Please click on link to see a letter from Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary – WCC, updating you on the WCC’s 70th Anniversary and inviting you to participate actively in the celebrations.
Also see the link to the list of events planned so far.
Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad,
General Secretary, NCCI.
Download –
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity January 18-25 is an annual celebration observed by Christian churches all over the world. It is symbolic of the visionary prayer of Jesus that Christian disciples may all be one. The sad reality is that we are divided on the basis of religious matters such as traditions, doctrines, practices, and governance, and also on social and political issues as well as economic considerations.
The theme for the 2018 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, “Your Right Hand, O Lord, Glorious in Power,” is taken from the book of Exodus 15:6. The resources for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity have been prepared by the churches of the Caribbean. The contemporary Caribbean is deeply marked by the dehumanizing project of colonial exploitation.
Today Caribbean Christians of many different traditions see the hand of God active in the ending of enslavement. It is a uniting experience of the saving action of God which brings freedom. For this reason the choice of the song of Moses and Miriam (Ex 15:1-21), as the motif of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2018 was considered a most appropriate one.
The themes of the daily prayer material raise some of the contemporary issues addressed by the churches of the Caribbean. Abuses of human rights are found across the region and we are challenged to consider our manner of welcoming of the stranger into our midst. Human trafficking and modern-day slavery continue to be huge issues. Addiction to pornography and drugs, continue to be serious challenges to all societies. The debt crisis has a negative impact upon the nations and upon individuals. Family life continues to be challenged by the economic restrictions which lead to migration, domestic abuse and violence. The articulations on the prayer themes have however been adapted to the Indian context by the NCCI Secretariat.
Churches all over the globe are called to work together to heal the wounds in the body of Christ. At the same time, need to discern God’s hand at work in bringing about reform, healing and liberation. In other words, churches should be together and work where God is.
Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad
General Secretary, NCCI.
International Version: ENG 2018 Booklet
Adapted for India: Resources for The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and Throughout the Year_Eng
The word “Christmas” brings popular images of Santa Claus, Carols, New Clothes, Cakes, Drinks, Dances and Feasts to the mind. All such images are expressions of celebration. But what we are celebrating is an event and message of much serious matters. One insight on the significance of the birth of Jesus comes from the hasty migration of Joseph and Mary with the baby Jesus to Egypt. They were fleeing from the wrath of King Herod who ordered that all Jewish male children up to two years of age in Bethlehem and its vicinity be killed. The reason for this massacre was Herod’s fear that a child had been born in Bethlehem about whom some wise men predicted that he would become the King of the Jews. Herod did not want his political authority and power to be challenged and dethroned. Therefore he thought it best to nip the threat in the bud, and get the new born king killed. Since he did not know who this baby king was, he ordered that all male Jewish children up to the age of two years be put to the sword. Therefore Joseph and Mary thought it best to flee to Egypt and protect baby Jesus’ life. They became migrant refugees.
World Council of Churches – Council for World Mission and Evangelism
Conference of the World Mission and Evangelism
India Pre-conference
24 -26 January, 2018 | CNI Bhavan, New Delhi.
The next Conference of the World Mission and Evangelism of the World Council of Churches is meeting in Arusha, Tanzania from 08th to 13th March 2018 on the theme “Moving in the Spirit: Called to Transforming Discipleship”. The Conference is an opportunity for the global Church, the ecumenical and the mission movements to review and re-examine its present mission patterns in order to make the Gospel relevant by interpreting it in response to the signs of our times.
To facilitate this process of introspection and re-imagination, the National Council of Churches in India – Unity and Mission joining the Church of North India Synod and the WCC – Council for World Mission and Evangelism is organizing a ‘Pre-assembly’ to deliberate upon the need, relevance and engagement of the Indian churches, ecumenical mission organizations in our contemporary context on the theme “Transforming Discipleship: Mission of the Missions”.
This India Pre-Conference is hosted by the Church of North India Synod and facilitated by the NCCI – Unity and Mission. This conference is scheduled to be held in CNI Bhavan, # 16, Pandit Pant Marg, New Delhi from 24th to 26th January 2018.
