NCCI MOURNS THE LOSS OF ITS PRESIDENT, BISHOP DR. TARANATH S. SAGAR.

Bishop Dr. Taranath S. Sagar, President of the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) from 2008 to 2015, and Bishop of the Methodist Church in India, suffered a heart attack and passed away at about 8:00 pm on Monday, October 19, 2015 in Bangalore, India. His untimely demise has shocked and deeply saddened everyone. His contributions to the Church and ecumenical movements in India and abroad have been profound and unprecedented.

As a prominent dynamic leader not only locally and all over India, but around the globe, he served as member of the central committee of World Council of Churches (WCC) elected first at the Port Allegro Assembly, Brazil in 2006, and again at the Busan Assembly, South Korea in 2013. He was member of the constitutional amendment session during the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) Extraordinary General Assembly for constitutional amendments in May 2015 prior to the General Assembly. He has been a member of the Executive Committee of CCA since its last General Assembly held in Jakarta in May 2015. Even as a humble pastor  of the Bombay Regional Conference of the Methodist Church in India serving local congregations in Bombay over three decades ago, his pastoral heart won him the love of the masses. Over the years he held several important positions at various times including President of the Council of Bishops of the Methodist Church in India, President of the Asian Methodist Bishops Conference, Secretary of NCCI’s Maharashtra Council of Churches, President of Ecumenical Christian Centre, Executive member of United Theological College in Bangalore, President of ECLOF, and many others. He has contributed immensely also to the formation of ministers and ministries. His guidance and insights have resulted in many important accomplishments. His life has proved to be a blessing to individuals and communities, and will continue to inspire the journey of faith, witness and Christian service.

NCCI appreciates the ban removal on Bastar Panchayat

The National Council of Churches in India appreciates the timely appeal made by the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum to the Chhattisgarh High Court in restoring their Right to Religion.  The NCCI also hails the removal of the ban on Bastar Panchyat by the Chhattisgarh High Court.  In times of anti-Christian sentiments, we value this decision made by the High Court in restoring peace and oneness of humankind.  

Bastar panchayat ban: HC says right to religion is fundamental

TNN | Oct 15, 2015, 09.23 AM IST

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh high court has ordered that tribal Bastar region's panchayat resolution passed last year, imposing ban on non-Hindu religious missionaries, won't come in the way of exercising fundamental right to preach and propagate religion. 

The bench of Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava passed the order last week while hearing a writ petition filed by Chhattisgarh Christian Forum and others challenging constitutionality of resolution adopted by panchayat bodies last year banning non-Hindu religious missionaries in their areas. The court order, copy of which was made available on Wednesday, said advocate-general will get three weeks to seek instructions and make appropriate submission on the dispute raised before court.

Midwives of Gender Justice

 Church Women Leaders From Anglican and United Churches in South Asia   Strategizing to Promote Gender Justice

Strengthening women’s networking to promote gender justice,revitalizing women’s ecumenical movement to enhance Church unity is one of the main mission of All India Council of Christian Women.The International Anglican Women’s Network (IAWN) South Asia region met in in Henry Martyn Institute in Hyderabad from 6th -8th October 2015. A Conference for South Asian women leaders was organized by IAWN where 17 key women leaders from Church of South India, Church of North India, Church of Bangladesh, Church of Ceylon met. Women strategized to promote gender justice in the South Asia region. They shared how women in these churches are promoting justice and peace irrespective of challenges. 

South  Asian  Women Church Leaders Strategizing 

CSI and CNI Women’s Fellowships are also member Churches of AICCW. Ms Moumita Biswas Executive Secretary was invited by IAWN to represent AICCW and facilitate contextual Bible studies using South Asian Women’s hermeneutics to re-read the Bible. There were discussions with Revd Terrie Robinson- Director for Women in Church and Society of Anglican Communion and other members of the IAWN regarding how the networking can be further enhanced with AICCW. During the conference Ms Moumita Biswas shared about AICCW’s campaign 365 Days Zero Tolerance to Gender Based Violence which is ushered in partnership of member churches of National Council of Churches, AICCW and women’s fellowships.

Disability Advocacy Programme in Raipur Chattisgargh

Indian Disability Ecumenical Accompaniment - IDEA

Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation- National Council of Churches in India

A Regional Consultation on “Churches’ Ministerial Response to Disability”

At CNI Grace Cathedral, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. On the 12^th Oct 2015

The Engage Disability Regional Hub meeting was held at the CNI Grace Cathedral in Raipur on the 12^th Oct 2015. The Chhattisgarh Christian Council organized this meeting with NCCI – IDEA and Christian Service Agency. There were over 100 participants from several churches and institutions in Chhattisgarh State including several PWDs with their families from different backgrounds. 

