Draft Report of the Board for Lay - Training for the Biennium 2005 - 2007

To be Presented at the 31st Session of the Madras Diocesan Council

1. Introduction

Human life, as a gift of God is Sacred. The human person is called in this life to realize himself or herself as a responsible citizen of the reign of God. God calls everyone to glorify Him through their life in the world of their time. In Matthew 5:13-14, Jesus appeals to the Disciple community to be “the salt for the earth and light to the world”. Hence it is clear that the life of every human being is in the world. And to Christian the responsibility of transforming the world by the Christian presence is the mandatory responsibility.

The words ‘Laity’ and ‘Lay’ are derived from Greek word  (laos) means people. In the New Testament Laos is used of the members of the Church as the people of God. But the idea is taken from the Old Testament, in which Israel is the covenantal people of God. According to the Old Testament prophetic understanding, God chose Israel not for privilege but for service; her special function was to bring the knowledge of God to the Gentiles, the non-Israelite people. Israel was to be a priest-nation to the Gentile world (cf.Ex.19: 4-6); the doctrine of priesthood of the laity was written into the covenant of Sinai. Every Jew was a priest to ten Gentiles, according to the vision of Zechariah 8:23.

In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’” - NIV

This prophetic hope of the Old Testament was not fulfilled until the coming of Jesus and His Church, which became a people of mission, a light to the Gentiles, the new royal priesthood and people of God’s own possession (I Peter 2:9,10).

Thus in the New Testament the whole Church corporately was priestly, offering up to God the sacrifices which were now acceptable to him through Jesus Christ - worship and works of charity. With this perspective, the Board of Lay-Training under the able guidance and vision of our Beloved Bishop the Rt. Rev. Dr. V. Devasahayam is committed to explore the role of the whole people of God in the world in order to transform the world as the Reign of God. I am indeed very much happy to present the Biennial report of the Board for Lay- Training of the C.S.I. Diocese of Madras to this council.

2. Aims and Objectives

• To train the Lay preachers to be effective preachers and teachers of the Bible.

• To train the Church workers to be effective in their ministries to the local village congregations. And to fulfill their ministries as catechists in all spheres of their activities.

• To equip the Laity, the people of God as a whole with proper understanding of Christian faith and doctrines, to realize and discharge their Christian responsibilities by living as fulltime Christians in the world and thus taking the church into the world in order the Christian presence be felt in their places of life and work.

3. Programs In order to Fulfill the Foresaid Objectives

• Conducting cluster level and area level coaching classes for the authorized lay-preachers.

• The lay - preacher probationers are selected on the recommendation of the Presbyters through the Pastorate Committee and local congregations to undergo one year Biblical and theological training before commissioned as authorized lay-preachers of the Diocese.

• Conducting seminars and workshops on important topics relevant to the present day context of the church and the society.

• Organizing professional groups and peer groups in order to reflect together and to synthesize programs for effective witness through their vocation and profession.

• Conducting courses to various groups in the congregation according to their need.

• Since this Board is committed basically to train people of God, it works in co­-ordination with the other Departments and Boards such as the Department of Christian Education and the Catechists Fellowship in training of church workers.

4. Annual Lay - Preachers’ Conference

The Annual Lay-Preachers’ conference is one major activity of the Board, in which, the authorized lay-preachers are refreshed in their perspective, to continue to serve as effective ministers of the Word of God. The annual Lay-Preachers’ Conference for the year 2005 was held during (25th - 27th) November 2005, at the C.S.I. St. Paul’s Higher Secondary School, Vepery. The theme for the conference was “Teach them to Observe..” Matthew 28:20. This theme was chosen at the context of observance of the Catechetical year to mark the Ter-centenary celebration of the arrival of the first Protestant Missionary to India Provost Bartholomew Ziegenbalg, in whose ministry the catechism played a very vital role to equip the people of God in faith. During the conference the following topics were taught and dealt in detail by the eminent scholar s in respective fields :

