Pre Council Seminar of the Annual General Body Meeting

The pre council seminar of the Annual General Body meeting of the UTC was held yesterday in the Ecumenical Resource Centre in the UTC. The theme for the seminar was "Discerning Christian Public Witness: Social and Trinitarian Musings."

Papers were presented by Dr. David Chalcraft and Rev. Dr. R. Sahayadhas. The president of the UTC Council Rt. Rev. Dr. Bishop Devakadasham, church leaders, council representatives and faculty were present.

Inauguration of the tea/coffee maker in the ERC

An instant tea/coffee maker was also inaugurated in the ERC after the seminar.
 

UTC pre council seminar

The UTC AGM pre council seminar lecture was delivered today in the UTC ERC seminar hall by the Registrar of the Senate of Serampore College (University) Rev. Dr. Santanu Patro. The title of his paper was "Brahminism in the Subaltern: Predicament in Theorising Feminism for India." The bishop of the CSI Central Kerala diocese Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen presided over the presentation.

The paper dealt with the questions Is Brahminism reappearing as an alternative paradigm within the field of subaltern studies to theorise Indian Dalit, Adivasi and Women studies? Is it enough to accept Brahminism because it has countered effectively ‘Westernism’ and contextualised through indigenous movements, cultural rootedness and pluralistic religious foundations? Is there a possibility of doing Indian Feminism without Brahminism while maintaining equidistance from the Western influences such as Feminist Theology?

He ended by suggesting by suggesting a few tools of analysis to help construct an adequate methodology for Indian Feminist Theology.

1. Critical shift is needed from Narisakti to Narimukti

2. Emphasis on Prakrti over and above Purusa.

3. Little story and oral history constitute Herstory.

4. Critiquing tradition as an a priori engagement.

5. Analysing power.

6. Experience.

7. Accompanying in the struggles with the Dalits and Adivasis.

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.