Christian Discipleship in the context of Violence- A one day programme by the Women's Studies Department

Christian Discipleship in the context of Violence

Re-Reading Passion Narratives through Gender Lens

We are in the season of Lent – A time for critical self-reflection on Christian Spirituality, Faith and Discipleship. The Women’s Studies Department of United Theological College which completed twenty years of its existence in February 2014 is happy to invite you to a day of theological reflection on meaningful engagement in struggle for Life, Love and Justice in a context that is surrounded by situations of violence.

We invite you to this day of reflection on Monday, March 10, 2014 that would begin with special worship at 8.30 am in front of the library and conclude at 3.30 p.m. with tea. The venue for the seminar will the J.R. Chandran Seminar Hall.

The Programme for the Day includes the following:

• RE-reading Passion Narratives in the Gospels from a feminist Perspective
• Events of Life, Love and Light tucked in the midst of death, lovelessness..
• Assessing Women’s Engagement in the struggles of Life, participation in civil society movements
• Searching for “Life in Abundance” in our own Gardens

Please contact Dr. Rini Ralte or Dr. Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar at the following numbers to let them know of your participation. Tea/ Snacks and Lunch will be provided.

Please contact either 9449819757 (Dr. Rini) 

or 

9449547459(Dr. Evangeline)

Bishop Devasahayam preaches for quiet day in UTC

The Quiet Day retreat for the first term of the academic year 2013-14 was held in the UTC on July 30 and 31 in the Ziegenbalgh chapel of the UTC. The Rt. Rev. Dr. V. Devasahayam, the bishop of the CSI Madras diocese lead the sessions for the quiet day retreat. 

Bishop Devasahayam spoke on the UTC theme for the year “Christian discipleship: Call, cost and commitment.” He spoke at length on all the sub themes and developed a spirituality which can be emulated by theological students and future pastors. He brought in the need for spiritual development centres in theological colleges.

The bishop developed the theme of a Christian call by saying that a call is not dependent on human merit or virtues. God fancies calling the meek to put to shame the powerful. He said that “God does not call the qualified but qualifies the called.” The call for discipleship is also a call for a new life. One should be child like and be ready to change. Discipleship also implies companionship. It is being in the company of Jesus. Discipleship suggests following. The shepherd is the father, the sheep the people, Jesus the gate and the Holy Spirit the gate keeper. One should resemble Christ and commit to the values of the kingdom.

 Bishop Devasahayam expressed that discipleship is collective discipleship. The Holy Spirit is given to a community. Are we able to escape the divisions of class, caste and gender? Every such division is a denial of discipleship and the Christian church. Discipleship aims at continuity. 

Jesus taught his disciples the way of the cross. One must base one’s faith on this. One must do away with selfishness and choose a life of sacrifice. Therefore, one must lose one’s life to gain it. Suffering has a redemptive value. Bishop Devasahayam was happy to be in his alma mater and lead the quiet day this year.