• Teachings in Old Testament - The Rev. Dr. J. B. Jayaraj

• Teachings in New Testament - The Rev. Dr. A. W. Swamidoss

• Jesus the Teacher - The Rev. B. J. Premiah

• Teaching of Christian Doctrine - The N. G. Matthew

• The present context of our Teaching Ministry - The Rev. Dr. J. B. Jayaraj

The conference was very useful and enlightening to understand the various teaching methodologies and the Biblical thrust for the Lay-preachers to be effective teachers of the scripture. 218 Lay -preachers participated in the conference. All the participants were gifted with acomplimentary book titled “ssoBD {ì ¶¤xïD” authored by A. Peter Abir and Aloysius Xavier, an introductory volume of the “]òssoB sáÂïD”series jointly published by the Arul Vakku Manram, Tiruchirappalli and Tamil Theological Book Club, Madurai. We are thankful to Mr. Nathaniel Nesakumar, the then Headmaster of C.S.I. St. Paul’s School, Vepery for helping us in arranging the conference.

The annual Lay-Preachers’ Conference for the year 2006 was held during 22nd to 24th September 2006, at the C.S.I. St. Ebba’s Higher Secondary School, Mylapore. The theme for the conference was “Scripture: Inspired by God, Instrument of faith” (]ò\çÅ : ÖçÅkM[ #õ|>_, ÖçÅåD¸Âçïl[ ¶½>áD). The Rev. B.J. Premiah, the Diocesan Secretary and the Chairperson of this Board delivered the Inaugural Address. The former Bishop of the Madurai-Ramnad Diocese, the Rt. Rev. D. Pothirajulu delivered theme addresses on the topics “Bible inspires Peace” and “To be instruments of Peace”. All the participants were divided into 8 groups and classes were conducted on the themes Scripture: the Inspired Word - its History, Canon and Translation by Rev. Benjamin Inbaraj, Rev. Indira Paul, Rev. Jayaraj Inbasekaran and Rev. Christopher Rathinaswamy and on the theme Scripture and its interpretation by Rev. Lawrence Jebadoss, Rev. Manovah Santhosham, Rev. Devaputhiran and Rev. Richard Ambrose. A session on the “Interpretation of the Parables and Miracles of the Bible” was conducted by the Rev. B. J. Premiah. The book titled “Re-reading the Bible with New Eyes” authored by the Rev. Dr. Dhyanchand Carr was reviewed and introduced by the Rev. Christopher Rathinaswamy. The Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, the Director of SCEPTER, an Extension Programme of the Senate of Serampore College, Kolkatta gave a special lecture on the topic “Theological Education and the People of God”, in which he highlighted about the importance of the theological education for all the people for their basic witnessing as people of God and he introduced about the programs of the SCEPTER which would help the lay-people to pursue theological education. 224 lay-preachers participated in the conference. During this conference all the Lay-preachers were gifted with books “\Vuz” (Commentary on Mark) “¨¸¼«Bì” (Commentary on Hebrew) of “]òssoB sáÂïD” series. We are thankful to Mrs. E.Z. Dhinakaran, the Headmistress of C.S.I. St. Ebba’sHigher Secondary School, and Mrs. Catherine Dhinakaran, Principal of C.S.I. St. Ebba’s Matriculation School for making all arrangements for the conference.

