Posts

Us team visited NCCI Secretariat on 30th May 2015

20150530_181108Us [United Society, the new name of United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (USPG) founded in 1701] is an Anglican mission agency working in the partnership with churches around the world. Us work alongside local communities to improve health, put children in school, tackle discrimination, nurture leaders, give a voice to women, and much more.
Mr. Davidson Solanki, International Programmes Manager, Us visited the NCCI Secretariat on 30 May 2015 along with Ms. Anne Bonger, Programme Coordinator of Us. Rev. Samuel Mall and Rev. Meena Bhati, Programme Coordinators of CNI Programme Office, accompanied the visitors. Mr. Kasta Dip, Director of India Peace Centre. Mr. Jianthaolung Gonmei, NCCI Youth Commission Intern and Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, General Secretary of NCCI had a time of sharing with them.
/25 Comments/by

Statement on the Middle East, Future Plans

29 May 2015

Greetings in the name of Christ,

wcrc

I bring you greetings as we have recently completed the 2015 executive committee meeting of the World Communion of Reformed Churches in the cradle of Christianity, gathering at the Evangelical Conference Center in Dhour Choueir, Lebanon, run by the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon.

While gathered together we heard the stories of our sisters and brothers from many countries of the Middle East, including Egypt, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon itself. We were deeply moved by the testimonies of ministry in the face of great challenges. Our eyes were also opened as their reality was presented to us, instead of the one distorted through the mass media.

Our sisters and brothers in the Middle East need us to be closer to them than ever. Their very existence is threatened even as they are the key to peace and reconciliation in the region. To that end, the executive unanimously made a statement that fully commits us as a Communion to be deeply involved with them.
Read more

/23 Comments/by

Bishop Desmond Tutu writes an open letter to the Deutscher Evangelischer Kirchentag

Concern for justice and solidarity with the suffering:
Letter of Bishop Tutu to the German Churches

Please see below  a copy of the letter written by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu to the German Churches. especially to the people who are attending the forthcoming Kirchentag.  His letter challenges our churches also as we take a stand for justice and pray for meaningful peace. 

Open Letter to Deutscher Evangelischer Kirchentage

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ

I send very warm greetings from Cape Town to you all.

Deutscher Evangelischer Kirchentag is a special organization that occupies a special place in this old man’s heart.

It has played an exemplary and prophetic role in gently nudging modern Germany, with its powerful economy, towards using its power actively and compassionately for justice.

I remember how, in the 1980s, you struggled with your consciences over taking “a clear stand” against apartheid – and ultimately acted on your impulse to do the right thing, closing your accounts at Deutsche Bank over its dealings with South Africa. Thank you.
/24 Comments/by

CASA’s Response to the Earthquake in Nepal

,

AppealThe killer earthquake that hit Nepal on the noon of April 25th, 2015 has devastated human lives and property. It is believed to have killed over 7,000 people and left more than 12,000 injured, and several thousand houses flattened. The apprehension is that the death toll may rise to 10,000. Further, it is estimated that about eight million people are severely affected in the Himalayan region by this devastating earthquake. Read more

/25 Comments/by

Letter from General Secretary of National Council of Churches in Nepal, Rev. Dr. K. B. Rokaya

he following is the text of an email received by Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, General Secretary of National Council of Churches in India, from Rev. Dr. K. B. Rokaya, General Secretary of National Council of Churches in Nepal.
 
This letter is in response to Rev. Dr. Roger’s mail to him expressing our concern over the Earthquake situation and assuring the people of Nepal of our prayers and support.

From: Jesus is Lord <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>
Date: Tue, Apr 28, 2015 at 5:06 PM
Subject: Re: Solidarity
To: Gaikwad Roger <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>

Dear brothers and sisters,
Thank you for your prayer for Nepal. We are all safe. Only today people have started moving out, still living in tents. So far total death almost 5000, still many deaths anticipated as bodies are being recovered. One Church in Kathmandu collapsed killing at least 26 during Saturday worship service. News of Churches destroyed elsewhere coming up. Still too early to say exactly how much damage to Churches and deaths of Christians.
For now just keep praying. Still uncertainty and fear prevails.
Rokaya
Dr. K. B. Rokaya
General Secretary.
/25 Comments/by

100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Asian Churches in Solidarity.

April 24, 2015

Today marks the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. At this moment in history, when the world pauses to remember the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, we as Asian Churches share with concern and prayers the pain and sorrow of our brothers and sisters of the Armenian Apostolic Church, as they remember with pain the ‘injustices forced on their ancestors.’

As sent by Ms. Susan Jacob from CCA Communications, please see the letter of solidarity sent to HH Aram I, Holy See of the Armenian Apostolic Church and Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, by Rev. Dr. Henritte Hutabarat Lebang and a letter to the CCA members, in this regard.

lettercca

 24 April 2015

To

Heads of CCA MemberChurches and Councils Members of the GeneralCommittee and PACs

Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The Armenian churches will be commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on 24th April 2015. It is with solidarity that we stand with them in sorrow and comfort, in hope and faith, courage and strength, at this moment in history. The Armenian Apostolic Church in Iran has been a member of the Christian Conference of Asia for the past 5 years.

