GOOD SHEPHERD CLINIC BANKURA

Raja Moses: A dream for the poor people of Bankura was visualized on 15^th August, 2011 by the inauguration of a new Good Shepherd Clinic at Bankura.The Rt.Rev.Dr.P.K.Dutta, Bishop of Diocese of Durgapur, Mr. Suman Biswas Youth President of National Council of Churches in India(N.C.C.I) and Mrs.Rita Dutta,President of Durgapur Women’s Fellowship for Christian Service blessed and inaugurated the clinic on that day. The Diocese of Durgapur also distributed wheel chairs to some of the handicapped people of Bankura on this day.

Many respected dignities of the diocese along with a gathering of one hundred people were found in the inauguration programme.We thank our Almighty for giving us an opportunity to serve the poor people. We are for the people and their love is for us.

Wheel Chair Distributed to the Physically Challenged

Raja Mojes :-The Diocesan Womens Felloship for Christian Service of the Diocese of Durgapur, distributed Fifteen wheelchairs to the physically challenged childrens of ‘Durgapur Handicapped Happy Home’ on 24th August 2011. 

This is one of the programmes of Diocesan Women Fellowship for Christian Service, which has reached to the physically challenged peoples around the Durgapur. On 15th of August Ten wheelchairs were also distributed at Bankura

Vanamahotsava Celebrated in Bankura

Gargee Seth: - On 15th July Vanamotsav was celebrated in St. Michael's School, Bankura. There was a rally with students, teachers, forest staff, and dignitaries from D.F.O. Office to St. Michael's School, Bankura. The programme was attended by the Principal of St. Michael's School, Durgapur, D.F.O. S. Kulandaivel, Chairperson Mrs. Shampa Daripa, Mrs. Susmita Das (Executive member of Diocese of Durgapur), and Rev. Tarun Mandi. Mrs. Shampa Daripa said "One Tree One Life", D.F.O. said that "One sapling is one life. If we cut the sapling we are destroying life. Plants are our family".
They also planted trees on the school premises. A cultural programme was performed by the students and light refreshment was arranged for all.

Ecumenical Solidarity for HIV & AIDS (ESHA)

Rev. P. K. Nayak :-On 29th July 2011, a Clergy Retreat and the National Council of Churches in India, with the collaboration of Diocese of Durgapur,  jointly organized a special programme on “Ecumenical Solidarity for HIV & AIDS (ESHA). The inaugural service was marked by a special order of prayer service prepared and led by Rev. Swagata Das, the Presbyter-in-Charge of St. Michael’s Church, Durgapur, and was attended by one and all presbyters and The Bishop. The resource person Mr. Subhobrata Das, Coordinator, Arunadoy Hospice, Kolkata explained very vividly and in a simple manner that these days many people are affected by this problem. This has become the a red alert and matter of concern for the present society.   This horrible and terrible disease was first identified in America in 1981 and in India in particular at Chennai in 1984. HIV means ‘Human Immune-deficiency Virus’ and AIDS means ‘Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome’. To eradicate this disease we need to stand hand in hand and help one another to get better treatment, to encourage prevention,and to take precautions. This disease is mainly transmitted in the following manners: heterosexual and Homosexual acts, syringe and needles blood donation. Our responsibility is to identify and help to get his/her blood check up done in the I.C.D.C  free of cost and to make medicines available too. He or She should not hide this problem to tell the reliable person who can help. The people need to live a social and good moral life so that it can be prevented. If not they should use preventative methods to prevent and protect one self and society at large.

AIDS IS A SLEEPING LION

Supriti Das:-  AIDS – Accuried Immunity Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS is one of the most dangerous disease in the whole world. AIDS is seen as a sleeping Lion, which is not found often among people as the peocese for the cure of the this disease is rarely found in India, due to which it is hardly found. And because of this we (the people) feel safe. But this perspective is totally wrong as HIV itself is not a disease, rather a virus. Which enters the human body and spreads diseases in the body, such as cough, cold, fever, tuberculosis etc. which ultimately leads to the death of the person. These diseases act as symptom to AIDS.

We do not have the cure to this dangerous disease but there is a hope of stopping this from spreading among people by taking certain measurements. To spread this awareness among the Women Fellowship of Diocese of Durgapur, a one day seminar has held at the shanti Griha, Durgapur. Sister Sangeeta Gorai of Khristiya Seva Niketan, Sarenga being the mains speaker conducted the session of the seminar under the Nation Council of Churches in India. Many members of the Women Fellowship of Diocese of Durgapur came from different pastorates, they were a total of 34 (members).

Queries like – what is AIDS? How is it traced? How does it spread? How can it be prevented from spreading?, etc. was answered. Sister Gorai said that it is especially the women who can spread the awareness and take steps to prevent it.

Tribal and Adivasi Sunday observed at St. Michael’s Church, Durgapur

Rev. Swagata Das :- The National Council of Churches in India is the united expression of the Protestant and Orthodox Churches in India. It is a Common Platform for thought and action by bringing together the Churches and other Christian organizations for mutual consultataion, assistance and action in all matters related to life and witness. In the context of the frightening reality of the increasing violation of Human Rights and Dignity of Indigenious peoples, Tribal and Adivasi in India at present, the National Council of Churches in India is of the strong opinion that the Church can no longer remain a silent observer.

In this undestanding of the life situation of the Tribal and Adivasi communities “Life with Dignity and together with Nature” took place  during 7th to 9th August , in partnership with the Diocese of Durgapur, CNI at Shanti Griha. About 25 deligates from the Churches (Kerela, Tamilnadu, Jharkhand, Mizoram) and the Civil Society from the tribal and Adivasi concerns came together for this seminer deliberating on various issues.

The inauguration of this seminer was taken place on 7th August with a very meaningful inagural service at St. Michael’s Church, Durgapur where a special liturgy was followed with Holy Communion. The texts Psalm 72: 1-20 and  4: 18-19, which are best known for their concerns on justice, Shalom and dignity of the people and for the whole creation were chosen for this special service and the preacher was Rev. Swagata Das.