5. Training and Commissioning of Lay - Preachers

During the last biennium 47 new Lay-preacher Probationers were commissioned and issued authorizations as Lay­-preachers (Appendix). The candidates were selected based on the recommendations of the Presbyters of Pastorates according to the needs of the local Pastorates. They are given training to introduce them to the Biblical and theological foundations of the Christian faith. They are expected to submit their assignments after every session and they undergo trial sermon. On the satisfactory completion of all these requirements they are recommended to the Bishop and the Diocesan Ministerial Committee to be considered for Commissioning as Lay-preachers of the Diocese. On 27th November 2005, 27 Probationers were commissioned by our Bishop at the Special service held at the C.S.I. St. Paul’s Church, Vepery during the Valedictory of the Annual Lay-Preachers’ Conference 2005. On 24th September 2006, 20 Probationers were commissioned as Lay-Preachers by our Bishop at the Special service held at the C.S.I. Good Shepherd Church, Mylapore during the Valedictory of the Annual Lay-Preachers’ Conference 2006. I would like to place on records my appreciation to the Presbyters of these 2 Church the Rev. Paul Francis and Rev. V. S. Vijayakumar the Officers and the members of the Pastorate Committees for making all arrangements for conducting these services. I am thankful to our resource persons who have helped us in conducting the training for the Probationers. They are Rev. B.J. Premiah, Rev. D. Paul Jesudoss, Rev. Paul Pragasam, Rev. Benjamin Inbaraj, Rev. Paul William, Rev. D.C. Premraj, Rev. Paul Francis and Rev. Christopher Rathinasamy.

Seminar on the Teaching Ministry of the Church : On the observance of the year 2006 as the Catechetical Year as part of the celebration of the Ter-centenary of the arrival of the first Protestant Missionary, the Rev. Bartholomew Ziegenbalg, a Seminar on the Teaching ministry of the Church was organized. It was held on 15th October 2005 at the Community Service Center, 17, Balfour Road, Chennai. Our Bishop presided over the - seminar and gave the Introductory remarks. The Rt. Rev. Gnanabaranam Johnson, the former Bishop of Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church led the opening devotion following papers were presented :

• Challenges to Christian Teaching in the Scientific era - Dr. P. Dayanandan

• Teaching in the Biblical Tradition - l (Old Testament) - Rev. J. Abidhanandhar

• Teaching in the Biblical Tradition - 2 (New Testament) - Rev. Christopher Rathinasamy

• Teaching Ministry in the Church - Rev. B.J. Premiah

• Martin Luther’s Catechisms - Rev. M. Enose

• Catechism in the Anglican Church - Rev. N. G. Matthew

• Catechism in the Methodist Church - Rev. Immanuel Jayakumar

• Catechism in the Presbyterian Church - Rev. Lawrence Jebadas

• Catechism in, the Congregational Church - Rev. Paul Elisa

• Catechism in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Charismatic Churches - Rev. Manuel S. Titus

This seminar was of great help to study the catechetical models of various church traditions, which was very useful for the preparation of the Almanac for the year of Catechism. Following this seminar a core group under the guidance and leadership of our Bishop worked out various topics for the sermons for the Catechetical year and sermons were prepared on those topics and published by the Department of Christian Education as the “2006” used as sermon guide throughout the Diocese during the year 2006.

6. Laity Institute for Transformation Education (LITE)

The Laity Institute for Transformation Education, the God given vision to the Diocesan family through His servant our Bishop, caught up and uttered by every member of the Diocese as “LITE” has witnessed the accomplishment of the I phase of its construction, the LITE Auditorium which was dedicated on the 4th January 2006. We trust, God being the source and accomplisher of our faith and our efforts would enable us to fulfill this vision. This institute will be a place of training and equipping all the people of God who are called to serve God within the Church and in the world, the people of God being bridge between the Church and the World. This institute will provide opportunity for training for the Sunday school ‘teachers, the secretaries, treasurers and the members of the Pastorate Committees for the meaningful participation and co-operation in the mission of the Church and for various professional and working groups for the effective witnessing through their vocation. Through this institute we are also engaged in the process of exploring possibilities of building up curriculum under theguidance of our Bishop for the various training programs. This institute will also provide opportunity for the Lay-people for pursuing theological education through programs offered by the SCEPTER, an extension program of the Senate of Serampore College.

7. Recommendations for the Future Programs

• It is proposed to enhance the twinning programme of Rural and City congregations not only for construction of the Churches but also to exchange Preachers and Catechists both from City and Rural congregation.

