World Environment Day

Archana Dey: Climate change from Global warming and the depletion of the Ozone are changing the conditions for life over the whole planet. Therefore, as Christians our responsibility is to protect the environment and be stewards of God’s Creation. The Companion diocese committee’ decided to uphold this message to all the Pastorates of the Diocese of Durgapur and issued a call to celebrate life by caring for God’s Creation and responding to the ecological crisis that is manifesting itself all around us in so many ways.

Thus, on 5th’ June 2009, all the Pastorates respond to the call united to celebrate the wonders of God’s creation and reflect on our connection with the natural world. An ‘Awareness programme’ was organized in which the youths and children were encouraged to take part in Drawing Competition/Poetry Writing/slogan Writing, making banners, Cleaning –up campaigns Planting trees.

The committee also decided to hold a special Service on 7th’ June 2009 in all the pastorates. A special Order of service’ was prepared to offer our thanks and praise to the who creates and sustains life in all its diverse forms and to highlight the dangers posed by climate change to the whole of creation, and duty as Christians to act in hope.

The book of genesis contains a clear and repeated message that creation, sun and stars, land and seas, animals and plants, is good in God’s eyes. All creation is called to give praise to God and Humans, very much part of God’s creation, are created male and female in the image and likeness of God and have a special role and responsibility within creation. Humans are called to exercise dominion over the earth, a dominion over the earth , a dominion of service, wisdom and love.

Therefore, let us be active witness to the gospel message of Justice, compassion and respect for the earth and become faithful stewards of God’s wondrous creation.

New Power Tiller for Durgapur Child Study and Development Centre, Diocese of Durgapur

TRAINING ON GOD’S FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES:

Rev. Swagata Das : Why talk about money? Is it necessary to talk about money in the ministry? The Diocese of Durgapur organized two days training for all the presbyters to discuss about the “God’s Financial Principles”. The training started on 29Th’ may 2009 with the morning Eucharist Service where our former Bishop the Rt. Rev. O. K. Tirkey was the celebrant. The Bishop and speaker Mr. Sherif Danial were given us the teachings on faithfulness, honesty and giving to God. When we are faithful we will be benefited in three ways: we will grow closer to Jesus Christ, we will begin to have financial stability and we will develop good characters. The speaker’s main focus was that we must be like a God’s spokesperson and our lives should be Christ centered. They were also talking about that God is a controller, provider and sustained and we are the manager. We had a group discussion on the topic giving the tithe because God is the owner & giver of all. The whole training gave us the teaching on, what is God’s responsibilities and our responsibilities, what is work ethic because God created work for our benefit, how to give, save and spend the money, why we need honesty. In the time of sharing we made a covenant that we will not only be a listener but also share these programme to our family & congregation. At the end of these programme all the presbyters have received the certificate from the Crown Financial Ministry and in the last we can say that God has give us all the things what we need but we must know how to handle it and how to save it faithfully.

SUMMER CAMP 2009

Three days of great fun, cultural programme, social education, and creative activities, and sharing of love, these were all about the Summer Camp 2009. The children of four centre namely The Durgapur Child Study and Development Centre, Interfaith Community Study Centre - Bankura, Community Study Centre - Purulia and Prochesta -Asansol had their Annual Summer Camp 2009 from 20’th May to 23’rd May, on the theme “SAVE THE CREATION OF GOD” under the able guidence of Mrs. Rita Dutta President of the Women Fellowship, Diocese of Durgapur, helped by Rev. Swagata Das. Approximately 175 children from four centres participated in this camp with 20 active and energetic teachers and some reliable, laborious volunteers. The camp started with an inagural prayer by Rev. Amiya Das. Our Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Probal Kanto Dutta planted a small plant and declared the camp open.. Children were divided into groups. Singing, Dancing, Art, , Biblical classes were held. Some competetion were organised. The prize distribution ceremony was held in the morning of 23’rd May. The first prize was awarded to the best group. Ms. Lynn Coulthard was announced as the best teacher of the whole summer camp.

