Reformation: A Challenge to Break Boundaries and Barriers
Friends, as we celebrate the Reformation Day again this year on the 31st October 2021, I want to suggest that we of all people are in need of reformation.
In Acts 10, we read a beautiful story of Reformation. Apostle Peter receives a vision from God. In that vision, God showed him a sheet, and inside that sheet were all kinds of unclean animals.
Now Peter was a faithful, Bible obeying Jew. He knew what the Scriptures taught. He knew what the consequences were for disobeying the word of God. He could not eat these unclean animals. They were forbidden by God. They would defile him. They would separate him from God.
BSI NATIONAL BUDGET WORKSHOP VIRTUALLY FROM
OCTOBER 19–21, 2021
Psalm 28:7 tells us that “the Lord is our strength and shield and that our hearts must trust in Him.” And this past year the above verse has been of particular importance to the Bible Society of India in three ways:
- Grace — The Bible Society of India experienced immeasurable grace from God
- Grief — The God of all comforts sustained us as we grieved the difficult moments of our ministry and loss of our BSI staff, family members, volunteers, donors and prayer partners during this Pandemic
- Growth — God faithfully worked in our hearts to grow and strengthen the Bible Society to love and serve the Church and nation with joy and hope. We have been so encouraged to see God strengthen and protect us over and over again and lovingly move us forward.
We’re so grateful for how God has sustained our staff and our Auxiliaries to cater to the Scriptural needs of our nation. We are thankful to our donors, Churches, volunteers and BSI branches for giving generously of their time, space, talents, and finances for the Bible Cause.
OBSERVANCE OF WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
The Bible Society of India observed the “World Mental Health Day” by following the special order of service prepared by the BSI Media and Special Audience Department on October 10th, 2021.
It was started as an annual activity of the World Federation for Mental Health. World Mental Health Day is now observed on 10th October every year, to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilize efforts in support of mental health.
Mental health is one of the most neglected areas of public health. About 1 billion people are living with mental disorders; 3 million people die every year from the harmful use of alcohol, and one person dies every 40 seconds by suicide. Social stigma, discrimination, and human rights abuses of people with mental health conditions further precipitate the situation of mental health disorders.
TOWARDS A THEOLOGY OF DEATH
In the recent past, we had to confront deaths of several of our loved ones, including nine of our own dear colleagues succumbing to the Covid Pandemic. All of them could be, without any shadow of doubt described as “persons who have lived a life of kenosis”, emptying their own lives for the development of the other. The departure of the above loved ones made me to ponder over the importance of developing and practicing a Theology of Death by the Church at large so that people do not become afraid of death but instead face death boldly viewing death as a natural and normal process of life. For this, Job 1:21 is taken as a tool from which a few pertinent observations are culled out to develop a Theology of Death.
OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY
The Bible Society of India had a privilege to observe the “International Literacy Day” throughout our offices in India.
Imagine how different our life would be if we had never learned to read or write or understand numbers. For millions of people in the developing world, this is the reality. The lack of education significantly impacts their ability to step out of poverty. Literacy unlocks human potential and is the cornerstone of development. It leads to better health, better employment opportunities, and safer and more stable societies
OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
The United Nations General Assembly had declared 21st September as International Day of Peace. It is observed to be a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. Currently, we see political turmoil, violence and war in Afghanistan and between Israel and Palestine and conflicts in different parts of the world. The Bible Society of India came together as a community of Bible workers to pray for International Peace and to seek God to restore peace on this earth.
BIBLE SOCIETY OF INDIA – ANNUAL PLANNING WORKSHOP 2021
The Publishing and Marketing Department of the Bible Society of India conducted the Annual Planning Workshop 2021 for all the Auxiliaries and Central office for planning and reviewing the Scripture publishing, printing and distribution. The Annual Planning workshop was conducted from 20-24 September 2021 and UBS Publishers Institute was held on 28 & 29 September 2021 virtually under the theme ‘MEET THE MOMENT AND BUILD THE FUTURE’
OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL TRANSLATION DAY
Language is a means of communication. The International Translation Day is a special day in the history of translation of the Bibles. It is a day to pay our tribute to the translation work done by our language professionals, and the translators. The task of translation plays an important role in bringing nations together, facilitating dialogue, Understanding and cooperation, contributing to development and strengthening world peace and security. On 24thMay 2017, the resolution approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations was to commemorate the role of language professionals and the translators. Thus, the United Nations declared 30th September as the International Translation Day.
OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL SIGN LANGUAGES
The Bible Society of India joins the deaf community around the world in celebrating the International Sign Language Day representing more than 70 million people on October 4th, 2021.
The theme for this year is “We Sign for Human Rights.” It is a celebration and voicing with collective efforts of the deaf communities. Civil society agencies and organisations, Churches and governments to Recognize the sign languages as the heart language of the deaf and to promote the sign languages.
The deaf children from Nagaland brought greetings, offered a special song and read the Bible portion from St. Mark 7:31-37 in sign language.
Rev. Dr. Along Jamir, Associate Director, BSI Translations gave reflection on this special day.
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