• The Board requests the Presbyters to organize Pastorate and Cluster level training programmes periodically to help the Lay-preachers to equip themselves to prepare and present better sermons.

• The Board also requests the Pastorates and Presbyters to recognize and recommend suitable women candidates for training and commissioning as Lay-preachers whenever needed.

8. Conclusion

While concluding I would like to thank our Bishop for giving me this opportunity to work in this Board as a Director, which has been providing me with tremendous opportunity for learning and for his constant encouragement, guidance and support. I am also thankful to the Officers of the Diocese, the Vice-president, the Secretary, the Treasurer and the Bishop’s Chaplain for their encouragement and enthusiasm. I place on records my appreciation to all the Area Chairmen for their availability during the programs to conduct the devotions and their continued support for the activities of the Board. I also would like to thank the secretary of the Lay-preachers’ fellowship Mrs. Chrislet Flowercy who makes herself available during the training of Lay-preacher probationers and the Annual Lay-preachers’ Conference. I am thankful to all the Presbyters and Lay preachers who are very much helpful in various activities of this board. Above all I thank and praise God for the His strength and wisdom in doing this ministry. It is my prayer that God would continue to make me worthy to be a faithful servant to God in this Church.

Rev. M. Enose

Director
C.S.I Diocese of Madras
Board for Lay - Training
Department of Ecumenical Relations

Biennium Report Presented at the Madras Diocesan Council - 2007

1. Partnership in Mission

•   Learning Together



•   Sharing Together



•   Growing Together

2. Introduction

Aims and Objectives

• To link city congregations with rural congregations and to establish relationship between the people of God.

• To interact with overseas mission partner churches.

• To establish ecumenical relations with other denominations and also to promote inter - faith dialogue.

• With the above aims and objectives the following action programmes have been initiated.

3. Twinning Programming

• Identifying city churches which come forward to be twinned with rural churches

• To establish new relationship

• To foster fellowship

• To create awareness among the congregations to become sensitive and to respond to the needs of rural congregations including constructing new churches for worship.

• Encouraging partner churches under the Twinning programme to come together in order to have both city and rural exposure and combined programmes for youth fellowships, women fellowships and Sunday schools.

• In the last few years several city churches have constructed church buildings for rural congregations that did not have proper worship centers.

• Rural and city congregations have also met for a daylong fellowship of singing, sharing the good news and their lives.

• In this biennium, many rural congregations have approached the Bishop requesting him to link them with city churches under Twinning Programme. Some of the city churches have already constructed church buildings in the rural areas and work is in progress in other areas. Recently few more city churches have joined the Twinning programme.

Churches Built and Dedicated During the Biennium

• Mosur, Arkonam East Pastorate, Korattur Pastorate.

• Nagalapuram, Nagalapuram Pastorate Zion Church.

• Poondi, Andrewpuram Pastorate Yesu Anbar Alayam.

• Pothaturpet, Pothatur Pastorate St.Paul’s Church, Choolai.

• Satyavedu Town, Sathyavedu Pastorate Risen Redeemer’s Church, Kodambakkam.

• Melvengadapuram, Sholingur Pastorate Emmanuel Church, Thangam Colony.

• Erumbi, Sholingur Pastorate Rev. Dr. Arun Gopal.

• Kelambakkam, Thiruporur Pastorate Good Shepherd Church, Velacherry.

• A.M. Pettai, Thiruthani Pastorate St.Paul’s Church, Choolai.

• Puthur Town, Nagari West Pastorate Wesly Church, Perambur (partly) and Mr. Ravikumar Rathnaraj.

• Velachery, Nimalacherry Pastorate Mr. Devasirvadam (partly).

• Ekambarakundram, Nagari West Pastorate Mr. George Stephen.

• Padapparai, Sholingur Pastorate Women Fellowship, Redeemers Church, Anna Nagar.

• Karumbakkam,Gummudipoondi Pastorate Mr. John Stephen and Family.

• Thathanur, Sriperumbadur Pastorate Missionary Chapel, Vepery.

