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NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN INDIA

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Parliamentary Election 2019— A Joint program of NCCI, HMI, and CISRS A joint program of the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), Henry Martin Institute (HMI) and

Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society (CISRS) on “Parliamentary Election 2019 was

conducted on 2nd and 3rd April 2019, at HMI Hyderabad.

It was a meaningful meeting of different church/organization leaders focusing among other things on the

forthcoming/ ongoing parliamentary elections in India and on preparing Regional Christian Council

(RCCs) for the task.

As the RCCs are those that represent NCCI at the convention/ association/ synod/ diocese/ confer-

ence/ division/ district of the NCCI Member Churches and also in the local congregation/ corps levels,

NCCI took initiative to work with RCCs in close coordination to create the much needed impact of what-

ever they planning together. To this NCCI pledged its commitment and looked forward to a meaningful

and impacting engagement with RCCs in the cause of affirming life and life in all its fullness in every

zone of each region.

An action plan was made by the Participants for each region. Rt. Rev. Johan Dang, Moderator, GELC,

Jharkhand, shared the documents prepared for NCCI on Parliamentary Election 2019. Both in English

and Hindi version for different Church leaders/Christian Communities.

It was decided to have a meeting with the Church leaders and Christian communities in September

2019 to initiate a process to create an awareness among citizens to involve in the process of affirming

their Constitutional Rights.

As a follow-up to the Hyderabad meeting, an orientation was held on 13-14 April 2019 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, mainly to motivate the

Lay leaders and Christian congregation to vote and participate in the forthcoming Lok Sabha election in Madhya Pradesh. The second

meeting was conducted in the GELC, one of the member Churches of NCCI on 14th April 2019 where Rt. Rev. Johan Dang and Mr.

Sibloon, Coordinator Madhya Pradesh Christian Council addressed the congregation and encouraged them to exercise their voting rights

so as to have a vibrant and effective democracy with secular credentials in India.

NCCI Newsletter | April 2019

CMAI appointed Dr. Priya John as the next General Secretary/ CEO

The Christian Medical Association of India (CMAI) Board of Management selected Dr Priya John as the next

General Secretary / CEO of CMAI.

Dr Priya John has been with CMAI for the past seven years and worked in the Community Health Department.

She is a medical doctor with MD and DNB in Community Medicine. Her experience is in different areas namely

- hospital based community health work, teaching in Medical Colleges, providing palliative care services in a

hospice and currently working in CMAI in the broad area of Public Health and Health system strengthening.

In her acceptance speech, Dr Priya said "The balancing act of family and work is a challenge for me and I hope

to do a perfect landing with His wisdom and direction."Dr Priya will take over charge from Dr Bimal Charles in

July 2019.

NCCI

Online

A Sermon on “The Riddle of Genuine Religion: Re-membering Ambedkar” to mark the 128th birth anni-versary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on Sunday, 14th April

2019

The 128th Birth anniversary of Dr. B. R Ambedkar falls on Sunday, 14 April 2019.

On this particular Sunday, it is important for us to have a bird’s eye view of how

Ambedkar looked at religion. Interestingly, his understanding of religion has re-

semblances with the passages given here. Let us examine how Ambedkar viewed

religion:

According to Ambedkar the life and practices of the society lay the foundation of

religion. Therefore, religion is part of one’s “social inheritance”. He affirmed the

role of religion in the society and life of people, but he never endorsed hypocritic

expressions in the name of religion. Religion, to him, is the driving force for human

activity. He elsewhere remarked that “Man cannot live by bread alone. He has a

mind that needs food for thought. Religion instills hope in Man and drives him to

activity.” He linked religion with the social being of the people. He remarked, “The

religion which discriminates between two followers is partial and the religion which

treats crores of its adherents worse than dogs and criminals and inflicts upon them

insufferable disabilities is no religion at all. He wanted a religion that was all inclu-

sive and open to all. Ambedkar also was of the opinion that religion should be rites

and ritual free. He emphasized the social value of religion. The social values

talked about by Ambedkar are dignity, equality, liberty, and fraternity which are the

core values of a society. Ambedkar believed that for the betterment of socio-

economic, religious and political way of life, “the prescription of equality, liberty,

and fraternity was needed.”

Farewell to NCCI Executive

Secretary Rev. Christopher

Rajkumar

Rev. Christopher Rajkumar served as Executive

Secretary of NCCI Unity and Mission from April

2009 to March 31, 2019. An ordained Pastor of

Church of South India, Diocese of Madurai and

Ramnad. Rev. Christopher Rajkumar joined NCCI

in 2009 as an Executive Secretary of Program

Commission- Justice Peace and Creation and on

2014 April he started serving Unity and Mission

and worked successfully to enhance the churches'

involvement in unity and mission, disability, LGBT

community, etc.

