O T Aden died of Massive Cardiac Arrest while on visit to UMC in England

As a part of our exchange visit program on the invitation of the United Reformed Church, West Midlands, United Kingdom a group of eight persons from the Church of North India had left for United Kingdom on 6th October 2006 for two weeks of exchange visit to the United Reformed Church in West Midlands. On the fateful morning of 17th October 2006 I received a call that one of the delegates from the Church of North India had massive cardiac arrest and died on the spot while sharing stories about the life and witnesses of the churches in India. He is ONGAY TSHERING ADEN, a delegate from the Diocese of Eastern Himalaya.

ONGAY TSHERING ADEN, aged 50 years was one of the imminent leaders in the Church of North India. He was the Headmaster of the prestigious School in Darjeeling, Turnbull High School, which celebrated centenary only last month. He was a God fearing and committed church worker and laid his life in the ministry of God till he breathed his last in a foreign country representing his Church. He was member of the Synod Executive Committee and the Committee of Management of the Church of North India Trust Association during the last triennium. He had been one of the strongest pillars in the Diocese of Eastern Himalaya particularly in relation to the protection of the Trust properties in the Diocese. The Church of North India lost a versatile person, a linguist, a singer, a martial artist, a social activist and a very loving jovial person. He was connected with various social organizations in Darjeeling and Kalimpong. He is survived by his wife, Kanchan (Ruth), one son, Edwin (11) and one daughter, Pandi (19).

His body was flown to Bagdogra and then taken to Darjeeling where his colleagues, students and the community paid their last respect to the departed leader. In the evening the body was taken to his home town, Kalimpong and the funeral service was held at the Macfarlane Memorial CNI Church, Kalimpong on Monday the 23rd October 2006.

We are grateful to the United Reformed Church, West Midlands for all the trouble they have taken to look after our delegates while they were there and also taking extra care in arranging to send the body of our dear friend Ongay back to India. We thank God for the life and the witness of ONGAY SIR and pray for peace and comfort upon the bereaved family. On behalf of the Moderator of the Church of North India the Most Rev. Joel V Mal and other Bishops, my colleagues at the CNI Synod Secretariat and the leadership of the United Reformed Church, United Kingdom send our heart felt prayerful condolences to the bereaved family and the people of the Diocese of Eastern Himalaya.
 

Night Shelter for Street Children Inaugurated

It was a delight to watch sixty street children perform, to see the light in their eyes and the glow of happiness on their face when UMANG a project undertaken by CNI-SSI to cater to the need of a night shelter for street children in Nagpur was inaugurated by Mr. K R P Kosala, Treasurer of Church of North India Synod and CNI-SSI on 13th October 2006 at CNI-SSI premises at Nagpur. The children who have been brought to UMANG have seen and suffered the brutalities of living on a street. Now that they have come to UMANG, their rights to shelter, food, education as well as protection from abuse and exploitation would now be taken care by UMANG.

Present on the occasion, Bishop Paul Dupare, Bishop C. K. Das, Bishop P C Singh, Mr. Sudipta Singh and Mr. Parate (Deputy Collector of Nagpur) congratulated the CNI-SSI for this wonderful project to minister to children particularly those of the streets and pavements. Mr. Sudipta Singh reiterating the core belief of CNI that all children have the right to shelter, food and decent livelihood, commended the initiative of CNI-SSI and emphasized the fact that it is imperative on the part of government as well as the NGOs to device plans of rehabilitation for these children.

Children have equal rights and responsibilities like all other citizens. Therefore, every Indian should dream of an India in which every child has a roof over his head, an India in which no child goes hungry, an India where every child can go to school, an India which will ensure that all children have the opportunity to learn, to play, to be healthy and to live a life of dignity and self-respect. UMANG will address the root causes of street children and not just their superficial manifestations. We request the recipients of this e-news to fulfill the UMANG (desire) of the street children.

Opening of a New Church Building in Purulia

A long awaited hope of a new church building in Purulia was inaugurated on October 8, 2006 by The Rt. Revd. Probal Kanto Dutta, Bishop of the Diocese of Durgapur. St. Barnabas Church which was established on 1927 in a small mud house with few members grew to be a big congregation. The need was felt to build a new church building and the plans were being drawn ten years ago. But due to lack of funds it was not taking place. When the new Bishop of the diocese came three years ago, he said that we cannot wait for money and then to have the building. We should put the plan of the church building at the feet of Jesus and start the work by faith. So ON February 12, 2006 the Bishop went and broke the grounds and there was the money coming from poor people in the church. Everyone worked for it. This congregation was originally for the people who were cured of Leprosy.

Sanjana Das Invited By PCUSA

The Presbyterian Church, USA, has for the first time invited one of the CNI Synod staff Ms. Sanjana Das, Coordinator, Children’s Concerns to visit different congregations, to speak, to share about the CNI Ministry to Children to strengthen the CNI-PCUSA Partnership. During her visit Sanjana will be visiting different churches in Louisville, Lake Erie, Ohio, Virginia, California and Cleveland. She would be sharing on CNI work and future aspects of Children Ministry, specifically Child Rights Violation in India vis-à-vis, the role of Church of North India with special reference to Trafficking in Children and Women.
 

Pilgrimage of Trust held in Kolkata

The CBCI Youth Commission and the Archdiocese of Kolkata invited the Taize Community to hold an International Meeting together with twenty parishes and local church communities in Kolkata. Participants from 35 different countries ranging from Mexico to Malaysia and from Germany to Japan, on arrival at Howrah and Sealdah were directed towards twelve different welcome centers thorough out the city to attend the meeting. Thousands of young adults from all over India participated in the meeting.

The meeting was a step along the “Pilgrimage of Trust”. It intended to support young people in their search for god and their desire to commit themselves in the Church and in society. “On the road of trust, towards a future of peace” was the theme of the meeting. Trust, Peace and Hope were the main theme dealt on every day. Sharing and visit to the surrounding neighborhood, enabled the young people to see at first hand initiatives which help build trust and peace at a local level.