• Selai, Thiruvallore Pastorate Mr. Jacob Suresh & Family (Partly).

Work in Progress

S.No Rural Congregation City Congregation / Individual

• Eguvarpalayam, Roshanagar Holy Cross Church, Perambur

The City Congregations

• Attend church dedication services with busloads of people.

• Visit rural congregations at the time of anniversaries and festive occasions.

• Spend a day with them praying together, playing together and sharing together.

These are all some of the visible expressions of the twinning programme.

Sunday School Festival under Twinning Programme

The Department encourages city churches to construct worship centers in Rural Areas under Twinning Programme. It does not stop with this. It also encourages partner churches under twinning Programme to come together in order to have both city and Rural exposure and to have combined programmes for Youth Fellowships, Women Fellowships and Sunday Schools. As an experiment such programme was organized for Youth Fellowships in Missionary Chapel, Christ Church, Virugambakkam and Kasireddy pet , Sriperumbadur Church.

In continuation of this, similar programme was tried for Women Fellowships. CSI Missionary Chapel arranged Women Festival under Twinning Programme during August 23rd and 24th,2003 as part of Women Sunday celebration. Women Fellowship members from Uthukottai, Mahabalipuram, Redhills, and Missionary Chapel participated. It was a real joy for all the participants to come together Devotion, Health awareness programme, Bible Quiz, Group Discussions, and singing competitions marked the celebration. The members participated with great enthusiasm.

The Missionary Chapel and the Thathanur Church (built by Missionary Chapel) have jointly organized similar programme for Sunday Schools at the partner church in Thathanur on 12th November 2006 under Twinning programme. Rev.B.J.Premiah and Rev. Francis Devadoss took initiative. More than 50 children from Missionary Chapel and 30 children from Thathanur church participated in this one day programme. They enjoyed together the time of singing, devotion, Bible quiz and the culturalprogramme. Later in the evening the children of Missionary Chapel visited the houses of the new friends from Thathanur. The Women Fellowship led by the president Mrs.Shanthi Premiah,the Sunday School teachers led by the supirendendent Mrs. Beula ,the Pastorate committee secretary Mr. Stanely David and the treasurer Mrs. Aruna were there to encourage the children.

As this experiment was a successful one this could be followed by Churches which are twinned under together.

4. Partnership with overseas Dioceses

The Diocese of Madras has partnership relations with the following Churches / Dioceses

• Carlisle Diocese, UK.

• Uniting Church in Australia, Australia.

• St.Peter’s Episcopel Church New Jersey.

• Episcopal Diocese of New York.

• We have active prayer fellowships praying for each other.

• We explore the means of exchanging people and ideas and finding resources for some of our ongoing programmes in educational, medical and social ministries.

• We constantly explore possibilities of establishing new partnership relations with other churches abroad.

Overseas Visitors

• Bishop Itty Episcopal Churches, USA visited our Diocese from 31st January to 2nd February, 2005. and seen the Tsunami affected areas near Kalpakkam.

• Dr. John Thomas, Rev. Lydia, Rev. Dr. Vijayakumar from UCC, USA – 1st February to 2nd February, 2005.

• Rev. Simon Ferrar, London 28th January - 3rd February, 2005.

• Mr. Bryan form London from 22nd February - 14th March 2005.

• Rev. Sandy Boyce, People Mission Coordinator, Uniting Church in Australia made a visit from 30th August to 10th September, 2005. This visit was mainly to meet the UCA volunteers Mr. Iain Brown, Mr. Neil Van Drunen and Shaon Davis who were placed in different parts of our Diocese under UCA Volunteers Programme.

• Six UCA volunteers from the Uniting Church in Australia under the leadership of Dr. Phil Chappel visited under Short Term ExposureTour Programme (STET) during 16-11-2005 and 06-12-2005. The other team members were Katherine Bryant, Steph Gesling, Katishe Grudnoff, Rachel Jennings and Dennise Thomson. After paying visits to various projects in our Diocese, they spent rest of the time in a work party project namely , gardening Allision Cassie school at Chengalpattu.

