Strength of Smile (Editorial- 'deep- thelight' vol 45)

Abhik Viktor Kashyap: Workers at Keihin Electric Express Railway in Japan are facing enforce “smile scans” every morning in a bid to boost their customer services, says a report. The “smile scan” software produces a sweeping analysis of a smile based on facial characteristics. After scanning a face, the device produces a rating of 0 to 100 depending on the estimated value of the fulfilled potential of a person’s biggest smile. For those with below-par grin, one of an array of smile-boosting message will pop up on the computer screen. Workers receive a print out of their daily smiles, which they are expected to keep with them throughout the day to inspire them to smile at all times, resulting better work better morale.In a Group Discussion, I took part during my graduation, in which topics based on, our daily lives were discussed. We conversant on, how we pass on smiles to one another, but the questions were “Can we really inspire or uplift someone’s morale?” Someone said “The question is to be asked to oneself, because the answer lies with in.” A science student was asked, what is smile? He said “the expression that you have on your face when you are happy, amused, etc. in which the corners of your mouth turns upwards.” & a commerce guy said “looking very happy, especially soon after you have been looking worried or sad”. Literature and its associates said there are different kinds of smiles, elaborated their thoughts but the debatable point still was “Does smile has strength, to change someone’s life?”I found the answer to this question very recently when I visited MOTHER HOUSE in Kolkata. A sister narrated the story, how Mother Teresa started her work, she said “when Mother saw small children suffering on streets of Kolkata she thought to do something for them so she stopped a man passing by and asked him for monetary help.” With chocking voice and wet eyes the sister continued “the man didn’t look interested and started walking, Mother stretched out her right hand and asked for some money again, the man spat on her palm and said this is what he can offer. Mother smiled and closed her right palm hiding it behind her back. With smile on her face Mother said “I accept what ever you can give me, thank you.” Then putting her left palm right in front of the man Mother asked “what can you offer for these children?”” Sister continued with more excitement “the man moved with compassion and handed his wallet to Mother.” The sister joined her hands and pressed them on her lips as she completed her narration, the joy was evident in her eyes. While I was walking out of Mother House I saw a quotation on the wall “PEACE BEGINS WITH A SMILE.” Our identity changes with how we perceive reality!

Women’s Meeting in Raghunathpur

Rev. Balius Hembrom: The Women Fellowship of Mostapur Pastorate organized a day’s meeting on 10 th’ June 2009 at CNI Central Church Raghunathpur, Balurghat. In that meeting there were 150 participents besides their children form Mostapur, Balurghat and Mokhrampur Pastotate. The Presbyter –in- Charge Rev. Balias Hembrom inaugurated the meeting with the verse from Proverb 31:27 “She watches over the affairs of her house hold.” With these words he reminded their responsibility towards the members of their families & that their behavior may be as true as a Christians, the followers of Christ. The associate Presbyter Rev.Suresh Hembrom gave a very inspiring teaching on the giving of the Tithe and it’s blessings from Malach :8-10. Rev. Santosh Mardi from Kaliganj gave a good teaching from Esther 2 : 15-16 and Genesis 2 : 18 about the role of women in family, congregation and pasotorates. Then the Presbyter –in – Charge handed over the entire meeting to Smt. Shefali Murmu and Smt. Sushoma Chowria, the conductors s of the meeting. The women of every pastorate took active part in singing , prayer , Bible reading and giving testimonies. The women from Mastapur Congregation enacted the life of Samaritan women through singing. The former teacher Mrs. Maloti bala encouraged the women to keep the commandments of God from Deuteromim 6: 1-4. the whole day programme was a very enthusiastic and the meeting ended with a word of prayer & Fellowship Meal.

Reported by - Rev. Balius Hembrom

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.