTC alumni refresher course presentation on “Lord Renew the Church: Begin From Me. Empowered by the Spirit of Renewal: People of God as the True Agents of Change. Internet as a catalyst for building an alternative community for church renewal” in October, 2012.

Class for youth of Mumbai diocese of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church on November 16, 17 and 18, 2012 on “Who and what am I for God”.

Took sessions on “Media and Leadership” and “Cyber ethos and internet de-addiction” for the Fest Zoe 2012 (Ecumenical Youth Leadership Training Camp) with the theme Beyond Globalization, Youth Culture, Mission and Leadership on November 14, 15, 2012. It was conducted by the The CSI Department of Pastoral Concerns and the Department of Ecumenical Relations & Ecological Concerns in the CSI Synod Centre, Royapettah, Chennai.

Presented a paper on “The Internet and Alternative Media for Communicating Peace” for the Faculty Research Seminar in the UTC on November 28, 2012.

Recorded a Jacobite Syrian Orthodox worship liturgy cd in English on November 29, 30, 2012. The CD was released on May 5, 2013.

Did a presentation on “Christian Communication, internet and alternative Communication” and helped in the sessions on “Reporting and Editing” in the workshop on “Communicating Ecological Justice”, held at CSI Synod Guest House, 5, Whites Road, Royapettah,  (opp. Express Mall), Chennai from 3rd to 5th Dec 2012. It was conducted by WACC and the CSI Synod.

Took a session on “Exodus: A journey to Togetherness” for the youth of the Bangalore diocese of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church on January 26, 2013.

“Lord Renew the Church: Begin From Me. Empowered by the Spirit of Renewal: People of God as the True Agents of Change. Internet as a catalyst for building an alternative community for church renewal” done for the UTC alumni refresher course was published in the latest issue of the Masihi Sevak, UTC.

Initiated the discussion for Dr. Joseph George’s faculty research seminar paper on “Changing patterns of Relationships in the Cyberage: Challenges and Directions for Ministry in India” on February 27, 2013.

Attended the NCCI sub committee meetings on March 6, 7, 2013 in Gurukul, Chennai. Apart from the Commission on Communication, was also nominated to the Centenary Celebrations sub committee to prepare a documentary on the NCCI.

Paper presented on “An Ecumenical View on Churches View of the Eucharist. A Critical Discussion” for theologians across India in the Ecumenical Christian Centre (ECC), Bangalore on May 15, 2013.

Presentation on “Church: The Sacramental Sign of Hope. The church and internet: Hope in the New Age” for the CSI Central Kerala Youth Pre Assembly in May, 2013.

Presentation on “Media values in India” to a study group from Edinburgh University in June, 2013.

Retreat for teachers of the CSI Institute of Technology, Nagercoil on July 8, 2013.

Presentation on “Women and Migration” for a CSI Synod programme in Vishranthi Nilayam, Bangalore in July, 2013.

Article on “The Internet and Alternate Media as Christian Communication” published in the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) review in July, 2013.

Skit direction and presentation for the National Council of Churches in India- World Council of Churches pre assembly seminar in Bangalore in August, 2013.

Presentation on “Blogs and writing” and “The Spirituality of writing” in the Writers’ workshop for pastors conducted by the United Basel Mission and UTC in Mumbai YMCA on September 16, 2013.

Scripted, directed and edited a documentary on the United Theological College, Bangalore in October, 2013. This was screened in the World Council of Churches Assemby in Busan, South Korea.

Part of the NCCI centenary documentary team working on a documentary for the NCCI.

Presentation on “Living with God in the Contemporary World” for the Tangkhul Christian Fellowship, Bangalore on November 1, 2013.

“Media, Culture and Religion: Alternative Media as a New Religious Expression in India.” Paper presented to the St. Olaf College, U.S. students in the Ecumenical Christian Centre, Whitefield, Bangalore on November 5, 2013.

“Christian perspective on media and youth advocacy for social change.” Paper presented to college students from all over India at the Student Christian Movement India Centre in Bangalore on November 15, 2013.

Paper on “Orkut, Facebook, Tumblr: What next?” presented for the National Ecumenical Youth Pre-assembly of the NCCI in Goa via video conference on Nov 18, 2013.

Chapter on “Media Ethics” in December, 2013 for Sunday school students of the Kottayam diocese of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in their book for senior Sunday school students.

Presentation on “Atrocities against Women” in ECC, Bangalore on Feb, 2014.

Article on the Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas titled “Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas: The Equinox on which the Church rode three decades” published in the Malankara World Journal in March, 2014.

Paper presented on “Ecclesiology in the Cyber Age” in the NCCI seminar held in Bangalore on June 26, 2014.

Paper presented on “Informed Prodigy or Juvenile Criminal” in the National workshop on Crimes by Juveniles in India on July 30, 2014.