• Rev. John Barr, the Executive Secretary ,Uniting international Mission, UCA Australia, during 24th and 27th of November 2005. His visit encouraged the UCA volunteers.

• Canon Ivor Smith Cameron, Rev. Alan and six other delegates Gilda Esposito, Pat Hughes, Phillipe, Hassan, Hussein, Onjema and James from ALL Saints Church, Battersea, London,were in Chennai from 26th December 2005 to 6th January 2006.They paid a visit to Madurandhagam and Vedal. A thanks giving service to mark the 50th Anniversary of ordination of Canon Ivor Smith Camerone was arranged at St.Mathia’s Church on 30th December 2005. They also participated in the dedication of the LITE Auditorium on 4th January 2006.

• Rt. Rev. Michael David Doe, General Secretary, USPG, London visited our Diocese during 17-01-2006 and 20-01-2006. He was the speaker at the clergy get together at St, Paul’s Church on 19-01-2006. A public reception was organized by our Diocese on 19th evening at the LITE auditorium to felicitate him. This function attains significance because this was the first ever Diocesan programme in the LITE Auditorium after it was declared open

• Professor. Charlotte Patton from the Episcopal Diocese of New York made her second visit during 23rd and 27th of January 2006

• Claire Geormann, neice of David Scot from UCA and two other friends visited during 1st to 5th February, 2006.

• The representatives of The Bishop Harvey Goodwin School, Carlisle Diocese Rev. Jim Hyslop, the Chairman of the School committee, Mr.David Shepherd, one of the Board of Governors, and Miss, Katie Smith, a teacher made a visit during 12-02-2006 and 23-02-2006.

• Miss. Hannah Kelley from the Church Kendall, Carlisle Diocese visited in May 2006 and served as a volunteer at CSI. Jessie Moses School.

• A nine members team from UCA , Australia under the leadership of Rev.Sandy Boyce, People Mission coordinator and Mr. David Scott visited our Diocese from 14th November 2006 to 5th December under Short Term Exposure Trip (STET) programme.

• A Eleven members team from UCA, Australia, is visiting on STET programme from 7th January 2007 for 3 weeks.

Pilgrimage 2006

Pilgrimage 2004 from the Episcopal Diocese of New York strengthened the relationship between the Diocese of Madras and the Episcopal diocese of New York.This resulted into yet another visit “Pilgrimage 2006” from 18th October to 31st October 2006 under the leadership of the Arch Deacon Michael Kendall.The other members of the team were Rev.Michael Shafer, Mrs. Johanna Shafer, Ms. Dana Patton, Rev Jay Gorden, Ms.Judith.T.Milone, Ms.Marjorie, Ms.Pamella Ho sang and Rev. Gideon Jebamani. Their programme began with Eucharist in St.George’s Cathedral followed by orientation and welcome by the Diocese at Ewart Girl’s School. Apart from visiting educational Institutions, Hospitals, Farms, Hostels, and other projects, they also participated in Boat giving ceremony near Pondicherry and the foundation stone laying ceremony for a new church building at Sriperumbadur.

The second part of the Pilgrimage was spending time at work spots to study the five different ministries of our Diocese :

• Pastoral Ministry.

• Pre Schools.

• Ewart Women Christian College and Hostels.

• Hospitals and Nursing Scools.

• Ministry to Transgender.

The delegates participated in Sunday worship services in different churches on 22nd and 29th October 2006.

Volunteers Programme ( Learning & Sharing ) in the Biennuim - A New Venture

Our partner churches, impressed by the Diocesan projects and different ongoing ministries in our Diocese continue to send volunteers in some of our Diocesan Institutions and Projects.

