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

 

Hindu Nationalism and the Indian Church: Towards an Ecclesiology in Conversation with Martin Luther

Rev. Dr. R. Sahayadhas, professor in the department of Theology and Ethics in the UTC has published his latest book "Hindu Nationalism and the Indian Church: Towards an Ecclesiology in Conversation with Martin Luther." The book published by Christian World Imprints costs Rs 1,390 and is being offered at a price of Rs 1251with free delivery all over India.

The publishers say that "In the book, the author attempts to re-construe an Indian ecclesiology vis-à-vis the narrowly defined ideals of Hindu nationalism in contemporary India by analyzing and investigating the ecclesiological thoughts of Martin Luther, the 16th century Protestant Reformer. The book brilliantly places the teachings of the Reformer within ‘the social and historical travails of that time and brings them to bear on the ongoing constructive task of living into a relevant and appropriate Indian ecclesiology (and thereby, Indian Christian theology) today’.In this process, it is being maintained that the Indian Church must transform itself into a “Perichoretic Communion”, in which the diverse Christian ethnic groups and the plurality of cultures of India must interpenetrate in order to form one unit, while keeping their respective ethnic, linguistic and cultural identities intact. The author draws his insights from Luther’s fundamental theological/ ecclesiological principle: unity of the opposites or distinction and integration, and passionately proposes that it must be the principle of the Indian Church today. This theological writing presents an important and pioneering opus. It clearly focuses on contemporary contextual issues, concerns and challenges, and offers insights of general validity, not only for the Indian world but also from a global perspective. It is a timely volume and is well advised for the worldwide Church and the public at large."

Academic Guidance Programme 2013

The Academic Guidance Programme being conducted every year by the UTC will be held from September 24- October 11, 2013. The programme is meant for less privileged students from various backgrounds who intend to do their BD studies in UTC. The orientation, classes and training given equips the candidates for studying theology and introduces them to life, academic work and spirituality in UTC. The last date for submission of application forms has been relaxed and any query can be directed to
"The Registrar, United Theological College, Post Box 4613, 63 Miller's Road, Bangalore- 560046."

Koodankulam: The voices that matter from whom it matters

 

There will be a seminar/meeting/sharing session from the field on Koodankulam conducted by the People's movement against Nuclear Energy, Koodankulam and the Koodankulam Struggle Committee. The programme will be conducted in collaboration with the NCCI, Department of Theology and Ethics, Department of Communication and Carey Society of the UTC in UTC at 5:00 P.M.

The team talking to the UTC community will comprise of Rev. Gibson, Dr. Samuel Asir, Mrs. Millret and Mrs. Sundari.

(Pictures courtesy Hindu Business Line)

Independence day celebrated in UTC

Rev. Earnest Deenadayalan

The 67th Independence day of India was observed in UTC today. The day started with flag hoisting at 7:00 A.M. and was followed by the Independence day worship. Rev. Earnest Deenadayalan, distinguished alumnus of the college, renowned social activist and director of "Other Media" preached based on the theme "The truth will make you free".

He challenged the UTC community to participate actively in the struggles for freedom and dignity in India today. For him, the crisis that we face today is the crisis of governance. The essence of the state-sponsored celebration of independence is to reinforce the hegemony of the national security state, which continues to unleash terror on its subjects—particularly the subaltern communities—through draconian acts to advance the interests of neo-liberal globalization and casteist forces. Christian discipleship makes it imperative on us to celebrate dissent, trusting in God’s promise of freedom and liberation.

The Independence Day special liturgy, prepared by Dr. Evangeline Anderson-Rajkumar and led by BD I students, enabled the community to reflect upon the challenges of bearing witness in the public sphere in the context of the Empire. The Independence Day celebrations concluded with community breakfast. The community participated in the planting of saplings in the Main Campus and the Nandidurga Campus under the auspices of the Creation Club of the Carey Society.

Flag hoisting and community breakfast

Plating of saplings by UTC Creation club

Inputs from Dr. George Zachariah. Photo credit Calvin Sushith Ambler.  

Interfaith Pilgrimage

The College had the rare honour of hosting the visit of 36 participants organized by the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, on August 10 and 11, 2013. 

The Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian, non-denominational organization established with the Nobel Prize awarded to his Holiness in 1989.The participants were from different faiths, professions and nationalities, which included monks and nuns from the Buddhist traditions. The purpose is to understand learn about different faiths, and the visit to UTC, was intended to look closely at the Christian faith, its traditions, history, spirituality and practices.

The two day programme had brief presentations by Faculty members dialogue with students, orientation to the Library and worship at  Wesley English Church and dialogue with members of the Church. 

Foundation for Universal Responsibility

Interfaith Pilgrimage, 2013

United Theological College (UTC), Bangalore India

Aug 10 & 11, 2013

Theme for sessions : Who is my Neighbour?

Aug, 10 (Sat), 2013

10.00 -10.10 am	Welcome and Greetings:  Rev. Dr. Dexter S. Maben, UTC
10.10-10.50 am	Christian Bible :  Rev. Dr. J.G. Muthuraj
10.50-11.10am	Tea
11.10 -12.00 pm	Introduction to UTC Library; Christian Literature and Communication: Fr. Jerry Kurian, UTC  (With visual presentation)
12.10-12.50pm	Christian Theology: Rev. Dr. R. Sahayadhas, UTC
1.00 pm-2.00pm	Lunch
2.00 pm -2.50	Dialogue: Neighbours- An Inter-faith forum
2.50-3.10	Tea
3.10-3.40	Dialogue: UTC Students- Coordinated by Paul Karunakar, BD, III student
3.50pm-4.30pm	Christian Ethics   : Dr. George Zacharaiah, UTC
4,30 pm	Departure

Aug, 11 (Sun.) 2013

9.00 am	Worship at WESLEY ENGLISH CHURCH, Coles Park, Bangalore (Preacher will be Rev. Dr. Jones Muthunayagom, UTC). (Reporting at UTC Campus at 8.15 am and then proceeding to Wesley Church)
11.00 -11.45 am	Interactive session with worshippers Coordinator: Dr. Amita Santiago, Professor of English at Mount Carmel College, Postcolonial Scholar and member of Wesley English Church
12.20pm-1.00pm	Christian Mission : Sr. Dr. Mary Shruthi, UTC
1.00 pm-1.00pm	Lunch – UTC
2.10-2.50 pm	History of Christianity:  Rev. Dr. Allan Samuel Palanna, UTC
2.50-3.10pm	Tea
3.10-3.50pm	Christian Counselling: Dr. Joseph George, UTC
4.00-4.30 pm	Concluding session and feedback: Who is my Neighbour?  Rev. Dr. Dexter S. Maben, UTC

Rev. Dr. Dexter S. Maben

Annual General Meeting held in UTC

The Annual General Meeting of the UTC was held on August 8 and 9, 2013 in the ERC. Representatives of the churches on the UTC council attended the meeting which was held from morning to evening on both days. The Annual General Meeting is the General Body of the UTC which looks into all administrative, academic and spiritual matters of the college.

From left to right: Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj, Most Rev. Dr. Devakadasham and Rev. Jeyakumar

The president of the UTC and the moderator of the Church of South India Most Rev. Dr. G. Devakadasham, the principal Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj, the secretary of the council Rev. Jeyakumar, bishops, pastors and lay persons from various dioceses of the CSI and various denominations, faculty representatives of the UTC, alumni representatives and student representatives of the college attended the meeting.

Rev. Selina

The agenda included the principal's report, appointments to the college, confirmation of service, promotions, retirement, sabbatical and resignations over the past year. The audited statement of accounts for 2012-13 were read and elections to finance and development and building and property committees were also conducted.

On the left: Bishop B.D. Prasad Rao, the bishop of the CSI Rayalseema diocese and Bishop Thomas K. Oommen, the bishop of the CSI Central Kerala diocese

The principal's report included the progress of the college in the past year, accomplishments of various departments and faculty members, and the hostel building project. All AGM members and members of the faculty spoke about the direction the college has to take in the coming years. There was a united voice to work towards bringing out good candidates for ministry in the church from UTC. The bishop of the Methodist Church Bishop Taranath S. Sagar, the bishop of the CSI Rayalseema diocese Bishop B.D. Prasad Rao, the bishop of the CSI Vellore diocese Bishop A. Rajavelu, the bishop of the CSI Central Kerala diocese Bishop Thomas K. Oommen and the bishop of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church Bishop Mathews Mor Aphrem attended the AGM.

Checking the progress of the hostel building project

The hall way under construction