Please click the link for the concept note.02. CNI – NCCI – CWME Concept Note for WMC
To know more about the WCC – World Mission Conference, please visit <https://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/events/conference-on-world-mission-and-evangelism-moving-in-the-spirit-called-to-transforming-discipleship>
For Details… Please contact
Rev. R. Christopher Rajkumar
Executive Secretary,
NCCI – Unity and Mission
<mission.ncci@gmail.com>, <mission@ncci1914.com>
The Most Rev. Dr. P. C. Singh, President, National Council of Churches in India.
Dear Ecumenical Colleagues,
Greetings to you all in the sweet name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
As the Moderator of the Church of North India, the President of NCCI and the Bishop of the Diocese of Jabalpur CNI, I like to express my best wishes to each one of you on this Christmas.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to my ecumenical colleagues for the Prayer and support during this year 2017 and for their prayers for the smooth running of the Executive Committee of NCCI.
We celebrated the 500th anniversary of Reformation. It was on 31st October 1517 that the great reformer Martin Luther nailed to the door of the Castle Church of Wittenberg, Germany his 95 theses which triggered the reformation process. His heart yearned for a drastic change of the system. He knew that transformation of the system was possible only through reformation. In line with the spirit of reformation I wish to title my message as “Incarnation for Transformation”.
My pivotal affirmation is that incarnation of Jesus Christ was the greatest transforming event in world history. It changed the course of history and the destiny of human beings. Therefore, I am considering the birth of Jesus Christ as “reformation” of God’s creation. Christmas story is more than the survival of a baby born in some very unfriendly conditions. Its message is about God taking control of the most difficult and threatening conditions of life and transforming them into experiences of enriching the life of the whole creation
The recognition accorded by the US Administration to Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel, and its decision to shift its Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem will further aggravate the problem of finding a just and peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian tension, and the larger issue of peace and goodwill in the West Asian region. It also undermines the role of UN (and all its member nations) who have resolved in 1980 that Jerusalem should be respected as a sacred place for three religious traditions, that no diplomatic missions of countries should be established in Jerusalem, and the declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel constitutes a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
It is in this context that the following appeal has been submitted to the US Embassy in India, and copies of the same have been circulated to all important state and civil society bodies. This is for your consideration, prayer and action. Let us be careful that we do not get carried away by unjust Zionist perspectives. Especially at Christmas time let us be committed to the Prince of Peace.
URGENT APPEAL
We, the undersigned, Justice and Peace-loving citizens in India, urge the US Adminstration to withdraw its recognization of Jerusalem as the Captital of Israel and the proposal to shift its Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem
Realizing the adverse impact of the announcement by President Trump on Wednesday, the 6th December 2017, on Arabs, Christians and Muslims who live in Palestine and all over the world;
Noting that this declaration will go against the UN Resolution that Jerusalem should be the ‘sacred place’ for all the major three religions – Judaism, Islam and Christianity;
Sensing that such an action will disrespect and jeopardise the peace process that has been under progress for both Jews and Palestinians to live together with a two-nation theory and peaceful settlement;
Understanding that this has already geared up the Islamic and other countries to express their deep concern and anguish against such an unwarranted decision by the US;
Considering that most of the world leaders including Pope Francis, State Heads of Britain, France and Germany and several Islamic States have condemned this unilateral decision and raised their voice against this proposal;
Bearing in mind that such an impulsive and drastic decision would lead to disturbance of peace not only in Middle East but also across the world;
Reflecting that this kind of unwarranted announcements may further instigate and perpetuate the never ending war in that region that may spread over to different parts of the world;
Considering that this kind of irresponsible decions and desparate and impulsive actions would accelerate tension in Palestine and would worsen the life and livelihood situation of the marginalized especially the aged, otherwise abled, women and children in the occupied territories;
While expressing our deep concern and solidarity with the struggles of our brothers and sisters in Palestine for their life, livelihood, dignity, equality, justice and peace,
10.12.2017 – New Delhi
“Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
(Proverbs 31:8-9)
“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home — so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. […] Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights turns 70.
Let’s stand up for equality, justice and human dignity.
Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December – the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year, Human Rights Day kicks off a year-long campaign to mark the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a milestone document that proclaimed the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being — regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. It is the most translated document in the world, available in more than 500 languages.