Consultation on Partnership in Mission ( 17 - 18) January 2005

Our Diocese is blessed with many partnership relations with Churches and God’s people in various parts of the world. A rapidly growing interest in our Diocese has been bringing many visitors, even as some of our members visit our partnership churches overseas. Partners come to us for many reasons, the foremost being the awareness that we all are One in Christ. Some come to maintain our old connections and others to initiate new partnerships. Some people come to learn about our programs and our conditions, and while others come to share fresh ideas and provide support. Recently, one of the most joyful relationships has emerged from people of Indian origin in churches in Sri Lanka and South Africa. The common heritage makes the oneness of the body of Christ come alive in strength, while reviving lost linkages and emotional ties. Our Bishop has played an important role in establishing these partnerships. As one who ever remembers friends and old acquaintances and is ever conscious of the importance of partnership in mission, our Bishop has been taking great interest in welcoming overseas visitors and providing them a wholesome view of the Madras Diocese.

In order to strengthen our partnership relations, a 2-day “Consultation on Partnership in Mission” was held at the Community Centre on 17-18 January, 2005. The timing was ideal since a large number of fraternal delegates were already here to participate in our 30th Madras Diocesan Council meetings held 12-15 January. The Consultation was held to thank God for counting us among his disciples in the mission that Jesus launched in Nazareth and to thank the men and women of deeper faith, commitment, and greater skills who have witnessed for our Lord before us. It was a time to remind us of the 300 years of mission and missionaries who sowed the seeds and tended the crop in our Diocesan areas to make us a joyful and vibrant Church. The Consultation explored ways to work together to make the relationships stronger and more meaningful so that all our resources – spiritual, human, cultural, financial – can be used to share the love of Christ.

The Consultation was attended by 5 delegates from the Diocese of Carlisle, England (headed by Rt. Rev. James Newcome, Bishop of Penrith), 4 delegates from the New York Episcopal Diocese (headed by Rt. Rev. Don Taylor, Bishop of New York, 3 delegates from the Diocese of Colombo (headed by Rev. Ven Dhiloraj Canagasabey, Arch Deacon), Rev. John Barr, Executive Secretary of the Uniting Church in Australia, 12 delegates from the Diocese of Natal (headed by Rev. Beryl Arrikum, Rector) besides pastors and lay persons from our own Diocese. Dr.J. Samuel Cornelius, Director of the Department of Ecumenical Relations who organized the Consultation welcomed the delegates. Dr. P. Dayanandan, Convener of the Consultation, provided an overview and purpose of the Consultation.

The overall theme for the Consultation was: “Your Will be Done”. Our Bishop welcomed the delegates and led them in a reflection on John Chapter 17, “That they all may be one”. Our Bishop suggested that unity is God’s gift but humans must receive it in humility, surrendering their ego and self-aggrandizement. This unity is to be expressed by people, not by the structures people have created. God’s will and love are unlimited and all encompassing, including all of humankind and the whole of creation. Our task is to explore how we can express this at local levels. We are united to carry out God’s mission, but the mission is not for some superficial unity. And here in India justice must take precedence over unity. Our God is a God of justice and richness; the plurality of human race was already in Him and that was why God created us in His own image. Papers were presented on the following themes :

• The Bridges We have Built - Rt. Rev. James Newcome, Bishop of Penrith.

• Ministry of Evangelism - Rev. Immanuel Jayakumar, Mission & Evangelism.

• We are Pilgrims - Rt. Rev. Don Taylor, Vicar Bishop, NY Episcopal Diocese Rev. Margaret Muncie, Chaplain, St. Lukes Hospital, NYC.

• Women & Ministry - Rev. Mrs. Joan Devasahayam, Women’s Concerns, DM.

• Volunteers – A Venture of Faith - Rev. John Barr, Executive Sec., UCA (UIM).

• Ministry among Dalits - Rev. Samuel Jacob, Dalit & Adivasi Concerns, DM.

• Neighbors in Mission - Rev. Ven Dhiloraj Canagasabey, Arch Deacon, DC.

• Ministry of Education - Mr. J. Jeyaraj, Senior Educationist & Former HM, DM.