Amidst the vast issues, Dr. Hrangthan Chunggi, Executive Secretary of the National Council of Churches in India – Commission on Tribal and Adivasi, and Rev. Dr. P.B. M. Basaiawmoti, Vice-President, of the National Council of Churches in India were concentrated on the issues that affect the very existence of tribal and adivasi peoples- such as life with dignity together with nature. The other speakers contributed to the process of deeper thinking and exploration on 1. Response from Social Service and Movement for A Just –Mission for the tribal and Adivasi Communities in India; 2. Church’s response for A Just –Mission for the tribal and Adivasi Communities in India; 3. Theological Education and its impact to the local congregation for  A Just –Mission for the tribal and Adivasi Communities in India.  On 9th August 2011, the United nation International Indigenous day started with beautiful Eco-Friendly meditation by Dr. H. Chunggi and then the celebration of the day opened by  symbolic action. The indigenious people’s cultural group from Kerela, Santhals from the Durgapur Child Study and Development Centre, Mizoram and Tamilnadu came to bring out the rich cultural diversites, colors and heritage of the indigenious people of India and the librative motifs. The programme was ended with the encouraging words of the Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Probal Kanto Dutta and presentation of momentoes to the participants and to the deligates. The prospect of the whole programme has conveyed a new meaning of the Kingdom of God for the Tribal and Adivasi communities in Indiathat the Kingdom of God is liberation from the bondages of all kinds of oppressions experienced in this  world here and now. 

A NEW CHANCE IN LIFE

Raja Moses : Christians are called by Jesus to love the poor and care for children in need. In Matthew 18:5, Jesus tells us, “Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.”

To show Christ’s love in a lasting, meaningful way is the goal of the Interfaith Community Study Center,Bankura, one of the projects run by D.W.F.C.S, Diocese of Durgapur—a trusted Christian humanitarian organization. This project helps to provide children with access to life-changing essentials like nutritious food, healthcare, and educational opportunities — helping them reach their God-given potential.

SK-Rakesh is a young Muslim boy living in a slum village in Bankura, near the Interfaith Community and Study Center (IFCSC). His father was recently put into prison on charges of beating his wife. His mother Rakhi works as a maidservant in someone’s household, while also working to raise Rakesh and his older brother Juman. The family struggles to survive off of his mother’s small income of around Rs. 1,000 per month, or about 22 dollars. Rakesh often has to skip meals throughout the day. This year, his mother attempted to enroll him in the hostel in Durgapur, where he would receive 3 meals per day and attend school full time. His father, however, upon hearing that he had moved into the hostel, beat his wife severely and required that the boy return home, which he did immediately.

Since he began attending the after-school program at the IFCSC six months ago, this 5-year-old’s life has changed tremendously. He now receives a snack every day, and has been officially enrolled at a government school. He studies at the after school center and takes part in dance and tae kwon do lessons. Teachers at the center are aware of his family situation and help to watch over him. While his future is still unclear, his options are much broader thanks to his involvement in the IFC.

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATED AT ASANSOL

Rev. Pratap Kumar Nayak :- St. Paul’s Church Asansol together with Prochesta and St. Peter’s School Celebrated the 65^th Indian Independence Day on 15^th August 2011 at 8 o’ clock in the morning. This day was celebrated with great enthusiasm, honour and dignity. The great freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi and other Heroes were paid tribute by offerings flowers and prayers. Special prayer service was conducted before hoisting the National flag.

The citizens of Indians were encouraged to live a life of dignity and respect by loving one another and to practice a good moral life within oneself, at family and at large in the society in the vast country of India. The citizens were reminded of their duties and responsibility to carry on so that we can fight against corruption. At last everyone was greeted with Happy Independence Day.

Two Sensible Issues from Bankura Christian College

Dr. R. R. N. Bajpai :- Bankura Christian College observed Baaishe Shrabon (the 22^nd day of Shrabon, the fourth month of the Bengali calendar) to commemorate the seventieth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore’s death with the Principal, teachers, non-teaching staff and students taking part spontaneously. The two hour long programme featured a brief opening address on Tagore’s response to death and bereavement by Dr. Richard R. N. Bajpai who also sang Jibano Maraner Simana Chharaye (Beyond the pale of life and death). Amongst the faculty members, Mr. Arunava Banerjee recitation ably captured the mood of a Tagore poem while Smt. Barsha Biswas presented chronologically Tagore’s creative pursuits with specific regard to those phases which saw the passing away of his elder sinster-in-law Kadambari Devi, his wife, father and children, Renuka and Shamindranath. Tagore songs came to life with Dr. Debasish Bandyopadhyay’s Tomar Surer Dharay (from the stream of your music); it was followed by Mr. Somnath Mukherjee, Mr. Anindya Sen, Dr. Anindita Mitra and Smt. Mousumi Das from the enormous corpus. Songs and recitation by students and non-teaching staff added variety to the programme organized and conducted in a quiet, homely atmosphere. Achoring by Smt. Nolotpala Ghosh added extra gravity to obituary of Great Poet, Rabindranath Tagore.

Recently, the feather in the cap for this institution founded by the Wesleyan Methodist Missionaries in 1903 has been the recognition as a Centre with Potential for Excellence (CPE); with the ongoing process for re-accreditation by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), infrastructural requirements to implement our prospective academic projects and realize aspirations for all – round development of everyone associated with Bankura Christian College are expected to be met with greater hope and confidence. With 17 departments (English and Bengali offering their respective PF courses as well) the college seems destined to climb higher rungs in society in the days ahead; inter – institutional traffic and active participation in various walk of life by students and teachers alike have grown rapidly in the new millennium making it one of the distinguished colleges in our contemporary society.

Vanamahotshava at St. Peter's School

Kaveri Dey :- Vanamahotshava which practically means planting of thusands of plants suppllied by local government during a specified period. The great sage Rabindranath Tagore, a man with prophetic foresight who first introdeuced this old Vedic Culture of ‘Briksha-Vandana’in Shantiniketan as a compulsary annual programme.

Vanomatshava in the festival of life. It was started in India, as a campaign to save mother earth. The name vanamotshava (the festival of trees) originated in July 1947 after a successful tree planting drive was undertaken in Delhi, in which national leaders like Jwaharlal Nehru, dr. Rajendraprashad and Abdul kalam Azam participated. The concept of this great festival for the nature lovers was first initiated by ( Late) K.M. Munsi, the then Union Minister for Food & Agriculture in the year 1950. He had said, “Trees mean water, water helps to grow Wheat and Bread, and it is bread that gives and sustains life. Without trees and forests Lord Indra’s clouds will not bless us. Without the water that water there can be no revers and no rain-fed forests. We must all understand and recognize that the sustenance of human life on this planet cannot be arrenged without trees.”

The reverence of forest conservation and preservation has been honored with due regards in our old scriptures of all religious the Vedas, Puranas and the Upanishads and the Ramayana and Mahabharata. But, ironically this is dismally a matter of pity that in today’s world this asset is going to be driven to the verge of extention globally, so to say heading towards death-knell. The axe and gun had over the years been the only tools in the hands of mad civilized man to eke out living not only for his need but more so for his greed.

