Lecture on Church and sexuality

There will be a conversation on Church and sexuality initiated by Rev. Winnie Varghese at the UTC Zieganbalg chapel tonight at 8:30 P.M. The Rev. Winnie Varghese is now working at the Trinity Parish Centre, New York as priest and Director of Community Outreach. Before this she was priest-in-charge and then rector of St. Mark’s-in-the-Bowery, a vibrant and diverse church in Manhattan that tripled in size under her leadership. She is priest who is passionate about equal rights, gender sensitivity and is an authority on the topic church and sexuality.

UTC Youth Carnival

The United Theological College Students Association (UTCSA) will be conducting a Youth Carnival on Saturday, November 20, 2015 at the UTC. The programme will start at 8:30 A.M.
The Theme for this year is "The New in You: Celebration of Friendship in the Cyber World." All the Christian youth of Bangalore are cordially invited to attend the event. There will be 6 competitions (Solo Singing, Group Singing, Choreography, Mad Ads, Elocution and Essay writing).

There will be mouth watering, delicious multi-cultural food stalls and exciting fun games for all who come. All the Churches and youth groups are invited to register. For registration and further details please contact: Moses +918095698804 or Zova +917259158059.

Ecclesial Exposure: St Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Cathedral

On 20^th July, the first year B D students of UTC, under the leadership of Sister Dr. Mary Shruti SND, went to St Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Cathedral at Queens’s Road in Bangalore for their ecclesial exposure. Before the Holy Qurbana there was morning prayer in Malayalam.

 The Holy Qurbana was celebrated by Fr. Eldo John in English. He was assisted by one of the deacons and the altar assistants. The richness of the liturgical songs in the worship added more meaning to the worship and filled our hearts with holiness.  The sermon was delivered after the holy mass. The sermon was given by Ms Nikhita Sunil, a youth member, based on the gospel reading Mathew 15:32-39. Through her sermon she insisted on the importance of the willingness to 'give' in Christian ministry. The youth in the church are given the opportunity to preach on the third Sunday of every month in this church. It was a great experience for many among us to witness the worship in the eastern tradition.

Koshy P. Vaidyan

BD I

JK

Naga Christian Fellowship

The BD I students worshipped with the Nagaland Christian Fellowship on July 13. The fellowship meets in the Richmond Town Methodist Church on Sunday afternoon's under the leadership of Pastor Rev. Zhabu Yimsung. On the 13th, the fellowship had a praise and worship service on the theme "God is faithful". 

The entire worship was conducted by the worship team. The singing of songs with actions and also the music and the feel created made the congregation participate fully. They made sure all the members gathered were a part of it. The testimony of one among the worship team was also encouraging and showed how God calls people for different ministries. The message to let others see Christ in you was evident throughout the testimony. This ecclesial exposure was a different experience for many of the BD I students accompanied by Sr. Mary Sruthi. 

The UTC students and faculty member with pastor Zhabu Yimsung

Church exposure visit to St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral

On the 6^th of July 2014, Sunday, the class of BD 1 consisting of 27 students and Sr. Dr. Mary Shruti Joseph, SND visited the St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, a Catholic church, in Cleveland Town, St. John's Church Road, Bangalore.  The church was built in 1842. Fr. Joseph Abraham solemnised the mass and he welcomed the group of believers by using the phrase, “Welcome to the Cathedral on The Most Beautiful Day.” The sprinkling of holy water on the heads of the believers (reminding us of our baptism) was a new experience to many of us. The sermon was based on Matt. 11:28-30. Father reminded us in his sermon that Jesus in this passage refers his yoke to the yoke of love. He also said that Jesus is asking us to cast all our modern day burdens on to Jesus and He will sustain us. Burdens are always a part and parcel of our life. Jesus always said COME TO ME! After the sermon the believers were administered mass. Overall, the mass was truly a ‘Beautiful’ experience in a very ‘Beautiful’ church. 

 Joel George Philip, BD I

Public lecture on Church and Homophobia by Rev. Winnie Varghese

Church and Homophobia

A Public Lecture

at

4.00 PM

On

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

at

the Ziegenbalgh Chapel, UTC, Bangalore

by

Rev. Winnie Varghese

Rev. Winnie Varghese is an Indian-American Priest of the Episcopal Church, currently serving as Rector of St Mark's Church in the Bowery, New York City.

Picture courtesy- www.outlookindia.com

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

UTC Alumni Refresher Course programme 2013

THE UNITED THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE, BANGALORE

REFRESHER COURSE PROGRAMME, OCTOBER 22-24, 2013.