Prayer Shawl Ministry Started in the Diocese of Durgapur

The Prayer Shawl Ministry has been started in the Diocese of Durgapur. In an orientation programme organized by the Companion Diocese Committee on the 2nd and 3rd of May 2009 women members from ten pastorates of the Diocese participated and started this noble ministry.
The programme started with a solemn inaugural worship in the evening of the 2nd of May which was conducted by Rev. Samiran Sinha and Rev. Swagata Das. In her welcome address, Mrs. Archana Dey, Secretary of the Companion Diocese Committee, emphasized on the spiritual involvement of each and everybody towards this ministry. The Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Probal Kanto Dutta, in his address motivated evry participant to listen to the call of the Holy Spirit within each participant as this ministry is not only the weaving of shawls but weaving of shawls with prayers for those who are alone, in distress, and those who are suffering and dieing.
The participants were divided into groups and were given the blessed yarns of wool and the cloths that would be used to make the shawls. For the rest of the evening and the next day the women wove the shawls singing Gospel songs and above all praying with the inspiration from the Holy Spirit.
Each participant pastorate would go back and start this spiritual and noble ministry in their respective pastorates. The women would form groups who would meet and knit the shawls with prayers and songs and eventually give them to someone who is in distress.
We solemnly pray to Father Almighty to send the Holy Spirit to each of the members who would be involved in this ministry so that they stand beside those who are in distress and spread the Good News all over.

Annual Capping Ceremony at KSN Nursing School

Khristiya Seva Niketan Nursing School under the Diocese of Durgapur organized its Annual Capping and Lamp Lighting Ceremony on the 5th of April 2009. at an imposing ceremony 24 GNM students took the “Oath of Allegiance (Florence Nightingale Pledge) and were inducted into the Nursing Faculty.
The programme started with a word of prayer by the Presbyter in charge of Sarenga pastorate, Rev. Subhendu Soren. Following the welcome song by the third year students, Mrs. Sangita Gorai welcomed all the guests. The auspicious occasion was graced with the presence of the Rt. Rev. Dr. P. K. Dutta, Bishop of the Diocese of Durgapur, Mr. Arindam Bala, the CMOH of Bankura and the special guest for the evening, the Rt. Rev. James Cowan, Bishop of the Diocese of British Columbia. In his welcome address Dr. R. C. Biswas mentioned the importance of the trainees taking the oath in the presence of God, teachers, parents, relatives and society at large. The report for the year 2008 – 09 was read out by Ms. Aloka Bhagat, who specially mentioned the tremendous progress the nursing school in the last three years under the leadership of the Bishop. The Bishop in his message expressed his firm belief of the best yet to come and also gave the news of two former doctors of the hospital returning back in the month of November 2009. He further said that God will provide our needs if we are faithful.
The solemn and propitious occasion of capping and the lamp lighting was pursued by the students taking the pledge. Bishop Cowan gave away the awards to the students who had excelled academically. The main event came to an end with Mr. P. K. Baux extending the vote of thanks to all present.
Following the main event the students arranged a cultural programme which showcased the inner excellent talents of the students which left one and everybody in praise of the pleasurable evening which was brilliantly planned by the fraternity of the Khristiya Seva Niketan. The KSN Nursing School gives glory to God for His multiple blessings on it and its scholars and faculty.

Bishop of British Columbia Church, Canada visits the diocese.

Rt.Rev.James A.J.Cowan, the Bishop of British Columbia church, Canada, the colleague of the Rt.Rev.Dr.Prabal Kanto Dutta, the Bishop of Durgapur Diocese visits the diocese It was to witness the Durgapur Diocesan (church)’s concern and services rendered to the marginalized and exploited Tribal community people under the leadership of Bishop P.K.Dutta.
His Goodwill visit was to know the history of diocesan involvement and the services rendered by the projects of the diocese..

Visit to Samadi community Development Project was the beginning of His week long activity schedule.1st April he met the project staffs, the community health workers, project run primary coaching teachers and the villagers at samadi office. He also visited the coaching centers and the Rural Child Library.
Though the area is politically restless, the Bishop of British Columbia church, Canada ventured to visit the tribal families by Motor-Cycle with Project Coordinator, so was his commitment level to understand the tribal people, their living and livelihood.

He also met the villagers of a project village, MAHISAMURA, the village that may be the only village in the Ranibandh Block that has each family a Latrine. Traditional welcome acceptance to Bishop by the villagers and children were something to observe and cherish. Hour long discussion was so useful that first time we all realized that each adult person has the voter card but not any Ration Card of Public Distribution System (PDS) of the government.

2nd April, He visits Bankura – st.Micheals school, Bankura Christian College, the church building and Interfaith Community Study Center. All the In charges welcomed and provided a retrospective and prospective involvement of the institution in the life and prosperity of the people in the area.
Rev. Samuel Halder and Rev.A.Das welcomed and the students performed dances and songs and also explain how the center is promoting and spreading news of Peace & Love in interfaith community.

Reported by :
K.N.Das.
Dev.coordinator.