The present day’s scenario, therefore, evokes us all be foresty consious to safeguard Mother earth. To honour this noble sentiment, the eco-club members of st. Peters’s School, mirabai Road, Durgapur celebrated Van Mahotsava on 29^th July 2011 by organizing a short pregramme on the importance of Vanmahotshava. The vanmahotshava programme began with a welcome speech delivered by our revered Principal, Mr. Daniel Victor Thomas on the importaince of planting trees. Therefore, the students of class IX, Pratysha Chowdhury and Agni Behra, delivered an introductory speech on Vnamohtshava. This was followed by a presentation of short skit on “saving our trees” by the students of the primary and the secondery sections which was well appreciated by all. The skit was unique blend of drama, dance and poetry.

The students participated in the rendition of poem titled ‘Nature’s Divinity’ and ‘Nature’s Cry’. Students also participated in making placards,charts,posters and collages based on this theme. Thereafter, the venerated chief  guest Dr. Ranu Mukherjee, a renowned Physician and Surgeon of Durgapur Steel Plant Hospital, presented her speech on the significance of celebrating this festival. Our respected Princuipal, Mr. Daniel Victor Thomas, honored her with a bouquet of flowers and with a preceless  gift. The programme was concluded with the ceremonial plantation of saplings by the Chief Guest, the Principal and the Vice Principal. The teachers and students also participated in planting of saplings of trees around the school campus. The sincere effort of both teachers and students was acclaimed by our respected Principal.

Trees are among primitive man’s first deities. Not the last though, for even today in India, the Banana and Peepal trees are worshipped. If the nation has to survive, the philosophy of life must be understood not only in words, ideas or achievements but in terms which would replant us firmly on the Earth and under shady tree. Our forests, unlike any other natural wealth are renewable. Their protection and presentataion is as important as our life is to us. These have been victimized by human threat. Let us, therefore, embrace this precious gift bestowed upon us by the God and add essay competitions  are not going to hold any good. We have to come up in practical sanctity and everyone,of us, irrespective of gender have to plant at least ten plants as the saying goes that’equal to ten wells is a tank; equal is a son and equal to ten sons is a tree’. And not only that we have not to abandon after planting but bring them up like our progenies with utmost affections.

Events & Programmes of St. Michael’s Church

Roma Pradhan:- St. Michael’s Pastorate has been busy in celebrating, experiencing and learning in God’s knowledge care and love. On 21^st of July 2011 all members of the Church came together to pray as one family in celebration of parent’s day. The Presbyter In-Charge Rev. Swagata Das distributed small tokens to every parent present. After service the Sunday School Children gave Roses to all the members. This was followed by a beautiful skit enacted by the Sunday School children. They depicted the lack of care in the present day family towards our parents. This was an awakening message to all present. The programme ended with words of inspiring by Rev. S. Das.

On the 14^th of August 2011 our Church dedicated the Sunday Service to Rev. William Kerry. The Sunday message was delivered by the Secretary of the Pastorate. She is spoke about the diligent and selfless service rendered by William Kerry in Bengal. She also highlighted how God used Rev. Kerry for his service as he silently put his personnel pain and tragedy aside. The Presbyter In-Charge challenged all members present to try and emulate Kerry’s service to Church and Christian Communities. The day’s collection was sent to Serampore College as a mark of solidarity.

On 15^th of August 2011 along with the rest of the country St. Michael’s Church celebrated Independence Day by unfurling the National Flag in the Church Compound. Rev. Swagata Das read from the Gospel of St. Luke. The Secretary of the Pastorate spoke about the freedom fighter of yesteryears highlighting Mahatma Gandhi’s Non Violence and Christian principle as he strove towards Indian Independence. 

Daughter’s of the King visist the sick

L. Kobiraj :- Daughter’s of the King, Wpmen of faith Chapter has been visiting the and prayintg. Mrs. Archana Dey the secretary of the Chapter has undergone a major operation in Kolkata. The team of the “ Women of Faith”, Durgapur, lead by Mrs. Rita Dutta, President of the Chapter and mrs. L. Kobiraj member visit her and prayed with a Shawl.

Later mrs. Chandana Das a volunteer teacher of Durgapur Child Study and development centre, whose husband was admitted to a local hispital with renal failure, was visited by Mrs. Rita Dutta, Mrs. L. Kobiraj and Mrs. Sangeeta Lippert. Mr Das wanted prayers since there was no priest available the members of the Daughter of the Kings visit him in the hospital and prayed him.

BISHOP’S VISIT TO UNITED KINGDOM

Pratap Nayak: The Bishop of the Diocese of Durgapur visited UK to campaign for the 40 years anniversary celebration of the Diocese of Durgapur.  During his visit he meet many missionaries who at one time worked in the Diocese of Durgapur and also made new friends for the Diocese of Durgapur.

On 9 June there was a meeting with the Asia Secretary of the Methodist Church in Britain Mr. Steve Pierce along with the team Leader Mr. Michael King and Ms. Chris Elliot.  Bishop explained the contribution by the Methodist church and encouraged them to come for the annual Thanksgiving service on the first Sunday of February 2012.

From 10 June, the Bishop meet Revd. Roy Lowes, Moderator of the United Reformed Church, West Midland Synod and also attended the Summer School at Launde Abbey along with Revd.Pratap Nayak a priest from the Diocese of Durgapur.

From 16 June the Bishop visited Nottingham and preached at Nuthall Methodist Church  and also meet the chair of the Nottingham and Derby District.  It was also an opportunity to meet Revd. Ralph Blow who used to be at Bankura Christian College, Bankura.

From 20 June the Bishop meet Revd. Neil Drayton and Karen Drayton at Widnes.  During his stay he meet people from the Methodist church and St.Michael’s Church and shared about the work in the Diocese specially with children from the Slums.  Later he visited the Bread Making Church in Liverpool

From 24 June the Bishop visited Eapsom Methodist Church where he preached at two services.  The Revd. Nick Obsiski was the contact and the Superintendent Minister.

From 1 July the Bishop was at Hanwell in London.  On 3 July the Bishop preached at St. Thomas the Apostle church at Boston Road.

During this trip the Bishop also meet Dr. David Goodall, former Doctor of Krishiyo Seva Niketan, Ms.Edna Whewell and Ms. Iris Swayer, both who worked as nurse at Samadhi.

