Christmas dinner 2013

 The public meeting followed by the annual Christmas dinner was held in UTC on Saturday from 6:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. The public function was held mainly to give a sent off to the outgoing YMCA director Mr. George Varghese and welcoming the new YMCA director Mr. Fernandes. The new PRO of the UTC Ms. Sashikala was also introduced and welcomed.

The principal informed the gathering of the new appointments made in college. The public meeting also had several cultural programmes. The faculty advisor of the Christmas dinner this year was Rev. Dr. David Joy.

Photo credit- Mr. Calvin Sushith Ambler

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

 

UTC Masihi Sevak Writers' Workshop in Mumbai

The United Theological College, Bangalore

Masihi Sevak Writers Workshop, MUMBAI

                In partnership with United Basel Mission Church (UBM), Mumbai

September 16^th, 2013

@

YMCA International House,

Mumbai Central

Mumbai- 8

9.00 am to 5.00 pm

Facilitators

Mr. Bobby Clement

Fr. Jerry Kurian

Rev. J. Jeyakumar

For further details contact:

Coordinator: Rev. Susheel Sumitra, Pastor, UBM, Byculla, Mumbai.

Mobile: 9820471573; mail: rev.susheelsumitra@gmail.com

Masihi Sevak Writers’ Workshop 

September 16, 2013

(Organized by: United Basel Mission Church, Mumbai & United Theological College, Bangalore)

 

SCHEDULE

09:30 a.m. – 09:50 a.m.	Devotion
09:50 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.	Welcome & Felicitation
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.	Session I: “Living To Write Or Writing To Live?”                 (Mr. Robert Clements)
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.	Tea Break
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.	Session II: “Jesus Didn’t Write, So Why Should I?”                 (Fr. Jerry Kurian)
11:45 a.m. – 01:00 p.m.	Session III: “I Honestly Want To Write But Who                      Will Publish What I Write?”                (Mr. Robert Clements & Fr. Jerry Kurian)
01:00 p.m. – 02:00 p.m.	Lunch
02:00 p.m. – 03:40 p.m.	Session IV: “Writing Till We Drop”                (Mr. Robert Clements & Fr. Jerry Kurian)
03:40 p.m. – 04:00 p.m.	Tea
04:00 p.m. – 04:30 p.m.	Discussion: “Excuse Me, I Have So Much Energy.                       But What Do I Do With It?”                   (Mr. Robert Clements)
04:30 p.m. – 04:50 p.m.	U.T.C. Masihi Sevak & Theological Education                   (Rev. Jeyakumar)
04:50 p.m. – 05:00 p.m.	Conclusion And Closing Prayer

 

Mr. George Varghese

Mr. George Varghese, YMCA director

Mr. George Varghese was born in Chirayarambu,Maramon, Kerala. At present he is serving as the Director of the YMCA Training Department in the United Theological College and as faculty for the theological students. His family includes his wife Susan Varghese and two sons Subin and Reuben.

Mr. George is a graduate from St.Thomas College,Kozhencherry. He has a post-graduate degree from the University of Madras in Physical Fitness, Exercise Rehabillitation and Nutrition therapy and a P G Diploma in Management from the University of London.
 

He started his career as a training secretary in Thrissur and later served as Secretary in Salur(Andhra Pradesh), Quilon(Kerala), Hyderabad, Assistant Administrative Officer in YMCA Physical Training College, Chennai, Project Co-ordinator at the Gandhidham Earthquake Rehabilitation Project,Gujarat, Regional Secretary of the Central India Region in Nagpur, and Assistant General Secretary in Indian Students Hostel, London. From 2008 he is serving as the Director of the YMCA Training Department in the United Theological College, Bangalore.

His engagements in the past few years

Lead sessions in the Training Programme For YMCA leaders in Kohima, Nagland.
Presented a paper on ‘Leadership’ in the Christian Leadership Programme with Leadership matters,Bangalore.
Attended the training programme on Resource Mobilisation at Pune with the Asia-Pacific Alliance of YMCA`s.
Lead sessions in the Training Programme for Honorary YMCA Secreataries at Vishakapatnam, Pune & Alwaye.

Took class on motivation for Sunday School Teachers at Queen`s Road Jacobite Church.

Preached at the St.Thomas Centre, Bangalore and at Chirayarambu Immanuel Mar Thoma Church on Good Friday.

Articles

Working with Young People: A New Perspective in the Youth of India (National newsletter of YMCA) June-Septmber 2012. 

YMCA Membership: A Call to Participate in God`s Mission in Youth of India (June 2011).

He says that YMCA is one of the important organizations where we mould future secretaries with right skills and technologies. The National YMCA needs to concentrate more on understanding the mission of YMCA which may lead the members and leaders to involve YMCA with right perspective and understanding.

Church & YMCA

YMCA is a good platform where all can come together and involve in society for making a change. Theological education is needed for YMCA secretaries. It gives the right Christian perspective for YMCA secretaries to involve in society with Christian values & principles.

United Theological College is a fantastic theological institution with more than a century of historical importance and existence and has moulded 1000`s of church leaders with an ecumenical outlook.The existence of YMCA training department at UTC is of great importance for both YMCA and UTC. The training in UTC introduces the YMCA secretaries to an ecumenical world which gives secretaries a proper outlook for their work.

Mr. George Varghese's wife Susan Varghese works as creche in charge in Raman Research Institute in Bangalore. His elder son Subin George Varghese works as System Analyst and  younger son Reuben Mathew Varghese is a 1^st year degree student.

Phone: 9902479450, 23549497
E mail: gvget@yahoo.com, ymca_trg_india@rediffmail.com

Prepared by Mr. Vinod Babu, BD III

Centenary celebration of YMCA Training School, UTC

               H. E. Dr. Hans Raj Bharadwaj, Governor of Karnataka lighting the lamp
    Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj (extreme left) and Mr. George Varghese (extreme right)

The Centenary celebration of the YMCA Training School in the United Theological College was held on July 22, 2011. The Honourable governor of Karnataka, H.E. Dr. Hans Raj Bharadwaj was the chief guest. The principal of the UTC, Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj, Mr. John Varghese, the National General Secretary of the YMCA, Mr. K. John  Cherian, the president of the National Council of YMCA s in India, Mr. Rolland Williams, the chairperson of the Training and Leadership Committee and Mr. George Varghese, the director of the Training and Leadership Department of the YMCA in UTC spoke during the occasion.

The celebration started with a thanks giving service in the Tagore Hall of the UTC. The public programme which was inaugurated by the honourable governor was colourful and well attended. Students from the UTC and the trainees of the YMCA joined together in welcoming the guests with drum beating, and students from the North East India welcomed the governor in traditional costumes.

H.E. Dr. Hans Raj Bharadwaj talked of his association with the YMCA during his younger days and how he is still in touch with various YMCA s. He shared his appreciation with the work done by YMCA in India and how it provides a place for the youth of this country. He talked with passion on how different communities should learn from each other and be in the forefront of offering social service to the people of India.