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Respecting Boundary: A Gesture for Climate Justice

A reflection on Creation Psalm 104

Introduction:  Climate Justice is a subject matter that is discussed and studied from various perspectives and angles with basic understanding that connects Human Rights, the rights of the Subaltern people and Eco-justice. To reflect on our title “Respecting Boundary: a Gesture for Climate Justice” from a biblical text, I have selected Psalm 104 which is a beautiful hymn of Creation and Restoration. Here the psalmist brilliantly sang how God assigns boundaries for all creations with the liberty to exercise their own rhythm of life within their own space and time. 

OBSERVANCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY 2021

The International Indigenous Peoples Day was first pronounced by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1994. It was decided that the International Indigenous People Day shall be observed on 9 August every year. By following this, on 17 September 2010, during the Annual General Body Meeting of the National Council of Churches in India in Bangalore,

OBSERVANCE OF NATIONAL PROTEST DAY

We are aware that on the 10th of August every year, we remember our demand to include Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims in the Scheduled Caste list. This year, we have designated it as the National Protest Day to protest against this injustice meted out to a section of Indian citizens.

OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY

The theme of International Youth Day 2021 is, “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health,” with the aim of highlighting that the success of such a global effort will not be achieved without the meaningful participation of young people.

International Youth Day was observed in all our offices by following the special Order of Service prepared by BSI Jabalpur Auxiliary.  Staff of respective Auxiliaries and the Central Office took active part in the Morning Prayer. 

75TH INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

The 75^th Independence Day of our Nation was celebrated in all our offices across the Nation and we are thankful to Colleagues for their cooperation.  At the central office it was held at the William Carey Centre, Bangalore on the 15^th August 2021 at 07.30 AM.  There was an encouraging response to it from the Staff who travelled from near, far and wide.  Mr. Pradeep Kumar Suna, Assistant Director, Publishing and Marketing (Product & Logistics) anchored the programmed.

OBSERVANCE OF KANDHAMAL DAY

The Bible Society of India observed the 13th Anniversary of Kandhamal Day as a day to commemorate the onslaught of Christians living in Kandhamal town at Phulbani District in Odisha in the year 2008, resulting in many horrifying deaths, and destructions of Church buildings, individual houses, shops and loss of huge properties. Thousands of them are left in deep pain, with immense traumatizing memories as innocent girls and women were gang-raped, many were arrested as culprits, some were convicted for life imprisonment. 

BSI CULTURAL PROGRAMME

The Staff Welfare Association organized a Cultural programmed virtually to enable the BSI Staff to have a time of relaxation to the body and rejuvenation to the mind.  It was very innovatively done through virtual.  It was a time to experience God given talents to individuals as well as groups.  The staff presented a skit on the title “Lockdown Diaries” which spoke about the impact people had during lockdown.

DEDICATION OF THE WORKSPACE IN BSI CALCUTTA AUXILIARY

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.- Psalm 127:1

For a while now the office of the Calcutta Auxiliary was spread over two locations on the 1^st floor of the Auxiliary and there was a need to relocate the office to one wing allowing for better management and fluidity of work. It was also needed to optimize utilization of the facility. We are grateful to our General Secretary who initiated the change.

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.- Psalm 127:1

For a while now the office of the Calcutta Auxiliary was spread over two locations on the 1^st floor of the Auxiliary and there was a need to relocate the office to one wing allowing for better management and fluidity of work. It was also needed to optimize utilization of the facility. We are grateful to our General Secretary who initiated the change.

The Calcutta Auxiliary is grateful for a new office space for its staff and also a Conference Room to be used for meetings. Special thanks to our General Secretary Rev. Dr. Mani Chacko for his support and in making this possible. Grateful to the many in our central office for guiding us through the process especially Mr. John Steven

We express our gratitude to   Dr.Hrangthan Chhungi for organizing a wonderful inauguration program and rallying all of our auxiliaries to be part of the service virtually.

Appreciate the many who joined us at the Auxiliary to celebrate God’s goodness and faithfulness. 

We thank God for His providence in the redesigning of the BSI Calcutta Auxiliary workspace. A dedication service was organized on August 30, 2021 both virtually and physically.  Rev. Anand Peacock, Circular Road Baptist Chapel, Kolkata offered the opening prayer. Rev. Philip Bari, Auxiliary Secretary, BSI Calcutta Auxiliary welcomed the august body.  To remember the faithfulness of God, we all sang the hymn, “Great is Thy faithfulness.”

Rev. Martin Pakhre led the responsive reading from Psalm 127 followed by the Scripture reading from 1 Kings 8:22-30 by Pastor. Nilav Kolay.

