Workshop on ‘Youth for Peace’
23rd
July 2016, Aruppukottai, Virudhunagar, Tamilnadu
A one-day workshop on Relevant (Diaconal) Mission for Youth
under the theme “Youth for Peace” was held on 23rd July 2016, at
Church of South India (CSI) Parish Hall, Aruppukkottai, Virudhunagar District, Tamilnadu. The Unity, Mission and Evangelism Unit and the Youth Unit of National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), the Commission on Conflict Transformation and Peace Building Program of
United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India (UELCI), Christian Service Agency
(CSA) and Congregation Accompanied Reformed Diaconia In Action (CARDIA) and
Dept. of Communication of CSI Diocese of Madurai and Ramnad jointly organized
this workshop.
More than 175 boys and girls from 10 grassroots
congregations participated in this workshop. Rev. Vinolin Caleap, Director, Christian
Education Department of the CSI-DMR welcomed the gathering.
Rev. Jothinayagam, the Chairman of the Local Council
inaugurated the Workshop. Mr. Kasta Dip, Director, India Peace Centre, gave greetings along with a call to the youth to be the ambassadors of peace in
addressing the issues that ruin peace in our societies.
Mr. Jianthaolung Gonmei, Executive Secretary - Youth,
led the devotion on “Blessed are the Peace Makers” (Matthew 5:9). He emphasized
three points: Peace Breakers, Peace Fakers, Peace Makers. He further challenged
the youth to be effective instruments of peace in the society.
Rev. R. Christopher Rajkumar, Executive Secretary - Justice, Peace and Creation, led a workshop on ‘Contextual Scanning' through various cross-learning activities.
This session facilitated the participants to have a better understanding
of their neighborhoods and what the injustices are that ruin peaceful and
harmonious living of communities. Further he challenged the participants by
asserting that since ‘youth are the heart’ of the church, we need to know our role and
function. If we fail, the entire life of our church would be a failure. This session challenged and encouraged the
youth to stand for justice and peace with love in action.
Rev. Vinolin Caleap and Rev. Timothy Arulkumar jointly
conducted an evaluation session. Rev. Ebenezer
Joshua, Director, Communication Department of the CSI-DMR proposed the vote of thanks. Rev. Jothinayagam
closed this workshop with a word of prayer and benediction. Ten
pastors from different churches also graced this workshop with their presence
and prayers.
Reported by:
Conflict
Transformation and Peace Building Programme of the United Evangelical Lutheran
Churches in India,
Justice, Peace and Creation and Youth Units of the National Council
of Churches in India,
Christian
Service Agency and CSI Diocese
of Madurai – Ramnad.