Theme: Theological Education and the Church

22^nd October, 2013 (Tuesday)

8:30 -9:00                                - Worship at Ziegenbalg Chapel

9:00-9:15                                 - Inaugural  -    UTC Principal

9:20-10:30                               - Theological Education and the Church in India-  Key Note Address by Dr. K.C. Abraham

10:30-10:45                             - Coffee Break

10:45-11:30                             -  Bible, Context and the Interpretation: Re-reading

  Psalm 22   with Dalit Communities in India- Rev. Dr. K. Jesurathnam

11:30-1:00                               - A Case Study – “Can a Church be an NGO ?”

1:00-2:00                                 -  Lunch

2:00-3:00                                 -Laity’s Expectations of the ministry of  the Church - Mrs.Balasundram    and Dr. Charles

-  Laity’s interest in Theological Education -   Rajesh

- Reflections on  Theological Education  -  Alumni.   Rev. Jerry Anderson,   Dr. Ezekiel S. Kumar, Rev. P. Deenan Inbarasu  and  Father Jacob Joseph

3:00-4:20                                   - Transition of Ethics in Church and Academy – Dr. Allan S. Palanna

23^rd  October, 2013 (Wednesday)

8:30 -9:00                                - Worship with the UTC Community at Tagore hall - Worship conducted  by Alumni

9:10-10:10                               - Issues Confronting the Theological Education and the Church” – Reflections of Bishop Sampath Kumar

10:15-11:15                             - Health – Experiential Session with - Mr. Datta

11:15-11:30                             - Coffee Break

11:30-12:30                - The impact of Mental illness on the Indian Population in India: Challenges to the Church -  Medico Pastoral Association

12:30-1:00                           - Review of  New books from the Church and Synod- Rev. Vinod Victor

                                                   and Fr. Kurian Mathew   

1:00-2:00                             - Lunch with UTC Community at Charles Ranson Hall

2:00-4:00                   -Alumni sharing their Experiences Especially Pastoral Problems Confronted by them - Faculty with Senior Students – Doctoral, M.Th II (Counselling) and BD IV (Pastoral Administration) will  attend  the session

4:30-5:30                                 - Faculty Research Seminar at Tagore Hall  -  Dr. David Joy

24^th October, 2013 (Thursday)

8:30 -9:00                                - Worship Service at Ziegenbalg Chapel

9:10-10:00                               - Theological Education, Church and Society – Rev. Dr. Daniel Jones     Muthunayagom

10:00-11:00                             - Justice Mission Work Among  Children: Challenges to the Church

11:00-11:15                             - Coffee Break

11:30-12:00                             - Presentation of the Construction Project  -  Mr. George Varghese

12:00-1:00                               - Closing Worship and Communion – Rev. N.B  Gladstone Robert and Dr. Nalini Arles.

Help towards UTC Centenary Mahatma Gandhi Hostel and Quarters

Proposed plan of the building project in UTC

The UTC Centenary Mahatma Gandhi Hostel and Quarters is a project of the college which was conceived for the centenary of the college in 2010. The demolition of the old Mahatma Gandhi hostel last year due to the weakness in the structure build decades ago has made this very urgent and important for UTC to function properly. The project will cost atleast 7 crore rupees (this is because of the rising cost of material and any delay in construction). The work is progressing but the college is in urgent need of funds. The principal, faculty, staff and students make an appeal to alumni, well wishers, friends, former staff, churches and all those who have been associated with UTC in anyway to remember the college in your prayers and contribute generously towards the hostel building fund.

Strength tests done in the old building suggested that the old building had to be demolished immediately

The present construction has also lead to less accomodation being on offer for students and it has affected the in take of students and the facilities on offer to them. The ecumenical nature of the college has always been a place for candidates from different denominations to come together and study together. The churches have benefited from the candidates trained and equipped from UTC. This plea goes out to all as a means to participate in the continuing mission of UTC and the churches that it serves.

An artist's impression of the building

All room and hall sponsorships will be mentioned at the entrance of the room/hall and all contributions above Rs 50,000 will be mentioned in the building itself at an appropriate and visible place. The break up for the rooms and other areas are

Sl no.	Description	Approximate cost of one unit	Total cost
1.	Single rooms (290 sft, 24 units)	Rs 3,50,000/-	Rs 84,00,000/-
2.	Studio apartments (460 sft, 18 units)	Rs 9,00,000/-	Rs 162,00,000/-
3.	MTh Family quarters (840 sft, 6 units)	Rs 15,00,000/-	Rs 90,00,000/-
4.	Dining hall, toilet, wash area (2600 sft)	Rs 65,00,000/-	Rs 65,00,000/-
5.	Kitchen (930 sft)	Rs 25,00,000/-	Rs 25,00,000/-
6.	Outdoor dining (560 sft)	Rs 8,00,000/-	Rs 8,00,000/-
7.	Toilet block in hostel (180 sft, 3)	Rs 6,00,000/-	Rs 18,00,000/-
8.	Kitchenette+ dry wash in hostel (180 sft, 3)	Rs 4,00,000/-	Rs 12,00,000/-
9.	Staircases- 4 nos.	Rs 15,00,000/-	Rs 60,00,000/-
	Lobbies+ corridors Entrance area+ porch Total		Rs 30,00,000/- Rs 10,00,000/- Rs 569,00,000
10.	Wardrobes+ kitchen cabinets	Rs 25,00,000/-	Rs 25,00,000/-
11.	Lifts (2)	Rs 25,00,000/-	Rs 25,00,000/-

