Bangalore Theological Forum

The latest issue (Vol. XLV, No. 2, December 2013) of the Bangalore Theological Forum (BTF) is out and has been sent to all subscribers. It is also available in the Public Relations Office of the UTC. Dr. Joseph George is the editor.

The latest issue has the following articles
Jubilee and Liberation: A North-East India Tribal Perspective- Atula Ao (Tsudir).

The Contributions of Sigmund Mowinckel on the Study of the Book of Psalms- Lalawmpuia Hauhnar.

Sexuality and Spirituality: A Hermeneutical Exploration into the Song of Songs- Wungtei Buchem Phom.

Mission as the Church with Neighbours: Reading Paul's Jerusalem Collection with Ben Sira- Dexter S. Maben.

The Ambivalent Pilate: Reverse Mimicry in Mathew's Gospel- Raj Nadella.

Religion-State Interface: The Idea of India in a Post Secular Age- R. Sahayadhas.

Essay on Barth and Thatamanil: Two theologians against Religion- Martha Moore-Keish.

Citius, Altius, Fortius: Deciphering Ethical Contours in Human Cognitive Enhancement- Allan Samuel Palanna.

Reconfiguring 'Christian Unity': Towards an Ecumenism of Manyness- Y.T. Vinayaraj.

The Emergence of a Mission Theology in 21 st Century- Mary Shruti Joseph, SND.

HIV-AIDS as a Modern Crisis Experience: Challenges for Pastoral Care and Counselling- Joseph George.

The Voice of Jana Gana Mana: Indian Christian Theology-Re-evaluated- J.G. Muthuraj.

UTC Alumni office bearers

Rev. T. Stephen Selvinraj, President of the UTC Alumni

Rev. Vinod Victor, Vice President

                                                           Rev. Shanthi, Secretary

Mr. David Solomon Raju Pallikonda, Secretary

                                                         

                                                          Rev Giftson Paulraj, Member

Ms. Elsie Bhagya Kumari, Member

                                                       

Mr. Shine Sasi

Mr. Shine Sasi works as a mess boy in the United Theological College, Banglore. He was born in 1991 in a village named Nedumangad near Trivandrum in Kerala. His father's name is G. R. Sasi and his mother's name is Susy Sasi. Shine's father was a Hindu but later he converted and become an evangelist. Shine has a younger brother named Nithin Sasi and he is a GTH student in the Mispah Bible College, Trissur.

After his 12th standard he searched for a job and finally he reached UTC and joined in the temporary post of a mess boy in August, 2013. Shine now stays with his uncle at Hebbal. Shine feels that he is getting a family atmosphere in UTC and that makes up for his home sickness. Everyone likes him and he is often asked to sing in various programmes in UTC and this is a thrilling experience for him. 

Bini Jose, BD III

Mr. T. Moses

T. Moses was born  in Chittoor and stayed there till his 12th standard. After his studies he came to Bangalore searching for a job. He joined UTC on September 6, 1993. He works in UTC as a maintenance staff  in the UTC lawn and is responsible for the lawn in front of the library and takes care of the flower pots in front of the administrative block.

His wife, son and daughter are staying in Bangalore. His children are studying in the 11th and 12th standard. His wife is a housemaker. Mr. T. Moses is a jovial person. He likes to spend time with his family. He likes to interact with people around him and make them happy. It is the same at home and in the world place.

He is involved in ministry whenever he has free time and accompanies his church pastor and assists him in house visits. He does prayer there and sings songs. Mr. Moses is happy and satisfied with his work.

Mr. Moses says that UTC is a nice place to stay because of the magnificent trees in the campus and the variety of flowering plants. He says that when he joined UTC there were people who used to ask him about his life at UTC and counsel him. He says that now there are no such kind of people. Life is going on routinely.

G.Daniel Vivek,  BD III.

Mr. S. Thirukumar

Mr. S. Thirukumar joined UTC in June 1993 as a service staff in the office. He continued up to 1996 and left. He again joined back in 1998 as a service staff. He was transferred to the library as a staff in 2007 and continues there till now. His job is to arrange the books in the shelves and thus makes life easier for all those who search for books in the library. His wife, Mrs. Vashti Veeramani, is working in the UTC Nursery School as an assistant. They live in Krishnarajapuram. His family is from a Catholic Christian background. They believe that working in UTC is a blessing for both. They have a son, Mr. Alexson Samuel, who works as a technician in a private company. They would like to continue their job till their retirement. 

Yaphase, BD III.

 

Mr. M. Charles

Mr. M. Charles is a maintenance staff of the UTC and has been working here for the past ten years. He starts his day with prayer in the chapel at 7:30 A.M. and he says that this gives him strength for the entire day.

He hails from Gengi in Tamil Nadu. Mr. Charles is a single parent and has 2 daughters and a son. The eldest one is Deepa and she is staying with him in Bangalore and going for a job to help him to take care of the family financially. The second is his son Dilipraj and he is studying in class 11 and the youngest is Subhiksha and she is in class 7. Dilip and Subhiksha are studying in Tamil Nadu by staying in a hostel near to their native place. Every second Saturday he visits them and fulfills all their needs. He expects them to study well so that they can take up good jobs in their lives. 

Mr. Charles says that working in UTC is good even though sometimes he feels that the salary is less and not enough to meet his family expenses. He said that no one is helping him financially but he says that his hard work in UTC is giving some financial support to manage his livelihood.

P. Archana, BD III

Mr. D. S. Govindappa

Mr. D.S. Govindappa has been working as a Gardener in the United Theological College, Bangalore for the past 22 years. His job is to keep the garden and lawn clean and to maintain the greenery of the college. He joined the college on 11th November 1991 and became permanent in 1992 when Dr. E.C. John was the principal. His wife is Mrs. Nagamma and the couple has two children. His daughter Ms. Lakshmi is married to Mr. Venkatesh who is also working as a maintenance staff at UTC. His son Mr. Ravikumar is currently doing his 3rd year Bachelor of Engineering at BMS Engineering College in Basawangudi, Bangalore. 

Mr. Govindappa is thoroughly enjoying his work at UTC. He feels that his job gives him joy and satisfaction and that there is not much tension. He remembers fondly some of the professors whom he has earlier seen and known as students. Even though he is a believer of other faith, Govindappa believes that all religions are equal. He finds no difference working in a Christian institution. He would like to continue working with UTC till his retirement.
 

Sam Sathish Kumar. S, BD – III.