“Theatre as a pedagogical framework for theological education”. Faculty seminar presented on October 29, 2014.

"Media, Culture and Religion". Presentation in ECC for the St. Olaf Seminary students on November 6, 2014.

Main speaker for the District Youth Conference of the Marthoma Church in Bangalore on May 14-17, 2015.

Paper presented on “Media and Spirituality: A journey of the church into the lives of people”  on June 27, 2015 in the Marthoma Seminary, Kottayam, Kerala.

Paper presented on “Religion in the Market Place: The Changing environment of Women in the Church” in the National Seminar on Role of Women in the Christian Church: An ecumenical perspective, conducted by BTESSC and the MSOT seminary in the MSOTS, Ernakulam, Kerala on July 14, 2015.

Presentation made to St. Olaf students on "Media and Spirituality" on October 26, 2015 at the Ecumenical Christian Centre, Whitefield, Bangalore.

Main speaker for the Marthoma Church Regional Youth Conference, Delhi on November 10-13, 2015.

Produced and acted in the College play "The Nation of refugees" on December 3, 2015 in UTC.

Paper titled “Religion in the market place: The changing environment of women in the church” published in the Bangalore Theological Forum, Bangalore, Vol. XLVII, No.2, December, 2015.

Produced and acted in the play “The Nation of the Refugees” in an entire new location and format on March 4 and 5, 2016. 

Paper titled “Theatre as a pedagogical expression for theological education” published in the Hekamtho Theological Journal Vol 1, No. 2, MSOT Seminary, Ernakulam, Kerala in March, 2016.

Presented a paper on “The Theatrical expression of the Eucharist” in the National seminar for Theological Students in ECC, Whitefield, Bangalore on May 18, 2016.

 

Has been writing quite regularly in a personal blog on social, religious and cultural affairs @ www.jerryachensworld.blogspot.in

Doing research, writing and editing for the college blog www.utcbangalore.blogspot.in 

Webmaster, researcher and updater of the new UTC college website www.utc.edu.in

Pastoral duties

Priest in the St. Ignatius Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, K.R. Puram, Bangalore. Responsibility includes leading worship, preaching and taking classes for the youth on Sunday. Has also been taking sessions on “Communication in the family” for the pre-marriage counselling courses held by the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church diocese in Bangalore”.

Phone: +91-9483966951
E mail: jerryachen@gmail.com

Worship CD in English

The Nation of Refugees

 

BTESSC-UTC Librarians Training on 'Online Techniques and Different Possibilities.'

29-30 August 2011, UTC, Bangalore

Proceedings/Report

The training programme for librarians on “Online Training Techniques and Different Possibilities” started at the Ecumenical Resource Centre at the United Theological College, Bangalore, at 9.30 am on 29 August 2011 with devotion led by Fr Jerry Kurian, Lecturer in the Department of Communication, UTC. The worship order for the devotion related the aspects of communication and information technology to our understanding of God, and this became apparent in the affirmation of faith, confession of sins and absolution, prayers and benediction.  Rev Dr John Samuel Raj, principal of UTC, led the meditation in the light of St Mark 11: 12-19 and underlined the reality of connectivity in our age, the necessity to learn together and share our knowledge and information with each other. He also highlighted the significant role played by libraries in theological education all over the world.

 

Rev Dr Mohan Larbeer, Secretary of the Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College (BTESSC), welcomed the participants and delivered a short speech about some of the plans of the Senate of Serampore College with regard to updating the online resources in the libraries of colleges affiliated to the Senate and making them accessible to students and teachers, and highlighted the significance of this meeting in that venture. This was followed by Fr Jerry Kurian introducing the nature of the programme and the presentations for 29 and 30 August 2011.

 Rev Dr Samuel Meshack, Principal of the Concordia Theological Seminary, Nagercoil and chairperson of the World Association of Christian Communication Asia Region (WACC-AR) delivered the keynote address. He spoke on the process of computerising the libraries under the Senate and the necessity to network them. He talked about the availability and the usability of online resources and the importance of the developing of digital/virtual libraries which will be much more efficient and effective than the regular libraries that we have. He also highlighted some of the advantages of having digital libraries such as their interactive nature and the space for multiple users at the same time. He pointed out some of the plans the Senate of Serampore College was planning to undertake in collaboration with Globethics.net, the World Council of Churches and other institutions in establishing a digital library GlobeTheoLib – to be launched on 23 September 2011 – in order to ensure that theological students all over the world get access to the basic theological material required for their education. He concluded with inviting the librarians under the Senate to cooperate along with others to contribute to this digital library. It was followed by Mr Roby Matthew, Business Manager in charge of marketing ATLA (American Theological Library Association), introducing the major features of ATLA. He explained to the participants about how to use it in order to access full journal texts online. The Post-lunch session was led by Mr Shreenivas who introduced the KOHA Integrated Library System which is an open source web based library software for cataloguing and circulating books in libraries.

