XXXV Session of The Church of South India Synod report_color... · 2018-08-27 · 2. 18th January 2014 at CSI Centre, Chennai 3. 20th & 21st October 2014 at CSI Centre, Chennai 4

XXXV Session of The Church of South India Synod

“Pilgrim Journey Towards Forgiveness & Reconciliation

GENERAL SECRETARY’S REPORT

th th 14 to 17 January, 2017Kottayam, Kerala

Church of South India - GENERAL SECRETARY’S REPORT

GENERAL SECRETARY’S REPORT 70CSI

Now to Him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Eph.3.20-21)

Respected Moderator, Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam, Deputy Moderator Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen, Treasurer, Adv. C. Robert Bruce, Bishops of 22 Dioceses and Moderator's Commissaries of 2 dioceses, elected Delegates from all the Dioceses, Rev. Dr. Christopher Ferguson, General Secretary, WCRC, Rev. Dr. Collin Cowan, General Secretary, CWM, Bishop Dr. Ivan Abrahams, General Secretary, World Methodist Council, representatives of our overseas partners, Fraternal delegates, Directors of Synodal Departments, President and General Secretary of the CSI Women's Fellowship, Representatives of the Sisters Order, Accredited Visitors, Special Invitees and Visitors.

The 34th Session of the Church of South India Synod that met at Vijayawada to celebrate its faith, oneness and unity in Christ approached the throne of grace with a prayer “God of Justice, give us your Peace”. The Synod elected a new leadership team to lead the Church in its struggles and joys, mandating them to work for the peace and dignity of the Church. It also mandated the Church to walk on the path of justice and peace, to practice the partiality of God, to strengthen the diaconal ministry of the Church, to affirm the Church's national and cultural identity, to strengthen partnership with the worldwide oikumene, to affirm the resourcefulness of the CSI and to practice responsible and transparent stewardship.

I am deeply humbled to have witnessed the wondrous ways that God has led His Church in the last triennium, and am honoured to have been a part of this significant three-year phase in the history of the Church of South India. It is indeed a privilege to place before you the General Secretary's Report of the triennium 2014-2017.

ADMINISTRATION

The Executive Committee of the Church of South India met eight times:

1. 14th January 2014 at St. Paul's Basilica, Vijayawada2. 18th January 2014 at CSI Centre, Chennai3. 20th & 21st October 2014 at CSI Centre, Chennai4. 12th & 13th March 2015 at CSI Centre, Chennai5. 8th April 2015 at Chapel of Transfiguration, LITE Auditorium, Chennai6. 30th May 2015 at CSI Centre, Chennai7. 8th January 2016 at CSI Centre, Chennai8. 11th & 12th October 2016 at Tiruvalla

The Working Committee met three times:

1. 13th June 2014 at Vishranthi Nilayam, Bangalore2. 16th November 2015 at CSI Centre, Chennai3. 3rd June 2016 at CSI Centre, Chennai

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Appointment of Directors

During the triennium, 6 new Directors were appointed. Rev. K. Cecil James Victor was appointed in May 2014 as the Director of the Department of Pastoral Concerns. Rev. Asir Ebenezer was appointed in June 2014 as Director, CSI-SEVA, the Department of Diaconal Concerns. Rev. Dr. Royce Manojkumar Victor was appointed in June 2014 as CSI-EMS Liaison Officer. Rev. J. Solomon Paul was appointed inNovember 2014 as Director, Department of Youth and Rev. Sunil Raj Philip was appointed in October 2015 as Director, Department of Communications with additional responsibility of Dalit and Adivasi Concernsand Mr. Emmanuel Anil Kumar Charles as Director of CSI-Board of Child Care and Mr. Prasanth Solomon as Associate Director of CSI-Board of Child Care in May 2016. Prof. Dr. Matthew Koshy Punnackad, the Convener of the CSI Synod Ecological Committee was requested to serve as the Hon. Director of the Department of Ecological Concerns. Rev. Christopher Vijayan continued to serve as Director, Department of Mission and Evangelism and will lay down his office at the end of this Synod as he has completed two terms of tireless and dedicated ministry.

Committee Meetings

The Committees appointed by the 34th Session of the Synod, namely the Pastoral Concerns Committee, Christian Education Committee, Liturgy Committee, Youth Committee, Diaconal Concerns Committee, Dalit and Adivasi Concerns Committee, Communications Committee, Ecumenical Relations Committee, Ecological Committee, Political Questions Committee and the Board of Child Care met regularly to guide and advice the Synod Directors and the Secretariat. We record our thanks with appreciation to the Chairpersons, Conveners and members of all these Committees for their commitment.

The Special Synod Sessions were called in 2015 at the LITE Auditorium to deliberate upon the constitutional amendments and bye-laws on 8th April 2015 and to consider and approve the bifurcation of North Kerala Diocese and South Kerala Diocese on 9th April 2015.

1. Constitutional Amendments and Approval of bye-laws:

Already in the 33rd Synod Session held at Kanyakumari in January 2012, the Synod of the Church of South India had resolved in its Resolution No. S 2012-24,2, to bring about amendments in the Constitution of the Synod and the 34th Synod Session held at Vijayawada in January 2014 had resolved in its Resolution No. S 2014-21,2, to ask the concerned committees to study the possibility of the term of the Synod to be extended to three years instead of two. Acting on the above resolutions, the Working Committee of the Synod that met on13th June 2014, through its Resolution No. WC 2014-05 resolved to hasten the process of drafting the bye-laws. The Executive Committee, that met on 20th and 21st October 2014, through its Resolution No. EC 2014-14, formed a Committee to draft the bye-laws to the Constitution and propose certain amendments to the Constitution. The bye-laws, resolutions of the

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proposed alterations and additions to the Constitution of the CSI were the fruition of the commitment and hard work of the Committee members, Prof. George Koshy, Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam and Adv. K. I. Ninan, and the Committee appointed by the Synod Executive Committee, comprising of the Officers of the Synod, Rt. Rev. Dr. G. Devakadasham, Prof. George Koshy, Mr. Jacob Philip, Mr. Arthur Sadhanandham and Dr. Vimal Sukumar. The Constitution Revision and Bye-laws Committee presented its report to the Executive Committee held from 12th to 13th March 2015 and the Executive Committee proposed the Amendments to the Constitution, Resolution Nr.EC 2015-08 following Chapter XIII rule 2 (a) The Executive Committee frames the Bye laws to the Constitution 12.03.2015 & 13.03.2015 Resolution Nr. EC 2015-08 following Chapter XIII rule 3.

The Church took on itself to pass the Constitutional Amendments and Bye-laws for the better administration and governance of the Church. The Synod had worked for the last 67 years without having any bye-laws to the Constitution of the Church of South India. The rules which were passed in various Synods as referral points were gathered together as a set of Bye-laws. Among the amendments proposed, an important amendment was to make the tenure of all governing bodies in the Church of South India uniformly three years in all pastorate, diocesan, synodical levels, from the prevalent 2, sometimes 3 or even 4 year tenures. The age of pastors' retirement was extended to 67 in keeping with the contemporary trends in the sister Churches, both nationally and internationally. To bring in democratic consensus in the elections pertaining to the Officers of the Synod and the Treasurers of the Diocese, the role of the Bishops' Council and Search/Nomination Committee with a set of prescribed qualifications were defined. However, the Synod or the Diocesan Council has the ultimate say in the election of the officer through an affirmative vote.

The Special Synod that met in Chennai on 08.4.2015, following Chapter XIII rule 2.(b) passed the proposed resolutions on constitutional Amendments and forwarded it to Dioceses for ratification. And acting in accordance to Chapter XIII rule 3 it also approved the bye laws which became part of the constitution, with immediate effect from 08.04.2015.

17 Diocesan councils ratified the Constitutional Amendments, the Constitutional Amendments came into force from 16th November 2015. After a long legal battle, the Madras High Court found the Constitutional Amendments and the Bye-laws in order in the month of August 2016 and a Division Bench, headed by the Chief Justice ordered in December 2016 that the January Synod elections will take place as per the Amended Constitution and Bye-laws.

2. Formation of new Dioceses

The Special Session of the Synod held on 9th April, 2015 was also called on to consider the bifurcation of two Dioceses namely, CSI South Kerala Diocese and CSI North Kerala Diocese, with the Church

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learning to appreciate the value and significance of smaller dioceses. The Executive Committee had recommended the bifurcation of the two Dioceses after a careful perusal and consideration of the detailed report submitted by the Bifurcation Committee, headed by the Deputy Moderator, the Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen, which consisted of Adv. Robert Bruce, Hon. Treasurer-CSI, Mr. H. Arthur Sadhanandham, Rev. K. P. Devakumar, Prof. Vimal Sukumar and Prof. N. Selvaraj as members. Bishops Rt. Rev. Dharmaraj Rasalam of South Kerala Diocese and Rt. Rev. B. N. Fenn of North Kerala Diocese and the Officers of the CSI South Kerala and CSI North Kerala dioceses played an important and significant role in the bifurcation process and gave their fullest possible support. Following the report of the Committee, and the recommendation of the Executive Committee, the Synod gave its approval to the bifurcation proposals.

The Moderator, the Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam declared the Bifurcation of the two dioceses in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. That the CSI South Kerala Diocese is to be bifurcated as CSI South Kerala Diocese with its headquarters at Thiruvananthapuram and CSI Kollam-Kottarakkara Diocese with its headquarters at Kollam. And that the CSI North Kerala Diocese is to be bifurcated as CSI Cochin Diocese (legal Successor of CSI North Kerala Diocese) with its headquarters at Thrissur and CSI Malabar Diocese with its headquarters at Calicut. The Synod Assembly rose and sang the doxology in unison. It was also unanimously resolved to approve the erstwhile Bishop in North Kerala, the Rt. Rev. B. N. Fenn, accepting the charge of the CSI Cochin Diocese under Rule 12 (a) of Chapter V of the CSI Constitution and henceforth being the Bishop in Cochin. It is indeed heartening to report that the Malabar Diocese has already got its first bishop and Kollam Kottarakara prepares to elect one very soon.

Farewell to Bishops

During the triennium 2014-2017, the Church of South India bade farewell to three Diocesan Bishops who retired from active service on attaining superannuation:

1. The Rt. Rev. Dr. P. Surya Prakash, Karimnagar Diocese retired on 28th February 20142. The R. Rev. Dr. V. Devasahayam, Madras Diocese retired on 30th August 2014 3. The Rt. Rev. Dr. J.S. Sadananda, Karnataka Southern Diocese retired on 24th September 2014

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Consecration of new Bishops

During this triennium 2014-2017, the Church of South India had the privilege of consecrating six new Bishops. God provided us grace, patience, and courage to overcome the hurdles and issues in diocesan administration and leadership in the Karnataka Central, Madras and Medak dioceses to consecrate and install new Bishops along with other new Bishops in Karnataka South, Karimnagar and in the new Diocese of Malabar.

1. The Rt. Rev. Mohan Manoraj, Karnataka Southern Diocese 2. The Rt. Rev. Prasana Kumar Samuel, Karnataka Central Diocese3. The Rt. Rev. Dr. K. Reuben Mark, Karimnagar Diocese4. The Rt. Rev. J. George Stephen, Madras Diocese 5. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Royce Manojkumar Victor, Malabar Diocese6. The Rt. Rev. A.C. Solomon Raj, Medak Diocese

The Rt. Rev. Mohan Manoraj was consecrated was consecrated and installed on 15.12.2014 at the CSI Shanthi Cathedral, Balmatta, Mangalore.

The Rt. Rev. Prasana Kumar Samuel was consecrated and installed on 26.03.2015 at the CSI St. Andrew's Church, Bangalore.

The Rt. Rev. Dr. K. Reuben Mark was consecrated and installed on 04.05.2015 at the CSI Wesley Cathedral, Karimnagar

The Rt. Rev. J. George Stephen was consecrated and installed on 19.03.2016 at the CSI St. George's Cathedral, Chennai.


The Rt. Rev. Dr. Royce Manoj Kumar Victor was consecrated and installed on 17.05.2016 at the CSI Cathedral, Calicut, Malabar.

The Rt. Rev. A. C. Solomon was consecrated on 13.10.2016 at CSI St George's Cathedral, Chennai and was installed at Medak Cathedral, on 14.10.2016

Administrative Committees

During this triennium, the Executive Committee formed Administrative Committees to administer Karnataka Central Diocese and Madras Diocese. In both Dioceses subsequently the Diocesan Council elections were held and the new leadership, as well as the Executive Committees were elected. The newly-formed Malabar and Kollam-Kottarakara Dioceses as well as the Cochin Dioceses were also placed under Administrative committees. In all three above dioceses, the Diocesan Council elections were conducted successfully and the elected leadership has taken over the administration. At present, Kanyakumari Diocese and South Kerala Diocese are under the Administrative Committees appointed by the Synod.