WORLD POPULATION DAY

Sulekha Das :- The Inter Faith Community Study Center ( a project run by DWFCS) and Bankura Leprosy Mission jointly observed the World Population Day on 10^th July 2011 at Bankura. About five hundred students and teachers from the Vocational Training Center of Bankura Leprosy Mission and Inter Faith Community Study Center and Church members marched the streets of Bankura, with placard and festoons. The message was “We are two and we have one” and “Small Family- Happy Family”. This was the first time that witnesses this rally on the World Population Day. At the end of the procession a public meeting was organized at the Bankura Central Church. Mrs. Santa Das the center in charge of Interfaith Community Study Centre and the Principal of the VTC, Leprosy Mission Mr. Arunangsu Biswas shared about the importance of population restriction and also shared about the work of Leprosy Mission in the town. The Revd. Amiya das, the parish priest of Bankura Pastorate gave some case studies on how population has affected our country. After the public meeting street plays were staged at ten strategic places in Bankura as a part of the awareness campaign presented by VTC students.  This street plays were exclusively scripted and directed by Rev. Amiya Das for this occasion and was enacted with Mr. Sunit Singh and Mrs. Raktima Singh taking the lead in starting them. 

CHICKENS SUPPORT CHILDREN IN DURGAPUR

Raja Moses : It is said that human beings have heart to love, but chickens also have heart to love.  Ms. Valarie Moffat a friend of the Diocese of Durgapur living in United Kingdom, is one of the Managers of the National Health Service in UK.  She keeps chickens and goats in her farm in Uckfield.  These chickens lay eggs all the year round.  One wonders with two members of her family living in the house, how many eggs do they require?  But the real fact was that Valarie sells eggs after keeping some for her house.  The money she gets from the selling of these eggs is given to some Charity.  This year she has given half the money to support the children in Durgapur.

The Lord blesses a cheerful  giver.

Chicken Support

Green Environment – Clean Environment

Nina Nancy Murmu :– Trees are the most essential part of  our living system. Every creature on this Earth directly or indirectly depend upon trees for food and shelter.

On Sunday 10.07.2011 in St. Peter’s Church, Chittaranjan ,a noble programme was organized – Tree Plantation Programme after the Church service. The whole congregation gathered at the Church Compound. The programme started with a prayer by Rev. Sudhir Hembrom presbyter-in-Charge. After that, the senior members of the Church began planting the trees, followed by participation of every member. The members of St. Peter’s Church being very sincere towards the environment planted nearly Twenty Five trees in the Church Compound. Now a days when trees are being cut down for industrial and other purposes. Planting new trees is really a matter of appreciation. This green environment is a beautiful gift of God to this humankind and preserving it is the duty of every human being. So, we should plant as many trees as possible in our house and neighborhood and make a green environment and clean environment.

Anti Trafficking

Khagendra Nath Das :- We are used to read in daily news paper and hear cases of kidnapping, abduction, selling of women, girls, youths as well as rescue stories.  These are news we are now used to but hardly tried to ponder in it . Why and how these are happening ? who does it? One will wonder to know that Anti trafficking is the third largest in the world after WAR and DRUGS. hu(wo)man trafficking is an issue for almost all countries and states. Human trafficking is the illegal trade in human beings for the purposes of reproductive slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, forced labour, or a modern-day form of slavery. assist the victims of trafficking in persons with full respect for their human rights. Human trafficking are of 3 types –i) the recruitment, ii) transportation, iii) transfer, or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of oppression, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, removal of organs.
Being concern and sensitive to the issue diocese of Durgapur has initiated activities to prevent and stop anti trafficking. A meeting was  convened on 20th May by the Bishop of the diocese, Rt.Rev.Dr. Probal Kanto Dutta with Mr.Sudipta singh, director HPDP-CNI and diocesan representatives and it was decided that  diocese ought to respond and address this issue as part of   church service to greater humanity. Particularly in the area like South and North Dinajpur districts which is  a thin corridor passage to North Eastern states and the area is sharing boarding with Bangladesh and Nepal. 24 panchayat of Five blocks on north and south Dinajpur districts  have been identified and selected for the purpose.  
As part of anti trafficking strategy, the diocese will evolve a vigilant group from a village to panchayat to block to districts and the process will involve and encourage civil society, police, administration, legislatives, panchayat and village organizations to encounter trafficking rackets in the area. Village level youth clubs, self help groups, school children, particularly be equipped with information to function as grass root level vigilance group. Each pastorate level functional groups also could equip to resist and prevent anti trafficking and  in their own area.

Spiritual versus Earthly Freedom

Sara Grace Lacy :-August 15th marks Independence Day in India, and it is therefore necessary this month to contemplate how we truly understand the meaning of freedom. The world around us provides many definitions of freedom in various contexts. For example, the Indian Constitution guarantees six fundamental rights to all Indian citizens, including the right to equality; freedom from discrimination against religion, sex, caste, etc.; and freedom from exploitation or forced labor. 

But in a country housing roughly one-third of the world’s impoverished people, according to the World Bank, to what extent does “freedom” really exist? How free are the rickshaw pullers who cart hundreds of pounds worth of people and objects around busy cities using, literally, only their bare hands? Or the daily wage laborers who work long hours doing manual labor in order to earn the equivalent of 1-2 dollars per day? How free are the millions of Indian people—about 456 million, according to 2008 World Bank estimates—living below the International Poverty Line of earning at least $1.25 per day? Or, perhaps worst of all, how “free” are the children we saw at the train station in New Jaigulpuri last week who had clearly been trained in the art of begging by pointing to consecutive injuries on their bodies—ones that were no doubt inflicted by whomever kept their “earnings” each day? 

Earthly “freedom” is a concept that must be evaluated differently based on environment and social context. In every country in the world, however, poverty negates the opportunity to pursue individual ambition and personal comfort. That is not to say that one’s level of “freedom” is correlated to their level of wealth, for bondage to economic pressure, political ties, and material desires exist at every level of society. But the lack of choice associated with the financial and physical constraints of poverty are, undeniably, counterproductive to the political ideals that documents like the Indian Constitution claim to uphold. 

Rabindranath Tagore, the renowned poet of West Bengal, writes that freedom exists “where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, where knowledge is free, where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls…where tireless striving stretches is arms towards perfection.” In Luke 4:18, Jesus speaks of his mission in Nazareth by explaining that the Spirit of the Lord has “anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” In Romans Paul states that while the world suffers now, “creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God (Romans 8:20-22). The words of Tagore, Jesus, and Paul give us a different perspective of freedom: one that cannot be defined or withheld by any political entity or economic system. 

True freedom—perhaps the only kind that is practically attainable—exists in knowing truth, according to Tagore; in knowing equality, according to Jesus; and in knowing goodness, according to Paul. Truth, equality, and goodness are qualities which our daily lives obscure, but which God grants access to when we put our trust in him. God provides the ability to see the world as he intended, and that is something that no person can ever take away. In working to obtain a greater level of “freedom” for an oppressed group of people, we must remember that the greatest service we can provide is to show the love and joy of God in all that we do. While job-training and English educational programs may make the words of the Indian Constitution more accurate, freedom itself is found on a much deeper level—one that we must look to God to provide.  

