 |
News from India:
Greetings from Erode Unitarian I went to Theological Training to Manchester College UK to spread Unitarianism all over South India. I was ordained last December in Chennai in the ICUC (Indian Council of Unitarian Churches) Conference. After ordination I have taken many steps to establish the Unitarian Church in South India. By my serious steps, I have established Unitarian Churches in Andhra Pradesh, in the place of "Telaki" Taluk Headquarters. Five pastors have been appointed. The Church goes well under the local leadership of Mr. Dileep Raja, the famous man in town. He organized open air meeting last March, 2004 and a big mass of people gathered for three days - evening meeting. I spoke and give message at all evenings and participated with my wife. At Tenali town our Church organising leader started an orphanage with 40 children. Now it is running from Erode. I bought new clothes for the children. I have organized churches in Erode District where five people are working as pastors. The church work goes well. One Pentecostal leader accepted our belief and joined the Unitarian Church as pastor. I plan to open a small sewing school in Erode District. Church Organising work is also going on in Kerela state with five pastors(Church Visitor). It is also going on in Erode and I expect altogether 1000 and more members in our Unitarian Christian Church. The method of church service is the same as the Chennai Unitarian Christian Church. I have taken 4 months leave from my teaching in order to organize and supervise the three States with their church work. I spent my own money after my Reverend ordination for church establishment work. My aim is to fulfill your ambition that Unitarianism should spread properly all over the south of India not merely in name but it should run properly. So, now the Unitarian Christian Church is functioning in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and Kerela State. Awaiting your guidance and you are welcome to visit the churches. May God be with you.
Sincerely, Secondly, Ms. Dee Idnani, her husband and daughter from USA paid a visit to many Unitarian Churches in the Khasi Hills from the 10th to 18th Aug/2004. Her church desires a partnership with one of the Unitarian Congregations in the Khasi Hills, and she hopes to visit again next year. Thirdly, the ten thousand Unitarians in the North East of India will celebrate the 117th Birth Anniversary of the founding of Unitarianism here in the Khasi Hills on the 18th Sept, 2004. It is considered the most important day of the year for all the Unitarians here. We celebrate the day with joy, as the day of freedom of the soul from all the ancient beliefs of worshipping nature or the belief in the blood of a man, but celebrate the worship of the one almighty God. The 33 Churches will be celebrating the Anniversary Day in their respective Churches separately with an open air procession on the roads by lighting bamboo torches (kerosene filled in the bamboo and close the end with the cloth) to show to the world that Unitarianism is giving light to others with our faith. The Government also declares the 18th Sept as a local holiday for all offices and schools being the Unitarian Anniversary Day and call it "Unitarian Day".
Keep on progressing |