Synod Courts

The two Synod Courts constituted for the trial of Bishops in Medak and in Thoothukudi-Nazareth during the previous biennium (2012-2014) have concluded their task during this triennium (2014-2017). While in the diocese of Medak, Bishop Kanaka Prasad was deprived of his Charge by the sentence of the Synod Court and a new Bishop has been consecrated, in the Thoothukudi-Nazareth Diocese, Bishop J.A.D. Jebachandran was deprived of his charge as Bishop of Thoothukudi-Nazareth diocese, but shall remain as a Bishop of the Church of South India without jurisdiction and without having any right to participate in the governance of the Church at any level, and be entitled to salary benefits till he attains superannuation, as per the constitution of the Church of South India. The Moderator has already issued his mandate to the Thoothukudi-Nazareth Diocesan Council to elect a Bishopric panel.

Fellowship of CSI Bishops

A fellowship of CSI Bishops, both present and former was held at Vishranthi Nilayam, Bangalore on 22nd July 2015. This occasion gave an opportunity for the past and present episcopal leaders to meet each other. It connected the past and the present to envision a better future for the Church of South


India. It provided a platform to share common concerns, revive friendships and enabled a fruitful fellowship among the leaders.

Overseas CSI Congregations and Churches:

The CSI Congregations in USA and the Gulf region continue to bring blessings to our faith community. The Moderator and the Synod officers visited these congregations to help in better networking with the regional Churches with which the CSI is in communion.

The 29th CSI Family and Youth Conference of North America hosted by the CSI Malayalam nd th

Congregation of Greater New York, Seaford from 2 to 5 July 2015 in Buffalo, USA, was an

important milestone in the overseas CSI Churches history, wherein our Moderator, Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam, Deputy Moderator, Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen, Hon. Treasurer, Adv. Robert Bruce, Rt. Rev. K.G. Daniel, Rt. Rev. A. Dharmaraj Rasalam represented the CSI. God opened new avenues for Telugu-speaking congregations in USA.

The Moderator, CSI, Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam also visited the North American Council of CSI congregations in July 2016 and then again in December 2016. During this visit, he has further strengthened a new partnership link with Trinity Wall Street Foundation, which had spontaneously begun through their solidarity with CSI during the Chennai floods in 2015, and has submitted two proposals for their perusal, one on Child Care Ministry and the other one on rejuvenating CSI Mission hospitals, especially in the Telugu region.


In the Gulf region, the relationship with the Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and Gulf is precious and rewarding to our congregations and continued to be further strengthened during this triennium. The Moderator of Church of South India and the General Secretary, held consultation with the Anglican Bishop and the Arch Deacon of the Diocese of Cyprus and Gulf

rdin Dubai on 23 July 2014 for closer fellowship and stronger partnership between the Cyprus and Gulf Diocese and the CSI in ministering the expatriate community in Gulf region. God opened new avenues for Telugu-speaking congregations in Muscat.

The Moderator of the Church of South India, Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam and General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Rathnakara Sadananda visited the CSI congregations in Australia for networking with the Anglican Church and the United Church Australia. In Australia, two partner Churches, the United Church in Australia and the Anglican Church in Australia have come forward with a new partnership model in which the Churches in Australia may officially accompany congregations of CSI Christians, as culturally distinct congregations within their fold, with our own pastors providing pastoral care on deputation.

ECUMENICAL PARTNERS

Visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury

From 2nd to 3rd June 2014, the CSI had the honour of the visit of Archbishop of Canterbury, Right Honourable Most Rev Justine Welby to CSI Centre, Chennai. He was deeply impressed by Indian secularism as one of the gifts to humanity, as an embracing of faiths, a willingness to deal with differences without hurting each other. He also said that reconciliation is a rare, stony path that requires admitting the humanity of your enemy and being

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willing to walk with them in pain and suffering. During his visit, he addressed the Bishops' Council of the CSI on 2nd June 2014. Mrs. Welby had a separate meeting with the spouses of the Bishops. On 3rd June, he celebrated the Holy Eucharist at St. George's Cathedral, Chennai accompanied by the Moderator of the Church of South India, the Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam and all the Bishops of the Church of South India. A public reception in honour of the Archbishop of Canterbury and his spouse was organized at the CSI Centre which was attended by all Bishops,

religious leaders of our neighbours of faith, secular leaders, Officers of the Synod, Officers of all the Dioceses and Synod Executive Committee members. The Archbishop of Canterbury also visited some projects of the Madras Diocese. He was also accompanied by Chaplain Canon David Porter.

Indo-Korean Mission Council

From 9th to 11th June 2014, the CSI hosted the first Indo-Korean Mission Council of the CSI, CNI, PCI, PCK, PROK and EMS at the CSI Centre on mission concepts and strategies under the theme

“Together towards Life”. It deliberated on various issues regarding the five major churches in both the countries; that the death-dealing economy of the neo-liberal geo-political contexts and economic interests of the world was in juxtaposition to the life-sustaining economy of God. The need was felt to form an Indo-Korean Mission Council for mutual learning and enrichment in walking 'together towards life', issuing forth in sharing of spiritual and material benefits, weaving together and beautifully, the hitherto broken God's web of life and to mandate a Strategic Task Force with the General Secretaries and one official from each of the five Churches to draw out modalities of a mission partnership.

Global Ecumenical Partners Consultation

The triennium 2014-17 was a great journey in re-establishing confidence in the partner Churches. The Meeting of the Global Ecumenical Partners of CSI was held from 6-8 October 2014 at the CSI Centre, Chennai. 30 delegates from 26 partner churches and organizations, namely Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS), representing the Basel Mission and five member churches in Germany, Kassel Christian Education Fund, Council for World Mission (CWM), Global Ministries of the United


Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ Church USA, World Council of Churches (WCC), Church Missionary Society (CMS), United Societies (Us, formerly USPG), Church of Scotland, CMS Asia, Cambridge Link Group, Presbyterian Church in Korea (PCK), Presbyterian Church in Republic of Korea (PROK), KORIND, Presbyterian Mission Agency USA, Christian Aid, Church's Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), Church's Council for Child and Youth Care (CCCYC), Ecumenical Loan Fund (ECLOF), Henry Martin Institute (HMI) and World Vision India. They were joined by 25 delegates from the CSI. The Meeting of the Global Ecumenical Partners of CSI evolved and adopted a 10-point resolution that included, among others, an affirmation that the partnership is a consequence of our koinonia which is encouraging and inspiring, that the partnership has to practice transparency and accountability at all levels and that there was a need of a paradigm shift from the centre to the margins and beyond borders.

Visit of WCC General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit

The CSI had the privilege of welcoming into its midst Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches. Rev. Dr. Tveit held consultations with the Moderator and the Officers of the Synod and with the Bishops of the Church of South India on the life and work of the United and Uniting Church. He celebrated the Holy Eucharist along with the Moderators of CSI and CNI at the historic St. George's Cathedral. All the ordained

presbyters of the Madras Diocese and the laity participated in the Worship service. Rev. Dr. Tveit preached on the theme “Visible unity in love” where he said that the Church ought to pay utmost attention to the reality of relations in its content and structure, even reflecting and expressing loving relationships in moral accountability and dimensions of hope and faith. He exhorted the Church to live out the love of God expressed through the incarnation as a deeper commitment to move together in pilgrimage to see, to create and invent a loving community which lives in solidarity with the whole creation, vulnerable, yet committed to justice and peace.

Ninth Consultation of the United and Uniting Churches

The ninth Consultation of the United and Uniting Churches was held at the Church of South India Synod Secretariat in Chennai from 25th November to 1st December 2015. The theme of the Consultation was “Living in tents (Heb.11:9) the Pilgrimage of the United and Uniting Churches”. The Consultation was led by Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Rev. Dr. Christopher Ferguson, General Secretary, World Communion of Reformed


Churches, Rev. Prof. Dr. Leo J. Koffeman, Chair of the United and Uniting Churches. The CSI hosted the Consultation in collaboration with the CCI, CNI and Mar Thoma Church. 35 participants from 19 United and Uniting Churches worldwide participated in the Consultation. Participants affirmed the need for the continuation of the Continuation Committee. Rev. Dr. Rathnakara Sadananda represents the CSI in this Committee.

Visit of Rev. Dr. Christopher, Ferguson, General Secretary, World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC)

Rev. Dr. Christopher Feruguson, General Secretary, World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) on his visit to India for the Centenary Celebrations of the NCCI also visited the CSI Synod Secretariat in the month of November 2014. He led a worship service in the Secretariat Chapel and brought God's message and had an intensive round of discussions with the General Secretary and the Directors of various Synod Departments. He was again with us in November 2015 and was part of the United and Uniting Churches Consultation. He brought greetings at the Eucharistic Celebration in St. George's Cathedral and presented a paper “Living in tents and communion”. We are indeed grateful that he has accepted our invitation to be the Guest of Honour and deliver the Inaugural Sermon at the 35th Session of the Synod of the Church of South India.

Visit of Rev. Dr. Collin Cowan, General Secretary, Council for World Mission (CWM)

Rev. Dr. Collin Cowan, General Secretary, Council for World Mission visited the CSI Secretariat on 14th and 15th May 2016 along with Rev. Julie Sim, East Asia Regional Secretary of CWM with an additional charge of South Asia Region. They had a fruitful exchange of ideas, especially in building

collaboration and partnerships in building missional congregations with the Directors of various Synodal departments. They also attended a worship at the CSI Church of Risen Redeemer, Chennai and Rev. Dr. Collin Cowan delivered a thought-provoking and theologically-profound sermon during the worship service. The members of the Church presented Indian classical and folk music and dance

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forms in honour of the special guests. The visit of Rev. Dr. Cowan was really an encouraging and inspiring one. We are indeed grateful that he has accepted our invitation to be the Guest of Honour and deliver the Theme Address, Bishop Hollis Memorial Lecture at the 35th Session of the Synod of the Church of South India.

South Asia Regional Consultation of the World Communion of Reformed Churches

The SARC WCRC Consultation was held on 30th April and 1st May 2015 at the CSI Centre, under the theme “Economic and Ecological Degradation”. The Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam, Moderator, Church of South India inaugurated the Consultation. Rev. Dr. B.P.M. Basaiawmoit was the key note speaker. Representatives from WCRC constituents in the region participated in the Meeting. The Consultation was led by Rev. S.S. Majaw, Secretary, WCRC, SARC.

Cross-cultural exposure for Curates and leaders of Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham (UK)

Curates and leaders of the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham (UK) came to India on a cross cultural exposure jointly organized by the Church of South India and the Church Mission Society, UK, which included an Orientation Programme held at CSI Centre from 17th to 18th September 2015 on understanding the socio-political, cultural and religious dynamics of India, understanding the spiritual and liturgical discourses of the Church of South India, learning missional, pastoral and diaconal dimensions of the Church of South India and sharing of cultural values and experiences for mutual learning. After this, the curates along with CSI presbyters as accompaniers went to parishes from 19th to 27th September 2015 followed by a debriefing session from 28th to 30th September 2015.

“Come and See” – EMS CSI Youth Exposure

The Church of South India invited a team of 22 young people from the EMS fellowship churches, from Indonesia, Ghana, South Africa, Lebanon, South Korea and Germany for an Inter-cultural Youth Exposure between 22nd June to 2nd July 2016 held under the theme “Come and see”. The EMS Youth Unit along with the CSI Youth Department conceptualized, planned and realized the Inter-cultural exposure for the young people of EMS youth network to imbibe the spirit of ecumenical partnership and mutual learning. The exposure included understanding the religiously-


pluralistic context of India, socio-economic situations of the people in the margins, and to plan action towards solidarity and nation building. It was to see the reality from another perspective and forge partnerships towards overcoming prejudices and biases and working for harmony and peace.

NEW INITIATIVES

Synodal Intervention for Transparency, Accountability and Responsibility (SITAR)

In 2014, Synodical Intervention for Transparency, Accountability and Responsibility (SITAR), a capacity-building exercise began with sincere commitment to train and build the capacity of the accountants, treasurers and those who are responsible for looking after the financial affairs of the Church. The Institute of Pastoral Management (IPM) of the Synod Department of Pastoral Concerns, is the capacity building plan of the CSI which envisages equipping pastors with scientific knowledge and skills in the spheres of administration, management, finance and legislation. It was specially designed to equip pastors through intensive training in finances and human resource management as well as legal issues, and was able to reach around 300 pastors between the age groups of 35-50 in two Phases of five Batches each. In the last three years, the results are evident to everyone to see: the Church of South India has received the Income Tax exemption which has been restored from 2012-13 onwards, and all CSI FCR Accounts stand renewed for the next five years, that is up to 2021. It is worthy to note that because of the confidence-building measures which included transparency, accountability and responsibility that was brought into expression in its financial management, the Foreign Contribution for specific, designated projects and programmes has increased considerably.

