CWM - News

Report on CWMM Conference – April, 21-27, 2001, Goa – No.2

                                                                                                                                                22.04.01

  Dr. Lall welcomes the CWMM participants to the CNI Church, Goa.

 While welcoming the CWMM conference participants to the only CNI Church in Goa, Dr. V.S.Lall said that all the seats in the Church were occupied by the participants and there was no place for the local worshippers.  Humorously he reminded that this is the Indian hospitality whereby people go out of their way to make you comfortable.  

Mrs Menon, priest in charge of the Church was a happy person as so many members assembled in the Church, with the General Secretary of Church of North India.  She thanked the members and requested them to remember the small Church in their prayers, as it needs a full time pastor.

 

Sunday School children form the Church gave a special number in honour of the visiting delegation.  The children were three in number and the participants appreciated and enjoyed the song.  Keeping the tradition the youth of the Church also gave a number.

 

 

 “Two hands to clap and one hand to slap”

-      Rev. Verna

 Two hands could be used to clap in appreciation, honour, and with one hand we could only slap others.  It is in the same way God made women and men to complement each other and appreciate each other’s efforts.  We, women, men all are one in God’s kingdom to build community through dialogue, said Rev. Verna during her powerful sermon at the 18th Century Anglican Church at Goa.  The community which we talk about needs to be demonstrated in the outside world.  This community needs to be a creative and supportive one.  It should be a transforming element in the new creation. Community of all people, not only women and men but everyone is included in it.  It has inclusiveness and not exclusiveness.  This is were the difference starts.  The Bible says that because of Jesus’ dialogue and communication with the Canaanite woman she went back to her community and became a reformed woman.  Jesus did not want her to remain outside the community.  It is important that we engage ourselves in dialogue. 

 

Confession among the people of God is needed to experience the unconditional love of God.  Normally we tent to hold on to the mistakes of others.  It is human nature but one has to come out of it. 

Worship involves every one, women and men.  It touches our life and when we experience God’s presence it is demonstrated in each other’s lives. 

God does guide individuals.  God also guides people in groups.  That is the reason why we are here worshipping God.    

Celebration brings joy in human life.  Some times Christians are so serious and they forget to celebrate.  We give the impression to others that we are not happy.  When we are God’s people we cannot be sad people.  We should allow God to speak to us.  Then we would get the joy of life. 

After the Church service the members of the congregation hosted a tea party to the visiting delegation.  The members appreciated the kindness of the congregation. 

The first introductory session started with a game.  This game involved other’s cooperation in order to achieve the desired result.  Participants were asked to find out the missing part of the picture from other participants.  It worked very well as the participants were in groups. 

After tea the facilitators again divided the group into four and this time they gave words and asked the groups to act them out. The other groups then had to guess the right word.  All the members got interested and did their best to get their group to win.  This was perhaps a fascinating experience as every one became a carefree child and enjoyed themselves thoroughly. 

 Photos from the Group Work

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Produced by:

S. Thangavel, Church of North India,

For the Council for World Mission. Reporting from Goa.

E-mail:  develop@nagpur.dot.net.in