This meeting focused on the theme: Towards Inclusive Community, and aimed to create awareness on disability issues and sensitize the Church to become inclusive, and to defend and affirm the right and dignity of Persons with Disabilities,  and to create disabled-friendly environments in the church and society at large.

Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, the General Secretary of NCCI, delivered the keynote address on ‘Inclusive Church’. He inspired the participants with scriptural references and biblical narratives to explain and motivate to become inclusive communities. He also challenged that, if Church is not Church ‘OF’ All and Church ‘FOR’ All, we need to re-look at our call and commitment. Rev. Dr. Roger also provoked the participants by raising questions about the pre-natal screening and aborting the child with disability, and in some cases where the children with disabilities are killed in merciless ways. He  shared his life experience that, he himself was a PWD with the bilateral clubfeet which needed long medical intervention for rectification. He also stressed upon the theology of image of God where God created all in God’s image including PWDs. So, it is our responsibility to respect and to recognize the images of God in our lives, mission and ministries. He also urged the participants to walk together …Towards the Inclusive society. Thus creating “Church of All and Church for All” and accompany the PWDs spiritually and socially.

Rev. Christopher Rajkumar, the Executive Secretary, Commission on Justice Peace and Creation and Director of IDEA shared that the missiological concept of ‘walking together with PWD’ is a mission agenda for the Churches. He also stressed that, let Churches and the Christian Institutions not focus mainly on establishing ‘exclusive’ homes and shelters for the PWDs, rather involve in a mission where every house of the PWDs are homes and abodes of Joy and Peace. He also emphasized that, the Gospel of Christ that affirms right, dignity and life to be proclaimed though our actions especially towards establishing the ‘inclusive reign of God’. 

International Prayer Day for Peace - Celebrations

Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation

National Council of Churches in India

International Prayer Day for Peace – Celebrations

September 21, 2015, Ranchi, Jharkhand

The NCCI Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation (CJPC) organized its annual International Prayer Day for Peace Celebrations on the 21^st September, 2015  in Ranchi, Jharkhand, joining the SCM Jharkhand Bihar Region, CNI Chota Nagpur Diocese, GEL Church and Christian Service Agency on the theme ‘Peace and Dignity on Earth’. There were 150 participants from the different colleges, Churches and Civil Society Movements.

Rev. Fr. Aswin Fernandis, Chairperson of NCCI-CJPC chaired the celebrations. He called all the Churches to involve in doing peace and ministering for peace.

Rev. R. Christopher Rajkumar Executive Secretary of NCCI–CJPC welcomed the gathering and gave a briefing about the International Prayer Day for Peace initiated by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the United Nations (UN), and requested remembrance of the victims of the conflicts all over the globe. Also, espoused that, the Jharkhand and Bihar regions are found to be some of the most conflict-affected zones in India in terms of Education, Employment, Agriculture, Human Trafficking, Migration, Invasion of Extractive Industries and the such. So, it is the right time to discuss on ‘Peace from Dalit and Adiviasi Perspectives’. And this day paves a way for the faith communities and the CSOs to initiate discussions and conversations on peace.

Rt. Rev. B. B. Baskey, the CNI Bishop in Chota Nagpur welcomed the dignitaries and the participants on behalf of the Chota Nagpur Diocese. Also Bishop presented a brief background about the regions and the conflicts that ruins the harmony in these regions. He also solicited an accompaniment with the churches in these regions to work for holistic peace.

Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, General Secretary – NCCI opened up a discussion on the ban of the hindi movie ‘Messenger of God – II’ in Jharkhand and Punjab, in which the ‘Tribal and Adivasi’ communities are depicted as ‘god-rejected’, ‘evils’ and ‘anti-god’ communities. The concern was  about the rise of ‘rightwing fundamentalism’ that divides the communities of people and creating ‘enmity’ among the communities with racial profiling strategies. Also he referred to the struggles of the migrating communities from these regions who struggle for ‘citizenship’ in Nepal and other neighbouring countries, and also problems including discrimination and statelessness that they face in several places in India itself.