When the Churches in Europe and the West find it difficult to manage Church properties and have been forced to part with valuable assets, the Church of South India has a self-imposed moratorium on sale of land from 2012 onwards. Permissions have been given only after long scrutiny, for asset to asset transfer, or exchange for better management of the resources. If the government acquires the land for infrastructural development, then the Church has to abide by the regulations. But most importantly, the Church has bought and added properties and lands and has received lands as gifts, which are of very significant market value today, to build institutions, Churches and mission projects.

Socio-economic, Ecological and Ecclesial Development schemes (SEEDs)

One of the mission priorities of the CSI is to capacitate local congregations. Towards this end of equipping the congregations at the grass-roots levels in mission and ministry, Socio-economic, Ecological and Ecclesial Development schemes (SEEDs) was conceptualized which aims to provide theological basis and direction to be sown into the lives of congregations through Prayer, Yearnings, Agenda, Action, Review (PYAAR). PYAAR weaves together the spirituality (prayers and reflections) of the people in reflective study of the Bible interwoven with the yearnings (narratives) of the people thus creating a dictum of fruitful action and review. During the last triennium, through SEEDs, an effort to maximize the resources in the Church and put them to greater use. The dioceses of Nandyal, Rayalaseema and East Kerala received small seed money to develop resources that were already available.


CSI Life Support Fund

CSI Life Support Fund initiative was started to raise indigenous resources, particularly during the Pentecost Week to support significant and meaningful diaconal projects in the Dioceses whereby it becomes a sign, that moved by the Holy Spirit, the Church warms up and diligently implements the diaconal responsibility entrusted to it. It would enable the diaconal ministry to become a place of refuge and shelter, where people receive unconditional hospitality to overcome the forces of exclusion and violence and injustice. It would empower the suffering and the poor communities through projects that strive for the empowerment of women, youth, children, marginalized and underprivileged in the community.

CSI Inter-diocesan Partnership Programme

The CSI Inter-diocesan Partnership Programme was initiated to strengthen inter-cultural learning and growing together as a holy Church, through exchange of ideas and mutual consultation to enable the communities to experience deeper fellowship and strengthen our Christian mission. It was also initiated to empower the poor communities from the margins to experience the presence of God through justice and peace. The inter-diocesan partnership aims at fostering friendship, closer unity among people of God in the CSI. It is also hoped that inter diocesan partnership will renew social mobility within the CSI and will be able to bring about considerable transparency and accountability in its structures. Partnerships were formed based on income, cultural diversity and inter-state partnerships. During the triennium 2014-17, bilateral partnerships at Diocesan levels experienced team visit exchanges for mutual empowerment and enlightenment. Partnerships:Madras – Karimnagar; Karnataka Central – Jaffna; Kanyakumari – Nandyal; South Kerala – Dornakal; Tirunelveli – East Kerala; Trichy-Tanjore – North Kerala; Thoothukudi-Nazareth – Rayalaseema; Coimbatore - Karnataka North; Madurai-Ramnad – Krishna-Godavari; Madhya Kerala - Karnataka South; Medak - Vellore

Three Campaigns

Girl Child campaign under the theme “Assure my Future” as a renewal of the CSI's commitment to the Girl Child was inaugurated with a mega children's rally held on 7th October 2014 at CSI LITE Auditorium by Moderator, Church of South India, Most Rev. G. Dyvasirvadam in the presence of the Officers of the Synod and Bishops. Children from all Dioceses actively participated in the programme that was held in the presence of the Global Partners of the CSI. Today the campaign continues in the form of Focus 9/99 in partnership with USPG in all 99 districts of South India collaborating with local governmental agencies,


wherever possible, to awaken the public towards rights of girl children and assuring their future. In the context of escalating violence against girl children and women, the Church is in the process of evolving a Child Protection policy with guidelines for personnel working with children, with best practices and reporting protocols. A series of Synod-level Workshops, including an Inter-faith Forum / Dialogue of Faiths, were conducted to prepare the CSI Child Protection policy which contains legal framework of child protection, relevant Biblical and Theological affirmation, identify circle of care and to specify strategies for implementation.

A campaign for youth under the theme “Youth against Addiction and Abuse” (YaAA) was also inaugurated on 7th October 2014 in the presence of Global Partners, to conscientize the youth and Church leaders on the dangers of addiction and abuse. Youth against Addiction and Abuse (YaAA) awareness programs were held in all Dioceses of the CSI in the form of Poster presentations, skits on the themes Substance abuse in India, Child abuse in India, Indian policies on drug addiction and abuse, Addiction, abuse and revival in College among adolescents. A short film competition cum festival on YaAA brought out the creative imagination of young people and inspired them to work towards creating awareness among the youth on YaAA and the need to 'Choose Life'.

A “handful of rice” campaign was embraced by the CSI Women's fellowship, as a 'food for all' movement for food justice to deliberate on the role of women in the Church in eradicating hunger and facilitating collective local responses in recognition of the fact that the right to adequate food is realized when every man, woman and child, alone and in community with others, has physical and economic access at all times to adequate food or means for its procurement.

Challenges of Migration

Being aware of the fact of migration within our own country, owing to economic, educational, and livelihood considerations, the Church consciously launched Migrant Intervention Towards Holistic Response-Action (MITHRA), to sensitize missionaries and young people to work towards making our congregations migrant friendly. Another programme called Knitting the Neighbourhoods was launched by the Department of Mission and Evangelism.


CELEBRATIONS

CSI Day Celebration - 2014

The CSI Day Celebration began with Holy Communion Service at St. George’s Cathedral, in collaboration with the Diocese of Madras. After the Worship Service at CSI Centre, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Tharanath Sagar, President of the National Council of Churches in India delivered the CSI Day commemorative lecture on the theme “Unity in Witness”. The Officers of the Synod, the Officers of the Madras Diocese, the Clergy of Madras Diocese, representatives from the 22 CSI Dioceses, Heads of Institutions were present during the CSI Day Celebration. The CSI Day lecture was followed by a cultural presentation by students of Madras Diocesan Educational Institutions.

CSI Day Celebration - 2015

CSI Formation Day was celebrated at the CSI Centre with a thanksgiving service led by the Directors of various Departments. Christian educators representing CSI Dioceses, Directors and Coordinators of Dalit and Adivasi Concerns in various CSI Dioceses took part in the CSI Day Formation Service along with the Synod Secretariat staff.

th70 Formation Day of the CSI - 2016

th thThe 70 Formation Day of Church of South India was celebrated on 27 September 2016. Around 700 Pastors and Bishops of all CSI Dioceses and representatives from the Communion of Churches in India were in attendance. The theme for the 70th Formation Day which was “Pilgrim journey towards forgiveness and reconciliation” underlined the discussions on the future ministries of the Church of South India. The Most Rev. Pradeep Kumar Samantroy, Moderator, CNI, delivered the commemorative message. The Most Rev. Joseph Mar Thoma, Metropolitan, Mar Thoma Church brought greetings. More than 700 new believers were baptised during the service and thousands of people participated in the Holy Eucharist.

th th The three-day Pastors Conference was held at LITE Centre, Chennai, from 26 to 28 September 2016 to introspect on the life and witness of the Church and to envisage future ministries of the Church. Commissions on Pastoral Concerns met during the conference and deliberated in depth on the issues of Pastoral Ministry, Interfaith relations, Education and Literacy, Youth, Diaconia, Counselling, Communication, Episcopacy, Mission and Evangelism, Grass Roots Ecumenism, Theological Education of the people of God, Christian Education, Leadership and Governance, Marriage and Family, Transparency and Accountability. The Moderator of Church of South India, the Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam inaugurated the Pastoral Conference and called for a radical shift in education,


mission and ministry without compromising the basic Apostolic nature of the Church and the four basic ministries of the Church namely, Evangelism, Diaconia, Witness and being Prophetic. The General Secretary delivered the key note address on the Conference theme “Pilgrim journey towards forgiveness and reconciliation” calling the Church to be diligently patient, watchfully truthful and committed in faithfulness to receive the gift of forgiveness and reconciliation every day anew. The Bible studies and lectures were presented by Rev. Dr. Santanu Patro, Registrar, Senate of Serampore College, Rev. Dr. Jayachitra, Dean of Women's Studies, Tamilnadu Theological Seminary, Rev. Dr. John Samuel Ponnuswamy, Dean of Indian School of Ecumenical Theology at ECC, Rev. Dr. Chilkuri Vasantha Rao, Principal designate, UTC, Bangalore and host of other resource persons and leaders.

Basel Mission 200

The Basel Mission, one of the pioneering mission organizations that worked in South India and contributed significantly towards the transformation of the socio-economic and religious life in Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala and made a significant contribution towards development of education, health care, printing technology, journalism and linguistics of Kannada, Tulu and Malayalam through dictionaries and compilations and documentations that are still unparalleled today, celebrated its centenary. To commemorate the Basel Mission, the CSI Synod envisaged and actualized a year-long celebration from October 2014 to October 2015 under the theme 'Mission moves'.

The Inaugural Worship of the Basel Mission – 200 was held at Dharwad on 12th October 2014 followed by a Seminar. A newly-constructed Basel Mission Bicentennial Block at Kittel Science College, Dharwad (Karnataka Northern Diocese) was dedicated on the occasion. An International Seminar on the contributions of the Basel Mission and its relevance to present day realities and challenges of the society was held in Mangalore (Karnataka Southern Diocese) from 8th to 9th October 2015. A team comprising of representatives of EMS, Stuttgart and Churches of Basel Mission tradition in Malaysia,

Indonesia, Ghana and Germany, which was visiting India between 2nd to 15th October also participated in the seminar with papers presented by people representing the academia and public sphere.


A moving Photo Exhibition of more than 700 rare photographs of South-west India with the missionaries who served in the area along with their mission field and various churches, schools, hospitals, hostels and industries that they established, was inaugurated at Chennai during the Mission Festival of the CSI on 5th August 2015 and subsequently moved to other dioceses during the bi-centenary year.

The Grand Finale held at Calicut (Malabar Diocese) with a three-day celebration that started with a Thanksgiving service at Hermann Gundert Memorial Church, Nettur. A Bicentenary torch light relay visiting mission stations, a cultural rally in Kozhikode followed by a public meeting culminating in a Thanksgiving service at CSI Cathedral on 11th October 2015, led by the Moderator, Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam. The Deputy Moderator, Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen, the General Secretary of EMS, Rev. Juergen Reichel, the Basel Mission German Branch representative Rev. Michael Graebsch, Rev. Dr. Matthias Kreplin of the Baden Church and Rev. Klaus Rieth of the Wuerttemberg Church participated. It also marked the Inauguration of the new CSI Malabar Diocese.

At the Bi-centennial celebration in Basel, Switzerland, held from 12th to 14th June 2015 under the theme “200 years of Hope unlimited”, the CSI was represented by our Moderator, Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam in a panel discussion on 'Mission yesterday and today'. Rt. Rev. Dr. Royce Manojkumar Victor (then CSI-EMS Liaison Officer) led a workshop on the Living tradition of the Basel Mission in India. The General Secretary also participated in the celebrations.During the 200th Foundation Day Celebrations of the Basel Mission held in Basel, Switzerland from the 24th to 26th September, 2015, the General Secretary had the honour of delivering the Key note Address at the International Symposium on the topic “From mission compounds to a borderless Church – living in harmony in a multi-religious context: Contributions of the Basel Mission in the light of conversion and religious tolerance debates in India”


At the German Missiologists Annual Conference at Badboll, Germany held from 2nd to 4th October 2015, to commemorate the Bi-centenary of the Basel Mission, the General Secretary spoke on the theme “Transformation, hybridity and identity: On the contributions of Basel Mission to India”.