He has formerly served as the Director of the

Rural Theological Institute (RTI), faculty in the

department of Christian Theology and Ethics of the

Tamilnadu Theological Seminary and the Deputy

Director of the Ecumenical Christian Centre (ECC).

The NCCI is grateful to Rev. Christopher Rajkumar

for his services to the NCCI during the past 10

years. We wish him the very best in his future

ministry.

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Book Launch :

Affirm….

Advocate…

Accompany…,:

A Disability Conversation

The Most Rev. Dr. P. C. Singh,

President NCCI, Moderator CNI

launch book “Affirm, Advocate,

Accompany,: A Disability Conver-

sation” (Edited By Rev. Christo-

pher Rajkumar) on 5th April 219

at NCCI Campus, Nagpur in pres-

ence of Rev. Asir Ebenezer

(General Secretary, NCCI),

Bishop Sharad Gaikwad (CNI,

Nagpur Diocese) Mrs. Rachna

Singh (NCCI Executive Commit-

tee Member) and all NCCI Staff.

These are conversations that

have come out in the course of

the ministry of Indian Disability

Ecumenical Accompaniment

(IDEA), an ‘Ecumenical Forum’ of

NCCI.

This publication contains seven

sections such as faith stories,

reading scripture from the eyes

and experiences if the people with

disabilities, social justice and

inclusion, disability and faiths,

right to life, marginalization and

disability and ethics, policies and

practices.

Association of Theologically Trained Women of India (ATTWI)

requests all Theologically Trained Women of India to associate

with ATTWI.

For further information, Please contact- Rev, Dr. Mrs. P. Syamala Sukumar President, Association of Theologically Trained Women of India (ATTWI) A. B. M. Complex, Kanigiri Road Kandukur - 523105. Prakasham Dt. AP Cell: 09849964352 | Email: syamalasukumar@rediffmail.com

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Solidarity with Shri Lankan People : Delegation of NCCI and Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind

met the Sri Lankan High Commission on 30th

April 2019, Delhi

An ecumenical delegation along with friends of Islamic faith led by the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) visited H.

E. Austin Fernando, Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Delhi to condemn the terrible and tragic terrorist attack on innocent

people in Sri Lanka on Easter Day, 21st April 2019. The delegation included Mr. Alwan Masih, the General Secretary of the

Church of North India, Rt. Rev. Warris Masih, the Bishop of CNI - Diocese of Delhi, Colonel Daniel Raju Dasari, the Territorial

Commander of Salvation Army, Rt. Rev. Collin C. Theodore, the Vice President, North West India Council of Churches,

Maulana Mahmood Madani, General Secretary, Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, Maulana Niaz Farooqui, Secretary, Jamiat Ulama-I-

Hind, Ms. Ella Sonawane, Assistant General Secretary, ISPCK, Rev. Asir Ebenezer, the General Secretary, National Council

of Churches in India and Rev. Dr Abraham Mathew, the Executive Secretary, Policy, Governance and Public Witness of

NCCI.

The delegation promised to extend their full support and

assured solidarity with the families of the victims of the attack and

with the Government of Sri Lanka in all its genuine initiations to

bring peace in the affected areas.

The representatives of faith communities in India shared their

concern about the escalation of conflicts and violence all over the

world in the name of religion and also how terrorism, fanaticism

and communal divide are growing. They discussed that such

attempts are politically motivated, and religion is being used to gather support for the vested interests of a minority. In such a

context, religions are being imaged as identity-oriented ideologies because of which religion appears to be meaningless.

The delegation assured His Excellency that they will do their best to bring back the core values of different religious traditions

that foster life as an integral part of spirituality. The Ecumenical leaders explicitly said that they stand for peace, justice, love,

mercy, and mutuality. They hoped that the entire human society will realize the value of life and transform their religious

endeavours to promote life. They are sure that hate perpetuated by the fanatic outfits should be encountered with love and

peace.

NCCI Youth Leaders’ Meeting: “Celebrating Our Journey Together”

29th April to 1

st May 2019, NCCI Campus, Nagpur

The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) caters approximately 4 million youths through its member churches through-

out the country. The subversive energy of this network needs to be harnessed to bring about an uprising in the country. This

possibility should not be trampled especially at such a time as this when India stands at the verge of being the youngest

country in the world. With these encouraging thoughts in mind NCCI – Youth Concerns organized a Youth Leaders’ Meeting

on the theme “Celebrating Our Journey Together” from 29th April to 1st May 2019 at the NCCI Secretariat Nagpur.

