Relief and Rehabilitation work in Chennai by Church of South India (CSI)

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This is an email received from Rev. Dr. D. R. Sadananda, General Secretary of Church of South India (CSI) updating us about the calamitous situation in Chennai and the response of CSI, through its Diaconal Ministry CSI-SEVA that has been coordinating with the Dioceses in carrying out relief operations in flood affected areas. We solicit your prayers and support for the Chennai situation.

Dear Dr. Roger Gaikwad,

Greetings from the CSI Synod Secretariat!

Thank you very much for your email expressing NCCI’s solidarity with those affected by the Chennai floods. You aware that Chennai and different parts of Tamilnadu are still reeling under flooding caused by breached tanks and release of water from tanks and dams. This is considered to be due to effects of climate change and underlines our immediate and urgent commitment to climate justice.
csireliefworkThe situation is unprecedented and has caught the population and administration unaware. But for a responsive neighbourhood that rose up to the occasion, the distress would have been many folds more. Social media was used as a great force multiplier in the process. The local churches have responded immediately. The Church and School/ Institution premises in many places have accommodated people. Local congregations in the affected and neighbouring areas have been distributing food packets, blankets and drinking water.
Thank you for your readiness to stand in solidarity with the people who have suffered a great loss because of the floods in Chennai. Thank you for the prayers, for the words of encouragement and comfort. The CSI-SEVA (Diaconal Ministry) has been co-ordinating with our Dioceses and is carrying out the need assessment in the flood affected areas.

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Peace Education Training for Youth

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National Council of Churches in India – Commission on Youth

In Partnership with

India Peace Centre

Youth Empowerment for Peace

Peace Education Training

November 11-13, 2015, Panjim, Goa

IMG-20151118-WA0006A Peace Education Training for the youth under the theme “Youth Empowerment for Peace” was organized by NCCI-Commission on Youth, in partnership with India Peace Centre at Caritas Holiday Home, Panjim, Goa from 11th to 13th November 2015.  A group of 36 youth participated in the program from various parts of India.

The training program was commenced with an inaugural session by Mr. Kasta Dip, Director, India Peace Centre on ‘Perspectives of Peace and Understanding Context’ in which he explained the present scenario of peace in our country. He pointed out the different contexts of intolerance, contexts of bans, majority views versus minority views, plurality versus homogeneity, contexts where social discriminations are rampant all over, hatred, violence and rape, child labor, exclusion of some people in the society such as dalits, tribals etc.

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On-line petition to Shri Narendra Modi for passing EDPAL Bill in the Parliament

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NCCI promotes justice and equality initiatives, and envisions a society that is free from discrimination and intolerance. NCCI supports the current initiative in the form of an online petition from its constituent member, The Leprosy Mission,  for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy. The following information has been received from The Leprosy Mission, India.

 As many of you know, recently the Law Commission of India submitted its report No: 256 to the Government of India on steps to be taken to end discrimination against people affected by leprosy, and empower them to be included in the development process. The Law Commission also submitted a draft Bill, titled ‘Eliminating Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy’ (EDPAL) Bill, 2015, for repealing all the 14 laws discriminating people affected by leprosy.

 The Parliament of India needs to act on the recommendations of the Law Commission and pass EDPAL Bill and also, bring new legislation for rehabilitation of people affected by leprosy. For this, the Government of India has to start the parliamentary process.

 Sixteen national and international organisations working in the field of leprosy have come together as a collective, under the banner, ‘United4Change’, and petitioned the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, to get EDPAL Bill passed in the Parliament and bring new legislation for rehabilitation of people affected by leprosy.

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Midwives of Gender Justice

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

group hyderabdStrengthening 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.

CSI and CNI Women’s Fellowships are also member C Read more

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

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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

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

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lyndohMr. 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.

PETITION TO THE PRIME MINISTER. From The Leprosy Mission Trust India

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The Leprosy Mission Trust India has started an online petition to Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi asking him to take concrete steps to end discrimination against people affected by leprosy and take immediate action on Report 256 of the Law Commission of India.
This petition has already caught people’s imagination. Many have already signed the petition. Every day, more and more people sign to show their solidarity with people affected by leprosy!
The Leprosy Mission Trust India is aiming at getting 50,000 people to sign the petition. They need many more signatures to achieve this. The petition can be signed at the link given below:
Please share the above link on your Facebook timeline (if you have one) and forward the link to your colleagues, friends and family and request them to sign!
People affected by leprosy need our support to get EDPAL Bill passed in the Parliament and for the government to bring new legislation for their rehabilitation and development.Together, we can bring change in the lives of people affected by leprosy.
People affected by leprosy will be thankful to you for signing the petition which has the power to bring healing, inclusion and dignity in their lives.
The appeal of The Leprosy Mission Trust is thus recommended by NCCI (with its emphasis on compassion, healing, justice, inclusivity, dignity of life, and peace for all) for your strong support

International Day of Prayer for Peace – 21 September 2015

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National Council of Churches in India

Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation

IMG_2994The World Council of Churches calls the global churches and faith communities to observe the International Day of Prayer for Peace on the 21 September which is also the United Nations-sponsored International Day of Peace. The Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation of the National Council of Churches in India joining its members in  observing the same by organizing special programmes, worships, candle light vigils and prayers and on 21 September every year to observe the International Prayer Day for Peace.

The International Day of Prayer for Peace offers an opportunity for church and faith communities in all places to pray and act together to nurture lasting peace in the hearts of people, their families, communities and societies.

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Hope in the midst of violence

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Chhattisgarh Council of Churches unites churches, Mahila Mandals and organizations to protest and resist atrocities on Women from Minority Christian Community

pic1Atrocities on Christians are increasing at an alarming rate in India. Worst victims of such atrocities are women and missionaries at the grassroots who have dedicated their lives to serve the community, the poor and the downtrodden. On 19th June, a nun was gang-raped by men in masks in ‘Christo Sahay Health Center’ where she was serving as nurse in Raipur the capital of Chhattisgarh state. ‘Strategized Rape’ is used as a weapon to create fear, shame and humiliate the Christian community which is a minority community in India.

The All India Council of Christian Women and National Council of Churches in India gave a clarion call to women’s fellowship of member Churches and leaders of Chhattisgarh Christian Council (CCC) to respond to end this culture of rape and atrocities of Christian missionaries in India.

AICCW – NCCI Condemn the Heinous Crime of Rape of Salesian Nun in Chhattisgarh

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for blogAn Indian Nun in her mid forties from Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate,was brutally attacked, molested and raped in Raipur capital of Chattisgarth state in India on Saturday 22nd June 2015. She was found semi clad, unconscious and hands tied in a medical center run by Christian Missionaries near Pandri locality in the state of Chattisgarh.

Sister Annie John, the nun’s superior revealed that the victim was wakened by the sound of cupboards being opened and the victim asked if they were looking for money. Sister Annie further reports that the victims mentioned the culprits said “We need money, but something else also,” The attackers forced the victim to swallow tablet before they raped her. The victim is in acute trauma and pain. (Source : ucanews.com reporters, Delhi, 22nd June 2015)
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