CMS Bicentenary in India

The inauguration of the Bicentenary Celebration of the CMS in India was heralded by celebrating 200 years of the existence of CMS College at Kottayam, by the honourable President Shri Pranab Mukherji in the august presence of the Kerala Chief Minister and notable alumnus of the College, Shri Oommen Chandy and other State, secular and Church dignitaries.The CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese celebrated the Grand Finale of the Bicentenary of the CMS in India with a rally, and procession, public meeting, release of a commemorative stamp and a commemorative book, a cultural festival, and a 96-hour prayer chain. A CSI Bishops' retreat was also organized in

connection with the Bi-centenary. The rally that ended in the stadium was the culmination of four years of events and projects to commemorate the arrival of the first CMS missionary in 1816, an event that had transformed Kerala, mostly through education to the masses, with the Diocese renewing its mission to fight new forms of slavery in contemporary times. The event which was attended by more than a lakh of the faithful, was honoured by the presence of the Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan ,who praised the missionaries for paving the way for a renaissance in the region and mentioned their pioneering work in education, printing, literature, publishing and

worked towards an egalitarian society, thus including marginalized peoples into mainstream thinking. Rt. Rev. John Holbrook, the Bishop of Brixworth, representing the Church of England delivered


greetings from the Archbishop of Canterbury. Other dignitaries were Most Rev. P.K. Samantroy, Moderator, Church of North India, Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma, Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church, Rt. Rev. P.C. Singh, Deputy Moderator, CNI and Rt. Rev. Samuel Mankhin, Deputy Moderator, Church of Bangladesh, the General Secretary, CSI and all the bishops of the CSI.

Centenary of Bishop Karl

The CSI celebrated the Centennial Birthday of Rt. Rev. W. V. Karl, Retired and First Bishop of Karnataka Northern Diocese (1971-1980) on 22nd July 2015 with a Thanksgiving Service at St.

Andrews Church, Bangalore. He prepared a new Constitution for the newly-formed Diocese. He was instrumental in starting scholarships for College students, constructing of Retreat and Lay Training Centre, Bishop's house and Diocesan Office at Dharwad. He is known for his simplicity, deep spirituality and committed episcopal service. The Moderator of the Church of South India led the Thanks giving service felicitating the centenarian and thanking God for the gift of Bishop Karl to the Church. To wish and greet this humble servant of God, who was present with his daughter and son-in law, the Officers of the Synod, retired and present Bishops, Presbyters and hundreds of congregation members were present. To mark the occasion and in recognition of the services of Bishop Karl, the Church of South India announced a Bishop W.V. Karl centennial M.Th. Scholarship to inspire and enable deserving aspirants to pursue their higher studies in theological education.

KORIND Mission Association Decennial CelebrationThe Decennial Celebration of the Korind Mission Association was held on 8th and 9th March 2016 at the CSI Centre. The Moderator and the Ecumenical Officer of PCK, the Moderator, Deputy Moderator and the Officers of the CSI Synod and the Bishops of the CSI Dioceses were present. The Korind Mission co-founders, Rev. Lee Il Ho and Rt. Rev. Dr. B.D. Prasad Rao were honoured on this occasion. The Korind Mission has helped around 500 village congregations in building places of worship.


DEPARTMENTS

Mission and Evangelism

The CSI is a missionary Church with CSI Dioceses having 150 plus Mission fields with around 3500 Missionaries. The mission model has three pillars: education, healing and spiritual awakening. The CSI Mission fields are in remote areas where missionary teachers, doctors and medical personnel work along with theologically trained mission workers. CSI Department of Mission and Evangelism conducted consultations, national and regional seminars on Mission and was continuously engaged in capacity building of missionaries. A Mission Festival held in August 2015 brought together one third of our missionaries, around 1400, who are working in different mission fields, for mutual sharing, and networking for effective ministry. Under the theme “Building Christ communities”, the Mission festival was inaugurated by the Moderator of the CSI in the presence of the Officers of the CSI Synod and the Chairperson of the Department of Mission and Evangelism, Rt. Rev. A. Dharmaraj Rasalam. The Moderator also delivered the inaugural Bishop V. S. Azariah Memorial Lecture, which was attended by more than 2000 faithful. A CSI Missionaries Emergency Relief Fund was created. The Mission Festival inspired confidence among missionaries to transform the marginalized communities through their missional engagements. The missionaries were encouraged to build relationships between Dioceses and mission fields for joint action. It helped to envisage new international mission activities. Above all, the Mission Festival gave recognition to the missionaries and their work in the grass roots.

Pastoral Concerns

The Department is busy organizing capacity-building in-service training courses especially for rural pastors. It has conducted a series of refresher courses cum clergy retreats for the pastors of different dioceses. The Department has engaged itself in the spiritual guidance and enrichment of pastors through Lenten retreats. It has also conducted Pastors' Family Conference apart from engaging in its flagship programme Institute of Pastoral Management.


Partnership between the CSI and the Mizoram Presbyterian Church was strengthened through the Pastors' Exchange Programmes. While 19 pastors from the CSI visited Aizawl in September 2015, 10 pastors from the Mizoram Presbyterian Church visited CSI from 8th to 16th July 2016. After brief orientation sessions, they interacted with the Officers of the CSI Synod and Directors of various Synod Departments and visited parishes and Church projects.

The Department is also responsible for Christian education. Several licentiate courses for Christian educators were conducted. Emerging trends of pedagogy was taught to empower Christian educators at grassroots level. The plans for a uniform VBS syllabi for CSI as well as revision of Sunday School Curriculum 'Wings of faith' are in the making. The Methodist Church in Britain has come forward to support a full time Director for Christian Education Department through its Nationals in Missions Appointment Programme.

In children, our future is already present today; children became the focal group for nurturing of the faith, and the churches were called to become child-friendly congregations. In acknowledgement of the fact of CSI being a leader in the region, the WCC and UNICEF recognized CSI and invited the CSI, the Director of the Department of Pastoral Concerns for a special presentation at the World Church Forum, and to make a video presentation during the Central Committee meeting of the WCC.

CSI - SEVA

A historical milestone in the history of the CSI was reached when the CSI unveiled the capacity building plan and vision of the Church through the Department of Diaconal Concerns, which was renamed as CSI-Social Empowerment – a Vision in Action (SEVA).

The Church continues to be very active in conflict zones, to build local capacities for peace, especially to bring about communal harmony. Local capacities for peace (LCP), supported by Bread for the World, Germany and 'do no harm in CSI' workshops for pastors and youth leaders were conducted.

A Gender Equity Enabling Timetable (GEET) was drawn to make the CSI a more gender-just Church. A CSI Gender Conclave is planned along with Regional Consultations. A discussion and consultative group will work on positive masculinity. While starting discussions on human sexuality, the Church has continued to recognize and work among transgenders according them dignity.

Also, the Church spoke about an inclusive Church with a dedicated desk for Disability Discourse being started at the Synod secretariat, mandated to carry out Disability Intervention in Solidarity and Holistic Accompaniment (DISHA) by giving voice and space to the disabled. DISHA, a new initiative of CSI-SEVA was launched during the Disability Conclave held on 3rd and 4th November 2015. DISHA discerns the way forward in the ministries with persons with disability (PwD). It aims to promote integrated education facilities in the institutions of CSI, it strives towards an inclusive Church, by improving accessibility regard to structural, attitudinal and information, communication and technology barriers. It inspires disability focussed discourses on Christian spirituality and theology and


attempts to network individuals, institutions, Churches and Society at large to enable an inclusive Community. A yearly CSI Disability Octave of 8 weeks is planned from the second Sunday in October dedicated as Sunday for the Disabled to December 3rd, which is the International Day of the People with Disability. The Disability Conclaves were organized in various dioceses.

National Consultation on Diaconal Church in radically-changing India

A National Consultation on Diaconal Church in radically-changing India was held on 23rd and 24th February 2015 at the CSI Synod Centre in collaboration with Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society (CISRS). Many Church leaders and theologians gathered to re-think on the nature of diaconia on the face of the changing scenario in India. The Moderator of the Church of South India, Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam inaugurated the Consultation with a call to discover the lost image of God in every human face. Prof. Ninan Koshy gave the key note address dwelling on the threat to secularism, strategies of Hindutva and neo-liberalism and gave a clarion call to defend minority rights, to defend secular democracy and depicted a picture of diaconia in the context of neo liberal development model. Papers were presented on themes concerning diaconia, knowledge economy and its implications to the Church diaconia and theology, prophetic diaconia, interfaith insights on diaconia, and women and diaconia, reaffirming the gifts of diaconia and prophecy as instruments in seeking justice and pursuing peace. The consultation proposed a networking of Churches, Christian institutions and ecumenical movement to promote a relevant transformative diaconia.

Chennai Floods 2015

The Chennai floods were an experience where the CSI as a Church was moved by the Spirit of God to stand together, to extend solace. All partners and all dioceses, especially the local diocese stood steadfastly to support the Church's action in solidarity, which could reach 10,000 plus families. Trinity Wall Street Foundation and the Baden Church through EMS, continue to accompany us in the current


phase to empower around 250 families in reconstructing their living spaces and long term rehabilitation. In the aftermath of a cyclone, Chennai and nearby places were badly hits by floods. 400 people died and 1.8 million people were displaced. The CSI being partnered by the dioceses, especially the Diocese of Madras, was able to come to the help of the affected through food packets, essential grocers, medicines, clothes and other essentials. Truckloads of food grains and daily necessities arrived from dioceses in solidarity with the Chennai flood victims.The distribution effort was coordinated by CSI-SEVA. Dioceses contributed through kind, financial assistance, volunteers and medical teams. CASA also came to our aid. The first phase involved rescue, shelter, food and water. Subsequently, dry groceries and clothes were supplied to 8000 households. Later medical camps were conducted in more than 10 areas of Chennai. Finally, reconstruction and rehabilitation of living spaces. Here we are thankful for assistance from the Trinity Wall Foundation and the Baden Church, through EMS.

Youth

The CSI Synod Youth Department was revived with a full-time Director, to connect with the youth, their concerns, hopes, aspirations and their problems. The Church envisaged and, inspired them through career guidance programs to take up public service and You-lead – Youth leadership programmes provided them space to unleash their talents

A series of Christha Yuva Jathrotsavas were conducted in all dioceses across the five Southern States of India with its epitome being the gathering of 2000 youth in Tiruvalla that marked yet another milestone in the history of the CSI and coincided with the centenary celebrations of the Youth Movement in Madhya Kerala Diocese. The Moderator led the celebration of the Christha Yuva Jathrotsava with inaugural worship service and symbolic release of pigeons along with the Deputy Moderator and Bishops of the CSI. The General Secretary delivered the key note address. A rally for solidarity was organized mainstreaming the campaigns of the Synod: Girl Child campaign, YaAA campaign, Gender Equity Campaign, Food security Campaign, Campaign for Care of the Elderly, Campaign for Ecology, Disability Accompaniment were mainstreamed through holding of placards to spread awareness. Panel workshops on themes, inter-religious cooperation for communal harmony, migration


and human trafficking, moving beyond conflicts and building peace with justice, health and healing, marginalization of indigenous, vulnerable communities, upholding the dignity and rights of children at risk, overcoming discrimination and violence against women, eco-justice and sustainability, today's education, a tool for transformation becoming a commodity etc. were organized. Youth for peace campaign was coordinated by CSI-SEVA, Paint the colours of peace, love and justice art campaign coordinated by Department of Communications and Inter-diocesan Tug-of-war tournament caught the imagination of all. A holy communion service, as a sign of unity in diversity, led by the Moderator, CSI in the presence of all the Bishops of the CSI, brought together all 2000 youth wearing T-shirts with the tag of Reformation – Education – Transformation, commemorating 500 years of Reformation, to the Lord's table. The Chairperson of the Youth Department, Bishop Timothy Ravinder, the Director of the Youth Department, Rev. Solomon Paul, the General Secretary of Madhya Kerala Youth Movement, Rev. Joby Joy and their team deserve all the appreciation. The vibrancy, the creativity, the spiritual depth that was present and expressed during the Youth Assembly was the sign of God's assurance that the future of the Church is in safe hands.

Women's Conference

CSI Women's Fellowship under the leadership of its President and General Secretary, organized a Women's Conference from 2nd to 4th May in Hyderabad under the theme “Towards fuller life: building communities of justice and peace” which had presentations, Bible studies and active interaction sessions on current issues faced by women. Around 700 women gathered in Hyderabad, along with representatives from the Mar Thoma Church, to reaffirm the Church's commitment towards fuller life and building communities of justice and peace.

Dalit and Adivasi Concerns

The Church's journey to re-visit its roots, comprehend its potentials, replenish its resources came together in a gathering of Dalit painters and artists through “Dalit-Tribal Brush Strokes – An art campaign for Social Change” was organized wherein twenty three artists, both professionals and amateurs of CSI and churches in fellowship with the NCCI gave expression to the liberative spirit of Dalit and Tribal realities in India from 16th -18th October 2014 at CSI Centre Chennai. A Coffee table


book containing the paintings 'Brush strokes' was published. The CSI Calendar of 2015 had selected paintings from this initiative. A celebration of the legacy of Dalit and Tribal arts under the theme “Creating space where there is none” was held on 17th December 2014. This joint initiative of the CSI Synod and the Diocese of Madras acknowledged the liberative motifs of Dalit and Tribal art forms, affirming their space in the mainstream life of their communities.

