homenews

NEWS FROM INDIA

Many more greetings to you from Erode Unitarian Christian Church -Reverend Dr. M.Francis Manuraj.

To Mr. Carleywell Lyngdoh;
You remember that you sent me to the Theological Training at Manchester College U.K to spread Unitarianism all over South India. I have been ordained last December in Chennai in the ICUC (Indian Council of Unitarian Churches) Conference. After I got the Reverend ordination I have taken many steps to establish the Unitarian Church in South India. By my serious steps now 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 organised open air meeting last March, 2004 and a big mass of people gathered for three days - evening meeting. I spoke and give message in all evenings 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 to the children. I have organised 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 going on in Kerela state with five pastors(Church Visitor). It is undergoing 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 profession from August to December in order to organise and supervise the three State 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 two states, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and Kerela State under Church establishing work.

Thanking you, Awaiting your guidance and you are welcome to visit the churches. May God be with you.

Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. M. Francis Manuraj
Erode.

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. Visiting the Churches and Schools as her church expressed the desire for a partnership with one of the Unitarian Congregations in the Khasi Hills and expressed her desire 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 was considered as 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 ancient belief of worshipping nature or the belief in the blood of man or creatures, but to worship the one almighty God with our hearts and soul. The 33 Churches will be celebrating the Anniversary Day in their respective Churches seperately 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 declare 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
C. Lyngdoh
General Secretary
Unitarian Union N.E India