DIOCESE OF MADRAS MADRAS DIOCESAN URBAN RURAL MISSION (MD-URM)

Work Report of MD-URM in the NCCI-URM National Convention on Mission and Ecumenism in India held on March 26 and 27, 2007 at Mumbai.

1. I thank and praise God for the privilege of taking part in this NCCI-URM National Convention on Mission and Ecumenism. I bring greetings from our beloved Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr V.Devasahayam and on my behalf to every one of you. I am sure, by taking part in this convention, new ideas and plans will emerge for the development of our activities in the Diocese of Madras.

2. At the outset, I would like to share that, as many as of you may aware, the Mission of our Lord to the people in the city of Madras and an exclusive ministry for them came into existence 1960s with the vision of Rt. Rev. Leslie New begin and successfully carried out on an ecumenical basis with the name "Christian Service" to Industrial Society (CSIS). The CSIS had been taking active part in the National URM regularly. At one time, the CSIS was wounded up and remained inactive.

3. However, with the far reaching vision of our present beloved Bishop Rt. Rev Dr. Devasahayam, for the proclamation of Gospel and to identify with those who are oppressed and marginalized, this mission has been revived by him during 2004 with a Board of Members from different walks of life under the banner of Madras Diocesan Urban Rural Mission (MD-URM). The aim of this Department is that the ministry of the Church should have its extension in all the areas of life of the people living in Rural and Urban Sectors. The `Thirst for Gospel" and the 'Kingdom values' are two great goals of MD-URM. The area of service is not only confined to Organized Sectors but mostly to the enlistment of the unorganized Sectors of Urban as well as the mass population of Rural Areas who are poor and uncared for.

4. As you are aware, the Cities are growing by population owing to internal human multiplication and rural urban migration and I am sure you all very well, aware of the impacts of urban life as well as the rural masses. In contemporary urban situation underlying dynamic exists in the areas of Loneliness, Materialism, Hi-Teach communication and Urban Family especially the Women and Children. Increasing Crimes, Suicides, Divorces etc., are confirming these urban dynamics Social evils like Corruption, Dowry, Child Labour, Child Sex, Marketing of human organs, Murders, Drugs, Alcoholism , Prostitution, Aids, Bad habits leading to terminal diseases are all increasing day by day. Many people are involved in this for personal gain without the knowledge of human values and human relations.

5. The MD-URM focuses on the development of the people working in Industries and unorganized sectors both in rural and urban areas for betterment in their standard of living, financial management of their families by leading a quality of life as also to play a vital role as a responsible citizen in process of Nation Building. With this aim, the Board works towards:

• Mobilizing Christians and non Christians either within their congregation or a cluster of localities for unity, solidarity and mutual encouragement duly realizing their duties and responsibilities to the Society.

• Encouraging Christian workers to mobilize themselves as a Group to have Prayer Fellowships to strengthen their commitment to their work and evince concern on the betterment of their colleagues with appropriate interaction in many situations

• Organizing Seminars, Consultations, Debates and Retreats based on themes related to their daily life which includes developing Leadership, Inter Personnel Relationship, and Family Finance Management for a healthy home.

• Arranging Counseling Sessions to Unorganized Sectors,Unmployed as also Women for vocational guidance, self employment, establishing rights for basic needs etc and also to get rid of certain vices which affects them both as an individual, as a member of the Family and Society.

• Equipping people, especially those who are unemployed and exploited by various forces, with the knowledge and awareness of their rights, privileges as well human dignity besides social justice as also provide them information for a way of living.

6. With this in mind, we ventured our efforts in many areas with different approaches and I am happy to share some of them with you.

• Anti-Child Labour Sunday : In order to create awareness about the ill effects of Child Labour, the Sunday on 24.4.05 was observed as "Anti Child Labour Day" with Special order of Worship and prayers for the eradication of Child Labour

• May Day Celebrations : The First of May 2005 and 2006 have been celebrated as May Day throughout the Diocese with a Special Order of Service, Prayers for World Labourers and well prepared message of our Bishop was delivered along with a report on the activities of MD-URM. The themes selected were "Let us worship our God through our Work" and "You shall labour six days and do all your work". Besides the Worship services, Seminars were organized not only in the City but also in nearby Cities and Towns which are becoming industrialized,During last May Day in a special Seminar, our Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. V. Devasahayam, Rev. Dr. Felix Sugirtharaj and Rev Asir Ebenezer of NCCI-URM took active part

• Christian Happy Home Seminars : A welcoming subject by everyone is happiness in home. In order to achieve the happiness in the families, this Seminar is being conducted in many places this is not confined to Churches but goes beyond in industries and communities. This is being attended by Husbands along with their Wives and their interaction is worth mentioning. These seminars help the participants to make better decisions for better family life for the subjects dealt with are Relationship between Husbands and Wife, Parents and Children, Families and Society, Inter Personnel Relations, Family Finance Management.

• Quality of Life Programme : A programme called "quality of Life" is organized to the people in Industries and Institutions which extends to different areas of life. With the permission of the Railway Authories, we have involved in conducting this programme to 350 workers in the Diesel Loco shed, Tondiarpet, Chennai. This goes a long way to promote the well being of the families of the workers besides themselves personally.

• Seminars for Unorganized Labourers : With a special concern to develop the life of the people in organized sectors like Agriculture, Brick Makers, Building / Construction Roadside workers, Slum Dwellers etc., consultation/seminars with meaningful interaction were organized at different places. They were given information about the Schemes available with , Government, Banks and NGOs. The Women were motivated to organize Self Help Groups in their community. The results were amazing and we praise God for this ministry.

• Christmas Celebrations for Workers : During Christmas Season, with the view to make people to become aware of Light (Jesus) which came to the World to remove the darkness. Special programmes have been arranged in many places, besides Churches which include places like Government Press, Diesel Loco Shed, Community service centre etc., The love of Jesus was shared not only by words but also with many gifts.

Team Building : In order to make use of the talents, gifts and expertise rests with many of our own members including young Presbyters, we took the initiative to form a Team for this specialized Ministry. With reference to their own interest, a training Programme was conducted and about 27 Volunteers took part in this venture. They are being used for our Programmes according to their availability and the subjects dealt with.

8. Our future Plans : Apart from continuing the existing programmes, we intend to concentrate on the following:

• Cluster level seminars in 4 Centers on Quality-Life and Home Economy based on Kingdom values

• Bible Study on life oriented value education in each Pastorate as well as Institutions

• Workshops on counseling on life oriented subjects in different areas of our Diocese

• Joint meetings of Employers and Employees in Industries especially small scale industries for better understanding and cordial relationship

• To run an Employment and training Centre to help/assist rural migrant workers, unemployed and pavement dwellers and also rural youth.

• Organizing computer literary programme for 500 rural youth.

• Organizing Job oriented short term training for 1000 unemployed rural youth with the help of Life Skill Workshop (LSW), Bangalore

I take this opportunity to thank you for having received this report and also looking for your suggestions for our future plans. I am also aware that by taking part in the deliberations of this Convention, some new programmes may catch up in my mind.

Rev S. Asok Kumar
Director, MD-URM & Presbyter,
CSI Church, Saidapet, Chennai-15.