In reviving the Synod Department of Dalit and Adivasi Concerns, the CSI believes in main streaming, in informing, inspiring and accompanying Christian Dalit and Adivasi communities to affirm their identity, language, literature and culture. In helping students from these communities to draw from the resources made available for them by the Central and State governments, and in educating, empowering Dalit and Adivasi women through “Livelihood projects”, the CSI believes that dominant

communities will acknowledge the richness of the traditions of the peripheralized communities and their power to sustain life.

The CSI continued its stand and appealed for according special status to Dalit Christians with a rally and dharna at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Dioceses sent delegates to participate in this event. The Moderator of the CSI, the General Secretary, CSI, President of the CSI Women's Fellowship and the

Director of the Department of Dalit and Adivasi Concerns participated along with hundreds of faithful from various Dioceses belonging to the Dalit communities.

The CSI issued a strong condemnation of the vandalism and attacks on five churches in different parts of the city of New Delhi. The press release expressed the strong sense of insecurity and anguish among the Christian community, particularly in the context of 'ghar wapsi'. The Church pressed the


Government to initiate a judicial enquiry and come forward to ensure repair and restoration of the Churches, and urged the Government to create a sense of safety not only for Christians, but all minorities and uphold the secular values enshrined in the Constitution of India.

CSI – Board of Child Care

The CSI heard in March 2014 that Kinder Not Hilfe (KNH), Germany would withdraw within a year's time from the CSI. But God's mighty hand led the Church and the KNH in our negotiations and made us understand once again that it is not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit. The country-specific strategy and its aftermath has necessitated CSI-KNH direct relationship once again, without having the intermediary CCCYC. Under the meticulous guidance and instructions of the Moderator, CSI, a

team comprising of the General Secretary CSI, Rt. Rev. Ravikumar Niranjan and Rt. Rev. Timothy Ravinder was formed to negotiate with the KNH officials. The EMS General Secretary and the Ecumenical Officers of the German member Churches and the General Secretary CSI evolved a common plan reaffirming that Child care is essentially a diaconal institution of the Church. The General Secretary CSI was accompanied by General Secretary EMS and Rev. Dr. Eberhard Will to the meeting with the Executive Board of KNH at Duisburg, Germany. Indeed, we experienced God making the impossible possible and KNH continuing to partner and support all the 161 child care projects directly. We thank all those who accompanied us in this journey in solidarity in the name of the children who are the beneficiaries as well as the hope of tomorrow. The newly-formed CSI Board of Child Care (BCC) has been constituted to coordinate the child care ministry of the Church. The Board of Child Care will continue to operate from the Lavelle Road Campus, Bangalore.

Towards a green Church – Ecological Concerns

The Church's green initiatives made the World Church as well as National Environmental Groups to recognize and collaborate. The Department of Ecological Concerns strove hard to make our neighbourhood a better place by involving in grass-roots projects, such as community forests, rain water

h a r ve s t i n g , s o l i d wa s t e management and use of alternative energy sources. Green Clergy fellowship, Green Teachers fellowships and Green School Initiatives caught the imagination of the communities a r o u n d . G r e e n C l e r g y Fellowship brought out 3

volumes of Earth Bible Sermons bringing the global discussion of climate change to village pulpits. Teachers and pastors collaborated to bring out an unique contemporary interpretation of Jesus' parables in Green ParablesA National Consultation on Climate Change at CSI Centre, Chennai, an International Conference on Climate Change at CMS College, Kottayam and various conscientizing initiatives were organized. CSI also participated at COP21 held in Paris, France. The Director visited Member Churches of EMS Fellowship, Church of Scotland, Anglican Communion and United Societies Partners in Gospel to share CSI’s green learning. The Director is invited to be part of the Anglican Communion Environmental Network (ACEN) Steering Committee.


Communications The Communication Department too was revived with a full-time director to evolve new modes of communication and to build a network of communication through the Synod website and social media channels as well as build a network with partner Churches and institutions. A new user-friendly CSI website was designed to represent the official voice of the Church of South India and give instant information on CSI Synodical programmes. It has information on the Church structure and administration and contains resources such as Almanac, Liturgies, Sermon outlines, ministerial role etc. The CSI Life, the official magazine of CSI is redesigned and is now freely available online. A new Face book page for the CSI as well as a new What's App Group were created. The Communications Department, through the website, Facebook and What's App groups made conscious efforts to create awareness about various scholarships for students available from state and central governments from school upto PhD levels.

CSI-EMS Liaison Desk

The CSI-EMS Liaison Desk is one of the very important instruments that binds the CSI Secretariat, CSI Dioceses and the member Churches of the EMS Fellowship together. The CSI-EMS Liaison Desk is a bridge between cultures, networking between the EMS Fellowship Churches and the CSI, especially its Children Homes, Synodical Department Projects and Theological Colleges in South India. The Desk is also responsible for theological reflections through exchange of ideas and exchange of personnel and resources with regard to partnership, inter-cultural and inter-faith learnings and responsible stewardship. The CSI-EMS Liaison Desk also provides impetus towards the Church's green initiatives. The Liaison Desk brings people together through bi-lateral and multi-lateral partnerships among Churches, congregations, institutions, dioceses.

CSI Board of Healing Ministry

Board of Healing Ministry was resuscitated by revisiting the healing ministry of the Church and evolving a road map for better networking of CSI hospitals by forming the CSI Group of Hospitals.


This was initiated with a brain storming session of directors of CSI mission hospitals, medical superintendents doctors and other medical professionals who met on 5th and 6th December 2014 at the CSI Centre to plan and chalk out a course of action on challenges faced, including hospital management and exchange of human resource among other issues to renew the medical mission. Dr. Sunil Chandy, Director CMC, Vellore and Dr. George M. Chandy, Former Director CMC, Vellore were the resource persons. We have already seen the first sign of a new collaborative era with the CSI Hospital in Erode and CMCH, Vellore signing a MoU. A regional Workshop for six Karnataka Mission Hospital Staff was conducted by the Karnataka Inter-diocesan Medical Board between 6th and 7th March 2015, at CSI Mission Hospital, Gadag.

CSI Board of EducationAt a time when the Church's educational ministry seems to have stagnated, with the relevance of the Church's presence in primary and higher primary education sectors being questioned, and under a serious threat of losing its existence in some states, the Board of Education was revived. The mandate is to re-invent and re-envision the Church's role and relevance, particularly in primary and higher secondary education, to bring together all its higher educational institutions, and equip them to face the challenges ahead, acknowledging the need for networking and learning of the best practices from each other, and the formation of a CSI university.

Towards a CSI Academy of Higher Education or a networking of Christian educational institutions, to deliberate on issues concerning educational institutions, share ideas, carry out collaborative research, empower one another and learn best practices of education, a meeting of principals of CSI colleges was held from 27th to 28th January 2015. Their mandate was to review the education ministry of the CSI, its challenges and future prospects. The consultation suggested the constitution of a Core committee on Higher Education and members to facilitate wider network and avenues for interaction. A task force could be formed to help institutional development, to advice on government schemes, funding opportunities, NAAC accreditation, faculty and student exchange and inter- and intra-diocesan cooperation in overall development of faculty, infrastructure and research.

From 9th to 11th July 2014, a Faculty Development Programme (FDP) was organized jointly by the All India Association of Christian Higher Education (AIACHE) and the CSI Synod. Faculty members from 57 CSI Colleges and member institutions of AIACHE participated. Participants witnessed that the FDP transformed their approach to teaching, enhanced their commitment and helped them to better understand their role as teachers in Christian colleges.

A Synod-level Consultation on the Draft National Education Policy of the central government was held at the CSI Centre on 8th September 2016. Heads of various institutions of CSI participated, drafted and submitted, in the form of a considered response, the reflections of the Church of South India on the Government of India Ministry of Human Resource Development document titled “Some


inputs for the National Education Policy (NEP)”. Providing specific inputs to various issues in the NEP, the Church of South India stated that it is unable to support the drawing of the NEP and opposes the move to promote a monocultural hegemony that are considered sacred in themselves and not in association with any one or more religious tradition. Further, a religio-cultural nationalism appears to be replacing patriotism. The CSI therefore, has demanded a thorough review involving stakeholders from the perspective of a plural and secular India. A danger is seen of a repository of traditional indigenous knowledge and wisdom being sought to be dwarfed and negated by a recent revival of Vedic religio-cultural nationalism and its accompanying hegemonic mono-culturalism.

CSI and the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI)

CSI actively participated in the NCCI Centenary Celebrations in 2015. A NCCI commemorative stamp was released at CSI Centre, Chennai in a programme jointly organized by the CSI and the Tamil Nadu Christian Council (TNCC). While the Moderator of the Church of South India participated in the NCCI Centenary Celebrations in Hyderabad, the Deputy Moderator participated in Kottayam, while the General Secretary travelled to Mizoram to participate in the NCCI Centenary Celebrations held in Aizwahl.

NCCI Communications Pre-assembly was held at the CSI Centre under the theme “Towards just and inclusive communities: Communication for life, enablement and growth” in partnership with the CSI Synod, Board of Theological Education of Senate of Serampore College from 8th to 10th April 2016.

At the 28th Quadrennial Assembly of the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) held at Jabalpur from 27th to 30th April 2016, a 16-member team led by the Deputy Moderator, Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen, represented the CSI. Rev. Dr. Rathnakara Sadananda was elected as one of the Vice-Presidents for the next quadrennium 2016-2020.

CSI hosted the Executive Committee and General Body meetings of the NCCI on 12th and 13th August 2016 in the presence of the President, NCCI Rt. Rev. P.C. Singh, Deputy Moderator of the CNI, Vice-Presidents Rev. Dr. Rathnakara Sadananda, General Secretary of CSI and Ms. Leena Thomas of and Mr. Liju Kuriakose, Treasurer of NCCI.

CSI and the Communion of Churches in India (CCI)

The Bishops' Conference and Assembly of the Communion of Churches in India (CCI) which is constituted by the three major Churches in India, namely the Church of South India, the Church of North India and the Mar Thoma Church was held at the CSI Centre, Chennai from 10th-12th May 2015. The deliberations were on the role of the Church in today's context and on being and becoming Christ communities. The meeting considered the appeal of the Methodist Church of India to become part of the CCI fellowship. The CCI assembly deliberated on the challenges of religious extremism and the attempts of religious reconversion or ”ghar wapsi” and the “shuddi” or cleansing minorities from villages and other challenges in contemporary India. The Office bearers elected for the next Quadrennium were as follows: The Presidium comprises of Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam, Moderator CSI, Most Rev. P.K. Samantroy, Moderator CNI, Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Marthoma,


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Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church. Rev. Dr. D. R. Sadananda is the Honorary Secretary and Adv. Prakash P. Thomas is the Honorary Treasurer.

The CCI Bishops' Council and the Executive Committee Meeting of the CCI was held at Shimla from 21st to 24th May 2016. The CSI was represented by the Moderator, Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam, Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen, Deputy Moderator and a host of other Bishops. CCI executive committee took a historic decision to invite Methodist Church in India to join the communion of Churches in India, in celebrating oneness of faith, recognising one another's ministries and following a common lectionary and common Eucharistic liturgy.

CSI Secretariat

Synod staffs Mr. Jayakumar, Mrs. Maragatham, Miss. P.A. Grace and Mr. Natarajan retired, on attaining superannuation during the period 2014-2017, after long years of dedicated services. Mr. N.D. Rajan, support staff in the General Secretary's Office expired on 27th December 2014 after a long illness. He was 45 and had served the CSI Synod since 1992 .

Conference Hall at CSI Centre rededicated in memory of Most Rev. Dr. Victor Prem Sagar

As the Church of South India celebrates the 70th year of formation, the Synod paid tributes to the memory of Most Rev. P. Victor Prem Sagar, former Moderator of the Church of South India from 1988-1992, Deputy Moderator from 1986-1988 and General Secretary from 1980-1982, by rededicating the conference hall in the first floor of the CSI Centre, by the Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam, the Officers of the Synod and in the presence of the Bishops of the CSI.


New Conference Hall at CSI Centre inaugurated in honour of Prof. George Koshy

In commemoration of the 70th year of the Church of South India, the Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam, the Officers of the Synod and in the presence of the Bishops of the CSI dedicated the newly renovated Conference Hall in the name of Prof. George Koshy, former General Secretary honouring and celebrating his leadership and administrative acumen. Prof. George Koshy who served the CSI Synod from 1990-1998, was present along with his wife Dr. Aleyamma George.

Ash Wednesday Retreat

2014 Ash Wednesday Retreat for CSI Synod Staff was held at St. Thomas Mount, Rev. Asir Ebenezer, Finance Secretary, NCCI was the resource person. 2015 Ash Wednesday Retreat for CSI Synod Secretariat staff was held on 18.02.2015 at Bishop Heber Chapel, Madras Christian College Chapel. Rev. Dr. John Samuel Ponnuswamy, Professor in Old Testament, Tamilnadu Theological Seminary was the resource person.