Rev. Dr. M. Mani Chacko, General Secretary, BSI  before his sermon congratulated Mr. B. John Stephen, Director, BSI Property Management for his expertise and hard work in the designing of the workspace. Dr. Chacko reinstated that the BSI Calcutta Auxiliary is the first Bible Society started in the entire country.  He also thanked the Auxiliary Committee Members, staff and the supporters of the Calcutta Auxiliary for their ardent support.  He focused his sermon on John 7:53-8:1-11. He brought out three points to make this story of the adulterous woman caught in adultery unique:

1. Law is used here as a token of condemnation.
2. Grace has been used as token of redemption.
3. The Word or the Gospel should be used as a token to enhance the reign / Kingdom / Mission of God.

Rev. Abhir Adhikary, Vice President, BSI Calcutta Auxiliary and Rev. Patrick Joseph, Auxiliary Committee Member, BSI Calcutta Auxiliary cut the ribbon and dedicated the new workspace.

A very meaningful song confirming the presence of God in the newly dedicated workspace was sung and led by Dr. Hrangthan Chhungi and Mr. Caleb Martin Hilton, Associate Director, Media and Special Audience.  

All the staff across the nation had a virtual tour of the newly dedicated workspace.  Mr. B. John Stephen offered the intercessory prayer, followed by the closing prayer and benediction by Rev. Dr. M. Mani Chacko.

All glory to God!!!

The Staff Welfare Association organized a Cultural programmed virtually to enable the BSI Staff to have a time of relaxation to the body and rejuvenation to the mind.  It was very innovatively done through virtual.  It was a time to experience God given talents to individuals as well as groups.  The staff presented a skit on the title “Lockdown Diaries” which spoke about the impact of lockdown on people from different walks of life .  The BSI team virtually presented a pre-recorded multi-lingual song beautifully.

The Bible Society of India observed the 13th Anniversary of Kandhamal Day as a day to commemorate the onslaught of Christians living in Kandhamal town at Phulbani District in Odisha in the year 2008, resulting in many horrifying deaths, and destructions of Church buildings, individual houses, shops and loss of huge properties. Thousands of them are left in deep pain, with immense traumatizing memories as innocent girls and women were gang-raped, many were arrested as culprits, some were convicted for life imprisonment. 

Mr. Anto Akkara, a renowned Journalist at the National and International level from Thrissur, Kerala was our Guest Speaker of the day. Mr. Anto Akkara, along with committed lawyers, is tirelessly pursuing justice for those victims of violence for the Christians in Kandhamal. With his rich experience in journalism and case studies, with the practical knowledge of the Indian Penal Code as a degree holder of the Bachelor of Legislative Law or Legum Baccalaureus (LLB), and as a Christian activist, Mr. Anto had shared his deep personal experience and the testimony of faith that he came across in the past 13 years. He concluded his sharing with a remark saying “Kandhamal experience is no more a painful tale to tell, but it is a story of Christian faith in Christ and a story of the people of God who are the peacemakers in the midst of struggles for Human Rights, Justice, and Dignity. It is a story of borderless love as neighbors living in Kandhamal town irrespective of their tribes, castes, and faith.” 

Mr. Anto, through his personal prayer unveils the long and winding roads he still needs to travel until all the victims of injustice are acquitted from Conviction of Life Imprisonment for a crime they had never committed by the High Court of Odisha. Let us earnestly join Mr. Anto as he prays:

“Oh, my Jesus, you crucified despite being innocent. Hundreds are undergoing captivity and imprisonment worldwide for no fault of their.  Your folks in Kandhamal jungles of Odisha gave heroic witness when they were asked under death threat to forsake their faith in you in 2008.  Dozens of them embraced martyrdom for their faith.  Thousands held on to their faith even after their Churches were destroyed, houses were plundered and they were banished from their villages.

As the violence subsided, seven innocent Christiana were branded as ‘murderers’, put behind bars and convicted to life imprisonment.  Eleven years later, all of them have been released on bail by the Supreme Court of India.  We thank you, Lord, for that relief to the innocent Christians.  However, appeal against their conviction of life imprisonment for a crime they never committed is still pending before the High Court of Odisha.

“Ask and you will be given,” Lord You taught us.  We humbly beseech You to ensure acquittal of these innocents at the earliest so that the conspiracy theory against Christians is disproved, paving way for truth and justice to prevail.

We entrust the struggling families of these seven to Your care and protection. Lord, bless the valiant Christians for their heroic witness in Kandhamal, soaked in the blood of martyrs.”  Amen.

