The CNI Derbyshire Churches celebrated its 30 years of its partnership on May 19, 20 , 2007 in Derby .  The Rev. Dr. Enos Das Pradhan, General Secretary, CNI Synod was the chief guest. The Churches together in Derbyshire came in Partnership with The Church of North India in 1977. It involves the Anglican, Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches in Derbyshire.

The object of the partnership is to help the world Church come alive for people in all the Partner Churches in terms of culture, education,  mission, ecumenism, theology and liturgy, primarily through the inter change of communication and the facilitation of mutual visits.

Dr Pradhan was the guest preacher at the Ascension Day Well Dressing Service in the village of Tissington .  There was a seminar, led by Dr Pradhan on Mission and Ministry in Derbyshire and India at Wirksworth. Dr Pradhan officiated at the Eucharist on Sunday morning.

Glimpses of the Ascension Day Well Dressing Service:

• A long and powerful sermon relating current issues of justice with regard to water scarcity to the Derbyshire traditions of well dressing

• Part of the DVD on the CNI ’s response to the tsunami in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was shown to the congregation:  water brings life but can also bring death.  The DVD gave a very strong message of hope in the face of disaster.

• Revd Pradhan was impressed by the way in which the Well Dressing ceremony brought contemporary issues together with ancient traditions.  He felt that the CNI could make more use of its traditions, alongside its engagement with the modern world.

The Rev. Dr. Enos Das Pradhan, spoke to the children of Parwich primary school, which has made a link with a CNI school in Jowai, Meghalaya.

During his stay he visited the chaplaincy at Sudbury Prison: Revd Pradhan had an official role in a Delhi prison, which involved ensuring that correct procedures were carried out.  He had never seen a prison ministry of the kind which takes place at Sudbury however, which has such a strong spiritual and pastoral element.  This was something he has carried back to Delhi ’

He had the honor of having dinner with Bishop Alastair. During the dinner, he discussed about the forthcoming visit of Bishop Alastair Redfern and his wife Caroline to Delhi in October. The leaders also discussed about the follow up in New Delhi of Linda rose’s work in Sri Lanka on post-tsunami counseling, as CNI is also actively involved in similar programme.

On May 19, 2007 a seminar in Wirksworth on Mission and Ministry in Derbyshire and India was held.  An academic presentation was shared by Revd Pradhan on models of mission and evangelism. He brought forth the importance of mission as good news for the poor. He made specific reference to the role of the CNI in this field, especially through its Synodical Board of Social Services.  He further said that, this, however, tends to be a channel for money provided by foreign Mission and Development agencies, and could be better linked to the ministry of church congregations. 

He enlightened the gathering about the new CNI initiatives to help congregations to become more involved in mission through Congregational Renewal for Effective Engagement in Mission – (CREEM).

The aggressive evangelistic methods of some foreign missionary organizations in India was contrasted with the CNI ’s more gentle approach, which tended to be less confrontational towards members of other faiths.

Richard Jordan of Derby Diocese also gave a presentation of “Faith in Derbyshire”, a recent survey of different ways in which churches and their members engaged in the community.  This was encouraging in that it gave examples of more forms of Christian involvement in the community than many tend to be aware of.

At the Licensing of Revd. Geraldine Pond as Priest in charge of Ashbourne the Revd Pradhan brought greetings from the CNI and gave the blessing.

The Rev. Dr. Pradhan had dinner with three of the Ashbourne Patna Diocese Partnership and two members of Ashbourne Methodist Church . At the dinner the members discussed about youth work and the different age range implied by "youth".

On Sunday May 20, 2007 service of celebration for the 30^th Anniversary of the Derbyshire- CNI partnership, was held at the St Peter’s church, Littleover, Derby . As one entered through the glass doors to a church filled with people of all ages – there was an anticipation of how God would bless us during this service – the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Derbyshire Churches and Church of North India ecumenical partnership.

The Revd Christopher Harrison; Chairman of Derbyshire Churches/ CNI Partnership introduced the ‘Expressions of Partnership’ with a brief history of the formation of this ecumenical partnership and referred also to the recent exchange visits – including Mrs. Jennie Baines – a member of the host church. In a recognition that we are part of ‘one holy catholic and apostolic church’ – these expressions of Christian partnership spoke of moving together in unity ‘the bonds of peace in unity of the Spirit’ – providing a ‘window’ into the world wide church – challenging us to work together ecumenically to the building of God’s kingdom in the communities that we have all been called to serve.

The Revd Dr Enos Das Pradhan; General Secretary of the Church of North India brought reciprocal greetings and heartfelt gratitude to the Derbyshire churches – which extended a hand to walk side by side in this new model of Christian partnership – a people to people partnership – from the 26 dioceses he was representing. He brought in a blend of liturgical influences, including the Eucharistic prayer from the Church of North India led by Indian hymns. The Rev.Canon George Kovoor, in the message reminded the gathering that the white people will be in a minority in Heaven.  Colorful scarves presented to the group which visited India in March were excellently displayed.

While participation at the AGM of the Derbyshire- CNI partnership the Revd Dr .  Pradhan suggested the following to the members:

• That the CNI and the Derbyshire churches should designate the third Sunday in May as “Derbyshire- CNI partnership Sunday’

• That the Derbyshire churches make a contribution to each edition of the CNI ’s monthly North India Church Review

• That one or more clergy from the CNI visit Derbyshire for several months, to promote the partnership among the Derbyshire churches

• That the valuable work of individual church partnerships should be notified more frequently to CNI in Delhi – not so that it be subject to central control, but so that Revd Pradhan and colleagues might be more aware of these initiatives.  He would give a presentation on the Derbyshire- CNI partnership to the Executive Council of the CNI Synod. 

• He said that our link was especially valuable in that it was a ‘people to people’ partnership, not an ‘organization to organization’ link.

Stephen Lyon of Partnership in World Mission, London , urged the following to the Derbyshire Churches to use the opportunity of a pre-Lambeth visit by CNI bishops and their wives.

On May 21, 2007   the Rev. Dr. Pradhan at the St. Werburgh’s School, Spondon Eucharist met 300 primary children in a service lasting almost 90 minutes, including blessing or giving communion to each child, as well as parents and staff –the behavior of the children was impressive just like any Indian school children during long services! While speaking to the children he made reference to the Nepali Girls’ High School, Darjeeling , which is making a link with St. Werburgh’s.

Meeting and having lunch with the Bishop’s staff at the, Bishop’s House, Duffield was a unique experience for him. At the luncheon he proposed the ways of developing the partnership mentioned above. He also had the discussion of the pre-Lambeth visit and the need to co-ordinate with ecumenical partners on hosting up the 26 bishops and wives around the county.  It was also suggested that the Sunday morning services can be held in local churches, and a gathering of all the bishops, wives and hosts on the Sunday evening and finally a Coach tour of Derbyshire. Revd Pradhan commented on Bishop Alastair’s collaborative style, both liturgically and in meetings.

On May 22, 2007 , The Rev. Dr Enos Das Pradhan was taken on visit to the Normanton area of Derby , by Andrayas Khan. While there he visited a Sikh Gurdwara, Hindu temple, a mosque (closed), and St. Augustine ’s church.   Discussion of current issues in inter-faith dialogue was also held in Derby .  Finally the Rev. Dr. Enos Das Pradhan met the members of the West Midlands United Reformed Church (URC) Synod to discuss their links with the CNI .

This visit of the Rev. Dr. Enos Das Pradhan has developed a new meaning and strengthened the spirit of partnership enabling both churches to be living examples of His witness for His glory.