Interfaith Discussion on 'Right to Food and Life'

WCC – Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance

NCCI - Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation & 

Christian Service Agency

INTERFAITH DISCUSSION ON

'Right to Food and Life'

16 October 2015, NCCI Campus, Nagpur

2015 is the International ‘Year of Soils’. October 16th is the International Food Day, October 15 is announced as the International Day for Rural Women and October 17th is the International Day for the eradication of Poverty.  Therefore, the World Council of Churches – Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance has initiated The Churches Week of Action on Food (CWAoF). CWAoF provides an opportunity for Churches all over the globe to act and speak together on food justice issues. It is a time to raise awareness about food production and distribution systems, examine our own food consumption, and call for policy changes that will ensure the right to food for everyone. Since NCCI – CJPC has been engaged in raising awareness among the Churches this year it is planning to work with faith communities in raising awareness on Right to Food and Life among the people.

All faiths call us to feed the hungry and care for Creation – this we can do as individuals, as Churches, Temples, Gurudwaras, Mosques and Pagodas and such worshiping places as members of faith communities.

Most of the States around the globe have come up with several policies to ensure ‘No Poverty’ through assuring livelihood securities / protections such as ‘food security’, ‘social protection’ and such policies.   In spite of all these, steady gains against hunger and poverty, today, we witness more than ten present of the population undernourished and go to bed hungry and a quarter is from India (The State of Food Insecurity in the World, 2015).  

NCCI congratulates the CMCH, Tamilnadu and wishes well for its ECP Therapy centre

The National Council of Churches in India congratulates the Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) in Tamil Nadu on the opening of a new External Counter Pulsation (ECP) centre.

ECP will promote non-surgical procedures for heart ailments.  ECP therapy -- a non-invasive procedure -- helps stimulate the growth of new blood vessels in the heart and, in some cases, improves the flow of existing blood vessels. Often, ECP is used when physicians have exhausted other therapies.

The treatment provided at the centre is covered under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Medical Insurance Scheme and the revenue generated from the treatment will also help finance the hospital's development, hospital authorities said.

The NCCI wishes the CMCH, Tamilnadu to be a blessing and a healer to the Indian society and the people at large.

NCCI appreciates the relief effort by the Orthodox Church in India for Nepal

The National Council of Churches in India is pleased to learn about the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church's relief effort to Nepal. 

According to a spokesperson of the Church, this will be a comprehensive reconstruction project in the earthquake-hit country. Under the project, 50 houses in the village will be reconstructed in addition to establishing a drinking water supply scheme. As per the sanction accorded by the Government of Nepal, the Church will also rebuild the village school which was destroyed in the earthquake.

According to P.C. Elias, spokesperson, the Church will adopt Patdar village falling under the Jiri municipal area in Dolakha district. The Mission Board of the Church, Indian Christian Orthodox Network (ICON), a network of NRI members of the Church, and Lutheran World Federation will join hands in the endeavour.

Asked about the agitation going on in the Himalayan nation for reconversion to a Hindu nation, Mr. Elias said the Church was not engaged in conversion activities in any of the places where it was doing social work. The project will be implemented fully identifying with the national ethos of Nepal, he said.

Source: The Hindu

NCCI appreciates the gesture of naming a stretch of road after the late Bishop Metropolitan Dr. Mar Theodosius

The National Council of Churches in India is glad to learn the naming of two-kilometre stretch of road after the late Bishop Metropolitan Dr. Stephanos Mar Theodosius.  It is a great recognition to the dedication of Bishop Theodosius' efforts in promoting education and health care for local people.  It is certainly a matter of pride.  We appreciate the gesture of the Municipal Corporation of Bhilai, said the General Secretary of NCCI, particularly at the times of anti-Christian sentiments.

Mr. Hopingstone Lyngdoh, MLA of Nongstoin Constituency in Meghalaya passes away

Mr. Hopingstone Lyngdoh
(Pic: The Indian Express)

Mr. Hopingstone Lyngdoh, MLA of Nongstoin Constituency in Meghalaya passed away in the early hours (12:45 AM) of September 26, 2015. He was 88.

He entered active politics in 1957 to stand for District Council elections of erstwhile United Khasi & Jaintia Autonomous District Council. Ever since, he had never lost an election. He entered the then composite Assam Legislative Assembly as an elected MLA in 1962. When Meghalaya State was created in 1972, he was elected as an MLA from Pariong Constituency. In 1977, he stood for Parliamentary Elections from Shillong and defeated Prof. G. G. Swell, former Lok Sabha Dy. Speaker, Mr. P.R. Kyndiah who later became Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Governor of Mizoram and Union Minister and, Prof. P. G. Marbaniang who later became Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and MP. Mr. Lyngdoh was Executive Member of the UKJHADC, Chief Executive Member of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Dy. Chief Minister of Meghalaya on different occasions.