 

 

In the afternoon, a video conference was arranged by Dr. Mohan Larbeer with Dr Christoph Stueckelberger in Switzerland, founder of Globethics.net, who spoke about the attempts taken for launching the GlobeTheoLib – the digital library for global theological education. It was moderated by Dr Meshack, who has been networking with Dr. Stueckelberger for a long time in this regard. Dr Stueckelberger emphasised the significance and necessity of the GlobeTheoLib and explained about its nature, content and functioning. He highlighted two important features about this digital library – the availability of resources free of cost for the registered theological students and teachers all over the world, and the possibility of uploading resources into the library. He mentioned that GlobeTheoLob will basically have three types of contents – freely accessible resources already available online which will be collected and placed into the library, materials from subscription to online journals and the content uploaded from the theological community in the Global South. Dr Stueckelberger’s presentation was well received among the participants who also interacted with him. At the end Dr Meshack presented his concluding remarks where he urged the librarians present to contribute to this venture in all possible ways.

On 30 August 2011, the programme started with devotion and mediation led by Fr Jerry Kurian. Based on St Luke 7: 1-10, he reflected on sharing our resources such as information and knowledge with others as Jesus did for others during his ministry. The faith of the Roman centurion and his commands of ‘go’, ‘come’ and ‘do’ can be re-interpreted in our times as ‘click’, ‘send’ and ‘like’. It was followed by the presentation by Mr Yesan Sellan, Librarian, SAIACS, on Online Theological Archives and repositories. He introduced a number of library software which would be helpful for library cataloguing and circulation. He also introduced some open source software for eBook management or digital library. Mr Manoj Samuel made a presentation on Online Theological Resources whereby he introduced to participants several websites which provide free access to the people.

The post-lunch session involved group discussions and presentations. In addition to filling up a questionnaire which contained questions about (1) the usefulness of this training programme, (2) suggestions by the participants to BTESSC for further follow-up action, (3) and how they will utilise the insights learned from this programme in their respective organisations, the participants were divided into four groups to discuss the workshop. For the first question, the groups noted that they have got a clear concept of digital libraries and their importance and usefulness, more confidence about acquiring and sharing knowledge, and information about various online sources which would be helpful for libraries of colleges affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College. Second, the groups suggested BTESSC/SSC to conduct similar meetings for college authorities about improving theological libraries, to make available essential reading materials online for students, to connect the possible donors for weaker seminaries to develop their libraries, to conduct regular training programmes for librarians of colleges affiliated to the Senate, and to publish an occasional news letter on online materials. They also suggested that the BTESSC/Senate may instruct all affiliated colleges to use one software for library for sharing resources, to introduce a few websites for students during orientation, to offer training for library software like KOHA, to elevate the library levels of colleges affiliated to the Senate, to equip the library staff, to include librarians in decision making bodies of the respective colleges, to digitalise their libraries and to have IT departments in their institutions. Third, regarding how they would do the follow-up in their institutions, the participants affirmed that they would pass on the information and insights the received in this programme such as the information regarding online sources and software for library to the faculty and students in their institutions.

The programme came to end as Dr. Mohan Larbeer, on behalf of BTESSC, and Fr. Jerry thanked the participants, resource persons and all those who helped to organise and run this two-day training programme.

 The deliberations of the various groups of librarians and their suggestions-

First group

1. a. The workshop gave a clear concept of online libraries

b. Got information about acquiring and sharing knowledge

c. Good that the Senate has global plans

d. Got information on free sites

2. a. Similar meetings should be held again

b. One software can be used in all colleges

3. Make a list of free accessible web sites and give this list to all colleges

Second group

1. It was a good opportunity to come together

2. a. Faculty should work together with the librarians

b. Circulate new websites and free web site lists to students during their orientation. Training on KOHA is a good idea.

c. Librarians can identify good site adds and circulate in the college.

d. An IT section for the college should be initiated.

Third group

1. a. Was an exposure for librarians

b. Got information about free web sites

c. Information about digitisation techniques and collaboration

2. a. Elevate the standard of libraries

b. Search for possible donors to help weaker seminaries

c. Equip library staff on technology and new innovations

d. BTESSC mobile units can visit seminaries and conduct workshops

e. Librarians should be included in policy making bodies

f. There should be an IT department in the college and there should be a IT support group in the Senate

3. a. Internet connectivity for all colleges essential

b. IT awareness for library users

Fourth group

1. a. Came to know each other

2. a.  Such meetings should be conducted more often

2. b. Meetings should be held in places with good libraries and internet support

3. Senate can have a newsletter on new websites

4. Librarians can be supported to do BCS and be made a part of the faculty

(Prepared by Mr. Muthuraj Samy, Lecturer, UBS, Pune. Photos courtesy Comm Dept, UTC)