St. Martin’s Hostel, Purulia Gets Inverter

Amiya Das :- A new hostel for the deprived children in Purulia receives a new inverter for their hostel. Purulia a district of West Bengal is badly affected by power cuts as it is a remote place. These children who would be staying the hostel will have difficulty in the night for their studies. The Congregation members of 

St. Martin  of Tour Episcopal Church, Kalamazoo, U.S.A., donated this inverter which will help the children in the hostel to get alternative electricity when there is power cut.

Market Garden

Austin Spry :- During June and July the market garden of St. Michael's Church compound was greatly expanded. In previous years, thanks to the hard work, skill, and dedication of the compound's resident farmer - Arun Chatterjee - the fertile soil of the Market Garden has produced bumper crops of potatoes and other field vegetables. This year the decision was made to take the Market Garden to a new level, with the addition of fencing and the planting of a variety of fruit trees.

The Market Garden serves two purposes, to make the St. Michael's Church compound more sustainable through it's ability to produce its own food, and to provide an educational opportunity for the children at the Durgapur Child Development Center. The addition of various fruit trees to the compound gardens will diversify crop production, and provide additional nutritious foods for compound residents. Fruit trees also have the added bonus of yielding their bounty year after year, while only needing to be planted once! Children, residents, guests, and everyone connected the St. Michael's community will be enjoying nature's gifts of guavas, bananas, pineapples, papayas, jaam, coconuts, and lemons for years to come!
The expansion of the market garden has been made possible by the support of Bishop Probal, the generous gifts of fruit trees by guests Akino Ogawa and Emma Dalby, and the hard work the boys at the Durgapur Child Development Center. In particular, the St. Michael's Compound is blessed to have Arun as a resident farmer: there are very few farmers who show such knowledge of both animal husbandry and horticulture, and even fewer who are so ready to impart that knowledge to the next generation! Not only will the children of St. Michael's Church Compound be able to enjoy the fruits of their labours, in the future they will be able to produce these fruits themselves!

Fund Raising and Gainning a Pen Pal

Christopher Bourne:- St. Peter’s School, under the Diocese of Durgapur have pledge to raise funds through the sale of non – postal stamps brought out by the DWFCS. Post Offices in our Country have become redundant with the rapid growth of technology. We students today, have no need to enter a Post Office, purchase stamps required for letter writing. Most students have computers and mobiles through which short messages and mails are sent in quick time. However for the fund raising drive, one of the spare classrooms have been converted into a Post Office. Each student has been given a fund raising form with each line costing Rs. 10/- only. As and when the fund raising is completed, each student exchange their  funds for non-postal stamps at the Post Office depending of on the number of lines sold. During our English classes, we write letters to our friends at the centers and hope to develop our letter writing skills which is part of our syllabus. Post boxes have been placed at each block where student drop their letters. Our letters are carried to the five Centres and hopefully we should be receiving a reply from our new pen – pals. Its great fun being involved with the under privileged children. Three cheers!!! For the ladies of the DWFCS.

Budding Roses

Raja Moses :- The people live in this slum area work as daily wage labourers. Due to poverty they do not send their children to school. In some families, the girls are taken out of school to help parents in caring for the younger siblings, fetching water and cooking. During the season the girl child is taken to work in the fields to support their parents. Child Rights are not protected and exposed to violations. Sometimes the girls are dropped out from school because parents arrange child marriages.

“ A Rose can live amongst thorns and yet never be injured by them ”

Two girls Krishna and Mithu Das hails from a poor and poverty stricken family. Father,Dilip Das  is a daily wages rickshaw puller and mother Purnima Das works as maid servant in the nearby colonies.As the parents have five children cannot unable to educate their children with their meager income.

PROCHESTA, Asansol one of the center of our slum children project have identified these girls Krishna and Mithu in the program who has discontinued their studies due to their family situation. Both of them done their schooling upto class four. The center incharge and the teachers have motivated their parents to send them  to the center. As this center teaches sewing,so it has provided all the sewing assesories and other essential needs to them. They are attending the program from last five years  regularly and also taking part in the different activities in the center. Their ambition is to become a good citizen and serve the poor community of our society. They always conveying their heartfelt gratitude to all the person involving in the program for saving their life and make it like a budding roses.

A Trip to the Land of Virtues

Akino Ogawa :- The Durgapur Women’s Fellowship for Christian Service organized a Summer Camp from 31st May to 2nd June, 2011 for the slum children of the seven Child Development Centres of Adra, Asansol, Bankura, Durgapur, Purulia, Sarenga and Mankar. 

The Inaugural Programme started with Worship and Praise conducted by Revd. Swagata Das and an English song presented by the children of the Durgapur Child Study and Development Centre. After the welcome address of the President of the DWFCS, Mrs. Rita Dutta, the lamp was lit by the Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Probal Kanto Dutta, the guests and teachers. 

The theme: Sowing Seeds of Virtue” was unveiled through a short skit presented by the teachers from different centres. It started with our Bishop providing an interesting introduction which set the scene for the skit to be enacted out. Reverend Amiya Das and Mrs. Santa Das were the highlights of the evening as the ‘King of Vices’ and ‘Queen of Virtues’. The fight that started between the ‘King of Vices’ and the ‘Queen of Virtues’ to establish one’s supremacy ended out to be a triumphant one for the ‘Queen of Virtues’, who took the children for ‘A Trip to the Land of Virtues’.  Around 150 children attended the Summer Camp and were divided into 5 groups namely: Frosty Maaza, Icy Gola, Cool Strawberry, Arctic Pepsi and Tasty Kulfi, each of the groups received a T-shirt as per the colour of their group’s name and a cap. Day two began with an early morning nature walk around the town of Durgapur, where the kids were told to identify and collect certain natural objects in order to understand their impact on the environment. The senior group was taken to Exalt Services Private Ltd. Park for hiking and trekking. The objects that the children collected during their hiking were used in a “Best out of Waste” Competition between the groups. The rest of the day was spent enjoying many varied craft activities based on the seven virtues. The cultural program in the evening was enjoyed by all; each centre had the opportunity to perform a dance or song. The children showed real talent and it was obvious to all that a lot of hard work and practice had gone into each and every performance. 

On day three, a rally was organised where the five groups displayed the Seven Virtues to the public. The large procession made its way through the neighbourhood holding their banners and craft work while singing the camp theme song: “Chutti Chutti Chutti, Kulfi Gola Frooty…” composed by Mrs. Santa Das. A Garden Gala Competition  was organized were the children presented the theme they learnt in the form of dance, song and recitation. In the evening there was a ceremony of giving thanks to all those who were involved and the announcement of the winning team and distribution of prizes to the winners and the runners-up. A trophy was given to the team Tasty Maaza for their outstanding performance. That night all children and teachers danced in a celebration camp fire. 