2016 Ash Wednesday Retreat for CSI Synod Secretariat staff was held on 10.02.2016 at LITE Centre, Chennai. Rev. Dr. Pachiam Samuel, Director of Henry Martin Institute, Hyderabad was the resource person.

The CSI Synod Secretariat Staff had an exposure to New Delhi and Agra.


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A special condolence prayer was held in the CSI Synod Secretariat on 28th July to thank God for the life and contributions of late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

Synod Secretariat Staff Christmas Celebration

2014 Synod Secretariat Staff Christmas Celebration was held at CSI Centre on 17th December 2014. The Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam, Moderator of Church of South India gave the Christmas Message. The Deputy Moderator, General Secretary and Treasurer, Church of South India Synod and the President of Women's Fellowship, CSI brought greetings.

2015 Synod Secretariat Staff Christmas worship was held on 17th December 2015 at CSI Centre. However, the celebrations were cancelled as a mark of solidarity with the Chennai flood victims.

2016 Synod Secretariat Staff Christmas was held at CSI Centre on 22nd December 2016. The General Secretary, CSI Synod delivered the Christmas message. The Hon. Treasurer, CSI Synod brought greetings.

PARTNERSHIP VISITS AND NEGOTIATIONS

Networking and forging sustainable partnerships was the result of various meetings, consultations, negotiations between the CSI and Partners Churches and Church Organizations. CSI was in conversation with Churches in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia with the Anglican Communion, World Communion of Reformed Churches, Churches in the EMS Fellowship and Member Churches and with the CWM.

The CSI-CNI Relations Forum / South As ia Par tners For um meetings held in Edinburgh on 13th and 14th May 2014, in Cardiff from 16th to 18th March 2015 and in the Netherlands on 2nd and 3rd March 2016 were attended by the General Secretar y, CSI, Rev. Dr. D. Rathnakara Sadananda

Churches and Organizations in Asia:

The Moderator, CSI, Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam, the General Secretary, CSI, Rev. Dr. D. Rathnakara Sadananda and Bishop B. D. Prasada Rao, Bishop in Rayalaseema represented the CSI at the 99th General Assembly of Presbyterian Church of Korea at Somang Presbyterian Church, Seoul, Korea from 22nd to 25th September 2014.

The General Secretary, CSI, Rev. Dr. D. R. Sadananda, & Hon. Treasurer, CSI, Adv. Robert Bruce attended


the Implementing meeting for Mission between Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK) and Church of South India (CSI) in Seoul from 19th to 25th January 2015 and visited the Presbyterian Church in Korea (PCK) and Presbyterian Church of Republic of Korea (PROK) in February 2015.

A Consultation for the Foundation of Indo-Korean Mission Council and Ecumenical Forum on Peace in North East Asia held in Seoul, South Korea, last week of Sept. 2015 was attended by the Deputy Moderator, CSI, Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen, Bishop in Madhya Kerala and Rt. Rev. Ravikumar Niranjan, Bishop in Karnataka North.

The 14th Assembly of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) held in Jakarta from 20th to 27th May 2015 was attended by the General Secretary, CSI, Rev. Dr. D. Rathnakara Sadananda, Hon. Treasurer, CSI, Hon. Treasurer, CSI, Adv. Robert Bruce and Ms. Vadapalli Sangeetha.

Churches and Organizations in Europe:

The General Secretary, CSI, Rev. Dr. D. Rathnakara Sadananda visited the Kinder Not Hilfe (KNH) headquarters in Duisburg for intense deliberations and negotiations regarding the future of the CSI-KNH partnership in May 2014. He also used the opportunity to visit Church leaders of the Church of Wuerttemberg, Kurhessen-Waldeck (EKKW) in Kassel and Villingen, Partner Church of the Karnataka Southern Diocese in Germany. He also attended an EMW, EKKW, KNH meeting in

Germany from 27th June to 3rd July 2014 and used the opportunity to visit the EMW, Hamburg on 3rd & 4th July 2014.

The Moderator, CSI, Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam, and the General Secretary, CSI, Rev. Dr. D. Rathnakara Sadananda met Rev. Mrs. Karin van den Broeke, Moderator and Rev. Dr. Arjan Plaisier, General Secretary of the Protestant Church in Netherlands between 3rd & 4th November 2014


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EMS

The Moderator, CSI, Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam and the General Secretary, CSI, Rev. Dr. D. Rathnakara Sadananda attended the EMS Mission Council held 9th to 15th June 2015 in Germany. The General Secretary, CSI, Rev. Dr. D. Rathnakara Sadananda attended the EMS Mission Councils held in Stuttgart (May 2014) and in Hofgeismar, Germany from 8th to 11th June 2016. The EMS General Meeting in Stellenbosch, South Africa from 6th to 9th December 2016 was attended by the General Secretary, CSI, Rev. Dr. D. Rathnakara Sadananda and General Secretary, CSI Women's Fellowship, Ms. Cynthia Shobha Rani.

WCCThe General Secretary, CSI, Rev. Dr. D. Rathnakara Sadananda attended the WCC Ecumenical Officers Meeting held at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute in Geneva from 27th April to 1st May 2015 and also attended the WCC General Secretaries meeting.

WCRC

At the WCRC-Theology Network (Commission of the World Communion of Reformed Churches) held at Hannover, Germany from 27th June to 2nd July 2014, the General Secretary, CSI, Rev. Dr. D. Rathnakara Sadananda presented a paper.

Anglican Communion

The Moderator, CSI, Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam represented the CSI at the Anglican Primates Meeting which was joined by Archbishop of Canterbury held in Canterbury, UK from 11th to 15th January 2016. The Deputy Moderator, CSI, Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen and Rev. Isaac Varaprasad (Rayalaseema) represented the CSI at the Anglican Consultative Council held at Lusaka, Zambia from 8th to 20th April 2016. Bishop Oommen had an interaction with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev. Dr. Justin Welby.

The Deputy Moderator, CSI, Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen, the General Secretary, CSI, Rev. Dr. D. Rathnakara Sadananda and the CSI-EMS Liaison Officer, Rev. Dr. Royce Manojkumar Victor visited the Reformed-Anglican Dialogue between Anglican Communion and World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), Kochi, on the theme Communion from 25th October to 1st November 2015


Partner Churches and Organizations in UK

The Deputy Moderator, Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen and the General Secretary, CSI, Rev. Dr. D. Rathnakara Sadananda met the leaders of the Church in UK - United Societies Partners in Gospel (USPG), CMS, Church of Scotland, Anglican Communion, United Reformed Church, Methodist Church, Mother's union, Friends of Church in India-Partners in Mission from 25th to 28th June 2015.

CSI-CWM Relations

The General Secretary, CSI, Rev. Dr. D. Rathnakara Sadananda attended the Directors Meetings of the CWM at Singapore from 21st to 25th June 2014, in Jamaica from 16th to 19th June 2015 and at Jeju Island, South Korea from 13th to 17th June 2016. He also attended the CWM General Secretaries' Conference held from 12th to 18th September 2015 in Hong Kong and hosted by Hong Kong Council of Church of Christ, and the CWM SARC Assembly, held in New Delhi from 21st to 25th August 2014.

At the 5th quadrennial Assembly of the 32-member churches of the Council for World Mission (CWM) Assembly held at Jeju Island, South Korea from 17th to 24th June 2016 under the theme “Healing: hope in action”, CSI was represented by the General Secretary, CSI, Rev. Dr. Rathnakara Sadananda, Mr. Arthur Sadhanandham, Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth John Zachariah and Mr. Moses Dayan Kodali. Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth John Zachariah was elected as Director of CWM and Trustee of CWM (UK). The General Secretary will represent the CSI at the Members Council of CWM.

The CWM had not allowed CSI to draw from the financial resources for the past 7 years, beginning from 2009. However, after intensively pursuing the matter with CWM, including following all the accounting procedures mandated by the CWM, they finally agreed to enable the CSI to fully participate in the CWM fellowship, including drawing from the financial resources available for its members from time to time. Therefore CSI may now draw from Mission Support Funds III and IV as well as the Capacity Development Resources, including the Churches Initiative Fund. The CWM has already granted the CSI's project proposal of “Missional Congregation” from MSPF IV. And the first instalment of grant (40%) to the tune of around 88 lakhs has already been received by CSI for 2016-18. Further, the CWM has accorded the following scholarships through the Member Churches Initiative Fund from the Academic Accompaniment Program (AAP) and from the Special Academic Accompaniment Program (SAAP).


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Scholarships in 2015-2016D.Th.Rev. I. Franklin, Rev. Daniel Joseiah, Rev. Milantan Rajareegam, Rev. Ravi, Rev. Anilal JoseM.Th.Rev. J. Rajan, Rev. Naga Bhushanam Kondapalli, Rev. Avilalinissipremalatha, Rev. Pandu Jacob, Rev. Santhosh Kumar Singh, Rev. John Mathai, D.Th (AAP)Rev. VethaKani, Rev. J. M. Sharath Souseelya

Scholarships in 2016-2017D.Th.Rev. Anilal Martin Jose, Rev. P. Ravi, Rev. S. John, Rev. Santy S. Paul, Rev. VethaKani, Rev. J. M. Sharath SouseelyaM.Th.Rev. N.S. Sujith, Rev. Raja Baktha Singh, Rev. Sudheer Karunakar, Rev. Abraham Sathyanathan, Rev. Adrian Deepak, Rev. Varghese Enathickal Varkki, Rev. Dara Joji Chreesthu Raju, Rev. Prasanth Selvamony, Rev. J. Jeba Daniel, Rev. Samuel Jebakumar, Rev. Gideon Dhinakaran, Rev. Santhosh Kumar Singh, Rev. Naga Bhushanam Kondapalli, Rev. Avilalinissipremalatha, Rev. Paul Robert Kennedy, Rev. Prince Kumar, Rev. Prathap Vasamala, Rev. D. Sakaria Kirupakaran, Rev. Solomon Raj, Rev. Kodala Niranjan, Rev. Cherian Parayil Varghese, Rev. Chevetipalli John Nischal KumarD.Th. (SAAP)Rev. Sandeep Theophil

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

As it enters the eighth decade of its existence, may the Church continue its pilgrimage, realising the dream of a united, yet borderless Church, being and becoming Christ communities, as a more effective instrument to bring greater peace, closer fellowship and fuller life.

Ø The plans that have been made for a TEMPLE (Transformatory Education for Missio-Pastoral Leadership Education) need to be realised as a logical follow-through from the fruitful capacity-building initiatives for pastors, missionaries, administrators, Christian educators, and as an inter-cultural International study centre.

Ø AIKYATHA is a symbolic reference to the significance of women's ministry in the Church. It is visualized as a Women's Resource Centre for their empowerment, as also a safe space to develop and find refuge.

Ø A CSI Convention Centre at the Chennai Synod Secretariat Campus would contribute to the resources for a sustainable development of CSI properties in different dioceses, for the functioning of the Secretariat and for various projects.

Ø Taking into consideration the huge migration of rural youth to urban areas for education and employment, it is important to think of multi-lingual youth chaplaincies in major cities. Youth need to inspired to consider public service as an option in order to strengthen the Church's public witness.

Ø To strengthen the institution of marriage, and to uphold the sanctity of family life, the CSI should seriously initiate pre-marital, marriage and family counselling in all dioceses as a special ministry.

Ø As we celebrate 500 years of the Reformation, it is also important to re-live the revival brought through the reading of the Word of God. Structured Bible studies and formation of Bible study groups in all congregations may help to liberate the spiritual resources for the glory of God and for the benefit of all God's people. It is time to revive the Department of Christian Education and hasten the process of nurturing Christian faith among children.


Ø The initiatives and brain-storming that began during this triennium on the Church's educational, healing, as well as Child care ministries need to be continued and consolidated.

Ø CSI-SEVA should become a movement in all regions through regional justice and peace initiatives and offshoots to make the Church's presence felt in grass-roots activism of prophetic diaconia.

Ø Being the largest Protestant Church in India, the CSI needs to find its political space. A politically-sensitive and pro-active task force should be formed in order to represent and echo the official, political stance of the Church in order to protect its own identity, but also to become an instrument of liberation and hope.

Ø The Church should become the voice of the Dalit Christians, empowering them by enabling access to information regarding job vacancies and initiatives available from State, Central and other agencies towards sustainable livelihoods, job-oriented training, start-up seed money and education scholarships.

Ø The vision of an Inclusive Church where all God's people, particularly persons with disability and migrants find space and succour needs to be realised.

