The CWM South Asia region held its 2020 Regional Pre-Assembly on the theme Rising to Life with Jesus on 24 – 28 February 2020 in Kolkata, India, hosted by the Church of North India. The CWM 2020 Regional Pre-Assembly was a regional meeting attended by CWM member churches from the South Asia Region aiming to fulfil the following objectives:
- Bible studies, worship and reflection
- Discern the will of God for such a time as this
- Contextualise the Assembly theme of Rising to Life with Jesus
- Thematic expression on Life-Flourishing Communities
- Provide an orientation to the CWM 2020 Assembly
An integral part of the Pre-Assembly were the Assembly Orientation sessions led by the CWM East and South Asia staff team. An introduction of CWM was given, followed by a presentation on the Assembly and the role of delegates. The delegates were briefed on key concepts and processes of the Assembly, as well as governance and the role of members. Finally, logistical matters were covered.
The Keynote Address based on the Assembly theme, Rising to Life with Jesus, was delivered by Rev. Dr Praveen Prabhu Sudheer Perumalla, the Church of South India-Ecumenical Mission in Solidarity (CSI-EMS) liaison officer of CSI. Expounding on the topic of Public Intellectuals and Mutual Indifference, Rev. Dr Perumalla highlighted the impact of public intellectuals in transforming society through their critical questioning. Examples were drawn from India and Nepal, illustrating the dichotomy between public intellectuals and the surrounding environment of “mutual indifference”, defined as “a deadwood response towards fellow humans in times of trouble”. The Babylonian captivity of the Israelites was being presented as a biblical example of a response against such moral indifference.
Rev. Samuel John Shekhar, Chaplain in St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, led the two-day bible study on Reconciled Diversity and Justice. On the first day, Rev. Shekhar brought the delegates through an exposition of the neonate Christian community, sharing of how the apostles of Christ handled the issue of discrimination between the Jewish and Hellenistic widows in their community. In the South Asian context, delegates examined the cultural practices that hinder the flourishing of communities, as well as the political realities that obstruct the emergence of these. The bible study on the second day was on the topic of Stability and Harmony. Based on the text of Jeremiah 29:4-11, Rev. Shekar drew five basic principles – a stable economy for self-reliance, a stable family for social security, real local involvement for social harmony, collective resilience and the power of hope.
The first thematic expression on Life-Flourishing Societies: Political Oppression was delivered by Dr Mebada Wanka Lyngdoh Nongbri, State Consultant with World Vision India. Detailing instances of political oppression in Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, Dr Nongbri outlined how religion is often used by regimes to gain support. From the biblical account, she identified examples of resistance against oppression and despotic power. The presentation was concluded with several suggested action plans for the church and Christian community, including the development of training modules to teach constitutional values, the church’s stand against unjust states, advocacies and empowering the youth.
Professor Mathew Koshy, Hon. Director of the Church of South India’s Ecological Department, led the second thematic expression on Life-Flourishing Creation: Ecological and Economic Justice. Through a series of principles, he demonstrated God’s original purpose for creation, the interconnectedness of all creation and humankind’s responsibility as stewards of God’s creation. Prof. Koshy documented the worsening ecological disasters around the globe and proposed how local communities can take part in energy and water conservation, recycling, replanting and waste management in order to preserve the rights of nature. He outlined the church’s responsibility to train people on adaptation and mitigation at the local level, with an emphasis on minimum exploitation of natural resources, increasing the green cover on earth and observing green protocol for all functions.
The South Asia Pre-Assembly was a time of mutual learning and sharing as the delegates were familiarised with the Assembly theme, strengthening the family ties with each other and were led through a time of preparation during which several social issues were brought up for their deliberation and reflection.
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- Delegates, resource persons, CWM staff and CNI steward gathered as a family of CWM South Asia Region in preparation for the CWM Assembly.
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- Keynote speaker Rev. Dr Praveen Prabhu Sudheer Perumalla, CSI-EMS liaison officer of CSI, challenges the gathering in his presentation on Public Intellectuals and Mutual Indifference, highlighting the impact of public intellectuals in transforming society through their critical questioning. Examples were drawn from different countries in South Asia, illustrating the dichotomy between public intellectuals and the surrounding environment of indifference.
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- Bible study leader Rev. Samuel John Shekhar shares his perspective in the keynote address plenary session, in which the social issues in South Asia as well as the role of public intellectuals were discussed.
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- Moderator of the day Dr Prema Sarojini from the Church of South India chairs the meeting by introducing the bible study leader Rev. Samuel John Shekhar, Chaplain in St. Stephen’s College, Delhi.
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- CSI youth delegate Ditto Prasad makes his contribution during the bible study discussion session, in which issues in the South Asian region such as the widening rich-poor gap, militarisation, the caste system, suppression of voices and the participation of women were brought out.
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- Thematic speaker Dr Mebada Wanka Lyngdoh Nongbri, State Consultant with World Vision India, gives a presentation on Political Oppression in the context of the South Asia Region, challenging the delegates with suggested action plans for the church and Christian community, including the creation of modules to teach constitutional values.
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- CSI Deputy Moderator Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr K. Reuben Mark pronounces the benediction at morning worship
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- COB youth delegate Ornob Mondol Antu shares the summary of his group’s finding during the first thematic expression’s plenary session, which saw discussion and interaction on South Asian politics and the role of the church in it.
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- PCI female delegate Bicillica Phangchopi summarises her table’s group discussion during the second thematic expression’s plenary session.
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- Delegates singing during the first day’s evening prayer led by PCI
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- Delegates joining hands in worship during the second day’s Morning Worship led by CSI
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- Delegates interact during the plenary session group discussion on how the church can be an agent of change, compassion, respect, understanding and proactive tolerance in the midst of political oppression.
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- CWM staff Stephen Chia facilitates the first session of Assembly Orientation, giving an introduction to CWM.
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- During the bible study session on the third day, delegates played a competitive game to illustrate the importance of teamwork and critical, creative thinking.
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- Delegates in the other team strategising before executing their game plan.
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- Thematic speaker Prof. Dr Mathew Koshy challenges the gathering during his presentation on Ecological and Economic Justice. Through a series of principles, Prof. Koshy demonstrated God’s original purpose for creation, the interconnectedness of all creation and humankind’s role as stewards of creation. He documented the worsening ecological disasters around the globe and proposed how local communities can take part in energy and water conservation, recycling, replanting and waste management in order to protect the rights of nature.
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- The Listening Group in action, summarising the day’s findings and learning points.
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- CSI female delegate Dr Prema Sarojini speaks passionately during the second thematic expression’s plenary session, in which strategies to combat environmental degradation were discussed and experiences shared.
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- COB delegate Dr Harold Sougato Baroi makes his contribution during the bible study discussion on falling birth rates and how Christians should approach this issue.