The Summer Camp turned out to be of great success under the guidance and leadership of Mrs. Rita Dutta, President of DWFCS, the hard work of our friends Akino Ogawa, Austin Spry, Emma Dalbi, Sally Lacy, teachers who worked tirelessly and Mrs. Archana Dey who crafted the entire programme. The theme intended to provide the children with basic moral instruction through fun and constructive activities. While many of the activities incorporated a biblical background, the lessons were inclusive of the various faiths represented by the children involved. The DWFCS is grateful to the Bishop, the Rt.Rev.Dr.Probal Kanto Dutta for his continuous support and guidance to make the programmes undertaken by the DWFCS, a success.

Prayers are Answered but in God’s Time

Subrata Gorai :- Prayers are answered but in God’s time.  That was the simple expression made by one of the faithful at Khejuri.  Khejuri in Midnapore was badly affected by “ Aila” the storm which hit two years ago.  The Diocese of Durgapur responded to the situation and provided relief work and built houses and deep tubewells for drinking water.  After the work was over the Diocese of Durgapur withdrew itself from that area.  But during the relief work a relationship was built with the Diocese and the local people of Khejuri.  The result was  that  the  Diocese of Durgapur was approached to work on education and health for the “beedi” worker’s children.  Keeping that in mind, the Diocese with the help from the Methodist Church in Britain will now build a school and a church. On 23rd May, 2011 a ground breaking ceremony for the school building was held at Khejuri with the local people and political leaders participating in it.  The Rt.Revd.Dr.Probal Kanto Dutta, Bishop of the Diocese of Durgapur along with Revd. Samiran Sinha, Mr. A.K.Roba, Mr. K.N.Das, Mr.Subrata Gorai and Mr. A. Banerjee were present for the ground breaking ceremony.

Urban Slum Challenge

Nita Pyne :- The Diocese of Durgapur opened a new Child Study Center named “ Pratiksha” in the Durgapur United Church Compound on 24th  May 2011.  This Study Center will work with the children from the slums of Lightpukur area located in Mahiskapur, Benachity  .  The inhabitants of this area are migrated people from Bihar, who have come in search of jobs in Durgapur.  Some of them have been there for over a decade.  Both the parents are daily labourers in the Steel Plant and their job is very uncertain.  Their children grow up on the streets and do not go to school.  They also do not have a proper meal in the day time as neither their fathers or mothers are at home to cook their meals.
The Diocese of Durgapur has opened two centers one at Benachity and the other at Gammon Bridge area.  Presently, fifty-five children are getting proper education, evening snacks, school dress, books etc from the center.  We are indeed thankful to Uniting World, Australia for their support for this programme.

Living out the Joy of God’s Love

Sally Lacy :- In the Gospels, Jesus calls for his name to be known to the ends of the earth. Such a command sounds daunting, and somewhat out of the realm of possibility in terms of our individual capabilities. How can each of us, though we have been forever marked by Christ, ignore our personal responsibilities at home and attempt to make Christ known to a socially and politically divided world? 

Clearly, overt evangelism is a confusing and complex subject to understand, much less to act on. Despite the lack of clear instructions we may desire, however, the Bible provides another means of understanding Jesus’ command to make disciples of the world. Numerous authors in the New Testament and through Psalms devote significant space to praising the goodness and love exuded through God. 

For example, Psalm 103: 1, 3-4 exclaims “Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name…who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.” Psalm 34: 8 additionally reads “taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” God speaks of his righteous nature in the Old Testament as well, stating in Jeremiah 29:11: “I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

God affirms over and over throughout the Bible that his intentions for his people are good, and that his will for us stems from the deep love he feels for us. How could truly trusting and believing in this truth transform us as individuals? When we truly believe that ultimate goodness results from God’s intense love for us, joy and contentment inevitably becomes apparent in our personality, in the way we interact with others, and in the perspective we have on life itself. Romans 5: 1-2 states that “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” 

As Paul writes, when we have found peace with God, we can then exist in the living presence of Christ. We are testaments to his complete goodness simply by living out, in our daily lives, the praise we have for such a giving and loving God. In doing so, we learn to put God above all else, making our hope in the Lord obvious to everyone around us. People in our lives who are ready to hear God’s call will be naturally attracted to the hope and peace we display without even trying. “Making fishers of men,” as Jesus calls his disciples to do, is therefore not as confusing and difficult of a task as it initially appears.  Therefore, first and foremost in all that we do, let us strive to answer the call in Philippians 2: 15-16 to “shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.”

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AT S.C.D.C

Sanket Das :- Vacation Bible School(VBS) was conducted on 6th and 7th May, 2011 for the children of the Sarenga Child Development Centre. The day started with an Awareness Rally marking World Environment Day. Children carried placards, posters and banners with ecology promoting slogans and rallied through Sarenga Bazaar to spread the message to plant more and more trees to control environmental degradation. After the rally, the children were told stories from the Bible and other activities such as music, crafts, drawing, quiz, group discussion, drama and action songs were also conducted. ‘Telephone Khuda Ka Telephone’ turned out to be the favourite song of the children. The children were divided into three teams: Luke, Peter and John. The programme turned out to be a success with the joint effort of Rev. Swapan Dorman, Rev. S. M. Soren and the Pastorate Committee members who were present and actively participated in it.                                                                                                                                                                  VBS is indeed, one of the greatest opportunities we have, to reach to children during the summer months. It continues to be one of the most productive special events in leading children to the Lord.

Recognition of Achievements in Sewing

Raja Moses:- On  31st May, 2011, six students from St. Mary’s Sewing Centre, Diocese of Durgapur, received a Diploma Certificates in recognition of completing a six month course in sewing. The certificates were presented by the Rt. Rev. Dr. P. K. Dutta, Bishop, Diocese of Durgapur. 

One of the girls, Rekha Mahato has been employed in this field area by the help of Usha International Ltd. of Lion’s Club Raniganj. 

We are very proud of the achievements of Rekha and the other five girls. We hope this will be the start of a good journey in providing young girls with skills to be used for their future through which they will be able to earn their livelihood 

A Pillar of Christianity

Bikash Chandra Sen :-  On Saturday, 11th June, 2011, the Diocese of Durgapur organized the Diocesan Sunday School Rally. Near about 85 Sunday School Students from Durgapur, Burdwan and Bankura Churches/Pastorates attended the Rally. The Theme was “Strengthening of the Sunday School”. 

The day started with children rallying around the neighbourhood spreading the need to “Save the Earth”. The children carried posters, banners with slogans highlighting the problems of global warming, and the dire consequences it can have for the earth. Thus, conveying the message to keep the Earth clean and green. Announcements was alternately made by Rev. Samiran Sinha, upholding the importance of reviving the planet and curbing activities that harm the earth, by planting more and more trees followed by Christian Devotional songs. 