Ø The Church should continue its missional commitment to the care of creation, especially in promoting rain water harvesting and water conservation, eco-friendly agricultural practices, community forest projects, solid waste management and in making a transition to alternative clean sources of energy.

Ø There is a need for an appointment of a full-time Company Secretary to monitor and manage the resources of the CSITA and a Financial Expert, preferably a CA to oversee the finances.

Ø The Church needs to continue to strengthen its ecumenical network to regain its rightful space and voice in the world-wide oikumene and regional ecumenical forums. It should also realise its leadership role as the largest protestant Church in Asia

May the Church be given the grace to make her more vibrant and relevant towards our quest for a more equitable and just society.

VOTE OF THANKS

I acknowledge and place on record my deep gratitude to the committed, cordial, visionary and inspirational leadership team led by the Moderator, Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam, Deputy Moderator Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen, and Hon. Treasurer, Adv. C. Robert Bruce, who worked in unison and harmony from within. I wholeheartedly thank all the Bishops and Moderator's Commissaries of the 24 CSI dioceses along with the Diocesan Officers for their cooperation and support. I thank all the Members of the CSI Synod Executive Committee, Members of the CSITA Management Committee and General Body for their positivity and encouragement. I am indebted the each of the Directors of the various Synod Departments, Rev. Christopher Vijayan (Department of Mission and Evangelism), Rev. Asir Ebenezer (CSI-SEVA), Rev. Cecil James Victor (Department of Pastoral Concerns), Rev. J. Solomon Paul (Department of Youth), Rev. Sunil Raj Philip (Department of Communications), Prof. Dr. Mathew Koshy Punnackad (Department of Ecological Concerns), Rev. Dr. Royce Manojkumar Victor (CSI-EMS Liaison Officer, till he became Bishop), Mr. Emmanuel Anil Kumar Charles (Board of Child Care) for the mutual learning experiences, the team efforts and for the commitment and hard work each of you demonstrated to the work towards the mission and vision of the CSI. My heartfelt thanks to Rev. Dr. Ramani Dyvasirvadam, Moderator Amma and President of the CSI Women's Fellowship and all the Bishop Ammas and the General Secretary of CSI Women's Fellowship Ms. Cynthia Shobha Rani for working towards involvement of women in the life and mission of the Church. I specially acknowledge our financial and legal advisers, Chartered Accountants and Advocates, especially CA Mr Kandasami, Adv. Adrian Rosario for their interest,


commitment and assistance. The Staff working in the Synod Secretariat, both in the General Secretary's and Treasurer's offices, in various Departments and at the CSI Center have worked tirelessly and with enthusiasm in every task and have always risen to the occasion. Let me specially thank, Mrs. Jaya Theodore, Mr. Diwaker Paul, Mr. Shelly Aristotle, Ms. P.A. Grace, Ms. Sheela Suresh, Mr. Martyn Selvanayagam, Mr. Gabriel, Mr. Parthibhan, Mr. Shiva for their constant accompaniment in discharging my responsibilities. The Diocesan Office Staff, especially, the Finance Officers and Accountants have also responded to our communications for which we are grateful. Thousands of Pastors, Missionaries and Pastorate Committee members have embraced and prayed for us and taken keen interest in the initiatives of the CSI, for which we are indeed grateful. The host of ecumenical leaders of our partner Churches, Church-related Organisations and Agencies deserve special acknowledgement for the trust and zeal that they showed for the unique vision of unity that the CSI embodies, for welcoming us, visiting us and partnering with us.

I record great appreciation for the excellent cooperation, collaboration, solidarity and hard work experienced from every quarter during the last triennium. For me to work with this great host of leaders as a small, insignificant instrument is very humbling, but it has been a great journey of spiritual learning, and a privilege indeed; I thank each one of this great Church from the bottom of my heart and praise God with all my strength.

Now to Him, who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of His glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24-25)

Rev. Dr. D. Rathnakara Sadananda General Secretary, CSI


Appendix - I

Overseas Programmes attended by Directors of Synod Departments, Bishops, Members of the

Executive Committee, Pastors and Laity: (other than those that find space in the narrative report)

th th1. USPG - Asian Theological Academy in Colombo from 6 to 8 May 2014 – Rev. Praveen P.S.

Perumalla (Karimnagar)rd th2. CCA Gender Training in Sri Lanka from 23 to 27 June 2014 – Rev. Jebavasagarm (Thoothukudi-

Nazareth); Rev. Shailashree Suresh (Karnataka Central)th th

3. CWM Inclusive Community Disability Seminar 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 20 to 25

July 2014 - Dr. Simpson Yovan (Vellore); Mrs. Vasanthi Stella Thangam Saduri (Karnataka

Central)

4. CWM Face to Face programme hosted by United Church of Zambia, Theological College in Kitwe th th

from 29 September to 15 November 2014 - Ms. Gracy Ravikumar (Karnataka North)th rd5. UMOJA Community Mobilization Workshop in Cambodia from 20 to 23 November 2014 - Rev.

Asir Ebenezer, Director, CSI-SEVAnd th

6. South Asia Christian Youth Network Conference in Dubai from 22 to 28 November 2014 - Rev.

Jeganath Solomon Paul, Director, CSI Synod Department of Youth with Mr. Pothula Mervyn

Daniel Raj (Medak) and Miss Agnus Nancy Magdalene (Thoothukudi-Nazareth)th th7. USPG - Participatory Action Research Workshop in Jamaica between 8 to 12 December 2014 –

Rev. James Cecil Victor, Director, CSI Synod Department of Pastoral Concerns nd th

8. USPG - Learning Workshop in Yangon, Myanmar from 2 to 7 February 2015 – Rev. Christopher

Vijayan, Director, CSI Synod Department of Mission and Evangelism) & Rev. Solomon Paul

(Director, CSI Synod Department of Youth)th th

9. CWM Theological Consultation in Manila, Philippines from 19 to 25 April 2015 – Rev. Dr.

Chilkuri Vasantha Rao, Professor, Andhra Theological Collegeth th10. CWM Team visit to United Congregational Churches in Southern Africa from 5 to 20 April 2015

– Rev. Christopher Vijayan, Director, CSI Synod Department of Mission and Evangelismth th

11. Asian Ecumenical Course 2015 from 15 to 27 May 2015 in Chiang Mai, Thailand - Rev. Solomon

Paul, Director, CSI Synod Department of Youthth12. Annual Conference of the Methodist Church in Britain and Pre-Conference Consultation – 18

ndJune to 2 July 2015 – Rev. Christopher Solomon Avulananda (Medak)

th th13. CWM Partners in Mission Consultation from 16 to 19 September 2015 in Hong Kong – Rev. Dr.

Royce Manojkumar Victor, CSI-EMS Liaison Officer

14. CWM – Together Towards Life – Mission & Evangelism in Changing Landscapes, Bangkok from th th

25 to 30 September 2015 - Rev. Solomon Paul (Director, CSI Synod Department of Youth); Rev.

Ms. Bethel Krupa (Karimnagar)

15. International Anglican Women's Network: South Asia Consultation held in Henry Martyn th thInstitute, Hyderabad from 5 to 9 October 2015 - Rev. Dr. Mrs. Ramani Dyvasirvadam, President,

CSI Women's Fellowshipth th

16. CWM Colloquium on the Economy of Life from 11 to 16 October 2015 in Singapore - Rev. Cecil

James, Director, CSI Synod Department of Pastoral Concerns; Rev. Asir Ebenezer, Director, CSI-

SEVA; Prof. N. Selvaraj (South Kerala); Rev. Samarpana (Medak)th th

17. SACYN Core Group Meeting from 16 to 20 October 2015 in Delhi - Rev. Solomon Paul,

Director, CSI Synod Department of Youth; Ms. Neetu Varghese (Madhya Kerala)


nd th18. CWM South Asia Round Table Meeting in Bangladesh from 22 to 26 October 2015 - Rev.

Christopher Vijayan, Director, Mission & Evangelism; Mr. George James (Karnataka North)th

19. Annual Council of WARC-SARC on 26 October 2015 at Dhaka, Bangladesh – Rev. Christopher

Vijayan, Director, CSI Synod Department of Mission and Evangelismth th20. CWM New Faith & Culture Experience 2015 in Jamaica from 12 October to 27 November 2015 -

Rev. Shalinal Augusty Gnanagandhi (Trichy-Tanjore)th th th

21. 5 Continental Assembly of ASF (Asia Fellowship of Mission 21 Partners) from 10 to 16

November 2016 – Rev. Dr. Royce Manojkumar Victor, CSI-EMS Liaison Officerth th22. WCC-UNICEF meeting in Geneva on 19 & 20 November 2015 – Rev. Cecil James

th th23. CCA's Regional Consultation on Trafficking of women and children from 16 to 20 November

2015 – Mr. Solomon Raja Daniel

24. International Twin Consultation Project entitled “Reformation-Education-Transformation” in th rd th ndSao Leopoldo, Brazil from 19 to 23 November 2015 and in Halle, Germany from 18 to 22 May

2016 – Rev. Asir Ebenezerth

25. Conference for Bishops in the early years of Episcopacy held in Canterbury UK from 29 January th

to 8 February 2016 - Rt. Rev. Reuben Mark, Bishop in Karimnagar and Rt. Rev. Timothy

Ravinder, Bishop in Coimbatore

26. Global Painting Retreat - Discerning the Signs of the time to resist Empire, organized by CWM and nd th

the Chang Jung Christian University from 2 to 11 May 2016 in Taiwan - Rev. Sunil Raj Philip,

Director, CSI Synod Department of Communicationsst th27. Church of Scotland General Assembly – 21 to 27 May 2016 – Rt. Rev. P. K. Samuel, Bishop in

Karnataka Centralth th

28. Busan, South Korea – Church-related meetings from 4 to 15 June 2016 – Rev. Christopher

Vijayan, Director, CSI Synod Department of Mission and Evangelismnd th29. EMS Team Visit to Indonesia in 2 to 10 April 2016 - Rev. Ebenezer Jathanna (Karnataka South)

nd th30. CWM Face to Face programme in Netherlands, 2 April 2016 to 14 May 2016 – Rev. John K.

Mathew (Madhya Kerala Diocese)

31. Anglican Consultative Council's Conference of the International Reformed Anglican Dialogue st th(IRAD) at Clare College, Cambridge, UK from 1 to 8 September 2016 - Rt. Rev. Dr. Royce Manoj

Victornd th

32. International Partners' Consultation of the Wuerttemberg Church held in Stuttgart from 22 to 28

Sept. 2016 - Dr. Immanuel S. Malekar (Karnataka North); Mr. Desmond Babu (Karnataka North)

33. Church of Scotland, Anglican Communion and USPG to attend “Care for Creation Symposium th stand Conference” from 28 September to 5 October 2016 under “Faithshare Visitor Programme”

of Church of Scotland – Prof. Dr. Mathew Koshy Punnackad, Director, CSI Synod Department of

Ecological Concerns.

34. Meeting of Bishops of the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and

Mission (IARCCUM), held in Canterbury and Rome, CSI was represented by Rt. Rev. Dr. Royce

Manojkumar Victor, Bishop in Malabar Diocese – First week of October 2016th35. Bread for the World Campaign in Karlsruhe – Nov 29 2016 and attended the side events of COP21

th thheld in Paris 30 November to 12 December 2016 - Prof. Dr. Mathew Koshy Punnackad, Director,

CSI Synod Department of Ecological Concerns.th

36. Communications Workshop at the General Meeting of the EMS, Cape Town, South Africa from 30 thNovember to 10 December 2016 – Rev. Sunil Raj Philip, Director, CSI Synod Department of

Communications .