• We Have Come! Welcome Home - Rev. Beryl Arrikum, Rector, St. Aidans, Natal, SA.

These papers presented and the general observations provided for greater understanding and appreciation of the work in all the Churches. We are pleased to learn that our work in the Madras Diocese is much appreciated by all our partners. Many suggestions were made to continue our relationships and expand on the various ministries of our Diocese – evangelism, catechism, solidarity with newly baptized members, education, health, rural uplift, women, care of the elderly, care of people with special needs, HIV patients, and ecology and environment. Dr. Cornelius, who summed up the proceedings, suggested the importance of maintaining institutional links, reestablishing relations with old partners such as the Church in El Camino Real, and establishing new links in our neighbourhood in places such as Bangladesh and Taiwan.

Church and Institution Partnership Programme

As the out come of the consultation on partnership, “The Institution Partnership Programme” has emerged between the Carlisle Diocese and the Diocese of Madras. The first of its kind is the link between Bishop Harvey Goodwin School Carlisle Diocese and CSI Ewart Boy’s School Anna Nagar. This was inaugurated by the Vice-President MDC and the Bishop Commissary Rev. Dr. Arun Gopal on 17th February 2006 at Ewart Boy’s school, in the presence of Rev. Jim Hyslop, the Chairman of the Harvey School Committee, Mr. David Shepherd the Board of Governor and the teacher Ms.Katie Smith.

The Other Schools that will be Linked Under this Programme are

• St. David’s School Cuddalore to be linked with St.George’s School, Barrow and-in- Furness Carlisle.

• C.S.I High School, Melrosapuram to be linked with Valley school, Whitehaven.

• St. Andrew’s Higher Secondary School, Arakonam to be linked with Millom Secondary School.

• Pondichery St. John’s Church to be linked with the Parish of St. Herbert with St. Stephen in Carlisle.

5. Ecumenical Concerns

• Encouraging our churches to have ecumenical relations with other denominations at the local level.

• Planning for ecumenical programmes at the Diocese level and Area level.

• Coming together to express solidarity with each other on issues of common interest.

6. Review of Recommendations

• To encourage atleast 20 city churches to choose 20 rural congregations under twinning programme every year More than 10 churches are built.

• To encourage atleast 10 partner churches to organise two joint programmes every year one in the city and another in a rural area to experience both city and rural exposures.

• To identify new Dioceses abroad and explore the possibilities of having partnership relations and to work on exchange programmes two churches have conducted joint programmes.

• To organize more ecumenical programmes, seminars and conferences.

• To initiate inter - faith dialogue.

7. Future Plans

It is planned to communicate effectively the aims and the objectives of the Department to all the members of our Diocese and make them participate more meaningfully through the action oriented programmes.

• To encourage each city church to choose and construct one rural congregation under Twinning programme as part of our 60th year celebration of CSI.

• To encourage at least 10 partner churches to organize two joint programmes for Youth Fellowships, Women Fellowships andSunday schools every year one in the city and another in a rural area to experience both city and rural exposures.

• To identify new Dioceses abroad and explore the possibilities of having partnership relations and to work on exchange programmes.

• To organize more ecumenical programmes, seminars and conferences.

• To initiate inter - faith dialogue.

• Formation of Ecumenical forums at local level and Area level.

8. Conclusion

I thank all the Pastors, Directors of various Departments, Area Chairmen, and Heads of Institutions in arranging different programmes of the Department. I thank the Officers of our Diocese Rev. Dr. Arun Gopal the vice President, Rev. B.J. Premiah the secretary, Miss S. Yesudial the Treasurer and the Bishop’s Chaplain Rev. Manuel Titus for their cooperation and guidance. Finally I thank our Bishop Rt. Rev. V. Devasahayam for all his encouragements in the planning and the execution of all the programmes of our Department. I praise God for His wonderful presence and guidance throughout the biennium.

Prof. J. Samuel Cornelius
Honorary Director