Singing, Drawing, Quiz Competition were some of the other activities that were included in the programme. Sunday school teachers conducted the various classes. The programme ended with a prize distribution and thanking God for his blessings to conduct the programme smoothly. The programme was a great achievement to strengthen the Sunday School community. 

Joshme Marry Nag :- It had been a wonderful opportunity for the youths of different pastorates under the Diocese of Durgapur to attend the Diocesan Youth Council held in the Diocesan Bhawan from 20th to 22nd May 2011. The Programme started at 06.00 pm with a word of prayer by Rev. Dn. Pankaj Pande, which was followed by the introduction of the Chief Guest and a warm and hearty welcome to all our youths. Our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Probal Kanto Dutta, Rev. Dr. Pratap Ch. Gyne, Vice Principal, Serampur Theological College, Mrs. Rita Dutta, President, DWFCS, Mrs. Madhumita Singh, Principal, St. Michael’s School and foreign friends Ms. Emma Delby, Mr. Austin Spry, Ms. Sally Lacy and Ms. Akino Ogawa were some of the guests who graced the occasion. Our Bishop welcomed all the youths on behalf of the Diocese. Rev. Dr. Pratap Ch. Gyne gave an inspirational teaching based on the theme of the Youth Council – “CAN VIOLENCE OVERSHADOW PEACE?”  . Rev. Amiya Das, Vice President of the Diocese of Durgapur took the floor and gave out the rules and regulations for the procedure to be undertaken for the formation of the New Youth Committee. 

On 21st May, the programme started with the morning devotion at 07.00 a.m. Rev. Dr. Pratap Ch. Gyne conducted the following session and led the youths into the depth of the theme. Dr. Subikash Chowdhury, Professor of Bankura Christian College, wonderfully presented the theme with the help of slide shows in the next session. Ms. Akino Ogawa from Australia took the craft class teaching the youths to make a peace – bird. The youths were divided into groups representing different districts, were positive and negative views as well as, draw-backs were discussed. The Youth Report of every pastorate was read out and the future planning was noted down. On the following day, 22nd May, the programme started at 10.15 a.m. and election of youths for the new Youth Committee was held. All the 16 members were elected with Rev. Dn. Pankaj Pande as the Chairperson. Rev Amiya Das guided the proceedings and the new Youth Committee was hence formed and future planning of the Youth Committee was finally read. With the blessings of the Almighty God, the Youth Council ended with hopes and desires instilled in the hearts of the youths to implement the activities and progarmmes designed in the Youth Council.

ELECTION OF THE NEW OFFICE BEARERS

Rev. Pankaj Pande :- The Election of the Diocesan Youth Council was held on 5th June, 2011 at the Diocesan Bhavan. Rev. Amiya Das, the Vice President was authorized by the Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Probal Kanto Dutta to chair the proceedings of the Election. The following Office Bearers have been elected for a tenure of 2 years:

Diocesan Youth Fellowship

    Chair Person -Revd.Dn.Pankaj Pande

President-Mr.Anup Besra

Vice President-Mr.Ashish Das

Secretary-Ms.Pinky Ghosh

  Asst. Secretary-Ms.Joshme Marry Nag

Treasurer-Ms.Priyanka Ghosh

We wish the above team a successful period of their opportunity to fulfill the responsibilities and duties bestowed on them and to provide the leadership to equip the youths to grow in Jesus Christ through the foundations of Witness, Worship, Study and Service.

Visit to Bankura

Emma Dalby :- This weekend myself (Diocese of Derby, UK), Austin (Diocese of British Columbia), Akino (United World, Australia) and Sally (Eastern and Western North Carolina Episcopal)  were hosted by Reverend Amiya Das and Mrs.Santa Das at the Bankura Interfaith Community Study Centre, Central Church Compound, Bankura. The day started with a tour of the Diocese’s campus where we were interested to see the fantastic educational centres established there. The Diocese, provides education to students of all ages from primary school right through to college and has both boys and girls campuses.

This was followed by a tour of the Bankura Christian College, getting a closer insight into the facilities and courses offered to students. We were introduced to several members of staff and given a copy of their Appropriations to take away with us, showing a real insight into the quality of education provided at the college. In the evening we were treated to a lovely programme by the children currently studying at the IFCS centre. They performed dances, sang and demonstrated their Tae kwon do skills, continuing inside, despite the rain! The talents of these children really showed through,and their joy in performing their skills to ourselves and their families was evident in all of them. 

Sunday morning began with a service at the Christian Danga village church. All of us were really touched by the reception given to us by the congregation, who welcomed us through Kirtan with playing many Indian musical instruments; it was a really joyous way to start our worship together. The service itself was uplifting, the dedication and commitment of the community showing throughout. Austin Spry had been invited to deliver the sermon at the service and spoke to us all on our calling not to judge one another too quickly, rather to support one another through love. 

After the service we were treated to performances from the children from the Sunday school, the youth choir and the woman’s fellowship who all performed a wide and celebratory range of song and dance.  On returning to the Reverend’s home, he took us to visit the homes of the children and families supported by the Interfaith Community Study Centre. The children live within a slum area just behind the centre, with few, if no amenities, cramped living conditions and lack of access to any services. However, my overwhelming feelings when visiting this area, where life is a daily struggle, were that of a loving, welcoming and joyous community. Everyone we met was pleased to see us and readily invited us into their homes to share in their family life. Coming from a country where a sense of community and openness to others is fast diminishing, it was very touching to be part of a community very much alive.  

Inauguration of ‘UDAAN’ & Felicitation of ICSE & ISC Toppers

Deolinda.V.Johns:- Under the able leadership of our beloved Bishop, Rt. Rev. Probal Kanto Dutta, with his guidance and inspiration to reach out to the under privileged children, St. Michael’s School, Durgapur  inaugurated  its Dream Project ‘Udaan’ on Saturday, 18th June 2011 which is a school for the underprivileged children in and around Bidhannagar  where the school is situated. The school will be steered by the students of Class XII and Teachers who will act as advisors. ‘Udaan’ symbolizes the flight of a bird. It is the humble endeavour of the school to provide ‘wings ‘ to these ‘flightless’ children so that  they can experience the joys of learning, of giving expression to their creativity and talents. The inaugural function was held in the school Auditorium in the presence of Dr. Nikhil Bandopadhyay, M.L.A, who was the Guest of Honour , Vice President of the Diocese of Durgapur, Rev.  Amiya Das , Mrs Rita Dutta, President DWFCS, Rev. Samiran Sinha, Bishop’s Commissary and Rev. Swagata Das. The Principal, Mrs. Madhumita Singh welcomed the guests and dignitaries and the ISC and ICSE Toppers 2011 were also felicitated in the function. Subham Sinha has topped the ICSE 2011 and Rakhi Khandelwal is the topper from the ISC 2011  in the Commerce stream and Nishat Afroz in the Science stream. The programme was attended by the proud parents of these children and the children who will attend ‘Udaan’. Udaan will have classes to teach art and craft and singing, along with English and Mathematics.