Under Local Capacities for Peace (LCP) Project

37. Exposure visit to Cambodia (Conflict Areas) from January 13-17, 2014 - Mr. K. Prem Madhuker

(CSI SEVA); Mr. George Varghese (Madhya Kerala)

38. Vision Exercise and Coordination Committee Meeting, Kathmandu, Nepal from April 27-May 1,

2015 - Mr. K. Prem Madhuker (CSI SEVA); Mr. David Cherian (CSI-Centre)

39. Training of Trainers Workshop on LCP, Dhaka, Bangladesh from June 17-25, 2014 - Rev. Mani

Paul (Krishna Godavari); Ms. Jamuna Rani (Coimbatore); Mr. Chacko Abraham (North Kerala);

Mr. Reginold Soans (Karnataka South)

40. Coordination Committee Meeting, Pokhara, Nepal from November 25-29, 2014 - Rev. Asir

Ebenezer, Director, CSI SEVA; Mr. K. Prem Madhuker (CSI-SEVA)

41. PME Workshop and Exposure to UMN Peace Project, Kathmandu, Nepal from November 30-

December 6, 2014 - Mr. K. Prem Madhuker; Rev. John Vikram (Krishna Godavari)

42. Backstopping Workshop, Dhaka, Bangladesh from March 14-16, 2015 - Mr. Chacko Abraham

(North Kerala); Mr. Reginold Soans (Karnataka South)

43. Coordination Committee Meeting, Dhaka, Bangladesh from March 17-18, 2015 - Rev. Asir

Ebenezer, Director, CSI-SEVA; Mr. K. Prem Madhuker (CSI-SEVA)

44. Workshop on Conflict Transformation, Kathmandu, Nepal from October 26-30, 2015 - Rev.

Solomon Paul, Director. CSI Synod Department of Youth; Ms. Janet Sunitha (Karnataka South);

Mr. K. Prem Madhuker (CSI-SEVA)

45. Workshop on Human Rights and Coordination Committee, Bangkok, Thailand from November

16-23, 2015 - Mr. K. Prem Madhuker (CSI-SEVA); Mr. Briji Thankachan (Kollam Kottarakara)

(only workshop)

46. ASHA Workshop in Bangkok from March 1-5, 2016 - Ms. Sneha Elsa; Mr. Prince David; Mr. K.

Prem Madhuker (CSI-SEVA)

47. Project Application Workshop in Bangkok from May 30-June 3, 2016 - Ms. Glory Thomas; Mr. B.

Venkata Rao

48. Workshop on Gender in Kathmandu from August 23-28, 2016 - Mr. Augustine Ponraj; Ms. Glory

Thomas

49. LCP Review and Coordination Committee Meeting in Bangkok from December 1-4 2016 - Rev.

Asir Ebenezer, Director, CSI SEVA; Mr. K. Prem Madhuker (CSI-SEVA)

50. PME Mainstreaming Workshop in Bangkok from December 12-14, 2016 - Ms. Sowmini Jeya

Kumat; Mr. K. Santhosh; Mr. Prince David

51. Two Volunteers from India to Germany for six months from January 2015 - Pradesh Dev Baskar

(Coimbatore Diocese) to Church of Rheinfelden; Theni Melina (Medak Diocese) to Church of

Hessen-Nassau


Appendix -II

Some of Honoured Guests, Members of Partner Churches who visited CSI in the last triennium:

The Global Ecumenical Partners at partnership consultation:

Dr. Eberhard Will, General Secretary, Christian Education Fund, Kassel, Mr. Lutz Drescher, East Asia

Secretary, EMS, Rev. Lee Seung II, Ecumenical Co-worker, Madras Diocese (PROK), Rev. Chang-bae

Byun, Executive Secretary, Ecumenical Relations and Planning, PCK, Rev. Dr. Lee Sang Geol,

Executive Secretary, KORIND Mission, Rev. Dr. Lee Il Ho, Ecumenical Mission Worker, PCK, Rev.

Sunghak Juo, Chennai Korean Presbyterian Church (CPCK), Mr. Sandy Sneddon, Asia Secretary,

Church of Scotland, Dr. John D. McArthur, Convener, Asia Committee of COS World Mission

Council, Rev. Dr. Deenabandhu Manchala, Area Executive for Southern Asia, United Church of

Christ (UCC) Ms. Naomi Herbert, Director, International Programme, Us, Mr. Davidson Solanki,

International Programmes, Manager, US, Dr. Tan Kang San, Executive Director, CMS, Mr. Raj Patel,

Regional Manager for Asia, CMS, Mr. Stephen Edison, Programme Coordinator, South Asia, CMS,

Ms. Lee Loun Ling, Training Director, Asia CMS, Rev. Philip Woods, Programme Secretary for

Mission Enabling, CWM, Mr. Dze Leng Goh, Accountant, CWM, Dr. Hrangthan Chhungi, Regional

Secretary, CWM SARC, Rev. Dr. Peniel Jesudason Rufus Rajkumar, Programme Executive,

Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation, WCC, Ms. Semeda Steves, Programme Manager, Christian

Aid, Dr. Marlene Van Brocklin, Regional Liaison for South Asia, Presbyterian Mission Agency

thDelegates at the 9 Consultation of the United and Uniting Churches

Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary, World Council of Churches (WCC), Rev. Christopher Mackie

Ferguson, General Secretary, World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), Prof. Leo J.

Koffeman, PKN, Netherlands, Rev. Charity Majiza, UC, Australia, Rev. Susanne Erlecke, EKD,

Germany, Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, UCC, Rev. Sally Massey Thomas, Rev. L. Christopher

Mason, Rev. Dr. Mathias Ross, Rev. Dr. Wen Ge, China CC, Rev. Po Kam-Cheong, Rev. Michael Blair,

Rev. Frederic Chavel, Eglise Protestante Unie De France (EPUdF), Prof. Leepo Johannes Modise,

URCSA, Rev. Terence Corkin, Uniting Church in Australia, Dr. David Tatem, URC, UK, Rev. Dr.

Arjan Plaisier, PKN, Netherlands, Rev. Anne Heitmann, EK Baden, Rev. Mrs. Sabine-Christina

Mueller-Langsdorf, PC, Hessen Nassau.

Members of World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) and Anglican Communion

Dialogue Commission

Rev. Elizabeth Welch, Rev. Fundiswa Amanda Kobo, Rev. Helene Van Tonder, Rev. Dr. Iain Torrance,

Rev. Dr. Douwe Visser, Most Rev. David Chillingworth, Rt. Rev. Kumara Illangasinghe, Dr. Clint

LeBruyns, Rev. Dr. Renta Nishihara, Rev. Dr. Amy Richter, Rev. Dr. John Gibaut, Rev. Neil Vigers.

Mission Moves Team that visited the Basel Mission Bicentenary Celebrations

Rev. Lisjon Bagang, Basel Christian Church of Malaysia, Rev. Ralf Alfred Rohrbach Koop, Mr. Jo

Hanns Lehmann, Protestant Church in Hesse and Nassau, Ms. Christiane RoeBler, Protestant Church

of the Palatinate, Ms. Ni Made Rai Margharita Sunami, Christian Protestant Church in Bali, Rev.

Riley Edwards-Raudonat, EMS.


Members of World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) and Anglican Communion Dialogue Commission

Rev. Elizabeth Welch, Rev. Fundiswa Amanda Kobo, Rev. Helene Van Tonder, Rev. Dr. Iain Torrance, Rev. Dr. Douwe Visser, Most Rev. David Chillingworth, Rt. Rev. Kumara Illangasinghe, Dr. Clint LeBruyns, Rev. Dr. Renta Nishihara, Rev. Dr. Amy Richter, Rev. Dr. John Gibaut, Rev. Neil Vigers

Official Visits

Mr. Joerg Denker and Mr. Guido Falkenberg from KNH Germany

Former Moderator of PCK, Rev. Dr. Sohn Dal Ik .

Mr. Steve Pearce, Area Secretary for Asia and Pacific, World Church Relationships Office, Methodist Church of Britain

Rev. Dr. Linn Gann, Reformed Church in America (RCA) Ecumenical coworker, President, Mission Partners India

Ms. Manuela Ott, Co-ordinator, Dalit Solidarity in Germany,

Curates and Accompaniers who participated in the Cross-cultural Placement

Ms. Catherine Mary Byrom, Ms. Ann Maureen Collins, Ms. Samantha Jane Hustwayte, Ms. Lynn Mary Raynor, Ms. Deborah Alice Lord, Mr. Michael Douglas Johnson, Mr. Bruce Elliot Rienstra, Ms. Kathryn Herrod (Accompanier), Mr. Philip Andrew Williams (Accompanier), Mr. Gautam Dev Money (Accompanier)

At Indo Korean Meet

Rev. Dr. Hong Jung Lee, General Secretary, PCK, Rev. Chang-bae Byun, PCK, Rev. Bae Tae Jin, General Secretary, PROK, Rev. Rainer Lamotte, Evangelical Mission in Solidarity, Rev. S. S. Majaw, PCI, Rev. W. C. Khongwir, PCK, Mr. Alwan Masih, CNI, Rev. Dennis Lall,

CNI, Mr. Sowmya Ranjan Mohanty, CNI, Rev. Kim Kyung Mi, Mr. Byun Ju Ho, Mr. Kim Sang Soo, Mr. Peter Jaehan Lee, Mr. Blessing Lee H. W., Mr. Joo Sung Hak, Mr. Lee Myun Jae, Mr. Kim Doo Jong, Mr. Wi Cheolseung.

KORIND MISSION TEAM VISITS:

Mr. Park Sung Wha, Ms. So Jeum Soon, Rev. Dr. Lee Il Ho, Ms. Kim Jong Ran, Mr. Kim Young Jung, Ms. Lee Soon Lan, Mr. Kim Im Gweon, Mr. Lee Youn Soo, Mr. Kim Do Hyuk, Mr. Park Dong Man, Mr. Kim Jong Moo, Ms. Choi Hyun Ju, Mr. Song Du Hong, Mr. Lee Sang Cheul, Mr. Oh Soun Bok, Rev. Lim, Dae Hyuck, Elder Cha, Hyeon Tae, Rev. Yang Bong Ho, Rev. Dr. Chae Keu Woong, Mrs. Kim Jung Ja, Elder Jo Un Bock, Elder Lee Sang Joon, Elder Yoon Key Jeong, Elder Koh Hyun Kil Gweonsa, Mrs. Park Hye Sim, Deaconess Mrs. Shin Sun Ja, Elder Kim Hang Jae, Elder Han Nam Sirk, Elder Jung Dai Sung, Deacon Ko In Tae, , Rev. Yang Sang Geon,Rev. Lee Sang Geol, Chief Executive of KORIND, Rev. Lee Kyoung Ryeol, Senior Pastor of Shingae Church, Rev. Kim Cheol Yeong, Pastor in Kudeok Church, Elder Kim Byeong Seok, Secretary, Shingae Church, Rev. Dr. Chae Keu Woong, Mrs. Kim Jung Ja, Elder Jo Un Bock, Elder Lee Sang Joon, Elder, Yoon Key Jeong, Elder Koh Hyun Kil, Mrs. Park Hye Sim, Deaconess Mrs. Shin Sun Ja, Elder Kim Hang Jae, Elder Han Nam Sirk, Elder Jung Dai Sung, Deacon Ko In Tae, , Rev. Yang Sang Geon and others

EYVP Volunteers from Germany to work in CSI Homes

Elisabeth Hartmann - CSI Wesley Girls Hostel, Secunderabad, Lisa Frey - St. Mary's Polio Rehabilitation Centre, Khammam, Jana Strien - CSI Home for Mentally Retarded Children,


Satchiapuram, Diana Yerlikaya - Women Workers Training Centre, Nagalapuram, Laura Kranich -

CSI Balar Gnana Illam, Salem, Katharina Sckell – CSI Basel Mission Hospital, Gadag, Lisa Budzisz –

Basel Mission Boy's Home, Gadag, Gartner Finn-Ole - CSI Hardwicke Boys Home, Mysore, Leon

Krebs – Asha Nilaya Home for Mentally Retarded Children, Udupi, Clara Their – St. Mary's

Rehabilitation Centre, Khammam, Janin Michele – Asha Bhavan Respite Care Centre, Kottayam,

Janina Groeger – Holy Cross Girls's Boarding Home, Nandyal, Mira Brunck - CSI Balar Gnana Illam,

Salem, Anna Sorg – Home for Mentally Retarded Children, Satchiapuram, Nicolas Vetter – Asha

Nilaya for Mentally Retarded Children, Udupi, Anna Loew – Women Workers Training Centre,

Nagalapuram

Ms. Johanna Beerlage – Premanilaya, Gadag-Betgeri, Ms. Natalie Felger – Elwin Centre,

Satchiyapuram, Ms. Paula Janke – Holy Cross Boarding Home for Girls, Nandyal, Ms. Annegret Kohrs

– Asha Bhavan Respite Care Centre, Kottayam, Ms. Katharina Kuerzinger – Wesley Girls' Hostel,

Secunderabad, Ms. Lotte Pleuser – St. Mary's Rehabilitation Centre, Khammam, Ms. Paula Rave –

Balar Gnana Illam, Salem, Mr. Leon Roemhild – Hardwicke Boys' Home, Mysore, Mr. Jonas Teshome

Toaspern – Asha Nilaya, Udupi, Ms. Clara von Hirschhausen – Women Workers' Training Centre,

Nagalapuram, Ms. Janina Waidele – Bethania Girls' Home, Kannur.

45

Documents

XXXV Session of The Church of South India Synod report_color... · 2018-08-27 · 2. 18th January 2014 at CSI Centre, Chennai 3. 20th & 21st October 2014 at CSI Centre, Chennai 4