The NCCI Youth Leaders’ Meet focused on bringing the youth leaders to share the ideas and visions of exertion that are

involve and build a common ecumenical platform and accordance across the country especially among the youths. The three

day gathering also focused on the capacity building for youth leaders and creates opportunity to address various social

concerns and issues such as Human Rights, Migration, Human Trafficking, Peace and Reconciliation across the country.

Rev. Asir Ebenezer, General Secretary, NCCI shared the visions and dreams concerning youths and youthood in which he

accentuated to realize the potential of the existing network offered by the NCCI and to use it wisely to counter the elements of

fascism, disenfranchisement and communal violence being sown by the political bigots of our country. Mr. Jianthaolung 4

Gonmei, Executive Secretary, Youth Concerns, NCCI in the welcome address shared the purpose and prospects of the meeting

urging the respective youth secretaries gathered to mobilize the

youths of their churches and dioceses through various workshops, rallies, campaigns and other creative initiatives and solidify the

ecumenical commitment, mutually learn from each other and plan and dream together programmes on a larger scale.

Rev. K. Noah David, Youth Secretary, South Andhra Lutheran Church (SALC) gave a presentation on the topic “Youth in

Socioeconomic and Political Context” wherein he spoke about the importance of inspiring the youths especially in churches to be

politically literate so as to safeguard the secular fabric of the country. Thereafter, a Panel Presentation on the theme “Youth

Capacity Building in Practice” with four panellists viz. Rev. Asir Ebenezer, Ms. Cheryl, Councillors, Sharansthan Charitable Society

Nagpur, Mr. Kasta Dip, Director, India Peace Centre (IPC) and Mr. Jianthaolung Gonmei who spoke on “Freedom of Religion and

Beliefs”, “Human Rights and Human Trafficking”, “Peace and Reconciliation” and “Migration” respectively. The session was

moderated by Mr. Ashish Yusuf, Youth Secretary, Mennonite Church in India.

The youth leaders had an interactive session of sharing the various areas of engagements among the youths in their respective

churches or regions which ruminate as an opportunity to learn from the other. The youth leaders also had an opportunity to visit

the socio-religious important places in Indian history such as Deekshabhoomi, India Peace Centre and Zero Mile Stone of India.

The delegates also participated in Shradhanjali Programme, a condolence meeting convened at the Press Club of Nagpur to pay

homage in solidarity to the victims of the genocide of Sri Lanka.

Deliberation on the Youth Matters: Youth Policy Drafting Guidelines, a guideline drafted by NCCI, Youth Concerns for the youth in

church was made. Suggestions, additions, omissions etc. were solicited from the participants so as to update the same for better.

Time was also devoted to develop common and individual programmes and to see to it how to nurture the ecumenical fellowship

and solidarity more proactively. There was space for the delegates to share their feedback and recommendations. In short the

three days program was focused and purpose oriented and the delegates bid adieu with a strong determination to engage more

productively with the youths of their respective churches. The three-day programmes was initiated with a daily devotion led by Dn.

Basil Paul, an intern at NCCI-Youth Concerns.

The meeting bore witness to the Youth Leaders from 13 churches.

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A new experience to learn different Faiths and Ideologies: FACE 2 FACE

India 2019

India Peace Centre (Autonomous Body of NCCI) hosted the Face 2 Face Program, India 2019. The program was organized by

the Council for World Mission together with the local partners National Council of Churches in India and India Peace Centre.

The program was a spectacular experience for everyone involved. From the inauguration, throughout numerous educational ses-

sions, house visits and trips to local sights up to the valedictory function, it was a time filled with dialogue and learning. The 12

young theology students from 8 different countries got introduced to different faiths and ideologies and with the spirit of inter-faith

communication they return to their home countries.

Glimpse of FACE 2 FACE

A planning meeting was jointly organized by NDCW- DMC (National Dalit Christian Watch and Delhi Minority Commis-sion) on 30th April at the DMC office. Dr. Zafrul Islam Khan, the Chairman, DMC, chaired the meeting. Rev Dr. Vincent Manoharan, National Convenor of NDCW, welcomed the par-ticipants-around 30 persons, who represented Muslim, Chris-tian, Dalit, and Tribal communities in and around Delhi. He mentioned that the purpose of this meeting is to promote a platform to involve in some interventions to share our con-cerns and solidarity to Palestinians who are under oppression, victimization, and violence by the Zionist Israelis for the last 70 years. This conflict is the longest in recent times, especially from the days of the Second World War, very particularly from 1948. Around 7.5 lakh of Palestinians ran out of the country as refugees, losing their land and livelihood. Israelis occupied almost the whole of Palestine, established Settlements and invited Jews across the world to move to Israel as it is their Nation state. US and European countries support Israel which encourages them to wipe out Palestinians from their native soil. India, which supported PLO for many years has shifted its position and began to support Israel through trade and business relationships. Therefore, there is an immediate need for all those who stand and voice for Justice in India to come together to express their solidarity to Palestinians and this meeting aims at that. Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, the Chairman of Delhi Minority Com-mission gave the Key Note address. Being a scholar on the