ORIENTATION PROGRAMME ON CHURCH ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCIAL MATTERS

Ms.Roma Prodhan :- A one day Orientation programme  of the Pastorate Office Bearers, Youth, Women and Clergy was held in the Durgapur Diocesan Bhawan. Mr. Thomas Pechak led the gathering with the Bible Study challenging all present to make a difference where it seemed impossible to do. He called all gathered to hear God’s Call in their life and follow the footsteps of Christ. After the interaction between Pastorates, a group discussion resulted in what was expected i) increase in giving,  ii) a regular work shop on property management, iii) raising interest in Church activities, iv) regular communication with the Diocese through the priests, v) promoting lay leadership, to mention a few. The Bishop Rt. Revd. Dr. Probal Kanto Dutta flagged off the 40 year celebration campaign of the Diocese by enlightening all on his views and expectations of the forthcoming celebrations. Motorcycle Rally, Tribal Utsav, Children’s Festival, Women’s Convention, Cultural Evening by Projects are a few of the programmes lined up. The workshop ended with lunch and all leaving on a very positive note.

Foundation Day Celebrated at St. Barnabas Church

Bikash Chandra Sen : - St. Barnabas Church, of Uffmanpur, Purulia Day celebrated its Foundation Day on 11th June, 2011 Before the service there was a candlelight procession around the church. After the procession,  the candles were  placed in front of the altar of the church. The programme was led by Mr. Pranab Kr. Kashyap in the presence of the Presbyter in-charge Rev. Samuel Halder and Deacon Rev. Pankaj Pandey. There were a few pastors, namely, Rev. Ashish Biswas, Rev. Subrata Sarkar, Rev. P.N. Darman and Rev. Acharya.  present on this auspicious day.  The Pastorate Committee of St. Barnabas Church decided to award the eighteen  students  who  passed the Madhyami and the Higher Secondary Examinations and it has been a proud moment for the entire congregation to award these meritorious students as this will encourage and inspire the other children of the Pastorate to work hard for the fruits of their labour.

We are thankful to God because our daily prayers for our children have been answered.

Mother’s Day Celebration

Nina Nancy Murmu :- Mother’s Day is the time of commemoration and celebration for ‘mothers’ and a time of family gathering. It is celebrated on the second Sunday of May each year. Mother’s Day was celebrated in St. Peter’s Church, Chittaranjan on 9th May 2011 at 5.30 in the evening. This is the first time that St. Peter’s Church celebrated Mother’s Day. The worship service was conducted by Mrs. Bela Murmu and the sermon was delivered by the Church Secretary, Mrs. Ranjana Kashyap. In her message, she mentioned that Mother’s Day was started in United States, 150 years ago by an Appalachian homemaker, Anna Jaries who organized this day to raise awareness of poor health conditions in her community, a cause she believed would be best advocated by mothers and called it as Mother’s Work Day. 15 years later Julia  Ward Howe, organized a day encouraging mothers to rally for peace. In 1905, when Anna Jarvies died, her daughter also named Anna, began to campaign to memoralize the life work of her mother as Mother’s Day. Mrs. Ranjana Kashyap also emphasized on the role and vital responsibilities of a mother in the church and family. It was a joyous and a memorable occasion for all the ‘mothers’ present, as they were honoured with a rose. The congregation, especially the mothers were very encouraged and motivated to participate  in  the Church activities. A special song was presented by Miss Nina Nancy Murmu. The ceremony ended with a prayer by Rev. Sudhir Hembrom, the Presbyter In-Charge.

Recipe of the Month :- SHAMI KABAB

Ingredients
500 gms minced Mutton
2 Eggs
1meduim sized chopped Onion (Pyaj)
5 Green Chilly (Hari Mirch) chopped
100 gms Bengal Gram (Chana) soaked overnight
10 pods Garlic (Lasan / Lahsun)
1 tsp Cumin Seed (Jeera)
4 Cardamoms
1 " long piece Cinnamon (Tuj /Dalchini)
1 " long piece Ginger (Adrak)
6 Pepper corns (Kalimirchi / Golmorich)
4 Red Chillies
Clarified Butter (Ghee)

Procedure

Boil minced meat in 3 cups of water and a teaspoonful of salt till water is absorbed and meat is tender.  Grind meat into a fine paste.  Take garlic, cumin seeds, cardamoms, cinnamon, ginger, peppercorns, red chillies and soaked gram dal and grind into a fine paste.  Mix both the pastes well.  Now mix well beaten eggs and prepare a uniform dough.  Add finely chopped green chillies and onion to dough and mix well. 

Shape the dough into small round flattened balls or kababs.  Heat ghee and  fry kababs over low- flame till golden brown and serve hot with sauce or chutney.

                                                                                                                 

By :- ARCHANA DEY

ORDINATION IN THE DIOCESE

Subrata Gorai :- The Revd.Dn.Pankaj Pande and The Revd.Dn.Kalep Tudu were ordained as deacons in the Diocese of Durgapur on Sunday 15 May, 2011 at St. Michael’s Church, Durgapur at 9 00 a.m.  The Revd. Dn. Pande has finished his Bachelor of Divinity Studies from Bishop’s College in April 2011.  He comes from Bishnupur church in the Bankura district.  Revd. Dn. Pande has a University degree in commerce and also holds a Bachelors degree in Physical Education.  The Revd.Dn. Kalep Tudu has finished his Bachelors in Theology from Santhal theological College in Banagaria.  He comes from Malda pastorate. The ordination service was conducted in a solemn way. The Rt.Revd.O.K.Trikey, former Bishop of the Diocese of Durgapur conducted their ordination retreat and also gave the message on that day.  The Rt.Revd.Dr.Probal Kanto Dutta, Bishop of the Diocese of Durgapur ordained these two candidates as deacons.  Over three hundred people from different pastorate attended the ordination service.  Before the ordination service on 14 May the women’s fellowship of St. Michael’s Church and Durgapur United Church did the saffron festival symbolizing that these two ordinands were getting ready to be married to the church.  Representatives from different pastorates presented them with gifts.  The Diocese of Durgapur made a cash certificate for both of them.  At the end of the programme all people attending this important service joined in for a fellowship lunch which was partly sponsored by St. Michael’s Church, Durgapur.