Drafted by representatives of diverse legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration sets out universal values and a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations. It establishes the equal dignity and worth of every person. Thanks to the Declaration, and States’ commitments to its principles, the dignity of millions has been uplifted and the foundation for a more just world has been laid. While its promise is yet to be fully realized, the very fact that it has stood the test of time is testament to the enduring universality of its perennial values of equality, justice and human dignity.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights empowers us all. The principles enshrined in the Declaration are as relevant today as they were in 1948. We need to stand up for our own rights and those of others. We can take action in our own daily lives, to uphold the rights that protect us all and thereby promote the kinship of all human beings.
#StandUp4HumanRights
National Church Mission Association (NCMA)
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) India
Milap Community Church of India
Chhattisgarh State Christian Alliance
Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), Raipur
(Source: Rev. Akhilesh Edgar)
Hungreiphy ZAS Zimik Young Indigenous Baptist woman Theologian
As the world commemorates ‘Human Rights Day‘ on 10th December ‘Hungreiphy ZAS Zimik a young Baptist indigenous theologian shares her story and efforts to promote ‘Women’s Rights are Human Rights and ‘Indigenous Women Right to Inheritance of Ancestral Property’. Zimik states “I am indigenous woman and belong to Tangkhul Naga Tribe from Ukhrul District in Hungpung Village in state of Manipur in India. My immediate family consist of six members i.e. my mother, father, two brothers, me and my sister. Tangkhul indigenous society is a classless society and forbids any kind of unreasonable discrimination among the members of the tribe. However there are certain areas guided by indigenous customary laws where the principle of ‘Rights to Equality’ of men and women cannot be strictly applied.
Tangkhul tribe women are not allowed to participate in the decision making process of the village till date. They are not given recognition as members of the Village Assembly. Tangkhul women are also prohibited to become Village Councillors even though Government of India and our constitution allows equality. No Tangkhul village has a woman Village Councillor till date. Thus, the general expression ‘Equality before Law’ has got no central place for women in my tribe.
‘Blue-ing’ Churches & Communities, 16 Days of Activism Campaign @NCCI ( Photo Source www.boston.archive )
On 28th November 2017, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in India requested for valuable suggestions to end child abuse in the context of increasing abuse of violence on children in India. Stuti Kacker Chairperson of NCPCR in her request letter of 28th November 2017 states: “Sexual crime against children is showing an alarming increase and there is urgent need to tackle this problem on a war footing. Parliament has already brought a comprehensive Act namely ‘The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 to punish those who commit sexual offences against children. However, there is a pressing need to formulate a broad based strategy to prevent such crime from occurring, which is only possible if all stakeholders namely children themselves, their parents, school administration, law enforcement agencies, NGOs and civil society etc. as a whole, create awareness and highlight the moral repugnancy of such crimes.”
Jessica Borgoary Promoting 16 Days Activism Campaign
When I was in school I watched a Hindi film know as ‘ Mirch Masala’ ( Chilli Powder) The film was directed by Ketan Mehta. It starred Naseruddin Shah and Smita Patil in the lead roles. The film is set in colonial in the early 1940s. The plot begins with an arrogant Indian local tax collector and with his henchmen exploiting villagers. The tax collector and his men were harassing women . The village headman who was not strong to oppose him even supplied him with women from the village for his pleasure. No one had courage to protest against such violence.
However the story takes a different turn when the tax collector boldly asks Sonbai a young woman from the village for sexual favours, and harassed her. Enraged, Sonabai, in an act of defense, slaps the tax collector. She then had to flee immediately with the soldiers and henchmen in hot pursuit.She takes refuge in a spice factory where red chillies are grounded into powder. The women of the village worked here. Sonabai and the women were supported by a watchman and male school teacher who strategize to end such violence.
Sonabai organized women in the factory and when the tax collector and his men raided the factory the women in factory mount a sudden and surprising defense. They attack the tax collector with freshly ground red chilli powder in teams of two. The film ends with the tax collector on his knees, screaming in pain as the chilli burns his face and eyes.
The situation of women and girls being ‘eve teased’, bullied, harassed and sexually abused has not changed in India. In fact such violence has increased. Now when women are no longer confined within homes and are out in the world, they face harassment and abuse schools, colleges and workplaces.
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