Read more

/25 Comments/by

Indian Theological Educators and Church Leaders Delegation to China. A Report

 The Church and Christian Theological Education in Contemporary China:

An Edifying Visit of Delegation of Indian Theological Educators and Church Leaders

Indian delegation Holy Trinty Church ShanghiIn 1987 a Chinese delegation led by Bishop K.H. Ting visited churches and Christian organizations in India. Twenty-five years later, another Chinese delegation consisting of 6 members led by Rev. Dr. Chen Yilu, visited India from August 17 to 27, 2013. This visit was facilitated by the Foundation for Theological Education in Southeast Asia (FTESEA) having Rev. Dr. H.S. Wilson as its Executive Director. The delegation visited Kolkata, Serampore, Delhi, Agra, and Bangalore. The members of the delegation considered it to be a very meaningful trip as they got to visit theological colleges, churches and church organizations, thereby gaining an insight about India, in particular about the life and ministries of the Church in India, along with some of its cultural expressions. A bond of friendship was thus established between the Chinese friends and Indian church leaders and theologians. This paved the way for a reciprocal visit of Indian theological educators (represented by the Board of Senate of Serampore College) and church leaders (represented by the National Council of Churches in India) to China from November 13 to 22, 2014.This programme was again facilitated by FTESEA through Rev. Dr. H. S. Wilson…With CCCTSPM colleagues

Please click here to download the full report of this visit

/25 Comments/by

WCC Celebrates the life and witness of Rev. Dr. Philip Potter

World Council of Churches – News

31 March 2015

philip potterA special tribute was paid by the World Council of Churches (WCC) to the Rev. Dr Philip Potter, the third general secretary of the WCC, who served in that office from 1972 to 1984. A global ecumenical leader known for accompanying churches around the world in their struggles for unity, justice and peace, Potter died on 31 March at the age of 93 in Lübeck, Germany.

Born in Roseau, Dominica, in the West Indies on 19 August 1921, Potter began his ecumenical involvement as part of the student Christian movement in the Caribbean. He was a youth representative to the first two assemblies of the WCC at Amsterdam (1948) and Evanston (1954).

He was the first person from the newly independent countries in the world to be elected as general secretary of the WCC. Among the most memorable achievements of Potter’s tenure were the theological consensus document on Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry and the continuation of a courageous campaign against apartheid in southern Africa and against other forms of racism throughout the world.
Read more

/27 Comments/by

Easter Prayer for Reconciliation and Reunification of North and South Korea

ncck

70 years since the joys of incomplete independence were reduced to the pains of separation
On this morning when we reminisce of the jubilance of resurrection
The voice of forgiveness and reconciliation resonates in our hearts

70 years, but still a broken culture rages among us
In the face of the rule of the dead powers of the militaryindustry
We repent for our feeble faith that confessed words instead of actions

We see ourselves frightened to meet even before considering forgiveness
Such is rooted in our distrust
We confess that no love and faith for each other had ever existed

No blame was put upon the crowd that cried for the cross
Following Jesus who has revealed the path of salvation through forgiveness,
After 70 years of separation, we pray that the fire of forgiveness and reconciliation kindle in every
nation of the world
Lord, lead our way

Before we fault others,
Help us purify ourselves, as we are filled with hate, anger and violence
Grant us the inner courage to reflect back on our true past
Face the hidden truth
And reunite with those who suffered unrighteous death
Give our weak selves the Holy Spirit
Let us not give up on our pursuit for forgiveness, reconciliation and unification
Amidst the despairs of death, you have shown us great hope through resurrection
Bring the new life of resurrection to this dying land

In the same way that Jacob, after crossing the Yabok River embraced Esauand danced,
Armed with forgiveness, let us cross the river of hate and enmity to unite, North and South
Wash away the agonies of separation
To give our sons and daughters one, living nation

We believe that the road of this journey would save people and give hope to mankind
In the name of Jesus Christ who never ceases to call
Into the world of resurrection,
We pray sincerely, Amen.

National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) 

Korean Christian Federation (KCF)

/18 Comments/by

World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary’s letter expressing solidarity and support for the Churches in India

16 March 2015

Rev. Dr Roger Gaikwad

General Secretary
National Council of Churches in India
Christian Council Campus
Civil Lines Nagpur – 440001
Maharashtra State
India

Dear Dr Gaikwad,
I am writing this to express solidarity and support for the churches in India in the context of increasing acts of violence and vandalism targeting the Christian community in India. I was deeply disturbed to hear of one more act of vandalism on a church in Hisar district of Haryana state on Sunday, 15 March 2015, and of the gang rape of a septuagenarian nun in the Convent of Jesus and Mary High School in Ranaghat town of West Bengal state a few days earlier. These attacks and atrocities are understood as part of a wider pattern of repression against minority communities and their fundamental right to practise and profess a religion of their choice. In this regard, the recent rise in attacks on Christians and Christian institutions poses a deep threat to the secular and pluralistic social fabric of India where various religious communities have thrived and lived harmoniously through the ages.
The World Council of Churches condemns any act of violence or violation which targets people and places on the basis of their religious identity, and upholds the sanctity and dignity of all life and the universal right to religious freedom. I am aware of and support the NCCI’s letter dated 2 December 2014, addressed to the Honourable Prime Minister of India urging the government to “bring in suitable measures to cultivate a culture of democratic secularism”. The World Council of Churches joins the churches in India in urging the Indian government to take appropriate and urgent measures to prevent further violation of human dignity or violence against the Christian community in India, which has long been engaged in selfless service to the people of India across the boundaries of caste, ethnicity and religion.
/25 Comments/by