The 75^th Independence Day of our Nation was celebrated in all our offices across the Nation and we are thankful to Colleagues for their cooperation.  At the central office it was held at the William Carey Centre, Bangalore on the 15^th August 2021 at 07.30 AM.  There was an encouraging response to it from the Staff who travelled from near, far and wide.  Mr. Pradeep Kumar Suna, Assistant Director, Publishing and Marketing (Product & Logistics) anchored the programmed.  Mr. Cyril D’Souza, Assistant Director, Marketing & Publishing read the Scripture portion.  Rev. Dr. M. Mani Chacko, General Secretary, BSI hoisted the Indian National Flag. Rev. Dr. N. Subramani, Assistant Director, Translations shared the Word.  Rev. Shashikala Alva B S, Auxiliary Secretary, BSI Karnataka Auxiliary interceded for the nation.

The theme of International Youth Day 2021 is, “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health,” with the aim of highlighting that the success of such a global effort will not be achieved without the meaningful participation of young people.

International Youth Day was observed in all our offices by following the special Order of Service prepared by BSI Jabalpur Auxiliary.  Staff of respective Auxiliaries and the Central Office took active part in the Morning Prayer. 

Prayer of thanksgiving was offered for the love and care for each other.  A time to introspect was offered to confess our ignorance and be insensitive to the people around us. Scripture portion for reflection was chosen from 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.  Staff in each of the offices shared their views and reflections from the above-mentioned Bible portion.  

Intercessory Prayer was offered for the young people of our land and thanked God for the trees of the earth and all that they provide – wood for the houses we build, food that we eat, and air that we breathe. 

It was a meaningful and a blessed special day.

The International Indigenous Peoples Day was first pronounced by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1994. It was decided that the International Indigenous People Day shall be observed on 9 August every year. By following this, on 17 September 2010, during the Annual General Body Meeting of the National Council of Churches in India in Bangalore, for the first-time announced observance of the NCCI-Tribal and Adivasi Sunday.  Since 2011, every year the Indian Church is celebrating this day with special Liturgy designed along with the theme for the year.  This year the theme for the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is ‘Leaving No One Behind’ (1 Corinthians 10:24).

The Bible Society of India joined hands with the National Council of Churches in India in observing 9^th August 2021 as the Tribal and Adivasi Day. Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. M. Mani Chacko, the General Secretary of the Bible Society of India, a very meaningful worship was conducted through the Department of Church Relations and Resource Mobilization. All the 16 Auxiliaries from various parts of India and the Central Office in Bangalore participated in the programmed virtually in solidarity with the Tribal and Adivasi people in India. Special songs and dance (video clipping) from the auxiliaries had added colors and joy of the worship service. Bishop Anand Sebeyan Hermon, who is a retired Bishop of the Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church, Odisha was our guest speaker for this occasion with the message of justice, peace, dignity and equality of all people. Rev. Dr. M. Mani Chacko, in his final remarks and closing prayer re-iterated the responsibility of the Church and Christian Institutions and Organizations to get actively involved in responding to a call for doing right to those who are wronged and bringing justice for those who are facing the onslaught of systematic and social injustice and discriminations like the people of the Tribals and Adivasis in India.

The International Indigenous Peoples Day was first pronounced by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1994. It was decided that the International Indigenous People Day shall be observed on 9 August every year. By following this, on 17 September 2010, during the Annual General Body Meeting of the National Council of Churches in India in Bangalore, for the first-time announced observance of the National Council of Churches in India -Tribal and Adivasi Sunday.  Since 2011, every year the Indian Church is celebrating this day with special Liturgy designed along with the theme for the year.  This year the theme for the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is ‘Leaving No One Behind’ (1 Corinthians 10:24).

The Bible Society of India joined hands with the National Council of Churches in India in observing 9^th August 2021 as the Tribal and Adivasi Day. Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. M. Mani Chacko, the General Secretary of the Bible Society of India, a very meaningful worship was conducted through the Department of Church Relations and Resource Mobilisation. All the 16 Auxiliaries from various parts of India and the Central Office in Bangalore participated in the programme virtually in solidarity with the Tribal and Adivasi people in India. Special songs and dance (video clipping) from the auxiliaries had added colors and joy of the worship service. Bishop Anand Sebeyan Hemron, who is a retired Bishop of the Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church, Odisha was our guest speaker for this occasion with the message of justice, peace, dignity and equality of all people. Rev. Dr. M. Mani Chacko, in his final remarks and closing prayer re-iterated the responsibility of the Church and Christian Institutions and Organisations to get actively involved in responding to a call for doing right to those who are wronged and bringing justice for those who are facing the onslaught of systematic and social injustice and discriminations like the people of the Tribals and Adivasis in India