Palestinian issue, he gave chronologically and historically the events as to how Israelis- the Zionists, attacked Palestinians, claiming that they are the ‘chosen people of God and Pales-tine is their promised land’ and the theory that the ‘land with-out people is the land for people without land’. Thus they oc-cupied all lands of Palestinians by military force and pushed them to West Bank and Gaza Strip. He also highlighted that Israelis have been promoting Settlements for Jews, raising walls of separation, denying access to both Muslims and Christians to holy sites in Jerusalem and intensifying intimida-tion and harassment on Palestinians mainly against children and women, unmindful of UN resolutions. He also narrated the ill designs of the US is shifting its Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and also declaring Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel. He voiced that there is a dire need for Justice oriented Indians like us, to come together and raise our voice against Israel and to support Palestinians. Mr. Ranjan Solomon of Kairos Palestine (from Goa) shared the current situation in Palestine especially from the perspec-tive of recent elections and the Zionist ideology. He voiced that there is a Global Coalition to support Palestine and we need to promote a forum here in India to support Palestinian and their demand for a secular state. Rev Asir Ebenezer, the General Secretary of NCCI, shared the immediate need of the Church and its leadership to devel-op a Biblical theology to interpret Bible from the perspective of

A Planning Meeting held on 30th April 2019 to Promote a Solidarity Forum for Palestinians

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NCCI joins the international community in expressing solidarity

with the people and government of Sri Lanka, the Church in Sri

Lanka and all the faithful.

‘Occupation and Deprivation’, to orient its clergy to understand Zionism and critically analyze the whole concept of Holy Tour which promotes Christian Zionism in the minds of Christians. This was followed by the reflection and sharing of many partic-ipants which include Sr. Anastasia Gill, Member DMC, Dr. Rafiullah Anzari, Mr. Lenin, Mr. Nadeem Khan, Mr. Gauhar Iqbal, Fr. Selvaraj, Dr. Rameshnathan, Dr. Richard, Mr. Pandi-yan, Mr. Kalid Saifi, Mr. Intizar Naeem, Mr. Pradip Bansrior, Mr. Kasta Dip, Ms. Nida Arif, Mr.Ashutosh Singh, Ms. Aalia Khan, Dr. Abdul Masjid Qasi Ms. Judieth and Ms. Apoorva Gautham. All have expressed their concern and voiced for the promotion of a Joint Action Forum to undertake interventions which include, sharing of the plight of Palestinians with the general public, mobilizing people, orienting students in colleg-es and Universities, motivating youth, organizing conferences, promoting struggles and undertaking advocacy/lobby with the Parliamentarians, political parties and Government. After a lengthy discussion, it was resolved to promote a Forum for joint action in the name of INAP - INDIAN NATIONAL ALLI-ANCE FOR PALESTINE. Severn persons- Mr. Nadeem Khan, Mr. Gauhar Iqbal, Mr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, Mr. Khalid Saifi, Mr.Intizar Naeem, Ms. Aalia Khan, and Dr. Vincent Mano-haran were given the responsibility to take forward INAP and Mr. Nadeem Khan was made as to the contact person. The following immediate actions were planned:

To support the Global Kairos Signature Campaign and all to sign the online petition;

To organize a conference in Delhi either in Constitution Club or another suitable place on May 15th, the Nakba Day, for around 100 persons within Delhi and invite the Palestinian Ambassador to express our solidarity;

Participants have taken the responsibility to organize the same kind of events in many Cities in India on May 15th;

“United Against Hate” organization alone has agreed to organize such events in 10 cities in India;

NCCI will mobilize Christians to attend such events in al-most all cities where such events are organized;

Individual organizations can organize any such event in places wherever it is possible;

To organize Press coverage for such events; Social Media could be used to share our concerns and

interventions.

After reciting a Poem from Palestine Poet Sameer, the Vote of Thanks was for proposed by Dr. Rameshnathan of NDMJ – National Dalit Movement for Justice. All have thanked NDCW-DMC (particularly the Chair Person) for the success of this meeting and the initiative.

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