You can send your contributions by cheque/draft to the United Theological College, 63 Miller's Road, Benson Town, Bangalore- 560046 in the name of the "United Theological College, Bangalore" or credit your amount to the Canara bank account numbers below.

Local account number, Canara Bank (contributions from within India only)- 0429101003275.

Foreign contribution account number, Canara Bank (contributions from outside India only)- 0429101006260.

IFSC bank code- CNRB0000429.

(Please inform us by phone at  +91-080-23332844 (Principal) and 23333438, 23330502 (General), 91-80-23330015 (fax) or email us at  utcprincipal@rediffmail.com or unitedtcprincipal@gmail.com if you want to know more, want to contribute or have credited money to the accounts mentioned.)

UTC Inter-Sunday school competition

The winning church with the Inter-Sun faculty advisor Rev. Dr. Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar

  The Junior Bible Fellowship of Carey society had its Inter Sunday school talent hunt on the 3^rd of November 2012. The event was based on the theme “germination in a busy network”. The concept means to say that the children these days live in a ‘busy network’ of life, with school in the morning, then the tuition, music classes, sports activities and many more, on the other hand ‘germination’, the process in which a seed becomes a plant, is compared with the seed sown by the Sunday school teachers in their respective Sunday schools. This is the meaning of the theme “germination in a busy network”.

Vegetable carving competition was an interesting addition this year

Explaining the concept to the judges

There were about 28 churches Sunday school that participated in the event. The program started off with the children bursting balloons and inaugurating the event followed by praise and worship lead by ‘Affirmation’. There were various events like group singing, group instrumental, bible quiz, choreography which were poised as the main events along with new events like grain art, and treasure hunt that were introduced and event like vegetable carving, rangoli and flower arrangement in which one Sunday school teacher was allowed to participate.

The competition was well attended by children, parents and teachers from various churches in Bangalore

`St. Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church enthralled the audience with their amazing performance and enthusiastic participation and also won the over-all trophy yet another time, followed by St. Peters and St. Paul’s Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church who won the runners-up trophy. Since the theme is closely related to plants the trophies this time were also floral saplings, First prize- Chrysanthemum, Second Prize- Oleander and the Third prize- Rose. All who attended the program were enthusiastic and brought more colour to the event with their performances and their presence in the campus.
                                   Vinod Shemron, UTC Inter-Sun Co-ordinator.

The student co-ordinator of the UTC Inter-Sun competition, Mr. Vinod Shemron

(Photo credit to Mr. Joe Jacob)

UTC Pre Council Seminar and Annual General Meeting

The UTC pre council seminar and Annual General Meeting was held on August 9 and 10, 2012. Members of the UTC council from all over India took part in the two day deliberations and election of the new executive commitee, which is the highest decision making body of the United Theological College. The UTC is governed by a council comprising members belonging to several churches in India.

From Left to Right: Rev. Dr. Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar, Rev. Dr. Dayam Joseph Prabhakar, Rt. Rev. Dr. Surya Prakash, Rev. Dr. Jones Muthunayagom and Rev. Dr. Joseph Muthuraj.

Rev. Jeyakumar, Executive Secretary, Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj and Rt. Rev. Dr. Surya Prakash.

The proceedings started with worship on the first day and was followed by the pre council seminar with the theme "God of Life: Lead us to Justice and Peace". The meeting was chaired by the president of the UTC Council, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Surya Prakash, bishop of the Karimnagar CSI diocese. This year's seminar had four presentations. Rev. Dr. Dayam Joseph Prabhakar (Theology and Ethics), Rev. Dr. Jones Muthunayagom (Old Testament), Rev. Dr. Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar (Women's Studies) and Rev. Dr. Joseph Muthuraj (New Testament) made presentations on topics which reflected the theme.

Dr. Joseph George

The seminar was followed by the business meeting which looked at various aspects of college life. The curriculum revision report was presented by Dr. Joseph George. The second day had continued discussions on business to be transacted and the new president along with a new executive was elected. The new UTC council president is Most Rev. G. Devakadasham, the moderator of the Church of South India and bishop of the Kanyakumari CSI diocese.The principal and secretary thanked the members who attended.